Karate Ranch

Taking advantage of the NEW YEAR

2008-01-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

Every year millions of people commit on January 1st to change their lives. Usually by January 15th they have surrendered their goals and gone back to their ordinary routines. Why is it that we can't seem to carry through with our New Year's Resolutions? How can stick to a new plan? Here are some thoughts and notes that may help!
Step 1- Have an actual goal
Most people say they want to lose weight or even lose ten pounds. That is not a goal, it is an idea. A goal is something clearly defined, measurable and has a definite start and stop time. Say you want to lose weight, for example. The first step to creating a weight loss goal would be to find out what your ideal weight is. Talk to your doctor before starting any weight-loss programs. While you're at it, ask your doctor what he or she recommends. Determine exactly how much weight you want to lose and by what date.
Step 2- Evaluate your goal
Is your goal realistic? Is it safe? Are you going to be able to fulfill your goal with your current family/work environment? IF the answer is no, you may need to tailor your goal to your personal situation. If I worked in a cubicle for twelve hours a day and lived in a cramped city, it might be hard for me to get out and run five miles a day.
Step 3- Disseminate your goal
Write your goal out clearly on paper. Keep a few copies available in places that you frequent. Let your friends, family, and co-workers know what your goal is. They may be able to help you accomplish your goal. They will certainly be able to remind you of your goal.
Step 4- Set benchmarks
Your goal may seem like a faraway dream at times and that is why having benchmarks can help you. If for example you want to participate in and complete a marathon you should determine what an appropriate training schedule would look like. If the week before the event you can only run two miles before stopping you may find completing the marathon to be near impossible. But by figuring out how fast or slow you are progressing toward your goal (ie, every week you can run a half mile more than the week before) take that into account and back plan. Test yourself on a regular basis, giving yourself time to improve before testing, and determine whether or not you are on track.
Step 5- Completing your goal
If it is a true goal and you are true to it, then you will eventually complete it. Excellent. Once you have completed your goal, look at yourself again and determine whether or not you are perfect (this should be a no-brainer) and determine what area you will work on next.
Other things that might help you are periodically taking pictures of yourself to be able to more clearly show progress. Try keeping a journal including your thoughts and feelings. Also in your journal you might write the comments people make relating to your goal. Good luck with your new year's resolutions!

The Practice of the Right Style

2007-11-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

There is (and has been for some time) a great debate about which style is the best. Each student is different and must find a martial art that suits them, but here are some things to consider:
Some styles of martial arts focus on high kicks, some focus on strength of the fingers, and some focus on keeping low stances. Obviously, or at least obvious to me, the type of person you are has a lot to do with how successful you might be in a given style. Someone with arthritis may not be able to give the high kicks necessary to practice certain disciplines. Someone who has bad knees may not be able to maintain a low stance for very long. Some people may even have an ethical problem with the moves used in the style. Whatever the reason, some people just aren't cut out for some styles of martial arts.
When finding the right martial art for you, consider your body type and composition. If you feel strongly about a martial art and want to practice it despite some naturally occurring obstacles, go for it! Most instructors are willing to help if you make the effort. However, it may be best to start with something that won't be an uphill battle all the way.
Next, it is important that you dedicate yourself fully to the martial art you settle on. Don't try to take on a number of martial arts at once - you may confuse yourself, you may injure yourself or others, and you may not be able to dedicate the focus needed to become truly proficient at any style you're doing. The idea that if you practice a year of karate, a year of judo, a year of kung fu and a year of tai chi you will be a well-rounded practitioner is also false; you will become a "jack of all styles, and master of none."
I do, however, encourage you, once you have been in the same style for at least five years, to branch out and try new things. Your expertise in one style will help you to learn others and will aid you in becoming a "renaissance" man or woman of the martial arts. I would recommend studying a hard style first, (tae kwon do, karate-do, kick-boxing, et cetera), transition into a hard and soft style (certain styles of kung fu, karate, hapkido, jujitsu, et cetera), and "finish" with a soft style like judo or aikido.
On a final note, finding the right martial art for you can be a big challenge, but add to that the challenge of finding a sensei or a teacher who is competent in teaching that martial art, which may be an even bigger one. Never "settle" on a teacher, doing so will only lead to improper technique, injury or worse. Make sure you love what you are doing and that you love the people you are with.

Dealing with Injuries

2007-07-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, due to the nature of practicing a martial art, you may find that you become injured. Do not despair. The first thing to do is go to a doctor immediately and begin receiving treatment from a professional. If you do not start treating the injury and decide to "tough it out" you may have a permanent loss of ability which will mean that you might never be able to return to full practice.
After treatment has begun with a licensed professional, get an estimate on how long your recovery might last. Give that estimate to your instructor and let him or her know that you plan on coming back at that time. Stay in regular contact with your instructor or fellow students so that they don't just decide you gave up on them.
Another important thing to get from the doctor is a list of approved physical activities. If your arm is broken, for example, you might still be able to practice kicks, or stance work. Get constant updates from your doctor about these kind of approved activities and inform your instructor. If your teacher is willing, go to your karate school or martial arts school to do those exercises.
Remain positive. In my experience, most injuries last more than a minute. That can get depressing because you feel like you are losing all that hard work you did. Don't believe it for a minute. Nothing is ever truly lost, merely misplaced. You will find that even if you have "forgotten" the kata or the moves you were working on just prior to your injury, you will have an easier time remembering them the second time around and it will stick with you longer.
Next, buy a notebook and write down things that you remember about your martial art. It is important that you retain as much as possible and a notebook will help you put into words (which can be easier to remember than some motions) what you have learned. Be as specific as possible and start as soon as possible. When I write these kinds of things down I draw a lot of pictures to give a clearer understanding about what I am working on, for example: when I am writing about a punch, I will draw the fist in various stages, I will draw the fist from various angles and write a description of how the force of a proper punch is evenly distributed through the forearm and the consequences for having a bent or cocked wrist. Writing down what you learn will also make it easier to pass that knowledge on. You will be able to cherish things that your sensei says to you if you write them down more than if you just try to remember the gist of what they say.
Lastly, take your time recovering from an injury. Of course, you want to come back and get to your karate practice as soon as possible. Don't come back too soon, however, because you can potentially injure yourself further. An injury can in this way help you exercise your patience, which is important for any martial artist.

karate: getting ready to practice with only fifteen minutes

2007-03-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

When you are in a hurry and heading out to practice there are some basic steps to consider:
1. Change clothes. If you practice in a gi (karate uniform) or in sweats and a t-shirt, make sure you change clothes before practicing. You want to remember to take off watches and jewelry (especially rings, bracelets and anything pierced). Changing clothes helps prevent injury to your opponent and helps you commit to what you are doing. IF you are wearing a button up shirt for example, it's pretty easy to see that the buttons would hurt a lot if someone were to punch them. Likewise, belts (except for the soft variety) have hard and often sharp edges that can bruise or cut. Last, if you are wearing a nice pair of slacks you probably won't be inclined to kick as high or work as hard as if you were in clothes that were intended to be sweat-drenched and torn.
2. Stretch. Stretching before an exercise can help prevent injury and may help you increase your flexibility. That aside, stretching is an excellent way to help start getting your mind on karate.
3. Warm up. A quick jog, some push-ups, sit-ups, squats, et cetera can also help prepare your body for practice and may help prevent injuries. If you're feeling up to it and have some time before class, do about half an hour to an hour of these kind of warm up exercises to fully benefit from your class experience. If you can do a high kick after an hour of exercise and still have good form you are more realistically preparing yourself for the unforseen encounter.
4. Drink a bottle of water. Some styles encourage waiting until after class to drink, but unless this is your case, it is a good idea to drink some water before class so that you can be full of energy and won't feel thirsty. To make your water intake more useful, any day you have practice you should be drinking at regular intervals throughout the day to fully hydrate your body.
5. Double Check! Before you walk out the door to smash things and rend throats, remember to double check your hair and nails. If your hair is long it should be tied back in a pony tail or even better a tight bun. This will prevent stray hair from impairing vision or getting caught. Your nails should be short and well trimmed.
6. Pack it in, pack it out. If you live a good distance from where you practice you may wish to pack your karate uniform in a bag and take it with you. If for some reason there was an accident on the road or you were to be involved in something on the way to class, your karate uniform may seem intimidating and unfriendly and add to an already stressful event. Changing clothes after class is also highly recommended. Not only for that reason, but also, if you sweat your clothes will be wet at the end of a good practice and allowing your body to heat up and then cool like that can throw your body off and increase the chance of illness. Bring a towel and shower at the first opportunity.
Remember that no matter how soon your class starts (ie, how late you are for class) never speed or drive aggressively. If your school has a "no late comers" policy, you may still be able to benefit by watching the class. Apologize to the instructor and think of ways that you can practice on your own.

karate in practice

2006-12-17T19:17:00.000-08:00

My good friend Pei Shan and I were laboring to perfect the performance we had volunteered to undertake as part of a Christmas Celebration Program when I was reminded again of the simple truths that should accompany practice. Nothing goes the way you plan it. Our segment, for example, is one and one half minutes long and involves weapons (short and long sword), floor movement, high kicks, jump kicks, throws, falls, and rolls. We have practiced this series of movements for more than a couple days and both know it well enough to recite it, were it necessary. However practicing our form has been some tense moments of chaos. When the movement agreed upon is a grab, for example and instead I duck away and block, things became tense.
During our last practice we found, as usual, that we still had to fight our reflexes. When it came time to take a hit or deliver one, to not deliver that strike with force, but to "pull our punches" so to speak. In the course of our session, he took a cut across the hand and a nasty bruise on the forearm, while I escaped with a welt on my foot and my own bruised shin. The problems only came when we naturally reacted to an unnatural state that we were trying to force ourselves into. Which brings me to the point:
Karate is a wonderful Way to walk, but in the course of actual combat you may find yourself "off the beaten path." When that happens, it is important to remember the basics. Cover yourself, breath, move, look for openings, create the distance you want and can work with. If you miss a step it won't be a big problem as long as you can adapt. The chaos of movement and the mindlessness of reaction will finish off anyone who, like the poor dodo, cannot adapt.

