Wuxin- Black Stripe

(As explained by Sifu Jeff Brinker, November 7, 2024)

The difference between syllabus and curriculum has been defined for years. Unfortunately, we sometimes still struggle with the differences and keeping them in perspective while we are actively teaching on deck.

Syllabus- the tools we use to teach

Curriculum- what we are actually trying to teach

Intellectually, we understand. Practically, we are struggling.

Using the syllabus as a checklist is an incorrect approach. We do not teach the syllabus; if the students know the tools, that does not yet mean they know the curriculum, the heart of our lessons. It is likened to knowing how to use a hammer; many of us know how to use a hammer, but that does not mean we know how to build a house. Our goal is to build a house, the curriculum, not teach about a hammer, the syllabus.

As it has been instructed by Sifu Brinker, the Black stripe will not be given to a student until all other stripes have been earned.

This is not without its reasoning. The Black stripe, Wuxin, translates to “No Mind”. It is the idea of “Knowledge Applicability”. The ability to properly execute a technique cannot be present if a student has not yet earned, sufficiently to their rank, the Yellow, Red or White stripes. How can they be properly applying their knowledge if they have yet to earn/adequately learn their Vocabulary of Motion, Keystone Principles, Six Harmonies?

Wuxin means No Mind

“What we mean by that is, these techniques are yours. You don’t have to think about them, you don’t have to intellectualize them. You just need to execute them and you know how to execute them.”

How can you execute a technique if you are not able to move in a way that allows you to earn Yellow, Vocabulary of Motion, or Red, Keystone Principles, or White, the Six Harmonies?

In order to have Wuxin, you must perform your Vocabulary of Motion, Keystone Principles and Six Harmonies to your rank.

At a minimum.

Because Wuxin is last, it can serve as a “catch all”; stripes that had been earned earlier need to be kept up to expectations in order to earn the Black stripe. Therefore it is again impossible to earn Black before the others.

“Black stripe means you know how to apply your knowledge. If you know how to apply your knowledge then you have the knowledge.”

Therefore, all other stripes must be earned first.

Who are you. What are you.

Sifu Rybak:
”The long awaited reemergence of sparring is a prime opportunity to do a deep dive inward as a student, as instructors and as martial artists in general. As black belts, we need to be very clear in our understanding of what we are; are you an amazing fighter or an adequate fighter? Does your desire to be great in a sparring match align with your current course of actions or your spirit? Does it reflect the reality of your skill set or ability?

We need to be brutally honest with ourselves when it comes to our abilities.  If we are not, then we are acting on ego. Ego is the ultimate enemy because of the potential harm that it creates as we are acting upon the wants of our ego. Our number one mandate as black belts and as instructors in a class MUST BE to DO NO HARM. If our ego is driving our actions, we are doing harm to both the student in front of us and to ourselves. You are losing the respect of the students and ultimately our power of influence over them, which is the most powerful tool you have.

So know thyself. That is the ultimate goal of our style and should direct our intent and actions. You need to be okay with your holes, your weaknesses and your faults. If you are trying to hide or cover these faults, putting out false bravado, you will, 1. Never be able to make the situation better, and 2. Lose respect and the power of influence. Understanding, acknowledging and working towards improving our weaknesses, that is what it is to be confident. Having all the answers or knowing better than others, that is not confidence. That is the need to be praised and that is ego defining our path.

As black belts you are now free to choose your own path based on your values. However, with that also comes the need to understand and acknowledge the consequences of our choices and actions. No matter the path you follow, there are consequences. You will not be as good as someone else. You need to be okay with that, and more importantly YOU NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. Even if you are more skilled than the individual in front of you, you are a student first, instructor second. You cannot help a student without empathy. You cannot be empathetic without first being in their shoes.

In this school, sparring is one of our key values. We are in the martial arts, it is an integral part of what we do. It is not everyone’s cup of tea. That is okay, but the lessons found in sparring go way beyond the ability to punch someone in the face. Do not deny someone else those lessons by letting your ego dictate your actions.”

Sifu Brinker:
”Everything Sifu Rybak has said about sparring applies to all aspects of our skill set. As a black belt you MUST focus on what is important to you if you are ever going to maximize your potential. You MUST also be realistic and honest with acknowledging the consequences of your decisions. If you do not value perfection in your forms, you do not have the credibility to teach forms to your students. You MUST accept that you do not have the power of influence when it comes to forms. Complaining about a student’s lack of respect for what you are telling them is illogical when you have not earned their respect first.

We all bring value to the school and the rank of black belt. So it is imperative that we each be the black belt we want to be. Don’t just talk about it, be it. Embrace the black belt you are and boldly proceed. “

In Person Training

I’m sure this is not new news to anyone, but our lessons in the black belt class (and any class, for that matter) are best received in person. Online attendance is a great resource for those days when life happens, as a way to still engage and absorb. It has its limitations, however, and sometimes they become a crutch and hinderance.

Over the next while, we will be focusing on chi and energy work. Specifically, we will be covering the established syllabus with a new approach; that of energy, intent and direction. Attendance in person is going to be critical, as partner work is required. 

Chi and energy is a relationship. It is difficult to evolve in our training without experiencing this relationship. As such, it is going to be difficult, if not impossible, to absorb and practice the upcoming lessons in an online fashion. The quantity and quality of feedback (from both the instructors and students) is limited unless we are all in the same room.

Khona Rybak