Tonight at the Dojo, I told my students to reflect on something important. Each practice is a microcosm of the span of life. We begin full of enthusiasm and vigour and as the practice progresses we Become tired and weary. Eventually speed declines and, if practice is hard, we are force to slow down. Then study begins. Each practice should remind us that speed and strength are fleeting - if we rely on these for our skill they will disappoint in the end. Many people get to old age and realise, when they have lost their speed and strength, that they had nothing of substance to compensate. In my Dojo, I place Kihon of paramount importance. The slow, deliberate practice of basic preparatory exercises leading into the study of hipwork and footwork with emphasis on connection, body management and good ukemi is the cornerstone of skill and this alone will create the reserves necessary when speed and strength decline. This is not to say that speed and strength play no part. While we have them we should use them - but speed should not be at the expense of firm and correct practice of the basic forms but rather should stem from a penetration of these forms into the body. As I have often said on the tatami. The are no prizes for making the fastest mistake in the west! :)
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 21:42:01 +0000
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