Simple karate

2006-12-03T17:14:00.000-08:00

It is a common practice, especially in business, to summarize everything and evaluate it based on the "bottom line." So what is karate's "bottom line" so to speak? Karate in any form that it is studied should be used to make life better. If it is being used by soldiers in a battle or by the elderly for exercise, karate should be used to influence our lives for the better. Karate and its practice become simple when viewed in this light.

Take this practice into your life as you pursue the martial arts by asking yourself every so often "Am I happy?" and "Does karate help me in my goal of being happy?" If the answer is no, then you should try to find out why not. Are you in a school that doesn't follow principles that you believe in? Is your learning environment too strained? Have you given your school a proper chance by putting forth the effort and concentration necessary? Are you having problems in your life that are distracting you?
Consider seriously the consequences of beginning or ending your practice. I know from personal experience that the martial arts can be very rewarding and also that given the wrong circumstances, a person may not be able to devote themselves the way they could.
Karate is simple, it's supposed to make life better.

Karate lessons in the everyday

2006-11-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

Today, my wife and I took a walk with a friend and his family down the "fisherman's wharf." It was a fairly quiet day filled with many opportunities for introspection and even some intelligent conversation as we observed the plants and animals in the area.
A quiet day takes an unexpected turn
While waiting outside a shop, I noticed two seagulls fighting over a perch on a rock. The fight got pretty intense and the white bird scared the brown bird completely away. Having won a relatively minor victory (there were plenty of similar perches available) the bird then merely glared at all the other birds as if to dare them to try to take his perch. The other birds, not to be dragged into his petty games, simply flew off. I admired them as they stretched their wings and swooped about and I pitied the white gull who grumpily contented himself to his poop-streaked lonely rock.
Later, we noticed different varieties of cacti and stopped to have a look. I've always thought that cacti were ugly and have never really taken the time to really see how they really are. Not only was I pleasantly surprised, I also realized that it is true what they say "No matter where you look, there is something to see." How can such a thing exist? Spawned from torment and affliction, yet it obviously has such a serene and gentle disposition.
The challenge
The challenge then, is for everyone to open their eyes and see the world they live in. When just a few days ago I stopped a co-worker to point out a spider wrapping a fly, it was as if a fire had been lit inside him he got so excited! It is essential for us to strike out with renewed vigor and tap the limitless wisdom that awaits us in the mundane. Where can we find a better teacher than in those simple creatures who truly live in and for the moment.

Karate and the martial arts in perspective

2006-11-13T08:56:00.001-08:00

Recently a teacher friend of mine and I got into a bit of a discussion over the martial arts and the behavior of a martial artist. She claimed that a martial artist was supposed to be a vessel of serenity and to turn the other cheek in a confrontation. I pointed out that first and foremost the martial arts are literally warrior skills. She responded with an all too common misconception that I would like to discuss here: that the martial arts teach you to peacefully resolve problems.
The martial arts teach you to peacefully resolve problems (and other things people believe about the arts)
When I was growing up I clearly remember the day Sensei taught us all how to avoid trouble with others. He started out by asking for a volunteer to confront him in a strong stance. Then Sensei took a stance and in one fluid motion, pivoted on his feet, turned away and ran. He followed this demonstration with a fifteen minute discussion about how to walk around in the neighborhood (never take shortcuts or paths unfamiliar to you, travel with a buddy, always have a look of self-confidence, et cetera). But in my seven years studying under him that was the first and last time that he did that.
As with the majority of martial arts schools, my karate class was mainly composed of learning forms (karate kata), practicing basic techniques (kihon), and sparring (kumite). While I had an immensely capable and wise teacher, we as students had to learn from the start and lay a foundation toward those higher aspects of the arts. I was taught that if someone attacked me, I was to defend myself.
Unfortunately my teacher friend's introduction to the arts was the Hollywood version where the wizened martial arts teacher takes on a pupil and teaches him to never use the art he's being taught. Another mistake people make is that the martial arts will give its practitioners super-human strength and agility and therefore if a martial artist loses to a non-practitioner in a fight then the martial artist is a failure.
A close friend to the family used to work in a criminal detention facility where once an inmate was making a run for it. This friend was an award winning martial artist who had proved himself in many a tournament, however in a moment of panic he was just as vulnerable and human as anyone else and naturally required the assistance of another officer to detain the would-be escapee.
The martial arts do not make us invulnerable, they teach us to deal with pain. Karate doesn't make us better than anyone else, just maybe better prepared. The fact that we put on a uniform and practice warrior arts doesn't make us the aggressor, but it also doesn't make us the victim.

karate strikes, karate wimps and "finishing" karate techniques

2006-09-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

Recently I was watching some movie clips based on the life of Kyokushinkai founder Masutatsu Oyama, known also as "Mas" Oyama. These clips depicted him engaged in one of the many things that made him famous: killing bulls using his bare hands. Thinking back on the many biographies that I have read about him I was impressed by his dedication to karate and his development of awesome striking power. Having "grown up" in kyokushin karate-do I had marvelled at pictures of Mas Oyama's heavily calloused fists and learned that striking is serious business. In class we would wear thick gloves and protective helmuts to spar in so as not to hurt each other, but also to allow us to practice really using our karate to strike.

Now as far as karate class and karate sparring are concerned, there are generally two schools of thought: The first is to wear protective equipment. This allows for strong attacks and real defenses. It permits karateka to work close to their full speed and power without injuring their partner. However, it also is hard to work on proper technique with a gloved up hand and it makes one a little over-confident in their own ability to "take a hit."

The second school of thought is the way in which I practiced Goju-Ryu Karate-do ; no pads, but at a generally reduced speed. Techniques had to be crisp. Combinations and good strategy were a must. However, in order for it to be safe, one had to "pull" their punches. This has the unfortunate side-effect of conditioning someone to always pull their techniques when using them.

The problems with this method were underlined by a story told to me by a friend and a harsh critic of the martial arts. He explained that several members of a karate club on his street were practicing late one night and when they finished up and began to go their own way, were accosted by several ne'er-do-wells. While they were fairly evenly matched up in terms of numbers, according to my friend, the karate students "couldn't hit."

Let us please remember the essential element of striking power in our practice. If your school adheres to the karate practice of "pulling punches" you may want to suggest to your sensei(teacher) that you incorporate some striking exercises (ie, punching bags, makiwara, board breaking, et cetera) to give your karate techniques and karate practice the "finishing touches."

*While there are many other kinds of kumite(sparring) practice in karate, these two are the most popular. Others include stopping at the clothing with each strike which helps create intense control over each technique (but also may cause problems in an emergency), promised sparring (with set techniques and responses done at varying speeds), and full- contact (which limits the amount of effective practice time in a lesson) to name a few.

Karate: Some broad discussion on OPENING THEORY

2006-08-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

Although the subject of opening moves rarely seems to be given the weight it may deserve in most books on martial arts, as with chess, backgammon or go the first movements of a match or fight can decide the outcome. If mixed martial arts tournaments have taught us anything, it is to paraphrase an adage "in like a lion, out like a light." Please feel free to leave a comment about your views on opening and the discussion itself!
The correct practice of forms or kata is essential to effectively act and react in the Spring of a match. Kata, when practiced with vigor and imagination (bunkai ring any bells?), can improve speed, accuracy, mental reaction and proper form. Indeed, kata, when properly adhered to, lays the foundation of attack and defense in an encounter. With that point clarified, the question becomes: how can one refine their practice of forms to genuinely prepare them for a real opponent?
The long road to effective kata
When practicing kata it is essential to keep your eye single to your own development and perfection as a martial artist and not to practice to win trophies or titles. When you have surpassed your weaknesses as a martial artist, those things will come, if you still desire them, because you will have progressed beyond the showman and become the master. This true motivation will put a snap in your kicks, quicken your memory and put a fierce dragon in your kiai. However, heart is not enough, there must also be a plan. A route to tread that will give direction and progression.
First, of course, must come the basics. Like the first stretch of any journey, the basics allow a student to accustom him or herself to what lies ahead. Stances, movement, blocks, punching and other strikes help the burgeoning karateka develop themselves and get a "feel" for the art. As these techniques become familiar, the karate student will begin to learn karate kata.
Next, as the student becomes more accustomed to their particular style, they begin to understand not only about different movements and stances, but also about the distance between them and their opponent. These concepts seem to blossom and bloom as the dust rises and the sweat begins to drop on the martial Way.
Then, the student will find the deeper philosophical and spiritual meanings behind the practice. Concepts of dodging, escaping, forcing, et cetera are all second nature and practicing karate kata or engaging in karate kumite only seem to nourish their souls and teach them more and more. The distance between karate student and opponent seems less and less until both become one.
Finally, the karate-ka will come full circle: from mastering techniques to teaching them. The karate-ka will be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and know how to apply them to their martial encounters. Still, the journey is not over and the trail must be trod again. With each repitition of the cycle, the level of proficiency and dedication of the martial arts student are increased and what once was an unwashed vagrant has now become a pilgrim, a champion of the Way.
For discussion
How does the martial artist's opening sequence develop in each of these phases? What are some effective opening moves and theories?

