One Perspective On The Martial Arts

2011-05-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
For those of you wondering where are the new posts; I am currently writing lectures for my martial arts classes and will return to the blog as soon as possible.

Conditioning

2010-12-18T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Again everyone,
Conditioning refers to more than just body conditioning. It refers to training or rebuilding the body, mind, emotional response, mental response, awareness, and technique. Training by its very nature conditions the body. Specific muscle groups, tendons, ligaments and supporting structures work. Training and guided practice align physical and mental energy in the same direction. While it may not allow one to look like Charles Atlas, it allows on to operate effectively.

One must take care in conditioning the body, as to not lose flexibility, speed and maneuverability. Work out, lift weights, and train the body for power and speed. The exercises for speed vary from those that build power. Speed exercises focus on allowing the muscles to move with less resistance and can be target focused. Power exercises build build muscle in the same ways as do the typical weight training exercises.

Running, walking, cycling, cross country running, hiking, et cetera condition the body and its ability to endure hardship. Cardiovascular conditioning gives one the oxygen for more involved muscle movement. If one obtains more oxygen and conditions the body to move under stress; then such activities benefit the martial artist.

Mental conditioning allows for better handling of difficult conditions. Most individuals wonder; what would I do, if faced with a difficult situation. With proper instruction, many people develop a resistance to stressful situations. Some individuals ask, what happens if I freeze up. Training in action and reaction to an event, within a controlled environment allows one the ability to respond. Mental conditioning builds up resilience, This is not to say that life drops problems within one's lap, but one must learn to solve the problem or change their perspective. (Wayne Dyer, Wisdom of the Ages PBS Presentation)

Emotional responses may help or hurt, depending on whether they assist in finding a solution to the problem or not. Emotions represent real processes going on within the body. Even though some individuals interpret emotions as imagined or just manufactured within a person's psyche. Just as mountain climbing requires tools, so does overcoming and working with emotions. In a conflict a person may feel scared, angry, frustrated, apprehensive, or a combination of these feelings. But training in ways that allow the stress to be ratcheted up. This process must be tightly controlled, or it may lead to training difficulties.

Mental responses vary from what does one do next or panic. Make a plan and train that plan. Decide what one must do and do it. Think and act, not think then act. One builds a picture and views that picture through the mind. Think of a mind as a browser. It coordinates different information such as visual, auditory, olfactory, pressure, temperature, taste, and intuition. This information gets processed, some information gets kept and some information does not get kept. Discernment develops through attention and thought. But like great paintings, the artist may not think about the exact step by step of the painting. The technique happens when it needs to through training.

In conclusion, practitioners must condition their minds and bodies to defend one's self. Each person responds differently to a given situation. Physical and mental work hand in hand. One can never fully prepare for a first attack adequately, but preparation provides tools and allows individuals to survive.

Firearms

2010-09-13T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Firearms represent dangerous weapons. All techniques learned anywhere concerning them should be taken with a grain of salt. What is the best defense against a firearm? Not to be in the situation. What is the second best defense? Run if you can to a place where the firearm cannot hit you. Other options exist for trained individuals. Training does not minimize the deadly nature of facing a loaded firearm with an individual bent on their own intent. Please keep these things in mind as you read this post.

Firearms vary in type and purpose. Rifles, shotguns, machine guns, carbines, pistols, etc. This discussion focuses on pistols and small scale firearms. If facing a machine gun, one must run and find cover immediately. This is not the movies where our hero faces fifty machine gun totting bad guys and defeats them all without as a misplaced hair.

Lets start with the difference between "cover" and "concealment." Cover is an actal object that stops the bullet, attack, etc. Concealment hides the defender from the attacker. You can see me or you cannot see me defines concealment. A door provides concealment and if thick enough provides temporary cover. Lock that door and the safety factor increases.

