Thanks for the weekend, as usual my time spent with you
was very worthwhile and enjoyable.
Your summary of the weekend is very accurate and
useful.
For the record there are four stages of
learning.
Stage 1.UNCONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE.
We dont know what we dont know. Using the analogy of learning to
drive, this can be likened to a small child sitting behind the wheel of daddys
car while its parked in the driveway. Daddy, Im
driving!
Stage 2.CONSCIOUS
INCOMPETENCE.
We are acutely aware of what we dont know. To return to the driving
analogy, we take our very first driving lesson and within SECONDS of attempting
to control the car, we understand fully the lack of our ability. Instead of
being the star pupil who will send the car in a straight line at precisely 30
mph on the first attempt, we end up stalling at a busy road junction on the
wrong side of the road with other drivers hooting their horns just like
everyone else on their first lesson.
Stage 3.CONSCIOUS
COMPETENCE.
Having passed our driving test, we throw away the L plates and drive
off down the road to visit a friend and share our success.
Do you recall how tiring
even the shortest of journeys was? That is because we had to consciously think
about every action we took. Notice how new drivers always move at precisely 30
mph, put their handbrakes on at every traffic light and stop at every roundabout
or junction even when you can see for miles that there is nothing
coming!
Stage 4.UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE.
You have been driving for
years and, if youre a man you probably consider you have above average driving
skills and would make a pretty good rally driver.
On the other
hand...
How many times have you
expected the car in front to turn left because they had their left indicator
going then they turned right and you had to brake
quickly?
How many times have you
absent-mindedly found yourself half way to work on a Sunday morning when you
were actually meaning to go to the shops?
Stage 4 is comfortable,
efficient and natural. It is the area of instinctive reaction, I know what this
is Ive done this a thousand times before It
also carries some risk. So we return to Stage 1.
This class was based on the 8 sotai dosa and the relationship with the tandoku undo (tegatana dosa). Proper posture was an important item during the class. The focus on the proper posture was already mentioned during the previous yudansha class, and this is remembered by some of the participants. Those who already have some experience with the 8 sotai dosa can do the step to kakari geiko in the proper way. Some participants are still in the stage of learning the sequence. One participant asked the question about how to acquire skill.
First we have to explain : what is skill? Skill is an ability to choose and perform the right techniques or movements at the right time, successfully, regularly and with a minimum of effort. Skill has 3 components : Cognitive : involves thought processes - know and understand what you are doing Perceptual : involves interpretation of information Motor : involves movement - Psychomotor skill (doing) excellence requires the execution of precise, fluent and effective movement patterns which requires the combination or perceptual and motor skills In addition we have to take in considiration : Affective behaviour (feeling) : success depends on mental attitude and developing psychological skills to cope with stress
How to teach skill Verbal instructions Demonstration Video Diagrams Photo sequences
There are three stages to learning a new skill: Cognitive phase - Identification and development of the component parts of the skill - involves formation of a mental picture of the skill Associative phase - Linking the component parts into a smooth action - involves practicing the skill and using feedback to perfect the skill Autonomous phase - Developing the learned skill so that it becomes automatic - involves little or no conscious thought or attention whilst performing the skill The leaning of physical skills requires the relevant movements to be assembled, component by component, using feedback to shape and polish them into a smooth action. Rehearsal of the skill must be done regularly and correctly.
An example : the 8 sotai dosa
The results of the 8 skills of sotai dosa are : hineri gaeshi
The 8 skills are the result of the 5 basic handblade movements and the 3 foot movements Understanding and correct execution of the solo exercises of unsoku and tandoku undo is an important factor in acquiring skill. What are the faults in skill development?
Incorrect understanding of the movement Poor physical abilities Poor co-ordination of movement Incorrect application of power Lack of concentration
Conclusion of this class : Some participants are in the stage of understanding and are developping the sotai dosa skills to use in kakari geiko. Although bad habits comes to the surface when the kakari geiko turns into hikitate geiko or randori geiko.
19-20-21 November (with Yoshiomi Inoue) 18-19 December (with Tim Wolput) 21-23 January
This is an rather old article about physics in aikido.
