Ongoing thoughts on my martial studies and interests, which encompass almost everything.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Chi and Me (ChiKi - pronounced Cheeky)
I’ve tried to
follow the ‘Chi’ discussion this week and thought I might contribute a few
thoughts. Of course the standard
disclaimer, “I really don’t know much I’ve just been practicing Tai Chi for 27
years and Isshinryu for over 30.”
First there is a
great confusion of many different topics by just discussing Chi/Ki. From the little I know there is much more
involved and there is a lot of confusion from the different layers of
abstraction using the term “Chi”. This isn’t one discussion, its multitudes of
discussions hidden within the use of one term (my basic General Semantics
orientation is showing there).
The first point
I’d like to suggest is forget the name Chi. Why get into Chinese esoterica or
the name game? Chi as I would suggest
just means energy. Everything you do is a result of you using energy.
Second if you
try to look at the Chinese literature on this, they have many terms, and Chi’s
use is more like the energy stored in a battery, and they have a wider range of
terms about the release and use of that energy.
In reality, where we use energy, how we use it is the important thing.
Can you use it more efficiently? Sure you can, that’s why all of us study and
train, nothing more.
By the time you
got to black belt, weren’t you more powerful than you were as a beginner, or
more efficient using your energy? So you’re more efficient using your Chi. Is
this hard to accept? Or that more work should make you more efficient in the
future? Unless you have black belt disease where you’re not going further, and
I’m sorry but that’s a fatal disease, because we all tend to become what we
believe we become.
I can only talk
about the uses of energy I’ve experienced. Some of the one’s being suggested, meridian theory, acupuncture, etc. are beyond
my experience and will always be. So I’d like to suggest a naming convention
that might help us speak on some of the different aspects without getting too
confused.
Definition
of Terms
I’m a student of
Ernie Rothrock. For 27 years whenever we’ve discussed tai chi (Yang and Wu and
others) not once have we wafted into the force. The discussions have been
nothing but technical, such as him giving several hundred corrections after
seeing my form. I’m a long distance away from him, receiving those corrections
after decades of work is very humbling, believe me, but he does it not to knock
me down, but as he says it to guide me over the next year(s). He’s right but
it’s not fun either.
Within several
months of training with him I began to experience a feeling of ‘energy waves’
in me for lack of better terms. This
wasn’t that I was creating ‘Chi1’, but I would put it I was becoming sensitized
to my own energy. It’s not really hard to believe. You can become sensitized to
feeling your teeth on occasion but most of the time you know they’re there but
that’s about it (tooth pain is a different level of abstraction – one that
hurts).
Outside of
experiencing it, it doesn’t mean much, you need long years of work before more
can be considered.
You can
experience the feeling of your instructors ‘Chi1’ under some circumstances.
Whether this is sensitivity to the electromagnetic fields of a person, whether
it’s using the slow motion training to increase skin and hair follicle
sensitivity, or whether it’s some Chi3 inner experience I can’t say. Just that
I have done so.
Others training
in Ki2 can feel your Chi1 as you practice too.
I believe the
issue of Chi1 is simply as you become more and more and more technically
proficient, you’re ability to use your energy increases. You discover how some very, very subtle
techniques when your body is working together become incredibly effective, that
without that harmony in movement would become nothing of use.
Take a karate
example. Did you ever see as student so tight their muscles were bunched,
trying to do a kata. Their misuse of
energy is so painful to watch, and you know their punch has no ‘power’ because
their power is elsewhere.
In similar
fashion the study of tai chi, correctly done, stops the misuse of Chi1 and
makes its use more efficient. Hardly
different from any study.
What I
eventually got from my instructor, once I had developed a personal level of
sensitivity to my own training, was a conceptual framework to make my study
better. It’s just a simple tool, but using it I more readily learn how to
correct my technique, I can guide
student more efficiently, I can instantly evaluate martially any
technique performance from anyone, and of course I can use it to recognize
errors to attack.
And it works for
karate too.
