Does kata allow us to practice potentially lethal or destructive techniques without destroying training partners?

First, I am a kata person. I believe in kata. I believe that kata is the keystone to karate-jutsu-do. I believe ..... but ...... I don't believe that kata provides practice for "potentially lethal or destructive" techniques.

I believe kata are merely blueprints or story boards that provide karate-ka a means to pass down possible techniques that were perviously derived from those that were proved by individuals to "work." I believe they were and are the best method to pass down those working techniques. I believe they are and always will be the best method to pass down those working techniques for the future of martial systems - karate-jutsu-do.

The key issue here is kata were those techniques found by person or persons who then put the working, validated, techniques into kata  for the future but were and are not written in stone but meant to be merely a stepping stone for the future generations to "find or discover" those techniques that work for them in this time and in this place and at any moment in time.

It bothers me a bit when someone preaches that kata are the "potential lethal or destructive" technique source or sources. As an individual I have no clue as to whether the inherent techniques of the classical kata will work - for me, at this point in time, the present moment of a threat. No one can know. You can't know that the bunkai, if the original classical bunkai originally intended by the master who created the kata, of your kata work or not until you vet then yourself.

There are way to many variables involved not the forget to mention that as time passes the translation and meaning will change naturally as is the inherent trait of the human and the human brain. A pet peeve, the kata are the blueprints of your perception and application of karate-jutsu-do, not the old masters. Your merely taking their fighting wisdom of that time and place and "making it work or adjusting them to work" in your time and place.

I would rather have the advice and teachings of an experience practitioner, combat experience or out there in the threat making it work, than one who never encountered a true threat and lived to teach about it. A person with at least one fight under their belt as a karate-ka then a gazillion Sensei who never once came face to face with a true threat either social or anti-social predator.

So, do kata allow us to practice potentially lethal or destructive techniques? No, not at all but they do provide us experienced and proven techniques, if still of the original classic bunkai, that "could possible" help us to "find those effective techniques." I would prefer defining them as effective vs. lethal or destructive.

As to lethal or destructive; I prefer to have a mind-set that says I will effectively stop the damage then assume that I have to have either  lethal or destructive mind-set to stop damage with lethal force or destructive force. These tend to express aggressive intent which of course is fighting and of course we all know fighting is illegal.

I feel the mind-set of kata is important, can you tell?

What are some traits that lead to conflict?

Two come to mind because first they are forefront in my mind lately and second they are a big contributor to conflict. The first is to assume while the second it to have expectations. We can assume all we want when it is in regards to ourselves and we can have all the expectations to our selves as we wish, that is a good thing.

When we project our expectations on to others and when we assume others will meet our expectations and assumptions we are looking for conflict. It may be unconscious which seems to me to be the norm or we can do this on a conscious level which is toxic at the very least.

Listen to an argument sometime and you will likely recognize that the discourse involves expectations and assumptions from one, the other or both persons. It is where the GAVSD comes into play for that conversation could then escalate into more. Dangerous stuff and something to be aware of.

Mostly, it is best to have no expectations of others; to not project any on others; to have no assumptions toward others; to not project our own assumptions onto others; to remember that humans cannot control will and it is unnecessary, unfair and unjust to force our expectations and assumptions onto others - a true mixture for conflict.

These are not the only traits but rather an example or sampling. One consideration is that they all seem to support and blend into one another. Usually it is a compilation of several that gets us into a fight.

What is the key to survival?

Is it awareness? Awareness of what? Is it focus? Focus is on what? Is it proficiency in a martial system or some other form of physical self-protection? What is that form?

What is the key? First, it is subjective. It is that something each of us has to answer and I suspect that there is no "one" answer. Even if someone finds what they feel is the one answer the moment they express it others will say, "What if ....." The what if monkey is as bad as the monkey itself. It is the monkey's little brother whose sole purpose is to support the monkey's position and that is not a benefit to you as a person, an individual and a human being.

If I am going to take a stab at this I would have to say the key to survival is what you do with the knowledge you have, get and believe in. Does this sound like multiple answers, it might but I mean it to mean knowing what to look for in a threat matrix and what you do in response to that threat matrix. It sounds like two things but honestly, it is just one thing.

You can add all sorts of separate and unique things to this if you wish but that is just trying to gain control on what it is you need as a key to survival. We humans tend to take the simplest things and add layer upon layer of complexities to satisfy the monkey brain. Take self-defense, generally speaking, that is taught today. It is a complex set of actions in response to specific acts or techniques in a complex form to "ohhh and awww" the recipients. We tend to think if it is complex it must be good.

I don't believe this anymore. Simplicity and close to natural instinctive actions of the mind and body seem to be the most trainable and easiest to incorporate and use but I digress for explanation - see, I am trying to explain a simple concept in a complex way.

A thought, can it be simply living the belief that one keeps their eyes open and strives to be safe. Is it possible that one's mind-set in this manner leads to all the other things necessary to stay safe? If I keep my eyes open, my ear to the ground and my tactile/kinesthetic radar up  with the intent strategy of safe do I find that safety from threat and danger?

What is Mastery?

The recent post by "Kowakan" blog about mastery got me to thinking, again, on the slippery topic. What constitutes mastery of anything, one is the idea of having a comprehensive knowledge and skill in a topic. The actions one takes to achieve that level of "mastery" also plays an important role in achieving mastery - especially in marital systems.

Sometimes "martial masters" mistake their mastery of their respective martial system as control over or superiority to someone else of to something. It is also mistaken for domination, mastery, to dominate or defeat or subordinating a person or persons.

To my thinking mastery is the knowledge and skill that makes you stand out as a source for the topic. The knowledge and skill that denotes mastery over the system, mastery over the principles and mastery over those methods you use in teaching, leading and displaying proper actions.

Recently one was honored with a high level of achievement through the bestowing of 9th level of Dan-sha but that award didn't come from true mastery. It was awarded for some specific accomplishment that did not transcend the particulars and cover the entirety of the practice. It involved tournaments, trophies and other accolades. No where did it become apparent that this honor was in recognition to what I describe above and Kowakan blog describes denotes "master of a topic or activity or both."

Let me provide the example by addressing just one term in the defining of mastery, domination. First, to dominate anyone or anything is not mastery but rather master over. The one word added, over, is significant for a true master of an art like the martial systems does not dominate over anyone or anything, ever - they don't need to, their mastery is apparent in the actions and deeds.

Mastery also does not mean that just because you know the fundamentals, the kata, kumite and all perceivable aspects of your system, your style or your techniques that you have mastered your system, i.e. dominated it by knowing it, but rather something sometimes unexplainable yet detectable is apparent denoting a mastery of something.

Master also has an unwritten but understood meaning that a person is selfless and pure of heart. The person holds perfection in every way even if not perfect - perfection in imperfection. It is something see, heard and felt all the time and in every perceivable form. It is real, complete, pure, unqualified, unconditional, self-existent and conceivable in relation to normal things. Principles are well established and confirmed in all actions and deeds.

In a nutshell, true mastery is one who knows the path and one who "walks the path." I wish to thank Kowakan blog for this inspiration in my defining a master of a martial system.

Mastery, to get on the path and stay on it. - George Leonard, "Mastery"

What would you consider good reasons to change a system of martial practice?

There are prerequisites to this question and the answers. A prerequisite or set of prerequisites:

A. A certain amount of experience in teaching, practicing and applying the system in question.
B. A certain amount of proficiency of "making it work" in the appropriate contexts.
C. A certain age of the proponent of the system.
D. A certain number of years in the system.
E. The ability to answer the question, is it needed? Is it beneficial? Does it work?

This is the minimum. If you cannot answer it an affirmative then you don't need to change the system. Change simply for the sake of change is not good for the system. It may be beneficial for an individual in practice only but for the system and especially for teaching of the system do not change it unless you can address all the requirements and specifications.

Most of those who made changes to karate had spent the time, effort and gained reality experience before even considering a change. In a lot of cases the changes were geared more toward a specific philosophy of the practitioner - the system adherent. Often those changes are of a subtle nature and none of the fundamental principles of martial systems changed - they can't or they lose the status of principles and undermine the foundation of a working system.

When you do reach a point where you meet or exceed the prerequisites then you still have to vet the change. In a short version the following questions need to be answered before trying to change the system as a whole by its parts or specifications.

Specifications on Change:

1. To add a feature.
2. To fix a broken feature.
3. To improve on a feature.
4. To optimize the system for a specified and accepted feature.

In most cases the addition of a feature is a more esoteric change that is governed by:

"The work of art is always produced by a certain person in a certain time and place, and it is always related to its author's other works, his contemporaries, his sources and traditions, his intellectual, political, economic, and aesthetic climate. Background materials that can help the modern reader grasp the ideas or catch the flavor of a literary work of the past serve a valid and necessary purpose." - Damon Knight, "Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction."

