Reaching That Higher Level

[isshinryuronin]

After a few decades I had all the basic techniques and principles down pretty well. To be honest, they were actually very good. My speed and power were about as good as my innate physical ability would allow. All in all, I was a good karate practitioner for a 3rd degree black belt. The years of drilling, practicing, and learning paid off. By 4th degree I knew the full system and had a good understanding of the nature of Okinawan karate.

Going into 5th degree I started to think, "Is this all? What else can I do? Just hang around, put in more years toward wrapping some red around my waist and try to stay in shape to not embarrass myself in old age? Or is there another physical level out there?" Continuing my training, I discovered there was.

Sometimes I was actively searching for that "higher level" in punching or stepping for a specific result. But it can be hard to search when you don't know what you don't know. Sometimes when you don't know what you're looking for, it unexpectedly finds you, even if you weren't trying to find anything. I've found these serendipitous moments don't come when you're drilling, I think because you're too focused. By definition, when you're focused on a thing other things get blocked out, and one of those "other things" may be just the thing that gets you to that higher level.

When I've had those "aha" moments it's usually been when alone, just "messing around" doing kata or throwing random techniques. Then you realize a move you just did felt different, felt better. Now you have to figure out why and try to replicate it. Did you accidentally pivot differently, drop your weight at a certain time an extra half inch, flex your buttocks, or one of a hundred other subtle little things? Not the least of which is your mental state/spiritual attitude. When doing MA at an advanced level I believe one must be open and relaxed. This not only allows your technique to flow out, but also allows strange new things to flow in.

You never know then such "aha" moments will come. You may get one as a colored belt (but not be experienced enough to realize it was important). But I think this is rare as beginners need to focus. Most of mine came at 3rd or 4th degree or after. If I have one of these moments once every 4 years, I consider myself lucky. They are small things, but for me very exciting and allow me to refine my art beyond any curriculum.

 

[Buka]

Aha moments are wonderful. And sometimes so surprising.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

"Is this all?

Glad to hear that you are still in development mode. Today I'm totally in maintenance mode.

 

[isshinryuronin]

Glad to hear that you are still in development mode. Today I'm totally in maintenance mode.

Being semi-retired from TMA and without a teacher for a span of over 20 years, I feel I'm behind on my learning curve and have a little catching up to do. At the weight gym I have recently gone into maintenance mode, but in TMA I'm still in a (not too intensive) development mode physically and a bit more so intellectually. I'm hoping to continue in this mode till I hit 80. After that, I'll try to maintain being able to go to the bathroom by myself.

 

[_Simon_]

Really great post, very insightful and I feel very important. It's a place I find myself too, but I'm still relatively early in my journey.

It's like an underlying, general inquiry that permeates the practice. I like your idea that focus gets in the way. Often it does as it's expecting a certain outcome or looking  for something. When we let go of that and embrace the complete and utter uncertainty, just moving and being totally immersed in the experience in a felt way, something starts to shift.

Recently was working on Seisan kata (new one I'm learning). Even though the sequence of three steps and punches are pretty similar to Sanseiru (a prior kata), on the first punch something just felt totally different. I was connected in a way I hadn't ever been, especially to the ground, and I don't know if I sunk my weight or my attention was on the tanden, but it was a whole other experience than usual. Almost like the punch was ao supported by the earth that it reverberated right back through the earth... I dunno if that makes sense... but that was how it was experienced. Of course, the second and third punches did NOT feel like that haha, most likely because I got swept away in that then tried to conceptually figure it out and that took me into my head.

But yeah, those moments or epiphanies can happen any time, and even though brief, they can change the trajectory of your practice. There are so many depths to explore if we pay attention to what's being communicated to us. A state of listening can go a long way

 

[_Simon_]

There was another video I was looking for but can't find it... but along these lines

 

[JowGaWolf]

When doing MA at an advanced level I believe one must be open and relaxed. This not only allows your technique to flow out, but also allows strange new things to flow in.

