To Get Involved Or Not ---- Chief Instructor Blog December 2021

 

In Gichin Funakoshi’s book, “The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate”, his third principle is Karate Stands On The Side of Justice.In Gichin Funakosh’s book, “The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate”, his third principle is Karate Stands On The Side of Justice.

I have seen several people in blogs, articles, books, etc. translate this to mean that martial arts should always be used to stand up for others that are not being treated properly, physically as well as verbally. 

Funakoshi writes in his third principle “To avoid action when justice is at stake demonstrates a lack of courage”.  So, one may interpret this to mean one must always use one’s martial arts skills to protect and defend others.  However, in the same principle, Funakoshi states “Karate practitioners must stand on the side of justice at all times and only in situations where there is no other choice should their power find expression through the use of their hands and feet as weapons”.

The discussion on how to express yourself in those situations where others are being physically or verbally abused gets lost in others people’s interpretations.  So, yes, Funakoshi says a martial artist should always help others but that does not mean to always use their physical skill.

You need to assess the situation, determine if weapons may be involved or is a crowd forming, and then get involved.  In both of these scenarios, you probably do not want to engage physically to help others. If you wander into a situation where two people are fighting one another, do you honestly know who the aggressor is?  This may be a critical piece of information you do not have.   So, in those scenarios, what can you do to stand on the side of justice without physical altercation.  Simple ones are calling 9-1-1 or even stating the police have been called and are on their way.  This, in of itself, can be a distraction to stop the act or verbal abuse.

When to get involved physically and when not to get involved physically is going to be dependent on the scenario.  It may depend on time of day, location, who you are with.  The best way to determine if you may or may not get involved is to think about the various scenarios and what you might do or say to defuse a situation where you are the witness.  And if you struggle with what those scenarios are, go out on You Tube and look for videos, or in any TV show, news, or movie you are watching and a verbal or physical altercation occurs. think about if you came upon that situation, what you would do.

Bottom line is standing on the side of justice does not necessarily mean to act physically but it also does not mean just walk away and do nothing.  But what will you do?  No one can tell you what you should or should not do in any scenario and you will not know unless you think about various scenarios and think through it so if you encounter those scenarios or something similar you will know.

Regards,

Kelly

"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill." ~ Sun Tzu (6th Century BC), Chinese General, military strategist, and author of The Art of War

What We Can Learn About Martial Arts From Mr. Miyagi ---- Chief Instructor Blog November 2021

 

While The Karate Kid movies may not have showcased the best karate techniques, and while at times it may have sounded corny, Mr. Miyagi’s teachings are true to the intent of learning or studying a martial art.

“Lesson not just karate only. Lesson for whole life.” 

What you learn while practicing and studying martial arts can go way beyond the dojang.  Learning a martial art may appear to focus on the physical side during class, but there is so much more you are learning.  What you learn from martial arts training can be applied to all aspects of your life. 

“Fighting always the last answer to the problem.” and “Here are the 2 Rules of Miyagi-Ryu Karate. Rule number 1: ‘Karate for defense only.’ Rule number 2: ‘First learn rule number 1.’

Martial arts physical techniques should only be used as a last resort and have no other options to avoid an altercation. 

“Daniel-san, you’re looking for revenge. The way you start is by digging two graves!”.”

Controlling your emotions is a critical part of being a martial artist.  Emotions such as fear, anger, hate, cloud one’s thinking and responses.  Using your skills against another person because they made you angry or for revenge is never acceptable.

“Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home. Understand?” 

Balance is one of the key skills you master as a martial artist.  Being physically balanced consists of many things for martial artists: Even / physical equilibrium, Equal distribution of weight, Symmetry, Stability, Controlling one’s center of gravity, Retaining one’s balance

“Don’t forget to breathe, very important.”

Breathing is a key attribute to be effective in martial arts.  Breath is connected to energy flow.  If you are not breathing, your internal energy is not flowing.  If breathing is choppy, so will your energy.  Smooth, natural breath moves energy through the body “

“Either you karate do “yes” or karate do “no.” You karate do “guess so,” (get squished) just like grape.” 

If you can avoid an alteration that is good, but if you have no other option but to actually use the techniques you have learned in a self-defense situation, the most important thing is to not hesitate or second guess.  

"First Learn Stand, Then Learn Fly. Nature Rule, Daniel-San, Not Mine.”

