A quote, a brief redirect from the "martial arts titles" series

 

Defeat Yesterday's Understanding

I saw this quote some days ago, and decided to add this blog post in the middle of the "martial arts titles" series. 

Each week, i've been posting my thoughts on martial art titles....what they mean, their uses, etc. I've been posting primarily so my own new students can get an idea of the uses of certain titles that we use at our Kwoon, Seattle Wushu Center (Inner Concepts Method). This is through my own lineage.  

Sifu Kathy Long, our other instructor who has her own method called "Beyond Limits Martial Arts", (based on her many years of experience in Kung Fu San Soo, Kickboxing and a plethora of other training) has titles that she and her own students use in their method.

This week, I'd like to post this quote:

"The purpose of today's training 

is to defeat yesterday's understanding"

I've mentioned to students many times, that one of the goals in training is to try to improve and bet a little bit better than the previous class they attended. 

But "defeat yesterday's understanding"?  I presented this quote to one of my juniors kids classes, and one of the younger students asked "Does that mean we have to throw away what we learned last week?"

To many, it might have sounded like a silly question, but this kid was serious. He wanted to understand.

So, I explained that we shouldn't forget....on the contrary we must remember, so that we can compare our progress today, to last week, and the week before, and so on. I chose to compare the concept to something the kids all knew about.....video games!

I said: "It's like when you picked up a new video game. Sure, you've heard about the game from your friends, but you finally get it and your first game is feeling it out and trying to remember how the controls work in the game. You figure out the purpose of the game and slowly learn to play the game. Each time you play, you make mistakes, but then you remember your mistakes and try different approaches and strategies, and you get better at the game. Each time you make a mistake you learn from it and improve your gameplay. It's the same here at the Kwoon. If you don't remember the mistakes your won't have the means to improve, and you stay right where you are, not progressing. Does that make sense everyone?"

"Yes Sifu!!"

Then of course a bunch of hands raise up and the kids shared stories of their favorite games and how much better they got by just keeping at it even though they got frustrated. It took around 10 minutes of stories, but I found that it was important for the kids to share how they learned in their games and how frustrated they got but didn't quit. I found it was important that they learn from other kids what "attaining goals' was like in each other's perspectives. I was thrilled that the kids learned that Kung Fu is much more than just what strikes, kicks and forms they knew.....they were learning about the actual WORK.

During their discussion, one of the girls said (in an almost "authoritative" tone of voice):  "I like Mario Golf Super Rush", and you have to get your shots just right. It takes practice, but what you thought would work yesterday, probably doesn't work today so ya gotta work to get your timing right. You use part of what you learned yesterday to figure out how to play today."

"That's it, Jaime!" I remarked. "That's how we defeat yesterday's understanding. We make the understanding more complex, we don't throw it away, its a stepping stone."

If we just take what happened yesterday and merely move on without a 2nd thought, we lose some of the education we can glean from it. Yes, it is learning from mistakes, but while many understand the literal sense of it, it is the mind/body aspect and the practical application of it that fosters the real learning.

What's in a name? Part 3: "Sigung"

 

In this post we explore the title "Sigung"(Cantonese), which is used in many Kung Fu schools to refer to a "Teacher's teacher". In the familial hierarchy, the title Sigung would be like saying "grandfather". Traditionally, the term is for male teachers, however females use this title in some kung fu schools.

Keep in mind, that the title is based on a student's direct relationship with the teacher. If you are the student of a Sifu, you call them "Sifu", regardless of any other title that teacher might hold. If you are a black belt and have students, your students would refer to your teacher as "Sigung",....."grandparent". 

In my school's Kajukenbo lineage, the title "Sigung" is bestowed on black belts of 6 and 7th degree. However, it is considered a category of rank.

The Sifu with the title would never refer to themselves as "Sigung", nor should the teacher's students call them that. Sometimes, the public will address the teacher with the title to acknowledge the teacher's experience and position.

