Martial Arts: The First Lesson Is The Most Important Lesson

After some time in the dojo one became aware of certain phrases that would pop up every now and then in class.

Casually.

Often after demonstrating something, or if a certain kind of question was asked.

Repeated enough over time so that one realized they were important.

The first lesson is the most important lesson.

This was one of those statements.

There was a simplicity to it, something that framed all of the techniques that we practiced, a particular point of contact.

How when a training partner entered your space, the placement of the hand lightly on them.

Often first demonstrated when grabbed, resting your had on the grabbing hand.

Not to grab or resist, but to feel.

Feeling the tension in the arm of your training partner, that connection to their body, a connection that broadcasts wide what movement is going to happen next.

That first lesson being one of most important.