The Motions

I've been reading through an old Judo grappling book by Kazuko Kudo, and there was one line that really struck me: "Do not make motions that have no meaning". The first thing it made me think of was all the times I've been grappling and I flailed around in a desperate attempt to make something happen. Instead of being purposeful, my actions were mindless and pointless. Once in awhile I would get lucky and make it work, but usually all it ever succeeded in doing is tiring me out.

That quote also made me think about last week when Ray was instructing some Jiu-Jitsuka on a Judo throw combination. The students were faking the first technique, and trying to execute the second. Ray told them that the second throw would never work if they didn't commit to getting the first one. If their "motions had no meaning" their opponent would would never believe the fake. Ray told them there was no fake, they should attempt everything like they mean it. Then the first throw might even work, leaving no need for the second, and no wasted actions.

I think that quote can be useful in so many different ways in martial arts, and life in general. What is the point in doing something that has no meaning? Even when you're doing drills in class and practicing something you've done a million times before, you should never just go through the motions. Every time you do it, there should be meaning.

"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right."