I wrote this 10 years ago, but it's just as interesting today, I think...
Back in the 1950’s a lot of people smoked, and many of them did not understand the risks. There are a lot of lawsuits currently going on that claim the cigarette industry knew the risks and ignored them to make a buck. The main issue of these lawsuits is that the industry not only ignored the risks and aided in keeping the public ignorant of these risks, but also took steps to increase the addictive nature of cigarettes. Furthermore, it is said that they targeted children to insure that they’ll have another generation of smokers to keep the profits coming after the current generation dies off.
It seems to me that the key issue in these lawsuits is not whether cigarettes are unhealthy, because I can’t imagine somebody could think otherwise of burning something and sucking the smoke into their lungs…but since we live in a society that used to attach leaches to sick people to “bleed out” the illness then I guess I’ll have to let that one go. The issue seems to be whether the tobacco industry knew about these extent of the health risks, which range from cancer in the smoker to chronic asthma in the children of smokers, and hid this information from the public. Beyond that, however, is the question of whether cigarette makers also made their product more addictive by inflating the level of nicotine, the addictive drug in cigarettes. Forget about tobacco being a “tumor-causing, teeth-staining, smelling, puking, habit;” it’s an addiction, plain and simple. I have a habit of running my fingers through my hair when I’m thinking, but I’ve never said, “I’ve got to go outside in the freezing-cold because I need to run my fingers through my hair.”
The result of much of the so-called “tobacco legislation” is that tobacco companies now have to put larger warning labels on their products. They have to take steps to discourage underage smoking…sort of like having a “marketing” and an “anti-marketing” department. (How would you like to work in an industry that MUST take steps to discourage people from buying your product?) They’re also making billion-dollar donations to states in order to subsidize health-care costs for tobacco-related illness.
Back in the 50’s many people smoked because it was considered “cool.” How cool James Dean would have been as a 70-year-old cancer patient instead of a Rebel Without a Cause is something we’ll never know. Nevertheless, cigarettes were portrayed as something “cool” people had and if you weren’t smoking you were “square.” These days fewer cool people smoke because the health risks are clear, but there’s one thing they do have and that’s CELL PHONES!! Cell phones are not at all like cigarettes, right? They pose no health risks, right? Cellular phone companies don’t target children, right? Wrong, wrong, and wrong!
Many families have microwave ovens in their homes. Microwaves are used to cook food and the ovens provide excellent protection from the harmful radiation with all sorts of seals and automatic-shut-off mechanisms; but what about cellular phones? These phones also produce microwaves and the most common way to use them is to put one against your head. Most people wouldn’t dream of putting their head in a microwave oven, then again most people wouldn’t dream of wrapping their lips around the exhaust pipe of a running automobile, but inhaling the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke amounts to a similar analogy.
In recent studies, mice exposed to microwaves mimicking the effect of cellular phones have had significant memory loss to the tune of forgetting how to swim; so if follows that putting a microwave-emitting device against one’s head is not particularly wise, but hey, as long as it’s “cool” right? What the heck…if the cool people of the 50’s could ignore the possibility of lung cancer why can’t the cool people of the 90’s ignore the possibility of brain cancer?
This danger seems to be greater with children because studies show that the penetration of radiation from the antenna goes deeper into a child’s brain because their heads and brains are smaller, but also because the conductivity properties of those tissues that are still developing differ, and it facilitates more of an exposure. Regardless, the cell-phone industry appears to be targeting young people with phone models bearing the likeness of various Disney characters and communications providers are encouraging people to switch to cellular-only calling plans. In the words of CNN anchor, Wolf Blitzer, “What the cellular-phone industry is now doing is what the tobacco industry did with its Joe Camel ads.”
Without much research savvy, you can find conflicting evidence about whether cellular phones pose health risks, much in the same way you can find conflicting evidence about tobacco. The similarities do not end there, though. Much of the research conducted that concluded that cigarettes do not pose a health risk, was (surprise!) funded by the tobacco industry. So when I read a quote stating, “We believe that wireless phones are safe, including use by children.” I’m not surprised to also read that it was a spokesman for AT&T Wireless that made it.
