Here are a few of the common reasons that bring people from other styles to the Kodokai:
1. You have reached the point of diminishing returns at your current practice.
Are your classes are filled with the same things that you learned years ago? Kick, punch, block, kata, sparring. Where is the learning? Where is the teaching? Of course, there is a need for repetition, but how much you are actually being taught in any given month? Are you sticking around just so you can learn another kata in six months? You'll learn that kata in five minutes (since it contains stuff you already know) and then be back on that treadmill that keeps you busy but going nowhere.
In the words of our teacher, Taira sensei, "our techniques are uncountable". Our teachers are like fountains that never stop pouring information to us. You wont get bored and you will have enough material to work with for a lifetime.
2. You have matured and your current practice no longer meets your needs.
We all come to a point where our body no longer is up for the things of youth. Sore joints, old injuries reduced flexibility and stamina catch up to everyone.We also mature in our thinking- you no longer want to spend your time doing jumping spinning kicks.
Motobu Udundi is a "soft" martial art. Using natural stances that are both practical and easy on the knees, movements are performed with relaxed muscles.We use weight, momentum and leverage to strike or take down an opponent. It is a martial art that you can enjoy into your senior years.
3. Your self-defense abilities are very limited.
If you have been training for many years this probably isn't your problem. But many people, after a year or two of training, have spent all of their time on theory- kata, drills where very attack and response is choreographed, point sparring, etc.... This is a very common problem but often people hate to walk away from their school feeling that they" have come so far". Well, if you are lost in the forest and walking in a direction that isn't bringing you toward your destination, the sooner you cut your losses and get on the right path the sooner you will get where you want to be.
Our practice is hands-on and it's natural movements allow you to quickly become capable of training in more spontaneous environment. Things are not choreographed and memorized- you learn by applying techniques to a live person rather than moving your arms in the air.
4. Your school is for little kids- but you are not a little kid.
We get this quite often. At first it all seems harmless, the stripes on belts, the black belt clubs, the birthday parties, trophies, medals, point sparring, etc... But after a while you start to see that there is more. People advance in rank even though they aren't very good, the focus on winning a medal or trophy forces the training to be unrealistic, the commercialism is a source of embarrassment. You are proud of your rank and achievement, you just hope that nobody asks what school you go to.
At Kodokai you will work on developing effective skills- not earning rank or scoring in tournaments. Trophies, medals, striped belts- these are ways of feeling validated by someone else. A martial artist shouldn't need someone else's' approval, this only encourages people to respond to peer pressure. Confidence should come from having reliable skills not from getting a shiny medal or some electrical tape on your belt.
Can you protect yourself? Medals, stripes and trophies won't help you. At Kodokai, our practice is down to earth and focused on substance and development. We are not trained puppies performing for treats.
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