To bring that into a direct form I would say that the person instituting the change only does so because the current time and place as to the current customs and morals of the time and place; the persons intellectual level; the climate of the times; the persons background and the ideals of the society as to ramifications if the change or addition of the feature is validated.

This would also apply to all the four specifications because it would be a critical matter. If a feature that was once valid and worked suddenly begins to fail it must be determined that the failure is due to the reasons above. If the failure is indicative to an individual regarding such as application at the moment, etc. all features of a system fail in this instance. It must be determined that the broken feature transcends the individual and is indicative of all applications at every moment. A very difficult spec to determine.

Lets step up and add both to any and all improvements. It must be necessary to all the reasons already provided. It applies to the optimization of the entire system.

It also must be asked, does this require change or simply dropping from the system entirely. This last is important for the moment you lose it you have changed the original classical intent of the originator's intent in creating the system. This is neither a good or bad thing but rather a step taken with extreme caution.

Change is inevitable, it is nature's way and it governs all life and all living things on Earth. Don't enter into this lightly or quickly.

p.s. this part is only provided because it is usually the reason most change the system or amend the system; to justify commercial gains and the pronouncement of mastery and the highest rank of the martial arts - 10th Dan.

What do you look for as a part of your self-defense strategy?

Sue asked, "list me 10 things that you look out for in your environment when you are out and about as part of your self-protection strategy?" I gave some specifics but felt clarification was necessary and this resulted in the post I am doing now.

In reality I don't have specifics I look to when I go out in the world regarding self-protection strategies or should I actually say tactics. My strategy is to know and understand what constitutes danger or dangerous situations or dangerous persons. This knowledge and understanding becomes what my mind looks into when my spider sense tingles. It is that which says, pay attention Charles and then I start to focus my awareness.

This allows me to be up without the stress of being in combat mode all the time. You can't be in combat mode and you cannot focus your mind on the particulars of what you should look for but rather have that knowledge there to trigger the spidery sense and get your shields up and running to take more appropriate actions - this is my avoidance strategy.

I don't focus my mind on ten "things" per say but rather all of it is encoded into my brain so when instincts kick in I know what to look for for what ever reasons appears. To focus on particulars could shut out those others that are just as important.

This falls under learning the details, forgetting the details and allow your instincts and impressions be your strategy for public geared self protection strategy. Make sense?

Why do we focus on muscles for power?

Interesting question. It may be because we have be programmed that strong, large muscles make you powerful. I was hell bent on being one of those early in my life. I gained the weight and muscle mass of a body builder. I can tell you that the perception, misdirected as it is, got me through some possible ass-kicking, mine that is, by causing the attacker to "pause and think" that maybe going after me was not a good idea.

You know because you were taught that "muscle-ing it" will make you feel powerful and by feeling powerful you think your powerful. I have been hit by very large, strong and body building type muscled folks and it didn't drop me or knock me out and I responded accordingly. In my old mind that guy should have killed me, but he didn't.

When I first started to box I found out quickly that my size and strength meant very little. Why? Cause I didn't know how to apply my self to generate power, the muscles were a hinderance vs. being an asset. Shit.

As the boxing took hold I started to learn by osmosis that this much smaller and seemingly less strong person was causing me to go down - a lot. In those days much like the ancient stories of the stoic Sensei he expected you to "get it" without being told or having it explained.

Thank goodness today the professionals are explaining it, demonstrating it and helping us to "get it." I am not going to try to provide you that information here and will recommend you go to "these two sites: site one and site two," and read a pro's words.

What is the Ken-po Goku-i?

I would begin this post by saying that it is NOT any particular theme, it is not something that will be anecdotal and it will not be stories on how I attained my "insights" into the Isshinryu system. There is no definitive topic to the gokui (will use this to represent ken-po goku-i for brevity) but my posts on the subject are my personal interpretations.

I would also stress emphatically that the recent publication with this title is not what I perceive is the meaning and function of the gokui. This is not about ego, pride, self-esteem or commercialized stories to promote and put my self on any type of pedestal. It is not about self-absorption, self-promotion or self-driven ego building see how great I am stuff.

Phew, now that I have that out of the way I want to present a short description of what the Isshinkai tells us the gokui is.

First a statement from me personally:

(Authors Note: The "gokui" is fluid. There is not right or wrong, good or bad, and yet their is duality and the one. Take the gokui in all its forms and translate it into a meaningful translation for your life and practice of karate-do. Let it remain fluid so as you grow it grows. The meaning today may lead to another more profound meaning tomorrow. - C. E. James)

Now the statement from the Isshinkai:

Kenpo gokui is a code which is often called the Pome of kenpo (Karate). The word kenpo is made from two kanji or Chinese characters; ken means "fist" and po means "law". Kenpo means "fist method" or "Law of the fist."

A code is a systematic statement of a body of law. A law is a system of principles or rules that also include a moral code. A moral code is a state of mind that dictates moral practices or teachings, modes of conduct, and ethics. Conduct is the act, manner, or process of carrying on in different situations be it mental or physical. A code is also a system of symbols letters or numbers used to represent assigned (and often secret) meaning(s).

The Kenpo gokui has eight precepts (as does article 13 of Bubishi). Precepts are principles intended as a general rule of action. Action is a function of themind, body, and/or one of its parts, and can also be the manner or method of performing something. This can be brought about by altering or modifying each precept (much like the I-Ching) to suit a certain situation. Each situation can be dealt with by physical force or with (civility) reasoning. Reasoning means using the mind and drawing inferences or conclusions through the use of reason and or argument. Argument demands reasonable thinking and thought.

The Kenpo gokui is a micro I Ching (Book of changes/wisdom) in the form of a very terse, forty word pome (a pome of wisdom). The very reason it is called essential. The Kenpo goku puts the "Do" in karate for it is the very essence of karate. - Advincula, A.J. Sensei, Isshinkai Moderator.

I have come to firmly believe that this description is only the beginning. It is a wonderful beginning for a fledgling academic studying the ancient Chinese Classics. You will notice in this explanation that the definition is not really the element of the gokui but rather a way to clinically define it as a starting point for the new person entering this philosophical keystone to martial systems.

The essentials, the philosophical principles, of a system which can be martial or any other concerted effort into some system of training, practicing and living. It is the "heart" of the wholehearted system I practice and refer to as "Isshinryu." No form or system that speaks to the physical, mental and spiritual of a person is just about kicking, punching and grappling. It is not just about trophies, accolades or validations but rather about the self and what that self's potential has for them. It is unlimited.

Some of the incidentals that also assist us to discover within ourselves the meaning of the gokui is a perceived close correlation between the code, the I Ching, and Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine deals with the cycle of life forces (the blood), time, and the relationship of man with the forces of nature, etc. It seem that the gokui is a road map for behavior, harmony with oneself, harmony in relationships with others, and nature, as well as a roadmap for training/living karate-do.

It must be expressed at this point the fluidity of the gokui. This fluidity is a result of first, its terseness and second, its source or its original. It is meant to transcend things and allow any time, place or peoples to interpret it in a positive way allowing the mind to reach the depths of intuition and inspiration giving back insight and those things that lead to enlightenment.

In addition as I have stated in previous posts, "The work of art (in this case the gokui) is always produced by a certain person in a certain time and place, and it is always related to its author's other works, his contemporaries, his sources and traditions, his intellectual, political, economic, and aesthetic climate. Background materials that can help the modern reader grasp the ideas or catch the flavor of a literary work of the past serve a valid and necessary purpose." - Damon Knight, "Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction."

Both these last two statements should provide the reader the idea, in general and on a fundamental level, what the possibilities are regarding the gokui. This post is an attempt to define, explain and inform one as to its basics and to inspire more through practice, training and studying.

As nature permeates all things with the Tao, the gokui permeates all activity of a person injecting an energy, a custom, a symbol and the inspiration necessary to live it - the Ken-po Goku-i (for my system it is referred to as the "Isshinryu no gokui.")

My rendition of the ken-po goku-i:

A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactual data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction.

An eBook ......

I am considering a book. An eBook to be exact. There is a means of publishing on a site called "smashwords" so it spurred my creative juices. I have several years of material that I would pull together into this book so wondered if this blog's members and readers would be interested if I publish it?

I really appreciate the response and any comments on the idea. I wanted to break away from the typical book on techniques, etc.

Respectfully,

Charles J.

Part as a Whole

This blog, like other blogs, is a message in a bottle. I know who I am and what I understand, but I can only guess who you are and what you understand - the people who are going to pop the cork on the bottle and read the message. (redacted from the similar quote in the book by Damon Knight.

My desire to write both the blogs and (future) short fictional stories is to express things from the self in a way that folks can see, hear or touch in some direct or esoteric way.

I can't pump determination into a student, and would not if I could. What I can do is try to tell folks what they are in for, and help them acquire the knowledge that makes the difference between an amateur and a professional.

