Tag: steve rowe

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Martial Arts Are Not Binary

Steve Rowe

Martial Arts are not binary. There are different types of people in every art and style and they are practiced in a myriad of different ways. Every self defence situation is pretty unique and a good martial artist has a toolbox of mental, emotional and physical strategies that they are able to use in a spontaneous way according to the situation to resolve it. I have used and seen used strategies and techniques that would be laughed at by the ‘one handed typist’ trolls and finger wagging reel makers that permeate our social media feeds. If only life was as … Continue reading Martial Arts Are Not Binary

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Eagle Vision

Steve Rowe

Eagle Vision People used to ask me how I could judge and grade a class of 30 students at the same time. Eagle vision is a skill using peripheral vision where I could watch the entire class at the same time and constantly pick out those above and below the standard I was looking for. It’s a state of mind where I utilise my awareness and instinct above thought. It enables me to read people and situations quickly and at a far deeper level than the thinking mind that is slow, laborious, easily distracted and reaches an apathetic state very … Continue reading Eagle Vision

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Seated Meditation

Steve Rowe

Find a kitchen chair or something similar (as in the photo) to sit on. Breathe in by expanding the lower abdomen and back, then opening the ribs, stretching (but not stiffening) upwards through the crown of the head with the entire body, opening and filling with energy all the spaces and cavities, including joints and all tissue. When the breath in is complete wait to allow all the energy to finish rising until you would have to stop yourself from breathing out before placing the tongue to the top palette and releasing the breath, and energy, softening down, draining the … Continue reading Seated Meditation

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What Are Immortals?

Steve Rowe

What Are Immortals?Immortals are not humans that live forever.They are humans that have discovered their consciousness.They are ‘stream enterers’.Immersed in universal consciousness.Knowing what they were before they were born.What they will still be after ‘death’.What gives their body life.What is looking out of their eyes.Listening through their ears.Smelling through their nose.Tasting with their tongue.Understanding that they are an aperture.Through which the universe experiences itself.From a sea of consciousness.That has no beginning or end.From which everything rises and falls like waves.Where the shape changes but not the form.We are all immortal.If only we knew it. Continue reading What Are Immortals?

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The Observer Effect

Steve Rowe

In quantum physics, the observer effect describes how the act of observing or measuring a quantum system inevitably alters that system’s state. This is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, where observation is not a passive act of simply noting a pre-existing condition, but rather an active interaction that changes the system being studied. This is the magic that happens in mindfulness. In a mindful state we are able to observe our thoughts and emotions from a dispassionate state and by merely observing them, they change. We get to understand that anger, anxiety, desires and associated feelings and thoughts are … Continue reading The Observer Effect

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Bond Between Teacher & Student

Steve Rowe

I was reading an article on new research that said that when a baby is formed in the womb the exchange of cells with the mother’s body leaves many of the child’s cells in her body after birth, changing her cells permanently forming a life long bond between mother and child. A traditional martial arts teacher over time forms a relationship with a good student that creates a fundamental change in the student’s psyche forming a life long bond between them that can never be changed. Wherever they go, whatever they do in life they remain bound by the teachings. … Continue reading Bond Between Teacher & Student

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Teaching Children Martial Arts

Steve Rowe

How to teach children, by Steve Rowe 9th Dan, gleaned from 50 years experience of teaching successful children’s classes. Control them before a class, when they enter the hall they must either sit down with arms and legs folded, be practising their techniques or sitting with their parents. If you let them run around or be silly before a class you will never control them in it. They must be following instructions ALL the time. Either sitting with arms and legs folded, standing to attention or at ease or performing a technique. They must always be looking at you and … Continue reading Teaching Children Martial Arts

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Tai Chi Does Me

Steve Rowe

My morning training sessionI think I’ll work on this or thatThe moment I drop into ‘the zone’Everything changesTai Chi does meInsight and wisdom arisesWay beyond what normal me could think ofIt’s wordless, full of understandingsThat would be impossible to describeI’m in awe of what comes throughThis morning it showed me the yinHow all the yang outward techniquesHad had an inward yin expressionStrikes gouges and pushes outwardHad strangles, chokes, throws and pulls on the insideBoth could co-exist at the same timeAnd be trained at the same timeLike in the yin/yang symbolWhile one was being expressedThe potential for the other always existedHow … Continue reading Tai Chi Does Me

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Martial Art ‘Business’

Steve Rowe

You don’t have to be good at martial arts to make money from them. It all started with the Americans. They brought formatted marketing, franchising, revolving door recruitment, squeezing money out of newbies until they were bled dry and the ‘briefcase sensei’ to the U.K. in the 80’s. Those of us old enough remember, watched as junior instructors were encouraged to leave their Sensei and association and follow the American ‘yellow brick road’ of a purely commercial Dojo. When a new student joined, their black belt was put on the wall with the potential date of when they would achieve … Continue reading Martial Art ‘Business’

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Classic Student Quotes

Steve Rowe

Let’s look at a few classics. I’m going away for a few weeks so have cancelled my payments.That’s fine but you appreciate that your payments reserve your place in class so you lose that and we have a waiting list to fill your place that you can join when you return. I’d love to train with you but you’re too far away.I went to China to learn what I’m teaching you, but do you want me to come round to your house and move your arms and legs for you? I’d love to come on your seminars but the only … Continue reading Classic Student Quotes