K I H O N
Newsletter #20
Sept/Oct 2001 ISSN# 1534-1437
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An email newsletter focusing on Ninjutsu/Budo
Taijutsu training. Published by www.KIHON.com
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**** CONTENTS ****
>> News: Announcement
>> Sempai Insights: Instructor Insights
>> Taijutsu Tales: Life Lessons
>> Budo Quotes: Martial Arts Quotes
>> Keiko Events: Upcoming Events
>> Shoshin Comments: Comments
**** NEWS ****
The staff of KIHON newsletter and members of the
Bujinkan New York Dojo extend our condolences to
our neighbors, friends, and relatives who have
suffered through the tragedy on September 11.
*** Sempai Insights *****
Over The Wall
Glenn Catania, BNYD
It happened again. You've hit a wall in your
training. It seems to happen every once in a
while. Now, the wall has been there for a long,
long time. Every technique you try to do just
doesn't come out right. The moves always seem be a
little off.
Go on...
All of the movements you have been practicing for
years that were once second nature don't work. If
you are given several movements of a kata, you get
lost halfway through. Why does this happen?
Don't stop...
When your Taijutsu is slipping through your hands
like sand and you can't catch it, the law of
averages says that you will, eventually, catch up.
You find yourself questioning everything. Why am I
here? Why am I even bothering to do this?
Keep moving...
You do it because it means so much to you. If it
doesn't work today, maybe it will tomorrow. If
not, maybe the day after. The most important thing
is that you keep going.
Never give up...
Work hard on the little things. Find joy in the
smaller movements that you are doing correctly.
Refine them; make them as good as they can be. If
something is not working, take a deep breath,
shrug it off, and go on.
Remind yourself of the things that are working.
Never focus on the bad. Don't get caught up in it
or let it get you down. Focus on what is right and
build from there. See your taijutsu in your mind,
as it should look, then chip away at what should
not be there. Work hard. Don't get discouraged.
There are times when you cannot get beyond the
stagnation. Go on up and over the wall. Keep
training. It will come.
*** Taijutsu Tales *****
Focusing Can Be Bad
John Rizzo, BNYD
Not so long ago, I was unable to train physically.
I continued going to class, and took better notes
than I ever had before. When I was home, I would
think about everything done in class, all that my
Sensei had taught. I struggled through a time of
trying to do things my body wasn't ready for, and
learned the hard way that sometimes doctors really
do know what they're talking about.
As I gradually eased back into training a few
months later, something really bothered me. My
rolls had suffered. I was so disappointed in how
bad I had become at rolling that I decided to
concentrate on that almost exclusively.
Very recently, possibly as short a time as just a
few weeks ago, I realized that I was comfortable
with how I was rolling again. I can once again
roll with ease on grass or pavement. My confidence
in my rolling was restored.
The problem is obvious enough. I have spent so
long on just one thing that the rest of my basics
have suffered. My punches are flawed and weak, my
grappling and throws, sloppy. So, I am right back
to square one-I must focus on my problem areas.
This time, though, I will not be concentrating on
just one thing, to the detriment of all else.
*** Budo Quotes *****
A person's real value can be judged during a
moment of crisis. Life is full of symbolic walls
and vacuums. When you encounter these points, you
should encourage yourself, break through these
walls, and continue onward. That is the way of
the truly strong and brave man.
By Masaaki Hatsumi
[Ninpo: Wisdom for Life, Page 101]
http://www.kihon.com/ninpo/
*** Keiko Events *****
* FREE Self Defense Class (Nov 13)
http://www.kihon.com/dojo/events.html
* Bujinkan New York Dojo
27 Milburn Street
Bronxville, NY 10708
http://www.kihon.com/ny/
* Cool online article:
The Kyoketsu Shoge
http://kihon.com/articles/
(flash plug-in required)
*** Shoshin Comments *****
Kill Your Ego
Lauren Brandstein, editor
Recently, I advised some junior students to stop
caring that people are watching when they are
asked to demonstrate a technique in front of the
class, in order to improve their taijutsu. It's
easier said than done, but I feel that this is an
important step in training. It's natural to be
nervous when others are watching, especially when
the audience may include one's sempai or sensei.
We feel put on the spot and anxious about what
judgements of our skill they may arrive at, or
what criticisms they may voice. I remember as
little as one year ago feeling extremely nervous
performing a technique in front of the class, or
even with just one person specifically watching
me. I'm not sure at what point that changed, but I
know it was a turning point in my training. I
still occasionally feel nervous when I know
someone is watching, but I usually manage to
separate myself from that fear and act as though
it isn't there, which often makes it go away.
I believe the thing that makes us afraid is the
ego, that bothersome ever-present voice of
arrogance, doubt, and self-importance that
magnifies the stakes of every life encounter to a
universe-eclipsing crisis. Under observation, the
ego swells, putting pressure on the brain and
limiting all action and sense. The ego tells us
that we must not be seen to fail, but also that we
probably will, and that everyone around us will
then look down on us forever. Its fears are
twofold: first, it is afraid to appear weak. The
ego's primary goal in all situations is to appear
strong, or more specifically, stronger than
everyone else. Second, it convinces us that we are
NOT strong, that's why it's so important to appear
that way, and in a "real" situation like this,
when everyone's watching, when "everything" (the
protective appearance of strength) is on the line,
our pathetic skills will surely not be enough.
This is the opposite of how we should really feel,
but to get past an instinctual reaction to the
ego's fears is really difficult. The ego is our
friend; it has always been there, whispering to
us, advising us, a familiar voice showing us an
all too easily perceived threat and a mindless
course of action. But the ego IS the weakness it
speaks of, and without it, all its whispered
doubts and fears evaporate away.
(Next month... Escaping the voice!)
_________________ KIHON Newsletter ________________
** STATEMENT OF PURPOSE **
KIHON.com provides this FREE short newsletter in
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training. We hope you have enjoyed reading it.
** DISCLAIMER **
It is recommended that you seek out medical
advice before following any of these suggestions.
Be sure to find a qualified instructor to guide
you in your martial arts training.
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KIHON Newsletter and all contents
Copyright (c) 2001 by Joe Maurantonio
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