A successful martial artists, like any other professional endeavor, is all one wholehearted thing, not just the collection of the parts. Everything in the martial arts, its parts, fits together, flows together, and harmonizes with a unique personal rhythm. When we talk, teach and write about the components of the whole, when we try to teach you to achieve proficiency of a new skill, you need to know what the components are and how they work.

You try to improve one piece or component at at time - work on form, function and application, for instance, until you make progress; then turn to another aspect and work on that. If you try to learn all of it all at once, you will stifle growth, your progress, ability and proficiency will be stagnated, frozen and paralyzed.

Remember that the sum of all the parts, components, dealt with in practice and training are all interrelated. It is up to you to bring them together into the one whole of the system - and make it work.

You must learn the system your own way, or you won't be able to truly learn it at all. I am not trying to say that a karate-ka can do whatever they please; the karate-ka still has to learn along with the rest of the dojo. I am trying to convey that although the Sensei can tell, show and direct what is necessary to a karate-ka you have to learn the rules, follow them, and the bend (break some) them to fit your uniqueness.

We all have different bodies, minds and spirits - we are unique human beings. Remember that the brain, each human brain is more unique and individual than fingerprints, has a lot of variability. The number and kinds of cells in a given area are different inside every brain. You follow the rules until you get proficient enough to then start to blend the parts into a whole that will be a bit outside the rules and sometimes outside the entire box to best encode the practice and application into mind, body and soul.

Karate or any martial art is not just "one thing." It is a cluster of many things and abilities that are merged in a unique way each and every time they are applied. The components or parts learned are where you find your strengths and weaknesses and that uniqueness in your blending into a wholehearted "one whole system" is where the rubber meets the road. The system your being taught is designed to help you do this and it behooves the practitioner to learn to get the most out of what you have.

The unconscious works better if you don't watch it too closely. Follow the rules, learn them and apply them - then let them go, somewhat by bending and sometimes breaking. Remember, The unconscious works better if you don't watch it too closely.

If I find myself in a self-defense situation how will I know if I went to far?

If your in a physical encounter, you went to far; if you find the cuffs on your wrists, you went to far; if you find yourself hiring an attorney and sitting in front of a judge, you went to far; if you find your medical bills going through the roof, you went to far; if you find someone handing you a piece of paper suing you for all your worth, you went to far; If you wake up in a sweat screaming, you went to far; If you find yourself behind bars with some very dangerous guys wanting to marry you and take you on a five year honeymoon, you went to far and if you missed the opportunity to avoid the mess then, you went to far.

Awareness - Avoidance - Deescalation/Manners

Try it, you'll like it!

When should a fledgling practitioner ask themselves the question, "what is my martial path?"

A difficult question to answer. My first so called knee-jerk answer would be "before" they join a dojo. I would hope that such a serious decision and its resulting choices would spur a person to seek out knowledge so they can make an informed decision. This is not a normal response.

Most folks, us humans, tend to respond to something like karate classes with a perception resulting from television, movies or Youtube surfing. Lets not forget the influences of the current reality sports of MMA, etc. People today seem to be driven by commercial sound bites and the latest and greatest new fangled and well promoted "things."

Lets face it, I feel personally that most who join up for lessons will not even consider such esoteric understanding because of the drive we have to excel quickly and to achieve notoriety, fame and hopefully fortune. The self driven philosophical aspects that were first introduced to us here as Asian Philosophies driven by the much maligned and misunderstood "bushido code" have colored our view of what is important. Ok, important to me and some others like minded practitioners.

I mean in my system of Isshinryu I hear sound bites on such things as the ken-po goku-i and the bottles quote that sound good to the novice but in reality don't hold water, no substance and do well defined definition. Even as to individuals, no well defining meaning other than to impress the fledgling novice because it sounds Asian, it sounds mystical and it is promoted by the supposed Asian culture of the silent sage like Sensei who grunts and says, "it will come to you, go back and do more punchy-kickie."

Yes, you should know what your path is before you make that decision. Realistically, if you join, are lucky and have a good Sensei then you may find that after you reach a certain level you will start asking yourself questions and they may be found in those esoteric philosophical studies that contribute to a defined path you will want to follow.

You cannot get the answers from me or others - this is a personal and confidential thing you have to find and discover all on your own. I just wanted to get you to ask yourself the question.

What is the Martial Path?

As I contemplated my retirement over the weekend I found that I had a variety of thoughts. The main thought that sticks to my mind is this question, "What is the martial path?" I hear the phrase spoken, I read it in blogs, web sites, and other testimonials on martial arts. I just have never actually read what it means to any one, any one person or any one organization.

Service, there is nothing more important that providing service to others. What do you use as a definition of service? I read a business analysts manual where their definition of a service is, "Service: something provided for remuneration's." This is not what I would use to define "service." It is what the business world is currently using ergo why it is such a non-entity and troubling to the human condition.

I decided to jot down some notes as to what I mean when I say to anyone, "I follow the martial path." I felt, for me, it was time to put into words that which is most difficult to express in words much like the Tao Te Ching. I am not comparing the post here to that great historic philosophical document.

The path to the empty hand is self-defense, not fighting. It is the mastery of the physical self to wield karate properly. It is the alignment of mind and body with will and spirit. It is the purging of the negative to open to the present moment. It is the reduction of distractions and the increasing of focus. It is a daily expression of self-discipline. It is centering with calmness. It is the balancing of mind, body and spirit. It is transcending past and future to live in the moment. It is the realization of the nature of the universe and our part or connection to it. It is to immerse oneself into practice, practice, practice. It is  knowing the levels or stages as well as their mastery to continue from one to the next. It is a path taken without aggression but rather one of empty present mind. It is non-violence and seeking non-violent solutions to any encounter. It is a desire to seek out knowledge and understanding. It is to move forward without resistance but with a navigation of the currents the assist us. It is patience. It is to seize opportunity. It is to be fair and firm in all things.

It has become apparent why it is seldom written or spoken, what is the martial path. Like the ken-po goku-i it is that something that is like the early morning mist that floats above the grass, elusive and ever moving - something most difficult to grasp on to but is there and apparent to the senses.

Look at the path as your plan. If you have a plan you will succeed. If you don't have a plan then your plan is to fail. Even the most chaotic aspects of nature all have a plan. Karate-do is merely the process used to follow the plan, the path. It is not written in stone. It is fluid and changing, ever changing as nature intended from the beginning of time.

What is your meaning when you say, I follow the martial path?

What are "The Magical Qualities of the One-Inch Punch Trick?"

In my last set of postings I gave a personal opinion on the one-inch punch. This post is going to take it to the show for the magical aspects of this demonstration.

Magic is what it is and showmanship is the goal. In magic misdirection is a primary tool of the magician. Telling you to watch this hand while the other does something you are not aware of is a fundamental magic act.

You are told the greatest martial artist of all time is going to be at a tournament to demonstrate his art and you are already primed to beleive what ever is provided for entertainment when you get there. No one, especially Bruce Lee, wants to disappoint the audience - right? You are now predisposed to associate your expectations toward what you have perceived from other legendary stories that get around.

Next misdirection, your told that he is going to demonstrate the one-inch punch. He shows you his fist and then moves it into position while tapping it on the uke's chest where it will land. Your eyes are going to remain focused on that fist and hand so that you will not direct your awareness to the actual specifications that make the magical act work.

Take a look at the film again and ignore the fist entirely (note: one reason this worked so well was Bruce Lee's speed and economical motion; he had the principles of martial systems down - pat!). Go through it a few times and make note of the various parts of Bruce Lee's body. Things you may notice, his lead foot rises off the ground a bit; his body starts to move forward slightly; his body will lean a bit; his lead foot will not step down in a slightly forward motion along with the forward motion of his body. The hand and arm will flex forward slightly, the one-inch move that says this is a one-inch punch.

The fist seems to move only an inch by itself because the audience has been told to watch the fist/hand - not directly but by misdirection when he shows the hand, moves it to the target and then you remain focused on it during the actual event.

Now, take the same time and look at the uke. Look at the stance, the legs and the position of the feet. He is standing loosely in heiko-dachi facing directly forward to Bruce Lee. This is the absolutely worse stance to take in this situation for maintaining balance, etc.

Lets review an old post on stances, "Stance Effectiveness."

Graphic created from Marc MacYoung's book on martial systems.

The stance integrity for the uke is allow maximum ability to unbalance because the integrity line of the uke is the weakest from the direction of force applied vs., if he had taken a side stance with an integrity zone creating the greatest stability of the stance used. You can get the idea from the graphic in that post linked above.

As can be seen with analysis you begin to see a chain of traits and specifications that would promote maximum effect of the event to gain the greatest amount of entertainment and awe inspired showmanship. You can literally stand in front of the uke and use one finger to unbalance him. This stance allows Bruce Lee to actually use the old boxer technique of falling forward with a drop step to create power from the forward moving body mass into the fist.

