August 4th, 2006
I lost something during my martial arts hiatus a few years ago. Of all the skills that were there that first night back, the most important one had faded.
(I was just getting a handle on it after ten years of training, maybe that’s why it was a distant memory to my muscles, post-break.)
The two Japanese styles I first learned do a pretty good job of teaching the skill, but my present Korean-style organization doesn’t pass it on well. Well heck, they don’t pass it on at all.
So I’ve been lost as to how to get it back on my own.
UNTIL NOW!
Showed up for a regional black belt training session last spring. Nice day, good to see friends. A new lady was introduced to lead warm-ups, and … thirty seconds later …
… I had discovered the key to redeveloping my lost skill!
- stronger stances
- more powerful punches
- rock-solid blocks
- devastating kicks, especially multiple kicks
- precise weapons performance
No, this isn’t me yet. The poor skill has been neglected and undernourished but I’m passionately nursing it back to health. And I know the improving ‘patient’ has already sharpened my martial arts skill level the last couple of weeks.
So Yes, I’m getting there. And you can learn with me.
(Fact #1: It doesn’t matter what style of martial arts you train, this will help you immensely.)
(Fact #2: It doesn’t even matter what sport you play.)
Watch for the next few Sweat Blood! e-zine’s. I’ll lay it all out in-depth, with practical exercises that’ll give you benefits like crazy! They’ll give you the same edge I’m enjoying!
Sign up to receive the e-zine by e-mail here, at http://www.PracticeKarate.com.
Technorati Tags: training, black belt, martial arts, Sweat Blood! e-zine, martial-arts, karate
Posted in The Basics, Training | 2 Comments »
July 6th, 2006
A very good friend is training martial arts with her two children. During one of several conversations over the U.S. 4th of July holiday, we talked about interesting things we have seen in karate.
I share this because my most amazing moment has shaped my training these past twenty some-odd years. And I’m forming my next year’s training goals with this memory fresh in mind.
It happened at an International Shotokan Karate Federation summer training camp. We were training in a probably circa 1960’s high school gymnasium. Just like at (I suspect) thousands of high school gyms in the south we were on a wooden floor, large gable fans pulling stifling Mississippi coastal air through the length of the building.
The Japanese guest instructor was demonstrating a kata (hyung) to a packed house and decided to continue on the raised stage whose wall extended back at one end. With beautifully low stances he moved toward the crowd.
As he turned facing away and extending his back leg toward us to finish his front stance … his back foot missed the stage … it was suspended in air. It was part of a front stance, the kind the Japanese styles are famous for. He simply looked back, pulled his rear foot onto the stage floor and adjusted his stance forward.
No reaching over for balance, no stumbling, no teetering.
And he continued as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
I’ve looked for his name in my training notes from the mid-1980’s, but I didn’t record it. I wonder if other witnesses understood what he had done.
Technorati Tags: kata, hyung, International Shotokan Karate Federation, ISKF
Posted in Training, Training Camps, Training History | 1 Comment »
July 2nd, 2006
Lost my balance a few weeks ago. Trying to stay on an even keel in the future.
Here’s the link to the archived Sweat Blood! ezine.
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Technorati Tags: Sweat Blood! ezine, martial arts, karate training, life balance
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life, Sweat Blood! e-zine, Training | No Comments »
June 29th, 2006
Hey, everybody. I know, it’s been awhile; glad to be back.
Alot has happened since about January. Closed an unsuccessful business, started a job clocking in for the man (and retail at that), and just started back to school. Less time for martial arts.
And most important to me, less time for church and family.
From coaching my daughter’s soccer team last fall to missing most practices and a lot of games this spring. From watching most of my oldest son’s football practices and games last fall to missing most soccer practices and games this spring season. I haven’t made one swim meet this summer. Kids and wife are usually asleep when I get home evenings. I’m just not able to spend time with them like I used to.
