Month: September 2025

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Karate Rules Of The 70’s

Steve Rowe

Karate Rules In The 70’s‘Hydration’ didn’t exist.3 hour full contact sparring sessions with no mitts or pads and ‘hydration’ was a few pints of light and bitter in the local pub afterwards.Teeth knocked loose were spat out and sparring continued.Students knocked out were propped against a wall until they came round.Vomiting meant pulling the jacket forward and using the inside as a sick bag.If you forgot your belt you were whipped by the other students using their belts.If your suit was creased it would be ‘ironed’ by the othe other students using kicks and punches while you were still in … Continue reading Karate Rules Of The 70’s

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The Unseen Problem

Steve Rowe

Men’s Mental HealthThe Unseen ProblemThe cause of the deep depressionA burning anger in the chestIt leads to sickness and not wanting to be hereExit is them giving up on lifeStopping life saving medicationNot reporting a potential life taking illnessThese don’t show up in statisticsSo no one recognises the problemMany older men suffer with thisThey were the ‘rock’That everyone depended onBut that time has passedIf they speak out they will only make matters worseExacerbate other people’s problemsNo one wants to hear themTo speak is to make others defensiveTo destroy the societal equilibriumThey feel like a silent wraith in a crowdNo one … Continue reading The Unseen Problem

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I’m Not Happy…

Steve Rowe

I’m not happyI’m not unhappyI’m not depressedI’m not joyfulI’m not thisI’m not thatI’m not binary This worldPeopleMy mindWant me to chooseThis or thatBecause it’s a binary dimension But there is a curved line inbetweenSeparating yin and yangBalanceThe optimumA line of no thingnessThis line is a portalWhere everything disappears It’s stillSilentMindfulZenicInsightfulAnd full of wisdom And in this refugeIs the secret to lifeAnd beyond By Steve Rowe Continue reading I’m Not Happy…

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What Is Fa Jin?

Steve Rowe

Fa Jin (發勁) in Tai Chi refers to an energy discharge and the more you study, the more you find. It’s cultivated in layers from meditation to standing exercises, to martial qigong exercises, to tai chi form, push hands, springing hands and weaponry. There is no short cut as it’s a combination of every skill we learn in the art. The problem with social media is that it’s dumbed right down into ‘body whipping’ or people hopping around like demented frogs when in fact it’s much, much more and has an incredible amount of depth. My teachers referred to it … Continue reading What Is Fa Jin?

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The Truth Seers

Steve Rowe

This can be hard for a lot of people to understand. Some people didn’t want to be born. They’ve never wanted to be here. They’ve never liked life, they’ve never liked people. They’re not ‘damaged’ they’re not unhappy, the idea of happy, unhappy and persuing happiness is ridiculous to them. Life to them is like a prison sentence, stuck in a meat vehicle, they keep their head down, try to fit in and get by, they don’t want to cause harm and as long as they are left alone, they won’t bother anyone. They don’t understand the need to accumulate … Continue reading The Truth Seers

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Potential And The Switch….

Steve Rowe

Potential…..When practising martial arts and for life in general, we must always have the potential for hard or soft. This is the deeper meaning of having a ‘soft front and strong back’. To have potential is a state of mindfulness, to have a mind that is aware, focused, sensitive and intense. Aware of what is going on with our own mind, emotions and body and of the situation that we’re in with everything and everyone around us. Focused on what is important inside that awareness. Sensitive to our situation and of that of others and ourselves. Intensity is the guardian … Continue reading Potential And The Switch….

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Your Body & Instincts Language

Steve Rowe

Your body and instincts have their own language! Be still, be silent, breathe deep, and wait for body to calm down, then your emotions, and finally your thoughts – and then wait for your body and then your instincts to speak. They don’t use words, their language is usually drowned out by your thoughts and emotions, but when they finally calm down, you can learn the language. It’s the same that your dog, cat, all animals and nature uses. You really can learn to be at ‘one with the universe’ by listening to it. We are indoctrinated to abuse our … Continue reading Your Body & Instincts Language