Smell Flowers

2006-08-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

When life changes dramatically it can often leave you feeling desperate and out of control; almost as if something were pressing down on you. While this is unfortunately common, it is also preventable. Consider the following Chinese parable as an example of what haste can do to impair judgment:
~~In ancient China there was a man who because of an accident had a limp. It was next to impossible that anyone would want him for a husband and so the man went to a good friend to ask for advice. The friend, being wise yet harmless, told his handicapped friend that he would do whatever he could.
The friend then proceeded to visit another friend of his- a woman with a crooked nose. Now in those days a defect like a crooked nose was no small matter and the woman was becoming desperate to be wed. She implored her wise friend to arrange a marriage for her. The friend then realized the solution to his problem.
The wise and twice burdened man went to his friend who walked with a limp and told him that he had found a beautiful girl for him. In fact, he told his friend, that he should go by and see her at such and such a time and at such and such a place. He further told his friend to borrow his horse so that he could appear to be more important than perhaps he was.
Then the wise man went to his crooked-nosed friend to instruct her in the way to be wed. He told her that he had arranged for a very handsome man to ride by her house at such and such a time and that if she liked him, she could marry him. Only, he told her, to be truly more enticing you must feign disinterest. "When he rides by, press this flower to your nose and lean out the window as if to look at the horizon while smelling the flower." All this was done and the crooked nosed woman and the halt-legged man both agreed to marry. However, after the wedding ceremony was over and the guests went home the bride and groom were revealed to each other when the bride removed her veil and the man escorted her to the bridal chamber. It was too late for anything to be done and they realized that they had missed out on some important details.~~
This story, called "zou ma kan hua" (ride a horse to see a flower), illustrates the importance of taking the time to see exactly what it is you're getting yourself into, especially when you begin to feel desperate. Here are some tips for keeping your head:
1. Take a step back. This means look at your situation objectively and try to identify the who why what where when and how of your predicament. Also, see who else you are going to effect and what that would mean for them.
2. Get some advice. In my opinion it is not unreasonable to have a kind of "council of sages" to turn to when you have a major life crisis. Try to get someone with life experience to lay a second pair (or a third, fourth, et cetera) of eyes on your scenario. However, don't misplace the weight of the advice given. Your friends may be fun to hang out with, but your old neighbor who just went through his fourth surgery might have more life experience and give you a new way to look at things.

3. Make a decision. You should never just be idle. Make a choice about how to respond based on the best information you can get and carry out that choice. When new information presents itself or the situation changes you can also
make a new decision. The making of a decision does not mean that you cease to have options, it means that you cease to be a bystander in the farce that is your life and become an active participant, a player if you will, in that grand production.
4. See clearly the consequences of your choices. Don't just be an animal that acts without consequence. When you do anything ask yourself if it was worth the effort you expended, what you could have done better, what you did well, et cetera. When evaluating yourself try to be honest. This process will help you in the future when tougher choices are presented before you.
5. Make a plan. Based on your experiences, make a plan that will help you in the future. For example, if your car breaks down- how will you get home? How will you go to work? What would be the cost of doing so? Is there another way? In this way, you can anticipate problems and respond fluidly to them.
In karate, that is yushin/mushin. Thinking actively about all solutions and then developing a "sense" for solving problems by making it a habit.

Genealogy of Styles

2006-08-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Human beings are social animals. We often sort outselves out into groups and orders of people. There are social classes, political groups, religious groups, gender, race and cultural groups. But I would say that the most universal of all types of groups is the family group. We identify first and foremost with our family. Our names are a constant reminder of who we are and where we came from. Those who have lost family members in some way, like a father abondoning his child or a beloved sister dying, feel a deep sense of something missing in their lives and in themselves. It is difficult for a person to feel whole without some connection to family.

For many years, there have been family-based and passed martial arts. In Korea, they call it Sah Doh Mu Sool, and in China its decents can be seen it styles like Chen style taijiquan, developed from a traditional family style. In Japan also, families would have styles specific to them, passed down from parent to child over generations. They would even go so far as to harbor violently well-protected family secrets from other clans.

What are the merits of this kind of style? What is gained and lost by the exlusion of those outside of the genetic line? What of those schools today which bear the names of the family styles yet have little traceable link to the family itself? Is this a dying form of martial arts study? Should it be encouraged, eliminated, or updated for our times?

Personally I think that the serious practicioner of the martial arts, if he truly feels his lifetime of learning is valuable, should want to share it with others. He should especially want to share it with his children, whom he has the greatest responsibility to teach that which he feels is important. If this cycle of learning-teaching is continued over the generations, a person need never fear that all of their hard work through their life has gone to waste, because their skills will be passed on and improved over time.

With the isolation of a family line, a person has the freedom to teach what he wants without fear of legal or organizational retribution. For instance, because he wouldn't have to organize his school under the name of a certain style, Kenpo, Aikido, or Kyokushin for example, he has no obligation to adhere to the guidlines and restrictions of those styles. He can teach any range of curriculum from strict duplication of the styles to what he feels are the most beneficial aspects of as many styles as he chooses. Also, since he will be teaching within his family, he won't feel like he has to incorporate 'crowd pleasers' (excessive high kicks, frequent belt advancement) to keep his students and their parents coming back and paying the monthly dues.

While laws vary from state to state, country to country, it can generally be said that a parent is ultimately responsible for their children. You don't have to sign wavers and invest in expensive insurance policies if your dojo is made up of those who you yourself have direct responsibility for. No one is going to sue themselves. This is said with the assumption that all truly serious practitioners of the martial arts care about the mental, physical, and spiritual well being of those they practice with and teach.

Teaching martial arts within the family can create strong familial bonds and assist in the indoctrination of correct belief and action. In short, it can be a good parenting tool. Any parent who devotes their time on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis to the loving instruction of their children will see and enriched bond with them. This bond can strengthen lifelong relationships of trust and friendship and ultimately make the student-teacher relationship easier, both in the martial realm and in the general sculpting of a well-adjusted human being. The wise Confucius has said that "the strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home."

What of the exclusion of those outside the blood line? I would say that is up to the parent. Some may find is better to confine their instruction to one-on-one lessons in the home, some may invite other children they feel could benefit (though this would add in the aspect of liability), some may encourage their children to join them in their own dojo practice with a class, and some would rather support their children while they are instructed by someone they feel is qualified to teach. That is the beauty of our modern world; we are not confined by strict cultural codes that dictate our family behavior. Thankfully, a war-like society does not drive us to fiercely protect our 'martial secrets', as in cultures of the past. Because of the relative peace and acceptance of our present culture, each parent is free to seek the wisest choice for themselves and their child.

pei shan

2006-08-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

fear not the white belt

2006-07-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to wear a white belt? how can someone who has experience in another art come to appreciate his or her status as a white belt in a style that is new to them? can a white belt win in a fight? with the trends of today to use mixed martial art instruction, does a gi even have a place in the dojo anymore?
the modern white belt
In olden times, of course, there was no such distinction between the ranks. a master was a master, a novice was a novice, and a belt held the traditional training uniform (gi) together during practice. today we have put such an emphasis on belts that even styles that originally bucked the mainstream belt system have begun to adapt versions of their own class structure, (as with kungfu sashes denoting rank in some schools).Now a veritable rainbow can be seen in each dojo, nearly requiring a field guide to identify and make sense of it all.

--However, the white belt of today indicates which students are the most novice and can act as a kind of beacon for more experienced students to hone in on and help out with. so before we throw the baby out with the bath water lets examine some of the ways using a belt system can come in handy.
When a new student comes to class they can get a lot of information thrown at them seemingly at once. Often times an instructor won't have the time (unfortunately) to answer every question a novice student has (how do i tie this dang thing?! where should my foot be now? and now? and now?) the belt system in this case can be a beneficial thing, giving the new student a group of individuals wearing distinct markings that show that they probably have good answers.

