The crane styles, and other forms of Southern Chinese martial arts influenced the development of Karate on Okinawa. Here are some video clips to show what Karate might have looked like in the old days.
The following clip is interesting. You can see hints of Tensho and Chinto in there.
Other writers have suggest that maybe there's also a link between hsing i and karate. I read somewhere that Ankoh Itosu (who created the Pinan forms) might have studied some hsing i. Anyway, here's a clip...
There's some nice form and application demos here. If you're into bunkai and things it's worth studying these other martial arts to see how they use whole-body movements and how stances, leg traps, etc are applied.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
"I've had a bad day..."
I've heard this one before, and I've used it myself often enough.
"Sensei, I've had a bad day, so I won't be training too good tonight. I was late for work, and I had a blowout on the freeway, then I had a run-in with the boss, I forgot to do a message for my wife and now I'm tired and grumpy and...."
"So what? You're here now. Get on with your training".
So our victim of circumstance now has to endure a punishing night in the dojo. The purpose of the lesson is to experience the present moment. Who cares what happened today? Who cares what happened 20 seconds ago?
There's an old story about two monks who happen to come across a river. An attractive young lady is having difficulty crossing. One of the monks lifts her up and carries her across the river.
The other monk is horrified. It is against their rules to have any kind of contact with the opposite sex. Several miles down the road the monk decides to confront his rule-breaking colleague.
"Why did you pick up that woman by the river? It's against the rules!" he complained.
The other monk smiled. "I put her down at the other side of the river. Why are you still carrying her?"
When you enter the Dojo, put on your gi and bow make it a silent ceremony to clear your mind of the day's woes. Present yourself properly for training and focus on the moment.
Anyway, I had a bad day today. Went to the wrong venue for a meeting, had a dull day at work, a difficult evening training and now I'm tired and grumpy. OK, time to take a deep breath!
"Sensei, I've had a bad day, so I won't be training too good tonight. I was late for work, and I had a blowout on the freeway, then I had a run-in with the boss, I forgot to do a message for my wife and now I'm tired and grumpy and...."
"So what? You're here now. Get on with your training".
So our victim of circumstance now has to endure a punishing night in the dojo. The purpose of the lesson is to experience the present moment. Who cares what happened today? Who cares what happened 20 seconds ago?
There's an old story about two monks who happen to come across a river. An attractive young lady is having difficulty crossing. One of the monks lifts her up and carries her across the river.
The other monk is horrified. It is against their rules to have any kind of contact with the opposite sex. Several miles down the road the monk decides to confront his rule-breaking colleague.
"Why did you pick up that woman by the river? It's against the rules!" he complained.
The other monk smiled. "I put her down at the other side of the river. Why are you still carrying her?"
When you enter the Dojo, put on your gi and bow make it a silent ceremony to clear your mind of the day's woes. Present yourself properly for training and focus on the moment.
Anyway, I had a bad day today. Went to the wrong venue for a meeting, had a dull day at work, a difficult evening training and now I'm tired and grumpy. OK, time to take a deep breath!
Typical!
I recently posted about how well training's been going, and how well behaved everyone was. But tonight was hard work!
Hardly any kids in attendance, and those that were seemed to be in a world of their own. They did buck up later on though, and they did train quite well finally.
The senior class was a bit hit and miss. There was some good training, but there was a bit of schoolyard politics going on amongst one or two people. Sometimes you have to be like a UN peacekeeping force. That is to say, keep out of it, you won't be effective!!
I hope the individuals concerned will settle their differences. Bad feeling can destroy a club. And that isn't fair to those who wish to train, develop, and become good martial artists.
Well done to those who put in the extra effort (you know who you are), and also to those who were unable to train, but still made the effort to come along to watch.
Hardly any kids in attendance, and those that were seemed to be in a world of their own. They did buck up later on though, and they did train quite well finally.
The senior class was a bit hit and miss. There was some good training, but there was a bit of schoolyard politics going on amongst one or two people. Sometimes you have to be like a UN peacekeeping force. That is to say, keep out of it, you won't be effective!!
I hope the individuals concerned will settle their differences. Bad feeling can destroy a club. And that isn't fair to those who wish to train, develop, and become good martial artists.
Well done to those who put in the extra effort (you know who you are), and also to those who were unable to train, but still made the effort to come along to watch.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Older Youngsters
It must be awful being a teenager today. Too old to play with lego, too young to appreciate prog rock. We have a lot of teens in our class. Some of them are into prog rock, so the world hasn't quite gone over the edge. I don't know if they're into lego, I didn't ask.
Managing young people is a difficult job. I found that the best thing to do is "allow" them to train their way. Not run riot, or let them think they know best (which, of course, they do!) - but to let them find their own level and train for whatever reasons they have.
Some of them are very enthusiastic, technically very competent and skilful. Others like the club for socialising. But when they are given the space to get on with it, over time, each one of them has found the "groove". Last week saw some excellent training from everyone without me having to offer too much "encouragement" or "motivation"!
It's a bit like filtering water. Leave it to stand in its own time and soon the mud will settle.
The trick to progressing teens is to let them develop at their own pace. Some will go through their grades quicker than others, but that doesn't really matter. The experience of training is more important, and quite often the Dojo is a good refuge from the troubles of exams, schoolyard politics and the tribulations of growing up.
I know an instructor who was great with young people, mostly because everyone thought he was a big kid. Or was it because the young people had grown up too quickly? That would be sad.