I have heard and I need to track this figure down that twenty three feet is the effective distance that a human can cross before another human armed with a firearm can effectively draw, aim, and fire. But I would not want to be in that situation.
Firearms come in two main types for pistol; revolver and semi automatic. Revolvers have a cylinder that holds the ammunition. That cylinder turns and brings one shell in line with the firing pin. The firing pin hits the round and the resulting explosion propells one bullet through the barrel and past the muzzle. The bullet then finds its way at a given speed to its target. (1)

The semi automatic on the other hand has a different. The clip holds the ammunition and a slide strips off one round from the clip and loads it into the barrel. The firing pin then impacts the back of the round and the round travels down the barrel and out its muzzle. (2) Every time a person pulls the trigger, a round fires. Some individuals claim that semi automatic pistols jam. But the choice in either amounts to an educated choice.

The person defending against such a weapon should avoid the situation if possible. If avoidance is not possible, then do what one must do to survive. Keep the weapon pointed away from you at all times. Only well trained martial artists should even attempt to "grab the gun." But if you must, then do so and keep it aimed away. If you survive the encounter, then you have won.

Remember that in an encounter that involves the use of deadly weapons that one person will probably be dead and the other changed forever. I will continue to update this post as I become more informed.

Crime: A working layperson's definition

2010-07-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

What is a crime? According to Webster's Dictionary as "An action or negligence that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or morals or to the interest of the state and that is legally prohibited." (Random House Webster's 476) But most laypersons understand crime as an offense committed against them. The offense or injury can be committed by one or more people and the effected can be a single person or multiple people. Definitions assist in understanding how this world works. Crimes vary from someone stealing lollipops from a five year old to intentional murder of an individual for a variety of reasons.

Self defense focuses on protecting one's immediate person or a group of people from immanent physical harm. That takes such things as property crimes, fraud, ex cettera off the table for now. Crimes that directly affect the personal physical safety from harm remain on the table. These crimes usually vary from assault to attempted murder. If a person is murdered, then their protection methods failed and the issue is that of the surviving family members and the state to handle.

Definitions for certain crimes are listed below. Please keep in mind that these are from the Random House Webster's Dictionary and do not in any way constitute legal advise or opinion. Please refer to proper counsel when formulating specific questions of law. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's legal code contains definitions that may or may not vary from Websters. This information provides a place to begin your search. It does not and will not constitute legal advise.

Assault: The crime or tort of threatening or attempting to commit immediate offensive physical contact or bodily harm. Merriam Webster dictionary of Law 1996.

Battery: The crime or tort of intentionally or recklessly causing offensive physical contact or bodily harm that is not consented to by a victim. (dictionary.com Merriam Webster.)

Attempted Rape: unsuccessful attempt to rape a victim.

Rape: Unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will usually of a female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent. (Miriam Webster Dictionary: Rape. Legal Definition Source: www.dictionary.com)

Attempted Murder: An attempt to commit murder, though the victim survives.

Murder: The unlawful and unjustifiable killing of another under circumstances defined by statute. (Merriam Webster Dictionary: Murder. Legal Definition Source: www.dictionary.com)

Please keep in mind that crimes not covered in this post involve property crimes and should be handled by duly appointed authorities.

There is before contact and during contact. If someone threatens action or attempts to attack, then assault. If someone make successful contact, then assault and battery. Some jurisdictions shortened this from assault and battery to assault.
A live victim makes a heinous enough assault attempted murder; a successful murder means that the victim becomes an inanimate object.

Some individuals define rape as a "sex crime." While the crime's nature remains sexual, rape has less to do with sex and more to do with power. The act of taking control of another human being and harming them motivates some attackers. A defender must be ready to so what is necessary to stop the attack. Keep in mind that some individuals believe that it is about the clothing or other factor concerning the defender. It is not; it has always been about power.

Please keep in mind if a defender goes beyond the equal force doctrine, the defender may be subject to legal action. Different states and countries use different doctrines and enforce laws differently. Please refer to that country's specific legal code and legal system for laws concerning self defense in that country. This article is only meant to provide basic information and does not constitute legal advice. Please seek the council of a qualified lawyer in your community for all the laws that apply to your locality and state.

