Learning how to teach

[Runar Bjaaland]

According to contemporary accounts, Jigoro Kano was not only the founder of Judo but a zealous teacher.
It can be extrapolated that it was his intention to establish a practice that trained:
the mind (techniques)
the body (regular practice)
but also the soul (ones motivation).

A reference to this can be found in Drægers book on kata. (Dont have a more specific reference available at the moment but I'm assuming everyone knows it)
Dræger discusses high forms of Judo which leads to development and a lower type of Judo that distinguishes itself by not leading to development.

As these ideals of higher and lower are highly interpretable, does anyone wish to offer what is meant by development?

Cheers
Runar Bjaaland

[Abbax8]

At the time of judo's establishment, Japan, at least in Kano's mind, was a society in trouble. He viewed his judo as a means of solving 3 problems. Physically judo would provide a small person a means to defend themself. Mentally the regular practice of judo would teach the student the Best Use of Energy in endeavors outside the dojo. Spiritually by regular practice of judo the student themself would become a better person, as more people practiced judo, japanese society itself would improve- Mutual Welfare in Benefit. The physical techiniques are the tangible exercises to arrive at the intangible benefits.

Peace

Dennis

[rubberband]

I would say that development means that it changed them for the better and the lack of development meant that the person didn't grow from the experience but rather saw the art as a means of fighting and ego cultivation...

[Runar Bjaaland]

There is little doubt that humility is a prized devlopment in todays society - or is it?

Cheers
Runar Bjaaland

[rubberband]

Is humility prized in todays society?

It seems those who have the least humility prize the submission of others to their will... and often this submission is confused with the concept of humility... even taught as humility in some instances... hierarchy creates the need for humility in this submissive form... but I don't think this is true humility...

In my mind true humility is breaking free from the hierarchy and claiming power for yourself without subjugating others... to me humility is not using a higher awareness to create a hierarchy that places others beneath you but rather using awareness for personal empowerment that will enable you to free others... of course the disillusioned don't want to abandon the security of hierarchy... so then humility is letting them stay lost and not forcing your will...

so I guess my answer is NO... humility in its real sense is not prized but largely confused with arrogance and looked down upon in modern society... however, humility in the form of submission is highly prized by those in power because it is a way to control the masses... an illusion to keep the masses in line by looking to advance in hierarchy... much like martial art rank...

take care, steve

[Runar Bjaaland]

so I guess my answer is NO...

Can training at dojo adress this problem?

It seems to me that a part of our attendance at dojo includes role play - ceremonial maybe, but there in, lies the potential to train attitiudes.

If a judoka has a problem with the boss at work, the trainer can help him by , say, scrutinising his uchi-komi extra close, with a view to confront and lift his levels of tolerance. This facet of trainer/trainee must be a matter of confidentiality and prearranged
By tempering the temper one may learn to avoid a sudden loss of income

Can Dojo can be a training place on so many levels?

Cheers
Runar Bjaaland

[Erik]

At the time of judo's establishment, Japan, at least in Kano's mind, was a society in trouble. He viewed his judo as a means of solving 3 problems.

[1]Physically judo would provide a small person a means to defend themself.

[2]Mentally the regular practice of judo would teach the student the Best Use of Energy in endeavors outside the dojo.

[3]Spiritually by regular practice of judo the student themself would become a better person,

[4]as more people practiced judo, japanese society itself would improve- Mutual Welfare in Benefit. The physical techiniques are the tangible exercises to arrive at the intangible benefits.

Continuing with what Dennis wrote...

...seems that Judo addressed four of the most important aspects of kids' PE, which, at least out here, is not always taught anymore.

[1] This is self-explanitory. Also includes obvious health benifits - healthy bodies perform better, are stronger and have more endurance (even while sitting at a desk in a modern office), don't get sick so often, and so on.

Bodies don't just defend against bullies but against disease and poor health in general.

[2] Judo philosophy is about balance, timing, and taking your opponent down while you're in good position and he is not injured. This is a victory without exacerbating problems by upsetting people too much.

Also, by practicing these ideas, one learns to see them as abstract qualities. Balance and timing and winning without alienating people are great skills for life in general.

[3] Spiritually, like with a lot of endurance sports, one learns to keep going even when really uncomfortable. This builds cofidence as one learns not to fear pain and misery so much (having been there, done that, made it).

One also learns to struggle through discomfort and not to give up. Inner strength comes from struggling through misery and learning to fight harder instead of folding under such conditions.

Also, one learns a lot of humility by getting the butt kicked regularly and then a lot of confidence (and hopefully respect) once he learns how to dish it out, as well.

One also learns to approach competition to win and, hopfully, how to take defeat in stride when it happens.

Also, one learns about performing feats while everyone is watching. Learning to keep cool under such conditions makes for a stronger spirit.

[4] A nation of capable, mature, smart, resiliant and emotionally robust people is a strong nation.

This is the magic of Judo and of sports in general.

I'd like to add that I learned far more from my coaches than I ever did from my academic teachers.

Coaches labor to forge men from boys (and women from girls, too). To me, what's written above is how this is done.