It all hit the fan a few weekends ago. July’s Sweat Blood! ezine touches on the role of martial arts training in a balanced life.
How do you see martial arts training helping you keep a balanced life?
Technorati Tags: time, martial arts, Sweat Blood! ezine, training
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life, Sweat Blood! e-zine, Training Camps | No Comments »
February 15th, 2006
History in general is not a strong interest of mine. Yeah, it’s important [for you] to study, we don’t want to repeat the bad stuff. But closer to home, i.e. martial arts, I enjoy learning about where it came from.
I’ve added a link I came across about the sword. It’s in the ‘History’ section (doh!):
http://www.practicekarate.com/martial_arts_history.php
A great link in a lame webpage.
Technorati Tags: History, martial arts, sword
Posted in Martial Arts History | No Comments »
February 14th, 2006
“…and where accuracy does not run, beauty limps.”
Was reading the book ‘Theology and Sanity’ Sunday afternoon when I came across a paragraph that ends with that line. He was writing about the virtue of accuracy.
There is a feeling that it is a very suitable virtue for mathmeticians and scientists, but cramping if applied to operations more specifically human. The young tend to despise it as a kind of tidiness, a virtue proper only to the poor-spirited. And everybody feels that it limits the free soul.
But in fact, accuracy is in every field the key to beauty: beauty has no greater enemy than rough approximation.
I like it!
Accuracy in martial art technique is beauty. You gotta stay on top of the basics, make them as accurate as possible. There are a billion ways to change things up and keep the training interesting. But you’ve got to commit to doing the mental and physical work!
Repeatedly training accurate basics is the road to beautiful, advanced technique.
Technorati Tags: martial arts, training, advanced technique
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life, The Basics | No Comments »
January 29th, 2006
Maybe I should start keeping a karate journal and it would help clear my vision, help me see things as they are. I did that some when I first started training, some 20+ years ago. I read through it when I was asked to submit a ‘Karate Training Resume’ for my school’s association. They needed an idea where to place me, rank-wise. It was fun to read.
My kids and I should start this. Something else we can do together.
Posted in Keep Students Active, Martial Arts As A Way of Life, Schools, Training Camps, Training History | No Comments »
January 28th, 2006
This seems so obvious to me. I just read over this article, “There Is No Substitute For Repetition,” again and it seems stupid obvious. Not necessarily easy, but simple (and obvious.)
I am writing about what I think I see. Could I just be flat-out wrong?
Technorati Tags: martial arts, repetition, basic technique
Posted in Keep Students Active, The Basics | No Comments »
January 26th, 2006
The further up the rank ladder people climb the more closed their minds seem to become to constructive criticism. And that’s too bad. [I occasionally catch myself with this problem; I wish I could catch it more often. I know it's there.]
Noticing this is getting easier the more I think about this stuff I’m writing. A week or two ago I led the class for a series of exercises. While counting I motioned for people to place their unused ‘free’ fist on their hip, instead of flailing about. Everybody saw me. The back row picked up on it immediately. The people further to the front half tried. And I was rather surprised to see the front row look me dead in the eyes and completely ignore me.
What I was pointing out wasn’t crucial. But wrap it in the idea of studying basic technique. It then looks like a ‘teaching’ problem. And as far as I’m concerned shows a school’s weak foundation. An open mind is closely tied to some mighty fine characteristics. Have you ever heard a school promoting that martial arts develops discipline? What about humbleness? Leadership skills?
If this hits a nerve, definitely read my latest Sweat Blood! ezine article, “There Is No Substitute For Repetition.”
Here’s the blog entry for that article.
Yes, our highest ranks are in the front, lower ranks to the back.
And no, this isn’t the first time this sort of thing has happened.
Technorati Tags: constructive criticism, basic technique, foundation, discipline, humbleness, Leadership, martial arts
Posted in Keep Students Active, The Basics | No Comments »
January 25th, 2006
I told you before. Basics!