As this writer learns more concerning the legal system and its twists and turns, indirectly through legal council, this blog will be updated.

Meditation

2010-07-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

What is meditation? Mental Weightlifting remains my working definition. There are two distinct types of meditation; with and without object. Focusing one's mind on an object, such as breathing, provides an effective vehicle for the meditator. The object can be anything; breath, light, drawings or paintings, movement, even the sky will do. Meditation without object involves focusing the mind on an empty space within. Some practitioners accomplish this meditation with ease, while others may take years to achieve this goal.

Martial arts also provides an object. A form, striking technique, kicking technique or other movement may be a useful object. The purpose of any technique, from a self defense standpoint, remains self protection. But these same movements can be used successfully to meditate.

The martial arts assists with meditation without object. Focus on the object, then eventually let the object go. Once you have the empty space, the mind may attempt to fill it with unwanted thoughts. Let go of each thought, the same way one lets go of cars passing on the highway. The thoughts get less and less until nothing remains in the space.

Meditation benefits the martial artist in a number of ways. Mediation develops awareness, confidence and calm, and stress reduction. Most individuals carry around thoughts, ideas, and general to do lists that reduce awareness. By meditating, the martial artist reduces these general wandering thoughts. This process allows more information to come in form the outside. The more information properly managed, the more aware the person. This awareness benefits martial artist and non martial artist alike.

Confidence and calm develop from meditation. When in a stressful situation, the mind downshifts. This downshifting reduces the martial artist's ability to act and react. When one trains in a given situation, the situation seems familiar and may be handled better. When one meditates and learns about a given situation, then the mind may remain in a calm state. Fear unchecked takes away control. Learn how to control the fear and use that energy. Even if an attacker attacks, one trains in how to handle the situation. Do not see this state coming right away, but it will come.

Stress reduction remains a main benefit of meditation. The Samurai practiced the tea ceremony. This practice provided an opportunity to focus one's mind before a combat. But it also allowed the samurai to decompress after combat. Physical exercise, meditation, talking, and journaling all provide opportunities to reduce stress levels. Simple breathing proves to be an easy meditation for the beginner.

Breathing meditation.
1) Close eyes
2) Pay attention to breathing
3) Slow down breathing
4) Make exhale longer than inhale
5) Continue for about a minute
If you need a way to time it, use a kitchen timer

I will post more on meditation, but read this article and think about it.

HPE 120 Summer 2010 Students

2010-06-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

Please read over the appropriate blog entry for the week and comment on it. Please identify who you are. Further instructions will come during each class.

Weapons: Non Firearm

2010-05-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Why does one practice with weapons that firearms made obsolete? There are a number of reasons that weapons practice should remain important. Such reasons as Physical training, ranging, and use of makeshift weapons represent viable in this day and age.

Physical Training and Weapons
At least eighteen weapons and non weapons proficiencies were required to be a Chinese soldier, unarmed techniques only made up one of those proficiencies. (Henning 173) One does not walk down any street with a bow and arrow, but the physicality that weapons’ training develops is just as important today. Most martial artists train at the gym as well as train the specific art’s techniques. A two or three pound sword develops muscle, sinew, and control in all movement aspects. The following quote from warlord Feng Yuxiang explains weapons practice physical benefits. “If you want to exercise your body, is a blade not enough? Is a sword routine not enough? Of China’s eighteen types of martial arts, not one is incapable of drenching our entire bodies in sweat, stimulating all the body’s blood, tendons, and bones.” (Morris 195) This physical training assists the martial artist in development both related and unrelated to the martial arts practice in question.

Other weapons focus the mind on other aspects of training. Archery focuses the mind on distance, attention, intent, and focus. Smaller weapons such as the sai focus the mind and body on close range movement. Longer weapons such as the bo staff focus on extension of the body and mind as well as ranged attacks.

