Info and Life in the Crazy World of Martial Arts

Sunday, 18 August 2013

Bodhidharma Shaolin Myth - YouTube

I draw to the conclusion that the infamous Bodhidharma story is a myth. If you try to percieve this story a historical fact then it won't make sense for one individual to invent all styles of Martial Arts in the middle ages. If you use your critical thinking. Martial Arts originated in military battles. How many historical wars happened before this Tamil Monks time? China had many indigenous combative systems centuries before the dark ages.

Check out this video version, I recommend you pause the video here and there for reading purposes.
Bodhidharma Shaolin Myth - YouTube

Recommended Reading:

They Came Before Bodhidharma
Origin of Martial Arts: The Real History
African Contributions to the World
Who is Bodhirharma?

Jonathan Bynoe

Sunday, 2 June 2013

Money and the Martial Arts (podcast) | Iain Abernethy

Here is a good podcast which is worth the listening to.
Money and the Martial Arts (podcast) | Iain Abernethy

Wednesday, 26 December 2012

The Masters Speak! (podcast) | Iain Abernethy

Here is a podcast by Iain Abernethy on different quotes from the Karate pioneers on their views and development of the ancient Okinawan art.
The Masters Speak! (podcast) | Iain Abernethy

Saturday, 29 September 2012

Context! Context! Context! (podcast) | Iain Abernethy

Here is a Podcast by Iain Abernethy explaining on the context in Martial Arts. What is the purpose of a particular fighting discipline and so forth.
Context! Context! Context! (podcast) | Iain Abernethy

Sunday, 12 August 2012

“The Reverse Influence” An Obsolete Training Method?

Most of us as Martial Arts instructors more specifically Karate have become too much modernize, especially those who had the program passed down to them. We got too caught up into the 20^th century format of Karate. For the price for our flaws in making the changes we need to have, students began to lose interest because of the limited amount of information given to them. Other Martial Artists from other disciplines are being critical on Karate saying that Kata training is useless; the “style” is not that effective for the modern age and other criticisms.

What we fail to do is to look back at our roots, the History of our discipline, then make the certain changes. Or we know the History, but we are unwilling to adopt the principles. Do I see a generation of thinking people coming along? Do I see a generation of open minded people coming along? It is a maybe. The origin of the unarmed combat system originated in the Ryukyu kingdom (Okinawan Prefecture). In the 1920’s the art known as Karate was introduced into Japan. Karate was changed into a sport for competition to compete against equally skilled opponents and adopting a belt ranking system. Its origins were meant for personal self protection against an unskilled opponent. Kata has many effective self-defense moves called bunkai or practical analysis that was passed down from teacher to student. In the early 1900’s a Karate master by the name Anko Itosu introduced Karate into the elementary school system. In order to avoid any accidents amongst the young school children, he did away with practical application/analysis and focus on teaching the children only kata, inventing 5 Pinan/Heian forms. After the second World War, westerners learned the contemporary format of Karate in addition to other Japanese and Korean Martial Arts. The Westerners have adopted the modern format of Karate from static, linear basics to kata with no practical bunkai.

The result was that the program that was adopted was obsolete for self protection. I quote Hanshi Patrick McCarthy, “The Reverse Influence”. That’s what it is, is it obsolete? If it is for sport, if it is to increase self-confidence, spiritual growth, self-esteem, etc., no, but if it is to understand the science, the principles, and the practical intricacies of the art yes the reverse influence is obsolete. The rigid traditional doctrines were being taught and learned are out of sequence, confined by the 3K training method, Kihon (Basics), Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring). If you end up learning things backwards, you will most likely get confused and it has nothing to do with learning disabilities or differences, but the human mind while nurturing combative systems is designed to be taught in order to gain more sense in understanding the principles. Humans are animals, if you travel to Africa, go to the zoo, or visit a local Pet store you will see cubs or even kittens wrestling each other, therefore animals are designed to utilize fighting techniques by working with a partner instead of throwing a bunch of moves in thin air. The ancients developed grappling systems, boxing, and weaponry systems and passed on to other countries around the time that African people were moving throughout the Diaspora in the Prehistoric age.