Do the companies who manufacture and sell cellular phones and calling plans know that microwave radiation is harmful? Sure. Do they sell them anyway in hopes that they’ll make a buck? You bet. So now that we’ve got the addiction for the next generation underway, we can look forward to the lawsuits continuing…but next time the defendants won’t be Philip Morris and R. J. Reynolds, they’ll be Motorola, Nokia, and Ericsson.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Shugyo: A Ritual of Training
In Forrest Morgan’s 1992 book, Living the Martial Way, he defines shugyo as “austere training”. Shugyo is a “ritual observed in some way, shape, or form by every warrior society in the world. It involved hardening the spirit through severe training or some extreme physical test. The ritual takes different forms in different cultures, but they all have a common element: the warrior drives himself, or is driven, to a level of endurance beyond what he previously believed possible. The experience is both grueling and frightening, but the warrior emerges from the ordeal feeling purified. One who has experienced this kind of training is never quite the same afterwards” (Morgan, pg. 59).
Why Shugyo?
For the samuari, shugyo was a way for warriors to build discipline during a time when their very survival depended on the preparedness for battle. So why would people today need to participate in a ritual that is meant to prepare them for a situation that they are not likely to encounter? Psychiatrist and jujutsu stylist, Dr. Alan Hasegawa, explained it best when he wrote: “In an affluent society, it is necessary to purposely seek out the challenges which were once a part of daily life of the warrior. This drive to test the limits of one’s own potential is universal (1987).”
Mr. Morgan recounts a story of shugyo from his days as a nineteen-year old taekwondo student; the story involved intense training during his first martial arts seminar. “Shugyo doesn’t have to take place in the training hall, and if your spirit is strong, you don’t need someone else to drive you on. If fact, undergoing shugyo along, with no one else to motivate you or look after you safety, can temper your spirit like nothing else can. And there’s no warrior ritual more traditional than solitary shugyo” (Morgan, pg. 60). On the seventh of November, nineteen-hundred, ninety-eight, I engaged in the ritual of solitary shugyo; and this paper is a recount of my actions, thoughts, and feelings while climbing the north of the four peaks, east-northeast of Phoenix, Arizona.
Background
Four Peaks, as the group is called, is a part of the Mazatzal Mountains within Tonto National Forest. The peaks are approximately 80 miles east-northeast of Phoenix and the tallest of which is 7,657 feet above sea level. About 800 feet below the north peak is an area known as “the saddle”. It is approximately one thousand feet above the parking area, which is 18 miles of unpaved road away from Arizona State Highway 87. The image above shows the north peak on the left, and “the saddle” below that to the left.
Preparations
Of course, I had been preparing for this ritual throughout my seven-plus years as a martial artist; but for the hike itself, my preparations began the evening before. Knowing that there would be no honor in getting hurt due to lack of preparation, I took this task very seriously. I went to a local supermarket and purchased several liters of water, some Clif bars, and a Met-Rx bar for sustenance. I did not want to be weighted down by heavy food, either in my stomach or on my back, so the bars were an obvious choice. I also purchased batteries for my camera, knowing that I would want to take pictures along my journey.
After returning home from the store, I placed the water in the refrigerator and searched for other items that would be needed: boots, extra socks, gloves, cellular phone, flashlight, my Leatherman multi-tool, and, of course, the camera. With everything laid out and ready to go, I set my alarm clock for 5:40 and went to bed early; sleep was the one thing I was sure I couldn’t buy at the convenience store by the highway before the Four Peaks Road turnoff.
The following morning my wife made me oatmeal and wheat toast for breakfast while I showered, got dressed, finished packing my bag, and loaded up my cooler with water and Gatorade. By seven in the morning, I was on my way.
Half the Fun
They say that getting there is half the fun and for the most part, I disagree; but in this case, the drive was nice. I had the top off of my 1997 Jeep Wrangler and sixty miles per hour makes for some cold wind in the morning, even in Arizona. I must have been a sight to see along the Superstition Freeway, all bundled up in a sweatshirt and gloves, singing along with “Jesus Christ Superstar”. I actually missed my exit for the Beeline Highway and had to double-back, as it turned out, it wouldn’t be the last time I had to turn around that day…
By nine o’clock or so, I had already filled-up my tank with gasoline and was getting ready to start the eighteen-mile climb up Four Peaks Road. I expected the climb to take about an hour and since the going is slow, it always seems to take longer. The road practically requires four-wheel drive, but I didn’t use mine. The biggest problem one faces on that road are the washes (deep trenches formed by water coming down the mountain) and the rocks, so vehicular clearance is the key. I tend to drive fast and love that kind of driving; an average of eighteen miles per hour on that road is a pretty good clip. I reached the parking lot at the trailhead at around ten o’clock, ready to go… My original plan was to ride my mountain bike up to the saddle and hike the rest of the way, but the parks service bans bikes from the trails, so my plan had to be adjusted. Flexibility is the key here, as in life, plans do not always end up being reality and the ability to adjust is the ability to succeed.