Ranging

Weapons assist ranging an attack and allowing a defender different responses to given attacks; even though today a martial arts practitioner does not walk the streets with bo staves, swords or sais. Each weapon only extends out so far from the body and in the hands of a skilled practitioner can inflict damage as well as convince the opponent to move along, but weapons provide training in distance measurement as well. Just as a ruler benefits the carpenter in distance measurement, weapons training does so with the martial artist. “When a carpenter becomes skilled and understands measures he can become a foreman.” (Musashi, 42)

Practice with weapons gives the practitioner real time experience. A sword, such as a Chinese broadsword measures about thirty six inches from tip to pommel. Knowing the distance between attacker and defender allows the defender to see and feel the distance. A practitioner grips it and realizes how far thirty six inches measures from their body, without any other measuring device. Measurement provides a useful ranging reference that the practitioner now understands.

Weapons and Their Uses
Ancient and pre modern weapons also open the mind. One cannot walk down a street armed with these weapons. Such activity lost societal approval long ago. But one can carry a variety of modern tools that with training and an open mind, take the place of these ancient weapons. Bo staff or spear techniques learned now apply to any long handled tool; such as a garden ho, rake, mop with or without mop end, or even a walking stick. Use these tools to keep an attacker at distance. Other weapons translate differently and to different objects

Sword techniques easily translate into cane techniques. Sword training also covers mid range attacks. This weapon covers attacks shorter than a bo staff and longer than a sai or knife. A sword usually ranges between eighteen and forty two inches long. The length varies, depending on the weapon’s style and purpose. Some exceptions do occur, but this establishes a baseline for a blade. Some swords have single cutting edge and others have dual cutting edges. Swords vary in weight, from very light competition blades to far heavier purpose built blades. Each sword allows the practitioner to work different areas of their bodies. The turning, swinging, thrusting, and pointing motions required assist in an excellent upper body workout; the footwork and leg movements, and stances provide both muscular and balance workouts. But what can one do with a sword today?

People no longer walk down a street or on a train with a sword, for the most part. Modern society frowns on weapons being brandished in public. The cane replaces the sword as a useful weapon in today’s hand to hand combat. A cane in some cultures singles out weak individuals with poor mobility. In other countries the cane presents a formidable weapon in capable hands. The person using the weapon must train with that weapon; so if and when the time comes one uses it effectively.

There are other weapons in the martial artist’s arsenal that cover even shorter ranges that a sword or cane. Traditionally the jutte, sai, and knife provide close range support to a defender. These weapons do not weigh much, for the most part and provide only a small amount of weight for muscular benefit. These weapons train in quickness and precision. Coordination built by the practitioner using these weapons improves a variety of activities.

Training in each weapon also allows the practitioner to feel comfortable in close range fighting. But none of these weapons are allowed everywhere and some cannot even come out of the studio environment. How one handles a small close range weapon allows the techniques to transfer from the studio to the real world. One real world analog to a kama or jutte would be the tire iron. Some cars still come with a single handled tire iron. These items are about a foot long and made of steel. Flashlights fit into the small weapons category. One can use them to increase weight in the hands as well as striking specific bodily points.

Conclusion
Each weapon provides weight and movement skill training. The weight of the weapon allows the martial artist’s body opportunity for improvement. Lifting a two or three pound hand weight during aerobic activity increases the aerobic activity’s benefit. The weapon can be substituted for a hand weight, but the practitioner must learn how to use the weapon as well.

The knowledge gained from training in ancient weapons also readily allows the practitioner to use non weapon objects as weapons. Mops, Canes, and flashlights only represent a small number of possibilities when it comes to weapons. Train with them and train with a person. No amount of knowledge helps a practitioner, if the practitioner does not practice it regularly.

Additional material
If a person armed with a firearm attempts to attack; do what you must to survive the encounter. Do not bring a knife to a gunfight. Escape if you can. We will address firearms specifically in another posting. Additional material to this post will be posted in the comments section. Please keep in mind that this post does not cover all weapons of the ancient world. Books written on the subject could fill a small room.

