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Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
What is it like to be a Black Belt?
I recently received my Shodan (first Black Belt) and I’m very thrilled about doing so…
It’s been nearly 4 years of twice a week training as well as practicing at home and sometimes at work.
Even though I’m 49 years old, my body has responded positively to the unnatural movements associated with Shotokan Karate and it’s much stronger and leaner for one thing and slightly more flexible for another…although some things will never change.
My mental abilities of concentration and memory have also improved, as well as my self consciousness of standing out and performing in a room full of people.
So, for me reaching this level of expertise has been very gratifying in so many ways.
For others who achieve their Black Belt, it means they have simply reached the end…
…while still others feel it is a first step and that they are just at the beginning their journey.
To me, it is simply a signpost, pointing the right direction I should follow and signifying that I’m on the right path.
An individual won’t live long enough to know everything there is to know about Karate, not because the movements can’t be mastered, but rather because it is a journey of self discovery…
…and what a person discovers is the human spirit.
Once discovered, the traveler is awe struck and humbled at the potentiality that lies there…
…more importantly, one discovers that it has always been there for them if they had simply paid attention to it.
I encourage everyone to continue their journey along their chosen path of Martial Arts or spiritual enlightenment, to discover for themselves, the precious gift the universe has afforded us as human beings…
Happy Holidays
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Timing...it's all about awareness and opportunity...
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Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
We can all become proficient when it comes to punching, blocking and kicking.
What takes practice, is the "timing" of our punches, blocks and kicks.
Without proper timing, like a baseball batter, you'll never hit the ball or your target with any kind of effectiveness.
It all begins with awareness and in particular awareness of your opponent and your environment...
...in the dojo, with both karate-ka focusing on sparring, there are no outside influences to distract one another, so what do you do you ask?, well you create your own distractions
You learn by feinting and then observing if your opponent falls for them or not, but most likely they will, the "first" time. Consequently, if they don't fall for the feint, you step in like your feinting with the exact same timing and drive your fist or kick to the target.
Don't try to "think" about timing and opportunity... just execute...
...your attack of the target area should always follow your feint in a single heart beat.
If your timing was correct and you successfully scored a hit on the target, immediately follow it up with a combination and then retreat as quickly as you attacked...
...it's a mistake to momentarily pause and admire your cleverness at scoring a point...
...because in that split second of gloating, if your opponent is aware enough to see your lapse of concentration and take advantage of it, all your effort will have been wasted.
There is no real defense for feints, because the human body is reactive...you see a punch coming to your head and you cover high or you cover low for what looks like a kick...
...but there is a strategy you can use to keep the mind of your opponent busy...and that is giving and taking away targets for him to attack.
...more on that later.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
We can all become proficient when it comes to punching, blocking and kicking.
What takes practice, is the "timing" of our punches, blocks and kicks.
Without proper timing, like a baseball batter, you'll never hit the ball or your target with any kind of effectiveness.
It all begins with awareness and in particular awareness of your opponent and your environment...
...in the dojo, with both karate-ka focusing on sparring, there are no outside influences to distract one another, so what do you do you ask?, well you create your own distractions
You learn by feinting and then observing if your opponent falls for them or not, but most likely they will, the "first" time. Consequently, if they don't fall for the feint, you step in like your feinting with the exact same timing and drive your fist or kick to the target.
Don't try to "think" about timing and opportunity... just execute...
...your attack of the target area should always follow your feint in a single heart beat.
If your timing was correct and you successfully scored a hit on the target, immediately follow it up with a combination and then retreat as quickly as you attacked...
...it's a mistake to momentarily pause and admire your cleverness at scoring a point...
...because in that split second of gloating, if your opponent is aware enough to see your lapse of concentration and take advantage of it, all your effort will have been wasted.
There is no real defense for feints, because the human body is reactive...you see a punch coming to your head and you cover high or you cover low for what looks like a kick...
...but there is a strategy you can use to keep the mind of your opponent busy...and that is giving and taking away targets for him to attack.
...more on that later.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Rhythm...and no, you don't have to be a dancer.
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Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
Rhythm is an element that must be incorporated within the movements of a particular Martial Art.
In Kumite, it's best described as an internal beat that a person times his/her movements to.
Examples might be a 3 beat block, punch, and step away rhythm and when your opponent chases you, deliver another 3 beat combination of punches, kicks and blocks.
If your opponent doesn't realize that you've trapped them into your rhythm they'll soon be picking themselves up off the ground...
Consequently, while creating your own rhythm, you must try to break the rhythm of your opponent.
Rhythm in Kumite is not always as evident as in Kata, where an advanced Karate-ka can display powerful and beautifully rhythmical movements.
Rhythm is the glue that binds the elements of correct application of strength at the right time, the control of speed and transitions of the body from technique to technique.
Rhythm, develop it and see the improvement in your Kata and Kumite...
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
Rhythm is an element that must be incorporated within the movements of a particular Martial Art.
In Kumite, it's best described as an internal beat that a person times his/her movements to.
Examples might be a 3 beat block, punch, and step away rhythm and when your opponent chases you, deliver another 3 beat combination of punches, kicks and blocks.
If your opponent doesn't realize that you've trapped them into your rhythm they'll soon be picking themselves up off the ground...
Consequently, while creating your own rhythm, you must try to break the rhythm of your opponent.
Rhythm in Kumite is not always as evident as in Kata, where an advanced Karate-ka can display powerful and beautifully rhythmical movements.
Rhythm is the glue that binds the elements of correct application of strength at the right time, the control of speed and transitions of the body from technique to technique.
Rhythm, develop it and see the improvement in your Kata and Kumite...
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Principles of good Karate and Martial Arts...continued
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Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
When is a punch or kick not really a punch or kick? It's not really a punch or kick if the technique is applied with only your arm or leg.
If your not using all of your body and muscles in unison, to deliver a swift and fluid technique
then you're not making efficient use of relaxation and concentration of power to deliver a strike.
It's really a foreign concept for some that a totally relaxed body and muscles can deliver more power than if your muscles are tense...
...but it's true.
A tensed muscle lacks the elasticity to smoothly pass on generated power to the next set of relaxed muscles.
Power essentially doubles then quadruples in magnitude, if allowed to freely flow through your body via your relaxed muscles.
Practicing with bag will develop powerful fluidity in your strikes and kicks...
...the next trick will be to concentrate all that energy at a target.
to be continued...Rhythm
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
When is a punch or kick not really a punch or kick? It's not really a punch or kick if the technique is applied with only your arm or leg.
If your not using all of your body and muscles in unison, to deliver a swift and fluid technique
then you're not making efficient use of relaxation and concentration of power to deliver a strike.
It's really a foreign concept for some that a totally relaxed body and muscles can deliver more power than if your muscles are tense...
...but it's true.
A tensed muscle lacks the elasticity to smoothly pass on generated power to the next set of relaxed muscles.
Power essentially doubles then quadruples in magnitude, if allowed to freely flow through your body via your relaxed muscles.
Practicing with bag will develop powerful fluidity in your strikes and kicks...
...the next trick will be to concentrate all that energy at a target.
to be continued...Rhythm
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Principles of good Karate and Martial Arts...
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Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
Well summer is officially over and now it's time to re-focus on ones martial art...
...in my case Karate.
It's almost like starting over but with a little more understanding than before...
...too me, Karate is kind of like a slow boil. I seem to be progressing, but sometimes I feel like I'm not and that I'm standing at the start line.
I have a red belt and I wanted to take a full year for my black belt training and exam...
...my Sensei wants me and another red belt to test in December.
How can someone as indulgent as I am, transform myself into a black belt by December?
This should be interesting...
Anyway, here's a basic principles refresher and another Kumite drill to muse over...
Points of importance are:
Form, Balance, and center of Gravity.
...a students balance is constantly shifting from one foot to the other...so one's center of gravity must shift quickly from forward and back, and side to side...
...all the while looking for an opening to attack and avoiding the attack of your opponent.
Power and Speed
To achieve power you must incorporate the action of speed.
For example, the punch of an advanced Karate-Ka can travel at a speed of 43 feet per second and carry enough potential energy of 1500 lbs per sq inch...
Speed training should be based on techniques that move the muscles quickly rather than techniques that build strength like weight lifting...
...which are important, but not for application of speed...
...punching the Makiwara board is one such training technique.
Too be continued...Abdomen and Hips, Concentration of Power, Timing, Rhythm and how the muscles work together to create power...
Oh ya, the Kumite Drill...
Movement is one of a Karate-Ka's greatest assets...
...if you can move around with ease, you'll never really get nailed with a solid technique, conversely you'll be in a perfect position to unleash your own solid technique when your opponent finishes, or lands from their technique.
Start from the Kamae position...left leg forward...