In mastering anything, including martial arts, it takes patience and it is process build a foundation to build upon which takes time. 

If you happen to watch or rewatch The Karate Kid movies, I recommend looking at it from the viewpoint of studying martial arts philosophies and how you might apply them to your own training.

Regards,

Kelly

 

“If karate is used to defend honor, defend life — karate means something. If karate is used to defend a plastic metal trophy — karate doesn’t mean anything.”.” ~ Mr. Miyagi, fictional Okinawan karate in The Karate Kid saga.

What We Can Learn About Martial Arts From Star Wars ---- Chief Instructor Blog October 2021

It is fairly well known that George Lucas drew from historical influences such as the Knights Templar, Japanese Samurai and Shaolin Kung Fu for the Jedi Order of Knights philosophies and history.  Those philosophies are still pertinent and applicable to today’s marital artists.

In my last blog I quoted Master Yoda’s “Do, or do not. There is no try.“ and the importance of that mindset if needed to use your skills to defend yourself.  Many other philosophies quoted in Star Wars are relevant to today’s marital artist.

In Star Wars, the greatest power comes from being one with the force.  In our training the Force is that harsh energy, explicitly external energy that we tap into.  To tap into the Force, you must recognize that:

·         “The Force will be with you. Always.”  - energy is there for you to use, always.  It takes training to tap into it and to believe you can, but it is there.

·         To tap into that energy "You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere.  Yes.  Even between the land and the ship."

·         This harsh energy is only to be used for self-defense.  “A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.”

And that energy is more effective and powerful than anything we can imagine and therefore our physical strength and size does not matter.

·          “Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is.”

Learning requires patience and an open mind.

·         If we could learn all the skills instantly, we would all be black belts in weeks, not years.  “Patience you must have my young Padawan.”

·         And sometimes we need to train our mind and body differently to be an effective martial artist.  “You must unlearn what you have learned.”

·         We must be open to new concepts (like the force) to truly master a martial art, we must have a mind of a child that is fascinated about all things.  “Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.”

Controlling your emotions is a critical part of being a martial artist.  Emotions such as fear, anger, hate, cloud one’s thinking and responses.  Martial artists never react or use their skill because of these emotions. 

·         But in order to control these emotions, you must understand what triggers those emotions for you.  “Confronting fear is the destiny of a Jedi. Your destiny.” 

·         And if you control fear, you stop the chain to other “darker” emotions.  “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

If you happen to watch or rewatch Star Wars movies, I recommend looking at it from the viewpoint of studying martial arts philosophies and how you might apply them to your own training.

Regards,

Kelly

“Always pass on what you have learned.” ~ Master Yoda, Grandmaster of the Jedi Order 

Do, Just Do ---- Chief Instructor Blog September 2021

In studying a martial art, it is important to learn correct technique and practice precisely so you are effective, efficient and minimize any injury to yourself.  If you have no other option but to actually use the techniques you have learned in a self-defense situation, the most important thing is to follow Master Yoda’s advice and “Do, or do not. There is no try. “

In real-life, if you are attacked, you do not have time to think what is the best technique or target, you must act, you most “Do”.  Bruce Lee is quoted as saying “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do."  We must Do.

You must “Do” and not stop until you feel safe.  And what feels safe can take the form of many outcomes (attacker is disarmed, you have escaped the scene, police officers are on the scene and taking control of the situation, etc.) and will be very dependent on the scenario (location, time of day, who is with you, etc.).

Sanford Strong, retired Marine and career law enforcement officer, in his book “Strong on Defense” lays out several “Do’s” when you must defend yourself:

1. React immediately. 

2. Resist.  In his book, he states,” These three words - immediate, direct, explosive - are your guidelines to resistance. Don’t wait.  React immediately with full force and keep resisting.”

3. Never, never give up. 

Your attitude, your mentality, and your spirit are critical to safely surviving an attack.  Yes, your technique and skill learned is important – they are your tools in self-defense.  But if attacked, you must “Do” and have the spirit of a warrior.  In Sun Tzu’s book, Art of War, he states “You cannot know if you will be successful or not. You can only prepare for battle and it must be done with all of your heart and with all of your consciousness. In that manner, you will have an edge.”

So, as you practice your techniques and train physically, ensure your spirit is also part of your training.

