"Work Out or Think
Out?"
It would be easy to say both, but there is more to the
story. Most of the students that I have known seem to show up to get a good sweat
and exercise workout before they leave. If they got someone who didn't move or fall
well, they felt cheated in their workout. A few show up to class only to watch, think a little, discuss a lot, and work out only sparingly before going home. There were some who
showed up did little of anything but thought out the moves and felt superior to those who
did work out.
Well let's look at how they could improve by defining the
"Ideal Student", which are few
and far between:
(1) You show up to support your small class, which visitors think is
very strange because generally when they see a small class, they do not think, "Hey,
I will get more personal instruction". They think, "This
instructor must not be very good", they will more often join a crowded class.
(2) Support your instructor! Be there
to help him demonstrate, clean up, and support
new students, because they are easily scared away or
embarrassed.
(3) Work out to learn your lesson well so you understand the
underlying principles, because someday it will be your turn to pass on the Art. The
responsibility to pass the Art on accurately is enormous .
(4) Take time to think about the more advanced aspects of San Soo, angles, force,
defense, rhythm, flow, style, degree of force, your options, just to
name just a few. You can work out for years but without higher-level thinking
you will only progress so far.
(5) Help those who want or will accept your help but do not be a
know-it-all or a dominating guy. This can also drive students away.
(6) Pay for your lessons on time, many instructors keep their doors open but may not have
enough money to buy a cup of coffee. If you have a problem with money or attendance,
don't stay away, tell your instructor and maybe something can be worked out.
These are a few thoughts but our original question still needs to be answered. If
your main focus is to workout and you spend little time thinking so that you truly
understand, you will severely limit yourself and you will never reach the upper levels.
If thinking is your first priority with little workout, you may know many things but will
not have trained the weapon to carry them out. You can talk all day but you cannot perform. Everything
in the Universe goes back to the Yin and Yang and there must be a balance.
Americans tend to search for the most "scientific
art" but the Yin and
Yang balance is the highest scientific principle which controls the
universe. To become one with your sword, staff, or opponent, you can
achieve the highest level of Martial Art. Some simply hold a weapon and
swing it but to become part of it is the goal. It is easy to see the
difference when you watch someone perform. Some confront force with
force however the higher level would be to blend into your opponent's
force - uprooting his center and throwing or moving him.
