Curriculum vs. Syllabus Part III

Excerpts from previous writings by Sifu Jeff Brinker

Mastery vs. Memorization

Kung fu is an art, it is not a science. As such we must value mastery over memorization. A person who memorizes an application may understand and be able to demonstrate the application but unless they have mastered it, they will not be able to apply the application with realism in a dynamic situation. The key to mastery is mindful, repetitive practice of what has been memorized.

The Four Phases of Technique Mastery

• Form

• Speed and Power

• Accuracy

• Realism

What is a Black Belt?

In the martial arts, the rank of Black is synonymous with expert. The term is also used as a metaphor for personal excellence. It is the rank we all strive to achieve as it is the ultimate recognition of all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into our training.

The concept of Black Belt is a relatively modern term. It is the norm in Japanese and Korean martial arts but most Chinese stylists have also adopted the black belt as a symbol of excellence and expertise because the rank of black belt is an inspiring objective and as such, a powerful motivational goal. The important thing to remember about the rank of black belt is that it signifies a beginning, not an end. A commonly used analogy is equating the black belt with completing a high school education. The real value of a strong high school education is the opportunity it creates for advanced education. Likewise, the real value of becoming a strong black belt is the opportunity it gives you to advance your training and further develop your art.

The Chinese Ideal

Many students become so focused upon achieving the rank of Sifu that it is difficult for them to remain motivated to train and stay dedicated to their art after they reach that goal. In essence, they are throwing away everything they have worked years to acquire if they do not continue cultivating their art. We must never forget that the belt is only a physical representation of what lies within. This is why when using the black belt as a tangible rank, it is important that we never forget the Chinese ideal. When a kung fu stylist is asked about their rank, their answer should be comprised of three elements: how long they have studied, who they have trained under, and an offer to step on the mats.

Khona Rybak

Sensei Fumio Demura

In a 2nd Degree Brown Belt class last summer, we had a discussion about Stewart Emery’s essay on Mastery. The discussion centred around the line “erase any resentment you have towards masters”.

The discussion reminded me of a blog post by Sensei Fumio Demura that I have always found inspirationally grounding so I followed up our class by sharing the post with the class on Kwoon Talk. I thought it may provide some motivation and inspiration for you all so I am reposting it.

Here is the quote from Sensei Fumio Demura:

"The person you refer to as 'Sensei' is in that position for a valid reason. It seems today I hear a lot of former students or ex-black belts disrespecting their Sensei for a myriad of reasons. In order to better help you understand why a Sensei deserves, or let me put it a better way, demands your respect let me lay it out for you.

The Sensei is the one who has dedicated their life to the art they teach you. You will never have as many years of dedication in because you came after them.

The Sensei is the one who spent many days and nights opening their dojo, cleaning it, making it better…for YOU.

The Sensei is the one who has made sacrifices you will never understand just so you have a place to train, to learn and gain in your art.

The Sensei is the one who, often at great costs, has given up their free time, their family time…time they could be out doing many other things just so you can learn and train.

The Sensei is the one who has invested thousands of dollars in their own training just to learn how to teach you properly.

The Sensei is the one who has often broken bones, but still showed up to teach class. Torqued muscles, tendons and had strains but still showed up to teach class. Had a migraine, was sick, had a bad day…but still showed up to teach class. All these things are excuses why you miss class.

The Sensei often goes without so that the dojo and students will be taken care of. This means they give up having nice things at times, vacations, going out to dinner, hanging out with friends and family…all so you can learn Karate.

The Sensei has spent more time in a dojo than most of you that train with them have been alive.

The Sensei is the one who is always there for your training…

The Sensei quite often sees a need and fills a need for their students. They see that poor kid who has little of anything and needs sparring gear and they just go ahead and get it for them. They see the student who is struggling to come up with funds to buy their own weapons for Kobudo and just buys extras so they can participate. They see their adult students losing their jobs and says “Don’t worry about paying til you’re caught up”. This is the role the Sensei plays and it demands respect.

I can sit here and think of a thousand more reasons why you should never, ever disrespect your Sensei too…but, in all honesty, I shouldn’t have to. I shouldn’t have had to even write this blog…but, then again, people live in a shallow world these days. Perhaps we should step out of it, be bigger and better, and then the world will change. Respect your Sensei, take care of your Sensei, honor your Sensei…because, one day, your Sensei will no longer be around."

- Fumio Demura

May the Year of the Rabbit Be Filled With Focused Intent

Everything we do in life has an intention behind the action. Our intent leads our actions. More often than not, we make bad decisions because we do not think through our actions before taking them. Every action, or non-action, comes with consequence. If those consequences are not fully considered, our actions may trigger events beyond what our original intent had planned.

In Kung fu a major component of the six harmonies is intent. If we are not mindful of our intent to ensure it is specific and complete, our training’s effectiveness is reduced and we could set in motion consequences that may undermine our intended outcome.

When I am working on my forms, I am not only mindful of what I am doing, but why I am doing it. For example, I broke a bone in my ankle many years ago while performing a spear form with acrobatic kicks. I jammed my ankle on a landing and ultimately fractured a bone in the joint. Not knowing that I had done so much damage, I never did get medical treatment for the fracture. Now twenty-five years later, my left ankle has some limitations that make it difficult for me to keep it perfectly aligned in my horse stance. This difficulty translates to complications when performing and practicing my forms.

All practice benefits from being specific about your intent. What are you working on? In my case, with my damaged ankle, I have to decide what I want to concentrate on before I begin my form. If I want to work on the energy transfer within my technique, my left foot must adopt the best position to support that energy transfer. That position will not be in the traditional ideal position because of my past injury. If I want to work on improving my body alignment within my form so that my left ankle is aligned ideally with perfect form, then I must accept a reduction of energy transfer as a consequence. In my situation maximizing power and maximizing technique is an either-or proposition.

As a student it is imperative that our intent is always clear and specific. Every lesson we receive and every application we practice have context and intent. Understanding that context and applying that intent maximizes the value of our lessons and the efficacy of our practice.

Jeff Brinker

Beginning 'Beginning Anew' Anew

Happy New Year! 

This is the time of year when people make resolutions and make plans to improve their lives. The logic being - “new year - new me”.

Anyone who has ever used their gym membership consistently knows how crowded the gym gets in January and how empty it is by the end of February. People enter the new year with big dreams and plans but life has its own inertia that is always pulling us back to our ‘normal’ state. The challenge of course is to slowly modify our normal state so that it evolves into something positive and sustainable. 

If you are someone who waits until the new year to implement positive change, your procrastination is a big part of the normal state that you are trying to modify. If you wait most of the year for a landmark date to begin improving your life, you will more than likely be one of those people who hit January running but run out of gas by the end of February and then waste the rest of the year waiting for your next opportunity to begin anew. 

If you wish for positive change to manifest in your life, you must first change your approach to implementing change. The opportunity to make positive change exists in every moment of every day. I begin anew several times a day. The moment I feel the presence of mediocrity, I immediately acknowledge it and address it.

Positive growth is a byproduct of positive choices. The first step is recognizing that procrastination is not a positive choice and then go from there. 

My new year’s wish to all of you is that if you have been waiting for January 1st to begin making positive change in your life, start that process this year by beginning anew in your approach to beginning anew. Make 2023 the year that you eliminate procrastination from your life and recognize the infinite opportunities that exist in every moment. 

Jeff Brinker

#TechniqueTips #Motivation