Back in the Saddle
The quest for the summit can be broken down into two distinct parts: from the trailhead to the saddle, and from the saddle to the peak. I’d been to the saddle three times previous and to the peak twice, but this will be the first time on my own. The trail to the saddle is pretty easy and it’s my feeling that anyone in reasonable shape can get to the saddle, the key is to avoid stepping on any critters that you encounter along the way.
I reached the saddle by eleven o’clock and took my first break there. I ate one of the Clif bars and downed some Gatorade, then took the time to take a picture of what lay ahead. The crevasse that starts from just to the right of the top and cuts down into the dark is what was in store for me if I wanted to reach the peak. At this point, I thought I’d spend some more time sitting and drinking Gatorade. I figured that if I could reach the saddle on the way down by two in the afternoon, I would make it off of Four Peaks Road by dark.
Into Thin Air
The toughest part about the climb to the peak is the fact that you can never be one-hundred percent sure that the rock you grab to pull yourself up isn’t going to tumble down the mountain with you. A close second to that is the complete lack of direct sunlight and wind-chill factor that brings the temperature of the already-thin air near freezing. Those factors aside, the climb is nothing more than doing about forty pull-ups and a hundred or so “mountain climbers”, which I learned are appropriately named.
My original intent was to hike to the second peak and I thought I could get there by taking a turn off of the trail to the first peak and hiking a quick “down and up”. As it turned out, I was wrong. I spent about forty minutes struggling through some pretty thick brush and pulling cactus needles out of my hands (and rear) before I reached a drop-off that was too high to take safely, along and without ropes. Since discretion is the better part of valor, I chose turn around go for the north peak; getting injured would defeat the purpose of this ritual and only go to show that I lack the judgement necessary to be an effective leader. This is as close as I got to the second peak, which will have to wait for another day.
On Top of the World
It didn’t take me long to reach the north peak after abandoning my quest for the second peak, perhaps another ten minutes. Once on the north peak, I could see Apache and Roosevelt Lakes to the north, as well as back down to the saddle. I took the time to sit for a while, enjoy another Clif bar and some more Gatorade, and of course, take some pictures. The air on the peak is very clear, but the haze that has settled over the city of Phoenix makes it invisible, almost as if the rest of the world had vanished.
Conclusion
The trip back down the mountain was uneventful and I spent a lot of time thinking, as I did during the trip up. I thought about why I chose to undergo the ritual of shugyo and what it would mean to me. I have never thought of myself as someone with “something to prove”, so that was not my motivation. I think it had something to do with just being on my own again, in a manner of speaking. I chose to go when I did for several reasons; the first of which is because it was roughly one year since I first reached the peak. The second reason is because “the idea is to find a memorable occasion that will have emotional significance to those taking part. Then the shugyo serves as a cleansing, a right of passage.” (Morgan, pg. 60) Three weeks before was my wedding day and I can’t think of a more memorable occasion than that.
Perhaps the ritual helped to prepare me for married life, by giving me the confidence I know I’ll need to be a good husband, and someday a good father. Or perhaps the shugyo just served as a chapter marker in my life; the first page of the first chapter of my life together with Brandi. I don’t know. During the trip, I thought about a lot of things and planned on recounting them here, but in retrospect I do not think that was the point of my shugyo. The point was just in the thinking.
I learned about myself that day, spending time alone will do that. I realized that there are some things I like, and others that I don’t. I may not have reached all of my goals during that day, but I think that my understanding about why I am the way I am has improved considerably. And I believe that if I am to understand anyone or anything, I must first understand myself.
References
- Morgan, Forrest E. “Living the Martial Way: A Manual for the Way a Modern Warrior Should Think.” Barricade Books: New York, 1992, pp. 56-61.
- Photos from this day can be found here.
Why Shugyo?
For the samuari, shugyo was a way for warriors to build discipline during a time when their very survival depended on the preparedness for battle. So why would people today need to participate in a ritual that is meant to prepare them for a situation that they are not likely to encounter? Psychiatrist and jujutsu stylist, Dr. Alan Hasegawa, explained it best when he wrote: “In an affluent society, it is necessary to purposely seek out the challenges which were once a part of daily life of the warrior. This drive to test the limits of one’s own potential is universal (1987).”