Huge topic, a little of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ this time. There really is no substitute for repeatedly studying basics to be the best you can. After all, we’re learning to control our minds and bodies.
And you have to practice it.
And you have to repeat it. (Read about the consequences for you and your school in the article.)
This new evolved karate I keep reading about; and the boredom complaints I hear – you’re missing it!
You’re just missing it.
[deep breath ..... exhale]
Here’s the link to the archived Sweat Blood! ezine.
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Technorati Tags: Sweat Blood! ezine, martial arts, karate training, karate basics, repetition, discipline
Posted in Keep Students Active, Sweat Blood! e-zine, The Basics, Training | 6 Comments »
January 8th, 2006
Finally, I wrote a piece that’s a guide to choosing a karate school. It’s offered as a free download on my school’s website home page, so we can easily direct the people who ask about learning karate to it. Link to it on your site, if you want. If you’ll use the complete letter unchanged you can put it anywhere – electronic or print.
Alternatively, go to this website for ezine articles where it is presented in text or ready for a web page, your choice:
http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Hix
The letter on the school’s website, and the direction to it, is one way to promote our school. This site wasn’t started with the idea of discussing school promotion and I won’t here. But the letter is a good way to get the brain thinking about what you (and your prospects) think a good karate school should be.
What did I leave out? What should a good karate school be to you? Lemme know.
Technorati Tags: karate school, martial arts, karate training
Posted in Keep Students Active, Martial Arts As A Way of Life, Schools, Training | 3 Comments »
December 23rd, 2005
I firmly, firmly believe in the importance of basics. I included Tiger’s stats in the article – they’re dramatic – to make the case as to why what he did is so remarkable. I learned while getting the background info that a lot of writers really slammed him for changing his swing. You know, the same writers pulling down their five-figures.
Anyway, a great lesson here for us karate-ka. Tiger’s approach to his basics is tenacious! No matter what we’re studying it’s all about the basics. Sports, academics, music, etc. They all have it.
Yeah, I was a music geek (and loved it!!!) from 2nd grade through college. The basics were key. (Get it?)
Here’s the link to the archived e-zine.
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This issue kept writing itself, ended up with two. So next month’s is just about ready; see you Sweat Blood! e-ziners then.
Technorati Tags: martial arts, karate training, Sweat Blood! ezine, karate basics
Posted in Keep Students Active, Martial Arts As A Way of Life, Sweat Blood! e-zine, The Basics, Training | 1 Comment »
November 28th, 2005
On Thanksgiving day last week (November 24th) the actor Pat Morita died. ‘The Karate Kid’s’ Mr. Miyagi, the humble and funny karate instructor played by Pat Morita, is well known even among kids who weren’t around when the series of four ‘Karate Kid’ movies was produced.
When I think of Mr. Miyagi, I daydream of the old-school Sensei, where humbleness and tradition and hard work mean everything! Tonight, four days later, Pat Morita’s death still bothers me.
Well, today I remembered that I had the pleasure to train under Pat Morita’s stunt-double from those karate movies. I briefly wrote about that here.
I mean, I know that Mr. Morita had no formal karate training before the movies. He played other characters (I’m only slightly familiar with Arnold from ‘Happy Days.’) But to me, and to probably alot of other people, he’ll always be the humble and funny karate Sensei.
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life | No Comments »
November 20th, 2005
Our karate school puts on a very (, very) nice Black Belt promotion ceremony. I’d seen it a couple of times. I was promoted through it Thursday night.
It involves the lighting of candles, each pair the color of the belts earned along the path to Black Belt. At each color the meaning of that rank is read as the candles are being lit. The reading means more to the audience; I wasn’t paying attention to that, I was trying to keep the wax off the carpet!
As a 10+ year karate-ka, and a Black Belt in another style, I found the experience satisfying. Partly because of my history with a past school – you can read about that here. It’s a little verbose, you’ve been warned!