...shift forward then bring the back foot up to the front foot and push your front foot forward and finally take a full step forward with your back leg.
Your right leg and foot should now be forward...
...shift back then bring the front foot back to the rear foot and push your back foot out to the rear and finally take a full step back with your left foot.
You should now be back to your original position...
Switch legs and repeat...
Practice moving like that for straight forward attacks and straight back defensive techniques...
In Kumite, those are the 3 basic means of making distance on your opponent...so practicing those movements in unison with your opponents movements will frustrate them and set them up for your jab and reverse punches...
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
Well summer is officially over and now it's time to re-focus on ones martial art...
...in my case Karate.
It's almost like starting over but with a little more understanding than before...
...too me, Karate is kind of like a slow boil. I seem to be progressing, but sometimes I feel like I'm not and that I'm standing at the start line.
I have a red belt and I wanted to take a full year for my black belt training and exam...
...my Sensei wants me and another red belt to test in December.
How can someone as indulgent as I am, transform myself into a black belt by December?
This should be interesting...
Anyway, here's a basic principles refresher and another Kumite drill to muse over...
Points of importance are:
Form, Balance, and center of Gravity.
...a students balance is constantly shifting from one foot to the other...so one's center of gravity must shift quickly from forward and back, and side to side...
...all the while looking for an opening to attack and avoiding the attack of your opponent.
Power and Speed
To achieve power you must incorporate the action of speed.
For example, the punch of an advanced Karate-Ka can travel at a speed of 43 feet per second and carry enough potential energy of 1500 lbs per sq inch...
Speed training should be based on techniques that move the muscles quickly rather than techniques that build strength like weight lifting...
...which are important, but not for application of speed...
...punching the Makiwara board is one such training technique.
Too be continued...Abdomen and Hips, Concentration of Power, Timing, Rhythm and how the muscles work together to create power...
Oh ya, the Kumite Drill...
Movement is one of a Karate-Ka's greatest assets...
...if you can move around with ease, you'll never really get nailed with a solid technique, conversely you'll be in a perfect position to unleash your own solid technique when your opponent finishes, or lands from their technique.
Start from the Kamae position...left leg forward...
...shift forward then bring the back foot up to the front foot and push your front foot forward and finally take a full step forward with your back leg.
Your right leg and foot should now be forward...
...shift back then bring the front foot back to the rear foot and push your back foot out to the rear and finally take a full step back with your left foot.
You should now be back to your original position...
Switch legs and repeat...
Practice moving like that for straight forward attacks and straight back defensive techniques...
In Kumite, those are the 3 basic means of making distance on your opponent...so practicing those movements in unison with your opponents movements will frustrate them and set them up for your jab and reverse punches...
Sunday, August 06, 2006
The lazy indulgent days of Summer....
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
Summer is really a bad time for staying focused on one's martial arts training, it is for me anyway...
That's why our family oriented Karate organization completely shuts down, except for perhaps one or two dojo's.
Martial arts, in particular Karate, are an important part of mine and other people's lives...
...but so is family...
So other than a yearly karate retreat on beautiful Vancouver Island, my karate takes a back burner to hikes, mini vacations to the mountains and visiting family members who have cabins at the lake, with my wife.
Not to mention all the great barbecued food and drinks that get consumed while on holidays...
...my poor waistline.
That's not to say I stop practicing, but rather a "do it when I feel like it" attitude takes over.
I'll start to crank my training up in the fall again when the weather gets cooler and the memories of summer have begun to fade.
I'll be coming out with some more Kumite Tips and Drills for beginners, in the coming months so stay tuned.
Here's a training tip for all you martial artists out there, one that you'll find quite interesting...
...try your martial art's training and Kata's on different surfaces and with different footwear.
If you've never tried it before, your in for a real surprise...
...that beautiful balance you've developed on the hardwood floor of your dojo, has suddenly been transformed into something not so beautiful.
Train on the grass without sandals and then with them on...
...put on your sneakers and train on a hard surface like asphalt, at an outdoor basketball or tennis court.
And of course there is the sand of your local beach or desert.
The different surfaces and having weight from shoes on your feet, places new demands on the muscles you use for your particular martial art.
You'll notice how much stronger you'll feel when you get back onto the hardwood of the dojo.
Have a good rest of the summer...
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3
Summer is really a bad time for staying focused on one's martial arts training, it is for me anyway...
That's why our family oriented Karate organization completely shuts down, except for perhaps one or two dojo's.
Martial arts, in particular Karate, are an important part of mine and other people's lives...
...but so is family...
So other than a yearly karate retreat on beautiful Vancouver Island, my karate takes a back burner to hikes, mini vacations to the mountains and visiting family members who have cabins at the lake, with my wife.
Not to mention all the great barbecued food and drinks that get consumed while on holidays...
...my poor waistline.
That's not to say I stop practicing, but rather a "do it when I feel like it" attitude takes over.
I'll start to crank my training up in the fall again when the weather gets cooler and the memories of summer have begun to fade.
I'll be coming out with some more Kumite Tips and Drills for beginners, in the coming months so stay tuned.
Here's a training tip for all you martial artists out there, one that you'll find quite interesting...
...try your martial art's training and Kata's on different surfaces and with different footwear.
If you've never tried it before, your in for a real surprise...
...that beautiful balance you've developed on the hardwood floor of your dojo, has suddenly been transformed into something not so beautiful.
Train on the grass without sandals and then with them on...
...put on your sneakers and train on a hard surface like asphalt, at an outdoor basketball or tennis court.
And of course there is the sand of your local beach or desert.
The different surfaces and having weight from shoes on your feet, places new demands on the muscles you use for your particular martial art.
You'll notice how much stronger you'll feel when you get back onto the hardwood of the dojo.
Have a good rest of the summer...
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Monday, July 17, 2006
Kumite Drills for the beginner...Kumite Drill # 3
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3/
Kumite Drill # 3
Start with the left leg forward.
Bring the back foot almost up to where the front foot is and transfer your weight onto that leg.
With the front leg, do a front kick at jodan or chudan level. After the kick and from the hikite, place the kicking leg down in front of the weight bearing leg (Not too far forward), then transfer your weight to the front leg and shift back.
You should almost be completely back in your original position in a balanced kamae.
Next, bring the back foot up almost to where the front foot is, transfer your weight and do a roundhouse kick with the front leg.
Return the kicking leg to the ground in a medium front stance, transfer your weight once again and then shift back.
From your left leg forward Kamae, bring the back foot up to where the front foot is and do a side thrust kick with the front leg. Place the kicking leg down and in front of the weight bearing leg (Not too far forward) and then strongly shift back.
Bring the back foot up to where the front foot is and do a reverse roundhouse kick with the front leg. Place the kicking leg down and in front of the weight bearing leg (Not too far forward) then once again, strongly shift back.
Change to the right leg forward Kamae and repeat the drill...
Pointers:
Your hikite must come back quickly and you must be perfectly balanced and not leaning forward or backwards.
Your placement of the kicking leg should not be too far forward, unless of course you are setting your opponent up for a reverse punch by stepping into a front stance.
When you transfer your weight on to the front leg, thrust the back leg backwards for a faster and stronger shifting motion.
This drill helps to develop kicking from a balanced kamae, to the unbalanced kick itself and back into a balanced kamae, ready for the next offensive or defensive technique.
Like always, practice it about a hundred times from each side.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/Kumite Drills # 3/
Kumite Drill # 3
Start with the left leg forward.
Bring the back foot almost up to where the front foot is and transfer your weight onto that leg.
With the front leg, do a front kick at jodan or chudan level. After the kick and from the hikite, place the kicking leg down in front of the weight bearing leg (Not too far forward), then transfer your weight to the front leg and shift back.
You should almost be completely back in your original position in a balanced kamae.
Next, bring the back foot up almost to where the front foot is, transfer your weight and do a roundhouse kick with the front leg.
Return the kicking leg to the ground in a medium front stance, transfer your weight once again and then shift back.
From your left leg forward Kamae, bring the back foot up to where the front foot is and do a side thrust kick with the front leg. Place the kicking leg down and in front of the weight bearing leg (Not too far forward) and then strongly shift back.
Bring the back foot up to where the front foot is and do a reverse roundhouse kick with the front leg. Place the kicking leg down and in front of the weight bearing leg (Not too far forward) then once again, strongly shift back.
Change to the right leg forward Kamae and repeat the drill...
Pointers:
Your hikite must come back quickly and you must be perfectly balanced and not leaning forward or backwards.
Your placement of the kicking leg should not be too far forward, unless of course you are setting your opponent up for a reverse punch by stepping into a front stance.
When you transfer your weight on to the front leg, thrust the back leg backwards for a faster and stronger shifting motion.
This drill helps to develop kicking from a balanced kamae, to the unbalanced kick itself and back into a balanced kamae, ready for the next offensive or defensive technique.
