Author: Steve Rowe

Martial artist, philosopher, author, writer,
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Direct Transmission…

Steve Rowe

Direct Transmission… Martial arts training teach manners, Manners and courtesy are a given, This enables people to get along, But then respect is earned. Respect is a two way street, It has to be earned both ways, An Instructor earns the student’s respect, And the student earns that of the Instructor. This is deeper than it first appears, There has to be faith both ways, Nothing is understood at first, Until both invest time and effort. When an Instructor gives physical correction, Sometimes the student is too stiff to correct, Sometimes he is too floppy, Often his mind is not … Continue reading Direct Transmission…

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No One Fights With Swords Anymore

Steve Rowe

I love the whooshing sound that a shinken blade makes as it cuts the air.  The soundless drawing of the blade as it unsheathes with the skilled use of both hands that allows it to slip seamlessly from thesaya, the rapid expansion of the body causing the blade to power through the air and the way that theIaido practitioner slides along the Dojo floor on knees or feet with the suriashi (gliding step) movement, utilising the hakama sabaki to prevent tripping over the divided trousers gives a beautiful feel to this deadly art. It’s spellbinding watching Sensei practice, his perfect … Continue reading No One Fights With Swords Anymore

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The Deepest Door..

Steve Rowe

The Deepest Door.. Sit straight, Breathe deep, Focus the mind, And wait for it to settle. As moment passes to moment, Increase the intensity, Guard the senses, And think without words. The mind is the hardest muscle to train, Weak people give up easily, Training the body is easy, Training the mind is the real challenge. In stillness find the power, Find the deepest door in your mind, It will be protected by demons, But when opened is the font of wisdom and power. Your demons will always try to distract, Other people will play on your demons, Real power … Continue reading The Deepest Door..

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Putting The Egg In The Eggcup..

Steve Rowe

Putting The Egg In The Eggcup.. Putting the head in the foot, Is like putting an egg in an eggcup. The head is the egg, The arch of the foot, the eggcup. Why is this important? Is it even possible? The combination of head and foot, Is one of the most important in Tai Chi. What makes the ‘substantial’ and ‘insubstantial’? The ‘weighted leg’ or ‘double weighted’? If you can feel the weight of the head in the foot, You have to be connected through the body. Only when the egg is in the eggcup, Is that leg truly weighted, … Continue reading Putting The Egg In The Eggcup..

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Like A Never Ending Circle…

Steve Rowe

Like A Never Ending Circle… The universe is a spiral, It’s what creates time, The energy inside is always changing, Continually creating life. When energy touches the spiral, It creates the opposite force, In movement one creates the other, In a never ending cycle. When you look at the yin yang symbol, The oldest known to man, The symbol itself is spinning, In a three dimensional way. The outside circle is infinite, Because a circle never ends, The centre line is curved, Because of it’s spiraling motion. It is the ‘Way’, Representing the journey of life, From infinity to infinity, … Continue reading Like A Never Ending Circle…

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Emotional Intelligence in Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

In Martial Arts we talk about developing the student ‘holistically’ or developing the ‘whole person’.  What does this mean? Some schools say that the sole purpose of training in the Martial Arts is to learn to fight and the rest is just ‘fluff’ and extraneous, but is a ‘fighter’ a Martial Artist? Most people don’t come to the Martial Arts to learn to ‘fight’, 99% of the phone calls we take are from prospective students who want to be fit and healthy and to be able to defend themselves.  These two purposes are not mutually exclusive and there is a … Continue reading Emotional Intelligence in Martial Arts

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Vicars, Tarts and Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

This guy from the local paper rings me up and wants to take some self defence type pictures for a “Vicars Are To Learn Self Defence” article.  “No problem” I say…. Any (reasonable) publicity is okay… The reporter comes up and like all newspaper (and magazine) journalists and photographers wants the stupidest pictures that you wouldn’t be seen dead doing.  But being a veteran I was ready and irrespective of what he asked for gave him the right ones. “Can you…….  (Steve immediately strikes up one of his poses with uke) Oh… OK…  fine….”  (Click, click) “Then could we have…..  … Continue reading Vicars, Tarts and Martial Arts

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Is Kata A Waste Of Time?

Steve Rowe

Is Kata A Waste Of Time? Is there a point to doing kata? Or is it just a waste of time? Does it have an application? That is magical and sublime? By the time it came from China, To Okinawa and Japan, It had been changed so many times, In each and every land. The true meaning has been lost, And by the time it came to the West, Nobody could remember, As the value became less than less. Then along came competition, Where it just had to look good, Nice shapes, crisp and focused, But empty, loud and awkward. … Continue reading Is Kata A Waste Of Time?

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Ethical Is Successful Business In Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

Martial Arts businesses suffer from some of the worst marketing on this planet.  All the ‘hype’, ‘management consultants’, ‘Leadership Programmes’, ‘upgrades’, door to door sales, mass leafleting and buzz words that have lost their meaning such as ‘self discipline’, ‘confidence’, ‘self defence’, the self made ‘Masters’, countless ‘World Champions’, clubs that throw every Martial Art into the hat with lists that they couldn’t possible supply has left potential and existing students sullied, confused and lost. Schools wanting to develop relationships with outside sports clubs have had their fingers burned by the expansionist, badly run and heavily marketed clubs. Under the … Continue reading Ethical Is Successful Business In Martial Arts

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How To Get A Black Belt

Steve Rowe

“How long will it take me to get a Black Belt?” This has got to be the most common question asked to any Martial Arts instructor by potential students. “How long is a piece a string”  is probably the most common answer…. I try to equate it with other skills in life. How long does it take to get a degree at university?  If you work hard on a daily basis and attend all your classes and work hard it should take three years. If you wanted to learn to play the piano or guitar, 3 years of daily practise … Continue reading How To Get A Black Belt