Also, imagine the stress involved without a clear rank structure when the master has to leave for a while. Suddenly it can become "the cat has gone away, the mice come out to play," as students with less moral strength and courage (and maybe bigger egoes) start trying to encroach on teaching responsibilities that may have been left with instructions but also might be too humble for their own good. As we all know, it is not always the right voice that wins but often the loudest. With the belt system in place, karate students can get the "picture worth a thousand words" message loud and clear.
Unfortunately, this also has the opposite effect as the white belt becomes the last person whose voice is heard, even if they happen to be right. Often times the white belt will feel, and often justifiably so, that the other students look down on and shun them. I can only say that if that is your case, you are in the wrong dojo and that I personally see wearing a white belt as an opportunity.
How I learned to Love My White Belt
When my family moved from California and went to Washington, I had to leave my sensei and the style I had been practicing for seven years. It was a hard transition for me as I searched for another school. I even put off practicing and forgot a lot of what I had learned. When I finally started practice with my next instructor I was given another white belt and I had to relearn everything. There were slight differences from Goju and Kyokushin even in little things like how to stand. Being a white belt was a great opportunity to refresh what I'd been trained in before while simultaneously being able to fill in the gaps.
When I reached the point where my instructor informed me that I had surpassed the "black belt level," I felt I still had some holes to fill. With my white belt in tow I started attending an Aikido class and, as is to be expected, had to start from scratch again. It was both easier and harder to wear the white belt. Easier because I knew the immense benefits of learning things a step at a time and harder because it seemed no one would take me seriously. [I was fortunate to find a much better aikido class about nine months later that was much harder, but also more rewarding in that everyone was respected regardless of rank.] Everywhere I go that is not related to one of my previous styles I wear my white belt because I want them to know that I am a novice and that I take my learning experience seriously. It would be rude, for example, to show up my first day of a new Karate class and wear a black belt to that class. Karate ranch aside, the most important thing is I would be a new karate student and certainly it wouldn't be appropriate to show up in a black belt if I wasn't in that style of Karate.
Old Age, New Age and the Thin White Line
Fighting is something so beautiful, so horrific, so impossible a thing that it would be insane to say that a white belt will always lose to a black belt in a fight. There are many factors to consider when trying to weigh a fight and while rank can help be a determining factor, it should not be the stand all end all. To put it another way, a white belt is a thin line that separates a novice and someone with "experience." I've seen people with no previous formalized training defeat people with advanced rank in the martial arts. I've also seen martial artists beat the living crap out of people who had no experience. A belt color is not enough to make me consider a white belt or a non-belt a skill-less individual and a third degree black belt isn't enough for me to cower either.
the beginning: a good place to end
Where did all this start? This whole debate may have started with the uniform that has been associated by Americans with karate training since the art was introduced to them; the gi (plus belt). The current trend of the mixed-martial arts training hall is seemingly doing away with the practice and use of traditional martial arts (including the gi itself) so does this discussion even matter? Yes, I think it does. Although it is important to practice with reality in mind (and most of us don't walk around town sporting our white pajamas) we should remember why the karate gi is convenient; it is durable, flexible, and doesn't have sharp parts or hooks to get caught on. The karate gi, the karate uniform, is an expression of simplicity and humility. The karate uniform, in my opinion, when balanced with good teaching and frequent practice, can make the training experience one of rich developement and set it apart from the rest of the day as something special. Let's not forget the individual worth of the white belt and let's re-examine how we're using the belt systems to help our new karate students.
From the Karate Ranch and the bottom of my heart wishing you a safe and fulfilling journey on the Way.

bowing- an afterthought

2006-05-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

having been raised in a western culture it is difficult for me to understand the complex etiquette surrounding this most simplistic of gestures. A bow. When should we bow? How should we do it?
more than a handshake
sensei Rex explained that we should always bow to our training partners before beginning an exercise as a sign of respect and at the end to thank them. We did a special kind of bow at the beginning and end of class. The act of bowing can be a way of saying hello, goodbye, thank you, I'm sorry, I respect you, I admire you, et cetera.
if someone bows to you and you don't bow back, it is as if someone extended their hand and you just looked at them. It is very rude. You should always bow based on a few simple contextual points--
status
are you bowing to a peer? A teacher? An important visitor? These factors should be considered carefully to render respect
activity
are you walking down the street? Seeing someone in the halls? About to begin a training exercise? Participating in a ceremony? Are you a guest in someone's home?
motivation
do you want to simply say "hi?" are you wanting to keep an interaction formal or informal? Do you want to insult someone? Are you the teacher and they the student?
nod vs mopping the floor: the extremes of social graces
once you have taken into account your social circumstances it is time to execute a proper bow.
the nod
perhaps the bow that we are most familiar with is the nod. A simple dip of the head as you say good morning to friends or strangers as you pass them in your daily life. Nod in agreement, nod in accepting someone else's counsel, nod when words aren't necessary. Nods are also used when addressing someone inferior to you or who is in a lower station- in other words a teacher or a boss may nod; but the students/employees/servants should remember that he does so as a gesture of good etiquette and not because he is familiar with them.
courtesy to a peer
when bowing to someone equal to you in status it is common to execute a small bow. Males keep hands at sides and bend slightly at the waist. Females keep hands on the front of legs with fingers extended and joined. My teachers have always told me to never take my eyes off of someone I might be fighting, which includes friends and relatives on most occasions. The only people you will probably take your eyes off to bow to are your teacher and the master of your school. Let your eyes relax and take in their whole body as you look in their eyes. Assess them; you may be seconds from a fight and you may need your head in the game.

when addressing teacher
it is considered rude to keep your eyes on those of your instructor unless he or she specifically informs you that they would prefer you to bow eyes locked with theirs. Instead focus on their chest or when addressing a high ranking instructor; their feet. This is because your instructor may test you at any moment and you will need to be able to detect their movements. Your bow should be deep and slow as you are showing respect to them for their station and years of hard work. A common thing to say when bowing to your teacher is "onagai ishi masu" which roughly means "please" and in the teacher/student context can be taken as "please teach me." when completing an exercise (especially with your teacher) it is important to thank him or her and the bow may be accompanied by "domo arigato gozai masu" which roughly means "thank you." if you have impressed your teacher (either by your polite behaviour or your skills) he or she will reply something to the effect of "gokura sama deshita" which means roughly "you trained hard."
when in the presence of greatness
when a visitor comes (or you are visiting someone) of extreme importance it is customary to render a kneeling bow. begin by kneeling on the ground, left leg first, then right leg. Settle back on your heels and cross your toes (if not wearing shoes) right over left. Then place your left hand (fingers pointing slightly inward) to the left of your center and on the ground, then your right hand in the same fashion so that it forms a triangle in front of you. Bow low and slow, touch your forehead to the ground in between your hands. This is considered the highest form of respect in bowing and is reserved for very important people and ceremony.
some points to remember
who-you are bowing to
why-you are bowing to them
what-is the message you want to transmit to them
how- to respond properly when someone bows to you

do karate vs karate-do

2006-03-14T16:34:00.000-08:00

In a recent conversation with a colleague, I found myself considering the question of "doing" karate vs "karate-do." it is a subject that warrants some degree of attention in my life because I encounter many fine individuals who practice the martial arts on a regular basis and I am also blessed to know people who seem to live the ideas of the martial arts. How can I judge which of these best describes me? Which do I want to be?
practice what you preach
though it certainly seems obvious at first glance; you must practice the martial arts to develop your martial spirit. This does not mean that you must practice karate-jitsu or ju-jitsu or any of the hundreds of arts that proceed from India, China or Japan. You can practice any martial art to develop your "martial" spirit.
--if you sit and meditate on flower arrangement you may achieve some degree of enlightenment and become a better person, but that is not a part of your martial development. Your warrior spirit is tapped, can grow, is involved in things related to war and fighting. Since the human existence is fraught with struggle, preparation allows us to best respond to trials in both physical and mental ways. I would like to touch on that again at a later date.
doing karate vs living karate
a very fine low budget film was produced recently where the protagonist was often heard saying he was "doing science." this is perfect because the character only did a few "scientific" things and went the rest of the movie as a lumberjack or cook would have.
I feel the same way about those who go to karate classes once or twice a week and become very involved in the practice for an hour or two and then go right back into their very ordinary lives where they are a lumberjack or a cook. Someone observing this individual may not be able to tell that there is anything different about that person during the rest of the week, but on "karate night" they would notice a "dedicated" student of the arts.
we must never allow this to be us. We must be like the rock that tumbling down the river is beaten upon and cleaned so as to become smooth. We must let our experiences in the dojo extend into all aspects of our lives, especially in the way we treat others, but also in the way we do everything else. do math as a karate-ka would! Incorporating your martial practice into your daily life may seem awkward at first, but with practice it will become second nature and with time it will become a part of who you are.

evil martial arts

2006-01-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

this is a post i started writing in january but for personal reasons couldn't finish until now:
during this season i usually take a few moments to reflect on the religious and unfortunately i ran across a website that disturbed me a bit. the site was claiming that the martial arts are evil, that the practice of the martial arts leads people to worship satan and that one cannot be a good person (much less a "good christian") if they are involved in the arts.
let me begin by saying that people who seek out the negative in anything will only ever find the negative in anything. trying to find reasons to hate things will only make it easier to hate everything and will only serve to separate you from what can make you happy.
next, let me say that the martial arts are certainly supported by the bible (if we can use the bible as a "christian" measuring stick).

