During some random internet task I stumbled onto a fairly common image. It’s certainly nothing unique or even interesting, and yet I feel like it possesses a special quality for martial artists. After all, could anything be more aptly descriptive of the process of following a martial way?
You’ve probably seen the ‘work in progress’ figure attached to websites, work sites, etc.
As we continue to endeavor in our martial arts,we realize the endless cycle of self analysis and improvement that comes with training. That mindset of laborious persistence is key to long term success in the arts, and we must therefore always be a work in progress.
Perhaps simply emblazoning this figure across our gi might be a more worthwhile patch than any modern sponsorship, advertisement, or world championship logo…
I thought this was a pretty fun concept, but then a few voices of wisdom on facebook took it a step further. They suggested martial art specific versions! So without further adieu, for your viewing pleasure:
_
_
The purpose of continuous practice is to practice continuously. – Dogen
The purpose of continuous practice is to practice continuously. – Dogen
Nice, quite appropriate here!
What Rick said.
Love the graphics!
Thanks Nate!
Cool graphics!
The first thing that came to my mind was to have a broom in his hand instead of a shovel. The first thing that I or the other students do when we arrive at the dojang is sweep the floors.
I have to say that the Karate In Progress looks like he’s falling forward. Or it could just be that he’s about to execute a shoulder roll!
That’s the mystery of karate I guess. We can’t be sure what he’s doing! haha.