The Dojo Concept

More DVD filming this week, both in the gym and on a rooftop in San Francisco. I’ll put a small preview together for my next post, but we’re not done yet. Although a bunch of individual lifts are featured, we’re putting them together into workouts, so folks can get an idea of how we design workouts and programs. This weekend we filmed what will become today’s workout:

Jerk Press Max. Work up to a one rep max through sets of 3,2, or 1.

Jerk Press Recovery. Stand up with locked arms overhead from the pins. See the example in the video below at about 36 seconds in.

Ring Fly Outs (or some variation). As in the beginning of this video.

And to top it off: Ray Hearts Steve. Looks a little like this.

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The Dojo Concept

Not just a physical place, a Dojo is the philosophy, inspiration and appreciation that grows from a tribe on their path. It is the center of our ritual, which in Bodytribe’s case, is the pursuit of the Art of Strength. A Dojo, which is sometimes defined as ‘the path of the Way,’ is more than a school, more than a gathering place, more than a training center. It is where morality, strength and character can be fully experienced.

Common for certain martial arts Dojos is the Kun, or the ‘words,’ which are uttered at the end of each lesson. Loud, conscious and with conviction, these mantras are uttered by an instructor to be repeated by the class, and they might go something like this (although often in Japanese):

1. Work to perfect your character.

2. Have fidelity in seeking a true way.

3. Cultivate a spirit of endeavor and perseverance.

4. Always act with good manners.

This is vocalization of the morality needed to balance the physicality of the training with the character of the spirit. Notice the similarities between this and the Buddhist 8 Fold Path (heck, every religion probably has a name for similar concepts). Ignoring these beliefs and ideas encapsulated in the dojo kun will in the long run have a negative effect both on the individual and on the evolution of the Dojo/Tribe as a whole.

I have a Dojo Kun as well, although it is a simple mantra. Whenever I leave Bodytribe, I say (often quietly) “Thank you for keeping me humble and strong,” and I truly mean it each time, often confirming it by looking at all the people and equipment in the gym with reverence and appreciation. (In all honesty I do this more on the sly so folks don’t think I’m odd, but it does happen daily.)

I stole (and paraphrased and editorialized) the following from the Xin Qi Shen Dojo in Seattle. These are worthy tenets about each member’s role within the Dojo:

• Training in the Strength Arts isn’t just physical but mental and spiritual. Each practice is to strengthen and train our body, mind, energy and spirit.
• Nurture excellence.
• The principles remain constant but the methods can change.
• Seek to improve the art and improve the standard.
• Keep thoughts and comments positive and healthy (!!)
• Train diligently; refine your body, mind and spirit. This is your responsibility.
• Your teachers can show you the way and help you, only you can develop the skills.
• Argue for your limitations and sure enough they’re yours. Next time you say “I can’t” replace it with “I don’t want to try.” (In other words, take responsibility for your action and behaviors, even when training. Limits are set by your mind more than your body).

The traditional concept of the Dojo is a tactile experience with the chosen ritual space, as well as a mental one. The Dojo members, to complete the connection with their physical location not only train there but also participate in its maintenance and existence. The Dojo is simply a physical reflection of their connection with themselves, and self-respect is portrayed through respect for their space, their equipment and their tribe. The experience is a pro-active one, understanding the foundational needs of the Dojo and therefore taking them in hand and addressing them, whether it is through the exchange of ideas or simply getting on hands and knees with rag in hand, keeping it clean and ‘pure.’ In the case of Bodytribe members, it means pleasant greetings, respecting the equipment (and putting it away when done) and continuing the motivation and inspiration that you guys share with each other.

Even in not a physical member of Bodytribe, our little online community here can also be a platform for the Dojo Concept. Thank you all for participating!

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