Tag: philosophy

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Sensitivity In The Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

Sensitivity In The Martial Arts “Sifu, in my mate’s class they learn to harden and desensitise their arms by bashing them together with the blocking movements, why don’t we do that?”  Rod had lots of martial arts ‘mates’ who trained at different clubs and they would get together on a regular basis to ‘share’ their knowledge. “What purpose do you think our arms, hands and fingers serve Rod, why do you think we have them?”  Sifu answered the question with a question in his usual ‘Chan Buddhist’ way… “To hammer the crap out of our opponents?”  Rod was being mischievous, … Continue reading Sensitivity In The Martial Arts

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Bowing In Karate

Steve Rowe

Bowing In Karate It was unusual for Sensei to line us up for class and do the warm up…. “Seiza….”  We all knelt down.  “Kiritsu” We all stood up.  “Seiza….” We all knelt down again.  “Kiritsu” We all stood up again. “Is this our warm up Sensei?” asked Bob cheekily… “It wasn’t going to be, but I think the lesson plan has just changed” replied Sensei.  When you kneel down, don’t lean forwards, your head needs to go straight down with your eyes looking forwards…” As we all tried it, our heads were bobbing all over the place. “It’s hard … Continue reading Bowing In Karate

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Philosophy Is Important In Training

Steve Rowe

Philosophy Is Important In Training A few of the guys had come in early because they didn’t want to go home from school/college/ work and come out again for training, some were doing their own training, some their homework and some just reading or playing portable computer games. Jake and his friends were working out on the punch bags and then trying out the techniques on each other, they were working up an enthusiastic sweat and had eventually bought a bag to the floor and were working on their best ‘ground and pound’ techniques rolling with the bag and then … Continue reading Philosophy Is Important In Training

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4 Elements And Martial Arts Training

Steve Rowe

4 Elements And Martial Arts Training Sensei was enjoying sitting down with the guys after training in the lounge area of the Dojo just watching and listening as they exchanged the traditional exchange of views and friendly banter about the Martial Arts over coffee and soft drinks…. “If it don’t work in a real fight, what’s the point training it?” asked Brian. “I think there’s more to training in the Martial Arts than just fighting” said Jed “after all, there’s your health to think about…” “And what about pure enjoyment” interjected Gary “sometimes you train for the sheer sensual enjoyment … Continue reading 4 Elements And Martial Arts Training

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Deception And Speed

Steve Rowe

Deception And Speed “Speed can mean deceiving the opponent’s mind as much as working for physical speed” Sifu said quite confusingly…  “One volunteer please…” I was shoved unceremoniously forward from behind by one of my ‘friends’ as a laugh and stumbled into Sifu’s way “Okay, guard up and block my attack please….”  I put both arms up, hands protecting my face and elbows protecting my ribs and took a fighting stance. Sifu turned to face the other students who were still trying to stifle a laugh at the way I’d been ‘volunteered’ by my ‘friend’.  “When you go into ‘fight … Continue reading Deception And Speed

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Want And Need In The Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

Want And Need In The Martial Arts “I’m not going to give you what you want today, I’m going to give you what you need…..”  Sifu was teaching a seminar to a group of martial artists that had never seen him before. This created a response in Mathew, a studious young man from the group.  “I don’t understand the difference Sifu?” Sifu had already anticipated this response… “Most seminar teachers these days teach seminars for a living, therefore they feel obliged to ‘entertain’ the students and come across as a ‘nice person’.  They are very personable, shake everyone’s hand, have … Continue reading Want And Need In The Martial Arts

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Training For Pleasure

Steve Rowe

Training For Pleasure “With all this work we do to improve, do you think there’s a time that we’ll start getting worse?” We welcomed the break in between Tai Chi classes, apart from the physical break, it gave us the chance to discuss anything from the latest kung fu movies to the deepest Buddhist philosophy with Sifu. Teresa had a stressful job in accounting, worked long hours and would come into class looking tired, sigh with effort at the beginning and end of the class but the years would slip away as she appeared get younger and always seemed to … Continue reading Training For Pleasure

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The Bows And Pumps Of Tai Chi

Steve Rowe

The Bows And Pumps Of Tai Chi “Suspend the head, Sifu I don’t get it….  I understand that it’s a line from the classics, but what does it mean?” Ronnie sounded confused. “Actually,” said Sifu “‘suspend’ is an excellent and accurate term, sometimes it’s translated as ‘raise’ the head, but ‘suspended as if from above’ is the best terminology.  The head needs to be in the correct position, with the occipital (base of skull) sitting correctly on the atlas (top of the spine).  The head weighs around ten pounds and doubles in weight through the body for every inch it’s … Continue reading The Bows And Pumps Of Tai Chi

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Simple Or Skilfull RBSD

Steve Rowe

Simple Or Skilfull RBSD “RBSD is the way forwards, because they don’t stand for any nonsense….”  Gamal had been on t’internet again and watching the free video clips of various instructors. “Waddya mean ‘don’t stand for any nonsense’” asked Stuart. “Look at this guy” said Gamal opening his laptop and turning the video on, “see how he’s showing how Karate stances and Defensive postures wouldn’t work in a fight and how his ‘natural movement’ is more effective?” “What a weird way of teaching,” said Stuart scratching his head… “Why’s that?” asked Gamal. “Because he’s spending all his time telling and … Continue reading Simple Or Skilfull RBSD

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The Green Eyed Monster

Steve Rowe

The Green Eyed Monster It was typical locker room room talk…. There’s always one black belt that just can’t control his arrogance.  Duncan was typical of this kind of person; he’d moved in from out of town and therefore hadn’t grown up in the spirit of the dojo.  He couldn’t keep his counsel and had to pontificate on everything.  He was a typical ‘snake oil vendor’ – in that what he said almost made sense until you realised that it was only a game of ‘one upmanship’ and he was shaping his words to gain acolytes and admirers and in … Continue reading The Green Eyed Monster