God's Army
if we divide the words up and examine their roots, we can determine that martial (or military) arts (in this case practices or crafts) are at the foundation of christian relations with other nations. in fact, one of the titles of God mentioned many times in the old testament is "Lord of Hosts"-judges 20:23, 28, 35 (a host is an army). God directed His army, the israelites, to "ve, pues, y hiere a Amalec, y destruye todo lo que tiene..." 1 samuel 15:2-3. In this scripture we see that not only is it appropriate to defend yourself, but according to the christian religion, there are times when it is appropriate to attack and destroy an entire people.
However, is there any biblical evidence of people being trained to kill?

He that teacheth my hands to war
If we examine the biblical text, we see that on many occassions, God has granted men the ability (and responsibility) to do away with the enemies of Israel. When God detained the sun so that Joshua and his army could destroy the ammorites (joshua 10:12-13), that was a clear example of God helping man obtain an upper hand. When Jacob wrestled with an angel (the word means "messenger") we see that the messenger was privy to special techniques, such as touching the hollow of Jacob's thigh to cause the sinews to shrink (Genesis 32:22-32). Even so, what example more plain do we require than the praise david gave God in the psalm 144:1 "Bendito sea Jehova, mi roca, quien adiestra mis manos para la batalla, y mis dedos para la guerra..."?

what good is it?
so you're a buddhist, so you're a christian, so you're a muslim, who cares? what good does it do you or anyone else if you do not practice what you profess to believe? those who attack others for the beliefs of others are not fulfilling their own beliefs by trying to deny others theirs. instead, let us be doers of the word and not hearers only. let us become the people we want to be and do so with dignity and equality.

merry holidays

2005-12-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

hey folks! it's me, james. i'm on leave for the holidays and wanted to take the opportunity to write on a few subjects which i hold near and dear to my heart.
first, respect. while anyone can fear someone who is stronger than they are, respect comes with knowledge. the more someone learns (especially in the martial arts), the more that person should respect other martial artists, martial arts, and indeed the more that person should respect life itself. unfortunately, i have seen a trend of pride in the more experienced martial artists in every dojo, dojang or kwoon i've entered. it seems that instead of awakening to a sense of responsibility and appreciation toward life, students allow their egoes to fester and impede harmony and their true growth. this is sad. let us each do our part to proliferate mutual respect and brotherly love for every single person, regardless of age or rank or medals won.

second, pride. allow me to clarify that i do not endorse someone placing undue importance on themselves or putting their needs or wants above the needs of others. what i mean by pride is a sense of reverence toward one's style, background and accomplishments. we should never parade our martial heritage around, nor try to exploit it for personal gain. instead, in our minds should be the firm desire to act in such a way that if others saw us they would strive to be like us.

third- today while shopping with my wife, we saw a martial arts group performing (because it was a performance) in front of a crowd of people. they did some dance routine to music and jumped around quite a bit. the students when not performing joked around and played while in uniform and being observed by the public. we (my wife and i) were greatly disappointed in them. it is my sincere hope that when we have the opportunity to present the martial arts to others, that we do it with reverence, humility, dignity- even a sense of pride. we represent our teachers and our respective styles. i for one would hate to disrespect sensei gittins, sensei rex, or sensei kuzminski for example, or the years of hard work that they and i put into my practice of the martial arts. i hope that i can convey their teachings in everything i do and help others to attain mastery and further their journey in the Way.

let us always remember the seven heads of leadership; loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.

The way of the warrior; Sacrifice

2005-09-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

True practioners of the arts will always tell you, its not just an activity that ends when you bow and leave the dojo. It extends into every aspect of your life.

Today I sent my husband off to basic combat training. Some women are bitter when their husbands leave, or too sad or afraid to do anything but cry. And while I was a little hisheartened at the prospect of being seperated for up to two years, I had a smile on my face as he departed. Why? Because I was proud. I was full of respect as I realized; this man truly lives what he believes.

The martial arts should never be without utility. At the very least styles like tai chi or some aspects of yoga strengthen the physical body of the individual, but in the most basic form they are exactly what they are called- martial arts. It's the art of fighting, of battles, of war. And as with anything, there is a right way and a wrong way to proceed in fighting, and there is a poor and there is an ideal warrior.

An ideal warrior is not necessary the best fighter in the world. He is not the one that can knock the other guy out the quickest, or that can crank out the most punches in a minute. The ideal warrior reflects his art in his dealings with his peers, his family, his country, and himself. Everyone knows that any reputable style will teach you never to fight if there's any way you can avoid it. But there is more to the ideal warrior than restraint. There is also a willingness to use the skills he has for any good purpose he is needed for. For James, this meant joining the army, putting his life on the line and donating all of his skills and training for the defense of his country, his freedoms, his fellow countrymen, and his family.

This is true sacrifice. This is one of the many traits that make up a complete karate-ka.

Why "Karate Ranch?"

2005-09-17T07:07:00.000-07:00

Why karate ranch? What's with all the rock stacking? Where is this all going?

karate - do

For fourteen years I have been involved in the martial arts. I have had the pleasure of practicing kyokushin karate, goju ryu karate, and aikido. Sometime during my practice of goju ryu karate I discovered that there were people who were "doing" karate. Not making life changes, not studying the mental and spiritual aspects of the martial arts, just doing karate. My first clue that this was going on were those people who would come to class and do nothing but talk about golf and how great it was. Then, a bomb dropped.
As I have always been interested in kumite (sparring) with people from various styles, I accepted lots of matches from people studying things I had never heard of before. During one match, it became apparent that my sparring partner had never actually hit anything. Further, that they had never actually learned to stand or kick or anything for that matter. It was later revealed to me that this person had been "studying" from a fitness video.
Fast forward to years later when during my internship to receive my shodan the instructor quit and became a pacifist. I was left with the choice of looking for another school or teaching the little that I knew. That is where I am today, the only link to goju ryu karate that my students have. The importance of passing on the art has certainly dawned on me as well as the fact that without teachers, the martial arts are little more than a fitness fad.

Ranchers of the Way

So what does a ranch have to do with the martial arts? In simple enough terms, I feel that karate students go through three phases:
1) Dependent. Everything is new to the dependent student. They may feel shy or awkward performing the various karate moves and trip up a lot on karate terminology.
2) Co-dependent. The student knows quite a bit about the martial arts, has reached a level of comprehension that allows them to do workouts in groups without the teacher standing directly over them. Students are able to work together to answer questions that they have about different kata, karate moves, and are even able to study philosophy, tactics, and complex or advanced karate moves that they haven't been shown yet.
3) Independent. The student has learned all the basic karate moves, knows enough karate terminology to teach it to others and is self-correcting. The independent student needs little to no motivation from others and if left unchecked will become a living symbol of the Way.

This is similar to the care of animals. When an animal is born, it is dependent completely on others for survival. As it grows older it learns from experience how to get around, how to find food, et cetera. Finally, when an animal is old enough, it will be able to complete complex tasks, find its own food and be able to rear young.

A dojo, then, can be likened to a ranch. You have a community of individuals, all at different levels, working together to achieve a common goal. The only problem is that a dojo is rarely a place where twenty four hour a day practice is a reality. Often, martial artists will go on retreats to improve their skills, but usually are only competent enough to do that alone when they have reached the "independent" stage. This leaves the vast majority of students with no intensive training programs to take up.

Karate Ranch: Dream

My end goal, then, is to have a school where students can "get away from it all" to an intense training camp. Students may spend two weeks there in the summer and practice ten to fourteen hours a day. Activities would include: conditioning, meditation, kata, kumite, classes on the history of martial arts, martial arts terminology, open workshops devoted to the mind-set and philosophy of the martial arts, comparative studies and breaking things.

While the training may seem intense, it would be broken up into phases. The first phase would be orientation. Students would get to know the karate ranch and the people involved. They would get to know each other a lot better. They would learn where and when classes were and of course, where to go to the bathroom! This phase would probably last the first day as students got settled in.
The second phase would involve getting the students physically and mentally ready to learn. Brisk morning jogs, stretching, weight-lifting, stance work (including lots of moving and standing basics), and learning karate moves.
Third phase would be at least partially composed of standing and moving basics. get each student to a level of basic understanding and comfort with the martial arts.
At each training level, there would be an evaluation to assure that the student was making progress. At the end, there would be an final exam covering everything learned and an extensive diagnostic of the physical, mental and spiritual condition of the participant. In this way, a student would be able to properly judge their own progress and know what to work for. Also, they would feel a part of a larger community.