Regards,

Kelly

"Spirit first, technique second." ~ Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), founder of Shotokan Karate

Using All Your Senses -- Chief Instructor's Blog August 2021

 

When we train and study martial arts, we primarily make use of and train only with our sense of sight.  Yet, if we want a better picture of what is around us and take advantage of our opponents or keep ourselves safe, we ought to train and use other senses as well.

And while it is natural for us to rely on sight for how we interact in the world, there are times that we may not have the ability of sight.  What happens if someone invades your home in the dark or you are in a place at night and the lights are cut off?  What happens if someone flashes a light in your eyes or throws dirt towards your eyes to temporarily blind you?  In these cases, you will not have your sight to rely on.  Therefore, it is good to practice and train using your other senses: touch, sound, and smell.

Touch is very useful when in close combat.  By using touch against your opponents, you can start to get a feel for their movement even before you see it and then counter it.  If you are in a situation where you cannot see, then through your sense of touch you can feel where your opponent is.  We have practiced this in the past by closing our eyes and having our partner grab us and trying to determine where they are and their movements.  We have been able to trace their arm to their head to strike or take them down easily, all without any use of the sense of sight. 

Using your sense of sound is also very useful in self-defense.  Through use of sound, you may be able to hear where someone is coming from by listening for their footsteps, rustle of their clothes or even their breathing.  And again, if you do not have use of sight, sound may be your only sense you have to rely on to know where your opponent is or coming from. 

Smell can also be very useful.  Currently there is a PG&E commercial that says “if you smell gas, your first step is to get out.”   In self-defense, I’d say the same thing.  If you smell something that does not seem right, you should leave the area or be very cautious.  In addition, the sense of smell may tell you something about your opponent or where they are at, especially if you do not have the sense of sight to rely on.

The other sense to practice and rely on in self-defense is your intuitive sense.  If you feel like you are in danger, then you should not dismiss it, and react using your skills you have developed in class.  If you feel unsafe, pay more attention to your surroundings, but do not dismiss that feeling.  Gavin de Becker in his book, The Gift of Fear, states it well, “You have the gift of a brilliant internal guardian that stands ready to warn You of hazards and guide You through risky situations.  Listen to your intuition.”

So, suggest adding to your martial training and studies the use of these other senses.  Practice with eyes closed or with a blind fold on and focus on your other senses maybe one at a time.  In your everyday activities, whether at work or walking through the neighborhood use all your sense to see, hear, touch and “feel” your environment.  It may be a sense other than sight that actually saves your life.

 

Regards,

Kelly

“Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.” ~ Bruce Lee, (1940 –1973) American-born Chinese Hong Kong martial artist, actor, and founder of Jeet Kune Do

 

Are You Ready to Protect Yourself? -- Chief Instructor's Blog July 2021

 

In many various blogs, I have written how important it is to be aware of your surroundings as awareness is a critical aspect of self-defense.  Gichin Funakoshi’s The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master [1], 16th principle “When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies” he states, “Negligence is a great enemy when we leave the safety of our homes. If we are not in peak form in both our body and attitude, we will attract troublemakers and problems.”

So, what does it mean to be “in peak form in both our body and attitude”? 

For one, are you physically ready to protect yourself?  You should be aware of how you feel physically when you are out and about.  If you are tired, injured, or your muscles are sore and cold, you may not be ready physically to protect yourself.  Does this mean if you are tired or injured, don’t leave your house?  Not necessarily, but it means you may need to be more aware of your surroundings, maybe you do not go out alone, and / or need to be prepared for different tactics if someone tries to attack you.  You should also be aware when you step out of your home if you are wearing clothes that are tight or restrictive that will make certain techniques more difficult to perform.  You should also be aware if you are wearing shoes that make it difficult to run in which again may change your tactics if you were attacked. 

You should also be aware of your mental and emotional state when you are public.  If you are in a bad place emotionally or mentally, then definitely consider staying home or making sure you are with other people, since you may not be a in place to adequately protect yourself.

In addition, you should be aware of things that might “attract troublemakers and problems.”

Are you being an easy target?  For example, if you are carrying around and looking at your $1000 smart phone while walking down the street, you are an easy target for someone to steal that phone and may knock you down in the process.  And as I have said in class, many times, if your head strikes the ground, it might not only be a bad day, but your last day. 