After the ceremony we eat, and the other students make a big deal out of sitting you down and waiting on you. Big fun! Actually, it was humbling and even a little humiliating. Yes, humiliating, and I mean that in a good way! Part of that ‘living up to the rank’ commitment.
If you don’t award your Black Belt promotions in a significantly different way than your lower ranks, change your Black Belt ceremony now!
Posted in Training History | No Comments »
November 16th, 2005
It was the three-stance exercise that formed the question in her mind. The innocent question was asked by a young adult white belt. And I had to think a bit to answer it for her level. This class’ ages range mostly from about 12 to 16 years old. A few other adults, lower ranks, were also looking at me to hear what I had to say. After all, their legs were burning – I hoped – and they wanted a good answer.
Well, the quick reason was that training stances with proper tension in the legs and body makes all techniques – kicks, blocks and punches – stronger. (My answer was something along that line.) I can’t believe this meant much to her since she is just getting started with her training.
But there are many more reasons for training stances! What are they? And how does this ‘proper tension’ thing make a block stronger? Or any other technique stronger for that matter? Sure, done correctly, the legs get stronger. Doh!
So my task is to explain reasons for training stances. And explaining them to a white belt might be the biggest challenge. Sounds like a Sweat Blood! e-zine article to me.
Posted in The Basics | 1 Comment »
November 11th, 2005
Does this picture show the spirit of martial arts? I don’t know, but what a great sense of humor.
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life | No Comments »
September 2nd, 2005
The last post (Sept. 2nd, Fumio Demura) mentioned Long Beach, Mississippi and the Junior High gymnasium. At the beginning of my karate career I attended several training camps in this area, including Mobile, Alabama. And also a tournament in New Orleans, Louisiana.
After I finished the last post, I searched for information about how the town has been affected by Hurricane Katrina. I hope the school weathered Monday night’s hurricane, but I suspect it didn’t. Follow this link to an article written about what a meteorologist and his crew saw as they watched the storm move into the coastal town of Long Beach, Mississippi.
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life, Training History | No Comments »
September 2nd, 2005
I stumbled onto this page while cruising the net. Seeing this man’s picture and name brought back memories of my college karate days at Auburn University, when we would attend quarterly training camps. After sifting through old papers and notes I found the handout listing Mr. F. Demura as the special guest instructor for the camp at Long Beach Junior High School Gym, Long Beach, Mississippi. The date was June 7th, 8th and 9th, 1985. No A/C – think heat and humidity!
I remember him being a very happy, jovial man, and his teaching style certainly reflected this. What a living legend this man is. I guess I had been training for about a year at the time of this camp, maybe a few months more. Fun times! (Younger times!)
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life, Training Camps, Training History | 2 Comments »
August 5th, 2005
At a recent Black Belt camp, we candidates were instructed to talk with senior karate-ka and discover something we didn’t know about them. I was interested in what these people, who have been training for 15 or 20 years, or more, would do differently if they had their karate training to do over again, to begin again as white belt. While the four responses were different, each karate-ka feels they would be much further along now had they understood a problem from the beginning.
As for myself I’m sure I would have progressed more quickly had I not dwelled on my shortcomings as a not-particularly-good athlete. It took me several years of training to realize we all do what our abilities allow. One of the most inspiring karate-ka with which I’ve had the pleasure to train was a mom of a child in my previous school. She simply didn’t have much athletic ability. No one could deny she worked as hard and enjoyed what she was learning as much as the rest of us. We all were drawn to her, wanted to encourage her to keep pushing. Her karate training was changing her life, and looking back, my life as well.
I sure wish I could remember her name.
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life | No Comments »
June 27th, 2005
Simply outstanding! WTSDA Region 6 seniors continue to give and give. In fact, I might feel guilty about leaving so much offered knowledge unabsorbed if not for these remarkable people enjoying themselves as much as they do. So I took what I could, and will show up for the next event with my empty cup.
Posted in Martial Arts As A Way of Life, Training Camps | No Comments »
