Articles

What's in a badge?
Submitted by David Webb, 26th May 2009

Focus

A centrepiece; something to which we aim, centre all attitude and repetition towards and ultimately achieve. Goals, short-term, long-term; we all have them, a finite and decisive end point central to practice. Physiological, psychological, social, moral or ethical everyone's goal has different motivation, what is common is that central individualistic motivational factor to develop towards and achieve THE ambition.

A centrepiece, ambition, goal, aim or objective: an end and starting point (one and the same).

Theory

To achieve this inexorable goal efficiently and effectively the theorised protocol and procedures acted upon must be valid, reliable and applicable. They must also be selected intelligently based upon the end aspiration being sought, ineffectual, mundane and useless theory must be cast aside otherwise the goal will never materialise.

The selected ideologies must be of the highest standards both in framework and concept and practice must be functionally harmonious with these theories to achieve the end goal. In other words there needs to be 'synergy between theory and best practice.' This theme is central to all functional behaviour being conducted at the Tokon Academy.

Theory encapsulates the goal.

Best practice

In reaching this goal there are many vehicles that can be utilised as transport. Whether the goal is the perfection of ones character through a hardness and rigidity of training or realising full potential as a combat athlete the sports and martial practices can be used to get you to that end goal. Stick fighting, Muay Thai, Karate, Judo, Submission Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Natural Athletix© they all have their own developmental, both physiological and philosophical, merits but can all be used to reach that higher state of consciousness.

There has to be a marriage between theory and practice, they must match, they are one and the same. If practice cannot follow the theory then development will never be attained and that one single goal will always pass us by. However, one must take up a larger proportion of ones time than the other. If theory is the sole concern then we will forever be bogged and enchained by theory, there must be an avenue to channel this theory and that must be practice. They are one in the same, essentially the same shape and design, but real practice must always be greater in volume than scheduling and forecasting.

Practice encapsulates the theory. Theory and best practice are one and the same. Practice must be greater in both volume and intensity if true potential is to be achieved.

In summary:

-We must all have a goal to aspire to.
-A theory or conceptual framework encapsulates our defined goal.
-Best/selective practice encapsulates that theory and inturn we realise our goal.

There you have it: 'Synergy between theory and best practice', the guiding principle of the Tokon Academy.