You should also be aware if your clothes or attire make you vulnerable.  For example, if you are wearing a neck tie or hoodie, both these articles of clothing can make you vulnerable if someone grabs them.  I am not saying you should never wear a tie or hoodie, but if you are you must be prepared since someone may grab the tie or hoodie and use that to choke you. 

The intent is not to be paranoid when you leave your house, but be conscious and aware, not just of your surroundings but of yourself:  your physical, emotional, mental state, the clothes you are wearing, etc., because all are an indication of how ready you are to protect yourself if you have to.

Be aware, be ready, stay safe.

Regards,

Kelly

 

“Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later – Squish just like grape!” ~ Mr. Miyagi, fictional Okinawan karate in The Karate Kid saga.

 

Maximizing Your Techniques - - Chief Instructor's Blog June 2021

 

I have written serval blogs on how your focus, mindset and intention is important for your techniques to be effective. 

 In my November 2016 blog, Defend or Protect?, I discuss that even the words we use can make a difference in the effectiveness of your techniques.

 In my October 2017 blog, Training The Mind Through Attitude/Intent, I discuss the importance of the attitude/intent aspect of training.

 In addition, your goal when you have no other choice but to use your techniques to protect yourself or your friends is to maximize damage and end the fight quickly. 

 So, when throwing your techniques, your intention is to break, drive kicks and strikes through targets, and render your attacker unable to continue to do harm.  I really like some quotes from Choki Motobu, founder of Motobu-Ryu style of karate, that provides some excellent examples of that intention and aligns with how I have described this intention in classes:

•  "When punching to the face, one must thrust as if punching through to the back of the head."
• "When blocking kicks, one must block as if trying to break the opponent’s shin."

So, you need to practice each technique with the intention of maximizing damage (block to break, go through the target, etc.).  Obviously, we need to temper this when practicing with a fellow student, but in the air or against the bags, this should always be your intention. 

And, you need to practice so that your intention of damage is with every inch of every movement you make.  In the beginning of our training, we assume we strike or kick someone at an exact spot. The reality is that in the dynamic situation of a real attack, the exact spot and exact part of your body you strike or kick the attacker with may not be your original intention.  This is why it is critical you are thinking of maximizing damage with every slight movement you make.

If, when you are striking or kicking, your intention is damage only in the last couple of inches, what happens if your attacker moves in on you and is closer?  Most likely your technique will not be effective at all.

As you punch, the moment your fist leaves your hip, if you focus on damage with every inch, them it does not matter if the attacker has moved in or not and your punch will still be effective.  If you are throwing a high block, your intention should be your entire arm (elbow, forearm, bottom of the fist) is a weapon and all parts of the arm are ready to strike. If you are throwing a front kick, for example, you should perform the technique with the intention that the knee is used as a strike first followed by the kick. And even if your techniques do not result in breaking bones or damaging the body, this intent and focus will result in disrupting your attacker such that any follow-on attacks will not be effective or as effective.

The above examples should give you ideas on why and how you should be performing your techniques to maximize damage.  When you maximize damage, you will end the fight quickly. And, in ending the fight quickly, the more likely you will walk away with no injuries. 

Regards,

Kelly

“One cannot use continuous attacks against true karate. That is because the blocks of true karate make it impossible for the opponent to launch a second attack.” ~ Choki Motobu (1871–1944), Founder of Motobu-Ryu style of karate

 

Hyung vs Sparring - - Chief Instructor's Blog May 2021

 

I have written serval blogs about differ aspect of hyung.  My last one was in September 2019,”Hyung Are Not Just About The Pattern”.       

I ended that blog by stating (as pertaining to hyung), “In essence, after learning the techniques, practicing in a pattern/sequence provides all the key ingredients needed to survive a fight in the real world.”

Why am I so sure that hyung are the key ingredients (techniques, motions, etc.) for surviving a fight are similar techniques, motions we should be using in sparring?  (Notice I said similar and not exact.  I have mentioned in class many times, that for applications the exact move in a hyung would not be precisely the same move.  With that said, if you are wondering why we practice hyung as precise moves, please refer to my October 2011 blog “Benefits of Learning Hyung Exactly.”). 

The reason I believe this is many masters and founders of various styles of karate have stated so in various ways.

Hironori Otsuka, founder of Wadō-ryū style of karate wrote, “Martial Arts progress from kata, to kumite, to combat.”  (Kumite is the Japanese word for sparring)

Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate, wrote in his book Karate-do Kyohan, “Sparring (kumite) is a form used to apply offensive and defensive techniques, practiced in the kata, under more realistic conditions, in which by prearrangement between participants one applies offensive and the other defensive techniques.”

