06/01/2024
THE IKSA LOGO: SHIN GI TAI
The concept of Shin Gi Tai is deeply rooted in martial arts, and it is essential to progress in our Karate. By insisting that the physical techniques of Karate are understood through the development of your spirit (character), Shin Gi Tai acts as both a bridge and a barrier to those training in Karate. Where techniques (Gi) and physical fitness (Tai) show signs of improvement relatively quickly once karate training has begun, your true character or ‘spirit’ (Shin) will inevitably take much longer to reveal itself. For many, the cultivation of the body through karate techniques is enough, but not for the serious karateka.
To develop as a karateka, you must take responsibility for your Karate. The process begins by looking for a teacher, a sensei, who can guide you toward ways of thinking and behaviour that lead you to a better understanding of yourself’. Practicing Karate with an instructor only provides tuition in the physical techniques of Karate;; it will do little else. Where a sensei guides, points, and provides an example to those they teach, an instructor will drill, dictate, and offer only coaching. Knowing where you want to go in Karate, and in life, is important if you are to avoid becoming lost.
Western dictionaries define shingitai as "mind, technique, and physical strength," as well as the "three qualities of a martial artist or athlete: heart, technique, and strength." This is compatible with the literal meaning and partially with the shingitai's scope of usage.
Indeed, the compound noun shingitai comprises of the following terms:
Shin / kokoro: mind
Gi / waza: technique
Tai / karada: body
In addition, shingitai is further defined as a general term representing the desired unity of the following three compartments:
Mental strength (seishin-ryoku, i.e. shin),
Technique / skill (gijutsu, i.e., gi), and
Physical strength (tairyoku, i.e., tai).
SHIN refers to Spirit (This is the most difficult phase to conquer. It is the mastery of physical consciousness, the mastery and control of emotions, the development and control of mental faculties, and as a higher goal the development of spiritual consciousness). Shin represents mind, heart and good spirit – When we train we should always be aware of what we are doing and need to consider our approach to the techniques we learn. Perhaps more importantly, learn and practise the strategies in our mind to prevent us from ever using our martial arts skills outside of the training hall. Shin can also mean spirit, and this is the ‘fighting’ spirit that we show; we never give up and always try our hardest.
GI = Technique (Knowledge of all techniques, constantly improving, without ever feeling possessed of a high martial technique, to continue improving through practical training, such as the first day of classes). Remember that perfection is a spiral that, as it ascends it gets wider and wider, being its expansion endless. Here is how we will achieve that: Efficient reaction speed convenient for each situation, simple direct and effective techniques performed correctly without hesitation, continuous fluid movements in actions, maintaining coordination and especially the Kimé at all times). Gi represents skill, knowledge and experience – We must work hard and strive to perfect our techniques to perform them effectively. Many of us find specific techniques difficult, and with these we must work extra hard to become good at them. We refine each skill we learn to work for us as an individual (Tokui-Waza).
TAI = Body (Its training and care to acquire good health and optimal physical preparation, using the training systems that allow raising general and special physical preparation, as well as tactical and psychological technical preparation, maintaining a balance between elevated performance as a martial artist and health as a human organism. The goal is to achieve: Power and effectiveness in each action, flexibility and physical endurance, agility in evading, speed in reaction, and explosive strength in every attack or defence). Tai represents the body and physical effort – We must be able to take every movement we make and make it part of the whole body to maximise its effectiveness. It also means that our bodies must be healthy enough to practise and to be able to adapt quickly, if necessary, to a changing situation.
