Higashi, who holds a master’s degree in education, advocates for a balanced approach rather than fully embracing either extreme.
“That can’t be all you teach,”
says Higashi, referring to the purely ecological method. He suggests combining traditional technical instruction with gameplay elements to create an optimal learning environment.
Drawing from his experience teaching judo, Higashi describes implementing a hybrid approach: first teaching basic fundamentals, then incorporating games and exploratory drills to develop improvisation skills. He uses grip-fighting as an example, where students learn basic sequences before engaging in dynamic practice games.
The controversy surrounding the ecological approach, Higashi suggests, stems largely from social media amplification of extreme positions rather than substantive disagreement. He notes that while Saunders‘ methods have received positive feedback from students who find classes engaging and accessible, criticism often comes from established practitioners who succeeded under traditional systems.
Higashi emphasizes the importance of accommodating different learning styles – visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and linguistic – noting that most people benefit from a combination of approaches. He compares the situation to the evolution of judo training under Kosei Inoue, who successfully introduced more enjoyable training methods despite initial resistance from traditionalists.
Rather than viewing the ecological approach as a complete revolution in martial arts pedagogy, Higashi advocates for thoughtful integration of multiple teaching methods based on student needs and learning styles. This measured perspective offers valuable insight into an increasingly polarized debate within the BJJ community.