Karate: from hatchling to Eagle

2005-09-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

No one likes to be the "new kid" at anything. Especially no one likes to be "the new karate kid" because there is a strong feeling of respect toward people of higher rank and you don't feel like you can live up to their expectations. This feeling of unease can often lead students to leave a dojo before really getting a "taste" of what karate is all about.

the Martial Clique

I recently had the educational experience of joining a martial arts club that was teaching a certain kind of aikido that is a little unconventional. The fact that the art was a little obscure and the amount of time that the group spent studying together (more than ten years for the most junior of them) helped them to forge a strong bond between each other. However, this bond inadvertently intimidated others and made them leave the dojo after very brief periods. Once the sensei said that most people drop in, do a few classes and then leave.
It was difficult for me and my wife to train there. While we were very interested in learning, the group spent most of their time talking about things not related to the martial arts. When they did get "down to business" they would review the same four skills for weeks at a time. Often they wouldn't say more than two or three words to us and always in the attitude of correction. I like to consider myself a hard trainer (kyokushin helps build that kind of thing) but these guys gave us a cold shoulder from day one to day one hundred and on.
I am sure that it was an unconscious thing on the part of the sensei and other students to be so exclusive, but it was odd to hear them talk about how most people didn't stick around and that suited them just fine. In my past experience, martial artists had been people who wanted to spread the knowledge of their particular art and wanted to help people do that. After six frustrating months trying to deal with the egoes involved (my own included!) I left that dojo and have tried to apply what I learned there in a positive way.

The Unexpected Lesson

While I learned valuable techniques studying with that group of aikidokas, the lesson I didn't think to learn is the one that I feel is most important: we are not "karate kids" or "novices" or even "beginners" when we start practicing a martial art, we are hatchlings! The new karate student is a fragile and wonderful thing. The new karate student is vulnerable to good and bad influences. The new karate student doesn't know much about karate or the way or why people are wearing their pajamas to class. The new karate student only begs with mouth wide open for the nutritious food that sensei will give him.
If we look at each new karate student as a member of the nest and not just some bum who wants to get some exercise in, the new karate student will feel that association. Perhaps it will not be a recognizable thing to them, at first. But practice after practice with everyone pitching in to show them the ropes, encourage, and challenge them, the new karate student- the karate hatchling will begin to grow into an eagle.

Where Eagles Only Dare

Eagles are the single most noble birds that I know of. They fly highest and among birds exhibit extraordinary perception and are known to have keen eyesight. A properly trained karate-ka can be likened to an eagle because they practice techniques and philosophies and methods that go far beyond the other students who choose not to achieve those levels of excellence. Students who only push themselves in time to make the next rank may be likened to the chicken who satisfies himself by scratching the ground and flying only on rare occasion. Other students find dojos that "hand out" belts or have annual advancement for attendance and can be likened to the penguin, who can only waddle and swim; instead of flying, they find ways around. Worst is the ostrich who buries his head, those who choose to leave the arts and pretend that they cannot do them or trick themselves into believing that the martial arts aren't "for them."
In the word "excellence" we find the word "excel" which means to go beyond. Karate students who go beyond are those rare eagles that everyone loves to see in flight. The rest fondly look up from their mcdojos or from the sand and say "if only I had more time," and "if only I had been born with longer legs." The eagle has risen above petty excuses.

Return to the Nest

The other thing I like about eagles is that, like most birds, they are nesting animals. The karate student who has truly excelled wants to share what they can with others and accepts the hatchling gingerly into the the nest with the words: Welcome to the nest, little hatchling, you are in good hands.

Apathy: The Fog that Kills

2005-09-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Recently when I was talking to my Dad about my decision to go into the Army, he told me something interesting about his own basic training for the Navy. Dad told me that his instructors got two big open tanks filled with jet fuel and taught the recruits how to put out the fire using ordinary water. I gave him a look because ordinary water doesn't put out jet fuel.

Fog: Surrounding

My father then expounded. "We used specially shaped nozels to spray a thick blanket of fog into the base of the fire." The fog choked the fire out by depriving it of oxygen. A direct stream of water wouldn't do because it doesn't cover enough area. Fog envelops the fire. It cancels out the "breath" of the reaction and the "body" of the reaction dies. No special technique, no chemicals, just plain old common sense- if you can't breathe, you die.

Fog: Blanketing

As Dad explained all this to me, I thought of the other ways that fog can be dangerous. For me, I hate driving when it's foggy because I can't see more than a few feet in front of me, but I am completely addicted to velocity. It turns a thirty minute drive into an exercise in patience and perspective. Where I live, there are a lot of accidents when it is foggy precisely for that reason: drivers don't want to slow down, they want to speed up! The thick fog that covers the road blinds their eyes and nothing else; they alone are responsible for the way they respond to it.

Fog: Damp Thief

Fog does something else that is quite interesting; fog steals heat. The next time it is foggy out, go for a walk. You will notice that the air is a bit chill, but not terribly uncomfortable. You don't notice it, but the air around you is so thick with moisture that it clings to your clothes and hair and cools your body significantly. Prolonged exposure to fog can lead to shivering, then more extreme symptoms of heat loss (purple lips, purple finger tips, and "goose flesh").

Apathy: Fog of anti-enthusiasm

In the life of a martial artist there are storms, there are clear days, and there is fog. The storm is quite obvious; life gets hecktic, the karate moves are hard, the challenge is great to continue and excel. Storms rage and demand everything from us. A student who doesn't properly prepare for a test or a tournament will most definitely know what is missing from their performance. Karate is hard.

Karate isn't all about storms, however, there are also days where you may end a kata or a fight or a practice with a big goofy grin on your face. The sun is shining, you remembered that move you had been working on and all is right in the world. Karate is good.

It is fog that I am most afraid of. Fog comes when specific conditions are met. The utter "plainness" of the routine. Everyone goes to a tournament, no one wants to get up at seven a.m. to go jogging and practice kata. The student begins to reason within himself saying "I don't have to get up every morning," they begin to come less and less regularly and suddenly they have vanished into the fog.

Another condition where fog exists is the challenge of the "real world." Students feel the weight of school or their jobs or social "obligations" and begin to pick and choose days that they want to show up. They cannot see the real benefits afforded by regular practice. The promise of health and mental clarity don't seem to appeal as much as another night at the drive-in with the gang. Karate can be lonely.

Interestingly enough, at a distance everything looks kind of foggy. Go out on a boat in the middle of the ocean and look around. You can't see a crisp "end" because there is a point where details begin to get fuzzy and things "vanish." To the karate-ka, the "impossible" distance between their current rank and some arbitrary belt color or status can rob them of their enthusiasm and nip their promising martial future in the bud. They fail to see the immediate rewards of the martial arts and cease believing in the long term benefits. Karate is a long process.

Burning off the Fog

How can one escape the intangible grip of apathy? My advice is to start by caring!
1. set goals- take time to write down specific goals and the dates you plan on completing them. Make sure that your goals are attainable and measureable. If you have larger goals, make "step" goals that will lead to completing the task. If you want to do better at kata for example, you may set the goal that in one month you are going to learn the katas you need for the next rank advancement. Then assign each kata a week in that month and practice hard to learn them!

2. get involved- it is easy to sit back and let things happen, it is quite another to be a part of the process. Talk to your sensei about specific ways you can help out. If it is something like sweeping the mats after use, make sure that you do your task promptly. Find ways to get more out of your own training, too! If you are attending classes only twice a week, you might consider practice three or four times a week. Also, set aside time on your own to practice.

3. spice it up!- there is no reason to have a boring practice. If you are working on basics, use your mind to improve your technique and your attitude. A simple kicking drill can be made interesting and fun by aiming carefully and assuring yourself of hitting your imaginary target every time. Practice kicking with the image of someone your own size on the receiving end. Imagine yourself performing the move in a dark alley.

4. take it to the next level- if you're getting bored with the "slow" way things are going, try going beyond what you are comfortable. If you're jogging, try jogging faster. If you are doing pushups, try a few more and don't let yourself stop until you do. Try practicing the more challenging moves and work up a good sweat doing it!

5. see the fog for what it is- If you're feeling discouraged, re-evaluate your situation. Are you doing everything you can? What kind of life changes can you make to promote your training? If you find that you are having trouble catching your breath during class, it may be time to consider a diet change or to quit smoking. If your friends don't give you enough time to practice, are they really your friends? If you are their friend, why haven't you taken them out to karate so they can enjoy the benefits. Your karate practice, if you are diligent in your pursuit of the way, will yield benefits that you will appreciate for your entire life.

6. Rise above it!-Fog kills, don't stick around in it! If you stick to it, you will find that it will become easier for you to practice. Not that the practice is easier, but that your ability to practice will become greater. Be loyal to yourself and your art.