Bibliography

Henning, Stanley E. “The Chinese Military Arts in Historical Perspective.” Military Affairs 45, No. 4 (December 1981): 173 - 179.

Musashi, Miyamoto. A Book of Five Rings. Translated by Victor Harris. Woodstock, New York: Overlook Press. Paperback Edition 1982.

Morris, Andrew D. Marrow of The Nation: A History of Sport and Physical Education in Republican China. Berkeley California: University of California Press, 2004.

Self Defense

2010-05-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Self Defense
If awareness of a situation passes one by so that avoidance and evasion are no longer options; one must act to survive. How does one defend against an attack? A number of different possibilities enter the picture. Choices made before the attack now come into play. One main choice involves training. For now examine physical unarmed engagement of the opponent. That action can be separated into four parts, or as Grandmaster Villari states, four ways of fighting. Striking, kicking, trapping or grappling, and felling represent the choices now available. (Grand Master Fred Villari)

Striking involves the use of body parts above the waist, while kicks involve using body parts below the waist. It represents an easy way to divide up response types, while not getting into a semantic thought circle. Holding, seizing, and locking define trapping. The same moves also define grappling. Location provides the distinction; one stands while trapping, and remains prone or semi-prone while grappling.

The most suitable of the four, for the beginner, are striking and kicking. These do not require any excess training to improve. These techniques also build fundamental skills that allow a person to learn advanced techniques. Hit the opponent hard and hit them where that strike affects the opponent most. When someone attacks a person, the attacker does not want to make nice with the defender. The attacker wants something; this could be money, jewelry, etc. If the attacker wants power, control, revenge, or to victimize the defender; the situation now changes.

One may not have the time or inclination to delve within the opponent’s psyche, childhood, or adolescence. The defender’s job requires the defender to use all means necessary to make the attacker stop. Do not “wing it,” please train in an art that provides one with the ability to affect the attack. One’s main goal remains survival. If survival means talking to an attacker and living, then do so. If survival means restraining an opponent with techniques designed to do so, then do so. If survival means an all out concerted effort that takes the opponent and injures the attacker or even worse, then do what you must to survive. As with all things, there are consequences to one’s actions. Those consequences vary by country, state, locality, circumstance, and training. But for right now lets focus on the attack and its immediate response.

The immediate response remains to act; not to be cunning or to have some response that equates do a then b with c. Self defense demands solid technique and practice, but that practice allows the practitioner to be their best. This statement comes from one of my teachers Ruth, “Don’t think, do. Don’t do, be.” This post will be the first and not the last concerning this subject.

Evasion

2010-05-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Self Defense and Evasion
To evade, escape, get away or run all become viable options, when an opponent makes it impossible to avoid a situation. The possibility of evasion manifests itself differently, depending upon the situation. One can use their wits to evade a situation. But in most self defense situations, one must evade the use of physical force. An attacker may attempt to strike, kick, restrain, harm, or kill. Preparation, training, the physical and mental environment provide options of evasion. Evasion starts with recognizing that something must be done, to ensure one’s survival.

A few things must happen for evasion to be a suitable option. The situation tends to deteriorate between one and a possible attacker. This deterioration can occur quickly or slowly, again depending on circumstances. If escalation between two people occurs in a public or private place, it may occur slowly or quickly. This can happen over a conversation, argument, or any type of disagreement. Or the deterioration can happen, when an attacker attempts to attack quickly, when one becomes unaware of physical and mental surroundings.

The opponent must decide to carry out the attack mentally. This can be done from a planning stage. A robber or mugger stands out as an individual that decided to attack.
The person with “beer muscles” also stands out as this type of opponent. The “beer muscled” individual develops a plan as well. The only two differences are that one may be a professional and the other may act as an amateur and filled with liquid courage. The injuries that the attacker may provide should motivate one to train and train hard.