I've noticed that we often try to control how things unfold, which can make us blind to what's really happening. That's why most 'a-ha' moments occur when we're not trying to force things.

 

[JowGaWolf]

Glad to hear that you are still in development mode. Today I'm totally in maintenance mode.

You can still be in the development mode. It will just probably require that you try something new lol.

 

[Holmejr]

It’s absolutely super when those moments happen. I’m glad they’re still happening for you. I think the more energy centric the art the more that happens. FMA, BJJ and probably many/most CMA you learn a bunch of individual techniques which really doesn’t take that long, but seamlessly putting them together and flowing from one to another, including counters, depending on your opponent’s energy does. It can literally take a lifetime, which is where I’m at now. And that’s where my ah ha moments happen.

 

[Fungus]

But I think this is rare as beginners need to focus.

Makes sense. I often feel that when I focus to learn, I also tense up and try to "force" certain motion, instead of relaxing and trying to get the rythm of when your limbs just swing by natural kinetics around it's joints.

Sometimes when I don't "try", but "play" throwing my limbs at hte heavy bad, you sometimes feel a rythm that makes sense, which isn't there when you tense up.

I have a heavy bag at home, so I give it a slap or kick at random at times, and it helps getting a relaxed relation to propelling the limbs into something.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

You can still be in the development mode. It will just probably require that you try something new lol.

To remove errors is also to enhance development.

I try to find some common errors that people may make in their training. I believe if I can come up a list, that list can help my students a lot.

So far, the list contain:

One should never:

1. use an outward stance.
2. move elbow without moving knee.
3. collapse body structure.
4. allow opponent to grab on his wrist.
5. allow opponent to shift weight on his leading leg.
6. have a guard that's too close to the face.
7. ...

For example, if you always pay attention on 5, the fight can be much simpler.

 

[isshinryuronin]

To remove errors is also to enhance development.

I try to find some common errors that people may make in their training. I believe if I can come up a list, that list can help my students a lot.

So far, the list contain:

One should never:

- use an outward stance.
- move elbow without moving knee.
- collapse body structure.
- allow opponent to grab on his wrist.
- allow opponent to shift weight on his leading leg.
- have a guard that's too close to the face.
- ...

Although I have issues with some of your examples, your main point is a good one. Your list is tactical in nature, but the same idea applies to one's technique execution. Eliminating errors/mistakes=development. I'd say it's at least 50% of things to do to improve and get better. The old masters thought, "Better to work on your weaknesses than your strengths."

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

The old masters thought, "Better to work on your weaknesses than your strengths."

Avoiding trouble is better than allow the trouble to happen, you then try to fix it. For example, if you use outward stance, your opponent can sweep both of your legs from inside out.

 

[JowGaWolf]

To remove errors is also to enhance development.

I try to find some common errors that people may make in their training. I believe if I can come up a list, that list can help my students a lot.

So far, the list contain:

One should never:

1. use an outward stance.
2. move elbow without moving knee.
3. collapse body structure.
4. allow opponent to grab on his wrist.
5. allow opponent to shift weight on his leading leg.
6. have a guard that's too close to the face.
7. ...

For example, if you always pay attention on 5, the fight can be much simpler.

lol Now that's entertainment. I say start something new and your response sounds like someone who doesn't want to start something new.

It's all good. And you are correct about removing errors as part of enhancing development.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

lol Now that's entertainment. I say start something new and your response sounds like someone who doesn't want to start something new.

Even if I may develop something new, since I no longer compete in tournament, I can't test my new skill in the ring or on the mat. the new skill that I may develop will have no meaning.

The day when you retired from work, will you go back to school and finish your PhD degree?

In this video, at 0.42, he shows the weakness of outward stance.

 

[Krisxylove]

When doing MA at an advanced level I believe one must be open and relaxed. This not only allows your technique to flow out, but also allows strange new things to flow in.

Very well said sir