Hapkido Self Defence

Should disability prevent rank progression in the martial arts?

Disability should never affect one’s art or learning path.  All and every martial art can be modified to accommodate a person with any impairment.  If you study the philosophies and discipline of the art, put your all into practice, and practice what you learn, there is no reason any kind of disabled person can’t flourish and progress in a martial art.

Allow people to progress at their own pace. Martial arts brings something different for everyone. Are they all black belts now? Nope. None of them are.

But guess what?

That isn’t the point. It never is. The point is that they are having fun in what they’re doing and that they have a feeling of progress.

Especially because this one is actually slightly realistic. 

I mean, I really like kata competition, but sometimes the bunkai there are so… far fetched. 

Have you ever heard of the term reigi sahõ? 

Chances are that you haven’t, but trust me, you (should) use it every time you enter the dojo.

Reigi is the etiquette in the dojo

Reigi’s rough translation is ‘dojo etiquette’. In Japanese dojo however, it’s more than just giving a little nod of the head at the beginning of class. It is based upon respect of one’s Sensei, seniors, school, and equipment etc. However, in practice it is not as simple as this. Every action has a prescribed method, and failure to adhere to this behaviour may be taken as poor behaviour and respect.

Cool story bro/sis/panda, so why are you being so stuck up on this?

To the western mind these codes of conduct are hard to grasp and are much less rigid in practice. Nevertheless, as practicing martial artists we should endeavour to follow Reigi to the best we can, and strive for its improvement. 

Because at the end of the day good etiquette is what separates us from some of our poor respecting peers. It is how we should interact with other human beings and therefore treat them with respect and courtesy as we ourselves would like to be treated. 

Reigi is then the cornerstone of how we conduct ourselves in our martial arts and everyday life. Without Reigi, our martial arts becomes another exercise activity, providing the physical benefits, but lacking the character and depth that it can offer. Etiquette develops discipline, through which comes structure and through structure we become familiar with the concepts that are being taught. However, this will then spill into everyday life to make us a better person. This is one reason why parents enroll their children in martial arts classes. However, it can be overlooked in some schools and also in everyday life.

I always say: 

If you do not practice reigi, you can become a fighter, but you’ll never be a budoka. 

(Or even a karateka in this case)

There is a reason we’re not all in boxing, wrestling and other western fighting sports. If you fell in love with martial arts, you fell in love with the whole idea of martial arts. The whole structure is a part of the art: it trains the mind.

A reason that was perhaps best summed up by Matsumura Sokon, who at the age of 76 wrote the following (in 1885):

“A person who is truly humble will always have an inner calm”

Hmm okay, fair enough, so what is proper reigi?

Now here is where it becomes a little tricky. Every martial arts has a different strictness in reigi. Some want people to sit in seiza, other sensei really don’t care. 

But the answer lies in the word ‘REIgi’ We know the word ‘rei’ right? Whenever your sensei commands it, you bow.

But guess what,

Rei doesn’t mean ‘BOW NOW!’

Rei is “an expression of gratitude”.

The bow is about showing mutual trust, through submissive respect.

I think we can detect a pattern here:

Rei is an expression of gratitude, reigi is the dojo etiquette. So the etiquette is to show mutual respect and gratitude towards each other. And how you that? Well if you ask me:

Bow before entering and upon leaving the dojo - you are grateful you have a secure place to train

Bow towards your sensei - you are grateful to receive their wisdom and teachings

Bow towards your fellow students - you are grateful that they are willing to train with you and help you further your journey

Show respect by not showing the soles of your feet when you are sitting, they are dirty and it is a sign of disrespect

Show respect, but be vigilant. There is no need into greeting the floor - the floor won’t attack you. Your opponent/partner/fellowstudent/sensei might.

Do not step on others because you have a higher rank: there is ALWAYS someone is bigger, stronger and better than you. ALWAYS.

