May 24, 2006

If you can see it, you can do it

It has been very hectic lately around here, what with Lil C suddenly becoming extremely mobile. It has not allowed very much time for solitary training. My work out has definitely taken a back burner. Until I can figure out how to contain Lil C without her having an absolute fit or figure out a way to somehow wear her in a baby wrap that won’t interfere with kata (not possible), I have to resort to other ways to continue to learn my material for testing. The other ways don’t necessarily have to be physical.

I had a biopsychology class when I was in college. I passed by the skin of my teeth despite a ton of studying. One thing I will always remember from that class though, is something my professor said about neural pathways and learning. If you read something, or study something before bed, while sleeping your brain works on it and makes it easier to remember. She said it much more scientifically than that, of course; but I’ve found it to be very true. In college, if I studied right before bed, the information was easier to remember the next day. I didn’t remember everything; but I remembered enough to make me want to continue the habit. (I only wish it would have worked a little better with bio-psych.)

Recently, while trying to fall asleep at night, instead of going through a mental to-do list like I frequently do, I’ve been working on visualizing my kata’s. You have to know the material well enough first to do this; but visualization is a great tool for committing kata (or anything else for that matter) to memory. It helps you work out the details. It also helps with application (bunkai). If you can visualize yourself doing something, you’ll be better prepared if you have to take action. This is great mental training for self defense. Lately there’s been a lot of talk about this in the karate blogging world.

John of Martial Views, (or the karate yoda as I affectionately call him) posted about this imagery the other day. Mat is also a good read for understanding the martial arts journey. He’s really good at seeing the big picture, even though he doesn’t always think so himself. He has devoted so much time to the martial arts that reading about his training regime is really quite inspiring. I can’t keep up with him; but reading about what he’s doing makes me at least want to try. At Taming The Horse Stance, you can also read about this visual imagery.

Everyone has a different reason for taking up the martial arts. For most though, the journey is as much a mental one as it is a physical one. Lirian Fae of Karate Talk writes about her inner voice and how important it is in karate. Karate isn’t about physical conquest and domination. The majority of people studying the martial arts don’t derive enjoyment from hurting other people. Studying the martial arts is about listening to that inner voice and about respect: respect for others, respect for the art, and respect for yourself. It is evident by the way the majority of people treat each other in a dojo. Karate is a state of mind, that hopefully one can translate into daily life.

I have as much respect for the 10-year old brown belt as I do for the 50-year old white belt. Actually I have a TON of respect for that 10-year old brown belt because when I was fumbling with my belt once, she approached me and went step by step to show me how to tie it properly. She wasn’t intimidated that I was an adult; and I wasn’t bothered by the fact that a 10-year old could correct me on something. I often joke about being one of the oldest ones in my class, but stature aside we’re all really in the same boat and working towards a common goal.