A fire drill and “stop, drop, and roll” give a real live example of evasion planning. A fire now resides on one and one must act to remove it. Drills assist one in effective survival. If an attack starts, then use resources in the environment to escape. A tipped chair or other object between one and the attacker may provide breathing and thinking room. Then get to a door and close it. Locked doors provide more breathing room and may end the attack, if the attacker is not persistent. Do not look to engage the attacker, look for escape options. Hopefully this small reference provides a way to think about the subject.

Avoidance

2010-04-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

How does one avoid a physical confrontation? Preparation, training, and opportunity contribute to avoiding hazards. First one must be aware that a situation becomes possible when all its parts work together. An attack only happens, when all the pieces the attacker needs gather together. If the defender remains aware, then avoiding the attack becomes possible. Let's move from theorhetical to practical

What does avoidance mean in a practical sense? Take actions that prevent or divert the possibliltiy of attack. If you walk down an unlit street to get to your car, then choose a parking area that stays lighted. Walk with confidence and remain aware of your surroundings. Do not fumble for keys or look distracted, even though you may be distracted. Try to keep a poker face, when dealing with the outside world.

Remember to always sweat the details, especially when it comes to training.

Awareness

2010-04-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Has anyone ever heard the comment, "keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut?" Some comments provide a short and sweet bumper sticker of what awareness should be. But real awareness is more than just a sound bite. The ability to see, hear, smell, touch, taste, and sense an environment begins to describe awareness. Add to that description the ability to sense individuals and/or groups within that environment. One must be aware of others interactions within that environment. If a tree falls on you in the forest, do you make a sound? The question should be if a tree falls on you in the Forest, then does anyone else hear you.

Awareness includes the ability to determine another individuals' intentions. Simply stated, do they mean to help or harm you. The environment provides an easy challenge, while determining intent requires practice. One must remain aware of subtle cues that may lead to an outcome, being good or bad. If an individual cannot read these cues, then one can rely on the other person's behavior. Using this method gives much less lead time, but remains a far more reliable indicator.

Comfort or discomfort with any given situation also provides information. In other words, learn to trust your gut. If something does not feel right, then do not do it. From a cost benefit analysis perspective, only an experience is lost. Protect what provides the opportunity for experience, life.

One develops awareness through experience and testing. Testing takes many forms and can vary. As you enter a room, just look around and notice the exits. Another test of awareness occurs when a person takes classes with an instructor. The instructor may have targets set up around the room. The student enters the room and is asked to find the targets. Take training outside as well. Look for an area where there exist obstacles, concrete posts, etc. Stay wide of the post or other obstruction, so that seeing reveals any potential difficulty.

There exist many more awareness drills, but learning how to bring awareness into the everyday may make for an easier day.

Etiquette

2010-04-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

One bows when entering a dojo, kwoon, or dojang. The accepted attire remains a uniform, usually white or black. Students of a lower rank take a knee when seniors bow to tie and untie their belts. Each styles uses its own lexicon to communicate fundamental thought. These words seem archaic and the height of anacronism. In some ways that are just that; a student stepping back into a world of two to three hundred years ago. Why do some schools still adhere to such behavior?

When a person sits down to dinner, there are certain rules of ettiquite. Do not place elbows on the table. Do not toss dinner rolls to others. Use the correct fork for the correct food item. These rules provide useful guidelines of conduct. Just as a practitioner should not throw punches and kicks that do not work, a diner should not toss plates of cole slaw down the table. This behavior does not accomplish the goal. If the goal is to move the cole slaw to another individual without creating chaos and without inefficiency.

Think of Studio etiquette as the studio's "rules of the road." Follow these rules and studio life remains easy. Forget these rules and find difficulty. Think of the three rules post within this blog.

Footwork

2010-03-07T12:05:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
How you stand affects every aspect of a technique. How you move into and out of stances also affects every aspect of a technique. First lets address how to stand. There are a finite number of stances; such as the horse, half moon, cat, bow, etc. These stances each serve a few purposes. First the stance keeps the practitioner stable. If one cannot remain on their feet, then how can one strike or kick? So staying on the feet is important. More than standing alone makes up footwork.

