Chapter 61: Less Emphasis on Memorizing

In a recent posting on FB a question was asked about a principle based approach on a particular style to which Mr. Rory Miller commented, “IMO, it's closer to how the first generations taught-- less emphasis on memorizing names of techniques or specific details, more emphasis on hard rolling, testing and concepts.  …”

Of course this sent my head off into never-never land thinking about all the requirements that involve memorization in order to pass tests and attain rank. It doesn’t seem that memorization is the results we really want especially if we train for the core distinction that makes martial disciplines - martial disciplines. Even in a principled based way it is not about memorization but a primal conditioning so that one feels it, one manifests it in a primal way, i.e., without conscious human brain interference, so that it comes creatively in the moment according to what the practitioner feels, hears and sees as appropriate. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am just pumping out what comes to my mind and putting it into this article/posting so I can get a grip on it in my mind. I have drifted further and further away from the distinction of styles and am trying to gravitate to fundamental principles and the multiple methodologies necessary to feel and make it work. At least in a more academic form since my retirement from other necessary means of training and practice.

Our self-defense, sport and philosophical ways of karate and martial disciplines have become tied to this model similar to what we were programmed for through the educational systems. Those same systems adopted in the early 1900’s when karate was added into the school systems curriculum making it about group teaching with the very same requirements of memorization so that all of it can have some questions and answers that when graded supposedly indicate absorption of said material. This is not how I envision one learning to apply things in that most dangerous circumstance of self-protection (I switched because as Mr. Miller eloquently explains SD is a legal term while in my opinion, not his, self-protection is better for our times and ways).

When the proverbial dung hits the fan we don’t want our minds trying to find the ‘right answer’ much like in standard testing but rather triggering a more primal conditioning attained in proper training methods that will be, hopefully, appropriate to the attack. 

In closing, what I recommend to everyone every chance I can is to read both books, one by Mr. Miller and the other by Mr. Marc MacYoung, i.e., “Principles-Based Instruction for Self-Defense AND In the Name of Self-Defense.”Both will, at a minimum, provide you with information that is seldom provided in most self-protection programs both martial and not.