Why does Sensei Linda wear a white belt? One of the first things people notice when visiting the Kensho dojo is that the head instructor and dojo owner (that's me) wears a rather worn out white belt. Why not the typical black belt loaded with stripes that most dojo owners here in the US wear?
Weird, right? As with most things odd, there is a story...
Before the age of internet and global communication, one could only get martial arts training in the areas in which they lived or through word-of mouth. After experiencing several dojos (typical Tae Kwon do and Kenpo types found here in the US) I settled into an organization that I felt was the tops in training at the time. It really was a happy time in my martial arts life.
I rose through the ranks and eventually opened a dojo within this organization. I learned a great deal from the Grandmaster and was an avid supporter of his system. As with many things, time changes us. I evolved into a very curious student. This curiosity made me ask lots of questions; my quest to deconstruct the “given facts” was not always welcome. My ways were harshly criticized, yet I knew them to be true and good. To put it simply, this student outgrew this organization that had been loved for so many years. Many of rules and constraints became restrictive to both personal growth as a Sensei and the growth of students.
It was with a heavy heart that I made the decision to transition into the independent dojo I named “Kensho”. In Japanese, this beautiful word means to “see one’s nature” or self-introspection. A trip to Okinawa during this time gave me many of the answers I was seeking; after all it is the birthplace of Karate! I learned the very roots of the Kenpo training I already had and found many deep connections not only to what I was learning, but also to what I believed as a student and teacher. I have returned to Okinawa since and have plans to continue to visit and train with the incredible people I have met there. You could say I fell in love with this country and it’s culture…With this “dojo independence”, came the freedom to teach students the lessons I feel are most important; to share with them their connection to an entire world within their art.
This is indeed a double-edged sword. What is my style? It is not within my ego to “create my own system” giving no credit to my past. Instead, Kensho offers a very eclectic experience to students that encompasses Kenpo, Kobudo and Jiujitsu. I tell them who created every kata. I tell them who I learn from. We use Japanese terminology in class to help students feel connected to the world-wide practice of Karate. My goal is that Kensho students could enter any dojo or training situation and feel capable and open-minded to learn. They strive to acquire tools of Karate.
So what about the white belt? By choosing this path of independence over structured organization, I have forfeited my ability to earn what would be considered credible rank. The last rank I achieved was considered "masters rank" along with the title of “Shihan” in the year 2014. My how I have grown since then!
So how can I get more rank? Do I need more rank? Others in my position often request rank from colleagues in similar systems. Not me. I will NEVER ask anyone to rank me. I see rank as a recognition only offered (not sold) by others; something that should be unsolicited. Yes, I have been told high rank serves “business purposes”. Yes I think it can make someone look important. Whats important to me is what I can offer my students and I have no regrets. Together we have grown so much; as long as I keep learning I have the power to inspire them to do the same.
I asked my Black Belt students how they felt about rank. They like that I hand it out “as needed” for seniority and other practical purposes within our own dojo. They know it only represents our dojo. They don’t worry about earning stripe after stripe, they just embrace the training. Mission accomplished!
The day I put on that white belt was the day I truly took ownership of myself, my dojo and my training. The more I wear it, the more the “black” underneath begins to show. Maybe it will be entirely black someday. It is my journey.
That is why Sensei Linda wears a white belt…
Weird, right? As with most things odd, there is a story...
Before the age of internet and global communication, one could only get martial arts training in the areas in which they lived or through word-of mouth. After experiencing several dojos (typical Tae Kwon do and Kenpo types found here in the US) I settled into an organization that I felt was the tops in training at the time. It really was a happy time in my martial arts life.
I rose through the ranks and eventually opened a dojo within this organization. I learned a great deal from the Grandmaster and was an avid supporter of his system. As with many things, time changes us. I evolved into a very curious student. This curiosity made me ask lots of questions; my quest to deconstruct the “given facts” was not always welcome. My ways were harshly criticized, yet I knew them to be true and good. To put it simply, this student outgrew this organization that had been loved for so many years. Many of rules and constraints became restrictive to both personal growth as a Sensei and the growth of students.
It was with a heavy heart that I made the decision to transition into the independent dojo I named “Kensho”. In Japanese, this beautiful word means to “see one’s nature” or self-introspection. A trip to Okinawa during this time gave me many of the answers I was seeking; after all it is the birthplace of Karate! I learned the very roots of the Kenpo training I already had and found many deep connections not only to what I was learning, but also to what I believed as a student and teacher. I have returned to Okinawa since and have plans to continue to visit and train with the incredible people I have met there. You could say I fell in love with this country and it’s culture…With this “dojo independence”, came the freedom to teach students the lessons I feel are most important; to share with them their connection to an entire world within their art.
This is indeed a double-edged sword. What is my style? It is not within my ego to “create my own system” giving no credit to my past. Instead, Kensho offers a very eclectic experience to students that encompasses Kenpo, Kobudo and Jiujitsu. I tell them who created every kata. I tell them who I learn from. We use Japanese terminology in class to help students feel connected to the world-wide practice of Karate. My goal is that Kensho students could enter any dojo or training situation and feel capable and open-minded to learn. They strive to acquire tools of Karate.
So what about the white belt? By choosing this path of independence over structured organization, I have forfeited my ability to earn what would be considered credible rank. The last rank I achieved was considered "masters rank" along with the title of “Shihan” in the year 2014. My how I have grown since then!
So how can I get more rank? Do I need more rank? Others in my position often request rank from colleagues in similar systems. Not me. I will NEVER ask anyone to rank me. I see rank as a recognition only offered (not sold) by others; something that should be unsolicited. Yes, I have been told high rank serves “business purposes”. Yes I think it can make someone look important. Whats important to me is what I can offer my students and I have no regrets. Together we have grown so much; as long as I keep learning I have the power to inspire them to do the same.
I asked my Black Belt students how they felt about rank. They like that I hand it out “as needed” for seniority and other practical purposes within our own dojo. They know it only represents our dojo. They don’t worry about earning stripe after stripe, they just embrace the training. Mission accomplished!
The day I put on that white belt was the day I truly took ownership of myself, my dojo and my training. The more I wear it, the more the “black” underneath begins to show. Maybe it will be entirely black someday. It is my journey.
That is why Sensei Linda wears a white belt…
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