Footwork also contains the ability to move from one stance to another. Each style has at its disposal given methods of movement. That method dictates what techniques can be used. Think about each techniques stance and footwork and you will be on your way to a better practice.

Precision and Accuracy

2010-02-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

A good description of precision and accuracy is as follows. The ability to hit the target defines accuracy; while the ability to hit nearest to that first hit over time defines precision. Consistency over time or performance. Accuracy once may be a lucky shot. Accuracy repeated equates to precision. Hit where you want to hit and be able to hit that same spot over and over again. What does this take? "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, and more Practice."(1)

Jeffrey M. Saltzman, M.A., The Benefit of Consistency for Organizations, (Wayne Pennsylvania: Kenexa 2009) Online Source: ww.kenexa.com (Accessed: 2 26 2010)

Form

2010-02-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

The Winter Olympics currently air and it brings to mind the concept of form. The concept of "Form" sets forth a pattern of movement, shape of an object, or the aesthetic characteristics of an object or movement. (1) The martial arts developed "forms." A form in the martial arts contains a certain number of movements that teach a particular set of concept concerning self defense and/or group particular movements in a specific way. These forms could be considered katas, pinans, etc. The specific names are not important to this discussion. Any specific movement contains a form component.

These two ideas help define movement within the martial arts. The form of a form or how those particular movements are performed determine how a student does in competition. But more importantly proper form of any form or technique make it possible for a person to be successful in self defense application.

If one understands the form of a technique and performs repeatedly, it begins to stick within the mind and body. If a student begins to understand the underlying principle, then they are on the road of a martial artist. Thank you for your time.

Source: American Heritage Dictionary "Form" Accessed from Dictionary.com (2 26 2010)
For those historians and college instructors out there. I will fix the footnote's form.

Power

2010-02-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

The fourth edition of The American Heritage Dictionary defines power as "A specific capacity, faculty, or aptitude. Often used in the plural: her powers of concentration." The same text also defines power as "Strength or force exerted or capable of being exerted; might."(1) The ability to control one's own body or action through movement and the ability to strike or hit targets in some way could also be easily construed as power. In the martial arts power has always been the amount of force demonstrated by a specific technique. If a martial artist breaks a given number of bricks, then they exhibit a certain amount of power. But uncontrolled power may lead to that martial artist's injury by their own actions or the actions of others.

Hitting an opponent with power assists the martial artist in survival. If the strike or kick does not have power, then that strike or kick may not stop the opponent. So practicing with power remains important. Put all of you into your move. Your mind and your body must act together. Put everything into the strike and you will have power.

One can have too much power in a strike. It leads to uncontrolled movement. The power of a strike, if uncontrolled, causes the strike to miss its target or throws the martial artist off balance. That leaves the martial artist open to counter attack or even worse. So power must be controlled and must be used properly. Over powering a strike can have physical consequences. If you kick or punch at full power without a target or control, you can easily cause injury. If you get hurt during a self defense encounter, it provides the opponent with an opportunity. That may be enough for the opponent to win and you to be hurt.

There will be more posts on different components of the martial arts and their applications. Please be advised that practice assists learning. Practice developed persistence, perception leads to proficiency. Thanks.

Balance

2010-02-18T08:48:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,

What is balance? According to Dictionary.com balance is, "a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc. OR mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc." (1) The ability to remain calm, when a person attempts to cause you harm or the ablitiy to control your body in a situation also should be considered balance. Everyday when we get up out of bed and start our day we exhibit a degree of balance. What does balance have to do with the martial arts?

Balance allows a person to move, strike, or kick and not be endangered. When considering balance from a martial arts point of view, examine the kick. When a person in essence stands on one leg in order to strike with the other leg, then balance reveals itself as a primary concern. Mental balance may prevent the attack in the first place. If one stays alert and not myopically focused on only getting their car keys out of their pocket, then one may be able to better handle an attacker, remove groceries from their car, or keep their loved ones out of danger.

Physical and mental balance preserve our lives, martially and non martially. Remember balance only represents one factor in the world. Their are other factors that this blog will cover. Thank you.

