Feelings? How Dare You Make Me Feel My Own Feelings!

A guest blog post by Steven G.

“What is the feeling of this technique?” This is something which I have heard many times since I started training, the meaning of which has changed for me over time. When I first started training my immediate concern was the technical aspects of a technique or kata; where to place your feet, what to do with your hands etc so being open to understanding the feeling of a technique often seemed of secondary concern. If I came away from the dojo having learned just one technical thing it felt like time well spent, and it always is. 

Lately I’ve been trying to reverse this method of learning by trying to focus more on the actual feeling and flow of a technique then worry about where my feet are and what my hands should be doing. Why is that? Basically it was impeding my progress by preventing me from learning anything other than the ‘where to place your feet..’ etc without getting to the heart what I was being taught. 

Personally I find it easier to remember a feeling than numerous different points about what to physically do with your body movements. Going in with the feeling in mind, the body movements will follow. Things like the Kihon Happo initially appeared to be very static but the more I open myself to the feeling of a technique the more layers and more applications contained within become apparent. It can be hard to do and takes a conscious effort to overcome habitual thought patterns when you are immersed in a training session, I really am only beginning to scratch the surface of this approach. Right now, this is what I am finding works for me, what works for you may feel or be completely different. 

In saying all that I would like to point out that I could only begin this approach once I found a certain kind of confidence. Not the type of confidence which comes from personality, ego or self-esteem but confidence which comes from a continuous adherence to kihon. If the kihon is not there when you need it any understanding of the feeling cannot be functionally applied. 

Ask a Stupid Question, Get a Good Answer

Being open to learning from those around me (regardless of rank) about what to do and, equally important, what not to do has definitely been an integral part of my training experience to date. 

Writing this blog has reminded me of a Buddhist method of learning which I would like to share here it goes something like this: Ask your teacher the same question a number of times. Why? Because the answer to the question today will be different from the answer you receive in a week or months time. As a student it is my responsibility to not only ask the right questions but to phrase them differently each time.

The repetition and regularly asking the same question of your teacher will push both of you to continually assess your understanding. 

I find even asking a question for something which I know (or believe to know) the answer to can provide deeper insights or at the very least reinforce your understanding.

This method (which admittedly I need to pursue more actively myself) can be difficult for some people for fear of being perceived as not being clever enough to understand the answer the first time it was given. Why not perceive it as diligence? Better yet, don’t worry about what other people think. Follow your own path.