2/28/2013 WILL YOU FLIP THE SWITCH?

You train for years going over basic karate moves, learning Kata and how to find the Bunkai (application) of each move, always  training on the heavy bag, and punching the Makiwara,  using weights to make yourself  as strong and fast as you can be, and being alert and aware of your surroundings.

But what you are really learning is who you are, and what type of person you are.  Karate is about being hard/soft and learning to be able to flow with the movements.  To be able to amp it up when need be.

This also means to be able to go from your normal Joe mode to crazy ninja mode in a blink of an eye.  In our day and time violence is (sad to say) an everyday occurrence.   Fights can happen anytime or anyplace, as in going to the store or maybe driving down the street when the car next to you  goes all nuts on you for something you don’t even know you did.

This is where your Karate kicks in with all the training you have been doing.  Karate teaches us not just what we can do but what we can’t do, which is just as important.

While it is still a mental decision to “flip the switch ”  the training is what comes into play so that you  will take care of any situation.

If we look at the way Police deal with their jobs. They train all the time with their  weapons and empty hand techniques. They work on all types of scenarios, so they will know how to react and handle most situations. This is what gives them the confidence to do their job.   (sounds like what we do).

The military does the same thing; they  work on body conditioning, weapon training and go over scenarios to help them get prepared and to feel confident in what they need to do.

Sports work in the same way by drilling over plays and body conditioning.  We all know that practice is different than the real game, but by training and  being mentally ready you will be ready for the game.

While this can be a learned application there is still a lot to factor in: ability, attitude ,and mental preparedness.  Why does one man step up while another  man will not?  What does it take?  Mental training is the difference when you need to alter one’s attitude.  This is done by the training you have been doing in karate and practicing all it has to offer:  basics, kata, bag work, flow drills, sparring, and grappling moves. This is what builds the confidence to step up.  This is mental training- knowing what you can do and then just doing.

While training seems to be the most important thing, and is the difference between a white belt and a black belt, it doesn’t always guarantee the results.  Maybe we will freeze up or maybe we won’t.  But our karate will never work if we don’t “flip the switch”.

See you in the Dojo

 

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US Branch of Japan Keishinkan Karate