I came across this one browsing Stuart Wilde's blog. It's quite wonderful.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Martial Archive
There's a new website being launched next month (1st March) called the Martial Archive. Here's a link... there's already an extensive collection of articles, plus there'll be a forum opening soon too.
http://www.themartialarchive.com
Should be an excellent resource for anyone.
http://www.themartialarchive.com
Should be an excellent resource for anyone.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A Busy Week
I had a training session tonight. The three of us studied Pinan Yodan in some detail, both in terms of the kata structure and some applications to be found therein. The kata deals with a variety of common attacks including head punches, grabs, kicks and tie-ups. Great fun! Pinan Yodan is one of my personal favourites.
It's been quite a week for other training too. Having taken a brief break from regular daily training (due to new baby, a bout of illness and busy at work) it's good to be back into it. Apart from club nights, I've been working on kata and basics, as well as getting out and about. Tomorrow we're off out training for the forthcoming 40-mile walk we're participating in. We might even discuss Karate along the way.
I lead a pretty hectic lifestyle, thanks to a family, fulltime job, karate club and mortgage to support. There's always room in my schedule for some training, even if it's 10 minutes in the morning, plus reading books before bed. It amazes me to think that other people can be sooo busy they can't afford to take a few minutes out of their schedule for some training too. They must be so stressed out. Or perhaps they are stressed and hurried because they are not training!
I still have time for other interests and the occasional social event too, so it's not that bad. The benefits of martial arts training don't often appear quickly. They are an investment for the long term, which is more than I can say about 24/7 partying (although some party-time is good for the soul, I believe).
I've heard that the real benefits to martial arts training only become apparent once you reach 40 years old. Since I'm 40 this year I'm looking forward to it! I feel sorry for young people who are far too busy to even hold a proper conversation, let alone reward themselves with a little time out. Youth is wasted on young people, believe me.
Would I want to trade in what I have now for peace and tranquility? Of course not! Because peace and tranquility are states of mind, not physical conditions. Enlightenment (and beyond) isn't to be found in a remote cave, it's there all around us. You have to declare yourself "in" to get the most out of life.
Now then, just one more kata while this post uploads...
It's been quite a week for other training too. Having taken a brief break from regular daily training (due to new baby, a bout of illness and busy at work) it's good to be back into it. Apart from club nights, I've been working on kata and basics, as well as getting out and about. Tomorrow we're off out training for the forthcoming 40-mile walk we're participating in. We might even discuss Karate along the way.
I lead a pretty hectic lifestyle, thanks to a family, fulltime job, karate club and mortgage to support. There's always room in my schedule for some training, even if it's 10 minutes in the morning, plus reading books before bed. It amazes me to think that other people can be sooo busy they can't afford to take a few minutes out of their schedule for some training too. They must be so stressed out. Or perhaps they are stressed and hurried because they are not training!
I still have time for other interests and the occasional social event too, so it's not that bad. The benefits of martial arts training don't often appear quickly. They are an investment for the long term, which is more than I can say about 24/7 partying (although some party-time is good for the soul, I believe).
I've heard that the real benefits to martial arts training only become apparent once you reach 40 years old. Since I'm 40 this year I'm looking forward to it! I feel sorry for young people who are far too busy to even hold a proper conversation, let alone reward themselves with a little time out. Youth is wasted on young people, believe me.
Would I want to trade in what I have now for peace and tranquility? Of course not! Because peace and tranquility are states of mind, not physical conditions. Enlightenment (and beyond) isn't to be found in a remote cave, it's there all around us. You have to declare yourself "in" to get the most out of life.
Now then, just one more kata while this post uploads...
Living Room Kata
I've been training in the living room this week, and as part of that I worked out what are the best kata to do in such an environment. Most katas are do-able, but sometimes you have to adjust your stance, or shuffle about - or move the furniture around!
Wouldn't it be nice to have some kata that you could do in a small space without having to compromise or adjust the movements? The pinan katas, for instance, can take up a fair amount of space, similar to Kushanku. If you're room is square that's not a problem, but for more elongated spaces you need to think differently.
