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In Memory Of Alan Emery

Steve Rowe

In Memory Of Alan Emery “Why do you let that man train?” “What man” I asked politely. “Alan.”  Alan was one of our ‘special needs’ students.  “Whenever we’re doing our form he never moves in time with us, he’s always bumping into us, when we’re doing our exercises he’s always making strange noises and passing wind – it’s disgusting!” “I don’t just let him train; I actually sponsor him to train here.” “Why on earth do you do that?” “To help people like you become more tolerant.”  There was no answer to that.  The student coloured up and left quite … Continue reading In Memory Of Alan Emery

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Both Sides Of The Brain

Steve Rowe

Both Sides Of The Brain “Sanchin!” Ahhh ….  My favourite…. Sensei can be a bit intense teaching this kata, it’s when we get on to principle number seven, the internal system.  Our version of sanchin appears to be soft, in fact very Chinese in comparison to many other karate styles.  It’s the pivotal point in our karate system where we go from external to internal at 5th kyu, the half way point from white to black belt.  Sensei was giving correction to Tim, a slightly nervous guy who doesn’t take correction too easily…. “Tim, straighten your back, that’s better, now … Continue reading Both Sides Of The Brain

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Martial Parenting

Steve Rowe

Martial Parenting The energy from the children’s class is powerful.  Twenty happy, flushed smiling faces, all wanting to talk at once and tell sensei what they’ve been up to since the last lesson creates a level of chaos that frightens lesser instructors and leaves them depleted after their struggle to contain and direct the chaos for 45 minutes. But sensei has a different method, it’s almost like he is one the kids, but maybe the leader of the gang, he immerses himself gleefully into the sea of energy, floating easily within, and almost imperceptibly guiding the flow….  Often it seems … Continue reading Martial Parenting

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Martial Chakras

Steve Rowe

Martial Chakras “Chakras?  What are they all about then?”  Ray was always the sceptic. John answered “the word ‘chakra’ means ‘spinning wheel’, and it refers to the spinning wheels of energy on the microcosmic orbit.” “Microcosmic orbit?” Ray jeered, is that out of Star Trek?  “Is it further than the Milky Way?” “As far as your understanding goes,” said John, “it might as well be…” “Fill me in dude, fill me in…” Ray wasn’t going to let go, “I need to know about ‘chakras’ and the ‘microcosmic orbit’..” Ray changed his finger ‘quote marks’ to the ‘live long and prosper’ … Continue reading Martial Chakras

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Disguised Buddhism

Steve Rowe

Disguised Buddhism “I went to a business guru meeting over the weekend, it was really motivating!”  Dan was telling the other black belts as they sat on the floor stretching, waiting for the Instructors class to start…. “How to win friends and influence people eh?”  It appears that Geoff was not so impressed. “And get rich quick!” Francis decided to join in the fun. “No, no, no,” said Dan, “that’s all very 1960’s!” “Not if you read the martial arts magazines and my spam emails it ain’t” said Geoff. “Seriously,” said Dan, “these people have grown since the early days, … Continue reading Disguised Buddhism

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Europe’s Warrior Monks

Steve Rowe

Europe’s Warrior Monks “Sensei!  The Shaolin Monks are in town!” “Aw man,” said one of the other students, “they’re awesome!” “They’re certainly incredible athletes,” said Sensei. “Athletes?  They’re true warrior monks!” “They certainly were in the past, now they’re great athletes and showmen, not so much war for them nowadays eh?  Like all the worlds warrior monks, they’ve had their days of helping to change governments. “Hang on…..  Like all the worlds warrior monks?  What do you mean by that?” “Well, you don’t think they were the only warrior monks do you?” “Of course!” “You obviously haven’t read your own … Continue reading Europe’s Warrior Monks

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Martial Arts Merchants

Steve Rowe

Martial Arts Merchants There was always a pile of old martial arts magazines in the corner of the Dojo for parents and students awaiting their classes to read.  It was reminiscent of the old fashioned barber shop with the tattered and slightly rude magazines lying around to read whilst you waited for your turn to get your hair cut – or the ancient pile of ‘Tatler’ and ‘Home and Garden’ in the dentist waiting room. Greg and Tanya were flicking through looking at the various adverts and articles with obvious distaste. “The Worlds greatest what?  How does he know?” “How … Continue reading Martial Arts Merchants

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It’s All About Respect

Steve Rowe

It’s All About Respect “OSSSSSS! It sounded strange as the visitor bowed and entered the Dojo. Why so strange? Because our etiquette is to stand quietly to attention and bow to Kamiza (the shrine) as we enter the Dojo and then toward Sensei.  The noise sounded really odd to us.  Sensei nodded in the direction of the guest and said no more. As if this was not enough, our visitor strode up to Sensei. “OSSSS!  Sensei!  My name is Raoul, I am a nidan from the Magrid Shotokan Academy under the instruction of Chimo Sensei.  I am here on holiday … Continue reading It’s All About Respect

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Tai Chi – The Ultimate Skirmish Art

Steve Rowe

Tai Chi – The Ultimate Skirmish Art “I would consider tai chi to be the ultimate skirmish art” said a night club doorman of 28 years and lifelong martial artist.  “This is exactly what happens on the doors and it gives us the skills to deal with being pushed, pulled grabbed and hit from all directions at the same time, we’re often in a melee and the ability to cope with simultaneous multi directional attacks is essential. The mental image that most have of Tai Chi is that of the ‘hippy’ or ‘health’ version and of old age pensioners creaking … Continue reading Tai Chi – The Ultimate Skirmish Art

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Hand Healing In The Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

Hand Healing In The Martial Arts The kwoon was unusually quiet.  When I entered Sifu was standing with his hands on Jane’s head, she was seated with her eyes closed.  Everyone else was getting on with the business of training, warming up or in a conversation of hushed whispers.  The aura of the healing that was taking place gave the usually lively character of the room the feeling of a church. Its strange how Sifu was just standing and Jane sitting, to a casual observer nothing was happening and yet the energy transfer that was taking place was obvious enough … Continue reading Hand Healing In The Martial Arts