While we get to Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate (formally called Tode), the order of learning the combative systems were passed down to the natives. The natives developed the fighting art into two-person drills, and then in order to store the effective fighting techniques or principles in their memory banks, they have recorded the techniques into dance and into prearranged set patterns called forms; in Japanese it is called kata. Kata are templates. Kata names such as Saifa, Passai/Bassai, Kushanku/Kanku, Naihanchi/Tekki, Seiyunchin, are templates of effective techniques that neutralizes the Habitual Acts of Physical Violence. Kata are not a set of moves to fight multiple opponents that is a big misconception to the Western people who adopted the modern Asian Martial Arts, specifically Karate. Hanshi McCarthy’s 36 Habitual Acts of Physical Violence have attack scenarios such as hook punches, bear hugs, full-nelson etc. where the defender needs to get out of. The unfortunate thing is that students do not appreciate kata training. It is not the fault of the students; it is the fault of the instructors for failing to upgrade their learning and not teaching them practical bunkai. Kata is used in the modern era of Martial Arts for gradings to give students a new belt rank, almost doing away of studying the practical applications/analysis, to these templates. Furthermore, the teaching structure is out of order. You will get questions of why do we do this? Why are you so picky on these stances? What does this do and that do? But don’t tell them specifically or withhold information until they reach a certain level. This is in my humble opinion, most of us these days are following the narrow dogmatic view of belt rank levels. The reverse influence of training is incompatible to the human body while training in a combative discipline. The development of Okinawan Karate had no belt ranks and training uniforms until its introduction to mainland Japan in the 20^th century called the dan/kyu belt ranking system. In my belief, an adult novice should be able to learn two-person drills may it be from one point sparring to the practical bunkai and reality-base role playing scenarios, do not hold back in teaching these things, teach the student to your heart’s content. There are no boundaries between what is basic and what is advance. True, certain self-defense moves can be confusing to the beginner, but that is no different from learning how to execute a low block on the very first day at the dojo, practice over and over to get better with it. Personally, I do not fully believe to say this self-defense move is reserved for blue belt level, if I feel it is too advance for the student, I won’t bother putting it in a grading, since more practice is needed. I’ll put more focus on the more simplistic self-defenses, the others are bonuses. Learning bunkai from a variety of templates to a novice can be a step above than an individual learning a Green belt kata, but haven’t gotten the bunkai yet.

Times have changed and many people needed a crash course in personal self-protection than just getting trophies and belt ranks, and it should be catered first instead of Kihon and kata to all ages. When it comes to kids, joint-locks, pressure points (kyusho), knife and firearm self-defense is too much for them and they lack control while doing these things in the dojo increasing the chances of injury, self-defense from grabs and Ne-waza (ground technique) is good enough. Every student in all ages shall appreciate the entire training curriculum of classical Karate, with no dislikes in any part of their training. Every student who wants to learn self-defense from bullies, thieves, rapists and killers would benefit greatly from training from a more comprehensive program. Karate students has a diverse range of individuals coming from different occupations, such as Law enforcement, military personnel, grocery clerks, bank clerks, and students needed self-defense strategies during these perilous times since physical confrontations can happen anywhere. The human mind has always been designed to learn two-person enactment then break off to solo enactment or the recording period to refine the techniques and understand the principles better. Learning two-person enactment at the start of training can help the student to react out of instinct instead of thinking, since thinking about technique too much can be the enemy. Altogether they will gain some knowledge in understanding what the blocks, strikes, and stances against the acts of physical violence to off balance, disable, and maim an attacker who is threatening your life before breaking off into Kihon and Kata.

Belt Ranks is a modern concept. The problem is that many instructors are too focused on the narrow dogmatic view of belt ranks and the ideal time periods they are supposed to grade for. I say that I care less about time when a student should get from yellow belt to orange belt. Keep in mind that every individual has learning style differences. Some people can soak things up like a sponge, while some pick things up slowly. For slow learners I believe that the proper order of training these individuals should not be change over to the reverse influence 3K training. Coordination will be decent if beginners learned two-person enactment before single person drills. Slow learners should be patient in getting things and fast learners should be patient in learning new things, since so many things need to be sharpened up, and to fully understand the principles.