Weather Conditions and The Martial Artist

2010-02-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

Weather plays a role in the martial artist's life. Weather conditions affect workout and training as well as actual encounters. Any martial artist overcomes difficulty in one or another particular area by examination and training. If you are working in a temperature controlled studio, then occasionally alter the temprature. If one you are working out outside, then do so in a variety of weather conditions. Heat, cold, and rain are only some conditions that the martial artist may face. So training to overcome them becomes crucial to survivablity. Before training in such conditions, you must be aware of safety concerns. For example, do not attempt to do kicks while on a sheet of ice. We reside in a world where if you fall on ice things break. So you must of course take safety into account. But vary your training in relation to weather conditions and also clothing.

Remember to warm up before getting into the techniques. The warm ups assist in injury prevention. Find warm ups that work for you. I use a set of Tai Chi warmups and they provide me with a good start. Additions will be made to this post. So feel free to comment. I hope to hear more from those listening. Thanks.

Movie Quotes: Your Favorites

2010-02-08T07:33:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,

What are your favorite martial arts movie quotes and why?

Martial Arts Reading List

2010-02-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

What books should the martial artist read? Should that list focus on techniques, strategy, tactics, history? What readings effected you in a productive way? I will produce a list of books that effected me over the years. Let me know what you read related to the martial arts.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Trans. Samuel B. Griffith, (New York: Oxford University Press, September 15, 1971)

Miamoto Musashi, The Book Of The Five Rings, Trans. Victor Harris, (New York: Overlook Press, 1974)

Chris Crudelli, The Way of Of The Warrior: Martial Arts And Fighting Styles From Around The World, (New York: DK Books, 2008)

In a related question, what movies interest you as a martial artist? I will produce a list of movies that interest me. Please feel free to answer these questions.

The Purpose of the Martial Arts

2010-02-07T15:33:00.000-08:00

The martial arts, like any art, provide a multitude of uses. One use of these arts remains effective self protection. If one learns the martial arts, then one has a higher chance of surviving an encounter. But more importantly the person may be able to avoid the encounter in the first place. Physical fitness represents another reaason for training in the martial arts. Individuals can get a good physical workout from training. Some students have been known to sweat profusely from intense training, the same way that someone works up a sweat lifting weights or running. The stress reduction provided my some martial arts give the practitioner a mental boost. They also allow the practitioner to better handle life's little challenges.

Before selecting a particular martial art, One must ask "what benefits do I want."
Then select the art accordingly. For those of you who already train in these arts, continue on your path. You never know what you may learn each workout.

An Opening Post

2010-02-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
This blog serves a purpose, as most human endeavors do. It may inform those not experienced in the martial arts about the subject. It may also assist those who developed their own perspective about other perspectives. Rancor, abrasiveness, and downright meanness will not be tolerated; but discussions that exhibit civility and politeness always will. If someone disagrees with my point of view, then attempt to convince me of your viewpoint. If we cannot come to an agreement, then we will agree to disagree.

There are three rules that should be followed everywhere.

To understand that “The Three Rules” apply everywhere, we must first understand them. What are “The Three Rules and what do they mean? The first rule is Respect. It simply means that each person treats others the way they want to be treated. An example of this rule would be saying please and thank you when someone is nice. The second rule is Self Control. It means that we fit our behavior to meet the situation. An example of this rule would be not hitting a sibling when they started an argument or not yelling inside the house.
The third rule is Self Discipline. It means that we do things that we know should be done without being asked to do them. An example would be cleaning up your room, before a parent asked you to do it. Another example would be to dry dishes or complete chores before anyone says anything.

Why do “The Three Rules” apply everywhere? Just following these rules at home is not enough. When addressing a teacher, friend, or even someone we do not know; we must behave well. If we expect from others, we must first show that we can do it. You never know when you may make a new friend or make someone else’s day. So follow these rules everywhere and show that you are the responsible one.

I hope this helps explain some things. More to come.