Like always, practice it about a hundred times from each side.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Kumite Drills for the beginner...Kumite Drill # 2
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/
This drill is similar to Kumite Drills # 1/...
...when you've pulled your kicking leg back to it's original position, take a full step back with your left forward leg instead of shifting back. Your final stance will now be with your right leg forward.
This drill trains your body to take stances from both sides and to kick with either leg...
Start with the left leg forward.
Shift forward half a step and jab or back fist...this time instead of shifting back, take a full step back and end up with your right leg in front.
Shift forward again half a step and jab or back fist with your right fist...
...again, instead of shifting back, take a full step back and end up with your left leg once again in front.
Do this drill hundreds of times until you feel comfortable changing from your left leg forward stance to your right leg forward stance.
Once your comfortable changing stances, it's time to add all of your kicks.
Starting with your left leg forward, shift forward half a step, jab or back fist, and then do a front kick with the back leg. Return the kicking leg to its original position and then instead of shifting back like in Kumite Drills # 1/...step back with your left leg, ending up with your right leg and guard in front.
Shift forward half a step, jab or back fist, and then do another front kick with the back leg. Return the kicking leg to its original position and then take a step back ending up with your left leg and guard once again in front.
Do the same drill for the round house, side thrust kick, back kick and the reverse round house kick.
You can also add a reverse punch in after changing your Kamae from one side to the other for a variation...if your opponent made the mistake of chasing you, the reverse punch can be used to great affect.
Pointers:
When stepping back, try to keep the back straight and don't let the head trail your shoulders.
Instead of stepping back with the forward leg, it should actually be thrust back into position, this will allow you to set up much more quickly for your opponents counter attacks.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/
This drill is similar to Kumite Drills # 1/...
...when you've pulled your kicking leg back to it's original position, take a full step back with your left forward leg instead of shifting back. Your final stance will now be with your right leg forward.
This drill trains your body to take stances from both sides and to kick with either leg...
Start with the left leg forward.
Shift forward half a step and jab or back fist...this time instead of shifting back, take a full step back and end up with your right leg in front.
Shift forward again half a step and jab or back fist with your right fist...
...again, instead of shifting back, take a full step back and end up with your left leg once again in front.
Do this drill hundreds of times until you feel comfortable changing from your left leg forward stance to your right leg forward stance.
Once your comfortable changing stances, it's time to add all of your kicks.
Starting with your left leg forward, shift forward half a step, jab or back fist, and then do a front kick with the back leg. Return the kicking leg to its original position and then instead of shifting back like in Kumite Drills # 1/...step back with your left leg, ending up with your right leg and guard in front.
Shift forward half a step, jab or back fist, and then do another front kick with the back leg. Return the kicking leg to its original position and then take a step back ending up with your left leg and guard once again in front.
Do the same drill for the round house, side thrust kick, back kick and the reverse round house kick.
You can also add a reverse punch in after changing your Kamae from one side to the other for a variation...if your opponent made the mistake of chasing you, the reverse punch can be used to great affect.
Pointers:
When stepping back, try to keep the back straight and don't let the head trail your shoulders.
Instead of stepping back with the forward leg, it should actually be thrust back into position, this will allow you to set up much more quickly for your opponents counter attacks.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Kumite Drills for the beginner...Kumite Drill # 1
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/
Freestyle Kumite is hard, damn hard and it seems that after a few minutes of sparring, all of my Karate technique goes out the window...
...I then have to remind myself about what I should be doing, technique wise.
When that happens I lose focus on what I am suppose to accomplish against my opponent.
Here's a simple drill that is the basis for all beginners in freestyle Kumite...
...it must be practiced so that the movement becomes a part of you.
Practicing this drill will give the beginner both an offensive and defensive posture and is the basis for more advanced Kumite movements...
Drill # 1
Start with the left leg forward.
Shift forward half a step with the left leg and jab, shift back to original position.
Practice that a few times to get the feeling of shifting in and shifting back out.
Then shift forward half a step, jab, and then do a front kick with the back leg. Return the kicking leg back to it's original position and then shift back...
At this point you should be standing exactly where you started.
Now shift forward half a step, do a back fist or jab and then do a roundhouse kick with the back leg. Return the kicking leg to its original position and then shift back to your starting position.
Now, shift forward half a step, back fist or jab, and then do a side thrust kick with the back leg, return the kicking leg to its original position then shift back to your start position.
Shift forward half a step diagonally to the right side, back fist or jab, and then do a back kick with the back leg, return the kicking leg to it's original position and then shift back to your start position.
Shift forward half a step, back fist or jab, and then do a reverse roundhouse kick with the back leg, return the kicking leg to it's original position and then shift back to your initial start position.
Switch to the right leg forward and repeat.
Shifting forward a half step stretches the body like an elastic and the kicks naturally snap towards the target with greater speed...
...getting the kick back as fast it left and then shifting back, doesn't allow your opponent enough time or distance to counter attack you.
Even if he does make up the distance, you will be in a perfectly balanced position to defend or attack once again..
Practice those movements about a thousand times until they become automatic.
Pointer:
The key to shifting is in dropping your weight on your supporting leg and pushing straight forward or straight back. Also keep your hips as level as possible.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Kumite Drills # 1/Kumite Drills # 2/
Freestyle Kumite is hard, damn hard and it seems that after a few minutes of sparring, all of my Karate technique goes out the window...
...I then have to remind myself about what I should be doing, technique wise.
When that happens I lose focus on what I am suppose to accomplish against my opponent.
Here's a simple drill that is the basis for all beginners in freestyle Kumite...
...it must be practiced so that the movement becomes a part of you.
Practicing this drill will give the beginner both an offensive and defensive posture and is the basis for more advanced Kumite movements...
Drill # 1
Start with the left leg forward.
Shift forward half a step with the left leg and jab, shift back to original position.
Practice that a few times to get the feeling of shifting in and shifting back out.
Then shift forward half a step, jab, and then do a front kick with the back leg. Return the kicking leg back to it's original position and then shift back...
At this point you should be standing exactly where you started.
Now shift forward half a step, do a back fist or jab and then do a roundhouse kick with the back leg. Return the kicking leg to its original position and then shift back to your starting position.
Now, shift forward half a step, back fist or jab, and then do a side thrust kick with the back leg, return the kicking leg to its original position then shift back to your start position.
Shift forward half a step diagonally to the right side, back fist or jab, and then do a back kick with the back leg, return the kicking leg to it's original position and then shift back to your start position.
Shift forward half a step, back fist or jab, and then do a reverse roundhouse kick with the back leg, return the kicking leg to it's original position and then shift back to your initial start position.
Switch to the right leg forward and repeat.
Shifting forward a half step stretches the body like an elastic and the kicks naturally snap towards the target with greater speed...
...getting the kick back as fast it left and then shifting back, doesn't allow your opponent enough time or distance to counter attack you.
Even if he does make up the distance, you will be in a perfectly balanced position to defend or attack once again..
Practice those movements about a thousand times until they become automatic.
Pointer:
The key to shifting is in dropping your weight on your supporting leg and pushing straight forward or straight back. Also keep your hips as level as possible.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Devise at all times...Funakoshi's 20th and last principle of Karate...
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Use the Google search bar to the right to find articles of interest...
Devise
1. To use ingenuity in making, developing, or achieving: concoct, contrive, dream up, fabricate, formulate, hatch, invent, make up, think up. Informal cook up. Idioms: come up with. See make/unmake.
2. To form a strategy for: blueprint, cast, chart, conceive, contrive, design, formulate, frame, lay1, plan, project, scheme, strategize, work out. Informal dope out. Idioms: lay plans. See planned/unplanned.
3. To give (property) to another person after one's death: leave1, will. Law bequeath. See give/take/reciprocity, law.
Here's some quotes on the importance of using the mind as a creative tool in Kumite...
"“They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and when the necessity is survival she can be one mean mother, but it's her child invention that's the real dangerous one."
Darien Fawkes quotes
"“Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory. It instigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheeplike passivity, and sets us at noting and contriving."”
John Dewey quotes (American Philosopher, Psychologist and Educator, 1859-1952)
"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."
-- Herman Melville
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."
-- Scott Adams
"Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions."
-- Sri da Avabhas
"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way."
-- Edward de Bono
I think it is very important to use the mind in this way...
...if a person is devising and creating on the fly then the mind is in a place free of fear and failure, it's right where it ought to be...
...completely in the here and now.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Use the Google search bar to the right to find articles of interest...
Devise
1. To use ingenuity in making, developing, or achieving: concoct, contrive, dream up, fabricate, formulate, hatch, invent, make up, think up. Informal cook up. Idioms: come up with. See make/unmake.