Training in Karate can bring about self-confidence, self-esteem, self-discipline, holistic well being, etc., these are byproducts. Students in all ages should be able to grasp some practical bunkai for self-defenses and then learn Kihon and Kata, that way they can understand what these moves do to a certain level. Instructors in all titles should not be too focused on holding things back for self-defense drills, if you want to teach the novice ippon kumite, joint-locking techniques, grappling, knife self-defense based on katas they have never learned yet, go ahead and do that, do not worry if they forget most of it, as long as they are interested and understand the waza (techniques). Do not focus too much on belt ranks, on what they should learn in self-defenses, show them many things, and then give the important ones they need to know for their upcoming test along with their required kata(s). Kata shall in time be more appreciated to students. Knowledge is power; do not take it for granted.

Hotep,

Jonathan Bynoe

Saturday, 30 June 2012

Study Guide of Goju-ryu Karate

Translations:

Geri - Kicks Dachi - Stances

Mae Geri – Front Kick Heisoku Dachi – Attention Stance

Yoko Geri – Side Kick Heiko Dachi – Natural Stance

Ushiro Geri – Back Kick Kiba Dachi – Straddle Stance

Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse Kick Zenkutsu Dachi – Forward Leaning Stance

Mikazuki Geri – Crescent Kick Kokutsu Dachi – Back Stance

Fumikomi Geri – Stompin Kick Neko Aishi Dachi – Cat Stance

Kinsetsu Geri – Joint Kick Sanchin Dachi – Three Battle Stance/Hourglass Stance

Mae Tobi Geri – Flying Front Kick Shiko Dachi – Sumo Stance

Yoko Tobi Geri – Flying Side Kick Musubi Dachi – Formal Attention Stance

Nami Aishi – Inside Snapping Kick

Ashi Barai – Foot Sweep

Hiza Geri – Knee Kick

Miscellaneous

Sensei – Teacher Kiyotsuke - Attention

Sempai – Senior Yoi - Ready

Karate-do – Way of the Empty Hand Hajime – Go/Begin

Karate-Jutsu – Art of the Empty Hand Kime - Focus

Rei – Bow Dojo- Place of the Way/Training Hall/Place of Enlightment

Seiza – Kneel Makiwara – Punching Board

Mukso – Meditate Kiai – Shouting Spirit

Yame – Stop Obi - Belt

Gi – Karate/Judo Uniform Zuki - Strikes

Ippon – One point Oi Zuki – Lunge Punch

Karateka – Karate (Empty Hand) Student Gyaku Zuki – Reverse Punch

Kihon Kumite – Basic Sparring Morte Zuki – Two Handed Punch

Kata – Forms Seiken Zuki – Fore Fist Straight Punch

Jiyu Kumite – Free Sparring Ura Ken - Backfist

Ryu – School/Style Tetsui – Hammer Fist

Ippon Kumite – One Point Sparring Kazama Zuki - Jab

Goju – Hard/Soft Mawashi Zuki – Roundhouse Punch

Uke - Blocks Nukite – Spear Hand

Jodan Uke – High Block Teisho Zuki – Palm Heel Strike

Uchi Uke/Chudan Uke – Inside Middle Block Haito Zuki – Ridge Hand Strike

Gedan Barai – Downward Sweeping Block Shuto Zuki – Knife Hand Strike

Soto Uke – Outside Middle Block Empi Zuki – Elbow Strike

Mawashi Uke – Circular Block

Kake Uke – Hooking Block

Counting in Japanese

Ichi – One Ku - Nine

Ni – Two Ju - Ten

San – Three

Shi – Four

Go – Five

Roku – Six

Shichi – Seven

Hachi – Eight

Kata Training

Kata – generally translates as form, is a predetermined series of fighting techniques against an imaginary opponent. Kata are templates responding to the Habitual Acts of Physical Violence (HAPV-Theory). Kata is a summarization of effective self-defense techniques to neutralize the acts of physical violence. In these templates in what is called kata, they have blocks, strikes, takedowns, throws, joint-locks, Ne-waza (ground techniques).