This tool isn’t
magic, in fact its only a way to understand how and why you have to perform
your system’s basics correctly as designed, but it’s use sensitizes the student
to why they have to do it, and that’s a really big step to making improvement.
So larn’n Chi1
helps me teach and use Ki1……
In reality I am
what I am. I’m Isshinryu, I’m a Tai Chi student, I’ve trained in many arts for
a bit, and perhaps I’m not very good at anything. There are those who will
support that, but then I’m not looking for anyone in the universe’s approval
either.
What I found
studying tai chi as a new Sho-dan in Isshinryu, I had a personal conflict
between my tai chi study and the practice of Sanchin. Perhaps I would put it today what I perceived
as Sanchin did nothing for me to increase my Ki1.
So I made a very
hard choice, and chose to de-emphasize Sanchin.
Decades later learning Uechi Sanchin I found something that sang to me,
a truly magnificent release of energy (Ki1). It took me years before I was able
to take the personal step and change my Sanchin to full speed and natural
breathing, and personally found a link to what I would suggest is Ki1. A form
when I run it makes me more alive, more explosive in my intent and more
personal.
Not to suggest
the study of Sanchin is one wit more important than anything else. It’s just
what I experience in its release.
The truth is
much that I focus on these years today is nothing but preparing cleaner and
cleaner basics in all of our kata. More
Ki1. I’m not very good, but I have a few students that are making some strides
I think.
Now Chi2 in the
Indonesian arts, is done very fast but with an extremely relaxed use of energy
in the extremely efficient techniques of those arts.
It’s hard to
know if any of this makes sense to those outside myself.
But I’ve
experienced strong Chinese arts that don’t discuss Chi, but use it, in Tai Chi.
Or Chinese arts like Eagle Claw which are ultra efficient in their working
vital points with their locks, but don’t study meridians at all, ever, nor do
they need anything but the art they practice. I’ve experienced Indonesian arts
at a level that make me think of magic must be involved, but it’s nothing but a
very unique use of energy release and movement. I’ve experienced incredible
karate at many levels, that are nothing but the same.
The more
advanced texts I’ve found on Energy, are the available Chinese ones on tai chi.
It’s difficult to understand all they’ve written, even though conceptually I
understand a little. It appears they’ve spent a lot of time trying to describe
fine distinctions about how to create more efficient energy, and study the many
ways it may be released. But most of what I read is simply Chi3 to me, and will
remain so.
Arts don’t come
from books or discussions. Perhaps in
several decades more those words will make more sense. Perhaps not. That’s not
what I’m seeking.
So am I chi/ki or not?
Aikido
Aikido is the art Usheiba Morihei developed from his studies from Daito Ryu Jujutsu and other Jujutsu arts; Basicall it’s techniques cover projections (throws) and immobilizations (locks). Pre WWII the art was more for self defense and included atemi (striking) where post WWII Usheiba moved away from combat as the main purpose and moved towards aikido as a way to make you a better person, Less focused attacks.
Tristan
Sutrisno’s father studied with one of Usheiba’s students in the 1930’s and the
aikido we study also incorporates kicking and striking. Obviously a result of
the father’s additional arts. These are aikido wazza (techniques) use aikido
principles (often first) and might incorporate other principles too (such as
kicking).
We
only use these aikido drills , which cover many of the basic skills, as tools.
Perhaps as preparation for skills later used in the larger study of Isshinryu
karate technique.
But to
understand Aikido in principle the following video’s may be helpful. Though the
attacks are often not realistic, trust me the skills they impart work if one
reaches sufficient skill.
Perhaps
you might enjoy to determine whether the skills shown are pre or post WWII.
The founder Usheiba Morihei What’s Aikido
Ushiba Morihei 1935
Ushiba Morihei jo and bokken
Ushiba Moihei later
his son Ushiba Moriteru
some
of Usheiba’s students
Yoshimitsu Yamada Advanced techniques
Tohei Koichi
Kenki Tomiki
Gozo Shinpda
Sa ito Morihiro 1972
The
source art Daito Ryu is a much larger study than Aikido, not more effective,
but differently effective. There are hours of video on Daito Ryu, but it is not
geared to your art. It may take 35 years to learn its thousands of techniques.