Karate-Do: Right Thought, Right Action

2005-09-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

karate can be a powerful influence in our lives if we allow ourselves to engage in correct practice. Karate can make us stronger individuals and give us the confidence we need to enfront the challenges of today's world. How can we apply karate principles and practices to our rushed and often chaotic schedules? How can we bridge the gap between karate kid to karate-ka?
1. Right Thought, Right Action: This means that karate must be a part of our thought process. One of the original philosophies behind karate is "refrain from violent behavior" which can mean many things. First, it is generally understood to mean that we shouldn't pick fights. It can also mean that we shouldn't allow others to provoke us. Next, as we look deeper it can be applied as "Guard against impetuous courage," or don't do something spur of the moment that you'll regret later. All of us know the kind of person who only needs to have the idea planted in their heads and they are jumping off roofs and riding on the hoods of cars (activities which I strongly advise against as they are unsafe!). Ozamu Ozawa taught "We shall be wary of foolishness."
Even deeper we see that karate inspires us to plan out actions to avoid making rash decisions that can cause harm to ourselves and others.
-This is not all! We must then APPLY correct karate principles in our lives so that we aren't just professing an ideal, but working actively toward a better world. This means that not only should we avoid incorrect action, but that we must occupy ourselves in service to others.
2. Erase bad behavior: As we begin to understand the concepts and practices of karate, we should recognize situations that we didn't handle well in our lives and things that we may be doing that don't fit into the character of a karate-ka. As we become aware of these aspects of our lives, we must actively try to clean the slate and become examples of what everyone should aspire to be. If we have wronged others we should follow a few steps: first- recognize that you have done something wrong. second- make reparations, return what was taken, or tell the truth. In all ways, correct the situation that was your fault. third- confess the wrong you have done to the person you have wronged. fourth- accept the consequences of your actions and pay whatever fines, service, or imprisonment that you must as punishment. Also, be brave about it, you "did the crime" now you must "do the time" and be glad you have the chance. fifth- resolve to never again do what you did.
3. Active Practice: Making daily practice a part of our schedule will help us keep in mind our responsibilities to ourselves and our fellows. Physically we will experience health and an increase in our ki (energy). This physical increase will lead to mental and spiritual benefits as we will be able to focus on homework or bills or our nine-to-five with focus and practiced determination. Part of this "active practice" may be joining a dojo and being faithful in your attendance and exert effort and sincerity in fulfilling the school's teachings.
4. Constant Improvement: We must each dedicate ourselves to improve more each day. Finding weakness in one's self will allow them to make necessary changes to eliminate weakness and may make it easier to find the "chinks" in the armor of opponents in the dojo and in the corperate world. It is important to set attainable goals and reach them.
some words on goal setting: a goal must be something within your reach after a reasonable amount of effort. you should be able to measure your goal and measure the progress that you are making toward it (ie, a good goal wouldn't be something like: i want to be a stronger person but might be something like: I want to be able to do fifty push-ups by October 1, 2005). Good goals have a definite time-table clearly outlined. You should write down your goals and periodically check your progress. Never set a long-term goal without establishing short-term goals that work toward it. Ex: If your goal is to be able to do one hundred push-ups in three months, you should set weekly goals that will incrementally get you to where you want to be.

karate- benefits of practice in the great outdoors

2005-09-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

many martial arts teachers have said and written that one should practice outdoors. as a karate kid i used to practice in an old clocktower with hardwood floors where falls really hurt and i thought that practicing outdoors wasn't for me. practicing outdoors was for the kid who needed to fall on grass to avoid crying.
when i got older i kept practicing indoors. mats, mirrors, clean gis- the benefits seemed endless. we never had to deal with bugs or twigs or rocks and i often wondered how they used to do it in the old days when a lot of training took place running in the mountains or in the woods.
now that i am left with some students i find myself enjoying the outdoors! the uneven ground brings a new degree of difficulty (and reality) to front kicks and moving basics. i noticed in a hurry that my feet were going to (and did) get tougher walking on rocks and sliding my feet in hot sand. the sun gets in the eyes, the wind kicks up dust, you freeze your toes off in the cold morning dew, and dogs bark at us- what better place to train?!
beyond the trials of practicing in a natural place, there are many internal benefits. each morning during our run, i can smell the trees, see the birds, and hear the wind. my senses feel sharpened and the demands of everyday life seem to drain out of me. appreciate nature! we should not say "how did they do it in the old days?" but instead "how do they do it now-a-days, so far removed from life?"

constance

2005-09-06T21:20:00.000-07:00

Firm as a valley.
Resolute as the cherry blossom.

walking the middle way

2005-09-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

today we see an increase in "street" martial arts. teachers advertise their styles by describing the "effectiveness" of their style versus the "ineffective" methods of old. when the conversation comes up I am always fascinated by the way the "street" martial practitioner will try to keep me from getting hurt feelings; "karate is good, but it doesn't address..." "I'm sure that would work if you were able to see your opponent coming at you..." even "against someone who didn't know what they were doing, that would be great." I chuckle softly and usually will change the subject. you see, above any description of the effectiveness of the ancient martial arts in combat, I see the benefits of study in the Way.

tao, do, and Way
lao tzu was a chinese philosopher who wrote the tao te ching. a pamphlet next to books like the bible and the koran, the tao te ching only contained five thousand characters. however this book, the tao te ching, has truths and ideals which can be applied in the martial arts. "tao" means path or way and denotes a lifestyle that requires commitment. Way is used also in karate: karate-do means "way of the empty hand." The use of do instead of jutsu implies that it is not simply a system of techniques or movements, but an attitude and a model for existence.

the tao of karate

although the principles of non-violence outlined in the tao te ching appear to be opposed to the philosophy of karate, they may be much closer than modern day "street fighter" mentality. Tsutomu Oshima said "The ideal in Karate is to one day say, 'I ask my mind and find no shame.'"This follows closely with what Lao Tzu wrote in verse twenty eight of the tao te ching "Act with honor, but retain humility. By acting according to the way of the Tao, set others an example."

martial parallels to the tao te ching

Morihei Ueshiba said "There is evil and disorder in the world because people have forgotten that all things emanate from one source. Return to that source and leave behind all self-centered thoughts, petty desires, and anger. Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything." This closely mirrors what is presented in the Tao Te Ching "Some thousands of years ago, our species alone issued a declaration of independence from our Mother. Now it is time to reunite with her. Thereafter, we will never any more suffer the 10,000 miseries that only we human beings have acquired."
The Tao Te Ching further states " There is nothing more yielding than water, yet when acting on the solid and strong, its gentleness and fluidity have no equal in any thing. The weak can overcome the strong, and the supple overcome the hard." This became an important part of martial philosophy, especially with the famous Bruce Lee who said "Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind."

final thoughts: Karate-do, Tao Te Ching

Does the amplification of your life mean so little to you that you would limit yourself to simply studying movements instead of attitudes? what is more important- the ability to break a board, or the ability to live in harmony with a spouse or child? does our fixation with "winning" mean we lose out on a happy home and a happy nation?I submit that the martial way must be more than a series of punches and kicks, but a path we tread toward unity and peace.
In the end, if we cannot reach our goals, at least we will have walked the middle way- not a victim and not a victimizer, but a peacemaker and a person of integrity.

Finding yourself

2005-09-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

The path along the Way is often described as a journey of self-discovery.
Although it can also be described as a journey of self-control and discovery of the innate whole of the Universe. One cannot know another until he knows himself. Abandoning preconceived notions of strength or weakness are paramount. Brushing your hair is optional.

"Meekness is great power under complete control."-unknown

In our context, one cannot become a competent martial artist without discovering those things about himself that he must strengthen and what things are strong. When one becomes strong, he or she has the moral obligation to exercise meekness. What's more, there is the duty to better others either through service or teaching.

There are a few things to consider when trying to discover yourself.

1. everyone has a gift- although you may not know what yours is, you have a gift and a special strength that may be unique to you! For example, I know a martial artist who has a very good sense of ground fighting. No one has ever taught him how to ground fight, he just instinctively knows how to do it.

2. find your gift- finding a gift is easier than it sounds. All one must do to discover one's own strength is test one's self. You will find out pretty quickly if you are a good high kicker just by trying it out. If you don't get it right the first time, don't beat yourself up. If you learn to do something quickly, that may be a strength to you!

3. find your weaknesses- while trying to find a gift you will eventually discover what weaknesses you may have. For example, I am not a good high kicker. Unless I practice a lot, I will never be good at kicking high. This is something that I know about myself. If I want to improve I have to overcome it. In the mean time, I shouldn't rely on high kicks in a fight.

4. work around your weakness- when you discover that you have a weakness, find ways to work around it. If you are like me and can't kick high, focus on working low or focus on punching. Everyone is different so it is crazy to assume that everyone is going to fight the same way. That doesn't excuse us from needing to make those weak things strong, but it means that while I improve I need to use other karate moves and methods to get my point across.

5. continue developing your strengths- if you stop practicing those things that are easier for you, pretty soon you'll find that what you think is easy to do has actually become a challenge to you. If you don't train it, you'll lose it. When I became a pacifist (it only lasted a year!) I found it to be next to impossible to remember how to do a kick, even though I had practiced for five years prior!

karate kid vs karate-ka (karate ranch guide to behavior)

2005-08-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

The first time I stepped into a dojo (a place where karate-do and other budo are practiced) I was eight years old and believed that karate would teach me to fly through the air, pulverize wooden boards and defeat would-be assailants. While karate would teach me all these things, perhaps the most important thing it taught me was discipline. I had no idea what I thought a dojo would be like but I knew what kids were like- they played and squirmed and were loud.

Much to my surprise, there were kids attending that class that were much younger than me and none of them were acting like kids. They were acting like statues. The sensei (person who teaches karate) was leading them through exercises and although there were about fifteen people there, you could hear a pin drop.

Karate, unlike other sports that kids get into, teaches a great deal of discipline early on. Students are learning and practicing moves that can potentially harm or even kill. The responsibility that they take on in practice is more than a kid who learns to play t-ball for example, and as a result they are (generally) more serious minded.