A good philosophy is to allow everyone to experience themselves in their own nature, without imposition. (Men in suits have tried to impose themselves on nature, but it won't work and there'll be trouble. ) It's a tough philosophy, this one. We all have to learn to let go and let things be. It's for the best.
I thought I'd post some philosophical prog rock in case any of our lot are reading this!
(Listen to the lyrics...)
Managing young people is a difficult job. I found that the best thing to do is "allow" them to train their way. Not run riot, or let them think they know best (which, of course, they do!) - but to let them find their own level and train for whatever reasons they have.
Some of them are very enthusiastic, technically very competent and skilful. Others like the club for socialising. But when they are given the space to get on with it, over time, each one of them has found the "groove". Last week saw some excellent training from everyone without me having to offer too much "encouragement" or "motivation"!
It's a bit like filtering water. Leave it to stand in its own time and soon the mud will settle.
The trick to progressing teens is to let them develop at their own pace. Some will go through their grades quicker than others, but that doesn't really matter. The experience of training is more important, and quite often the Dojo is a good refuge from the troubles of exams, schoolyard politics and the tribulations of growing up.
I know an instructor who was great with young people, mostly because everyone thought he was a big kid. Or was it because the young people had grown up too quickly? That would be sad.
A good philosophy is to allow everyone to experience themselves in their own nature, without imposition. (Men in suits have tried to impose themselves on nature, but it won't work and there'll be trouble. ) It's a tough philosophy, this one. We all have to learn to let go and let things be. It's for the best.
I thought I'd post some philosophical prog rock in case any of our lot are reading this!
(Listen to the lyrics...)
Youngsters
How old should children be accepted into a club? At my place the minimum age is 6 years, but my 4-year old daughter trains with us. Partly because her big sister is in attendance, and partly because it's daddy's club!
Melissa now has a training partner A friend of ours has a 4-year old boy who comes along. The two kids get along well, are under constant supervision from their respective parents and they have a great time. Sometimes they join in with the class, sometimes they just sit and watch, or use the focus mitts with Mum.
I'm not opening the doors to under six's though. It's a one-off personal arrangement. I don't have the resources (time and experienced helpers) to run a little 'uns class. At that age they need special care and attention, and lots of fun games to play. Many schools run successful "Little Dragons" programmes which are generally set up very well. Good supervision, parental interest and a sound syllabus are essential requirements.
Being four is difficult. Too old for toddler group, too young to play with the big kids.
Melissa now has a training partner A friend of ours has a 4-year old boy who comes along. The two kids get along well, are under constant supervision from their respective parents and they have a great time. Sometimes they join in with the class, sometimes they just sit and watch, or use the focus mitts with Mum.
I'm not opening the doors to under six's though. It's a one-off personal arrangement. I don't have the resources (time and experienced helpers) to run a little 'uns class. At that age they need special care and attention, and lots of fun games to play. Many schools run successful "Little Dragons" programmes which are generally set up very well. Good supervision, parental interest and a sound syllabus are essential requirements.
Being four is difficult. Too old for toddler group, too young to play with the big kids.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
New Year Training
Everyone at work has been saying "Happy New Year!"
Except it isn't and they're not. Everyone is a bit down in the dumps after the adrenaline rush of party season and the realisation that they're back on the treadmill for another year.
Lucky me then, to be back in the Dojo! It's been a hectic 2 weeks of doing extra hours (10 hour days - ugh! Get up in the dark, go home in the dark).
Karate has been great, just the thing to brighten my day. Even the students have come back and behaved themselves, and they put some effort into their training. We've had some fun classes.
We're working on some new kata of course (Pinan Shodan right now). My approach isn't to go into the fine details or too much correction. You can't correct what isn't there yet. So we're working on "learning the moves". Not ichi-ni-san (yawn!) but by varying the pace and structure of the sessions. The students are picking up key points in the kata much better than before, and I was able to look at some fine detail along the way tonight.
We studied some basic applications from the form which adds to interest, and momentum in the lessons keeps up. If you give their minds a gap to peer through, boredom and distraction (especially in the senior class) soon creep in.
The trick is to keep minds focused by breaking up the rhythm of the classes, as well as maintaining the stimulus and challenge.
All in all it's been a good start to the year, and I still believe that martial arts training is better than mindless exercise in the gym.
Except it isn't and they're not. Everyone is a bit down in the dumps after the adrenaline rush of party season and the realisation that they're back on the treadmill for another year.
Lucky me then, to be back in the Dojo! It's been a hectic 2 weeks of doing extra hours (10 hour days - ugh! Get up in the dark, go home in the dark).
Karate has been great, just the thing to brighten my day. Even the students have come back and behaved themselves, and they put some effort into their training. We've had some fun classes.
We're working on some new kata of course (Pinan Shodan right now). My approach isn't to go into the fine details or too much correction. You can't correct what isn't there yet. So we're working on "learning the moves". Not ichi-ni-san (yawn!) but by varying the pace and structure of the sessions. The students are picking up key points in the kata much better than before, and I was able to look at some fine detail along the way tonight.
We studied some basic applications from the form which adds to interest, and momentum in the lessons keeps up. If you give their minds a gap to peer through, boredom and distraction (especially in the senior class) soon creep in.
The trick is to keep minds focused by breaking up the rhythm of the classes, as well as maintaining the stimulus and challenge.
All in all it's been a good start to the year, and I still believe that martial arts training is better than mindless exercise in the gym.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
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