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You know those cartoons where an angel sits on one shoulder and a devil sits on the other, and the bewildered main character is caught in the middle of a dialogue? My daughter, who aced Psychology 101, tells me Freud would interpret the angel as the super-ego and the devil as the id. I’ll run with that. Here’s what my super-ego and id might say to each other in the dojo…
Super-ego: No, you can’t run off and hide in the locker room! Spar with her. You’ll learn stuff!
Id: She outranks me by three belts, she’s taller than me, and she’s half my age. She’s gonna clean my clock!
Super-ego: It’s time!
Id: But I’m not ready! I’m not good enough! I’m OLD! OW, I got hit!
Super-ego: Relax and play.
Id: But I’m in a FIGHT! OW!!!
Super-ego: Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water….
Id: If our mind needs to be empty, quit trotting out Bruce Lee quotes and shut up already!
Super-ego: I’ll be quiet if you stop freaking out.
The final post in this series from which we martial arts bloggers learned: 1) How NOT to make a case for or against someone or something 2) Why certain comments set our teeth on edge 3) How to stay focused when discussing our arts
It’s Trash Talk Tuesday!
One thing I absolutely love about Karate is it’s been around awhile. Yes, I’m fully aware that the particular style I’m studying is less than a century old and maybe its founder is rolling around in his grave because of some of the changes that have taken place. I’m talking about Karate in general. Yes, I know Japanese Karate, which is where my style comes from, is different from Okinawan Karate. I’m looking over a pretty big swath of time and across cultures here. Anyway – back to my point. Karate’s long roots stretching back over time appeals to me. But is that the only reason I should keep studying? Absolutely not!
Appeal to tradition and appeal to modernity are propaganda techniques that might come in handy for advertising. Let’s keep them in that realm. Really and truly, can MMA claim to be better than Karate based on how “modern” it is? Can Karate claim to be better than MMA based on its traditions? NO. It’s all about what the student wants out of his or her art. Yes, advertise to attract the people you want. But don’t stop there. Give your potential students some real benefits to studying with you. Provide your credentials and some statistics.
Each art has its share of really impressive people. Learn. Keep an open mind. Most of all, please respect each other.
Thanks to Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn, the authors of _The Fallacy Detective_
Let’s face it – Karate isn’t about arranging flowers. We get hurt. Now that I’m older, I’ve discovered I don’t heal in ten minutes like I used to when I was a kid. More like ten days! I’ve come to realize I have an obligation to heal myself. When I’m sick or injured, I often feel I must keep bulling through my normal routine when in fact, it’s better to do the opposite and rest.
Awww! I know how he feels.
If I truly love Karate, I mustn’t ruin my body by trying to be brave and work through the pain. A little time off makes me even more eager to practice and learn! Unseen hurts of the psychological variety need to be dealt with too so that I don’t drag emotional baggage into the dojo, where it doesn’t belong. In the end, if I take time to heal myself, I’ll be more effective at healing others.
Huh? Wait – Karate is about taking people apart, right? Well, yeah, and accidents do happen. I’ve just started training in CPR and First Aid as required by my new job. If an emergency situation arises I am under obligation to start healing others. Fortunately, emergency situations are rare even in Karate, so I won’t have to fulfill my obligation to help with physical healing very often. But our obligation to heal isn’t limited to first aid. There’s another kind of healing all karateka are obligated to participate in.
Karate is also about building people up. This is a form of healing. If you don’t believe me, just ask the kid who recently discovered she can pack a powerful punch. She doesn’t fear being pushed around by the playground bully anymore, and indeed she’s gained so much self confidence that the schoolyard bully is backing off. That is healing. When we take the time to teach her, to spar with her, to tell her that her punch is amazing, we are healing her. It’s our duty to heal where we can.
Our obligation to heal can be extended even further. Pick up trash. Smile. Plant a tree. Donate. Say something kind. Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Volunteer. Karate gives us the discipline we need to reach beyond ourselves. Let’s use that ability to heal our world one small corner at a time.
So there you have it. We are under obligation to heal ourselves, others, and our world. Yes, we are learning to maim and kill. But we’re also learning how to build and heal. Let’s not lose sight of that.
