12/02/2024
What is a dojo?
Traditionally, a dojo is a place where martial arts are practised, presided over by a Sensei or teacher. A dojo has rules of etiquette and behaviour that exist to govern the safe training of dangerous combat techniques and guide personal development. But a dojo is more than a mere building used to train the mechanics of combat. It is a community, founded on the common interest and shared experience of the people engaged in the study of a particular system, whether cultural, style or locality based.
Consider for a moment, how often are combat skills necessary in everyday life versus how often do we interact with others as human beings?
The ultimate aim of training isn’t to become a better fighter, thought this is certainly a practical outcome, but to become a better person who contributes to society in a positive and beneficial way. This community aspect of a dojo is important, as those who train together on a regular basis over many years develop close bonds and a profound insight into each other’s’ character, strengths and weaknesses, hopes and fears, etc., and this knowledge leads to support beyond the physical boundaries of the building.
The role of a Sensei is not only a teacher of martial technique, but also a guide and mentor for everyday life. The Sensei may initially seem like a miraculous figure capable of incredible feats, but they are human; they have walked the path of students before, with similar mistakes, fears, obstacles and challenges, but they have persevered and continued on the journey. No one is born a Sensei, you evolve and grow into one through committed perseverance, but regardless of technical skill and knowledge, teacher and student alike both share the human experience, and this is more important than the martial experience.
Everyone has struggles in their daily life, whether work, relationships or financial, this is all part of the shared human experience in modern society. If you belong to a dojo and are committed to ongoing study there, make sure you avail yourself of the support from the Sensei and other dojo members, not just the physical aspect of training. You will find this much more fulfilling, and will also feedback into your training enthusiasm as well.
Just as developing martial skill takes practice, being a better human also takes work. Ultimately each person has to do this work themselves, but being part of a community with a common interest and shared experience can make things easier, especially in those moments when we falter or become stuck.
As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child and a community to nurture ongoing development as an adult. This is the purpose of a dojo community. Use it.
