Training Taika's Way

Taika Oyata has a saying: "One drop of sweat, one knowledge. Two drops of sweat, two knowledge."

Training, even intense training, if of little value if you don't train the right way. Just working out is not going to give you the tools to defend yourself. How much you sweat is not a good indication of how well you trained.

For training to be useful, it has to be purposeful. Deliberate. Thoughtful. Training should engage your mind as much as your body.

So, instead of just running through your katas, try focusing on some "small" motion in particular. Work on it slowly at first. Get it right. Build up to what you think is full speed. Then analyze your motion to see if you are slowing it down anywhere. Find a way to make it smooth. Do a few hundred repetitions. Do a few thousand.

This is not glamorous training. It's hard and potentially boring if your mind is not actively engaged. And in the end, you may only sweat a little, but with those few drops of sweat will come real knowledge.