Time once again for us martial arts bloggers to learn:
1) How NOT to make a case for or against someone or something
2) Why certain comments set our teeth on edge
3) How to stay focused when discussing our arts
Three months ago, this guy was a scrawny little nerd. He enrolled in Sensei Rockum Sockum’s Home Study Karate Kourse and look at him now! He can beat up anybody and chicks dig him. So what are you waiting for? Get off your duff and sign up!
The advertiser is hoping young men will transfer their positive feelings about the prospect of becoming big and strong to the product being sold. We still haven’t been given Sensei Rockum Sockum’s credentials, and he hasn’t proven the effectiveness of his teaching methods. There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of transfer in advertising – but please be sure and include at least a modicum of proven benefit.
Transfer can also be used in an attempt to shift negative feelings about someone or something. Consider the following advertisement from Master Trik-Ki Woo’s Kung-Fu Kollege:
Don’t let this happen to you! Come to Master Trik-Ki Woo’s Kung-Fu Kollege and learn how to defend yourself from the upcoming Alien Zombie Invasion! Don’t be a victim!
If you’d like to learn more, you can follow along in the book _The Fallacy Detective_ by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn
With whom do I prefer to spar? The people I can beat up easily? Those who are roughly the same rank as I? Surely I’m not so crazy that I prefer getting my tail thoroughly whipped by someone who vastly outranks me?
I have no preference.
Sparring with brand-new beginners is a chance for me to teach. I’m careful to go at my opponent’s pace, then I look for opportunities to push a little – maybe two face jabs in a row, maybe a kick aimed four inches short of the head. If I need to go slowly it is a chance for me to work on form and precision. It’s encouraging to receive a great punch or kick in the gut when the beginner is good and confident about actually hitting me.
When I fight with those who are the same rank as I, it stands to reason I’ll win some and I’ll lose some. At this stage clashing shins is the norm. I can’t wait for my rank-mates and I to “outgrow” that. Pain is an excellent teacher so I’m sure sooner or later I’ll learn. It’s great that we’re all going through the same challenges and developing the same skills together. I can compare myself to my peers and assure myself that I’m doing just fine for my rank.
Because I’m only a bit over 9 months into my training, most karateka outrank me. Therefore any number of people can whip my tail with both hands behind their backs. Some of them are shorter than I am, some are taller, a few are, well, pretty darned big and scary – especially if they also outrank me by two or more belts. I learn a lot about my weaknesses. Techniques and combinations of techniques that I’ve never dealt with before are thrown at me. I find my skills are improved after a few sound thrashings. I am more confident when facing those my same rank and I learn a little more about how to teach brand-new beginners. The highest ranks usually instruct me on how I can improve, and that is priceless.
Let’s face it – some of us beginners are scared to death when faced with the prospect of sparring a black belt. We might lose the fight even before it’s begun with thoughts like, “I doubt I’ll land even one punch,” or “even my fastest kick won’t be fast enough and she’ll sweep me for sure!”
Feel free to laugh at my expense. The first time a Sensei chose to spar against me, I was scared spitless and had very few skills to draw on. All he had to do was stick out a fist or whip a kick and I’d run straight onto it. It wasn’t much of a sparring match at all because I asked for a halt and then asked what I was doing wrong – which led to some coaching. That was about five months ago. Fast forward to last month. Another black belt chose to play cat and mouse with me (it’s pretty obvious who the mouse was). I wasn’t terrified – maybe a teeny bit scared but mostly determined to do my best. Yeah, I got my tail whipped, but… I had lots to think about afterward, including something to try next time I see his signature move (I know, I should’ve thought of something to try long before he chose to spar with me).
So to all my fellow beginners out there – learn from everyone. Be a good sport no matter who you’re up against. And take heart – you will survive and you will thrive the more you get your tail whupped by those who are better than you. Ask questions and get feedback, then practice. You’ll be proud of your bruises.
Super-ego: No, you can’t run off and hide in the locker room! Spar with her. You’ll learn stuff!
Id: She outranks me by three belts, she’s taller than me, and she’s half my age. She’s gonna clean my clock!
Super-ego: Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water….
