Author: Steve Rowe

Martial artist, philosopher, author, writer,
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Are You Really Trying?

Steve Rowe

“I’m really trying…” This can have more than one meaning – and therefore what’s in your head is really important.  Are you ‘trying’ to attempt to do something with failure already written into it?  Are you seeing it as difficult and frustrating?  Are you ‘trying’ because you think it’s difficult or hard’? These are all responses that we commonly get from students and the problem can lie with our upbringing, as a child we are constantly told that we must ‘try’ and are told off for ‘not trying’, my school report often said ‘must try harder’, meaning that I needed … Continue reading Are You Really Trying?

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It’s A Kind of Magic

Steve Rowe

A Magi is a wise person, Magic is knowing how something works. Magic fools the ignorant, Because it’s ‘special power’ they don’t understand, But to the wise it’s normal science. Does this make magic less? Should we not be in awe of the ‘ordinary’? Is not every day astounding? The sun rising and setting, The fact that we exist? Earth, water, air and fire are all magical; Every breath we take should inspire us with awe. We know how it works, We know the ‘trick’; We become wise to what’s happening; But we should not become complacent. Science should not … Continue reading It’s A Kind of Magic

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Zombie Or Alive?

Steve Rowe

It was a slow death…. That’s impossible. One second you’re alive, the next you’re dead. Alive/dead; it’s as simple as that. You might be ill or in pain for a while; But death is instantaneous. Awake, asleep, you don’t notice. You only know you fell asleep when you awake. Anaesthetist puts the canula in your arm; “Goodnight” and you’re gone. You only know you were gone when you’re in recovery. So dying is not a problem, one second you’re alive and next you’re not. In meditation or everyday live you are aware and focused, And then the mind has wandered. … Continue reading Zombie Or Alive?

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What’s Wrong With The Martial Arts?

Steve Rowe

I have yet to see anyone identify or address where the real problems are in the Martial Arts. Most Martial Artists are too close to the problems and view them  subjectively, forcing their ideas of standards, what should be taught and how they should be administered, but this has only added to the confusion because Martial Arts truly are a broad church. We need to take a good few steps back and take a much broader view and see how they can fit safely and effectively into the structure of society. I will lay this out as simply as I … Continue reading What’s Wrong With The Martial Arts?

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The Power Chain

Steve Rowe

You are only as strong as the weakest point in your chain of power through the body.  Below is a condensed description of that chain as taught in my last seminar and will serve as notes to those that attended. Mind The mind needs to be trained to be aware, focused and sensitive to be able to feel and know every part of the body and get accurate neural feedback of the positioning and productive use of each part, it’s surroundings and that of the opponent. Feet and Legs The feet give mobility, distance, angle and direction of power.  The … Continue reading The Power Chain

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Who Are You Kidding?

Steve Rowe

After 40 years of training nothing anyone says surprises me anymore.  However all through that time I have been constantly amazed at how easily people write failure into their training ideas and schedule without even realising it. I thought it might prove useful to pick up on the most common misconceptions I have heard and seen during those years. Success in the Martial Arts is no different to success in any other sphere of life.  If you practiced swimming, cycling, ballet dancing, gymnastics, guitar, piano, archery or any normal skill based art or sport you would have to go through … Continue reading Who Are You Kidding?

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3 Most Important Points In Martial Arts Training

Steve Rowe

If you had to name the 3 most important things to remember in the Martial Arts that would the biggest difference to your training what would they be? When teaching beginners what are the 3 most fundamental things to stress and continue to stress so the student doesn’t ever forget? Number One:  Stand straight – good postural alignment is essential!  The body must be pulled up to it’s full height, the classics say that the head should feel ‘as if suspended from above’, for every inch the skull moves off the top of the spine it doubles in weight, as the head … Continue reading 3 Most Important Points In Martial Arts Training

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Grading At Shi Kon

Steve Rowe

I am often asked why we grade differently to many others in the Shi Kon Training System.  I have trained in the Martial Arts for over 40 years to very high standard by top International Masters and have graded thousands of people all over the World, hundreds through to Black Belt – and a Shi Kon grade is recognised Internationally to be of a good standard.  I don’t set the bar too high or low, it is exactly right and in keeping with any good club. First of all, the standards are very clear and the same for everyone. There … Continue reading Grading At Shi Kon

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Heaven Or Hell

Steve Rowe

Is this heaven or hell? Are the people around you stupid and ignorant? Are they only out for themselves? Are they all cheats and liars? If so, you are in hell. Are the people around you patient and tolerant? Are they kind and supportive? Do you all work as a team in a positive way? Then you are in heaven. Like attracts like. Birds of a feather stick together. You determine whether you are in heaven or hell. It’s your choice. Continue reading Heaven Or Hell

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The 13 Dynamics Of Tai Chi

Steve Rowe

Often called the ’13 Techniques’ or the ’13 Postures’ this list can really confuse Tai Chi practitioners and therefore they often get sidelined or bypassed, but when understood, they lie at the heart of Tai Chi practice.  To understand that they are ‘fighting’ dynamics that are held in the mind that are trained with the potential to be used instantly, reflexively and spontaneously in response to the opponent’s actions at any time  and although some are linked to certain techniques they are not the techniques, they are fighting strategies of ‘aliveness’ and are therefore dynamic because they are used to … Continue reading The 13 Dynamics Of Tai Chi