Ritual, Sincerity, and Training

I've recently re-evaluated my feelings about the many rituals that accompany martial practice and have come to embrace them with a sense of purpose that creates mindfulness and consistency before I engage in my martial practice. When I was younger, I went through the motions of "bowing" just to get it out of the way so I could quickly move on to "the good stuff." I didn't realize that the sincerity contained in ritual prepares a mindfulness that enhances the "good stuff" so much more. The practice becomes an extension of both my physical and mental self.

I respectfully hold my hands together in front of my chest before I enter the ring at Sityodtong or when I greet or leave one of the trainers there. I enjoy bowing as I walk into a dojo or before I step out on the mat for Jiu Jitsu practice. I bow my martial art fusion class in as a group and we clap twice in unison, signifying the cleansing of the area in the beginning of the class so we can focus on ourselves and our martial practice. At the end of class, we clap twice to signify that we have created an energy while practicing, and that our efforts and focus have helped us to release ourselves back into our everyday world. The devotion I give to the rituals helps me to be fully present during practice. The rituals become a tool, enabling me to unite my mindset with my physical practice.

The old philosophies of the traditional practices can coincide with the new practices of martial arts. It's important to me to pass them along in my martial arts fusion classes since martial arts are more than just about the physical challenge.

Now that I'm charged with fostering a love of the discipline in my students, I am honored to have the good fortune to be equiped with enough knowledge that will allow me to instill it in the minds and hearts of my class. Each week, I am both humbled and empowered by being the person that hopes to impart my knowledge into the students before me. I have forgotten how wonderful it feels to see the look of understanding and appreciation on a students face once he or she connects a movement to the concept behind it.

That is truly the "good stuff."