By Agnes Schwartz, Member until 2015

The course opened with 1½ hours of theory with a final test, by 2 well-prepared Honbu instructors, Kjeld and Brian Renshi-Dai.

We were initiated into the world of martial arts, e.g. sports karate, in which both Kjeld and Brian Renshi-Dai had their careers, with great results and fine medals (including 4 x WC bronze in Japan). They told how to score (cheap) points, to be persuasive in front of the referees and finally unsophisticated methods so that the opponent got penalty points. We were told that in the world of martial arts there were a lot of rules - where you can hit and how much you can hit and how you feint your opponent. They also said that after ½ year of training they were thrown into the ring. It cost a fortune and they had to reinvent the deep plate again and again - Learning by doing!

There was a comparison between the world of martial arts vs our martial art with 1000 years of history. With us, we didn't have to invent the deep plate. Everything with us is well thought out and organized by Grandmaster Kimu Sensei and to pass this on, we have some highly qualified local head instructors. We would be led up the stairs if we wanted. The only thing we had to bring was our attitude/intention - and we had to do that every time.

We talked about the principles of MITT.
Mai-ai, Attitude/intention, Tai-sabaki, correct Technique.
MINE, we should use in the dojo. Again, it was pointed out how important it was with its setting. It was not enough to be physically present.
People nodded approvingly, incl. myself. We didn't want to be an illusion. We didn't want 20-30-40 %.
We would 100 %!
This was in the theory room.

In the dojo we started quietly. We repeated from Task Fight 1, the tempo was 40 % and the setting was 100 %. Moving on to Task Fight 2, the pace went from 40 to 100 % while trying to hold on to MY. This is where it got interesting for me. Because as the exercises became more demanding and the pace high, all the principles were lost.

Correct Mai-ai, depending on who you were facing, your Mai-ai then became, i.e. not correct Mai-ai, but a comfort zone that suited your ego and courage.

The setting, it became a hate word. Well, I have my attitude with me in the dojo, but that's because! There were many excuses.

• I dare not impress the little ones, let alone the adults
• We get far too little time for the exercises, I can't make it
• My colleague is wrong
• My colleague is attacking wrongly

I saw someone scolding their colleague.
One made eyes of the instructors.
One wanted to quit.

Why did we behave like this?

After all, we got everything for free. Everything has been told and practiced before. We didn't have to invent a deep dish. The only thing we had to bring was our attitude.

Tai-sabaki and correct technique. We know that things work if we move correctly and use the right technique. So why don't we try to use it? Because everything goes together with the setting.

Now it wasn't like everyone was angry and frustrated on the course. But it was interesting when you were faced with someone who had the attitude and with someone who had lost it along the way and finally someone who might never have had it. I saw myself many times that day.

A well-intentioned instructor a short time ago suggested my proposal. I assured him that it was karate I wanted. But what is wanting? Is that the same as setting? If I had my setting, would I need to insure?

Agnes, Mrs.