I've heard the general public (as with young student's parents) refer to me as "Sigung" (because that was the last known title they remember), or even sometimes "Professor", as it is my current rank category. I've told Parents that "Sifu" is fine when addressing me when their kids are around, to set a good example for the kids, or that they can just refer to me as "Lo-Si"...."teacher".

That being said, a more appropriate term that the public could use for a teacher (regardless of martial arts title) is "Lo-Si" (Laoshi in Mandarin), which means simply "Teacher".  It is a term primarily used for academic instructors or instructors of any subject, but is sometimes used by the public to address a teacher in a polite way. Students of a Sifu should not refer to their own teacher as "Lo-Si", as the term is considered "generic" and moves away from the family relationship within a martial arts school. But, that's for another blog post!

Proper etiquette dicates that a teacher never refers to themselves as any title in the general public, but only when speaking with students or their students. Signature lines in emails often have just a teacher's name, or "Lo-Si" in front of their name (or more traditionally, behind their name). This is to refer to themselves as simply "Teacher John Smith".

Titles are meant as a means for the students and public to address a teacher, or to recognize a teacher's experience. To introduce oneself as "Master John Smith" or "Grandmaster Smith" would make someone appear pretentious or pompous.

As always, ask your teacher about the use of titles if your art uses them. 

Finding Direction

 

It's not the speed of attaining goals that is the priority. Instead, it's figuring out how to attain goals and the quality of work that you put in. It's easy to go through the motions so that your audience sees and you maintain your reputation. Know your direction.....plus it is so much more fulfilling when that direction is for the greater good, not just for yourself.

Getting somewhere is easier when you know which direction to start walking.

What's in a name? Part 2: "Sihing"

 

This series is primarily for my students, but I hope the information presented is of interest to others. 

In this series, I'll be addressing the different titles that are observed at my Kwoon, Seattle Wushu Center, as they apply to our Kajukenbo, Wushu, Tai Chi, and Eskrima classes. Please note that the titles featured in this blog apply to our school, and the uses may differ in other schools.

-Restita DeJesus

What's in a name? Titles in Chinese Martial Arts Part 1: "Sifu"

 

In many traditional martial arts, titles can be sort of confusing to remember.  In the Western world, we tend to use the term "Professor" when addressing a college or graduate school instructor, or the term "Doctor" when addressing a medical specialist. However, many times, the use of titles in martial arts is misunderstood, and somehow the same etiquette tends to fly by the wayside in the Western culture. 

In Chinese martial arts and Chinese-based martial systems, the use of titles for teachers and coaches changes depending on the relationship between individual and the teacher within a school or system. It is the students and general public that refer to a teacher by a title. One typically never refers to themselves by a title.

Of course, in any martial arts nowadays, if a teacher prefers to be called by their given name outside of the school, then that's what the students follow. This post is not to berate martial artists for not recognizing their teacher's titles, but to recognize the traditional connotations behind the titles.

 In this series, I'll be sharing both the general outlook of martial arts titles, and how they apply to my classes at my school. I'll present one blog post per Title.

Sifu: 

A term that can be translated as "Teacher-Father" (or nowadays "teacher-parent"), and the standard term for a head instructor (usually upper level rank) of a school. The term doesn't literally mean "Master", although the title implies that the Sifu is the "master of the house", i.e. caretaker/main manager/main teacher of the school (Kwoon).

Generally, the title "Sifu" had been used for male teachers only, while the title "Simo" was used to refer to female teachers or the wife of a (male) Sifu. Nowadays, many schools choose the use the term "Sifu" for anyone that is head of a school (or has been bestowed the title by their own Sifu).

The students usually call their own teacher "Sifu". However, traditionally, the teachers typically do not call themselves "Sifu", nor do they refer to themselves as a "Master". The general public may refer to the teacher as "Sifu" or "Master" to show recognition of their position and knowledge, but a more appropriate term that the public may use is "Laoshi", which is the general term for a teacher or those with long experience and wisdom in a particular subject.

