Good morning.

 

I would like to relate an incident that happened to me recently. I believe this is not just a topic of interest, but also an excellent illustration of the ‘soul’ of martial arts.

 

When you get into any subject deeply you get to know many other senior people in the field – and martial arts is certainly no different in this respect. As it so happens one of my neighbours was a Judo master of not insignificant standing for many years. Not only was this man famous in his heyday, but he taught people later who were to become household names in the martial arts. He is now in his 80’s, and although he retired from active teaching at 65, he stills trains for himself everyday.

 

Time relentlessly marches on so, I don’t get to see him as often as I would like, but generally we meet, and stop for a quick chat, while he is walking his dog and I am going for a run. It was, therefore, to my surprise when I had a note dropped through my door asking to give him a call. The note simply said a good friend of his had asked him to teach his 10 year old son Judo and he had recommended my schools instead.

 

When we spoke later that evening I explained that my schools do not teach that age group at the moment; however, as a friend and respected martial artist I am happy to help personally if his friend was serious about learning martial arts. He declined my offer as in fact he agreed that it was very hard to teach undiluted martial arts to students under 13 years old, but he wanted to check with me in any event. (For those interested in the children’s class we do have plans to open in the future. The delay in opening the classes is due to the need to make sure that the children are taught in the correct way. Please contact the school or see the webpage on families for more details).

 

Just before we finished talking he then took me by surprise by simply stating that he wanted me to know that he admired me and was proud of everything I have achieved. This may only be a simple statement, but coming from this old master it really means something special. For me it epitomises the essence of martial arts; if you believe in something and fight for it long enough it always pays you back. However, this payback is always in ways you can never expect. While many people desire consumer products as their ‘reward’ nothing could actually be further from the truth in authentic martial arts; money is necessary to live, but respect of the old generation is something that money can never buy. Those who have aspirations to achieve the upper echelons of martial arts would do well to reflect on this …

 

It also vividly illustrated the real martial artists do not discriminate against others based on their style. While every master must believe in their chosen path, only misguided practicioners  think that their way is the only way. Martial arts is an individual way, but if you cannot truly appreciate other arts then you yourself are not truly an artist…

 

Sifu