Welcome to Episode #37 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Spirit First.”
As martial artists, we all train to be smart and skilled. But when it comes to self-defense, that may not be enough to save your life! You still need fighting spirit!
Inspired by the instruction of Shotokan Karate founder, Gichin Funakoshi, this episode shares advice on how to make fighting spirit your number one priority in martial arts training… and your life!
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If you’d like to read a summary of this show, check out Spirit First, Technique Second.
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Thanks for listening!
Ossu! Thanks for this! I’ve set an ambitious goal for myself so thanks for reminding me to not get paralyzed by the numerous technical things that I’m going to build and improve on in the months ahead. I will let things develop and hopefully I’ll meet the goals at the dates I’ve set for myself. If I don’t meet those dates, hopefully I will remember spirit first, technique after 🙂
OSU, Jo! Hey– we’ve all been there. Sometimes I feel like its a curse to have an active brain that constantly analyzes and critiques everything… but it’s not! You just have to give equal time for your spirit to have a say. Good luck on your goals! 🙂
Ossu! Whew, I thought for a minute there my eyes were showing more signs of aging, but it’s just virtual snow, LOL! Anyway, thanks for the well wishes!
HA! That snow always throws me for a loop, too! 🙂
OSSU,
spirit first……..technique second..great talk sencei,,,,
OSU! Thank you for saying so, Sayan!
Congratulations on your achievement and providing great advice not only for the martial artist, but for every day living. I always enjoy the podcast and you always have an interesting point of view. Thank you.
Great to hear! Thank you for the kind words, Marty!
Oh my!!
Ando this was such a remarkable podcast!!
I remember being all puffed up after my 2nd year of training martial arts (taking Hung Gar, kung fu lessons by then) when suddenly a new student came to visit us. I was 19 then, and He was around his 40’s. It seems to be his first kung fu lesson, cause he was the “epiphany” of terrible technique —At least, that’s what I thought!— : He was kinda slow, slappy, appearently not very coordinated. So I was glad to “teach him” some “techniques” and applications during the instruction session. But, every Friday we finished the class having a good sparring time… And that day happened to be a Friday. So he said he wanted to spar with me and I was for all it: Ding ding ding! the bell sounded!
I totally looked down at him —terrible mistake!!— and tried to be “nice” by bearly hitting him back —double mistake!!—, so he “took advantage of it” and suddenly wack!! he kicked me right on the ribs! (I didn’t even know how he even connected a kick like that) So I was like… uhhh… you want to take this seriously, okay… “I’ll show you some good ole’ traditional kung fu” I thought… all of a sudden, “Wack!! wack!!”
He punched me on the face and on my solar plex!! I didn’t even know where those punches where coming from, he seemed so uncoordinated, but he was somehow landing his strikes on me like no one hahha…. boy it hurt!! But it surely hurt my EGO more than anything else!
I felt embarrased to tell him to stop, so I just kept on sparring… and tried to figure out a way get him and I did! lol. I forgot all about the specialties and techniques and just shifted to a total “monster machine kinda mindset” and he felt overwhelmed and asked me to please stop as he raised his hands… So I did. THEN, from nowhere he suddenly turned around and did the most uncoordinated turning kick I had ever seen, it was so terrible it distracted me and sure enough, it hit me right on the face again!
and he said, he was just taking a break, but the sparring wasnt over yet… And my instructor came to stop the training and paired me with another guy.
Lesson learned… He surely didn’t have any technique, but boy he got the spirit right! His “terrible uncoordination” was just a tool to distract me terribly and then just hit me.
I love your podcasts sensei!
PLease Keep them coming!
Very inspiring, Ando!
Greetings from Chile!
Yup, the furthest country in the south of the world 😉
Take care!
HI ALEX!
Thanks for the kind words and sharing your story! I laughed out loud at the kick that was “so terrible it distracted me”. I’ve been hit more than staring in bewilderment! On the other hand, I’m sure my erratic fighting moves have confused some partners, too, so it all goes around.
Thanks for putting Chile on my martial arts map! Keep fighting down there! 🙂
Hahaha! Thanks for replying sensei Ando!
I’m pretty sure you spend a good deal of time replying to all the emails, youtube comments, and everything else. That’s very thoughtful of you!
Until next time Sensei Ando! 😀
What I learned in life is to show a great spirit while fighting for the right fight. Yes, spirit first, the rest will follow.
Exactly. When the cause is right, your power will be at its height! 🙂
… and the efforts too! Believe me.
No pain, no gain. This is true in any part of our life!
Yes, I know many people who hide behind their technique (well said btw!). I feel annoyed by them because they wanna correct me all the time and that distracts me vastly from my training goal (get into the flow, get OUT of my head, I’m a thinker too). I suspect them to want to boost their egos, but maybe they’re just trying to help me in their own annoying way – my techniques really do need improving LOL!
So what I do now is to try to learn the most of them and forget about my own ego. It’s so hard! But I already see improvements.
My question for you, Ando, is: How can I help THEM to develop their spirit without intruding into personal space as they do? By being a role-model?
Hi again, Karin!
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I love meeting another thinker! 🙂
You know, as odd as it may sound, I think the best way to help others is to beat them. If we play small, hold back, defer, stay quiet… then they have no reason to respect what we have to say. But when you can control them and shut down their tricks, it disrupts their flow. Then they either have to ask what you’re doing or quietly start observing you. Of course, they can also deny what’s happening and avoid you, but that’s their problem!
So, just focus on being your best and let that speak for itself.
I like what Josephina wrote. I like the answer, you, Sensei Ando, gave to the difficult question that was asked!
I’m gonna use those advice in every aspect in life!
Great advice! Thank you!
There’ll be an opportunity just next Saturday – I’ll participate in a tournament and will apply as much of your wisdom as I can.
Thanks Ingrid – I’ll do the same!
Ando, there’s another idea coming to mind… it might be possible that my teacher tried to do the same thing with me… disrupting my flow seems oddly familiar… trying to control me… but in his world, technique and physical skills come first. I don’t think he did it consciously, but in his world he might have tried to better me, rattle my cage. Still I think his world is not complete 😀 It lacks kindness and joy.
You never know who really is the crazy (or self-righteous) person! That’s what I like about all of that.
What do you think about it?
I’m always interested in your opinion.
Hi Karin!
Of course, I do not know your teacher, so I can’t say what tricks he’s playing on you! All I care about is that YOU are learning, improving your skills, and improving your life. You can still learn from a teacher who has no joy or kindness… maybe you can teacher HIM how to smile!
Enjoy your journey!
Hi Ando,
Right, thanks.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Karin
Happy Every Day to you, Karin! 🙂