Mr. Morgan recounts a story of shugyo from his days as a nineteen-year old taekwondo student; the story involved intense training during his first martial arts seminar. “Shugyo doesn’t have to take place in the training hall, and if your spirit is strong, you don’t need someone else to drive you on. If fact, undergoing shugyo along, with no one else to motivate you or look after you safety, can temper your spirit like nothing else can. And there’s no warrior ritual more traditional than solitary shugyo” (Morgan, pg. 60). On the seventh of November, nineteen-hundred, ninety-eight, I engaged in the ritual of solitary shugyo; and this paper is a recount of my actions, thoughts, and feelings while climbing the north of the four peaks, east-northeast of Phoenix, Arizona.
Background
Four Peaks, as the group is called, is a part of the Mazatzal Mountains within Tonto National Forest. The peaks are approximately 80 miles east-northeast of Phoenix and the tallest of which is 7,657 feet above sea level. About 800 feet below the north peak is an area known as “the saddle”. It is approximately one thousand feet above the parking area, which is 18 miles of unpaved road away from Arizona State Highway 87. The image above shows the north peak on the left, and “the saddle” below that to the left.
Preparations
Of course, I had been preparing for this ritual throughout my seven-plus years as a martial artist; but for the hike itself, my preparations began the evening before. Knowing that there would be no honor in getting hurt due to lack of preparation, I took this task very seriously. I went to a local supermarket and purchased several liters of water, some Clif bars, and a Met-Rx bar for sustenance. I did not want to be weighted down by heavy food, either in my stomach or on my back, so the bars were an obvious choice. I also purchased batteries for my camera, knowing that I would want to take pictures along my journey.
After returning home from the store, I placed the water in the refrigerator and searched for other items that would be needed: boots, extra socks, gloves, cellular phone, flashlight, my Leatherman multi-tool, and, of course, the camera. With everything laid out and ready to go, I set my alarm clock for 5:40 and went to bed early; sleep was the one thing I was sure I couldn’t buy at the convenience store by the highway before the Four Peaks Road turnoff.
The following morning my wife made me oatmeal and wheat toast for breakfast while I showered, got dressed, finished packing my bag, and loaded up my cooler with water and Gatorade. By seven in the morning, I was on my way.
Half the Fun
They say that getting there is half the fun and for the most part, I disagree; but in this case, the drive was nice. I had the top off of my 1997 Jeep Wrangler and sixty miles per hour makes for some cold wind in the morning, even in Arizona. I must have been a sight to see along the Superstition Freeway, all bundled up in a sweatshirt and gloves, singing along with “Jesus Christ Superstar”. I actually missed my exit for the Beeline Highway and had to double-back, as it turned out, it wouldn’t be the last time I had to turn around that day…
By nine o’clock or so, I had already filled-up my tank with gasoline and was getting ready to start the eighteen-mile climb up Four Peaks Road. I expected the climb to take about an hour and since the going is slow, it always seems to take longer. The road practically requires four-wheel drive, but I didn’t use mine. The biggest problem one faces on that road are the washes (deep trenches formed by water coming down the mountain) and the rocks, so vehicular clearance is the key. I tend to drive fast and love that kind of driving; an average of eighteen miles per hour on that road is a pretty good clip. I reached the parking lot at the trailhead at around ten o’clock, ready to go… My original plan was to ride my mountain bike up to the saddle and hike the rest of the way, but the parks service bans bikes from the trails, so my plan had to be adjusted. Flexibility is the key here, as in life, plans do not always end up being reality and the ability to adjust is the ability to succeed.
Back in the Saddle
The quest for the summit can be broken down into two distinct parts: from the trailhead to the saddle, and from the saddle to the peak. I’d been to the saddle three times previous and to the peak twice, but this will be the first time on my own. The trail to the saddle is pretty easy and it’s my feeling that anyone in reasonable shape can get to the saddle, the key is to avoid stepping on any critters that you encounter along the way.
I reached the saddle by eleven o’clock and took my first break there. I ate one of the Clif bars and downed some Gatorade, then took the time to take a picture of what lay ahead. The crevasse that starts from just to the right of the top and cuts down into the dark is what was in store for me if I wanted to reach the peak. At this point, I thought I’d spend some more time sitting and drinking Gatorade. I figured that if I could reach the saddle on the way down by two in the afternoon, I would make it off of Four Peaks Road by dark.
Into Thin Air
The toughest part about the climb to the peak is the fact that you can never be one-hundred percent sure that the rock you grab to pull yourself up isn’t going to tumble down the mountain with you. A close second to that is the complete lack of direct sunlight and wind-chill factor that brings the temperature of the already-thin air near freezing. Those factors aside, the climb is nothing more than doing about forty pull-ups and a hundred or so “mountain climbers”, which I learned are appropriately named.
