AN OVERVIEW 

The Wu-Shin Chi-Dao Foundation for Self-Development is a multi-entry, multi-discipline organisation catering for the sincere and committed student wishing to learn the strategies, tactics and methodologies of conflict management, and personal growth - through the study of traditional martial, civilian defensive, and self-healing arts. The Wu-Shin LifeCentre, situated on the outskirts of Durban, South Africa, is the Hombu (Headquarters) as well as the Research, Development, Training and Education Centre for the Foundation, with live-in facilities for Deshi (apprentices).

A number of 'full-time' training and personal-development options are available for suitable, like-minded adult men and women who wish to gain an intensely deeper insight into and understanding of these arts. Currently, these options include…

1. Jiki-Deshi (full-time student…all student-classes attendee); can be either
(a) Short-term Jiki-Deshi (two months or longer)
(b) Full-term Jiki-Deshi (1-year graduation programme)

2. Kayoi-Deshi (live-out 'personal student'), can be either

(a) Short-term Kayoi-Deshi (three months or longer)
(b) Full-term Kayoi-Deshi (1-year graduation programme)

3. Uchi-Deshi (live-in 'personal student'), can be either

(a) Short-term Uchi-Deshi (four months or longer)
(b) Full-term Uchi-Deshi (1 to 3 year graduation programme)

4. Professional Instructor of Martial and/or Civilian Defensive Arts (follow-on from Uchi-Deshi programme)

Many of the traditional Japanese and Chinese arts with names that end in Do/Dao - like Chado (the way of the tea), Aikido, and Wu-Shin Chi-Dao have Deshi programmes for dedicated students. Usually Deshi are expected to put their personal lives aside and to devote themselves to intensive training in order to master their chosen arts. Being a Deshi is not easy; being an Uchi-Deshi is particularly demanding (and uniquely rewarding), but all Deshi do tend to improve rapidly - under the right guidance. An understudy soon realises than there is much more to being a Deshi than learning the techniques and skills of their chosen art. Many memories will be acquired, both bitter and sweet - a balance is desired.

If one were to describe Deshi-training in one word, that word would be 'intensive'.

Deshi-training consists of daily practical and theoretical work, including research on topics such as: martial and civilian defensive arts strategies and techniques (practice, instruction, and application in and outside of the dojo); relationships between the principles of conflict and combat/assault; philosophy; the application of these principles in various contexts; morality and its relation to technique; the scope and history of the martial arts - classical, traditional, and modern; anatomy; physiology; nutrition; and business management. Besides this personal work, Deshi of all categories attend all regular instruction classes (early morning, daytime and evening) across all the disciplines offered by the Foundation, both at Hombu and the outlying branches, as well as private lessons. They also provide assistance to instructors during the instructors' personal training periods. This amounts to approximately eight hours of keiko daily (kei = to cogitate/think/consider; ko = old wisdom: keiko = to meditate upon the old wisdom).

Deshi acquire outstanding time-management skills. In addition, they learn the importance of good leadership and empathy, and gain confidence in their ability to be effective leaders.

Another benefit of the Deshi experience is the exposure to so many different people. The Wu-Shin Chi-Dao Foundation for Self-Development is a cross-section of humanity; people from different backgrounds and cultures are always coming and going. Deshi learn to respect others' backgrounds, life-experiences, and values.

While there may be many reasons why one would want to train as a Deshi, the traditional motivation was to train to become a martial or civilian defensive arts teacher; a mentor for future generations. Many Deshi who have studied with Lao Tze Bob Davies did not do so for purposes of teaching but saw instead great value in developing a completely different (and improved) perspective of their own life: to identifying their own uniqueness; their own strengths and weaknesses.

Many students see the Deshi programmes as a window through which they can see into another world, thereby gaining a new perspective on their own lives. Other students see the Deshi programmes as a door to new opportunities.

The Wu-Shin Chi-Dao Foundation accepts Deshi applicants throughout the year. Whether a person, male or female, is accepted is determined by the Foundation's policies as well as by the applicant's attitude and commitment. Experience in the martial and/or civilian defensive arts is helpful, but not a prerequisite. A pre-acceptance trial period is sometimes recommended.

The position of Uchi-Deshi is not necessarily totally exclusive of any other activity as it is possible for tertiary students and certain part-time employees to be included in this programme; such an arrangement, however, is not the optimum.

Obviously being a Deshi is not easy - but it is one of the best means for identifying your intrinsic strengths and weaknesses, and one of the best ways for enhancing the former and reducing the latter. Like most pursuits, the more you more you put into it, the greater the rewards.

DESHI ELIGIBILITY: Minimum age - 17 years (matriculant, or higher).