2. To form a strategy for: blueprint, cast, chart, conceive, contrive, design, formulate, frame, lay1, plan, project, scheme, strategize, work out. Informal dope out. Idioms: lay plans. See planned/unplanned.
3. To give (property) to another person after one's death: leave1, will. Law bequeath. See give/take/reciprocity, law.
Here's some quotes on the importance of using the mind as a creative tool in Kumite...
"“They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and when the necessity is survival she can be one mean mother, but it's her child invention that's the real dangerous one."
Darien Fawkes quotes
"“Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory. It instigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheeplike passivity, and sets us at noting and contriving."”
John Dewey quotes (American Philosopher, Psychologist and Educator, 1859-1952)
"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."
-- Herman Melville
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."
-- Scott Adams
"Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions."
-- Sri da Avabhas
"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way."
-- Edward de Bono
I think it is very important to use the mind in this way...
...if a person is devising and creating on the fly then the mind is in a place free of fear and failure, it's right where it ought to be...
...completely in the here and now.
Don't forget to check out the exciting books and dvd's on Karate, Martial Arts, Zen, Weapons, Nutrition and Health from the Indulgent Samurai Store...
RJF
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Funakoshi's 19 th principle of Karate..."Do not forget light and heavy application of power"
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Use the Google search bar to the right to find articles of interest...
Funakoshi's 19 th principle of Karate..."Do not forget light and heavy application of power"
In my Kumite and Kata experience so far, I've noticed a direct correlation between Speed and Power.
While muscular strength is important, it isn't as important as the effective use of ones strength...
...and that's why some women and smaller men, can effectively deliver more power than others who have more muscle strength.
I'm not sure what Funakoshi means by light application of power, because it seems to me that when you are delivering a punch or kick with maximum speed and maximum concentration of power it will automatically be a heavy application.
It is possible he was referring to the light application of power while one is moving and making use of what the Japanese refer to as Tanden or the area behind the navel in the very center of the body...
...it was believed that this is where the spirit resides and this is the center of power and balance.
The use of the lower abdominal area and in particular the hips, plays a central role in all Karate movements...
...thus the relevance of the saying "...punch with the hips, kick with the hips and block with the hips"
I believe that through the correct use of a harmonized and powerful balance, built upon a proper stance, a very quick and devastating delivery of concentrated power, can easily be achieved.
I guess it would similar to being in the "zone" or perhaps seeing perfection from a place void of the ego and being aware enough to know, you've just witnessed the spirit.
RJF
Use the Google search bar to the right to find articles of interest...
Funakoshi's 19 th principle of Karate..."Do not forget light and heavy application of power"
In my Kumite and Kata experience so far, I've noticed a direct correlation between Speed and Power.
While muscular strength is important, it isn't as important as the effective use of ones strength...
...and that's why some women and smaller men, can effectively deliver more power than others who have more muscle strength.
I'm not sure what Funakoshi means by light application of power, because it seems to me that when you are delivering a punch or kick with maximum speed and maximum concentration of power it will automatically be a heavy application.
It is possible he was referring to the light application of power while one is moving and making use of what the Japanese refer to as Tanden or the area behind the navel in the very center of the body...
...it was believed that this is where the spirit resides and this is the center of power and balance.
The use of the lower abdominal area and in particular the hips, plays a central role in all Karate movements...
...thus the relevance of the saying "...punch with the hips, kick with the hips and block with the hips"
I believe that through the correct use of a harmonized and powerful balance, built upon a proper stance, a very quick and devastating delivery of concentrated power, can easily be achieved.
I guess it would similar to being in the "zone" or perhaps seeing perfection from a place void of the ego and being aware enough to know, you've just witnessed the spirit.
RJF
Sunday, June 04, 2006
"Practicing a Kata is one thing and engaging in a real fight is another " ...# 18 of Funakoshi's Principles
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Use the Google search bar to the right to find articles of interest...
Ah yes, the question that always crosses the mind of every Karate-ka...will I be able to hold my own in a real fight?
Well, it depends...
...my wife who doesn't practice Karate, would probably do pretty well in a fight.
She's one of those people who just seems to know what to do once things get physical.
On the other hand, I myself have never been in a fight, so what happens next, would depend on the circumstances.
My sensei says, in a real fight forget about taking a Karate stance and making a bunch of noises like Bruce Lee...let your back fist be your first weapon of choice.
He also says that when faced by someone holding a knife, grab the closest movable object and clobber the guy with everything, I mean everything you've got.
How well I do in a fight, depends on a couple of important points, the first one being "fear".
The second one is how well I can control the adrenaline rush flushing through my body.
I believe if I can overcome those 2 self induced obstacles initially, I might have a fair chance of holding my own when the fists start flying.
When it comes to Kata practice, it's always a good idea to train as if you were really fighting someone, rather than just going through the motions.
Also, if you've worked on training your spirit as well as your body, it may well just be the spirit that settles things down before the fight even gets started...
What do I mean by that?
You see, my Sensei has a stare, a stare that is as cold and as feeling-less as the moon...it's like a Mike Tyson, I'm going to tear your f*%#ing head off kind of stare...
...get the idea.
I don't have that kind of stare, it's the kind of stare you don't want to run into...
...unless your crazy and looking for that macho chip on your shoulder kind of stuff...
...because if you are, there's all kinds of those people out there waiting for you.
My Sensei says that in a fight with a real street fighter I wouldn't stand much of a chance...
...I might put up a good fight but that's about it.
In the end the deciding factor may very well be compassion for human life, or most likely, the lack there of...
In a fight for your families or your own life, compassion is something that you will have to forego...
...because you won't be shown any by your opponent.
No, Kata is not like being in a real fight, but I would rather have had those hours of training under my belt than not...
RJF
Use the Google search bar to the right to find articles of interest...
Ah yes, the question that always crosses the mind of every Karate-ka...will I be able to hold my own in a real fight?
Well, it depends...
...my wife who doesn't practice Karate, would probably do pretty well in a fight.
She's one of those people who just seems to know what to do once things get physical.
On the other hand, I myself have never been in a fight, so what happens next, would depend on the circumstances.
My sensei says, in a real fight forget about taking a Karate stance and making a bunch of noises like Bruce Lee...let your back fist be your first weapon of choice.
He also says that when faced by someone holding a knife, grab the closest movable object and clobber the guy with everything, I mean everything you've got.
How well I do in a fight, depends on a couple of important points, the first one being "fear".
The second one is how well I can control the adrenaline rush flushing through my body.
I believe if I can overcome those 2 self induced obstacles initially, I might have a fair chance of holding my own when the fists start flying.
When it comes to Kata practice, it's always a good idea to train as if you were really fighting someone, rather than just going through the motions.
Also, if you've worked on training your spirit as well as your body, it may well just be the spirit that settles things down before the fight even gets started...
What do I mean by that?
You see, my Sensei has a stare, a stare that is as cold and as feeling-less as the moon...it's like a Mike Tyson, I'm going to tear your f*%#ing head off kind of stare...
...get the idea.
I don't have that kind of stare, it's the kind of stare you don't want to run into...
...unless your crazy and looking for that macho chip on your shoulder kind of stuff...
...because if you are, there's all kinds of those people out there waiting for you.
My Sensei says that in a fight with a real street fighter I wouldn't stand much of a chance...
...I might put up a good fight but that's about it.
In the end the deciding factor may very well be compassion for human life, or most likely, the lack there of...
In a fight for your families or your own life, compassion is something that you will have to forego...
...because you won't be shown any by your opponent.
No, Kata is not like being in a real fight, but I would rather have had those hours of training under my belt than not...
RJF
Monday, May 29, 2006
Low stance for beginners; natural stance for advanced students....# 17 of Funakoshi's principles
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
The reason your Sensei is always telling the class to get lower in their stances, is to build the strength of the leg muscles.
Having strong legs means having quickness in movement and power when kicking.
Being low initiates the flow of power from low to high.
Power comes from the ground and moves laterally or upwards.
Just try to deliver power from a high to low position and you'll soon understand where power comes from.
If beginners don't train from low and deep stances, they'll be at a disadvantage when sparring against someone who has...
...they'll get to feel the extra sting and power in their opponents attack and it'll be intimidating, knowing that they can't respond in kind.
Advanced students who have trained low and deep have the power and spring built into their legs and can train at more natural stances for increased manueverability.
They've also learned to drop their weight and rebound off the floor when punching or kicking.
No one, including myself likes to get down lower and deeper in stances, for the simple reason that it hurts, it's down right painful...
...but like what my Sensei says, "...if it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger"
Then there's the old adage, "no pain no gain"...
...I never new what that meant until I started my Karate training...
...I do now.
So, when your Sensei says get lower, then get lower, it's for your own good and you'll advance a lot faster on your path to becoming a true Karate-ka.