The fist is not the delivery of that force but merely the conduit of the force as it travels along the path to that fist and into the uke.

Ok, all said and done so I want to express that this analysis is not to through disparaging remarks against Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee is a great martial artist and has accomplished great things in the martial world as well as in the movie entertainment world. I was inspired by him as a youth when I first say the "fists of fury" b-style flick. Really cool and I have not seen anyone who has mastered the moves he did then and now - some are very, very close but ....

Is there a "one-inch" punch?

I do not believe in the ability to apply power with a "one-inch" punch. I believe it is an illusion that fools the uninitiated and sometimes even those who supposedly know the martial arts. I have witnessed many high level experienced folks who fell into such legendary suppositions. You cannot no project "ki" and cause another human to fall and be knocked out and you still see these demonstrated in video's on youtube. If not for the cooperation of the students it would not work. It is just not possible due to nature, nature's natural laws and just plain physics.

If you can find the video of Bruce Lee's demonstration of his one-inch punch and observe it a few times with an open mind you will see how this particular trick is done. There are many factors that when changed and performed by unwilling or uncooperative participants you will see the one-inch punch fail - miserably.

There is no one-inch punch with the type of power you would come to believe is in  such a technique. It just ain't so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mxwIC8lrv0&t=1m42s

p.s. the secret is that this is not actually a punch that moves only one-inch, it is actually the entire body moving and that movement applies power to the extended arm thus giving you the impression that it is the one-inch punch. Yes, the hand/fist may only move one inch but what makes it impressive is his body movement for power and add in the fact that the target's stance allows for his falling back vs. changing it to a side stance of even a deep seisan-dachi changes the dynamics and would lessen the impressions of a devastating one-inch punch .... there be magic in this here world.

Regarding the Art of tameshiwari: Is there some secret to breaking?ta

Yes and no. There is a so-called secret to selecting materials for breaking. I can tell you one of the greater Isshinryu breaking experts would bring his own bricks and not allow anyone from the audience to inspect the bricks.

There are some criteria used to select materials as well as set them up for the actual break. Where most breaks go wrong is incorrectly setting them up and ego and pride resulting in a karate-ka attempting to do something they never practiced or trained for in tameshiwari.

A quick example is with wood. If it is of a certain material and if the grain is not set correctly you can hit it all day long with a sledge hammer and it will never break.

Don't misunderstand, breaking is an art form from my view and has a purpose other than competitive breaking systems. Even with all the stuff you have to account for to make it work it still takes skill, training and spirit to do good breaking.

There are secrets, if you will allow that word, to performing good breaks. One more, there is a reason those two-by-two boards are so long and are broken somewhere midway between the tori's hold on them and the striking area on the wood and the leg or stomach.

The makiwara is to train karate-ka to break boards, bricks, ice blocks, etc. for demonstrations?

Again, caveat: I speak only from my perspective. :-)

No, an emphatic no. I cannot speak more about this than say no, no way, no how. The makiwara tool is useful in many ways and it may be generally viewed this way but it is not and was never meant to train karate-ka to break things.

Tameshiwara is an art form all unto itself and does use the makiwara training tool to enhance the ability to perform the art of tameshiwara but ...

Is the makiwara is used to train the karate-ka to have a one-punch killing capability?

Let me begin this answer by expressing this emphatically, "This is my viewpoint, my perspective and my belief so take it with a grain of salt."

The makiwara is not a one punch killer tool for karate. This particular tool has many facets and many purposes where I can say one singular function of this tool is to assist karate-ka in learning and applying the fundamental principles of martial systems. It is a fundamental basics tool for fledgling karate-ka as well as an ongoing training tool to remind those more experienced practitioners to remain focused on the fundamental principles and the systems basics. One transcends any one system while the second brings a system to the forefront of the person's mind - a basis for familiarity of all systems.

Second, although I believe attempting to develop the mind, body and spirit for the spirit of one stopping power of punches and kicks I have to say that the ability to actually apply and achieve a one-punch stopping applied in a fight or violence virtually impossible accept in a fluke of a situation - much like attaining a hole in one, cool and good if you are lucky enough to get one but rarely done.

Deep Stances, what is their true purpose?

The fact that I use this in the post does not mean it is not an effective stance.

Stances must be understood as a transitory thing in applying technique. They are a part of a whole which is that particular technique applied toward a particular instance of violence. There is not one for one but rather a hybrid or eclectic creation in chaotic encounters of violence.

If it is true that stances are transitory; if it is true that the fundamental principles of martial systems specifically "economic motion" so techniques and all their perts must meet a most economical principle than deep stances are not adequate in actual life application.

It true then the question of purpose becomes narrow. Deep stances are simply the result of pushing karate into a watered down physical fitness regimen for school aged young adults. When they pushed the system into the schools things like bunkai and technique were modified and stances were deepened to create a greater physical demand on the practitioners.

If you have to drop into a deep stance to apply a technique and then move out of that stance for the next encounter then your first adding more time to reach the deeper stance; your transition takes longer and thus affects the actual applied technique; your technique uses up energy as well as the time and effort taken to reach a deep stance; your technique then loses that energy which stays in the body and since deep stances must first be assumed and rooted to work you lose power to the technique.

Now, we have only half of the equation. The other half is the time, distance and energy used to get out of that deep stance so you can transition to another appropriate deep stance to apply another technique.

All of this telegraphs intent in a real fight and if this is a predatory violent attack you are going to be way to busy trying to figure out what deep stance to take to fight back - good luck with that one. Lets not forget that the assumption of deep stances to time to application of technique means an adjustment to the the technique causing it to take longer thus telegraphing.

Deep stances server the purpose of strengthening the legs, teaching body mechanics such as alignment, etc. and they also get the practitioner to learn the principles of the system BUT once that initial foundation is laid a practitioner must move beyond the fundamental basics such as deep stances.

Take a look at the Okinawan styles the use deep stances and watch what happens to the more senior karate-ka, the stances in kumite seem to disappear for the more advantageous transitory natural stances necessary for effective application of karate techniques.

Make sense? Yes? No? Maybe?

What words of advice would you give a beginner karate student?

Michele of the "Just A Thought" blog asked a question and I wanted to post my comment to the question here:

The question: "Words of Advice for Beginner Karate Students." posted "Just A Thought" blog by Michele; post dtd Thursday, September 22, 2011

My comment:

In a word Michele, "Patience, patience, and when you feel like you have patience - get more patience." Any new endeavor humans enter into is new, exciting and wonderful.

When you mention how "eager they are to move on to the next " I think that this is the most difficult lesson for any martial artist to learn. To learn that this eagerness, although admirable in people, is the biggest detriment to learning the foundation of all martial systems, the fundamental principles of martial systems which includes such things as basics, kata, weapons, etc.

I might add when talking to newbies, "Take some time, relax, let things come in the way of nature - slow, easy and completely." Take your focus away from the future, don't give any time to the past and remain in this present moment learning this particular aspect of your system completely, thoroughly and with awareness.

This is the type of advice I would give to a newbie - patience, patience, patience!

How much of the martial arts are tied to the belt system?

Interesting question. I suspect that in this country a good deal is tied to the belt system with the ultimate goal of achieving a black belt. Symbolism is meant to represent some thing, some times an intangible thing. A symbol is usually attributed to some idea or quality. An object or some facts. It expresses some meaning or expression of  an intangible by means of a visible, tangible, object, picture, etc.

What has occurred in modern times is the loss of the symbol where it becomes the goal. Goals are all fine and good. They provide us a means to set or processes and achievements such that a goal or goals become realized while allowing additional goals to be created during the process.

There is also some need that humans apparently must have that validates how they feel when the do something - a symbol of accomplishment. This is subjective in today's martial art world simply because there has been no solidarity in a view that all can accept as to what requirements are needed to earn a level symbolized by some colored material worn around the waist.

We go even further when we allow the "symbol" to wear in use to some faded representation of another idea that builds on the original. The faded and worn belt thus symbolizes age, length of time in practice, of a practitioner.

Then what do we do when humans subvert the symbol into something that is less than it is originally purported to be? What would happen to the martial arts or systems if suddenly there were no colored belts, no designation as to rank, rate or level by some colored belt and that actual proficiency in applying the system moved to center stage?

If a person walked into a dojo, donned a uniform or simply wore a sweat suit and then simply practiced for the benefits of practice, would that end the martial arts? Would enrollment suddenly disappear? Would there be a mass exodus out the dojo door? What would be said if no one could profess to the honor of wearing a black belt?

How would that change you, your abilities, your knowledge, your efficiency, your proficiency and your ability to apply it in all facets?

