THE WHY AND THE HOW

 by Phillip Starr

There are really two aspects to performing a given technique or form; one is, of course the “how” of it...how is it to be executed? Exactly how? And understanding this aspect can take some considerable time and practice.

HOW do you bow? Exactly how should you kneel down or stand up? EXACTLY how is that punch/kick to be performed? And forms offer a whole new dimension to the question(s) of HOW?

But knowing the “how” is only half of it. It's essential that you learn and thoroughly understand the “why” as well. Understanding this aspect can alter how you understand and perform the “how.”

As you move through the ranks, from white to green, brown, and finally black belt...and through the grades of black belt, your understanding (and hopefully, your practice of) the various “how's” changes. What is correct for a white belt isn't necessarily what is correct for a black belt...

At the rank of shodan, a student should have a solid grasp of the “how” as it pertains to the fundamental techniques and forms (in system that don't utilize a grading system, this should be after about 3 years of regular study and training). Understanding the “how” will be enhanced further with the passage of time and, of course, more rigorous training.

It really isn't until the level of yondan (4^th grade black belt, which can be achieved after about 12-15 years of training) that one is usually introduced to the “why” aspect(s). WHY is a given technique, body movement, form, etc., to be performed in a certain way? A qualified sensei/sifu should know this...at least up to a certain level.

These twin aspects can and should be applied to every facet of your chosen discipline. For example, WHY do you wear your uniform just so? WHY do you kneel down/stand up in a certain way? WHY do you perform your bow (and there are often several ways of bowing involved) as you do? Right down to the smallest details...why, why, why? And the tired answer of, “Because that's just the way we do it”, isn't an answer at all. It's an excuse that veils ignorance much of the time.

Of course, there are some folks who feel that knowing the “why” isn't all that important and they don't bother to pursue the questions. However, such deadheads may well be doing the technique/form/whatever incorrectly because they've never bothered to peer beneath the surface.

And learning the “why's” is much like peeling off the layers of an onion. There seems to be another “why” to the “why” that was just learned...until you arrive at the core. Therein lies the truth.