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

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

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