Chojin Miyagi, founder of Goju-Ryu style of karate wrote in his Karate-do Gaisetsu (outline of karate-do), “Through sparring practice the practical meaning of kata becomes apparent.”

Katsuya Miyahira, grand master of the Shorin-ryu Shido-kan style of karate, is quoted as saying, “Sparring is essential to development but only when it comes from the kata…no one spars until they are San Dan rank or above.” 

Choki Motobu, founder of Motobu-Ryu style of karate, is quoted as saying, “Kumite is an actual fight using many basic styles of kata to grapple with the opponent.”

I am not saying that by practicing hyung and mastering them you are automatically effective at sparring.  Sparing involves an understanding of applications, timing and interactions with others that cannot be replaced with single person hyung.  However, what I am saying is the hyung contain those techniques, movements, and principles that when mastered and applied appropriately are those key ingredients for effective sparring.

Regards,

Kelly

“The techniques should not be practiced simply so they can be performed in the kata. Since karate is a fighting art each technique and movement has its own meaning. The karateka must consider their meaning, how and why they are effective, and practice accordingly” ~ Shigeru Egami (1812-1981), master of Shotokan karate who founded the Shōtōkai style and a student of Gichin Funakoshi

Martial Arts and Cross Training -- Chief Instructor's Blog April 2021

 

Can cross training improve your martial arts?  Yes.

Will cross-training improve your martial arts.  It depends.

What do I mean by this?

If you are practicing or participating in other activities and have identified the goal on how it will improve your martial arts and practice with those items in mind so it becomes natural, then yes, it can improve your martial arts.  If you are just participating to participate, then it probably will not and in fact may actually hold you back in your martial arts.

Let’s look at a couple of examples. 

Running

Running can help improve your cardiovascular endurance and build leg strength, so in theory it can help you in your martial arts.  But will it?  If you are focused on controlling your breathing, explosive sprints, remaining grounded, run from your center, staying focused on the running and being present, then it can help in your martial arts.  If you are just out for a leisurely jog and not focused on your breathing, being grounded, etc., then it will not and in fact may hold you back in your martial arts.  

Yoga

Yoga can help improve your breathing, balance, flexibility, and muscular strength, so in theory it can help you in your martial arts.  But will it?  If you control your breathing even when a pose becomes straining, remain focused on the present moment in every pose, remain grounded and work from your center in every pose, challenge yourself to try new poses even if you think they may be difficult or you cannot them do at first, then it can help in your martial arts.  In addition, if you let you mind wander, release the pose when it starts getting tough, disconnect from your breathing or center throughout the pose, then it will not help and in fact may hold you back in your martial arts.

Motorcycle Racing

Motorcycle racing can help with your mental focus, breathing, using your entire body as one, staying in the game and never giving up (even if you are at the back of the pack), checking your ego at the door, and providing you with a real understanding of your skill.  But will it?  If you control your breathing even when adrenaline is high, remain focused on the present moment for the entire race, are one with the motorcycle and use your entire body as one, ensure stay in tune with your abilities and do not over exaggerate what you are capable of while keeping a positive mindset, then it can help in your martial arts.  If you do not control your breathing, if you overexaggerate your skill (which in a motorcycle race, can mean severe injury or death), if you do not stay in the race until it is over and give up before the finish line, then it will not help and in fact may hold you back in your martial arts.

Martial arts are not just a practice but a way of life, so if you participate in other activities and incorporate the fundamentals of martial arts, then it can help your martial arts practice.  The more you do in your life where you breathe evenly, have body awareness, are grounded, focused on the present moment, the more these principles will be part of everything you do.  And once that occurs, you are no longer practicing a martial art but have become a martial artist.

Regards,

Kelly

"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things." ~ Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584 –1645) - famous Japanese swordsman, the author of The Book of Five Rings

 

Other Methods: Applications & Intentions -- Chief Instructor's Blog March 2021

 

In my February 2021 blog, HMK is More Than Strikes & Kicks I discussed the fact that HMK methods are more than kicks and strikes, and include other methods such as take downs/ throws, joint locks/arm bars, traps/pins, grabs/crushes, and nerves/pressure points.