In this light more does not mean more effective.
There
are far fewer aikido techniques, but there are many time many variations of
them. There are plenty of great books on aikido, but youtube video’s make more
sense to review its’ techniques.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Interior versus Exterior Lines of Defense
So you have worked up several applications for your kata.
You spent the
time to understand the applications.
Then you
undertook the larger journey to move to application realization so your skill
could make that application actually work.
You understand
what the difference on using that application
On the Interior
Line of Defense or the Exterior Line of Defense.
Suddenly reality
bites.
You have to
actually use your technique.
But the in reality of extremes occurs and you find
serendipity sets in
That means you step forward with the wrong
foot
Making what you practiced impractical.
Error always has
the potential to step in.
What you have to do is make the best of it
And switch to something else immediately.
John Kerker
recently shared several videos with me,
And that got me
thinking about this.
The videos show
responses
That work the
Exterior Line of Defense,
And the Interior
Line of Defense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ7Qn35AUI4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk1fur4gkhY
May you choose wisely!
Monday, March 29, 2021
Karate for Kids
Master Tom Lewis has
obtained numerous accomplishments. In 1980 Sensei Lewis wrote “Karate for
Kids”, which was one of the first books about karate for children and is still
in circulation.
Written by Tom Lewis, a karate
expert who recognized that no books had been written for the young. Karate for Kids teaches you and your
child the simple and effective ways to handle bullies, muggers and other
situations Complete easy-to-use beginner’s manual for kidswith over 150 photos
demonstrating stances, exercises, punches, kicks, and more. It includes the history of karate weapons,
illustrations and extra pages for notes
The author is a 7th degree black belt at the time the book was published, and has
taught Karate for Kids in his own studio since 1965. The book was about Self Defense for Children Made
Easy
In the book the youth pictured are
Tom Lewis son Rob Lewis, His half brother and sister. Gor and Barbie Lewis. his
senior student Dennis Lockwood’s daughter Anna Lockwood, and senior student
Reese Rigby’s two sons,
_______________________________________________________
My teacher, Tom Lewis, did not have youth classes, but there were young people training. For example his son, Rob Lewis, his half sister, Barbie and Gor Lewis, and other instructors children.
They were very involved
in tournament karate.
I attended the Black
Belt testing for Rob (age 11) and Anna Lockwood (age 12). It was not for Junior
black belt (that did not exist at that time), but they were full ShoDan, They were regular
winners in Tournament divisions, winning hundreds of trophies. They had one of
the Best black belt tests I have ever seen, ((They did train much more than you
guys do))
The next year Anna
attended the Isshinryu Nationals in Knoxville, Anna was the daughter of one of
my instructors. When she got there, they found out there was not a youth or
woman’s kobudo (Weapons form ) division so she had to sign up for the
men's black belt division.
When the men saw her warming
up they protested to the tournament director, The director laughed , and said
she could compete.
And she won first place
in weapons forms (her father had raised her to become a clone of Mr. Lewis'
technique.
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Makiwara Training - my personal experience
John
Kerker recently shared some videos about how he strikes the Makiwara and that
certainly brought back memories. (I will be sharing John’s videos with his
permission).
When
I began my Isshinryu studies Lewis Sensei had a makiwara in his dojo, but I do
not recall ever being instructed to use it. There were so many things to learn,
I really never got around to it back then.
I
did hear a story about the training in Agena that Master Shimabuku did not want
the Marines training there to strike the walls of his dojo. He even had a sign
to that effect placed on the wall… Roll forward many years and Charles Murray
eventually shared a movie about his training in Agena in 1972 and there was a
photo of that sign in the movie.
Part
of the reason I did not get around to exploring the use of the makiwara was
that fist protection gear came to be used for our sparring.
I
had just received my green belt in Isshinryu when relocating to Scranton Pa for
work, and having to switch systems to Tang Soo Do as that was all there was
there, I started over learning another art. The school had several good
makiwara that almost on one ever used, so after class I began a regular
striking regime. About 15 to 30 minutes striking after each class.
