History and Martial Arts

 At Guerrero's it is important to learn the history of the Martial Arts we study.  The students learn not only the techniques, but we learn about the Old Masters who created the techniques.   Is it beneficial to learn something from 400 years ago?   It absolutely is beneficial to understand what the technique was originally used for and how we can use the techniques today.   We are not tasked with guarding the Emperor's Palace as the Old Masters in Okinawa were, but the techniques are effective for self defense.  Everyone should know some self defense, especially women and children.   We utilize our Katas and study the applications within each move.  For a simple example:  many times the turns we do in Katas are interpreted as throwing your opponent with a joint lock technique to produce pain and off balancing.  The study of Aikido with Shotokan is a practical way to combine strikes, kicks and throws which gives everyone a few more tools to utilize if ever confronted by an attacker.   It is interesting to participate in a class of people of all ages to see what their interpretation of a Kata move may be.  Everyone may see something a bit different.   This is called Bunkai, (interpretation of the Kata moves).  The Shotokan Katas are representations of real fighting techniques.  The Old Masters created the Katas as a way to pass on their knowledge of fighting techniques.  We study books such as the "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi and "The Art of War"by Sun Tzu.  The Philosphies in these types of books are applicable today for everyday life and even for Corporate America.  We also discuss the philosphies of Bruce Lee, who was truly a deep thinker about many things in life.  All this creates a well rounded Martial Arts student who can defend him or herself and who can also discuss fighting techniques, concepts and philosophies.  Do you have a difficult Manager at work?  Read "The Art of War".  You may come up with some old strategies that will help you today.  Are you a student struggling with a class?  Read "The Book of the Five Rings" and see if a change of perspective or study habits can help with the class.  As much as things are different today in the modern day, they are similar also to the days of the past.  The human condition is generally one of struggle, success and struggle and defeat, more struggle and success.  Use the knowledge of the past to help with the modern day struggles.  Sensei Julie Haskins