JANUARY - MARCH 2011 PHILOSOPHY

DOJO ETIQUETTE SHOWS YOUR ATTITUDE

Why do we have to bow? Bowing does not mean subservience; it is a way of showing respect. Bowing in the West is not part of our culture, so it must be taught correctly, with the proper attitude. The Samurai created their own form of bowing and etiquette beyond the respect for rank. It developed awareness for safety and a code of conduct that stressed justice and courtesy. This code was passed on to the martial arts and the military when the samurai class was no longer needed. Correct etiquette teaches you to bow properly before and after you leave the dojo, before and after you step on the tatami; before and after you practice with someone, before and after a kata, before and after you talk to a sempai, before and after kihon, before and after everything you do. Before you enter a dojo, the bow is to signify that you are entering a special place where you will find enlightenment. You are leaving the stress of your business and personal life outside to find peace and harmony inside the dojo. “Do” means the way of the spiritual path. “Jo” means the beginning, the first step, the first stage, the start. Stepping into the dojo means “the beginning of the way”. Bowing to "shomen" (the front) is to show respect to the founder and present chief instructor of the dojo. Even though they may not be physically present, they are still overlooking the progress of the students. It is also making you aware of where the front of the dojo is. You must know where “shomen” is at all times, especially when performing a kata. You must always be aware of your position in relation to “shomen”. Never face your back to shomen or sensei. When you bow to your sensei you are showing appreciation for his wisdom, patience and level of skill. You must bow with the proper attitude to humble yourself in order to lose your ego. This shows your eagerness to learn and your humbleness to be taught. A correct bow to your sensei shows your accepting and understanding of what has been instructed. You can proceed to concentrate on your training correctly with no distractions or negative thoughts. Bowing to your partner before a practice means “please practice and teach me”. Bowing after means “thank you for your time, understanding and control”. You must control and be aware of all your movements in the dojo. Do not walk in front of anyone or talk when you are not supposed to – during warm up or when sensei is teaching kata to some students and you are one of those watching. It is impolite, rude and un-samurai-like to lean against a wall or cross your legs while standing. In the samurai days these relaxed positions made it easy for you to be attacked. By being polite when you stand erect you will be able to defend yourself better. Correct etiquette is also for safety reasons. When sitting down it is rude to spread your legs out or lean back with your arms. You are open to an easy attack or someone may trip over your legs and hurt your knees. Good posture is good for your health!

TWO KINDS OF SPIRIT ONE TO FIGHT, ONE TO KEEP PEACE WITH YOURSELF

Karate training looks like a sport or exercise to strengthen the body physically. Some "karate-ka" know that training is to develop the spirit for fighting and defending yourself. This level of self-confidence is desirable and a step higher than the physical development but it is still not the goal of karate-do. Perfecting your character by following the dojo kun to achieve inner peace with yourself is the ultimate goal taught by all martial arts masters in the past. The benefits of practicing the Dojo Kun is that you feel better about yourself, like doing a good deed. The dojo kun teaches (1) Character; (2) Sincerity; (3) Effort; (4) Respect; and (5) Control.

DOJO KUN SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER BE FAITHFUL ENDEAVOR RESPECT OTHERS REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR

GYAKU-ZUKI (REVERSE PUNCH)

The Gyaku-zuki (reverse punch) is the best technique to use in karate. It is the first technique taught to beginners and it will be the last technique to be used when you get old. Repeating the simple and basic gyaku-zuki year after year from white belt to beyond black belt is the reason why it is so effective. Practicing the gyaku-zuki will develop the same muscles, joints and stances necessary for other techniques. When you do the same technique: punch, kick, block, kata, etc., all the time your movements become faster and stronger, but most importantly, it becomes natural, fluid and instinctive. In the old days in Okinawa, the masters realized the importance of the gyaku-zuki as in "Ikken Hisatsu" - one punch death blow for self defense. Now, because of the popularity of open tournaments under controlled conditions, "tournament techniques" have become a part of the daily training. Fortunately, some traditional schools still maintain the traditional type of karate-do training with less emphasis on winning tournaments. Even though there are traditional tournaments, unlike the open tournaments the gyaku-zuki is still the most used technique. The gyaku-zuki used in a tournament should be the same one used to defend yourself on the street. The fancy techniques used in some tournaments ar enot effective. You must have the confidence to know that your techniques, especially your gyaku-zuki, will be effective if your life depended on it.

THE WAY (DO)

In karate-do, do means the way to enlightenment (knowing yourself). It is not enlightenment itself. While enlightenment or success in accomplishing your objective may be your goal, do is the way to get there. Practicing do will insure success, but it is not the success or the goal that is important. It is along the way you do it, how you do it and why you do it, that is the point. In kata, memorizing the sequence of a kata may be the goal, but it is the sincere practice of each movement countless times to achieve perfection of each technique - the way, that is the point; realizing that hard training, patience and repetition is the only way. Winning a tournament may be the goal, but not the point. Disciplining yourself by training every day sincerely is the way to the goal. Do will develop the right outlook and attitude that frees you to be successful. You will concentrate on mental and spiritual developoment as well as physical techniques. You will train for personal spiritual growth (dojo kun), not for only physical reasons. During rigorous training you will discover and develop mental and spiritual toughness that can be used for personal challenges in life. Losing in a tournament is not the point. Knowing that you tried your best, showing good spirit, is the point; it is the way! Even champions lose and it is a reminder to always be humble, win or lose, rich or poor. Attaining higher rank may be the ultimate goal for some students but the sacrifice and commitments made, the experience learned, wisdom gained, the mind and body developing along the way towards enlightenment that is the point, the goal. Some students miss the point of the way by training minimally or sporadically to take exams or they waste their energies worrying about the progress of others. Everyone should progress according to their own rate and by how much time and sincerity is dedicated to the way. The thought of rank, trophies or goals will come after enlightenment is attained if karate is practiced the (right) way.

"When one eye is fixed upon your destination, there is only one eye left to find the way." ...Anonymous

"HONOR IN LOSING"

The western culture emphasizes too much glory in winning and too much disgrace in losing. In the Japanese culture or karate-do, losing is not the ultimate disgrace but rather it is how you lost that is important. There is honor in losing if you lost by showing good spirit. Developing a fighting spirit whether you win or lose is the most important element of karate-do training. You learn a lot about yourself when you lose with spirit. You are not embarrassed and you try again, you never give up (endeavor). If you are someone who wins a lot, a loss makes you humble but more spirited and you train harder so you don't make the same mistake again. It is not how many tournaments or matches you win but the fighting spirit, humbleness, courtesy and respect you display that is important. If you are arrogant before the tournament it will be embarrassing and more difficult for you to handle a loss. For those that are not gifted with natural ability it is how hard you train (with spirit) that is important. Many gifted students quit training before they reach their potential because of lack of spirit development. Everybody has spirit, you must know how to develop it, store it and use it when you need it. A student with good spirit and weak techniques will do better than a student with good techniques and weak spirit.

"Spirit first, Technique second." ...Gichin Funakoshi

Lafferty Traditional Shotokan Karate Do 1490 Alamo Drive, Suite "C" Vacaville, CA 95687 Phone: 707-469-0442 Fax: 707-449-8224 Email: leonardlafferty@comcast.net