There are
a lot of analogies about martial arts training. Once you fall in love with an
art, it tends to stay on the periphery of your mind, resulting in perceived
connections with whatever you have going on throughout your day. One of my
favorite karate similes is from Funakoshi Gichin Sensei, which goes something
like this:
“Karate
is like boiling water: without heat, it returns to its tepid state.”
Funakoshi
Sensei was a great philosopher, and his observations ring as true today as when
they were written. Anyone who has taken a break from their martial training
knows just how accurate Funakoshi is – and “tepid” is a great word to describe
the decay of skill that can occur rapidly.
Thanks to
men like Funakoshi, I am occasionally inspired to think in non-literal ways
about training. I wonder…what else in life reflects the simple, yet complex
undertaking of martial arts? It was that lingering question that cropped into
my mind when I was building a fire just the other day.
I recently moved to a new
home in Pennsylvania, back from my mountainous excursions in Colorado. This
home, unlike my previous dwellings, has wood burning fireplaces. I’ve started
fires before in my life, as most kids do at one point or another, but I never
really learned how to burn for longevity and heat value. I realized early on
that there would be some trial and error in the development of my burning
skills.
The Elements of a Good Fire
I’ve
come to appreciate some of the key factors that go into developing a fire that
burns efficiently and effectively, which I present for your consideration:
Starting Small with Incremental Steps
If you stack a bunch of
logs in the fireplace and toss a match in, there is a very good chance you’ll
be disappointed with the results. Even if the logs are very dry, there is
just too much wood density there. To start a fire reliably, you have to begin
by lighting small pieces of paper or tinder. That initial burst of fire will go
out quickly though, so you have to make sure it interacts with slightly bigger
pieces of kindling. Once you have the kindling burning you can begin to
integrate larger logs. Skipping any of these steps, or taking on too much too
soon, can result in failure.
Providing Maintained Exposure
Firestarter
logs have become popular because they provide an extended amount of heat
exposure at the beginning of the fire building cycle. This is valuable because
to start larger pieces it requires a consistent flame over an extended period
of time in order to dry, heat, and ignite. Without consistent, maintained
exposure, a significant fire cannot be built…even if the initial flame is
bright and hot.
Developing A Burning Core
Most people think of ash as
the residue left over from a fire, but actually the ash core plays an important
role in the burning process. As logs burn and turn into embers, they sink into
the core and create an intense, lasting heat. It’s that core that helps provide
significant heat to the home-at-large and also allows future logs to burn more
readily. With a good core, a fire can be built, rebuilt, and maintained over a
lengthy period of time
Replacing Logs at the Right Time
I made
the mistake early on of waiting until one set of logs was almost completely
burnt out before adding the next set. I figured I was getting the most life
span out of each, but in fact, I was missing my chance for a clean transfer of
heat and energy from one to the next. Although it’s proper to let one set of
logs achieve maximum heat and even start to turn to ember before adding the
next, you still want to add the next set of logs while the first set is burning
hot.
Re-Igniting Embers
I’m always surprised at how
a fire can spring back to life with a little help. I’ve had fires that seemed
almost completely out except for a few glowing pieces in the logs and core.
With some light poking (and occasionally persistent poking), even those fading
fires have sprung back to life with fresh oxygen and energy.
Building Your Martial
Fire
I bet
your catching on to what I’m doing here, but let me explain. In the martial
arts, if we place too much on a student too soon, or they try to take on too
much right away, it’s very possible their enthusiasm for training will fizzle
before it has a chance to truly grow. Instead, if we give them a small taste,
allow it to spark their interest, and feed them more and more as time goes on
it is more likely that their interest and commitment will grow.
In both your personal
training and the training of your students, constant and careful exposure will
be the secret to long-term success. Even though it might feel satisfying to
train 12 hours a day for a month, the real value comes in training a
responsible
amount over long periods of time. It is with that maintained exposure that a
person develops a true core of understanding and passion for the art. With a
well developed core, the martial arts will fuel and guide a person in all
aspects, even when they aren’t in the dojo.