My original intent was to hike to the second peak and I thought I could get there by taking a turn off of the trail to the first peak and hiking a quick “down and up”. As it turned out, I was wrong. I spent about forty minutes struggling through some pretty thick brush and pulling cactus needles out of my hands (and rear) before I reached a drop-off that was too high to take safely, along and without ropes. Since discretion is the better part of valor, I chose turn around go for the north peak; getting injured would defeat the purpose of this ritual and only go to show that I lack the judgement necessary to be an effective leader. This is as close as I got to the second peak, which will have to wait for another day.
On Top of the World
It didn’t take me long to reach the north peak after abandoning my quest for the second peak, perhaps another ten minutes. Once on the north peak, I could see Apache and Roosevelt Lakes to the north, as well as back down to the saddle. I took the time to sit for a while, enjoy another Clif bar and some more Gatorade, and of course, take some pictures. The air on the peak is very clear, but the haze that has settled over the city of Phoenix makes it invisible, almost as if the rest of the world had vanished.
Conclusion
The trip back down the mountain was uneventful and I spent a lot of time thinking, as I did during the trip up. I thought about why I chose to undergo the ritual of shugyo and what it would mean to me. I have never thought of myself as someone with “something to prove”, so that was not my motivation. I think it had something to do with just being on my own again, in a manner of speaking. I chose to go when I did for several reasons; the first of which is because it was roughly one year since I first reached the peak. The second reason is because “the idea is to find a memorable occasion that will have emotional significance to those taking part. Then the shugyo serves as a cleansing, a right of passage.” (Morgan, pg. 60) Three weeks before was my wedding day and I can’t think of a more memorable occasion than that.
Perhaps the ritual helped to prepare me for married life, by giving me the confidence I know I’ll need to be a good husband, and someday a good father. Or perhaps the shugyo just served as a chapter marker in my life; the first page of the first chapter of my life together with Brandi. I don’t know. During the trip, I thought about a lot of things and planned on recounting them here, but in retrospect I do not think that was the point of my shugyo. The point was just in the thinking.
I learned about myself that day, spending time alone will do that. I realized that there are some things I like, and others that I don’t. I may not have reached all of my goals during that day, but I think that my understanding about why I am the way I am has improved considerably. And I believe that if I am to understand anyone or anything, I must first understand myself.
References
- Morgan, Forrest E. “Living the Martial Way: A Manual for the Way a Modern Warrior Should Think.” Barricade Books: New York, 1992, pp. 56-61.
- Photos from this day can be found here.
The Fourth Level of Forms
In my experience there are four levels of understanding forms. The first level is just being able to get through the pattern. The second level is being able to go through the pattern with appropriate speed and timing. The third level is knowing the interpretation of the moves and the meaning of the form. It is at this level that many martial artists stop. Granted, it can take a lifetime to truly understand the subtleties of the self-defense implications within the forms and I’m not suggesting that any martial artist should not continue to pursue this deeper understanding. However, reaching the fourth level of understanding, the ability to effectively teach the form to others, is often a skill that is overlooked in martial arts.
What makes being able to teach a form to others the fourth level of understanding is that it is the culmination of all of the other levels. Indeed, to be able to help a beginner to know the pattern, I’d have to know the pattern myself. To be able to help a beginner to execute the form with appropriate speed and timing, I’d have to be able to demonstrate appropriate speed and timing. Finally, to be able to demonstrate to a beginner the self-defense implications of a form, I would have to first understand them.
However, an important prerequisite for teaching is something that goes beyond what the teacher knows about the form itself. This prerequisite is, of course, effective communication skills. The best martial artist in the world would be a poor teacher if he or she could not communicate effectively. What’s tricky about teaching forms is that “effective” communication is defined solely by what helps the student to understand and this may differ from student to student. In to increase the chances that your methods of instruction will be universally effective, you need to be aware of the three main learning types: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
Visual learners learn by seeing. In order to cater to visual learners you may have to adjust yourself so that you are always visible to the students. If there is a significant turn in the form, you may have to move to another position so that you are still in view of the students. Kinesthetic learners learn by doing. When teaching kinesthetic learners, it helps to have assistants who can mingle with the students and make minor physical adjustments to their positions. This may mean moving their head block into a more appropriate position or putting your hand in front of them to simulate a target.