Anyway, I thought about creating a couple of simple "small space" katas for training basics (other than doing basics on the spot), but then I decided to go through traditional kata and see what would fit. Here's my list from our syllabus:
Sanchin
Tensho
Naihanchi
Chinto
Passai
Rohai
Now if anyone developed a system around those forms I reckon you'd have a pretty good martial art.
These katas can be done in full without fear of putting my foot through the television. There's always room for training.
Failing that, take up wing chun instead.
Wouldn't it be nice to have some kata that you could do in a small space without having to compromise or adjust the movements? The pinan katas, for instance, can take up a fair amount of space, similar to Kushanku. If you're room is square that's not a problem, but for more elongated spaces you need to think differently.
Anyway, I thought about creating a couple of simple "small space" katas for training basics (other than doing basics on the spot), but then I decided to go through traditional kata and see what would fit. Here's my list from our syllabus:
Sanchin
Tensho
Naihanchi
Chinto
Passai
Rohai
Now if anyone developed a system around those forms I reckon you'd have a pretty good martial art.
These katas can be done in full without fear of putting my foot through the television. There's always room for training.
Failing that, take up wing chun instead.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Kata Night
Just a handful of students down tonight (many of the students were at a farewell event for their friends visiting from Germany), plus I'm full of a cold inherited from the kids....
After a gentle warm-up and some dynamic stretching exercises we spent most of the night on two kata - pinan nidan and naihanchi. It was nice to have a good old fashioned kata session and it proved to be a nice wake-up after a loooong day at work.
We finished the class with some punching exercises on the focus pads using some of the ideas found within naihanchi, paying attention to the feet, head and hips/waist and "shaking" (maybe "waving" is a better word) energy.
After a gentle warm-up and some dynamic stretching exercises we spent most of the night on two kata - pinan nidan and naihanchi. It was nice to have a good old fashioned kata session and it proved to be a nice wake-up after a loooong day at work.
We finished the class with some punching exercises on the focus pads using some of the ideas found within naihanchi, paying attention to the feet, head and hips/waist and "shaking" (maybe "waving" is a better word) energy.
Friday, February 06, 2009
And w'ere off
I received confirmation of our club's team entry into this year's Keswick to Barrow walk. Hurrah! Training begins next Sunday and I'm looking forward to it. Has it really been a year since we last went for it?
The KB Walk, if you didn't know, is a 40 mile charity walk through England's Lake District national park. It begins just outside the village of Keswick and ends at a local sports club at Barrow-inFurness. It's a great experience and I hope the gang in our team will enjoy it.
The KB Walk, if you didn't know, is a 40 mile charity walk through England's Lake District national park. It begins just outside the village of Keswick and ends at a local sports club at Barrow-inFurness. It's a great experience and I hope the gang in our team will enjoy it.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Stuart Wilde's new blog and website
Writer and spiritual scamp, Stuart Wilde has a nice new-look website. Not only that, but he's now blogging too. And at Stuart's request I am passing on the links to his sites.
I like Stuart's writing and his take on spirituality. I know there are spiritual-minded readers here, so I'll share the links:
Stuart Wilde Website: www.stuartwilde.com
Stuart's Blog: http://www.stuartwildeblog.com/
I like Stuart's writing and his take on spirituality. I know there are spiritual-minded readers here, so I'll share the links:
Stuart Wilde Website: www.stuartwilde.com
Stuart's Blog: http://www.stuartwildeblog.com/
Monday, February 02, 2009
Are we sitting comfortably?
Most people get a buzz out of their training. The Dojo is a "nice" place to be. It is populated by "nice" people and karate's an easy way to spend an hour or two away from work, TV, exam revision, the kids(!), or anything else. That's how it should be, a positive environment without undue anxiety or hostility. But it can go too far the other way....
Do you do "nice" karate? The sort where you can dress up and do your stuff, sitting in the comfort zone of a few basics, lots of kata and a good laugh.