RJF
The reason your Sensei is always telling the class to get lower in their stances, is to build the strength of the leg muscles.
Having strong legs means having quickness in movement and power when kicking.
Being low initiates the flow of power from low to high.
Power comes from the ground and moves laterally or upwards.
Just try to deliver power from a high to low position and you'll soon understand where power comes from.
If beginners don't train from low and deep stances, they'll be at a disadvantage when sparring against someone who has...
...they'll get to feel the extra sting and power in their opponents attack and it'll be intimidating, knowing that they can't respond in kind.
Advanced students who have trained low and deep have the power and spring built into their legs and can train at more natural stances for increased manueverability.
They've also learned to drop their weight and rebound off the floor when punching or kicking.
No one, including myself likes to get down lower and deeper in stances, for the simple reason that it hurts, it's down right painful...
...but like what my Sensei says, "...if it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger"
Then there's the old adage, "no pain no gain"...
...I never new what that meant until I started my Karate training...
...I do now.
So, when your Sensei says get lower, then get lower, it's for your own good and you'll advance a lot faster on your path to becoming a true Karate-ka.
RJF
Saturday, May 27, 2006
"As soon as you leave home for work, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you...."
Funakoshi's 16 th principle of Karate...
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
This principle I believe, is all about awareness...
...awareness of your surroundings and of the circumstances that are ever changing as you go about your daily business.
It's not about being schizophrenic and fearing that your going to be attacked by someone at any moment ...
...it's more of a moving meditation or paying more attention to what is happening to you from a moment to moment reality.
If your attention is firmly anchored in the here and now, which takes a lot of practice to accomplish by the way, your ability to make the proper decision at the proper time will be significantly enhanced.
For example, if your stuck in a traffic jam and talking on a cell phone to someone, maybe the wife or husband...
...you won't even notice the car jacker walking up, smashing your car window and sticking a gun in your face.
Perhaps your at the ATM bank machine at night getting some cash, and your mind is a million miles away, thinking about something else...
...you won't even feel that baseball bat to your head until it's too late.
Get the picture...
To be totally aware of your situation means to have your mind and attention where it belongs...in the present and not in the imaginary realm of the future or reliving memories from the past.
When your mind is focused on the present, you have an array of self defense tools at your disposal...
...your peripheral vision can be developed to a point of being able to see things clearly happening from the side...
...and from the sides to your back, your sense of feeling can be developed so that you know when someone is coming up from your rear.
If your aware of your body and paying attention to it, you can actually feel your ears perking up to sounds coming from behind you...
Your body will alert you to danger but you must be there in the here and now to receive those messages.
Make a habit of reminding yourself throughout the day to simply stop for a moment and cease the activity of the mind. Focus the mind on your surroundings. Exercise your peripheral vision by trying to identify objects off to the sides. Feel the presence of others around you and use your ears to hear people moving about, particularly from the rear.
Practice bringing your mind back into the present and no one will ever be able to sneak up on you or catch you off guard...
RJF
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
This principle I believe, is all about awareness...
...awareness of your surroundings and of the circumstances that are ever changing as you go about your daily business.
It's not about being schizophrenic and fearing that your going to be attacked by someone at any moment ...
...it's more of a moving meditation or paying more attention to what is happening to you from a moment to moment reality.
If your attention is firmly anchored in the here and now, which takes a lot of practice to accomplish by the way, your ability to make the proper decision at the proper time will be significantly enhanced.
For example, if your stuck in a traffic jam and talking on a cell phone to someone, maybe the wife or husband...
...you won't even notice the car jacker walking up, smashing your car window and sticking a gun in your face.
Perhaps your at the ATM bank machine at night getting some cash, and your mind is a million miles away, thinking about something else...
...you won't even feel that baseball bat to your head until it's too late.
Get the picture...
To be totally aware of your situation means to have your mind and attention where it belongs...in the present and not in the imaginary realm of the future or reliving memories from the past.
When your mind is focused on the present, you have an array of self defense tools at your disposal...
...your peripheral vision can be developed to a point of being able to see things clearly happening from the side...
...and from the sides to your back, your sense of feeling can be developed so that you know when someone is coming up from your rear.
If your aware of your body and paying attention to it, you can actually feel your ears perking up to sounds coming from behind you...
Your body will alert you to danger but you must be there in the here and now to receive those messages.
Make a habit of reminding yourself throughout the day to simply stop for a moment and cease the activity of the mind. Focus the mind on your surroundings. Exercise your peripheral vision by trying to identify objects off to the sides. Feel the presence of others around you and use your ears to hear people moving about, particularly from the rear.
Practice bringing your mind back into the present and no one will ever be able to sneak up on you or catch you off guard...
RJF
Monday, May 22, 2006
Funakoshi's 15th principle says "Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords."
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
"Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords."
A lot of the martial art's techniques and styles, have evolved from historical sword fighting warfare.
In fact, I believe, if it weren't for the invention of hand guns and rifles, swords of all sizes would still be king...
...whether or not a society of sword wielding citizens would be less violent than today's gun toting one, I'm not sure...
...but it certainly wouldn't be as easy to rob or kill someone, as any coward on the street can do today.
Skill and honor has been replaced by the simple act of pointing and shooting...
...an act requiring as much skill and honor as a 10 year child possesses.
I believe, the gun has given power to the insane and uncaring elements of society...
...the very last group of people that we would want to be empowering.
Getting back to Funakoshi's principle...
...your going to have a keener sense of awareness of an attacker, if he is wielding a knife or sword.
You might have 1 or at the most 2 opportunities to finish off your attacker, so you've got to be focused and be able to deliver a fatal blow to a vulnerable area.
So, why not use that extra awareness when facing all of your opponents?
Spar and fight in Kumite as if you have just one chance, one opportunity to survive.
Not only will it cut out all the extraneous stuff but it will develop your spirit for bravery...
...you won't have time to retreat from a knife or sword attack, you must fearlessly advance towards those sharp points, deftly moving within centimeters of them to launch your own laser focused attack.
If you practice and develop that kind of attitude and concentration, you'll be very well prepared when you have to exercise those skills in a real life and death situation.
RJF
"Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords."
A lot of the martial art's techniques and styles, have evolved from historical sword fighting warfare.
In fact, I believe, if it weren't for the invention of hand guns and rifles, swords of all sizes would still be king...
...whether or not a society of sword wielding citizens would be less violent than today's gun toting one, I'm not sure...
...but it certainly wouldn't be as easy to rob or kill someone, as any coward on the street can do today.
Skill and honor has been replaced by the simple act of pointing and shooting...
...an act requiring as much skill and honor as a 10 year child possesses.
I believe, the gun has given power to the insane and uncaring elements of society...
...the very last group of people that we would want to be empowering.
Getting back to Funakoshi's principle...
...your going to have a keener sense of awareness of an attacker, if he is wielding a knife or sword.
You might have 1 or at the most 2 opportunities to finish off your attacker, so you've got to be focused and be able to deliver a fatal blow to a vulnerable area.
So, why not use that extra awareness when facing all of your opponents?
Spar and fight in Kumite as if you have just one chance, one opportunity to survive.
Not only will it cut out all the extraneous stuff but it will develop your spirit for bravery...
...you won't have time to retreat from a knife or sword attack, you must fearlessly advance towards those sharp points, deftly moving within centimeters of them to launch your own laser focused attack.
If you practice and develop that kind of attitude and concentration, you'll be very well prepared when you have to exercise those skills in a real life and death situation.
RJF
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Move according to your opponent...# 14 of Funakoshi's principles...
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Move according to your opponent...
I like this quote by Bruce Lee, from the movie "Enter the Dragon"...
"A good fight should be like a small play but, played seriously. When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when the opportunity presents itself, I do not hit. It hits all by itself."
Along with that premise is the use of minimum energy...
...Why minimum energy? Well, a skilled Kumite player can often exploit the use of excess energy and use it against his opponent.
Deflection and circular motion is more effective diverting attacks to the middle of the body than the use of hard blocks.
I mentioned this before, that the body must be relaxed...
...if it is tense or stiff, the center of balance can be influenced from any point, rather than having that energy easily diverted by means of a relaxed moving body.
In most encounters in Kumite, awareness and reaction often triumph over force and aggression.
RJF
Move according to your opponent...
I like this quote by Bruce Lee, from the movie "Enter the Dragon"...
"A good fight should be like a small play but, played seriously. When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when the opportunity presents itself, I do not hit. It hits all by itself."
Along with that premise is the use of minimum energy...
...Why minimum energy? Well, a skilled Kumite player can often exploit the use of excess energy and use it against his opponent.
Deflection and circular motion is more effective diverting attacks to the middle of the body than the use of hard blocks.
I mentioned this before, that the body must be relaxed...