Part of
being a strong leader in the dojo or in a martial arts organization is
understanding how to manage and empower your students and constituents. If
students have access to their teachers while the teachers are still in their
prime, the benefit of being exposed to the high level of execution will stick
with them and benefit them throughout their training. Furthermore, as the
senior echelon ages, the younger generation will be better prepared to take on
the duties of their elders. If the ranking seniors wait too long to invest
properly in the next generation…it may be too late.
There comes a time in most
martial artists lives when they are sidelined by injury, work, lack of
enthusiasm, or a myriad of other distractions. Despite that, most still have
the passion for the arts somewhere deep inside of them. A small amount of
inspiration, of poking and prodding, from the right source can bring that old
flame back to life. You can be that inspiration, or, if you need it, you can
seek that inspiration from someone who might be able light your fire.
What Do You See?
Contemplating the
connection between building a fire and cultivating a strong martial spirit is
an interesting exercise. What connections between the two do you see that I
haven’t mentioned here?
Sensei
Matthew Apsokardu runs the very popular IkigaiWay site.
Thank you Apsokardu Sensei for this excellent article. Hopefully, he'll share some more of his thoughts with us in the future. In
the meantime, here is some background to this fine Sensei and writer -
Matthew Apsokardu is a practitioner of
Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Kobudo of the Nakamura Shigeru, Odo Seikichi, Bruce
Heilman lineage. Matthew is a direct student under Heilman Sensei.
Credentials include:
- Training in Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Kobudo for
18 years
- Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Kenjutsu and Kendo for 7
years
- Muso
Shinden Ryu for 2 Years
- Instructor of both karate and kobudo for 12 years
- Exposure to Daito Ryu Jujutsu, Aikijujutsu,
Motobu Udundi, as well as other styles via quarterly IKKF seminars
- Member of the Colorado
Community Safety Service for 2 Years
- Member of the Shobayashi Kan led by Bill Hayes
- Member of the IKKF Renshi Kai
- Member of the Rocky Mountain Kendo/Iaido
Federation
Instructors and Main Influences:
- C. Bruce Heilman (10th Dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo,
3rd Dan Jujutsu)
- Ann-Marie Heilman (9th Dan Okinawa
Kenpo Karate Kobudo)
- Rick Zondlo (7th Dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo,
Shodan Kendo, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu)
- Bill Hayes (9th Dan Shobayashi Ryu)
- Jody
Paul (9th Dan Seidokan, Motobu Udundi)
Personal Background:
Matthew Apsokardu
graduated from Penn State University with a BA in Professional Writing and a
minor in Natural Science.
Matthew has written
across various genres and has credits in diverse locations, including…
- Shimbun Martial Arts Magazine
- Jissen Martial Arts Magazine
- Association of International Martial Artists
Magazine
- FightingArts.com
- “Shigeru
Nakamura” Ebook
- Host
of “DojoKD” Video Learning Series
- Woven With Words : Historical Anthology
- Blur : Creative Nonfiction Anthology
- BBMReview.com: Martial Art Product Reviews
Matthew has also been
featured as an interview guest on the following programs:
- Writerviews.com – Building Online Presence
- WorkathomeSuccess.com – Self Powered Work
- Low Tech Combat – Traditional Martial Arts and Self
Defense
- Columbia
University – Martial Arts Learning in a Digital World
- Moai
Martial Arts – The Old Ways (A Biographical Interview)
- WingChunGeeks.com – Wing Chun vs Karate Research
- Robin’s
Bite – Improved Diet Through The Okinawa Program
- Martial
Thoughts Podcast – Okinawa Kenpo and the goal of Ikigai
Contact:
If you have any inquiries
or comments for Matthew he can be reached at ikigai108@gmail.com.
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