My Postings

As you can see my posts are a mixture of my thoughts, my thoughts that are inspired by my reading of books, and my thoughts as inspired by other blog postings such as Rory Miller's Chiron, Sensei Kane and Wilder's blog, and many others like SueC's and Vesia Sensei's blogs.

If ever I utilize a topic from your sources, i.e. your books or blogs, etc., and you are not pleased for any reason please comment. I want to make sure all the material I use is acceptable to the person, their work, and their philosophies as to their intent. I am not trying to steal, borrow, abscond, hijack your material.

I want to write, as a touch dominant person this is really the best self-teaching tool, and I want to learn from that writing so I tend to read others material and then try to morph it into my own thoughts and by that method encode it and by that method learn and apply it in my practice, training and life.

If you feel I trespass on your efforts comment or send me an email directly to let me know and I will either stop using your stuff or with your ok send you the post for approval before posting to the blog. If I don't hear from you then I cannot take your feelings and such into consideration, If I do hear from you I will accord you the respect you deserve.

This also goes for giving credit. I attempt to do so as is proper by either adding name and source to the end of a quote or by bibliography at the end. If I miss it please remind me and I will correct it quickly.

Thanks!

If sense mode is so important, how to I tell which I am? How do I tell which my students are?

I know the answer because I tool the test Dr. Elgin provided in the below book. It has a short one for touch sense and another that provides a clue to whether your sight, sound, or tactual/touch sense dominant. This is the first of all her books that actually gives this big clue. I suspect it was because the burden of recognition falls on the touch dominant person as I feel those are the people most confused as to why things go the way the go for them while sight and hearing tend to fit into the society preference.

I could try to copy the questions here but I feel that would take things a bit to far. It seems that in this case it is best the curious person get the book and read it. There are a lot of things that if taken our of the context the test is given in this book it could lead to confusion. After all, I am not accepting my analysis blindly. I intend to continue my studies to make sure. I suggest this wholeheartedly.

In addition, it is not a polite or acceptable thing to use this test on others. She explains why such things are misinterpreted and misunderstood leaving false impressions of the person. If someone had come up to me and said they believed I was difficult due to being a touch sense person and all that explanations that go with it might have met resistance ergo locking me into my primary sense mode resulting in a huge reality gap for adequate and acceptable communications benefiting us both. Not good.

If you are curious, get the book(s) and read for yourself. Gain the knowledge and see what it brings.

Bibliography:
Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "Try To Feel It My Way: New Help for Touch Dominant People and Those Who Care About Them." New York: John Wiley & Sons. 1997.

The Eyes, The Ears, and The Touch Modes

Open up your eyes, perk up those ears and let your mind touch your heart because what I am posting today is critical to the art of avoidance. This warrants my changing my copy of the ken-po goku-i by adding an ninth line to the overall paragraph so that it includes touch sensing.

"The mind must grasp all the warm and fuzzy data not seen or heard in all directions and on all sides."

This involves communications because although we are predominantly influenced by the accepted normalcy in society of first sight and secondary hearing we have removed the sense of touch almost completely. I have been informed that this is a recent phenomena. We included all three as major sense modes long before the last century - most of history has all three.

If this is true then we might hypothesize that at least a few fights might have been avoidable if we could be aware when a person drops down into a primary sense mode of touch. Since the majority are classified in sight and hearing when a touch person gets agitated/stressed then when they fall into a strict touch sense mode while all the rest remain in sight sense mode the reality gap is strong and wide. This gap then can only be spanned if one or the other are able to determine the touch sense mode and then assume it as well for all avoidance/deescalation processes.

If this is true how do you know when you are facing a sense mode, especially a touch sense mode? Good question. Since touch has become a taboo topic today you will have to first become aware that a lot of folks are touch sense dominant even if we function in a normal sight/hearing sense world. Once you are aware they exist then learn about it. "Try to Feel It My Way" by Dr. Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D.

This also applies to Sensei for mentoring practitioners. Discover their primary sense mode and try to gear your instruction and guidance toward that mode of communications. Recently a blogger posted on that very subject where no matter what they did the Sempai could not adequately convey to that person what it was they were trying to teach. The person got very frustrated while the sempai just kept in that sense loop that was not the persons primary sense mode. A reality gap where the person walked away with out that new knowledge.

If the sempai has been aware of and sensitive to sense mode of the person they might have devised a means to convey the knowledge where that person would learn and not become frustrated, etc.

As for the taste and smell, these tend to be non-existent regarding a communications primary sense mode.

What is the most important question any martial artist can ask?

Learning anything comes with a lot of questions. Questions for the Sensei. Questions for the Sempai. Questions for the practitioner. It is an exchange of information that promotes progress through ability, motivation and attitude.

I find that the most important question is derived from many other questions. There is one generic question that can fall into that one ultimate important question, "Does it work?" Such a simple question that takes a great deal to answer.

Show me a technique and I will ask "does it work?" Does it work in a fight? Does it work for self-defense? Does it work if attacked by a predator? You ask and find the answers. The answer determines its value in regard to other questions.

If I focus on sport then I want to know, "does it work," as to scoring points and winning the contest. It may not work anywhere else. It will work in this context according to the other questions.

Other questions come and go, change and adjust, and are either relevant or not; all depending on the question that drives the ultimate, important, relevant question, "Does it work?"

In your system, does it work?

Why aren't we changing the kata?

Change kata? Blasphemy man, you don't change the kata. This is the blueprint on how the master's who created these systems taught the kata and you just don't do that - change the kata, blasphemous dude, hang him from the highest yard arm!

The kata practice in Isshinryu is the kata  taught that is watered down to fit the school systems where karate was implemented at the turn of the century, i.e. early 1900's. We can say that this is not true and the kata are simply displaying the kicks and punches of this system which is thought of in some circles as only an impact system - not true in my view.

We can say that those deadlier techniques originally taught in Naha, Shuri, and Tomari Ti systems is hidden behind those fundamental punches and kicks, not true. The techniques were simply removed so that it would not cause concern when taught in the school systems on both Okinawa and Japan.

So, if this is true then those few who have re-discovered the deadlier defensive techniques of the kata should convert said kata back to its more effective and proficient techniques. If a down block is actually a means of grappling a threat to the ground then it should reflect the true bunkai.

How come we tend to remain in a mode where the traditional kata are still practiced and the defensive aspects are "extrapolated" from those generic moves? This seems open to error. Isn't this why kata has fallen from grace? The kata were taught watered down and may or may not have included the actual effective aspects thus leaving those ignorant to reality and thus propagate incorrect and ineffective marital systems such as karate.

In a nutshell, those who have achieved a more defensive fighting aspect from their traditional kata have the information, skill and knowledge to change the kata back to the classic practice/versions. Is it attributable to a dogmatic doctrine of "don't change the masters system, teach it the same way he taught it" forever?

I say, take the kata back to the classical form and leave it intact. Let those more commercial systems or sportive systems use old man or school children versions for the form in competition - pretty, pretty; point, point; win trophy, win trophy. If kata reflects the true defensive fighting bunkai then you can extrapolate additional defensive fighting bunkai from them. Makes sense to me!

Caveat: never change kata for change sake. change must come from long experience, knowledge and ability in the forum it is practiced. If for fighting, then it should reflect it. If for sport, then it should reflect it.

Is there really advanced training in the marital arts?

No, there is simply training. The mind tends to assign labels to things so when one achieves black belt and when one starts to learn complex techniques they may seem to be advanced. In reality they are simply new things that are not familiar and the brain has no ready references to associate to the activity. This makes it seem complex and difficult until the mind encodes the activity.

There are levels of training. Consider being born and as you observe the world you perceive things which are encoded in the mind and when the mind encounters like stimuli it takes the encoded information and either uses it or modifies it along side other stimuli encoded to form new responses. As you continue to experience through the senses the encoding builds, adjusts, and creates.

In karate or any martial system we begin and build as we progress. It is a matter of building on each level to create many responses to many stimuli to act accordingly. Only the human mind can achieve such wondrous things. If some event occurs the mind finds a response and in the absence of an appropriate one it continues to retrieve things that make up what it perceives is a proper response. Sometimes it is accurate and sometimes not - training can massage a built-on-the-fly response into one appropriate to the stimuli.

It may seem like your learning an advanced technique. It may seem that way because your mind may believe that it is so simply because it is not allowed until you reach a certain belt level. I have seen higher level black belts practice what is believed to be advanced where other systems actually provide the same in lower level non-black belt instruction.

In Isshinryu some have come to believe certain kata are advanced kata in other systems which are taught to kyu grades in Isshinryu. This simple statement promotes a belief that Isshinryu at its fundamentally basic teachings is more advanced than other systems - NOT.

Fundamental basics of any system are simply encoded responses, etc. that are then used to build and expand on adding to your knowledge, understanding, and proficiency - nothing advanced about it. Look at learning the fundamental principles of martial systems as basics. Look at them as you gain experience over time and practice as strengthening those fundamental principles. Or, if you wish think of this as basics to advanced fundamental principles. Reality says they are not changed. The words seem to promote basic and advanced learning and training.

