A Few Thoughts
8/14/08
W.S. Bumgarner
Recently several
of us from the Atlanta GiYu Dojo traveled to
After this weekend of
intensive training a few thoughts are prominent in my mind.
A good
amount of time at the seminar was spent studying the techniques from the GiYu
Dojo Suwari Gata. I have seen and trained on a few “seated” techniques
from other Kobudo schools, but have never been taught the fundamentals of these
movements. I discovered quickly that knowing a few kata are no substitute
for having a solid foundation in the basic movements. Sensei Sandhu
demonstrated on guard postures, methods for getting the opponent to the ground
and ways to move and protect yourself while on the ground. All of these
movements were done with the emphasis on using good taijutsu and little
strength exactly
like the standing techniques of the Kobudo schools I am more
familiar.
For many martial
artists, including those involved in Kobudo schools, the idea of fighting on
the ground is somewhat of a mystery. Faced with the
uncertainty of what
they would need to do to survive a fighter that has taken them to the ground
many martial artists choose to do one of two things:
They either fool
themselves into thinking this particular situation would never occur or they
convince themselves that they are uniquely gifted in their
ability to thwart
any opponents attempts at this type of attack. Either excuse is
incredibly naïve and potentially dangerous.
I think
anyone who is serious about their training has to continually evaluate themselves.
Otherwise, you have given up on your art and if you have
given up you might as
well stop training. Being comfortable where you are at is like treading
water- you won’t drown but you’re not going to get anywhere
either. Personally,
I have decided not to tread water. We were only able to scratch the
surface of the GiYu Suwari Gata but I could see immediately that great thought,
practice, and research was done to create something very unique. Watching
Sensei Sandhu demonstrate these techniques in randori training was
like
watching a cat play with a mouse. It was humbling but invigorating.
I have a long way to go before I can even hope to “tread water” in the
GiYu
Suwari Gata.
For those
interested, testing was held on Sunday afternoon. If you have never
witnessed, or better yet, personally experienced the GiYu Dojo
testing process
let me encourage you to do so. Not only will you be expected to display a
high level of skill on your test requirements but you will be pushed
farther
than you have ever been pushed. Your honest reaction to the GiYu Dojo
promotion test will reveal more about your character and heart than years of
training. But, be warned! What you learn about yourself may not be
what you expect. Most martial artists train and perfect their art under
very safe conditions
and rules. Fortunately for most of us we don’t live
in a time or place when martial arts are a necessity to survive daily
life. Consequently, the essence of these
“arts” may be getting
lost. The purpose for their creation could be transformed from one of
self protection to one of sport. It is easy to fall into that trap.
We get comfortable with our training environment and training partners and lose
that edge that will help us prevail in a life threatening situation.
Those at the GiYu Dojo have not lost that edge and the testing procedure seems
to be an essential tool in helping students keep that edge.
The students at
the GiYu Dojo worked extremely hard to make sure the seminar was a
success. Through their extensive
preparation we felt very
comfortable and welcomed to their dojo. They were very helpful with the material
being taught as well. Their willingness
to share their time and insights was
very much appreciated. We have a very small, but dedicated training
group in
nor a great deal of commercial success. Instead it
appeals to individuals willing to step outside of their comfort zone and
realize the need for constant
self-improvement. That is a hard idea for some in
this time of instant gratification and flashy media coverage. For
those of us passionate about this art,
it is easy to begin to believe that we
are completely alone in our quest . That
is why it was so enjoyable to train and socialize with the students from the
GiYu Dojo. Despite our varied
backgrounds and interests our shared interest in this art is able to bring all
of us together.
There is also a mutual
understanding that you can’t continually improve without the help of
others. I can only get better by you
getting better and then
pushing me out of my comfort zone. We are preventing each other from “treading
water.” This is a refreshing
attitude. I have seen many martial artists
who reach a level of complacency once a certain rank has been achieved. I can sense that with most of the GiYu dojo
students there is no ceiling to their
desire to improve. Their desire is palpable and reassuring. For that, their hospitality and countless
other things I can only say “Thank you.”
Finally, a few
things should be said about the primary reason for all of us to come together
and that is Sensei Sandhu. The least you
can say of any
teacher is that they are knowledgeable of the subject they are
teaching. But with the martial arts it
is not enough to just be knowledgeable.
Any moron can
buy a DVD and impress their friends. A DVD may be full of information but it does
not impart skill and with the martial arts that is the only true measure of
proficiency. Not only does Sensei have
that knowledge but, more importantly, he has the skill. DVDs can’t help you cut through tatami
effortlessly or
subdue an attacker. Only
years of dedication and hard work can make these things possible. Sensei wants desperately for his students to
have that same dedication. Sensei shares
everything he has, including his time, knowledge, training regimen- in hopes
that you will join him in continuing to improve.
Some individuals may interpret this openness
as arrogance so as to not make their own efforts seem inadequate. This seems foolish to me.
Why would you not try to learn from those who
have shown an exceptional level of ability?
The best thing I can say about Sensei Sandhu is that he is able to
show
you what great things are possible and that makes me want to train even harder.