Tag: kung fu

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The Learning Process

Steve Rowe

The Learning Process The learning process of the mind, Is a specific process, It is important to understand, To be able to learn effectively. Shi Kon use a mnemonic acronym, As this is the best way to remember, If you refine this process, All learning will be easier. The acronym we use is ATARC, This is a specific order, One cannot be done effectively, Without the preparation of the other. A is for attitude, This is the most important, Unless this is in the correct state, Everything else will be wrong. Attitude is emotional intelligence, Putting nothing in the way … Continue reading The Learning Process

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Tai Chi Makes You Beautiful

Steve Rowe

“Okay…..   Let’s warm down with a bit of tai chi….. the Yang 108 form first section….”  This was quite usual in our class, it helped us to work on the internal aspects of our training plus the posture breathing and relaxation required to source our power properly. “Mol gik….” Everyone stood correcting their posture, making their breathing deeper, softening and stretching to make the ‘greater heavenly cycle’ of chi function more efficiently.  This was an excellent form of standing meditation, often called ‘wu chi’, an experience of ‘everything and nothing’ at the same time. “Tai gik.”  Everyone prepared for movement … Continue reading Tai Chi Makes You Beautiful

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Dojo Visitor

Steve Rowe

There are times when you’re talking to someone and you suddenly realise that they aren’t listening to a word you’re saying.  They are only waiting for an opportunity to speak. The guy had come in for a free ‘guest’ training session and actually worked quite hard.  The only problem was that he hadn’t heard a word of the instruction given to him.   The words ‘using a sledgehammer to crush a grape’ sprang to mind – everything he did was simply full of effort with surprisingly poor results He had cruised over to sensei after the session and started to discuss … Continue reading Dojo Visitor

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Why Questions Are Important

Steve Rowe

“Any questions?” A sea of blank faces look back. “Did you understand the principles taught?” Did I almost see a nod from one person? The Martial Arts is a funny old game.  We are told that it is traditionally taught by blind acceptance/faith.  The Instructor stands out the front of the class and barks orders occasionally moving an arm or leg of the student and if anyone DARES to ask a question he is immediately used as the demonstration model as to how the technique works and is left in no doubt as to what the consequences of asking questions … Continue reading Why Questions Are Important

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Dealing With Fear

Steve Rowe

Dealing With Fear Fear is healthy, Everyone has it, It keeps you on your toes, Unless it gets out of hand. Then it freezes you, Or makes you into a monster, Either way it doesn’t help, And turns you into a victim. There is no ‘quick fix’, No ‘little trick’ to solve it, It requires Kung Fu, That is time and effort. Every day you learn to watch your emotions, What you do and how you react, Unnatural fear is a learned response, That has to be unlearned. Every time you train, You train your emotions, Neigong means ‘inner work’, … Continue reading Dealing With Fear

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I Have A Dream…

Steve Rowe

That one day Martial Arts will not be thought of as ‘separate’ Martial Arts, that the politics of structures like Karate, Ju Jitsu,  Kung Fu, Taekwondo and Aikido are consigned to history – that Martial Arts will retain it’s diversity without the politics and have just one Governing Body dealing only with club structure, safety and the various types of competition…. That there will be no politics of styles, no Wado, no Shotokan, no Hun Gar, no GKR, no Tomiki, that everyone will be working to be the best they can and eventually transcending the ‘style’ of their teachers with … Continue reading I Have A Dream…

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Eating Bitter..

Steve Rowe

Eating Bitter The Martial Arts are full of certificates and awards, Photographs with Masters, Everyone holding a fist up, What’s it supposed to mean? A certificate is a piece of paper, A belt holds up your trousers, A photo means you met that person, The value is what it means to you. A grade defines the relationship, Between student and the Instructor, It determines what classes are attended, And what the student is taught. It can also define status, The managerial structure, Instead of foreman, manager and director, We have sempei, sensei and renshi. If the instructor puts too much … Continue reading Eating Bitter..

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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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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..