Kaizen is a Japanese word composed of two words “KAI” means change and “ZEN” means better. Put together it means change for the better or improvement.
Kaizen is a quality management philosophy of making small improvements over time. It is the process of continuous improvement in small increments that make the process more efficient, effective, and controllable. It is used in manufacturing by companies like Toyota in Japan. I am adapting this concept to apply to jiujitsu. Using continuous improvement practices through the course of a jiujitsu career you never stop improving on techniques. Once you, for example, pass a belt test and move on to more challenging techniques and concepts you don’t just stop improving on the previous set. The goal is to continuously improve on what you have already learned while continuing to take ownership of additional techniques and incorporating them into your own game, or style of jiujitsu play. You improve and update techniques to work better for you while removing or not learning techniques that do not meet the principles of street applicability, efficient use of energy, natural body movement, and high probability of success.
Improvements are usually accomplished at little or no additional expense or extra practice, without sophisticated techniques or expensive private classes/seminars.
It focuses on simplification by breaking down the complex processes into their sub-processes and then improving them.
The Kaizen improvement focuses on the use of:
Value-added practice activities. If it does not add value then don’t do it.
Reduce or prevent Muda ("futility; uselessness; wastefulness"), which refers to seven classes of waste-overproduction, delay, transportation, processing, technique inventory, wasted motion, and defective parts (“bad” techniques).
Principles of motion study (physiology, anatomy, and simple physics) and use of technology (such as videos and online instruction).
Documentation of standard operating procedures (curriculum, journaling class, practice, etc.).
Just-in-time principles to learn the right techniques for your level, at the right time, and with the right resources (instructors and training partners).
Poka-yoke ("mistake-proofing" or "inadvertent error prevention") to prevent or detect errors.
Group dynamics in problem solving, communication skills, and conflict resolution.
Kaizen relies heavily on a culture at your Academy that encourages suggestions by students and instructors who continually try to incrementally improve their technique, teaching, and process.
WHen you make small improvements over time to your jiujtisu it will continue to improve you as an individual as well as your overall academy and culture.
Kaizen is a quality management philosophy of making small improvements over time. It is the process of continuous improvement in small increments that make the process more efficient, effective, and controllable. It is used in manufacturing by companies like Toyota in Japan. I am adapting this concept to apply to jiujitsu. Using continuous improvement practices through the course of a jiujitsu career you never stop improving on techniques. Once you, for example, pass a belt test and move on to more challenging techniques and concepts you don’t just stop improving on the previous set. The goal is to continuously improve on what you have already learned while continuing to take ownership of additional techniques and incorporating them into your own game, or style of jiujitsu play. You improve and update techniques to work better for you while removing or not learning techniques that do not meet the principles of street applicability, efficient use of energy, natural body movement, and high probability of success.
Improvements are usually accomplished at little or no additional expense or extra practice, without sophisticated techniques or expensive private classes/seminars.
It focuses on simplification by breaking down the complex processes into their sub-processes and then improving them.
The Kaizen improvement focuses on the use of:
Value-added practice activities. If it does not add value then don’t do it.
Reduce or prevent Muda ("futility; uselessness; wastefulness"), which refers to seven classes of waste-overproduction, delay, transportation, processing, technique inventory, wasted motion, and defective parts (“bad” techniques).
Principles of motion study (physiology, anatomy, and simple physics) and use of technology (such as videos and online instruction).
Documentation of standard operating procedures (curriculum, journaling class, practice, etc.).
Just-in-time principles to learn the right techniques for your level, at the right time, and with the right resources (instructors and training partners).
Poka-yoke ("mistake-proofing" or "inadvertent error prevention") to prevent or detect errors.
Group dynamics in problem solving, communication skills, and conflict resolution.
Kaizen relies heavily on a culture at your Academy that encourages suggestions by students and instructors who continually try to incrementally improve their technique, teaching, and process.
WHen you make small improvements over time to your jiujtisu it will continue to improve you as an individual as well as your overall academy and culture.
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