...if it is tense or stiff, the center of balance can be influenced from any point, rather than having that energy easily diverted by means of a relaxed moving body.
In most encounters in Kumite, awareness and reaction often triumph over force and aggression.
RJF
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Funakoshi's 13th principle of Karate..."Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones."
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Funakoshi's 13th principle of Karate..."Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones."
This principle is fairly self explanatory...
...a good example is a young supple tree, maybe a few years old compared to an old oak tree.
In a stiff wind, the young flexible tree will bend almost in half and will bounce back into shape after the wind has subsided...
...conversely, a very old tree with hardened and stiff branches will break and splinter against the might of the wind.
In Kumite, you must become like the young tree, fluid and ever bending in response to an attack, and always trying not to tighten up and becoming stiff like an old tree.
The harder you are when you get hit, the more the damage that will be inflicted on you.
Of course, martial artists are well trained in the vulnerabilities of the human body...
...knowing full well that an attack on those sensitive areas will result in severe permanent damage or even death.
It may be necessary to use lethal force on someone who is attacking you or your family on the streets...
...but it should never to be used in Kumite or in tournaments.
Sometimes it requires a judgment or an assessment of a situation...as an example, do you really want to be responsible for blinding some drunk with a spear hand shot to the eyes in a bar, who made some rude comments to your wife...or would it be better to simply kick his knee out with a roundhouse kick or a hard thrust kick?...
...sure he's going to need surgery to repair his knee, but at least he'll have his eyesight...
The martial artist has a responsibility to use his skills wisely...
...and part of that wisdom is to win, or at least to hold his own in a physical confrontation.
Knowing what areas to attack are crucial for ending an altercation early...
...so make sure you practice hitting those areas in your training...
...that will ensure that you can hit them, when you absolutely need too...
RJF
Funakoshi's 13th principle of Karate..."Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones."
This principle is fairly self explanatory...
...a good example is a young supple tree, maybe a few years old compared to an old oak tree.
In a stiff wind, the young flexible tree will bend almost in half and will bounce back into shape after the wind has subsided...
...conversely, a very old tree with hardened and stiff branches will break and splinter against the might of the wind.
In Kumite, you must become like the young tree, fluid and ever bending in response to an attack, and always trying not to tighten up and becoming stiff like an old tree.
The harder you are when you get hit, the more the damage that will be inflicted on you.
Of course, martial artists are well trained in the vulnerabilities of the human body...
...knowing full well that an attack on those sensitive areas will result in severe permanent damage or even death.
It may be necessary to use lethal force on someone who is attacking you or your family on the streets...
...but it should never to be used in Kumite or in tournaments.
Sometimes it requires a judgment or an assessment of a situation...as an example, do you really want to be responsible for blinding some drunk with a spear hand shot to the eyes in a bar, who made some rude comments to your wife...or would it be better to simply kick his knee out with a roundhouse kick or a hard thrust kick?...
...sure he's going to need surgery to repair his knee, but at least he'll have his eyesight...
The martial artist has a responsibility to use his skills wisely...
...and part of that wisdom is to win, or at least to hold his own in a physical confrontation.
Knowing what areas to attack are crucial for ending an altercation early...
...so make sure you practice hitting those areas in your training...
...that will ensure that you can hit them, when you absolutely need too...
RJF
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
"Do not think you have to win. Think, rather, that you do not have to lose...the 12th principle by Funakoshi"...
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
"Do not think you have to win. Think, rather, that you do not have to lose."
Harriet Woods said,
"You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims."
Marian Wright Edelman said,
"You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day."
Marie Ebner von Eschenbach said,
"Conquer, but don't triumph."
Vince Lombardi said,
"Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything."
Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
"Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change."
Albert Gray said,
"Winners have simply formed the habit of doing things losers don't like to do."
Having to win, I believe, will put you at a disadvantage, mentally, against someone who is like Funakoshi says, is trying not to lose.
That slight difference in thinking is all that is needed to affect an outcome.
infinitesimalismal second of opportunity, or space in time, can determine in a life and death struggle who lives and who dies.
In competition the winner is declared almost after the first or second encounter with their opponent...
...only ones strength of spirit determines who relinquishes to defeat and the one who does not.
It's the mental part of Kumite and I believe it's more important than the physical...
...make sure you train them both...
RJF
"Do not think you have to win. Think, rather, that you do not have to lose."
Harriet Woods said,
"You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims."
Marian Wright Edelman said,
"You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day."
Marie Ebner von Eschenbach said,
"Conquer, but don't triumph."
Vince Lombardi said,
"Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything."
Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
"Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change."
Albert Gray said,
"Winners have simply formed the habit of doing things losers don't like to do."
Having to win, I believe, will put you at a disadvantage, mentally, against someone who is like Funakoshi says, is trying not to lose.
That slight difference in thinking is all that is needed to affect an outcome.
infinitesimalismal second of opportunity, or space in time, can determine in a life and death struggle who lives and who dies.
In competition the winner is declared almost after the first or second encounter with their opponent...
...only ones strength of spirit determines who relinquishes to defeat and the one who does not.
It's the mental part of Kumite and I believe it's more important than the physical...
...make sure you train them both...
RJF
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Karate is just like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly, it will again become cold water...Funakoshi's 11th principle...
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
"Karate is just like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly, it will again become cold water."
I believe, Funakoshi was talking about perseverance...
...and continually practicing and improving ones karate skills...
... always seeking perfection, knowing full well that one will never reach that perceived perfection.
Here's some awe inspiring quotes about perseverance...
"“As in the case of making a mound, if, before the very last basketful, I stop, then I shall have stopped. As in the case of leveling the ground, if, though tipping only one basketful, I am going forward, then I shall be making progress."
~ Confucius
"“He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor."”
~ Menander
"Persistence prevails, like a stream that is temporarily blocked by boulders and then collects force enough to overflow onward."
~ Vernon Howard
"“Victory belongs to the most persevering."
~ Napoleon Bonaparte
"“When I have finally decided that a result is worth getting, I go ahead on it and make trial after trial until it comes."
~ Thomas Edison
Once Karate or the martial arts gets ahold of you, it will never let you go...
...you can stop your practice for a while maybe even for years, but you'd be better off continuing and persevering, even if it doesn't feel right to you at the moment.
Because sooner or later, you will either regret your actions or you will be pleased with your perseverance...
...just like in mindfullness meditation, by continually coming back to your breath you'll build mental strength, so should your karate through continual practice build physical and spiritual strength.
RJF
"Karate is just like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly, it will again become cold water."
I believe, Funakoshi was talking about perseverance...
...and continually practicing and improving ones karate skills...
... always seeking perfection, knowing full well that one will never reach that perceived perfection.
Here's some awe inspiring quotes about perseverance...
"“As in the case of making a mound, if, before the very last basketful, I stop, then I shall have stopped. As in the case of leveling the ground, if, though tipping only one basketful, I am going forward, then I shall be making progress."
~ Confucius
"“He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor."”
~ Menander
"Persistence prevails, like a stream that is temporarily blocked by boulders and then collects force enough to overflow onward."
~ Vernon Howard
"“Victory belongs to the most persevering."
~ Napoleon Bonaparte
"“When I have finally decided that a result is worth getting, I go ahead on it and make trial after trial until it comes."
~ Thomas Edison
Once Karate or the martial arts gets ahold of you, it will never let you go...
...you can stop your practice for a while maybe even for years, but you'd be better off continuing and persevering, even if it doesn't feel right to you at the moment.
Because sooner or later, you will either regret your actions or you will be pleased with your perseverance...
...just like in mindfullness meditation, by continually coming back to your breath you'll build mental strength, so should your karate through continual practice build physical and spiritual strength.
RJF
Monday, May 01, 2006
Karate-size everything...Funakoshi's 10th principle of Karate...
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Karate-size everything...
I believe a Karate-ka has to have Karate and its principles fore front in ones mind as often as possible.
If practiced like that, the Karate-ka will have an easier time of getting through the easy and tough times that life presents them with.
Karate builds character and self esteem and teaches respect and tolerance of others who may have different beliefs and doctrines...
...even if that respect is not reciprocated by closed minded and self serving religious practictioners, is that of any concern to the Karate-ka.
Karate-ka are not interested in spreading religious dogma to the world, they simply respond to the solicitations of the world and act accordingly.
To Karate-ize everything means not to be offended when hypocritical evangelicals denounce their practices as perpetuating violence in the world.
To Karate-ize everything means to understand the violence being perpetrated to the earth each and everyday through commerce and corporate greed...
...by companies who's CEO's steadfastly appear in church each Sunday to proudly wallow in a doctrine which in reality they completely contradict.
A Karate-ka practices respect, not just giving lip service to it, but making it an integral part of their life.
