Month: November 2015

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Stand, Walk And Run Skills

Steve Rowe

Stand, Walk And Run Skills “Tonight, I’m going to teach you how to stand, walk and then run,” sifu waited for the statement to sink in. “Well excuse me sifu, I’ve only been practising that for the last 24 years,” said Jamie with an air of mock sarcasm. “And you’re not very good at it, are you….” Sifu answered with a statement more than a question.  “This is the problem, standing, walking and running are everyday uses of the human body, when we can do this skilfully, we are practicing our martial arts all of the time – and importantly, … Continue reading Stand, Walk And Run Skills

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Magpie Mind And Tai Chi

Steve Rowe

Magpie Mind And Tai Chi “You are all suffering from ‘magpie mind’….” Sifu looked around at the gathered class to see what effect his statement had. And of course it worked…. “Magpie mind? Wassat when it’s at home then Sifu?” asked Amanda. “It’s a mind that’s attracted to ‘shiny objects’” said Sifu. “You mean that we’re not concentrating on the form and our mind is wandering too much” queried Jane? “That can be a part of it,” replied Sifu, “but it’s more than that. Even when you are concentrating on the form, your mind is attracted to the ‘shiny objects’ … Continue reading Magpie Mind And Tai Chi

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The Internet And Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

The Internet And Martial Arts The ‘gang’ were sitting in the Dojo rest room watching youtube clips of martial art instruction and scanning the Martial Arts forums for information. Rob was a 30 year veteran of karate having started training under UK Japanese instructors and subsequently under various English instructors for the past few years in karate and different MMA. “I’m amazed at some of these older English instructors, they broke away from their Japanese instructors complaining that they were egomaniacs,  and that they were claiming that their training methods were ‘the only way’ and not allowing their students to … Continue reading The Internet And Martial Arts

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Sink, Swallow, Float And Spit

Steve Rowe

Sink, Swallow, Float And Spit I love sanchin, a ‘core’ kata to many karate systems, it adds the qigong aspect, harmonising mind, breath and body.  It consists of three sections gradually increasing the level of difficulty in physical co-ordination and breathing technique.  In the first section you move one side at a time opening and closing one side of the body with a whole breath followed by a half breath (to prevent dizziness), in the second section you move opening and closing both sides of the body at the same time flexing the spine  whilst taking deep breaths utilising the … Continue reading Sink, Swallow, Float And Spit

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Kata – Wearing The Skin Of Your Ancestors

Steve Rowe

Kata – Wearing The Skin Of Your Ancestors “Tonight I want to teach you how to study kata.” “You just do it don’t you Sensei?” “Just do it, is a big term Roger…” “It’s an advert Sensei.” “I know that Ged, thank you.  I’m more concerned with developing the right mindset in which to study.” “That’s bunkai isn’t it?” “Bunkai means to ‘break down and explore’.” “You’ve often explained that Sensei, and then gone on to explain the ‘trinity’ of kata, if I remember it right it’s medical, skill and then application is that right?” “Yes it is, well done.” … Continue reading Kata – Wearing The Skin Of Your Ancestors

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Training Children Need Parents Support

Steve Rowe

Ring ring…. “Warriors Heart Martial Arts School.” “Hi Sensei, this is Sam Jones’s Dad, I’m calling because Sam seems to be losing interest, he was very happy to get his first grade but his peers seem to have gone up and he’s left behind, I don’t want him to give up but he seems to have lost the ‘buzz’ that he had before…” “Have you seen the feedback forms that I’ve given to Sam?” “I know he’s had some – but to be honest I haven’t read them.” “Okay, the reason that he’s feeling like that is because he doesn’t … Continue reading Training Children Need Parents Support

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Gossip In The Dojo

Steve Rowe

You could hear the shouting and scuffle from the men’s changing room in the Dojo, sensei walked in and pulled the two protagonists apart, both huffing an puffing like pair of old Billy goats with their chests inflated. “What an earth’s going on here?” asked sensei. “He’s been dissin’ me…” spat Michael, straining at the firm hand holding him back. “No I ain’t” said John with an obvious disdain and a look that you could tell would rip Michael a second backside any moment. “Settle down” said sensei firmly, “now Michael, explain..” “He said that I moved like a girl … Continue reading Gossip In The Dojo

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Yin Yang Tai Chi Method

Steve Rowe

“There are only 5 hands in taiji, the 2 major ones are yin and yang, yin is the peng principle and yang is the aun principle, they manifest themselves in a variety of ways, but the principles are always the same.” We were practicing our taiji.  These were some of my favourite lessons, karate was exciting, but taiji had that lovely smooth, powerful flow that made me feel invigorated. We were working through ‘Part the Wild Horses Mane’ in the third section of the form most commonly known as the Yang Chen Fu 108.  It’s an ingeniously crafted vehicle for … Continue reading Yin Yang Tai Chi Method

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Grading In The Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

You could tell it was grading day… The toilets stank, the toilet paper had run out within the first 30 minutes of the leisure centre opening.  The horrible smell combined with that of spray starch, ralgex and deep heat as the students strapped up their current strains, sprains and injuries hoping they would ‘hold up’ during their grading test.  Everyone was nervously ‘bustling’ about as the tables were set up in the hall with the various sensei looking totally out of place in their best ‘bib and tucker’ of grey flannel trousers, shirt, tie and blazer with association badge neatly … Continue reading Grading In The Martial Arts

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Right Effort In Training

Steve Rowe

The class began with sanchin qigong.  With our feet under our shoulderline, we rotated out on the balls of the feet, releasing our ankles, knees, hips, lower back and chest, then stretched the crown of the head upwards bowing the spine from the top and pulling the pubococcygeus muscle at the base to complete the ‘bow’ and assist the energy flow, putting the tongue to the top palette to complete the circuit. We held the arms out in a ‘bow’ (or yin) formation at the front of the body, palms inwards, hollowing the chest to work with the bowing and … Continue reading Right Effort In Training