Report misbehaving but please do not complain about how others are ‘doing it wrong’. Focus on yourself. The sensei knows exactly how everyone is doing (unless you’re in a mcDojo. Get out of there. NOW)

So how do you bow correctly?

How to bow? 

Pff, I don’t have to explain that. 

Hihi.

I’ll have secondary grand master of Wado Ryu, the late Õtsuka Hironori II Sensei, do that for me.

Tagged by @jkfukufan

Rule: Tag 20 followers you want to get to know better. <- Well I mean..

It’s my birthday!

But instead of getting presents (everything is welcome thank you), I’m giving you a present! 

Kata:

Bassai Bassai Dai

Kata Bassai is generally for 3rd Dan. The so called style differences between the kinds of karate are noticeable, perfectly captured in this video. When wondering why there are any differences, ask yourself the following: Where does the style originate from and how did they come in contact with karate in the first place?

Wado Ryu originates from both jiu jitsu and karate. Key point is the the karate side came from Funakoshi Gichin Sensei - a.k.a. the founder of Shotokan. Naturally, these style will be more similar than a style that did not originate from the same tree.

ONE-THOUSAND FOLLOWERS

1000+ followers! Thank you ever so much!

When I started this blog 9 months ago I didn’t think it would get this much following. I wondered what I could get out of this blog when I started, and I got the answer:

A whole bunch of awesome budding martial artists who could really use some help to get going or needed some confirmation that they were doing well.

A smaller bunch of amazing fellow black belts who I could have meaningful discussions with about martial arts.

A warm feeling of being connected to everyone here in the budoblr community.

ARIGATO GOZAIMASU

Now to repay all of you, I dug up something special from my bookshelf. It was made by well-respected Jiu Jutsu black belts…. in the early 90′s.

The ultimate 90′s self defense guide

Now let’s be honest, the 90′s mean mostly one of either things to people:

Cringe-worthy, let’s never ever do that again.

It was the most amazing time, give it back!

Anyways, despite the somewhat questionable fashion and music, it brought us some (hilarious) gems!

5 awesome 90′s self defense tactics:

Because your knife and reflexes are no match for my… briefcase!

If only I carried a briefcase… or anyone, really. It’s 2016.

Don’t you just hate it when you’re chasing someone, they suddenly disappear and then kick you in the groin?

When someone pulls this off successfully, please send me video-proof.

When someone asks you for the newspaper, please react accordingly.

I love it how the guy in the third panel just… let it all happen.

YOU. SHALL. NOT. PASS!

Because my latest edition of Vogue magazine is more powerful than anything.

And finally; don’t you just hate it when your friendly pool buddy gets all Hulk-a-mania on you and starts beating you senselessly with a pool cue?

Haha! Well I hope you enjoyed them, there’s more, but let’s not overdo it. 

Conclusion:

Please note that people who made it were high black belts, in the 90′s already. I do respect them and the book holds many interesting things martial artists can practice.  Also, in my opinion, they do bring one extremely valid point across: 

Tagged by @goju-kid to drop a picture.

Sorry it took so long!

I’m cradling my birthday present here: a luxurious leather container for my weapons! For now, the Bo and Tanto go in here, but I’m sure a Bokken isn’t far away!

I tag @blalloland,

@untamed-and-lonely-wolf, coco-de-goma

I’m like

Why not share yours? If you answer them, I’ll answer them :)

2. BJJ, Muay Thai, Judo

3. White, dear god I’ve been doing this for a year and I still suck, white (on hiatus till I move back to Portland)

4. About a year and a half for all of it.

2: Karate (shotokan), Eagle Claw Kung Fu, boxing, judo, BJJ

3: Black belt- 1st degree, Orange sash, no rank, white, white

4: 6 years, 2 years, 3 years, 1 year, 1 year

2. Shaolin Kempo Kung Fu, BJJ, Judo(until 2,5 years ago)

3. brown, still white with no stripes (duh), yellow-orange

4. 2,5 years, 1 year, for 1,5 years but stopped

2. Renshinkai Aikido and BJJ

3. 1st degree black belt and blue belt

4. 3.5 years and 1.5 years

Tagged by @goju-kid to drop a picture.

