CONGRATULATIONS SHODAN

"The title is "Explosive Uechi-ryu" and the moderator is Arthur Rabesa. Art will be exploring the power contained in Uechi-ryu that is not appreciated by the average practitioner. Make no mistake - this forum is for the serious martial artist and I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone who really wants to tap his or her explosive power potential.

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Art Rabesa
Posts: 806
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 9:25 pm

CONGRATULATIONS SHODAN

Post by Art Rabesa »

You passed your test and you are now a shodan. That's great. You can now wrap that black belt around you. It feels terrific. OK!! Now you can begin to learn. "What!!!! I'm a black belt man. What do you mean, now I can begin to learn? You remember all those basics that we went over about a million times? Well, that's just the tip of the ice burg. They were not really basics, they were the main course. There is nothing in your training that is actually basic. There's no such thing. Everything needed for that shodan rank will be worked as long as you train. That step, that turn, that thrust, that block, that punch, that front kick, you get the picture? All those goodies will have to be worked a lot longer. Everything now needs major work to reach another level. You slipped by with what you showed us for the shodan test. That has to be tuned up a bit for your next test, and so on. On and on through each dan rank. That difference between a shodan's performance, and a sandans performance has to be much different. It's all those basics(So called basics) that have to improve as you go along through the ranks. Maybe you've heard about Grand Masters that only work certain things. These things happen to be what you consider basic. Have you taken the time to wonder why? The answer is that what is stressed most by those that have trained the longest, is the most important. Take care of the engine that runs the machine. That engine happens to be sanchin and everything coming from sanchin. I'll teach everything involved in Uechi Ryu. However, my personnel workout are the three main kata's, and heavy bag work. I'll spend a great deal of time on sanchin before going into anything else. What does that tell you shodan? Does that mean I'm too old or lazy to do everything else? If you think that, maybe we'll get to do dan kumite, or some conditioning some day. I'm not hard to find. So, once again, congrats shodan and welcome to the show. -----Happy Trails -----Art
Art Rabesa
Art Rabesa
Posts: 806
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 9:25 pm

Re: CONGRATULATIONS SHODAN

Post by Art Rabesa »

I have often wondered what goes through a persons mind when they decide to discontinue their training, after receiving their shodan. I've had a few of my students that did that. I never asked them why they decided to stop. When one begins to train, how do they see what is ahead? Do they really think that obtaining the black belt is the main objective? Has anyone ever talked to someone who dropped out after obtaining shodan? What were their reasons for doing so? The believe that your training is a way of life might be a little intimidating to some. Drop outs are a fact of all dojo's. However, to stop after you make the shodan rank is cloudy. What do these students think when they see their teacher, or senior ranks, performing? That is why I have included the "Longevity" thread on this forum. My goal was never to reach where I am now. It simply just took it's course. I have mentioned to many I have trained to just keep going. The hardest thing to do is stop and then pick it up again after a lay off. It's much easier to just keep going. It takes a certain type of individual to put in all the years of training. What type? I haven't figured that out yet. So congratulations on making your shodan. Now it begins.--------Happy Trails ------Art
Art Rabesa
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