We may not do Kihon, Kata or Kumite in every class but we do Mokuso in every class.
It's so important in Traditional Krate that we do it twice in every class.
So then there are 2 Mokusos. The one prior (the opening Mokuso) to the physical training and the one after (the closing).
For the kids we have a pre Mokuso, to get them ready for the opening Mokuso. They need so sit and begin the process of focusing. They tend to be at the extremes, either very excited or a bit too sedate coming in to class.
I also treat the seiza as a physical exercise. How we should stand, how we should move into the kneeling position, when seated to activate the under used, neglected parts of the body (mainly between the shoulder blades and lats). The position on the head as to allow freedom of breath. The first adjustment breath and the ones there after. More on that another time.
First off. As Mr Iyengar writes it's not sitting quiet that teaches us how to sit quiet but it's the (correct) physical practice, that teaches us how to settle the mind, so that we can sit quite, sit still and at ease (but alert and ready).
So it's "the opening Mokuso" that prepares us for the challenge that lies ahead of us. Much like when we are driving 2 hours to a competition or flying 6 hours to a competition. The mind is uneasy, we have fears, we worry, we stress, basically thinking about the past (that we can do nothing about), and or the unknown, the future.
We must calm and still the mind, yet be alert and ready. Reminiscent of the scene at the beginning of Enter the Dragon, the scene with Bruce Lee and his teacher, replay that one over and over again and you will learn the secret of kumite.
Nishiyama sensei in seiza
Then the time is now and we must do. We must face the challenge at hand. We must do our best. Our best is based on how we treated the "nows' of the past. This is the "test" of all our previous efforts.
Now this is past. Now the challenge is over. Win or lose (also determining what is a win or a loss) this is what we have. It is over, it has passed and we have this great release.
Now we have the "closing Mokuso" 9the end is the beginning of the next move.
Much like driving back 2 hours form a competition or flying 6 hours.
The one where we reflect on what we did, we analyze what we did well and what needs improvement. How we can use this experience to improve ourselves and perhaps help others (what good is knowledge if we don't pass it on). Much like saving data before shutting down the computer.
We are planting the seeds for future development. We must feed, water and take care so these seed of knowledge grow straight and true. Now at the closing Mokuso just before we do the first bow (to pay respect to all past senior students, to all past instructors. One day students will pay respect to us.) now the mind is quite, now we are at ease, now we can sit still yet be aware and alert. we must then allow the seeds planted to grow so that when we return to yet another opening Mokuso, we can start off at place higher than the last.
We are proud to send two of our students to the inaugural AAKF Jr. Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia June18, 2011
Max 6 is one
and Ellen the other
Ellen (now 15) & Avi Rokah sensei 5/15/2011
Ellen is the 3rd girl to the right of Nishiyama sensei at her first exam.
On 5-15-2011 we sent Ellen to one of Avi Rokah's Youth Tournaments. This was her first competition outside of our own in house competitions. This was her first driving Moksou. In June she will have her 6 hour flying Moksu.
Now she has a deeper understanding of Mokuso. Now she knows a greater understanding of "deeper meaning". Sensei's karate was "deep" and he taught us how to look and go deeper.
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