The Kata allow the student to fully express the four basic tenants of Karate: Speed, Strength, Beauty, and Technique.

The Six Areas of Kata:

Eyes

Pace

Technique

Breathing

Kiai

Kime

The Kiai points in Kata usually fall on a finishing technique.

To understand and appreciate the solo enactment called kata, one must learn some two-person drills such as self-defense, Bunkai-applications, Ippon Kumite, and flow-drills first.

Basic Drills

Goju-roku Aishi Sabaki-Tai Sabaki – 56 Foot Movements

Sandan Gi – Third Level Training

Goju-ryu Kata Translations

Taikyouku Gedan – First Course Lower

Taikyouku Chudan – First Course Middle

Taikyouku Jodan – First Course Upper

Taikyouku Mawashi-uke – First Course Circular Block

Taikyouku Kake-uke – First Course Hooking Block

Gekisai Dai Ichi – Attack & Smash One

Gekisai Dai Ni – Attack & Smash Two

Sanchin – Three Battles/Conflicts

Tensho – Rotating Hands

Saifa – Smash & Tear/Destroy & Defeat

Seiyunchin – Attack, Conquer & Suppress

Shisoshin – 27 Hands

Sanseiru – 36 Hands

Seisan – 13 Hands

Seipai – 18 Hands

Kururunfa – Holding on Long and Striking Suddenly

Suparimpei – 108 Hands

Karate Titles:

Kyu – Boy/Intiate

Dan – Man

Sempai – Senior

Dai-Sempai – Great Senior

Sensei – Teacher

Dai-Sensei/O’Sensei – Great Teacher or Highest Respected Teacher

Shihan – Master or Expert Teacher

Seito Deshi – a student or disciple of Martial Arts

Uchi Deshi – a personal student who lives and trains with the Sensei or Master of Martial Arts

Renshi – Skilled Expert

Kyoshi – Master Teacher

Hanshi – Model Expert

Kancho – a title given to the head of a dojo or organization

Soke – founder of a system or a style

Meijin – Martial Arts Master

The Five Major Styles of Karate
Goju-ryu - Hard/Soft school
Shito-ryu - Higaonna/Itosu school
Shotokan - House of Waving Pines
Wado-ryu - Way of Harmony School
Kyokushin-kai - Ultimate Truth
General Translations/Definitions

Bunkai – Applications/analysis found in kata (templates) generally thought of as the most commonly attributed fighting techniques for any given movement

Oyo Bunkai – are most commonly viewed as the application principles upon which a technique is based on. Oyo is usually performed as a set of prearranged applications done between partners in a flow drill. It may differ from the single person drill (kata)

Okuden Waza – Secret techniques that have been intentionally concealed in kata. Most of the truly dangerous advanced techniques are deliberately concealed.

(from p.14 of The Way of Kata by Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder)

The animal that represents the Goju-ryu system is the dragon
The five Karate animals: Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake, Monkey

4 Possessions of the Samurai – 1) Integrity 2) Honour 3) Time 4) Loyalty

*Time is more important because once you lose time, you cannot get it back!

The Kanji symbol for our dojo means Integrity or non-corruptive

Karate is the expansion and contraction of the human body, while in motion, in a state of total harmony with the universe to produce maximum destructive power while at the same time neutralizing incoming aggression with the least amount of energy, obtained through hard, physical training to unify the mind, body and spirit for the purpose of self-enlightment and to promote world peace. –Hanshi Christopher Diliberto

Mushin – No mind or detached mind

Fudoshin – Immovable mind

Zanshin – the remaining mind or the mind with no remainder

Mizu no Kokoro – mind like water

Tenets of Goju-ryu

1. We are proud to study the spirit of Goju

2. We shall practice courtesy

3. We shall be quick to seize opportunity

4. We shall always practice patience

5. We shall always keep the fighting spirit of Karate-do

History of Goju-ryu Karate

http://www.heritagemartialarts.com/about/history-of-goju-ryu-karate/