Knowledge and Experience of the Art Form

 

As you move up in rank in martial arts, the more knowledge and experience of the art form you are expected to obtain and demonstrate.

You will continue to learn during classes from listening and learning from what the instructor says and does, and emulating it.  

However, your learning will be limited if these are the only times you are studying or learning about martial arts and self-defense.

You can and will also learn from watching other students. You can learn from demonstrating and explaining techniques, concepts, and ideas to others.

You can learn from the masters like Bruce Lee, Gichin Funokoshi, Ueshiba Morihei by studying videos of them, reading about them or reading books published by them.

You can learn from other martial arts instructors teaching a similar art form (whether taking classes or reading their books, blogs, podcasts or watching their videos).

You can learn by watching videos of street attacks and studying what works and what does not.  And while you can study fight scenes in movies as well, most of the attacks or moves are not very realistic so keep that in mind.

However, where you are really going to learn more is from yourself – through your own self-training.  By studying yourself and knowing yourself.  This includes, but not limited to:  what techniques you need to spend more time on, where you need to practice more; experimenting with applications and movement to learn how to best perform the techniques and when they are more effective for you; and understanding how and why you react to certain perceived threats.

I have learned a significant amount about the art form from my instructors and am very grateful for the knowledge they passed on to me.  I have learned a great deal by studying masters and like-minded martial artists.  However, I have learned as much, if not more, by spending time exploring and studying the movements, applications and energy and then experimenting with a partner to explore and understand why techniques are effective and how to make them more effective for me. 

Just being told the what, the why and how can provide you knowledge, but will not provide you the experience or wisdom necessary to master the art form and reach higher level ranks.  That you must gain through your own self-discovery.   As you move up in rank, expect instructors to spend less time just giving you answers.  They expect you to come to them with what you have discovered and experienced yourself to get clarification.

Take it from me, the journey is worth it.

Regards,

Kelly

“The instructor can only impart a small portion of the teaching. Only through ceaseless training can you obtain the necessary experience allowing you to bring these mysteries alive. Hence, do not chase after many techniques – one by one make each technique your own.” ~  Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), founder of Aikido