5 Habits you need in a Martial Arts Dojo

Something for Martial Artist’s of all levels from prospective student to Grandmaster. Martial Arts (MA) dojos are a unique environment. 

There is no other setting like it in our day to day lives... So what follows are the 5 habits you need in a martial arts dojo. Keep them in mind and practice them when in session.

We are starting with:

  

1. Respect

To all; young, old, higher or lower grade and the Dojo itself require respect... This is exemplified in all our interaction.

It is safe to say, in the age we live now. Respect is not taught widely as before and I sometimes have to remind myself of its importance... So, why in a dojo – Originally respect is cultural aspect of Asia which naturally spilt into their Martial Art. The two are ingrained within each other. Wherever you find traditional Martial Arts, you’ll find respect.

2. Harmony

Oneness with yourself, your fellow Martial Artist and the sport itself.

As we know, harmony is to be in tune... And it is that simple in the dojo. In tune with what is going on.

The dojo has a natural flow of movement, forces, thought, and unison and when you enter one that is in harmony. It is awe inspiring.

The first thing you’ll notice is the participants want to be there, it can be seen in their attentiveness, their participation and their volume – One big oneness.

3. Presence

Presence in mind, body and soul – put simply... As with any art, there is a getting ‘in sync’ with. ..It’s the same at the dojo. 

Your presence as an individual is mighty! Because your body is saying it, your voice is hailing it and your mind believes it.

 

4. Commitment

Shall I? Shan’t I?  My work, my rest, my this or that... With martial Arts – Once through the basics, you can pick your level of input and work on that...

You know where you are and what’s required of you and what you require from yourself... Having said that, the basics take effort and time to master. But well worth it. 

Depending on the time frame you set for yourself, or set by your school/sensei, check out “how do I choose the right martial arts school for me”. You can take this at a gentle pace. There is no rush.

5. Helpfulness

This is mainly in the running of a good healthy dojo... House-keeping, organising, grading for fellow MA’s. As well as events in and out of the dojo.

Then there is helping to teach and pass on knowledge to other students coming up in the dojo – They’ll have questions and need instruction and demonstration to learn what they need to replicate your success and find their own place in the dojo from where to rise to whatsoever sights they have set for themselves.

Here at the finish already!

That went very quickly indeed... “5 habits you need in a martial arts dojo”. Giving you an insight into the attitude of a Martial Artist, in his place of practice. The Dojo.

Hope you found this useful.

Please leave a comment, ask questions or feel free to add your insights from your own dojo, all in the comments box below.

Thanks for your time.

Is Traditional Martial Arts too regimented for our times?

Shaolin Kung fu

The term ‘Traditional Martial Arts’ doesn’t come up often nowadays. Except within the MA (Martial Arts) circles and in MA monthly magazines...

It refers to Martial Arts as it was practiced 70 to 100 years ago. Where you joined a school, it was kept sacred and you followed the rules to the letter. Anyone disobeying was punished or thrown out of the school.

It was also hard, hard, hard, with no considerations for life outside of your training. Your life was about training.

Martial Arts Worldwide

But round about that time it started to spread around the world to a much higher degree than before, and was practiced as a hobby by people who had jobs to go to and lives outside of MA to lead.

It was this along with breakaway schools and practitioners that have watered down the original methods of training.

In our modern world now. You still have schools that call themselves Traditional practitioners of the art. But this usually means they adhere strictly to the methods that were handed down and don’t accept any watering down of their system... It is in effect, the kick was performed this way 800 years ago and so that is how we’ll perform it now.

Although, these schools, in the western world anyway, have had to let go of the all encompassing nature of the art and accept that people, their students have lives outside the art.

A 'take down' in Karate

Martial Arts Today

The modern version of MA is what you see in most high street MA schools today. They may call themselves a Karate School or kung fu School, but are quite open to adding and modifying the techniques they practice with both other style’s they come across with effective techniques.

Or sometimes a modification of their technique that has proven to be ineffective in this modern day we live in now.

‘What has caused our openness to mix styles and modify our individual MA styles?’

A lot of people will name Bruce Lee and other Film stars of the modern day; Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen for demonstrating the effectiveness of a modified style where the best elements from each style are rolled into one.

Bruce Lee being the most popular pioneer of this ethos.

MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)

Enter MMA in the early 90’s, the cage came to our screen and we saw karate, Kung fu, wrestlers, ex boxers, practicing Judo artist, kick boxers and off course Brazilian jiujitsu  from the Gracie Family all thrown into the cage and which style came out victorious?

Well in that early 90’s era. It was the Gracie Family. Royce Gracie in particular, was able to literally take down contenders from each of the disciplines above and get them to submit.

Wow! So, Bruce Lee was right! When we saw him take down Kareem Abdul Jabber with a choke hold in the Film ‘Game of Death’... This was what he was alluding to.

Well MMA continued to develop and change over the years and the winners now are not specifically of any discipline. But instead are mixed martial arts experts who literally take the best from all the different disciplines and systematically hone each area to make them a well rounded fighting Machine. Throwing out unwanted baggage in the process.

It’s all about me

Ok... So you have to ask yourself the question. ‘What do I want to be and why?’

For me I practice Martial Arts as a way of life and use it as much to keep fit, keep the stresses of life at bay, have the health and vitality to come home after a day’s hard work and still have energy to spend time with the Family in a spirit of energetic joy (not too tired to do anything). 

And, of course I also enjoy MA competitions which are of the semi-contact nature. Where I know if it goes terribly, unimaginably wrong... I may come home with twisted ankle or dislocated shoulder.