The good part is these other methods are already part of the techniques you are learning/ have learned and the difference is really about intention in their applications.

Let’s look at some of these other methods and some examples of how the intention in their applications can change them from a strike to another method.

Takedown/Throws:

·         Outward Ridge Hand/ Backhand

o   If you turn perpendicular to the opponent, the movement across the opponent’s chest/neck can be used as a takedown maneuver.  This can be very effective if, as move perpendicular, you also move in a horse stance behind the opponent, especially from a same side or cross hand grab where the reciprocal moves the opponent off-balance.

·         Inward low block

o   The movement can be used as a takedown from across the collar bone/ side of neck in a close attack

Traps/Pins:

·         Augmented Medium Block

o   The augmented hand could be used as a trap from a same side punch, a same side grab or cross hand grab, followed by an upper punch or backhand to the opponent’s face

·         Extended Spear Hand

o   The opposite hand could be used as a trap from a same side punch, a same side grab or cross hand grab, followed by a spear hand to the opponents’ vulnerable spot below the sternum or throat

o   The opposite hand could be used as a pin to the chest from a same side grab, followed by a spear hand to opponents’ vulnerable spot below the sternum or throat

·         Double Knife Hand

o   From a cross hand wrist grab, as you raise your hands and move to the inside into a Horse Stance, the outside knife hand /pins the wrist of your opponent, and the inside knife hand can be used as strike to the opponent’s head/ groin/kidneys or whatever target is open

·         Two hand Reciprocal

o   From same side or cross hand wrist grab,  the reciprocal motion pulls the opponent off balance, and the upper hand traps/ pins the opponent's hand

Joint Lock/Arm Bar:

·         Side Medium Block

o   From cross hand grab, as you step back and perpendicular to the opponent, the movement will straighten the opponent’s arm, followed by side medium block which will create the arm bar

·         Augmented Medium Block

o   From same side or cross hand grab, the medium block movement as you move off-line from the opponent can straighten the opponent’s arm, followed by the augment that will create the arm bar

·         Double Inward Punch

o   From a double lapel grab, the movement can create an arm bar – you may need to move to the side or backwards

o   From same side grab, this movement can bring the opponent’s arm up to your shoulder and then once you finish the movement, you have the opponent in an arm bar  

·         Horse Stance Double Knife Hands

o   From a cross hand wrist grab, as you raise your hands and move to the outside of your opponent, the double knife hand strike as your move into Horse Stance creates the arm bar across your knee

The above are just a few examples of HMK striking techniques that can be used as other methods.  So, in practicing applications think about the motion and parts of the hand being used and how they could be used as one of these other HMK methods if performed with a different intention.

Regards,

Kelly

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” - Max Planck (1858 – 1947), German quantum theorist and Nobel Prize in Physics winner

HMK is More Than Strikes & Kicks -- Chief Instructor's Blog February 2021

 

When we think about Tae Kwon Do, many think of only strikes and kicks, but traditional Tae Kwon Do, which Han Moo Kwan is one, also incorporates other methods in martial arts such as take downs/ throws, joint locks/arm bars, traps/pins, grabs/crushes, and nerves/pressure points.

 So, why do we mainly practice strikes and kicks in the beginning?

In the beginning, we want to focus on mechanics and body awareness to get the mechanics right.  These other methods require you to practice with others, which would take away from being able to only concentrate on your own body mechanics.  The good thing is the same body mechanics that are used for blocks and strikes can also be effectively used for the other methods.

To be effective in these other methods, you have to have effective stances and use your entire body not just your upper body.  For more about effective stances, refer to my June 2009 blog, The Importance of Stances.  For these methods to be effective, you must also be grounded.  For more on grounding, refer to my March 2009 blog, What Is Grounding?.  Most students have not developed good stances and are not adequately grounded to become proficient in these other methods until blue belt.  In addition, we want students to learn to fall properly first for safety reasons before practicing such methods as take downs and throws.

These other methods can also cause significant damage more easily than strikes and kicks since they usually go against joints or very vulnerable parts of the body.  And as mentioned above, the only real way to practice these other methods are against a partner.  It takes time to develop the control, timing, and understanding of your force, so when you apply these other methods, you are effective, are not overusing your muscles and not actually causing damage to your partner but going to the edge in class.  Most students have not developed enough of this skill until advanced blue belt/brown belt. 