Humph! Think of what Morpheus told Neo, "Do you believe that my being stronger or faster has anything to do with my muscles in this place? Do you think that's air you're breathing now?"

Free your mind. Lose the terms basic and advanced. Spend the time, effort, and energy just learning your system.

Do you have a plan when you mentor martial artists in your dojo?

I have witnessed and actually performed instruction to practitioners with no plan, procedure, or process but to "shoot from the hip" when I walk onto the dojo floor. I was using bad form, bad instruction, and bad etiquette.

I have discovered that many of those dojo that seem to provide knowledge and experience in martial arts usually follow this way of passing that knowledge and experience on to the deshi. It is a wonder that these types of efforts continue and flourish.

I can say that my luck, my karma, was good when running a dojo. I actually started to see and hear things that led me to research and change my ways. I only had this epiphany because I had a lot of experience teaching Marines where you didn't step in front of a group without a plan, procedure and process.

In my work today, in the technology field, I am seeing a greater misdirection than ever before in my career. It is driven by customer and technological requirements. Both are now driven by a need for instant gratification, instant profit, and instant need to technological bells and whistles. What do I mean?

I mean that our humanity is far outdistanced by technology and our humanity has no chance to evolve and catch up with technology. The next best greatest technological bell and whistle pushes humans into a need to get the latest and greatest and bestest of technological wonders. It runs us instead of us running it.

That same technology pushes us to ignore the natural order of nature and humanity to achieve things that seem to be good and end up being not so good and thusly discarded quickly.

We tend to put the cart before the horse. My work is pushing out services with out a plan, procedures, and processes. It looks great, it comes quickly solving the instant gratification needs driven by those services and technologies. It then fails to go the distance when services in support of those services fails to deliver simply because no one plans, implements procedures and processes to support that model.

In the dojo the same thing happens. Practitioners push hard to get to the so called good stuff. They allow ego and pride and the excitement of such things as MMA to say in their perceptively governed mind, "Hey, I gotta be just like them and I gotta be them right now!"

It then promotes lessons and training and practices that quickly gloss over the fundamental principles of martial systems and those basics along with things like kata to get to the good stuff. The good stuff is simply a few combinations that may or may not win a competitive event to either gain fame and glory fast or hit that wall where many, many just quit.

The moral of this post, there is no short cut, no instant gratification that will last, and no way to become skilled in a martial art regardless of its classification, i.e. sport or combative.

Why should I study the kenpo gokui?

On the surface the tendency to take each of the eight on its own seems logical. In actuality the eight are separate and distinct for teaching purposes. Like the fundamental principles (fundamental principles of martial systems by Steven J. Pearlman, i.e. the Book of Martial Power) are written distinctly in a separate manner to promote teaching, learning, and understanding.

The eight goku-i (Ken-po Goku-i for short/brevity) are separated and numbered only for this purpose. What is not been made clear to those who study the system and the goku-i is once you learn the fundamentals of the eight you remove the separateness of them and merge, meld, morph them into "one."

The "wholehearted way" of Isshinryu is the "one way" or "one heart way" of Tatsuo Sensei's system. One being the key feature of the entire system. Wholehearted brings the heart of the practitioner, the spirit if you will, into the system separately and with distinct parts that must be assembled into "one whole" system - the one heart system.

The eight into one may indicated that it speaks of the mind, heart, and body. Those three spoken separately. Those three merged, melded, and morphed into the one complete and whole person.

Learn the goku-i - separate and distinct. Learn the goku-i - meld, mold, and morph. Learn the goku-i - the one and wholehearted way of Isshinryu. Remove the child references - numbers, orders, and separateness. The great tai chi is the one which then separates into the two - Yang-n-Yin. The two separate into the four into the eight trigrams. The trigrams continue to separate into the hexagrams - the sixty-four.

The separation into the sixty-four are to teach man how the Universe relates to the Earth. How the Earth relates to humans. The three, Heaven-Human-Earth then learn from the separation of the great Tai Chi how to meld, morph, and merge the separate back into the "one." The way of Humans is to see, hear and thus perceive how all the myriad things of the Universe are connected and return back to the great, the one.

This is the method and purpose of following the way in martial arts. This is the method and way - wholehearted - of Tatsuo Shimabuku Sensei in his teachings through the physical of Isshinryu and the Spiritual of Ken-po Goku-i. Physical training is the yang of the great tai chi while the ken-po goku-i is the yin of the great tai chi - the one, wholehearted way.

The ken-po goku-i is the fundamental principles of the spiritual wholehearted way of all martial systems.

How is it you publish so many posts so often?

Not a karate question. I tend to think of things from a perspective greatly influenced by two major parts of my life.

The Marine Corps and the system of Okinawan Fighting with specificity toward the Isshinryu system. When I work, read, play, etc. I will get inspiration from those efforts where an idea will come and I write.

I will quickly open my text editor on my computer and write out my thoughts usually in about three or maybe four paragraphs. Occasionally a much longer one as well.

My work is such that with the ebb and flow of the intensity I am able to get thoughts onto a text editor where I either complete the though or get it generally so it can be edited during the day(s) until I have something somewhat coherent to post.

It comes from practice where I can take a moment away from other matters such as work, etc. and write. I can get several posts a day that way.

I go up and down stairs at work every hour and practice in a some what secluded space at the bottom of the stairs and as I practice things occur to me where I might experiment a bit and then decide to post, etc. in combination. It gets me away from pressures of work and keeps me sane as well as healthy and up on my personal practice.

In the end I guess it is time management and what focus your mind centers on as to daily living. Your priorities also get involved. Mine are family, me (karate and philosophy, etc.), work, and all the rest as necessary.

Why don't you compete in tournaments?

I participated in tourney's on Okinawa. I even joined the OKRA or Okinawa Karate Referee Association. I discovered quickly that many factors were involved in how they were run and who were awarded place, i.e. first, second, etc. I originally participated simply because that was what you did and what was expected of you - much more prevalent in today's martial communities.

I began to shift my paradigm. It was a slow process simply because at the time there were few who actually knew and understood true martial practice. They were there, just not as readily available as today with the Internet, Blogs, Youtube, Facebook, Yahoo Groups and so many more. There are books, books, and more books. There are video's galore. You just have to dig out the weeds and let the seeds of the flowers, plants and trees rise up toward the sun and bloom.

I began to realize that my perceptions of tournaments and competition were askew - for me. I began to see a more limited benefit of participation. I began to use them to build on my mental training. I never placed so I decided to let the activity become my Sensei, one of many. As a Sensei it has plenty to offer and I ignore all the rest.

Going in front of humans whether a few or a whole building full is powerfully stressful. I used it to train my mind to deal better with stress and all the physical affects it triggered. I used my opponent to train my mind to get in quick, close, and end the fight. Even if the referee's didn't see it or acknowledge it I knew when I connected - it would show on my opponents face. Sometimes I was quickly disqualified. This is the direction I decided to travel until ...

Until things got so convoluted and political that I felt there was no longer a need to participate other than to help my dojo participants, those who looked to me for leadership and I looked to for lessons and learning, participate to train the mind and get the body used to punishment. All the way up till the time I noticed a lack of discipline and control in participants - tournament participants. A good example is a youtube film not long ago showing a referee losing it and blindsiding a competitor.

Good solid morally guided competition is a very good thing. The social environment, if morally and spiritually (not religious) guided, is a very, very, very good thing. It can provide and teach us what it is we do naturally for survival in a mostly non-life threatening setting, that is very good too.

Now, I am fifty-seven, I don't participate because I no longer have that desire. I don't participate as I must allow my body a time to age gracefully. Competition is more a young persons endeavor and if one asks I would say go for it and keep in mind a perspective as to what it is and what you should seek in your participation.

A little competiton in the dojo is cool and a learning experience. This is karate-do. Now, as to karate-jutsu? That is a whole different matter as that involves violence, social and predatory, fighting and proper application of karate-jutsu for protection and survival - totally different.

It is written, "When teaching Isshinryu, tell the truth and do not embellish." Who's truth?

Who would be telling truth and who would be embellishing, how do you tell? Again, doesn't this depend on that person's perceptual filtering system. All of that will also contribute to the filters, i.e. who was your Sensei, who was his, what group/tribe/faction and organization that governs the practice. How that person perceived and interpreted his method of practice.

I have read, seen and heard many who profess the truth with sometimes subtle or vast differences. Who is telling the truth and who is not embellishing? How do you determine the answer?

I have written a lot about Isshinryu, its participants, Tatsuo Sensei and Okinawa. I have attempted to speak the truth, my truth. I have worked diligently to remain within that truth and to leave personal embellishments out. In the beginning I was not that successful. Over time I am learning to be successful in this.