These days, teachers refer to themselves as Sifu when stating who is writing an email or calling on the phone (i.e. "Hi John, this is Sifu Restita, got a minute to discuss your upcoming exam?). But typically we wouldn't introduce ourselves to others with a title. We should never say "Hi, nice to meet you, i'm Sifu Restita DeJesus"). Nor would we sign emails or letters with a title. 

Titles are meant to be used by students of a teacher, when speaking to or speaking of their teacher.  For example, when introducing your teacher to another person, it is considered etiquette proper etiquette to say "James, this is my Kung Fu teacher, Sifu Restita DeJesus. Sifu, this is James."

At our school, the Sifu title is bestowed by the Chief Teacher to Black Belts who reach 3rd degree level and show an interest in teaching and sharing the arts. However the title is not necessarily automatically bestowed when a black belt reaches 3rd degree. In some schools, a title is adopted if a teacher/Master/Grandmaster refers to them with the title. For example, when I was presented with my teaching certificate in Wushu and Tai Chi at a large  celebration banquet , my Sifu presented me to the audience as "Sifu Restita DeJesus", informing the martial arts community in attendance that it is now my current position within her curriculum, because I was to teach her curriculum outside her school.

Traditionally, there is only one "Sifu" at a school, being the head of the school. However nowadays many contemporary schools recognize other Sifu that were promoted to the title by the "Chief" Sifu, as the term can apply to anyone with much more experience in their field than those who are addressing the teachers. The title Sifu is also used in some schools to refer to teachers that have their own class within the school. 

Keep in mind, that the title of the teacher changes, depending on who is referring to them. As already mentioned, students call their teacher "Sifu". However if a student is a black belt and has students of their own, their students call the teacher's teacher "Sigung" (implying "grandparent"). However that title is for another blog post. 

Other titles a Sifu might hold is "Sibak" (older uncle, although the term"Simo" is sometimes used for older auntie. My school tends to recognize the term " Sibak". For example, if one my junior classmates (that I studied under the same Sifu with) has students and they come visit my Kwoon, their students would technically call me 'Sibak' while the Junior classmate could call me  'Sihing" (elder brother) or more appropriately, 'Sijie' (elder sister).  

But I digress. Those titles are for other following blog posts. 😊

In our lineage, at my Kwoon, it is considered good manners for students to address the head teachers of Sifu ranks, by their title even outside of the school. Many Westerners tend to think they can call their teachers by their first name without the title, outside of the school. However, addressing the teacher by their earned title is like addressing a Doctor if you meet them at a grocery store. If you saw your doctor at the store, most people wouldn't say "Hey Mark, good to see ya!".....you'd most likely say "Wow Dr. Mark, (or Doctor Johnson), I didn't know you shopped at this store too...", etc etc. The same would apply in good manners in martial arts.  Same with kids addressing their teachers at their grade school, middle school or high school.....kids tend to address their teachers as "Ms. Johnson" instead of "Lily" if seeing them at the store. It's something naturally done by kids.  In our lineage, the same applies. This is a kung fu etiquette that symbolizes that there is no difference in respect between Kwoon and outside the Kwoon. For example, regardless of the surroundings, the teacher still has more experience than you.

Generally, the public would refer to the teacher as "Lo Si" (Cantonese) or "Laoshi" (Mandarin) as a term of recognition of an individual's position of a teacher. It is polite to uses the term plus the teacher's last name. 

However, regardless of the title, I suggest that students start by being polite, use a teacher's title, and allow the teacher to request that you call them by their given names outside of the Kwoon. Try not to ask "What you want me to call you outside the Kwoon?" because that puts the teacher in a very awkward position, because even while they're trying to teach you the politeness of titles, they don't want to seem egotistical by saying "call me Sifu". If they request that you call them by their first names outside of the Kwoon, then do so....and it is proper to not forget the position and experience they hold.  If they don't correct you, that's fine too, because perhaps the etiquette is something they in turn follow with their own teachers. Both are fine. 

Titles in the Chinese martial arts can be a confusing thing, especially since the use of them are based on family positions (parent, uncle, older/younger siblings, etc etc). When in doubt, ask the teacher "Can you explain the use of the title _______?" I'm sure teachers will appreciate you willingness to learn. 