As
time went on my striking knuckles somewhat flattened, but no calluses appeared.
What I did discover was that as my fingers clenched at my fist when I struck
the makiwara, gradually I began to form calluses on the inner pads of my palms.
I continued that practice for the two years of my contract.
During
that time I was very lucky to resume Isshinryu training with Charles Murray but
as we trained in the basement of the Church he was pastor in, makiwara was not
possible.
I know he trained in Salisbury with Lewis
Sensei and as a new black belt was able to train in Okinawa with Shimabuku
Sensei for two years. I also knew that he did train in the Agena Dojo where
there were several types of Makiwara.
Yet
the last year of my contract for TSD training, I was also training in Isshinryu
with Charles. But though training with makiwara at TSD, we never discussed it
with my Isshinryu training.
When
he returned to the USAF and I was on my own I began a program for youth through
the Scranton Boys Club and there was no possibility of makiwara there in any
case. I literally visited one dojo or another for 5 years to be able to train
alongside adults. As it turns out none of them had makiwara training either. In
fact in my area the only school which used kumite in training, while I was
there, was the Kempo Goju of David
Brojack. They were the only people that I could fight with. And they often
remarked at the sting of my strikes. That led Dave to remark one time that I
had the strongest strikes he knew of. Now I was far from a good fighter so I
did not pay much attention to that remark…
I
remember one time I was fighting at a tournament and I lost my fight. I too
often went to the body when my opponent would go for my head, and though the
strikes were simultaneous the judges would most often score the head strike
being what they would observe. Later in
the locker room while changing I remember my opponent telling me I really
nailed him and how that hurt.
I
came to realize that two years of makiwara work had made my strikes harder and
that made the difference. And the manner
in which the makiwara change my fist remained with me for decades.
Now
training the young and training adults at the Boys and Girls Club of Derry NH
from 1985 on, again a makiwara was not possible there for any of my students.
Personally
I do not believe Makiwara training is appropriate for youth. I have read too
many articles making that point, such that striking could be detrimental to
growing bones of youth. I also remember discussing this with a student who was
also a Surgeon and my doctor, and he agreed.
Then
in 1995 I began training at times with Sherman Harrill, who had at least 40
years of work with the Makiwara, and had occasion to feel the power of his
fists from constant Makiwara work. He impressed on me that, often he discussed
at how powerful the use of the makiwara was in training.
My
opinion is that one does what one does.
Makiwara is a force enhancer to strengthen one’s karate. But it is not
the only force enhancer. I believe karate can be very successful in many different
ways of training. I do believe all
things being equal makiwara offers superior value for the karate-ka. Unfortunately all this are not always equal.
When
that is the case other ways to produce superior results must be used,
If
anything there is so much warp and woof to what is possible to develop superior
karate, that one must consider many possible ways.
So
let me share those videos of John Kerker delivering Isshinryu strikes on the
Makiwara.
John
Kerker on Striking the Makiwara
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojCZLm4XgZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kPtOG9TxSc
Friday, March 26, 2021
Tan T’ui Poems
There are many versions
of Tan T'ui, i.e., 10, 12,14,16, 24 and 36 that I know exist. ''
Tan T'ui Twelve (12) Row (Ching Wu School) Name of Row Number of Movements 1. Coherent Steps 14 2. Cross Kick 15 3. Slash and Squash 21 4. Uphold Fork 24 5. Uphold and Shoot 18 6. Double Unrolling 18 7. Single Unrolling 18 8. Stamp and Thread 33 9. Lock and Stick 21 10. Cut 30 11. Hook and Hang 21 12. Advance Step and Cross 18 Since Tan T'ui was a very popular style, the people developed poems to aid in remembering the set.