What can be done about it? Well, it would be of interest to learn the intricacies of communications and all it uses to create understanding and syntonics with two or more humans. It would be great to analyze the semantics once each tribe/faction presented its truth. This process could enlighten all participants. Finally, the results of the semantics analysis could be formed into a positive communication that could bridge the reality gap the various tribes/factions fell into in the beginning.

Are there an alternatives and choices? Yes, each of us can seek all the information provided from all sources. Read it, read it again, then sit down and write it out and remove anything of a personal nature even if it seems to contribute to the overall message. Take out all negative phrasing. In that document say what can be done, not what can not. Stress positives and positive consequences that can be anticipated as a result of this endeavor.

It must be remembered, "The goal is to lead others to change slowly and gently and with minimal disruption." Remember that did is a word of achievement; try is a word each hour; will is a word of beauty; can is a word of power.

Bibliography:
Elgin, Suzzette Haden, Ph.D. "Genderspeak: Men, Women, and The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Wiley   & Sons. New York. 1993

Why bother learning about customs, traditions, cultures and beiefs of my martial art?

In this post I answer that question with my view on why Tatsuo Sensei, the founder of the system I practice, insisted that his American practitioners learn about his and Okinawan customs, cultures, etc. Here is that post:

I have been informed that Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei spoke to a few American's who seemed to have an interest in continuing his system of practice of the intent to learn more about the Okinawan customs, traditions and beliefs. We know that he spoke of these things as he presented those first few the silk certificates that included a rank/level pronouncement and the ken-po goku-i. Some attempted to get a greater explanation of his intentions - alas, none were forthcoming so reliance on second and third had testimonials are used.

I have no way to know for sure if this was intentional on Tatsuo Sensei's part of just a huge chasm between the cultures of Okinawa and America. It is known that humans create a world through the perceptive filters created by environment, culture, customs, traditions and beliefs of family and the society to which the family is a member. Experience as we travel through life adds, supplements, modifies our perceptive filters thus changing the world we create by our mind. Those filters provide us the knowledge and experience to either take the red pill or the blue pill.

Our own customs, traditions, culture and beliefs drive us and it can be difficult to observe and learn of other customs, traditions, cultures and beliefs if any of the data causes stress as it may or may not relate to our own - cognizant dissonance occurs and creates cause and affect to the perceptive filters of our mind.

The greatest challenge to the transmission of a system such as Okinawa Karate, i.e. Tatsuo's interpretation of karate in Isshinryu, is that our preceptive filters tend to cause changes thus changing the traditional beliefs of the original system into something unique to the individual, the individuals family and the individuals tribe/society where they reside. Classical training takes precedence when a practitioner works diligently to remain as true as humans can to the original intent, training, customs, traditions, culture and beliefs of the creator - such as Tatsuo Sensei and Okinawan Isshinryu.

This becomes a conundrum to the practitioner of the systems of karate or other martial systems.  It is believed that once a human intervenes in an experiment that experiment is thus tainted unintentionally. That unintentional intrusion that causes a distinct effect to the experiment taints any chance of an unbiased result.

As today's practitioners take on the mantel of Isshinryu and martial arts generally they influence that practice intentionally and unintentionally. I believe that a true practitioner of a martial art cannot avoid this shift due to the personal perceptive filters created over our life time.

The most difficult aspect of my practice of a martial system is learning to see past some of my filters with a mind that this also is tainted by those same filters. This is a truth that colors our world where clarity over rose colored shadows can lead and mislead. This is my belief in the disparities encountered between various Isshinryu houses. They all have a distinct blueprint that manufactured that home or dojo. Changes are not impossible, merely difficult if approached from a path foreign to the belief system of that dojo.

It is my hope that I can inspire a very small view that transcends the view currently held in each dojo of Isshinryu. To inspire a change. A change that benefits the system and promotes the core belief of its founder to learn of his customs, traditions, culture and beliefs which will promote a better understanding of all customs, traditions, cultures, and beliefs - all of them.

Let me close this post by saying that I understand a bit more why Tatsuo Sensei asked his American practitioners to embrace this study. It does seem to enrich the practice and the system itself overall. It also promotes my personal belief that taking this intent places its importance within those fundamental principles of all martial systems. It fits to how we interact with other tribes, other societies, and other nations.

Thank You

A few years ago I began seeking more. I felt a need to know about SD and fighting beyond my then current level. It provided me many discoveries. Discoveries about my training, practice and me. The me part has recently become more discovery than I intended. It is something I needed and did not know I needed.

I have discovered some not very nice traits. If not for the teachings of many I would not have discovered those things  and that would be depressing and most unfortunate.

I want to say thank you to a few folks. I won't provide names. I don't wish to forget or overlook any one person - not nice of me. I want to say thank you to those folks for putting themselves out there. Those efforts provided me the awareness that will result in my growth as a person. I want to say thank you to the authors, web sites, blog posters, article authors, teachers/mentors/instructors and those references they provided that led to this recent epiphany. I would not and could not have discovered the needs and traits without that effort - thank you.

The road before me is going to be the most difficult road I have ever encountered in my life of fifty-seven years. The only regret, I was not aware or astute enough to see what was needed at a much younger age. It is truly never to late.

So, with out more I say to all of you, "thank you."

GAVSD (Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defence)

I have posted recently on this particular self-defense written by Dr. Elgin, PhD. and want to clarify something. It may seem as if I am promoting this a the ultimate art of self-defense. I am simply excited by the possibilities this type of knowledge can achieve in crises handling. It is relevant and a tool like any other tool that provides benefits when used properly. I just happen to feel it is a fundamental tool in avoiding conflicts.

I have all the GAVSD books. I have read almost all of them first time around. I know I will read them again and again. I also will actively follow her recommendations to improve my communications. That improvement will also provide me more knowledge to improve my self-protection method of avoidance. It has already in my personal and professional life.

My enthusiastic postings are my efforts to inspire readers to read her books. To decide on the value for themselves. If you enjoy my posts that is frosting on the cake for me.

Ego Driven Blog?

Sometimes when I write and post I consider the reasons. I ask myself if I am doing this to feed my ego. It is difficult to really tell. I tell myself it is a good model to learn and pass along thoughts and idea's on my practice and training. I tell myself that I write in a manner that leaves ego and pride out of it - I ask, "Am I successful?"

My efforts to see what is down the rabbit hole sometimes seems truthful. Sometimes it seems not. I discovered using the word seem can be deceptive. Can this mean I am just discovering its true meaning therefore provides the opportunity to reflect once again and discover the truth vs. a self-deception?

Can I be honest with myself now and say, "My efforts to see what is down the rabbit hole is truthful. Sometimes it is not."? At this particular moment I can say, yes. I can also say that this requires self-honest evaluation on a consistent basis. It is easy to fall back into those habits that developed digging the rabbit hole deeper.

Something to consider ... what we say and do and write ... is it filled with presuppositions that provide hidden self-talk that the unconscious mind recognizes with out more conscious awareness resulting in a deeper and darker rabbit hole?

In an honest effort I will say I believe that my blog(s) are a teaching tool for me and a means to express to others my ideas and thoughts for comment and feedback of a beneficial way - to learn and create light in my rabbit hole. Is there a presupposition  that is within this statement nullifying it?

My wife uses a Sufism, "Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary?" Can this be used for posting as well? All three or two or one of them? How would you accomplish this?

What is the rabbit hole?

To achieve awareness first recognize that the rabbit hole is yours and your standing over it. Look down the rabbit hole and you may see nothing but darkness that runs deep. This is a good thing - self-awareness of the rabbit hole.

To know just how deep the rabbit hole goes you must get some light to see past the darkness. This is an internal event. It is a self-crises that must be overcome to light the rabbit hole.

To send light down the rabbit hole to see just how far it goes is to become aware of those things within us that are not allowing the truth to be present and in our consciousness. To see just how far the rabbit hole goes you must choose to take the red pill or the blue pill. As always, your choice.

To become aware, take the red pill to open the mind and become aware of the rabbit hole. Many tend to take the blue pill. It is a painful process to light up the rabbit hole, look into it - like looking into your soul - and then taking that first step into the rabbit hole.

I have taken the red pill. It is a hard path and I still am not sure where the rabbit hole will take me. I have discovered that the hole although dark and deep still provides growth and serenity to my life as I encounter each thing and change it to a more positive thing - a most difficult task.

The practice of karate-jutsu-do in tandem with the ken-po goku-i was my red pill. During my journey down the rabbit hole each level in my training, practice and studies has created a greater light intensity showing me the way. The rabbit hole is deep. The light removes doubt and fear and frustrations so I can truly see beyond the many stories covering my self.

I don't say this to express that this is the way. It is just my way and my philosophy. I have taken the red pill, I remain in wonderland and I am finding out just how deep the rabbit hole is. If I had taken the blue pill I would still be blissfully living in the matrix believing everything the matrix wanted me to believe regardless and in direct opposition to truth.