Sorry it took so long!

I’m cradling my birthday present here: a luxurious leather container for my weapons! For now, the Bo and Tanto go in here, but I’m sure a Bokken isn’t far away!

I tag @blalloland,

@untamed-and-lonely-wolf, coco-de-goma

That’s what I mostly say when I see new students flooding the dojo at the start of the season.

KARATE SEASON IS OPEN!

And I hereby deeply apologize for being absent the past time.

You see boys and girls, there comes a terrible time in every karate-ka’s life. Summer vacation. 

‘Season break’. I hated it! Although I trained through the summer it was a bit thin with only once a week and a lot of recovering I still had to do because of my tendinitis. 

(It’s going well, thank you for your concern!)

Now that we have new students coming in, I’d like to share my personal thought/tip for both Sensei and Students.

Newbies are:

Ignorant

Insecure

Inspiring

Because they don’t know how to do anything yet, they dive in head first (and end up falling flat on their face) or they’re a bit shy and need a little push.

Be their safety net.

Now I know that (new) students can pull off the most hilarious stunts. And to students that have been there for a while already and Sensei this is very amusing. No matter what amazingly ‘dumb’ thing a new student does:

DO, NOT. LAUGH. AT. THEM.

EVER.

NOT FUNNY.

Okay, maybe it can be funny. But try imagining how that student feels. You can see the shock on her face. It is so scary to fail. 

We all have been there. 

So no judgmental laughter! Not even a chuckle..  Even if it wants to make you pee your pants. 

New students can be inspiring. They ask you questions you’ve never thought about. They can push you to think up new methods to teach. They bring a new spirit in a group, a chance to practice with a different person. 

New students teach restraint on other students.

New students bring fire to the spirit of your Sensei. (I love seeing fresh faces as much as the known ones)

New students are awesome.

So what are you waiting for?

That’s what I mostly say when I see new students flooding the dojo at the start of the season.

KARATE SEASON IS OPEN!

And I hereby deeply apologize for being absent the past time.

You see boys and girls, there comes a terrible time in every karate-ka’s life. Summer vacation. 

‘Season break’. I hated it! Although I trained through the summer it was a bit thin with only once a week and a lot of recovering I still had to do because of my tendinitis. 

(It’s going well, thank you for your concern!)

Now that we have new students coming in, I’d like to share my personal thought/tip for both Sensei and Students.

Newbies are:

Ignorant

Insecure

Inspiring

Because they don’t know how to do anything yet, they dive in head first (and end up falling flat on their face) or they’re a bit shy and need a little push.

Be their safety net.

Now I know that (new) students can pull off the most hilarious stunts. And to students that have been there for a while already and Sensei this is very amusing. No matter what amazingly ‘dumb’ thing a new student does:

DO, NOT. LAUGH. AT. THEM.

EVER.

NOT FUNNY.

Okay, maybe it can be funny. But try imagining how that student feels. You can see the shock on her face. It is so scary to fail. 

We all have been there. 

So no judgmental laughter! Not even a chuckle..  Even if it wants to make you pee your pants. 

New students can be inspiring. They ask you questions you’ve never thought about. They can push you to think up new methods to teach. They bring a new spirit in a group, a chance to practice with a different person. 

New students teach restraint on other students.

New students bring fire to the spirit of your Sensei. (I love seeing fresh faces as much as the known ones)

New students are awesome.

So what are you waiting for?

I agree that people can be pretty over sensitive these days. But there’s a difference between a friendly laugh “oops that one botched” and just laughing at someone’s failure.

When you explain it’s okay to fail and they can laugh about it, it doesn’t matter. Laugh all you want then.

Sadly I see especially amongst certain classes that teenage students make fun of the kids that have a lower belt. Also, students that aren’t that great tend to point out the flaws in others.

My point is: shut up and train.