Something was off and I just couldn’t understand why.
This was one of my techniques.
One that I had practiced, at this point, thousands and thousands of time.
I needed it as part of my last belt test, which I did.
I had been called up to demonstrate it before visiting teachers and Shihan.
I always felt I could represent it well.
Yet here I was.
Maybe it was my training partner? Yet when we switched to new partners in class it was the same. Still incorrect.
Not that it was wrong, only the senior students and the teacher would have noticed it. The mechanics were sound, but something was off with the timing, just a bit.
Yet, in budo that “just a bit” will still get you killed.
It was only at the end of class, by chance when watching the teacher demonstrate it again from the other side of the dojo to some junior students.
It clicked at that moment.
Shoshin
The beginner’s mind.
My confidence in myself had caused me to miss the difference.
When class started and the teacher announced the technique and demonstrated it, I was watching but not really watching. I already *knew* it and was ready to partner up. I missed the subtle change the teacher added in the footwork.
In my confidence I forgot that every time you see a technique demonstrated, one has to approach it as if it is the very first time they are seeing it.
Never assume anything.
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