But karate should be a martial art, and that means we need to get uncomfortable. Discomfort grows us. Comfort makes us stale, and lazy. As Funakoshi wrote, "Karate is like a pan of boiling water. Take it off the heat and it soon cools".
Problem is, some people don't like the heat.
So we set about challenging ourselves through physical training and mental training too. The effort required to last that extra minute, or even get out of the house on a cold night decides whether we grow or not.
Anyone signing up for martial arts must be prepared to push themselves. Martial arts aren't a substitute for a social club. They're not a new age love-in, they are about hard work and effort.
So when students are taken out of the comfort zone, it should be seen as a good sign of progress and development. There's nothing worse than karate that's stuck in the ichi ni world. It's like walking through syrup. Sickly sweet syrup, the kind that rots your teeth.
Taking the soft route is easy in today's society where everything is handed out on a plate. Individuals no longer feel it necessary to get out and about. There's little pride in a good day's work round our way. Better to scrounge off the state than be an honest citizen.
In karate we must work had when it is right to do so. We have to find that "spark" that lies deep down inside ourselves. Every so often it is well to access that spark and bring it to the front. Find some emotion, strength and the will to keep going. If you haven't got it in the dojo, chances are you'll fall when you need it the most.
In tonight's class we had a fairly intense lesson. It wasn't too tough, but students needed to be put through their paces. I wanted to find out who's been listening, who's on the ball, or who's just there to make friends. So we worked on some punching skills against live opponents. The sort that don't want to be hit. The training was, for the most part, suitably energised and well-focused. One or two people found it tough going, but then they did find the spark in the end. You know who you are, consider yourself growing a little!
Remember our rules. Be nice to each other, but don't train to miss! In other words, respect your partners by going that extra mile and taking them with you. Respect in training means working at a level that encourages growth. It means not slacking off so your partner is stuck wanting to train. It means hard work and intensity for mutual benefit, and we can still laugh about it down the pub afterwards.
Do you do "nice" karate? The sort where you can dress up and do your stuff, sitting in the comfort zone of a few basics, lots of kata and a good laugh.
But karate should be a martial art, and that means we need to get uncomfortable. Discomfort grows us. Comfort makes us stale, and lazy. As Funakoshi wrote, "Karate is like a pan of boiling water. Take it off the heat and it soon cools".
Problem is, some people don't like the heat.
So we set about challenging ourselves through physical training and mental training too. The effort required to last that extra minute, or even get out of the house on a cold night decides whether we grow or not.
Anyone signing up for martial arts must be prepared to push themselves. Martial arts aren't a substitute for a social club. They're not a new age love-in, they are about hard work and effort.
So when students are taken out of the comfort zone, it should be seen as a good sign of progress and development. There's nothing worse than karate that's stuck in the ichi ni world. It's like walking through syrup. Sickly sweet syrup, the kind that rots your teeth.
Taking the soft route is easy in today's society where everything is handed out on a plate. Individuals no longer feel it necessary to get out and about. There's little pride in a good day's work round our way. Better to scrounge off the state than be an honest citizen.
In karate we must work had when it is right to do so. We have to find that "spark" that lies deep down inside ourselves. Every so often it is well to access that spark and bring it to the front. Find some emotion, strength and the will to keep going. If you haven't got it in the dojo, chances are you'll fall when you need it the most.
In tonight's class we had a fairly intense lesson. It wasn't too tough, but students needed to be put through their paces. I wanted to find out who's been listening, who's on the ball, or who's just there to make friends. So we worked on some punching skills against live opponents. The sort that don't want to be hit. The training was, for the most part, suitably energised and well-focused. One or two people found it tough going, but then they did find the spark in the end. You know who you are, consider yourself growing a little!
Remember our rules. Be nice to each other, but don't train to miss! In other words, respect your partners by going that extra mile and taking them with you. Respect in training means working at a level that encourages growth. It means not slacking off so your partner is stuck wanting to train. It means hard work and intensity for mutual benefit, and we can still laugh about it down the pub afterwards.
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