All martial arts system should be about knowledge and learning.However it seems to me that most martial artist have an exceptionally high focus on technique perfection to the point where moves appear over choreographed with a uniformed view of what good (you) should look like.
The question is, is this the correct direction for the martial arts? Also there must be thousands of people in the UK who achieved brown or black belts through the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s, where are they now and why have they stopped training?I believe its due to the over emphasis of the choreographedmove and look good technique. I do accept that the media and also Hollywood films have driven this stereotype approach. Also the lack of advanced explanation of moves rather than just more punch/kick has failed to maintain and stimulate a long-term interest.
Individuals are various shapes and sizes and should be developed towards their natural skills and strength. Developing and encouraging students to improve their levels of fitness and power as well as just techniques is the role of the instructor.
People are different just like Mike Tyson and Mohammed Ali both great fighters in their day but opposite ends of the compass with regards to fighting style, so who was the best? The answer is they both were, both developed themselves to maximise their natural skills regardless of what the technical requirements demanded, so both are great champions.
Through the Cempa –Jutsusenior syllabus system (not the junior syllabus) our objective is to make each person the best they can be. Sometimes the reality is different to their original vision but with time they will become highly effective and except who they are, this is a personal journey.
This individual learning is the keyso any karate system needs to be open to questions which demand answers or it becomes no more than a process of high quality techniques delivered via blind leadership. All karateka should demand to know why they practice techniques and also what they mean.Would you train a football team and never mention the fact that you should play the game with a ball, then wonder why you never win a game!
I have no doubt that anyone brown belt or advanced currently training without understanding the dynamic of the moves they are doing will stop training through frustration or boredom. This generally is why so many people drop out and why our martial arts clubs have a lack of senior karateka aged 30+. If you feel it’s untrue then look around at how many club specialise in training children.Karate is/has become a sport that kids do.
Perhaps kids should be taught how to inflict as much physical damage to another person using as few moves as possible. ‘Yep’, sounds like something most schools and parents would want to promote to young children.
Finally, to learn a techniques is all about knowledge and understanding. Cempa - Jutsu has a second system that covers the practical application of the various moves and combinations plus full explanation of the Kata’s within the system.
We welcome all karateka, any styles. If you have similar views and would like share your experiences and train with like minded karateka please contact us via the email link at the top of the pages.
Knowledge & Learning