Karate-ka make their minds and bodies strong, develop concentration, power and focus and use those skills to manage their affairs with effectiveness and purpose.
The people who publicly decry the learning of how to severely injure or kill another human being, are the very same hypocrite's who stand firmly behind a government and it's policies, which use even more vilolent methods to kill innocent civilians through military intervention, all for its own self serving interests.
To Karate-ize everything means to stand up and defend the weak, and to speak out about human and the worlds degradation.
People can only accomplish this from a position of power, brought about by the development of discipline, self-awareness, respect and knowledge through countless hours of dedication spent in the Dojo...
...and in the world.
RJF
Karate-size everything...
I believe a Karate-ka has to have Karate and its principles fore front in ones mind as often as possible.
If practiced like that, the Karate-ka will have an easier time of getting through the easy and tough times that life presents them with.
Karate builds character and self esteem and teaches respect and tolerance of others who may have different beliefs and doctrines...
...even if that respect is not reciprocated by closed minded and self serving religious practictioners, is that of any concern to the Karate-ka.
Karate-ka are not interested in spreading religious dogma to the world, they simply respond to the solicitations of the world and act accordingly.
To Karate-ize everything means not to be offended when hypocritical evangelicals denounce their practices as perpetuating violence in the world.
To Karate-ize everything means to understand the violence being perpetrated to the earth each and everyday through commerce and corporate greed...
...by companies who's CEO's steadfastly appear in church each Sunday to proudly wallow in a doctrine which in reality they completely contradict.
A Karate-ka practices respect, not just giving lip service to it, but making it an integral part of their life.
Karate-ka make their minds and bodies strong, develop concentration, power and focus and use those skills to manage their affairs with effectiveness and purpose.
The people who publicly decry the learning of how to severely injure or kill another human being, are the very same hypocrite's who stand firmly behind a government and it's policies, which use even more vilolent methods to kill innocent civilians through military intervention, all for its own self serving interests.
To Karate-ize everything means to stand up and defend the weak, and to speak out about human and the worlds degradation.
People can only accomplish this from a position of power, brought about by the development of discipline, self-awareness, respect and knowledge through countless hours of dedication spent in the Dojo...
...and in the world.
RJF
Sunday, April 30, 2006
"It will take your entire life to learn Karate"...number 9 of Funakoshi's principles..
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"It will take your entire life to learn Karate"...
I think everyone agrees that it takes a life time to learn anything of importance not just Karate.
Rosalyn S. Yalow was quoted as saying that..."The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you're learning you're not old".
Everyone who takes up Karate wants to be a Black Belt...
...and it's true that there are Black Belts and then there are "Black Belts".
Newton D. Baker said, "The man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after".
I will leave you with 2 of my favorite quotes on life long learning...
"There are some things which cannot be learned quickly, and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring. They are simple things, and because it takes a man's life to know them, the little new that each man gets from life is very costly and the only heritage he has to leave".--Ernest Hemingway (Death in the Afternoon)
"The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything that exists has brought with it its own peculiar lesson. The mountain teaches stability and grandeur; the ocean immensity and change. Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes, - every form of animate or inanimate existence, leaves its impress upon the soul of man. Even the bee and ant have brought their little lessons of industry and economy".--Orison Swett Marden
"It will take your entire life to learn Karate"...
I think everyone agrees that it takes a life time to learn anything of importance not just Karate.
Rosalyn S. Yalow was quoted as saying that..."The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you're learning you're not old".
Everyone who takes up Karate wants to be a Black Belt...
...and it's true that there are Black Belts and then there are "Black Belts".
Newton D. Baker said, "The man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after".
I will leave you with 2 of my favorite quotes on life long learning...
"There are some things which cannot be learned quickly, and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring. They are simple things, and because it takes a man's life to know them, the little new that each man gets from life is very costly and the only heritage he has to leave".--Ernest Hemingway (Death in the Afternoon)
"The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything that exists has brought with it its own peculiar lesson. The mountain teaches stability and grandeur; the ocean immensity and change. Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes, - every form of animate or inanimate existence, leaves its impress upon the soul of man. Even the bee and ant have brought their little lessons of industry and economy".--Orison Swett Marden
Friday, April 28, 2006
Funakoshi's 8 th principle of Karate..."Do not think that you can learn Karate only in the Dojo"
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
"Do not think that you can learn Karate only in the Dojo"
Here's some famous quotes similar to Funakoshi's idea of Karate education...
Lord Chesterfield
"The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet".
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a bellyfull of words and do not know a thing. The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education".
Robert F. Goheen
"If you have both feet planted on level ground, then the university has failed you".
Sir William Haley
"Education would be much more effective if its purpose was to ensure that by the time they leave school every boy and girl should know how much they do not know, and be imbued with a lifelong desire to know it".
Aristotle
"Those who educate children well are more to be honored than parents, for these only gave life, those the art of living well".
You see, Karate is not just kicking and punching, it's a way of life, and it's built upon fundamental principles.
What is taught and what is learned in the Dojo is directly applicable to one's life outside the Dojo.
Everything from respect, concentration, timing, kime, awareness and adaptability can be utilized in business transactions or when dealing with people on any front.
Your decisiveness, goals and actions, coupled with the knowledge that there is no power on this earth that can guarantee your life won't be snuffed out in a flash...
...gives the Karate-ka a distinct advantage over his fellow man and makes his/her actions that much more powerful.
I believe Funakoshi was trying to say, take what you learn in the Dojo and apply it in your life...
...that's where the real battles are fought, not in the Dojo.
RJF
"Do not think that you can learn Karate only in the Dojo"
Here's some famous quotes similar to Funakoshi's idea of Karate education...
Lord Chesterfield
"The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet".
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a bellyfull of words and do not know a thing. The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education".
Robert F. Goheen
"If you have both feet planted on level ground, then the university has failed you".
Sir William Haley
"Education would be much more effective if its purpose was to ensure that by the time they leave school every boy and girl should know how much they do not know, and be imbued with a lifelong desire to know it".
Aristotle
"Those who educate children well are more to be honored than parents, for these only gave life, those the art of living well".
You see, Karate is not just kicking and punching, it's a way of life, and it's built upon fundamental principles.
What is taught and what is learned in the Dojo is directly applicable to one's life outside the Dojo.
Everything from respect, concentration, timing, kime, awareness and adaptability can be utilized in business transactions or when dealing with people on any front.
Your decisiveness, goals and actions, coupled with the knowledge that there is no power on this earth that can guarantee your life won't be snuffed out in a flash...
...gives the Karate-ka a distinct advantage over his fellow man and makes his/her actions that much more powerful.
I believe Funakoshi was trying to say, take what you learn in the Dojo and apply it in your life...
...that's where the real battles are fought, not in the Dojo.
RJF
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Accidents come out of idleness...the number 7 principle by Fuanakoshi...
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Accidents come out of idleness...the number 7 principle by Funakoshi...
What exactly does Funakoshi mean about idleness...?
...here's some famous quotes that might help.
"We do not lack strength so much as the will to use it; and very often our imagining that things are impossible is nothing but an excuse of our own contriving, to reconcile ourselves to our own idleness". - François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld
"Purity of mind and idleness are incompatible".
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) Preeminent leader of Indian nationalism.
"Prolonged idleness paralyzes initiative".
Unknown Source
"Idleness is emptiness; the tree in which the sap is stagnant, remains fruitless".
- Hosea Ballou, Manuscript--Sermons
"Inactivity and deprivation of all accustomed stimulus is not rest; it is a preparation for the tomb".
- Robertson Davies
What I think Funakoshi was getting at here, was the fact that if a Karate-ka moves about lazily with no real prupose in mind, he or she will end up realizing some very negative consequences.
In Kumite the Karate-ka should always have some kind of goal or idea of what they want to accomplish...
...I could go on, but I think you get the idea...basically, never be lazy...
RJF
Accidents come out of idleness...the number 7 principle by Funakoshi...
What exactly does Funakoshi mean about idleness...?
...here's some famous quotes that might help.
"We do not lack strength so much as the will to use it; and very often our imagining that things are impossible is nothing but an excuse of our own contriving, to reconcile ourselves to our own idleness". - François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld
"Purity of mind and idleness are incompatible".
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) Preeminent leader of Indian nationalism.
"Prolonged idleness paralyzes initiative".
Unknown Source
"Idleness is emptiness; the tree in which the sap is stagnant, remains fruitless".
- Hosea Ballou, Manuscript--Sermons
"Inactivity and deprivation of all accustomed stimulus is not rest; it is a preparation for the tomb".
- Robertson Davies
What I think Funakoshi was getting at here, was the fact that if a Karate-ka moves about lazily with no real prupose in mind, he or she will end up realizing some very negative consequences.
