Concepts

Sometimes I find myself getting too wound up in the specifics instead of following the intention. Regarding the stripes, they are created to support specific ideals and to develop certain skills. But it is easy to forget about the why and only worry about the what. It likens to asking how many licks to the centre of a tootsie pop. It doesn't really matter, does it? It doesn't change the journey, only fogs up the road.

The syllabus changes. If it didn't then there would be no chance for evolution. But the curricular ideals have not changed, not since I first started training and I guarantee not since you've started training. If we can keep this in front of us then the uncertainty of the syllabus shouldn't affect how we train and how we approach our goals. Whats our goal? Developing the six harmonies. Know what will help that? These forms. Whats our goal? Developing our vocabulary of motion. Know what will help? Striking these targets or sparring with these drills. Thats what we need to keep in front of us. The specifics are only there to help support the concepts.

In my own training I try to just listen and hear what I'm being told. Which is harder than it sounds.

Khona Rybak