I bow into the Dojo as the youth class is still in session. I pay close attention to my Sensei's words, even though they are not directed towards me they hold important and beneficial information. The youth class comes to an end, now is my turn to train. As soon as I step on the mat I look to the left and there he is. This student is always there, always watching me, always distracting me. Most of the time I can ignore him, but every so often I forget about avoiding him, and find his gaze upon me. As soon as I look into his eyes I become self conscious. My focus instantly shifts from the development of power and feel in my technique towards how I look. Instead of trying to improve and feel the technique, I perform it. It is no longer it's true self, but an exhibition. He makes me worry more about the aesthetics, than the soul of Karate-Do.
The Sensei calls for the class to start. I go through the warm up and prepare myself for instruction. The intensity of the class lately has been more intense than usual. Preparations for the Annual IKF Sacramento Championships are competing with preparations for rank advancement coming in two weeks. The tournament has inspired Sensei to focus on Kihon and Bunkai at a much faster pace and stronger intensity. Sweat begins to cover my face, I can feel the salty taste upon my lips and we are only 20 minutes into class. My muscles are loose and well used, but rather than hoping for a break, I want more. At this point I gain a stronger focus, and better mastery over my body. This is when I perform my best Karate. Letting my determination to avoid him, to not give him my attention, I look up and there he is staring right at me. No longer do I have the focus and determination I had. At that moment my best Karate slips from me, and I worry about the aesthetics again. All of this because I saw myself in the mirror.
This recent reflection has caused me to ponder how important mirrors are in a Dojo. Is the focus not better used on feeling a technique rather than the aesthetics? While the benefits of being able to see oneself perform martial arts is undeniable, it seems to me a more appropriate endeavor for private training. While being instructed and trained the focus would be more fruitful if placed upon learning the basics, and focusing on how to develop a feel for the technique, how it works with your body. It is important to focus on doing the technique, rather than observing your performance, rather than worrying about how you look. It is the Sensei's task to offer points of correction that will improve both aesthetics and function.
Having a bit of a background in boxing and weightlifting I am familiar with the use and consequently the benefits of using a mirror for training. Focusing on yourself performing helps one to see openings in a technique, flaws in a workout, or simple narcissistic indulgence. Shadowboxing is one activity that is enhanced greatly with the use of a mirror. Still all of those previously mentioned activities are more appropriate for solo training or private instruction. Is it not better to initially gain a functional technique before worrying about how it looks? To develop the basics before working on the finer points?
There are obvious benefits to the use of a mirror for martial arts, but should there be giant wall-to-wall mirrors in a Dojo? The Dojo is a place to be made a home for our martial spirit. A home where we foster our martial arts based on what works. It should not be tainted based on dreams of grandeur from movies, other students, or publicly established martial artists. While it is important to have goals, and the use of inspirational figures is a proven motivator, the basics must come first. The basics are not exactly the same for everyone, they will vary slightly from one student to the other. I have to wonder if mirrors help develop and perfect the basics, or is it like giving an advanced technique to a novice. The technique may be performed, but it will not be functional, and most likely not a pretty site. Personally I would prefer to not have that distracting student make eye contact with me again. I suppose that is my issue though.
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