Auditory learners learn by hearing. In order to teach auditory learners you must speak slowly and clearly, at the very least; but it is more than that. Many times instructors will go through a form and uses phrases such as “turn this way,” or “do this, then this.” These phrases are as meaningless to an auditory learner as they are to a reader. Instead, use precise names of techniques and directions, either relative or absolute. For example, saying “turn ninety degrees to your left” could mean the same saying “turn and fast the windows;” one is a relative direction, the other is absolute. However, it is generally better to use relative directions since they are more generic. If a student remembers to turn left by ninety degrees then they can do that whether they’re practicing at the dojo or at home.
Since many forms have sections that repeat, it is helpful to use language that makes that obvious. For example, the Okinawan Kenpo Karate form pinan nidan has a repeated section that includes a low cross-block, a break, a kick, and two punches. The first time this combination is done, it is with the right hand on top for the cross block, the right foot does the kick, and the left hand does the first punch. Everything is the opposite for the repeat of the combination. Below are two ways these combinations can be articulated:
Method #1
1. Turn and face this way in a left foot forward front stance
2. Cross block low, right hand on top
3. Break out
4. Right leg kick, set it down in front
5. Right foot forward front stance
6. Left hand punch, right hand punch
7. Turn into a right foot forward front stance
8. Cross block low, left hand on top
9. Break out
10. Left leg kick, set it down in front
11. Left foot forward front stance
12. Right hand punch, left hand punch
Method #2:
1. Turn left 225 degrees into a left foot forward front stance
2. Cross block low, back hand on top
3. Break out
4. Back leg front kick, set it down in front in a front stance
5. Back hand punch, front hand punch
6. Turn right 90 degrees in the same stance
7. Cross block low, back hand on top
8. Break out
9. Back leg front kick, set it down in front in a front stance
10. Back hand punch, front hand punch
Both methods accurately describe the techniques, but Method #2 is more effective because it makes the similarities between the two combinations obvious by using the same words. Notice that in Method #2, numbers two through five are the exact same as numbers seven through ten, but that’s not the case for Method #1. The reason this is better for auditory learners is that they don’t have to remember whether it is the right hand then the left hand in the first combination and then the left hand then the right hand in the second combination. They can just remember: back hand punch, front hand punch; and that will be correct for both.
By understanding these simple communication tricks and using them properly an instructor can help students get to the first level of forms, but in the process elevate themselves to the fourth level.
What makes being able to teach a form to others the fourth level of understanding is that it is the culmination of all of the other levels. Indeed, to be able to help a beginner to know the pattern, I’d have to know the pattern myself. To be able to help a beginner to execute the form with appropriate speed and timing, I’d have to be able to demonstrate appropriate speed and timing. Finally, to be able to demonstrate to a beginner the self-defense implications of a form, I would have to first understand them.
However, an important prerequisite for teaching is something that goes beyond what the teacher knows about the form itself. This prerequisite is, of course, effective communication skills. The best martial artist in the world would be a poor teacher if he or she could not communicate effectively. What’s tricky about teaching forms is that “effective” communication is defined solely by what helps the student to understand and this may differ from student to student. In to increase the chances that your methods of instruction will be universally effective, you need to be aware of the three main learning types: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
Visual learners learn by seeing. In order to cater to visual learners you may have to adjust yourself so that you are always visible to the students. If there is a significant turn in the form, you may have to move to another position so that you are still in view of the students. Kinesthetic learners learn by doing. When teaching kinesthetic learners, it helps to have assistants who can mingle with the students and make minor physical adjustments to their positions. This may mean moving their head block into a more appropriate position or putting your hand in front of them to simulate a target.
Auditory learners learn by hearing. In order to teach auditory learners you must speak slowly and clearly, at the very least; but it is more than that. Many times instructors will go through a form and uses phrases such as “turn this way,” or “do this, then this.” These phrases are as meaningless to an auditory learner as they are to a reader. Instead, use precise names of techniques and directions, either relative or absolute. For example, saying “turn ninety degrees to your left” could mean the same saying “turn and fast the windows;” one is a relative direction, the other is absolute. However, it is generally better to use relative directions since they are more generic. If a student remembers to turn left by ninety degrees then they can do that whether they’re practicing at the dojo or at home.
