Northstar Ju Jitsu Basics.

Getting to training

We need to tighten up on the Northstar basics. I will be revising thee basics at the NSJJ Workshop this coming weekend. If you have my book:  Ancient Tradition/Modern Warrior this is a great NSJJ training resource. Your work out commences as soon as you think of training on any particular day. If you are training regularly and have built up a positive training habit, then it should not be too difficult to follow through on your initial thoughts and use your auto pilot to take you to training. If you are not sure and having thoughts of not attending, you know, negative self talk, then you need the skills to get over these humps and on to training. I find that the best way is to counter negative thoughts is to just watch  the thoughts as they rise in your consciousness , watch them with out taking part in the dialogue. You will find if you do not attach to them the thoughts will just disappear. Then you can continue to your work out. If you find that the thoughts are just too strong, then turn your full attention to them and counter them with the reasons you have taken this path. Give one or two really good reasons why you are doing what you are doing. Then go back to the breath and let go.

When you arrive at the dojo, it is not too late, you can still back out. That’s why you need to change into your uniform as fast as you can. I like to make this into a kind of ritual. I will take my neatly folded  uniform and place it on the bench beside my bag. I will then treat my uniform with total respect. As I peal off my daily clothes I’m stripping away any connection that I have with my current life and replacing it with my life as a martial arts warrior.

The Uniform

As I dress in my martial arts uniform I can feel a power surge through me. I am very attentive to how that feels and start turning my senses to the path from the change rooms to the dojo. How does the uniform feel on my skin, how does the path feel under my feet. As I enter the dojo I take in the smells and the sounds, the  feel of the tatami mats under my feet. As I step I put my shoulders back and lengthen my body, chin up, I then project my Ki into the dojo. This is done by taking a deep breath in, then breathing out a long breath, and imagining it going into the dojo and enlivening every body there.

So you made it and you are ready to train. I used to say that the work out starts from the moment you bow on at the beginning of the work out. But really the work out starts, the instant you think about your plan to go to training.

Ous and it’s uses

In class you may or may not have heard the guttural response to the  instructor; ous. The importance of this simple sound must be emphasised. It can be a way to respond impartially to an instruction by a senior student or instructor in a non biased neutral manner. Rather than give your opinion, complaint or judgement just let go of the dialogue and say ous.

Ous cuts out all chatter and meaning less dialogue that has no part in the dojo. What this does is it stops us working on over drive and constantly referring to old habits and opinions. It takes you to a calmer less reactive, judgemental self. It is part of your warriorship that you convert to when you change into your uniform when you first arrive. Ous will help you to not get drawn in to  any emotion that could be potentially dangerous. It enables you to respond with clarity from a neutral state so you can choose the appropriate response. That is the warriors way.

The ready stance.

The ready stance is a brief pause and alignment of the body before any stressful situation. This is a physical movement that is very subtle and not an external show of strength. It is totally neutral and is a very  important step.

The Kiai.

The kiai is a short guttural yell from our diaphragm. It is short and sharp. It is really effective when combined with all the other basics. The key here is to not over do it. Do it once per combination and do it well. If you over do it, it will water down it’s impact.

In Conclusion

All of these strategies are unique to Northstar Ju Jitsu. These basics are etched into the NSJJ syllabus and to exclude even one you are in effect undermining the efficacy of the system. Learn them well and integrate them into every aspect of your training.

For more information, please purchase a copy of my NSJJ Manual: Ancient tradition Modern Warrior. All of my books will be available to purchase at Balmain Dojo, 16^th March, 7.30 – 9am.where I will be teaching these basics in all levels of NSJJ.