Tag: karate

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Discipline

Steve Rowe

From my recent (not very controversial) it gives rise to this thought. We have to understand the difference between good and pad pain. We have to learn to discipline our needs and weaknesses without damaging ourselves. Discipline to make us physically, emotionally and mentally stronger is the reason we train. To permanently damage ourselves in any way is stupid. Those extra punches, kicks, push ups, minutes in stances etc push us safely beyond our limits, to go an hour without a drink will hardly damage us. I’m currently fasting for 18 hours a day, I feel hungry, it hurts, but … Continue reading Discipline

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Deeper Teaching

Steve Rowe

As a teacher you might wonder why what you’re teaching seems to go in one ear and straight out the other with students. You might keep repeating the same thing again and again, wondering why it’s not sinking in. Then occasionally a student might say “you’ve been telling me this for years, but I’ve only just realised what you’ve been trying to say.” You might be presenting it badly, and that’s certainly worth examining, but also a student can’t understand anything until they’re ready. How can we tell when a student is ‘ready’ to understand that deeper teaching? Firstly you … Continue reading Deeper Teaching

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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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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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Venom & Intent

Steve Rowe

Anyone that has worked or had to function in a violent environment will definitely know this and I would have thought that almost everyone would, but sometimes I wonder. Intent and venom rule above all everything else, followed by rock solid basics that produce power. I look at so many videos showing fancy shit and think that I’d walk straight through them as would any of my Kohai from back in the day. They take the p*ss out of ‘old style’ karateka practising relentless basics and using the makiwara but they have no idea of how we trained and tested … Continue reading Venom & Intent

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Form/Kata Training

Steve Rowe

One of the great things about martial arts is the ability to vary the training. Forms/kata can be:Large, middle or small frameSoft, natural, or focused energy, healing or dischargingFocus on posture, breathing or balanceFast, normal or slow speedWork on snake, tiger, crane, leopard or dragon stylesWork on ‘pulling’ inwards (strangling, choking, throwing applications)With the same techniques work on ‘pushing’ outwards (striking, pushing applications)Focus on different body parts (feet, legs, hips, waist, upper torso, arms, hands, head)Change intent, focus on body, skill level, opponent, power and venomWork on mobility, rooting or ‘pulsing’ to create movement. Other forms of solo exercise training … Continue reading Form/Kata Training

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The Bottom Line

Steve Rowe

When you plumb down to the bottom line of any martial art, past the dogma and politics, past the flowery hands and embroidered feet, you discover that although there are many paths, the bottom line is the same. Anyone who thinks it’s not, they haven’t got there yet. When you plumb down to the bottom line of any philosophy or religion, past the dogma, past the buildings, robes, and the rituals, you discover that although there are many paths, the bottom line is the same. Anyone who thinks it’s not, they haven’t got there yet. Truth is truth. It’s unchanging. … Continue reading The Bottom Line

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Karate in the 70’s

Steve Rowe

When people ask what it was like doing karate in the 70’s, it was: David Carradine, Bruce Lee and Saturday ‘late night’ movie Kung Fu mystic and magic. Changing rooms stank of tiger balm, spray starch, cold gi’s being warmed under hand dryers, hai karate aftershave and old spice. No one said ‘sparring’, it was ‘fighting’, no gloves or padding and full contact. Club rivalry, ‘visits’ and ‘challenges’ were commonplace. Emotions of fear, dread, camaraderie and friendship made from blood, sweat and never any tears. Pain, permanent black eyes, cracked and broken ribs, noses, broken teeth, hands, fingers, toes, feet … Continue reading Karate in the 70’s