Since many forms have sections that repeat, it is helpful to use language that makes that obvious. For example, the Okinawan Kenpo Karate form pinan nidan has a repeated section that includes a low cross-block, a break, a kick, and two punches. The first time this combination is done, it is with the right hand on top for the cross block, the right foot does the kick, and the left hand does the first punch. Everything is the opposite for the repeat of the combination. Below are two ways these combinations can be articulated:
Method #1
1. Turn and face this way in a left foot forward front stance
2. Cross block low, right hand on top
3. Break out
4. Right leg kick, set it down in front
5. Right foot forward front stance
6. Left hand punch, right hand punch
7. Turn into a right foot forward front stance
8. Cross block low, left hand on top
9. Break out
10. Left leg kick, set it down in front
11. Left foot forward front stance
12. Right hand punch, left hand punch
Method #2:
1. Turn left 225 degrees into a left foot forward front stance
2. Cross block low, back hand on top
3. Break out
4. Back leg front kick, set it down in front in a front stance
5. Back hand punch, front hand punch
6. Turn right 90 degrees in the same stance
7. Cross block low, back hand on top
8. Break out
9. Back leg front kick, set it down in front in a front stance
10. Back hand punch, front hand punch
Both methods accurately describe the techniques, but Method #2 is more effective because it makes the similarities between the two combinations obvious by using the same words. Notice that in Method #2, numbers two through five are the exact same as numbers seven through ten, but that’s not the case for Method #1. The reason this is better for auditory learners is that they don’t have to remember whether it is the right hand then the left hand in the first combination and then the left hand then the right hand in the second combination. They can just remember: back hand punch, front hand punch; and that will be correct for both.
By understanding these simple communication tricks and using them properly an instructor can help students get to the first level of forms, but in the process elevate themselves to the fourth level.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Martial Artists
After I finished reading Steven Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, I began to consider how these habits would apply specifically to martial arts training. The habits are: be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen the saw. Since my training has become such an integral part of my life, I was able to see how these habits could be applied to improve my training in a way similar to how they have improved my personal and professional life. Each habit can be interpreted in its own right, but all seven relate to one another in a way that can encompass every aspect of training in the arts.
Be Proactive. This habit is first for very good reason. It basically states that you are responsible for your own training. Your instructor may guide you along the way, but ultimately it is you that must choose the path your training will take. Martial arts training can be like putting a magnifying glass over your personality. It can make good people better, but on the same note can make bad people worse. The true goal of martial arts training should be to evaluate yourself through that magnifying glass and choose the right path.
Begin with the End in Mind. A martial artist who begins with the end in mind is able to see beyond day-to-day training to the greater goal of understanding and self-improvement. Since a martial artist's training, in the broad sense, is never really complete, this can refer to reaching certain goals that are part of that martial artist's training; goals such as earning the next belt level, or black belt, or simply becoming more comfortable executing complicated combinations. Beginning with the end in mind can allow certain aspects of training to be put into perspective. By not having goals that are so far off they seem unreachable, one is able to approach their day-to-day training knowing that they are taking steps towards a realizable goal.
Put First Things First. Every martial artist can probably remember being a beginner and having to do basics over and over, and thinking, "When is this going to end? When do we get to the good stuff?" Well, I've got news for all white belts: The basics are what it's all about. The basics are the first things taught because they are the foundation of all martial arts. Every advanced technique, every combination, and every form can all be broken down to the basics. Because of this, every training session should begin with the basics and build up from there. Consider this: If you are learning a form that contains a lot of a particular stance, strike, or block, what better way to improve the overall form than to simply practice that technique? By improving the basics that make up the forms, the forms themselves will improve as well.
Think Win-Win. This habit can be practiced each and every time you get the chance to work with another martial artist. If there is one thing that I've learned through my own teaching and studying is that one should never assume that they have nothing to learn from someone. Every martial artist is a student and every martial artist is a teacher, regardless of rank. Think of every person you meet as an opportunity to learn, and an opportunity to share what you have learned. This is a true win-win relationship.
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. This habit is especially important for instructors. People choose to become students of the martial arts for many different reasons. Since learning flows in both directions it is important for those who are the primary source of the flow to understand what motivates those whom they teach. Students are not simply troughs into which knowledge is dumped like so much water, nor are teachers simply spigots out of which knowledge flows. Teaching and learning are interactive processes and as a martial artist your primary goal should be understanding, both of the art and of the people.
