Tag: shi kon

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Why Me?

Steve Rowe

Why Me? Why me? I’m a good person, I don’t do anything wrong, So why do I have to suffer? All the horrible evil people in the world, And this has to happen to me, That can’t be right, Is there no justice? Do you think there is a God sitting in judgment of you? That people that do good get a ‘nice’ time? A God making sure that evil people suffer? Look around you…. There is the law of the universe, That is true, Then there is a current law of society, That is attempted by humans. It is … Continue reading Why Me?

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Icebergs Instead Of Mountains

Steve Rowe

Icebergs Instead Of Mountains We call them the ‘pontificators’, they have a view on everything, usually borne out of ignorance and just have to let everyone know. They are the proverbial ‘pain in the ass’ in any club.  There is an old saying that “if you ever look down on someone – it should be to give them a helping hand up” but the ‘pontificators’ do the opposite. They are unable to elevate themselves, so they beaver away trying to make others feel smaller and undermine their confidence. “You shouldn’t have passed your dan grading… you really weren’t good enough,  … Continue reading Icebergs Instead Of Mountains

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How To Avoid Being Clumsy

Steve Rowe

How To Avoid Being Clumsy It was one of those nights that you could feel the testosterone in the air… We had started by hitting pads, with the pad holder using front punch, cross punch, hook punch, front kick and round kick angles at random.  We then changed distance and angle so that the hitter had to move, gauging distance and angle to get the best hit.  Then the pad holder started ‘paying’ the hitter when he couldn’t get back to a guard position in time by tapping him on the head with the pad. Then it went ‘freestyle’ and … Continue reading How To Avoid Being Clumsy

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It’s Not What You Do

Steve Rowe

It’s Not What You Do What’s the best fighting style? What’s the best art for self defence? That art is not effective! Why waste your time with those techniques? We all like to judge, And looking at those judging, My first thought is, People in glass houses…. My second thought is, You’re looking at it the wrong way round, It’s not what you do, It’s how you do it that counts. It’s not the art, It’s not the style, It’s the person training, That makes the difference. I know great fighters, That have never done martial arts, They have a … Continue reading It’s Not What You Do

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Taking Or Giving?

Steve Rowe

Taking Or Giving? Not being a liability on others, Means you always pay your bills, Living within your means, And not spending like a fool. Modern society tries to make you a slave, The media want you to spend, To buy things you don’t need, And to owe your life to them. You have things that work and serviceable, Yet you always want more or new, Because you are hypnotised by others, Who want to own your soul. Taking responsibility for your purse, Is a part of taking responsibility for your self, Taking possession of your time, And preventing your … Continue reading Taking Or Giving?

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The Meaning Of Life

Steve Rowe

“So…. what’s the meaning of life Sensei?”  We had all just sat down for a short break in between classes. “What do you think it is?”  The question had really been rhetorical and the questioner hadn’t really expected an answer – or the question to be answered with a question. “He’d be happy with a nymphomaniac that owned a pub!”  chimed in a helpful friend and fellow student…. “With a friend!”  helped another…. “So you think happiness is the meaning of life?” “Yeah!” they all chorused…  “As long as you’re happy, that’s the main thing…” “But surely, the nature of … Continue reading The Meaning Of Life

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Positive Visualisation In Kata

Steve Rowe

Positive Visualisation In Kata “Sit down.” We all sat down against the wall and looked expectantly at Sensei. Frank…”  Frank leapt to his feet and stood in the centre of the hall facing the students in a ready stance. “Kushanku.” Frank moved to attention stance, bowed to a 45 degree angle moved his feet apart and placed his left hand over his right, ring finger to ring finger before making a circle with his arms in front of him.  He then proceeded to move through the Kata making each movement as powerful as possible breathing out heavily with the application … Continue reading Positive Visualisation In Kata

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3 Essentials To Enlightenment

Steve Rowe

3 Essentials To Enlightenment If you want to be enlightened, And that doesn’t mean in the hippie sense, But to unburden yourself from too much suffering, There are 3 essentials that will help. The first is knowledge, To become the one that knows, Some people get this through experience and study, And some just never do. Knowledge gives a broad perspective, It helps you follow the right path, Books, learning and listening give knowledge, Intelligent use of them makes you grow. Study, meditation and experience, Are three keys to learning, The way of the true warrior, Is the pen, stillness … Continue reading 3 Essentials To Enlightenment

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You’ll Have To Kill Me…

Steve Rowe

You’ll Have To Kill Me… The only way you’ll stop me is to kill me. I don’t give up. If I gave up I might just as well be dead. Because life will have no value for me. This makes me pick my battles carefully, I won’t pick a fight just because I’m angry, Or disappointed, or any other shallow reason, Every challenge is one that I am prepared to dedicate my life to. There is only win or die, Nothing in between, Every thought, movement and technique has this dedication, Not desperate, but resolute and determined. Starting on the … Continue reading You’ll Have To Kill Me…

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Responsibility Of An Instructor

Steve Rowe

Responsibility Of An Instructor When you’ve been in this game a few years and you’ve seen a few thousand people come and go you tend to be able to categorise people and their actions.  Having said that, after 40 years I am still surprised by people that the Martial Arts “alchemy” has worked with – those that suddenly “awake” and turn from being a waste of Dojo space into spirited, courteous and conscientious Martial Artists. As a Coach we have to lay challenges out for the student in a trail of bite size chunks and see whether they are prepared … Continue reading Responsibility Of An Instructor