In Kumite the Karate-ka should always have some kind of goal or idea of what they want to accomplish...
...I could go on, but I think you get the idea...basically, never be lazy...
RJF
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Be ready to release your mind...Funakoshi's 6th principle of Karate...
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Be ready to release your mind...Funakoshi's 6th principle of Karate...
Here's some quotes on what Funakoshi was getting at...
Rene Descartes said...
"It is not good enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well".
Margot Asquith (on Stafford Cripps) said...
"He has a brilliant mind until he makes it up".
Arnold Bennett said...
"Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your permission".
Frank Zappa said...
'A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it's not open".
Plutarch said...
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled".
Desiderius Erasmus said...
"ManÂ’s mind is so formed that it is far more susceptible to falsehood than to truth".
To me, the mind is not what most people think it is...
...that being some great store house of our waking and dreaming reality, and proxied with the control of our feelings, emotions and consequently our actions or reactions to external stimuli.
For example, when something happens in our lives that frustrates us, and we let the mind run with the emotion, it quickly ratchets up into anger and if we let it continue, it ultimately manifests into physical violence.
Now most people can control their anger before it manifests into physical violence, while most children having undeveloped awareness and perceptions, cannot...
I believe, it is this awareness of the mind and its thoughts, that allows anyone, but in particular Karate-ka, to use the mind as a tool rather than letting the mind use the person to perpetuate it's own emotional musings...
When Fuankoshi stated that a person has to release the mind, I believe he meant to dissassociate themselves from the thoughts of the mind...
...once that is accomplished, the person is completely free to take the appropriate action no matter what the circumstance he/she finds themselves in...
Hope that makes some sense...
RJF
Be ready to release your mind...Funakoshi's 6th principle of Karate...
Here's some quotes on what Funakoshi was getting at...
Rene Descartes said...
"It is not good enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well".
Margot Asquith (on Stafford Cripps) said...
"He has a brilliant mind until he makes it up".
Arnold Bennett said...
"Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your permission".
Frank Zappa said...
'A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it's not open".
Plutarch said...
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled".
Desiderius Erasmus said...
"ManÂ’s mind is so formed that it is far more susceptible to falsehood than to truth".
To me, the mind is not what most people think it is...
...that being some great store house of our waking and dreaming reality, and proxied with the control of our feelings, emotions and consequently our actions or reactions to external stimuli.
For example, when something happens in our lives that frustrates us, and we let the mind run with the emotion, it quickly ratchets up into anger and if we let it continue, it ultimately manifests into physical violence.
Now most people can control their anger before it manifests into physical violence, while most children having undeveloped awareness and perceptions, cannot...
I believe, it is this awareness of the mind and its thoughts, that allows anyone, but in particular Karate-ka, to use the mind as a tool rather than letting the mind use the person to perpetuate it's own emotional musings...
When Fuankoshi stated that a person has to release the mind, I believe he meant to dissassociate themselves from the thoughts of the mind...
...once that is accomplished, the person is completely free to take the appropriate action no matter what the circumstance he/she finds themselves in...
Hope that makes some sense...
RJF
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Spirit first: techniques second...the 5th principle by Funakoshi
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Check out these famous quotes on the Spirit...
"There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit".
Napoleon I (1769-1821) Napoleon Bonaparte. French general, First Consul
"When you examine the lives of the most influential people who have ever walked among us, you discover one thread that winds through them all. They have been aligned first with their spiritual nature and only then with their physical selves".
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-Swiss-U.S. scientist.
"The foundations of a person are not in matter but in spirit".
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet, essayist and lecturer.
I believe it's just as important to develop ones Spirit in Karate, as well as ones techniques...
...my Sensei says that in a fight techniques will get the upper hand, but in the end the one with the greatest spirit will prevail.
One of the ways to build concentration to strengthen a Karate-ka's spirit, is through Zen and meditation...
...and just like the practice needed to perfect Karate techniques, practice is what strengthens the spirit.
RJF
Check out these famous quotes on the Spirit...
"There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit".
Napoleon I (1769-1821) Napoleon Bonaparte. French general, First Consul
"When you examine the lives of the most influential people who have ever walked among us, you discover one thread that winds through them all. They have been aligned first with their spiritual nature and only then with their physical selves".
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-Swiss-U.S. scientist.
"The foundations of a person are not in matter but in spirit".
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet, essayist and lecturer.
I believe it's just as important to develop ones Spirit in Karate, as well as ones techniques...
...my Sensei says that in a fight techniques will get the upper hand, but in the end the one with the greatest spirit will prevail.
One of the ways to build concentration to strengthen a Karate-ka's spirit, is through Zen and meditation...
...and just like the practice needed to perfect Karate techniques, practice is what strengthens the spirit.
RJF
Monday, April 24, 2006
Know yourself first and then others...the fourth karate principle by Funakoshi
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"Know yourself first and then others..." said Funakoshi.
Barry Lopez stated,
"How is one to live a moral and compassionate existence when one is fully aware of the blood, the horror inherent in life, when one finds darkness not only in one's culture but within oneself? If there is a stage at which an individual life becomes truly adult, it must be when one grasps the irony in its unfolding and accepts responsibility for a life lived in the midst of such paradox. One must live in the middle of contradiction, because if all contradiction were eliminated at once life would collapse. There are simply no answers to some of the great pressing questions. You continue to live them out, making your life a worthy expression of leaning into the light".
"Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul". ~Henry Van Dyke, The Prison and the Angel
"Man is never alone. Acknowledged or unacknowledged, that which dreams through him is always there to support him from within". ~Laurence van der Post
"And remember, no matter where you go, there you are". ~Confucius
"There are at least two kinds of cowards. One kind always lives with himself, afraid to face the world. The other kind lives with the world, afraid to face himself". ~Roscoe Snowden
"The outward man is the swinging door; the inner man is the still hinge". ~Eckhart
"Up to a point a man's life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, "This I am today; that I will be tomorrow." ~Louis L'Amour
It seems to me that the greatest knowledge a person can covet, is that of self-knowledge...books and school are all wonderful tools...but if they never teach a person to know themselves, what good are they?
Karate on the other hand, when fully actualized, brings the practictioner face to face with oneself...
...and once you've faced your true self...you will discover a whole new world to focus your eyes on.
RJF
"Know yourself first and then others..." said Funakoshi.
Barry Lopez stated,
"How is one to live a moral and compassionate existence when one is fully aware of the blood, the horror inherent in life, when one finds darkness not only in one's culture but within oneself? If there is a stage at which an individual life becomes truly adult, it must be when one grasps the irony in its unfolding and accepts responsibility for a life lived in the midst of such paradox. One must live in the middle of contradiction, because if all contradiction were eliminated at once life would collapse. There are simply no answers to some of the great pressing questions. You continue to live them out, making your life a worthy expression of leaning into the light".
"Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul". ~Henry Van Dyke, The Prison and the Angel
"Man is never alone. Acknowledged or unacknowledged, that which dreams through him is always there to support him from within". ~Laurence van der Post
"And remember, no matter where you go, there you are". ~Confucius
"There are at least two kinds of cowards. One kind always lives with himself, afraid to face the world. The other kind lives with the world, afraid to face himself". ~Roscoe Snowden
"The outward man is the swinging door; the inner man is the still hinge". ~Eckhart
"Up to a point a man's life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, "This I am today; that I will be tomorrow." ~Louis L'Amour
It seems to me that the greatest knowledge a person can covet, is that of self-knowledge...books and school are all wonderful tools...but if they never teach a person to know themselves, what good are they?
Karate on the other hand, when fully actualized, brings the practictioner face to face with oneself...
...and once you've faced your true self...you will discover a whole new world to focus your eyes on.
RJF
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Karate is a great assistance to justice...Funakoshi's 3rd principle
Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
Funakoshi said that "Karate is a great assistance to justice"...
Alexander Solzhenitsyn said,
"Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice."
Aristotle said,
"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts."
Benjamin Jowett said,
"We cannot seek or attain health, wealth, learning, justice or kindness in general. Action is always specific, concrete, individualized, unique."
And this sign at the Holocaust Museum, Washington, DC reads,
"Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."
I kind of like that one...
...Karate teaches the practictioner how not to be a victim, the wisdom not to be a perpetrator and the strength and courage to defend the weak...
RJF
Funakoshi said that "Karate is a great assistance to justice"...
Alexander Solzhenitsyn said,
"Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice."
Aristotle said,
"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts."
Benjamin Jowett said,
"We cannot seek or attain health, wealth, learning, justice or kindness in general. Action is always specific, concrete, individualized, unique."
And this sign at the Holocaust Museum, Washington, DC reads,
"Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."
I kind of like that one...
...Karate teaches the practictioner how not to be a victim, the wisdom not to be a perpetrator and the strength and courage to defend the weak...
RJF
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