Synergize. Synergy is when the relationship between the parts is a significant part of the whole. More simply, it is when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Synergy can occur for martial artists in many different ways. Synergy can occur during training with a partner because the training can be more significant and effective when two people who are striving for the same goal cooperate in order to reach it together; perhaps more quickly than they could have on their own. This type of synergy can be indicative of a win-win relationship between students. Synergy can also occur between different facets of a martial artist's training. Think of how, by putting first things first, you can improve your forms by improving your basics; or improve your knowledge of self-defense by increasing your knowledge of the interpretation of the forms. Synergy can also occur by training in several styles or cross-training. Think of how much your hand-work could improve by working regularly with a boxer. Think of how much your breathing could improve by incorporating yoga into your training. Why do you think so many three-hundred pound football players take ballet? The only caveat with this sort of training is that some have a tendency to fall into the jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none category. This can be avoided by choosing one style to be your "primary" style and using all of
your other training to augment it.
Sharpen the Saw. This is the habit of constant and continual learning. A martial artist's training is never "complete". If you feel you are at an impasse in your training in a particular style, perhaps it is time to move on; or perhaps it is time to re-evaluate your goals. It is possible that you have reached a plateau and must therefore train with even more vigilance to reach the next level. In any event, it is continual training and the practicing of these habits that lead to the highly effective martial artist.
Be Proactive. This habit is first for very good reason. It basically states that you are responsible for your own training. Your instructor may guide you along the way, but ultimately it is you that must choose the path your training will take. Martial arts training can be like putting a magnifying glass over your personality. It can make good people better, but on the same note can make bad people worse. The true goal of martial arts training should be to evaluate yourself through that magnifying glass and choose the right path.
Begin with the End in Mind. A martial artist who begins with the end in mind is able to see beyond day-to-day training to the greater goal of understanding and self-improvement. Since a martial artist's training, in the broad sense, is never really complete, this can refer to reaching certain goals that are part of that martial artist's training; goals such as earning the next belt level, or black belt, or simply becoming more comfortable executing complicated combinations. Beginning with the end in mind can allow certain aspects of training to be put into perspective. By not having goals that are so far off they seem unreachable, one is able to approach their day-to-day training knowing that they are taking steps towards a realizable goal.
Put First Things First. Every martial artist can probably remember being a beginner and having to do basics over and over, and thinking, "When is this going to end? When do we get to the good stuff?" Well, I've got news for all white belts: The basics are what it's all about. The basics are the first things taught because they are the foundation of all martial arts. Every advanced technique, every combination, and every form can all be broken down to the basics. Because of this, every training session should begin with the basics and build up from there. Consider this: If you are learning a form that contains a lot of a particular stance, strike, or block, what better way to improve the overall form than to simply practice that technique? By improving the basics that make up the forms, the forms themselves will improve as well.
Think Win-Win. This habit can be practiced each and every time you get the chance to work with another martial artist. If there is one thing that I've learned through my own teaching and studying is that one should never assume that they have nothing to learn from someone. Every martial artist is a student and every martial artist is a teacher, regardless of rank. Think of every person you meet as an opportunity to learn, and an opportunity to share what you have learned. This is a true win-win relationship.
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. This habit is especially important for instructors. People choose to become students of the martial arts for many different reasons. Since learning flows in both directions it is important for those who are the primary source of the flow to understand what motivates those whom they teach. Students are not simply troughs into which knowledge is dumped like so much water, nor are teachers simply spigots out of which knowledge flows. Teaching and learning are interactive processes and as a martial artist your primary goal should be understanding, both of the art and of the people.
Synergize. Synergy is when the relationship between the parts is a significant part of the whole. More simply, it is when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Synergy can occur for martial artists in many different ways. Synergy can occur during training with a partner because the training can be more significant and effective when two people who are striving for the same goal cooperate in order to reach it together; perhaps more quickly than they could have on their own. This type of synergy can be indicative of a win-win relationship between students. Synergy can also occur between different facets of a martial artist's training. Think of how, by putting first things first, you can improve your forms by improving your basics; or improve your knowledge of self-defense by increasing your knowledge of the interpretation of the forms. Synergy can also occur by training in several styles or cross-training. Think of how much your hand-work could improve by working regularly with a boxer. Think of how much your breathing could improve by incorporating yoga into your training. Why do you think so many three-hundred pound football players take ballet? The only caveat with this sort of training is that some have a tendency to fall into the jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none category. This can be avoided by choosing one style to be your "primary" style and using all of
your other training to augment it.
Sharpen the Saw. This is the habit of constant and continual learning. A martial artist's training is never "complete". If you feel you are at an impasse in your training in a particular style, perhaps it is time to move on; or perhaps it is time to re-evaluate your goals. It is possible that you have reached a plateau and must therefore train with even more vigilance to reach the next level. In any event, it is continual training and the practicing of these habits that lead to the highly effective martial artist.
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