Row one is to hit the enemy as you hit with a whip Row two is to buffet with both fist crossed Row three is to knock the enemy's head Row four is to bar the road with fist Row five is to buffet and protect yourself with the arms Row six is to hit with a single fist Row seven is to hit with both fist Row eight is to swing your fist sideward or backwards Row nine is to hold the fist together Row ten is to kick with your foot as if it is an arrow
Row one: Buffet forward with a single fist in the advance position BSL Lyrics: Tom Toy
I remember
Sal Canzonieri once sent me a list of like a dozen different lyric versions
of Tom Toy. It was a
really cool piece of research he was working on, but I don't know if he ever published it.
It's sort of what I'm going for here - let's compare some lyrics! In line 3,
we used to turn completely around to gongbu facing the other way in sort of a
chin na move. Now we do a reverse gongbu without turning
around in a simple block. When he made the change, he said he felt this was a more applicative
move for our system. The 'new'
way is what is on his video series. Interestingly, the lyric still works no
matter which move it is... __________________ Tan Tui Originally
Tan Tui was a ten section form that was developed during the late Ming
Dynasty (1600s). During the
Ching Dynasty it was adopted by Monks of Shaolin Monastery who developed
their own version of it. T he form was
also expanded to twelve sections. You can see some resemblance between both Northern and Southern, adopted it into
their curriculum. In most
cases these schools modified the techniques which resulted in different
versions of Tan Tui. Liu Ho Tan Tui (6 Harmonies Spring Leg), Tui Quan
(Leg boxing), and even an 18 section Tan Tui are examples of such forms.
NorthernShaolin, you list even 24 and 36 verson which is interesting. Have you
seen these? From what I understand Jing Wu Association in Shanghai adopted
the Shaolin 12 section Tantui not the 10 section version. Last
edited by r.(shaolin) on 05-04-2002 at 01:20 AM ----- Last edited
by r.(shaolin) on 05-06-2002 at 12:05 AM |
Knee Release Progress Report – Memorial Day 2001
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"Hiza wo Nuku" (Releasing the Knees) Joe Swift translation
Aragaki Sensei says that modern karate
movement, especially the
mainland Japanese styles, use the knees
and legs incorrectly when
moving. He states that most use the back
leg to "kick" or push off the
ground in an effort to move forward.
This is akin to the human action
of running or jumping.
Old Okinawa karate, however, does not do
this, he says. Instead, they
"release the knee" (i.e. relax
the knee) of the front leg. When one
does this, one will naturally fall
forward. In order to compensate
this falling momentum, the back leg
naturally steps forward, and
viola, you have the forward stepping
motion. The idea is to use the
natural gravitational effects to
"pull" you forward. This is akin to
our natural everyday walking style. He
goes on to say that one can
also use this idea to move backwards, on
angles, and even side to side
(as in Naifuanchi). One of the
advantages of this movement principle
is quicker movement with less
telegraphing.
From Wikipedia
Arakaki Seishō (新垣 世璋, 1840–1918) was a prominent Okinawan
martial arts master who influenced the development of
several major karate styles.[1][2][3] He was known by many other names, including Aragaki Tsuji Pechin Seisho.[4]
Arakaki was famous for teaching the kata (patterns) Unshu, Seisan, Shihohai, Sōchin, Niseishi, and Sanchin (which were later incorporated into different
styles of karate), and weapons kata Arakaki-no-kun, Arakaki-no-sai, and
Sesoku-no-kun.[3]
While Arakaki did not develop any specific styles himself, his
techniques and kata are obvious throughout a number of modern
karate and kobudo styles.[1][3] His students
included Higaonna Kanryō,
founder of Naha-te; Chōjun Miyagi (宮城 長順),
founder of Gōjū-ryū; Funakoshi Gichin, founder of Shotokan; Uechi Kanbun, founder of Uechi-ryū; Kanken Tōyama, founder of Shūdōkan; Mabuni Kenwa, founder of Shitō-ryū; and Chitose Tsuyoshi,
founder of Chitō-ryū.[1][2]
Some consider Chitō-ryū the closest existing style to Arakaki's
martial arts,[3] while others have noted
that Arakaki's descendants are mostly involved with Gōjū-ryū.[1]
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