For lower ranks, I believe some of these other methods at first are a distraction.  For example. I have seen many times in class, less experienced students try some of these other methods like grabs in class, and all they do is focus so hard on trying to grab that they lose sight of their partner’s actions which puts them at risk.

In addition, for many of these other methods to be effective, you have to have the intent to do damage.  For instance, in Han Moo Kwan, we do not actually teach to grab.  We teach how to crush which takes significant intent of destruction which most students do not possess until brown belt or higher.

Nerve/ pressure points are a little different, from my perspective, take significant precision to be effective and not everyone is susceptible to nerve/ pressure points in the same way. We have discussed, and from time-to-time practiced with, nerve/pressure points, but we do not focus on them or practice them as an effective technique for self-defense.  For more information on my thoughts on nerve/pressure points, please read my February 2020 blog, Are Nerve Points Effective For Self Defense.

While strikes and kicks are the foundation of Han Moo Kwan, there are so many more methods that are part of the art form that are effective for self-defense once a student has established that foundation.

Regards,

Kelly

“In karate, hitting, thrusting, and kicking are not the only methods, throwing techniques and pressure against joints are included ... all these techniques should be studied referring to basic kata” ~ Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), founder of Shotokan Karate

The Value of Practicing Basics -- Chief Instructor's Blog January 2021

We always start each practice with basics.  But why and what is the value of basics.  Wouldn’t we learn more if we always practiced with other people or using equipment like pads and bags?  

There are several reasons to start each practice with basics.

1.        Complete warm-up

Even though in a real situation you do not have time to warm-up, the basics do allow time for your body to continue to stretch, warm-up or finish warming up before more intense practice against bags or with a partner.  We always start basics with upper body techniques since the upper body muscles tend to warm-up faster and the stances allow the legs to warm-up prior to lower body techniques.  For more discussion on whether you should stretch or not before class, see my July 2011 blog, To Stretch or Not?.

2.      Focus on Mechanics

The mechanics are the foundations to any art form.  Basics provide an opportunity to practice with complete focus on body mechanics and body awareness without distraction.

The repetition of basics allows you to concentrate on one technique at a time and all aspects of that technique: precision, alignment, motion, transition, stances, eye positions, etc. to master it.  Every technique has many nuances so it takes a lot of repetition to ensure everything about that technique is correct so if you ever need to use it for self-defense, it is body memory and effective.

For more information on mechanics, refer to some of my earlier blogs:

·         April 2012, The Importance Of Alignment and Breathing

·         January 2017, Alignment: Critical to Protecting the Muscular Skeletal Body

·         February 2017, Why Linear?

·         June 2017, Be Precise Consistently

·         January 2018, Key Alignment/ Motion Fundamentals

I think Bruce Lee’s quote sums it up the best:  "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."

3.      Focus on Breathing

Basics also allows you to focus on your breathing and be effective with your breathing.  As noted in my October 2016 blog, the benefits to effective breathing are three-fold.  (1) Physically, if you are breathing evenly and smoothly and using as much of your lungs as possible it will improve your endurance. (2) From a physiological perspective deep, smooth, and even breathing will decrease your heart rate and improve your ability to handle the stress of the moment during an attack.  (3) If you are breathing, you are flowing energy.  For more information on breathing, refer to my April 2012, The Importance Of Alignment and Breathing and my December 2016 blog, Deep Breathing…Could Be A Life Save.

4.      Prepare the Mind

Even though you should enter the class mentally ready to start practice (the etiquette of bowing when entering the dojang should be the means to clear the mind of the day and prepare for practice), basics allows you to complete that process and ensure the right state of mind to train against a bag, with a partner, etc.  For more on the importance of your mental state entering the dojang and during practice, see my January 2014 blog What Are you Bringing Into the Dojang? and my May 2011 blog Your State of Mind Matters (and Matters Most). 

5.      Train the Mind

In addition, the basics allow you to focus on training the mind.  Training the mind is a critical part of mastering a martial art - where the mind goes, the body follows.  For information on training the mind, see my September 2017 blog Training The Mind by Staying Focused and my October 2017 blog Training The Mind Through Attitude/Intent.

Basics are an important part of our practice and practicing basics alone will not allow you to master a martial art, but it’s the start.

Regards,

Kelly

"Train hard, sweat, finish, bow and say thank you for the opportunity to sweat." Shojiro Koyama (1935-), Shotokan Karate 9th Dan