When people ask me about Shintai, I always find it very difficult to describe. It's a system that's roots have not been openly shared. Rumor has it that some of the style is based on Goju, Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. I think because of this it has been very difficult to have a standardized curriculum per say . One opinion of practicing black belt stated the following: .
Its a very hard style to put into a curriculum. Cause there is so much movement based on freedom and expression. I think for beginners you can follow a procedure but once people get more advanced its more of freedom of movement, following principles of timing, distance, accuracy, balance, structure, etc... Its a LOT more than throwing reverse punches. A set curriculum would work for beginner ranks which is fine, but at a certain point all that gets thrown out the window and its all about freedom of movement, mental patience, etc... Move - block - counter.... When I teach I enjoy teaching as advanced as possible. Teaching guys to understand why they are moving and reacting certain ways and how to use those reactions and feelings to form their styles and strategies... I don't know how you would put that into a set curriculum.
I would have cleaned this up a bit if I knew it was going to go on your blog. :) I definitely would have been less repetitive.
ReplyDeleteI just want to expand on what I wrote because I don't think I did the subject justice.
Most martial arts are based on a series of techniques, forms, katas, stances, etc. Many of these components are useful learning tools, but they are equally dangerous to students. All of these things stifle freedom and self expression. Students become locked in boxes they are unable to break out of. They become robots that perform what they are taught instead of reacting to how they feel and expressing themselves through the art.
More important than all of the forms, tools, classic stances, etc are the principles of the martial art. There are many principles that must be adhered to. Principles of timing, distance, focus, structure, accuracy, etc... The list of principles is long. Beginner to advanced students learn these "rules" and should try to practice them within the forms and techniques they learn. But a true Shintai martial artist knows how to work around these principles, bending and manipulating them throughout free style sparring, which gives a much higher degree of freedom. If the principle is pushed too far it can be broken and the student will be punished if he is working against another skilled practitioner.
This is how two people practice with each other at a high level. Constantly expressing themselves through the freedom of movement. When one person breaks a principle, it is up to the other person to capitalize on that temporary advantage.
Free style sparring is the ultimate practice of the Shintai martial artist. It is the place where the martial artist can see how far they can really venture out from that box. How deep into the ocean can the person swim without fear, anxiety, and panic taking hold. Can the person rid themselves of the forms, stances, pre-arranged movements etc. while not bending those principles too far and becoming vulnerable? A martial artist must have the ability to be a rock of structure. To be unbending and unbreakable. To be in complete KI structure. He must be able to move from stance to stance within this structure with each movement making him stronger and more solid. Yet he must also have the ability to flow like water. To bend without breaking like a young piece of bamboo. Extremely fluid with complete freedom of motion. Then ultimately he must train himeself to be able to switch back and forth between the rock and the water instantaneously, using a combination of fluid movement and solidity of stance to keep himself safe! An expert ability at this is one of the fundamentals in becoming a Shintai Martial Artist.
Unfortunately, I do not know how anyone would put this into a structured curriculum. :)
1:20am... I can't sleep. So this is what I am thinking about. Sorry for how long it is...
-Marshal
Marshal,
ReplyDeleteThat was not long at all and well said.In our art we became use to long theory. I think it paid off,did it not. I am glad you hung in there.
Guy shintai92@hotmail.com
The Yin Yang Symbol and the Taoist Philosophy which are deeply rooted in Chinese Kung Fu exemplify the above concept (soft and hard) Simple to understand, but hard to apply. That is why the Chen Taiji Practitioner first must learn softness (using the minimal amount of tension - coordinated with proper breathing, all which lead to a more efficient method of movement while seeing things more clearly) An asset to any martial artist and even more important to all individuals in their daily lives.
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