Why do Kata (forms) practice? (Martial Arts post)

 

"Kata" (Japanese term, literally meaning "shape", or "model") in traditional martial arts, refers to choreographed sequences of movement, known as "forms". In Chinese it is known as "Taolu" ("routine"). Most traditional martial arts have their own forms as part of their curriculums. These forms have been passed down through the generations, keeping the original format. Some forms are modified by Masters. The practice of form may also include "free form" or "free flow" exercises, so that the practitioner can put what they've learned into a spontaneous sequence.

With the popularity of "realistic" fighting styles and MMA, traditional martial artists have seen an increase in the criticism of the practice of forms, primarily in social media. Many videos or posts on social media featuring traditional martial arts kata are met with judgemental comments, such as:

"Won't work in a street fight" (I wonder how many street fights the commenter had encountered?)

"Unrealistic, they need to learn a real martial art". (How many "real" fights have they been in?)

"Such BS. I would sweep and (insert planned out technique here) and  make them tap out" (perhaps they have a plan after watching the video 5 times to formulate their strategy?)

"My system is all about fighting, no stupid useless forms." (Well that just makes you an ass-kicker, now doesn't it?)

Real fighters don't use forms or free flow practice to learn how to practice good techiniques" (um....why do boxers do free flow shadowboxing?)

What some people do not understand is that forms indeed have benefits. While the practice of Kata originally taught the fighting techniques of a particular art, many people today just see fighting as being grappling, boxing and MMA.

Accountability

Being held accountable for our actions or inaction is often seen as either a blessing or a curse. Accountability can be:

- A source of pride

- A means to determine our efforts

- Or, unfortunately, a reason for dishonesty or deceit.

Sometimes we embrace accountability. Sometimes we don't. Sometimes we get angry that our accountability is questioned. 

Emotions aside, ask yourself:

"Am I secure enough to own up and be held accountable?" 

It can be a hard thing to do. It's too easy to blame someone else for your actions (or lack thereof), difficulties or issues. It's too easy to be untruthful in an attempt to "cover our asses". It's too easy to preserve our reputations through cover-ups. It's too easy to demand accountability from someone else, yet find ways to not be accountable for our own actions.

I often ask myself, "Why is this sometimes so difficult?"

There is a Japanese term, "Setsumei Sekinin":

• Setsumei (説明): This part means "explanation" or "clarification."
• Sekinin (責任): This part means "responsibility" or "duty."
• Combined Meaning: Together, "setsumei sekinin" implies a responsibility to provide a clear and thorough explanation, often in a public setting, for actions taken or decisions made.

Given the meaning, the "duty to explain" might sometimes make way for excuses, hidden truths or outright lies. However I've learned through the years to look within and know i'm secure enough to own up to my mistakes, and be courageous enough to "explain". 

I've observed through the years, that those who try to work hard for themselves and their situations, are the ones who take the bitter pill of accountability, while those whole take only partial accountability or refuse to be accountable at all, are those who already have what they want or need, even when it was gained through questionable means.

I've found, that the real time one should keep accountability on the priority list, is when you already have what you want and need.  Not only when you are lacking. Our actions and morals when we have everything set for us, is the indicator of our reputation. 

It can be a tough thing to do, given that many of us in the Western world are caught up in our own reputations and want to preserve it. 

But think of your INTERNAL reputation. You will always be dealing with "You".  It's not about how other people view you.

It's about how you view yourself. 

It's about being truly honest with yourself.

It's about asking yourself 'Did I really do everything I could for myself,

or did I just move on to a different activity to distract myself

to avoid the uncomfortable work?

Reputations are nothing without "Sekinin"....responsibility"...."duty".

April is Filipino Food month!

 

I urge my friends to try Filipino outside of the popular "Lumpia" (egg roll), "Pancit" (noodles), and "Adobo" (meat stewed in soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar).  There are so many dishes, with vegetarian and carnivore options, This month I will try to post about some popular dishes. Stay tuned!