In the final analysis

To answer the question; “Is traditional Martial Arts too regimented for our times?” My answer will be it depends on what you want...

If you are a purist, go find a traditional martial arts School, if you like the structure of a unique system with a bit of flexibility to adapt and try new things,  that are available. And finally if you can’t be bothered with the traditions; bowing, honour, kata (solo demonstration of MA techniques). Then MMA or Kick boxing may be for you.

This is by no means exhaustive, there are scopes of history that has brought us here... But a very rough guide it is



 Please leave a comment below if you found this post interesting or would like to know more.

Thanks for your time.

Am I too old to do Martial Arts?

Would you love to get involved? But feel you are too old to do Martial Arts? You don’t have to answer that till you’ve read the rest of the post.

Meanwhile, let’s explore some benefit’s of getting involved in Martial Arts. There are several, of which a few are listed below:

•  Better health
•  Fitness

•   Flexibility
•   Better concentration
  
  
•   Positive stress release
•   Confidence
•   Stimulation for the mind, body and soul.
•   Better memory
•   Increased coordination
•   You’ll look and feel great
•   You’ll have fun
•   You’ll meet new people
•   You’ll challenge yourself

Possibility...

As we get older, we tend to shy away from anything deemed to be too strenuous. Be it a sport or hobby.  And with good reason, we want to preserve and keep ourselves injury free.

The most popular expression of martial Arts in the media is based around fighting... This gives the impression that’s all there is.

Well, there is another side to the art which is the softer side of stretching, meditation, Kata (solo demonstration). All to be explored by the practitioner.

Slow and Steady.

Martial Arts is about the development of your potential at your own pace... Even youngsters are taught to learn the techniques slowly and correctly, speed will come later... It is certainly not a race...

In taking your time to learn and adjust, evolution kicks in, and regardless of your age, you’ll find yourself doing more, faster and easier over time. Simply because you have increased your capacity to apply what you have learn't and are now able to do more in less time.

New Friends.

A side benefit of joining a martial arts club is that you will meet new people who help and support you as well as make opportunities for social events. For some people, this is a welcome benefit... To forge new relationships that go beyond your Martial arts training.

It may also happen that you come along with an existing friend and find a new hobby/sport together.

Preparation.

Depending on your age and current level of fitness, you may want to get a health check or ask your Doctor if it is safe to take part. But this is a very individual thing as you could be in your sixties and able to run a marathon or in your forties and unable to walk a mile.

Then there is the best Martial Art for You. And again, your individuality comes into play here. Please take a look at my post “How to pick the Martial Arts that’s right for me”. But essentially, there are various styles of martial arts and you may find yourself more suited to one than the other.

If for example you have a previous injury or condition that you are concerned about, there is Tai Chi which is a soft non contact Martial Art which combines breathing techniques with flowing movements. 

There is also the very popular Karate, which has so many guises... You may not know there are lots of style’s where they focus more on kata than fighting or sparring. .. Again, you get to develop and attain all the benefits of the sport with much less risk of strain or injury.

So, why not give it a try... All ages are welcome.

You can find out more about why you are never too old to do Martial Arts by leaving a comment below...

Thanks for taking the time.

Discover Martial Arts in Alhaurin.

Gerald Brennan, the author who moved to Spain and made Alhaurin his home did a great job of popularising the town with his stories of this wonderful tranquil town with the back drop of beautiful mountain ranges. 

I suspect Martial arts in Alhaurin would have been far from his mind as he sat there on those warm sunny evenings reading or taking down notes for his next book.

But oh, times have changed and though it is extremely easy to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main town and back to what Gerald described...

In recent years, It is a town that has seen in excess of 1000 British people living among the Spanish inhabitants here... A number of those people read his books and followed his trail here, in search of a similar tranquillity. Miles away from sunshine deprived England.

A pacifist at heart.

Gerald reluctantly served in the first world war and although we don’t have a detailed account of that time, I suspect it was certainly under a much more hostile environment than experienced here in Spain.

And here is where our paths cross... In martial Arts there is a doctrine that exemplifies the ‘hard and soft’ or ying and yang.

And so, as modern life in many once tranquil towns, be it in Alhaurin in Andalucia, Spain or Eastbourne in Sussex, England... Martial Arts remains one of the best antidotes to not just surviving, but thriving in a society that takes you ‘places’. 

Where you need to be at the top of your game for a board meeting or important sales call in the afternoon and then relaxed, tranquil and attentive at 6pm as you put the key in the door and are greeted by your loving Family, who want all your attention. Sparing no thought for your need to wind down for half an hour first.

How?

Martial Arts takes you up and down, fast and slow while you remain in an alert state. A typical class will start with a warm up which includes stretching and some very light exercises with an emphasis on breathing control. Followed by a combination of punches and kicks, then kata, which is a continuous demonstration of various techniques. Finally, self defence and some more indulgent exercises to finish.

Performing a Kata.

The key is in the movement, practice and perfection of those skills. This gives rise to the relaxed yet intense demeanour of the participant... It is having this demeanour that helps you to deal with the day to day stresses in life.

Pleasure.

You’ll be hopefully pleased to know that the Art of Martial Arts in Alhaurin is in the perfection of self and once you have mastered the basics. You then start to fine tune the art to deliver more of whatever it is that you want from its existence in your life. 

For example: you may choose to delve deeper into the soft side or the hard side or maintain a balance of all... The choice is yours.

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