Author: Steve Rowe

Martial artist, philosopher, author, writer,
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Internal Or External?

Steve Rowe

Internal and external has many translations in the Martial Arts, You cannot be one or the other, Because we all have an inside and an outside, If you are more one than the other, you are unbalanced. If you’re taught externally, Your instructor will correct you by how you look on the outside: If you’re taught internally, Your instructor will correct you by how you feel inside. Ideally, you need both. If you train externally, You will utilise the power of emotion, If you train internally, Your mind will be calm and focused. If you train externally, You will use … Continue reading Internal Or External?

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Mick Randall MBE Interview 2003

Steve Rowe

This interview was published in 2003 A true Founding Father of English Karate, it was at this time of the year in 1963 – that’s 40 years ago – that Mick Randall and Ray Fuller decided to join the first Karate Club in Great Britain run by Vernon Bell. That 40 years of service to Traditional English Karate has earned Mick an MBE.  He trained under the first visiting Japanese Instructors like Tetsuji Murakami and Hiroo Mochizuki, featured in the first colour film of Karate in England in 1964 that was shown in cinemas all over England and took part … Continue reading Mick Randall MBE Interview 2003

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Yoshinobu Ohta 2003 Interview

Steve Rowe

This interview was published in 2003 Whenever anyone spoke about Yoshinobu Ohta to me, they always spoke well of him. He was always quoted as being “all right’ or “a nice guy” and his Karate was always described as “good quality”.  He began Shotokan Karate at High School in 1974 and graduated from the famous Takushoku University that lists former students such as Nakayama and Enoeda. A talent such as his could only find it’s way to the JKA Honbu. Luckily for Shotokan Karate in this country, Ohta Sensei came to England in 1982 to assist Enoeda Sensei and has … Continue reading Yoshinobu Ohta 2003 Interview

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Simple Neigong – Insomnia Buster!

Steve Rowe

In our seated Tai Chi programme we teach a lovely seated Nei Gong exercise.  It is an exercise that reinforces correct posture and breathing and also serves a method for calming the body and mind.  It can also be incorporated into a pre-sleep ritual for those who suffer from insomnia – it help’s prepare the body for a peaceful night’s sleep.  It can also be used at your desk and in your car. Simple Seated Nei Gong 1 – Firstly you will need to be seated – either sitting on a chair or on the edge of the bed.  Ideally … Continue reading Simple Neigong – Insomnia Buster!

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The 4 Blocks Of Karate

Steve Rowe

Around 30 years ago I was taking a private lesson in Iaido with Okimitsu Fuji and we were practicing a form called ‘Uke Nagashi’ which involved me kneeling down with him walking towards me and cutting down towards my head.  I had to stand up drawing my sword in such a manner that it deflected his sword and then I would pivot and cut him from neck to hip in one fluid motion. As we did this our swords clashed as I blocked his.  “Uke!” he said as he walked back to repeat the process.  The swords clashed again and … Continue reading The 4 Blocks Of Karate

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Continuous Neigong…

Steve Rowe

Neigong cannot just be trained for an hour a day, because for the other 23 hours you could be doing ‘anti neigong’ – and which would prevail? As you learn the skills, you need to practice ALL the time.  You are always doing posture and breathing and your life can only be enhanced by more mental awareness, concentration and sensitivity.  This is then an excellent exercise in ‘mindfulness’ to constantly and dispassionately recreate a mindful state of being in everyday action. This practice will instantly and in the long term effect your mental and physical wellbeing, affecting your emotional intelligence, … Continue reading Continuous Neigong…

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A Black Belt…

Steve Rowe

I used to think everyone could be a black belt. The ‘way’ was simple; All they had to do was train every day for 3 – 5 yrs, Attend 2 or 3 lessons a week, Pay attention to instruction, And they would make the grade. Over the years I realised that was not true. Many won’t make it as long as they have a hole in their backside. Some are just scared of the responsibility of being good, Some are scared of their spouses and family, Who don’t want a stronger version of them. Some are just so weak willed … Continue reading A Black Belt…

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The Language Of The Body…

Steve Rowe

The way that can be spoken about is not the eternal way….. – Tao Te Ching Entering and understanding the wordless mind is a very important stage in the training of a Martial Artist, it’s the point where the direct, intuitive knowledge of doing and being exist.  It’s one thing to know about something, to understand the meaning of the words and to actually do or be the reality that the words are inadequately trying to express. Your body is your oldest friend and has a wordless language of it’s own – how fluent in that language are you?  Training … Continue reading The Language Of The Body…

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The Art Of Listening

Steve Rowe

When I was in the Fire Brigade and worked in the Security Industry before the advent of mobile phones we used to use ‘RT’ (Radio Transmitters) where you would talk with the ‘transmit’ button pressed down and take your finger off the button to listen to what the other side of the conversation had to say.  This procedure has great relevance to learning and training in the Martial Arts today. Do you ever have that conversation with someone where you are acutely aware that they’re not listening to what you are saying but are only waiting to talk?  Or maybe … Continue reading The Art Of Listening

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Connecting Hands And Feet

Steve Rowe

On the wall in our training centre facing the students when they train is a list of 8 words, these 8 words represent the 8 principles that we need to fully understand to make our Martial Arts work. The first of these words is ‘Feet’.  Our feet is our contact to the ground that we stand on and the pressure of our feet to the floor is what gives us the power and energy to stand upright and move around.  Most people usually do this mindlessly not realising that the skill as a Martial Artist starts at this point.  Each … Continue reading Connecting Hands And Feet