Unlike Cypher, I would not desire to return to the matrix and be plugged back in for the benefits I have experienced next the pain of discovery and change is far greater.

What do you interpret jutsu-do as for your practice/training?

Recently I read the article, "Jutsu vs. Do," by Iain Abernethy Sensei. Outstanding article read here first if you so wish.

Abernethy Sensei does an excellent job explaining his perceptions and understanding of the two terms as applied to the practice of martial systems. I agree with his assessments. I also believe it explains an aspect taught in Chinese Classics that all life deals with a duality of Yang-Yin.

To me, karate is both jutsu and do, much like Sensei articulates in his post. To me, it is the duality of karate training and practice. To practice and maintain the traditions of Okinawan karate both sides of that coin must balance to achieve a level of proficiency leading to enlightenment - both physical and psychological.

The ken-po goku-i, the bubishi, the I Ching, and the Tao Te Ching bring many lessons with a theme of duality in balance. To meld jutsu and do, dojo and society, internal self and external person, etc. Everything connects and this is one lesson of many in karate-jutsu-do.

The naming of a system should exemplify the systems principles. To provide a limiting title creates confusion and misunderstandings. Take the title/name "karate." Depending on who is hearing the term, title, name you get many differing explanations/interpretations of just what that means. Until you clear that air you cannot truly understand its true meaning in practice and training.

So much in training is missing due to misunderstandings through ambiguities such as this. It may seem frivolous yet it does have an affect. You may ask, "Why bother?" Use verbal self-defense skills as the example. If you cannot determine meaning and then articulate a response how can you deescalate and/or avoid the common crisis/conflict that results when things go bad. Verbal communications are known to be the impetus of most conflicts.

Read his article. Consider what it means to you and then decide. It is your practice and training. It is your goals and accomplishments in this that matter. If it provides balance then it is good.

Are kata artistic in nature?

I have spent some time studying karate. I have spent time in Okinawa - one year. I have spent time studying what is available regarding things Okinawa and Okinawan - emphasis on finding things karate.

I have spent some time studying the changes that occurred during the late 1800's and especially the early 1900's. The early 1900's were pivitol in the nature of karate practice where it was converted from the fighting system to a health, fitness, and school system of practice losing many important aspects in regards to fighting.

No where in any of this have I come across any inference to kata being of an artistic nature. I have not found any inferences either direct or hidden that say kata are artistic in nature or that a primary aspect is its aesthetic form. I feel kata do not meet these traits directly. I feel kata are not either artistic or aesthetic in its teachings.

I do feel that both the artistic and aesthetic of kata are simply byproducts of learning and applying fundamental principles of all martial systems. This I believe.

The "artistic" of kata was born when it converted from a fighting civil system to a sportive, health and fitness system for the school systems of Okinawa and later Japan. Artistic kata came about as the sporting aspects grew when it was necessary to create scoring systems to differentiate the performance enough to allow for it. It continues to be expanded with each successive generation of sport practitioner.

When I see explanations of adherence to and applying such kata meaning as regarding body alignment, structure, etc. I don't see this as naming it aesthetics. These are fundamental principles not aesthetics. The appearance when viewed by others my seem aesthetically pleasing. It is not aesthetics but the byproduct of applying the fundamental principles of martial systems.

I am trying to emphasize that "naming" things can give false impressions as to what is being taught, being done, and most important being applied in fighting/self-defense/self-protection. If strictly speaking to sport it still does not adequate "name" what is being taught and applied. Even in kata competition they loosely look to its possible application of technique as if in a fight. Just because about 95% of those participating in kata competitions have not experienced fighting or gained any fighting experience/proficiency does not indicate that what is displayed in forms competition and graded as such is actually applicable to fighting.

Kata have many functions for martial systems with emphasis here on karate. It may have some artistic and aesthetic byproducts. It should not be expressed as a major meaning of kata. It is merely a byproduct of other more important principles that make kata and karate work.

I often look to see if the forming of an applied technique fits a some what aesthetic form. I look for this after I look to see if the principles applicable to that technique are present and that it is correct. If some aesthetic form results this is what I note. If it does not then I simply ignore the possible presence or absence of aesthetic form. It is not that important, the principles are far more critical to making things work.

I cannot fault any system or organization for this as the traditional (sport oriented) practice of karate is greatly sportive not combative. It comes to play when folks either promote, teach, or think that what they do is a part of survival in fighting and/or predatory violent encounters.  It is just not that simple!

John Vesia Sensei of "Martial Views" blog posted on kata competitive aspects of theatrics and how that relates to kata function. He inspired this post and you will find his post here meaningful and relevant. http://www.martialviews.com/

"All too often we see great emphasis being placed on ensuring that the limbs etc are in the correct positions whilst none is placed on what the student should be thinking and feeling." - Iain Abernethy Sensei, Bunkai Jutsu

What is your favorite technique? Answered

My favorite technique? I just discovered it and still have not achieved adequate proficiency in that technique yet...syntonic listening.

So, a recant, I do have one!

What is your favorite technique?

"Our actions should manifest themselves because our threat's technique has manifested itself. We should not desire our technique either. It should just happen or not happen." Book of Martial Power by Steven J. Pearlman

I cannot count how many times in the dojo I hear the statement, "This is my favorite technique." I have found that when this statement appears that the person tends to practice it exclusively, diligently, and totally as a sole technique that you may find is their sole technique for fighting. You know like those favorite combinations that win tournaments. They are not so successful in violent encounters - either fighting or violent predatory attacks.

I have no favorite technique. I have no favorite basic waza. I have no favorite kata. I have no favorite combinations. I hope if needed any technique or combination of techniques comes to me instinctively according to the threat and attack. I hope I have trained to respond reflexively, instinctively, and where the technique is born as if it and the threat's attack made a mutual agreement before the encounter so they would at best cancel each other out. If not, that our line is longer than theirs allowing our spontaneous, instinctive, reflexive technique conquers theirs. As the reader knows fundamental principles of martial systems as stated in the book of martial power states:

"Facing a threat's strike, we must not intend to execute a given technique, or any technique for that matter. As there is an attack. so there is a defense. The techniques happens. If we train properly to the point of reflexive action, and if we fully understand the attack, and if our principles align, the technique will emerge along with the attack as if they are one in the same, as if we and the threat planned it all ahead of time." Book of Martial Power by Steven J. Pearlman

When you know this you may consider such terms used in the book like mushin and so on and you are correct to consider these as well. The principles are presented in a solitary fashion where you also know that the intent is for instruction while you also know that application is as if they all were happening together at the same time, in that same space, as if one. You instinctively know it as a single simultaneous process.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

Why learn just one kata?

One kata, not many. Many is fine once you learn the one. Learning one kata has come to mean learning the movement. The movement must be clean, crisp, and most of all pretty. I mean pretty like the performance in floor exercises in gymnastics or up on the rings or even the horse or beam. This takes great skill. In kata it means something is missing.

Learn one kata means to truly learn it to its fullest depth and breadth. Often I have posted that to learn one kata means you learn all kata. To spend time and effort on one will teach you what you need to then learn other kata in a shorter time period. Why? Because you know the depth and breadth of one kata. That one kata encompasses those principles that transcend kata versions as well as systems and styles be they hard, soft or a combination thereof.

Often the idea of many kata as many black belts for many systems or styles has become the goal, the marker of a master. Too bad, so much is missed because of this misconception of proficiency and ability. To score 9.8's and 9.7's for kata performance has taken precedence over kata to self protection, combat, fighting, or what ever is required for the moments scenario. Too bad ...

Spending all your time on many kata leaves no time to learn karate. Yes, you can do the form in its most rudimentary level - can you apply it randomly yet with direct application to the appropriate threat? Too bad ...

To learn one kata with all the fundamental principals of martial systems then learning what violence is and achieving the ability to recognize it and act accordingly overcoming all its adversities is a real challenge, does your kata do that? Too bad ...

If I had to lay claim to just one thing in all my years of practice it would be with pride I would say I learned one kata completely, thoroughly, deeply and to its greatest breadth much like gazing at the heavens and seeing no end or limitations. I would say I learned one kata this way and made it work.

When you have learned your first kata moves and your Sensei says your ready to begin the next, STOP, respectfully ask to learn all there is to learn on that one kata first - you have all the time in the world to add to your kata with meaning and purpose toward karate's meaning and purpose. Wouldn't that be great?

If your the offspring of the traditional, post 1900's implementation to schools on Okinawa and Japan, form of learning it is not too late. Stop, choose the one kata that speaks to you as the unique individual you are and then seek the knowledge to learn and practice "just one kata" to completion. You will enrich your training and practice and thus achieve greater understanding of all those other rudimentary kata. Sounds good to me ...