Consequently, if a school does not teach all of the participants to act like men and women of responsibility, there is something missing from the lessons. Here is a list of basic items of etiquette that help promote learning and inspire discipline among practitioners:

- No hats, shoes or portable music devices in a dojo
- No gum, cigarette smoking (or other kinds of smoking) or eating in a dojo
- Portable phones should be turned off
- Guests should abide by these same rules to promote a good atmosphere for learning.
- Guests and students should keep voices low and restrict conversation unless necessary so as not to distract others
- Wear appropriate clothing to class, no jewelry (especially no rings, necklaces or earrings), no socks (unless otherwise specified), no jeans, inappropriate messages or images on clothing is strictly prohibited
- Students are encouraged to wear dogi to class (also known as gi)
- Show proper respect to fellow students and especially to instructors: rudeness cannot be permitted! Bow before and after each exercise. (other items will be included in later articles)
- If you are late for class (not a good idea), wait patiently in the “guest” area or another out-of-the-way spot until the sensei invites you to participate
- Don’t use inappropriate, rude, lewd or hurtful communication in the dojo
- Don’t shout or get angry in the dojo (if you find yourself starting to get hot, talk to the sensei and/or excuse yourself)
- Don’t correct a teacher’s or senior student’s authority or knowledge, and especially not in class.
- Don’t argue your point if you disagree (discussion and argument are different, however, class is not the time for either unless you are working privately with the sensei or a senior student and have a question)

karate ranch: the dark side

2005-08-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

Something that fascinates me to almost no end is the inevitable result when a parent learns for the first time that karate is a very contact oriented activity. They see their "Billy" or "Judy" come home with a bruise or two and they instantly freak out and call me up.
Allow me to describe some activities that parents do not question, however. Running full tilt into someone while they are carrying the shaped skin of a dead animal, slamming each other like mis-handled luggage and wearing sharp blades on their feet as they skid on ice while carrying sticks...
There are reasons that parents sign waivers. It's because although a teacher may do everything in their power to prevent injuries, the reality of sports is that someone will get hurt. Does that mean that we should live our lives afraid to try anything that could be considered dangerous? Of course not. We should still encourage our kids to play football and wrestle and play hockey (if they are interested in doing so). We should also allow our kids to practice karate.
When one practices karate the benefits are many and may include : increased self-esteem, feelings of kindness and a desire to serve others, physical health and quickened minds.
I won't lie to you, though, there are days when I come home and have to take a breather...

Practical Arts, Practiced Arts

2005-08-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

During practice please feel free to ask questions, offer suggestions and make comments. This would most appropriately be done after the initial instruction has been given. In the dojo it is considered very rude to correct a student of a higher rank simply because they have more experience and probably know the intent or mechanics of a particular technique better than a lower ranking student. It is almost never inappropriate to request a demonstration or an explanation (provided that it is not interrupting the teaching process and if time allows).

There are many occasions when an answer is not at the ready. This should not discourage you: sometimes the concept is unclear to begin with. Many martial arts are composed of traditions that are very culturally specific to the oriental method of study. It makes sense that a person who hadn't been exposed to them wouldn't understand the intricacies of eastern culture from the late nineteenth century. In other cases, a move or a concept should be explored by the student before a clear "answer" is given.

An act of faith is required before a martial artist can begin to understand the moves and ideas he or she is being taught. This is not "blind faith," as one should already have established that what their sensei is teaching is good for their body, mind and spirit. In this case, Faith is the belief in what is unseen but is known to be true and the action that demonstrates said knowledge. The student must practice long and hard until one day his or her mind will softly "click" on and they will understand (often this is preceded by a partial explanation by the sensei).

This "slow" method of teaching is preferable to a school that claims to be able to make you a master in a month (or any time less than twenty years!) or announces that it teaches the "secrets" of such and such a style. Almost all styles of martial arts have their "secrets." These "secrets" are moves or ideas preserved meticulously over time to maintain the purity of the school. If, for example, I were to learn (as a novice) the "Flying Squirrel Technique" of the Five Animals School of Kung Fu, I may decide that there is nothing left to learn from that school and give up my practice. Worse would be if I tried to teach the technique to someone else because, being a novice, I would almost certainly fail to include in my instruction a vital element to the movement and I would definitely omit essential spiritual elements to the move. I would suffer as a bad teacher and my students would suffer from my bad teaching.

The serious practitioner of the martial arts has a responsibility to find a school that teaches true principles and is not given to gimmicks. I will discuss "secrets" in a later post, but suffice it to say that if you should stumble across them in your studies, strive to find your own sense of what they mean and never give up. If you encounter "secrets" in the Way, take that as a compliment from your sensei-it means that they think you are ready.

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." -King James Version of the Bible Matthew 7:6

Good Driving, Good Karate-by Andrea

2005-08-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

The other day, James and I were driving in the car. Just after someone cut us off or did some other rude or reckless thing, James turns to me and asks; "what do you think makes a good driver?" An interesting question to pose to someone who isn't a very good driver herself.

After a few moments of thought I narrowed it down to a few basic qualities. Those qualities are awareness, respect, and technical skill. After a few moments he asked, "now what do you think makes a good karate-ka?" after mulling that one over we arrived at the same three qualities, only with different applications. Where a good driver must be aware of traffic, pedestrians, and signs, a karate-ka must be aware of his opponents, the terrain, and his own body. A good driver must respect the other drivers on the road and the law. A good karate student must respect his opponent's life, his teacher's experience and knowledge, his fellow students, the wisdom of those generations who have been perfecting the arts for centuries, the elements, his own body... i think you can tell respect is one of the most heavily weighed qualities of a good karate-ka. And lastly, technical skill plays a part. The part it plays in the two roles if far different though. A driver must be good in order to avoid numerous problems- they must pass a test to get a license. The requirement is of a different nature for a karate-ka, however. A good karate-ka is always learning, always progressing, and always willing to admit his shortcomings. A driver can only progress so far and maybe its only worth the energy to get so far. But I've heard it said about the martial arts that it is like a circle. There are no shortcuts because there is no end. A karate student who has never thrown a punch can be just as good a student as a black belt as long as they both have the awareness and respect that separates them from those who will never truly progress.

I have been watching your class for some time and I want you to know that I consider you all very good karate-kas. I am impressed with your devotion and progression in the art and I'm grateful that James has such exceptional students. -Andrea

tournaments at the ranch

2005-08-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

this summer has indeed been a prime opportunity for karate tournaments and martial arts tournaments in general. each tournament has been fairly well-attended and included a variety of martial arts and skill-levels. there have also been memorable moments for everyone involved. i would like to take this opportunity to post just a few of the many spectacular pictures we were able to capture from these events. if you would like to see all the pictures, or have questions, please leave a comment or contact me.

first: james and kate trying to step on each other's feet

second: kate punching tim's armpit (tim annoyed!)

tournament time at the karate ranch! (part one)

2005-08-21T18:22:00.000-07:00

This summer has been a prime opportunity for tournaments! As students have anticipated tournaments, they have trained hard physically and mentally to test themselves against fellow students (and we've had some exciting matches!). As a pre-tournament event the karate club went down to Indianola to run on the beach, practice kata, balance rocks and build sand castles.

Of course, everyone was a little surprised at the idea of building sand castles... but driving your fingers into the sand repeatedly can help out with knife-hand strikes. (not to mention concepts such as planning and cooperation).
Kata practice was quite interesting because it was the first time in a long time we'd had some of the oldest members show up. We practiced katas kihon, geki sai ichi, and geki sai ni.

Everyone was really excited. No one could suspect what would happen next...

some words on kata and exercise at the karate ranch

2005-08-21T11:51:00.000-07:00

To those who are looking for a way to improve their physical bodies, we are still holding morning training at Raab Park at seven a.m. The training usually only lasts about one hour and covers running (one mile divided into four circuits), crunches (eighty of them in different positions), leg lifts (ten), circles (some), "body builders" (15 of this eight beat exercise), and squats (twenty). Also, recently we began doing pull-ups and hope to continue this practice. The training is centered on your current abilities and your own body weight. Work at your own consistent pace is emphasized rather than a short tremendous burst of effort. Improvement is "optional."

Kata is an essential part of your training and should be performed as often as possible (at least daily). One should practice the individual movements by themselves and in small sequences. For example: if you are practicing kihon kata, practice stepping back into a forty five degree shiko dachi low block with lead hand, then middle punch with reverse hand. Practice completing this sequence one hundred times on both sides.

Practicing on both sides will help you to relieve your body of stress. If you must think how you want to react, your thinking slows your body and emphasizes the separation between your mind, body and ki (or energy). Practicing movements and sequences helps unite those three forces that make you up. However, do not practice these movements without bunkai (technical analysis) of its applications. You are not simply waving your hands around. You are not simply walking around. You are taming yourself. You are harnessing your power. You are preparing yourself.

My first teacher in the Way once told me "(when you are doing kata) don't stop. If the building catches on fire, finish the kata with your pants burning." Of course, i wouldn't recommend taking things to that extreme, but certainly his words underline the serious nature of the kata. One should not perform kata with anything less than focus and determination. You should not allow thoughts of unpaid bills or girlfriends or plans for the weekend to sully your practice of the Way. Live in the moment, especially during kata.

Welcome to Karate Ranch!

2005-08-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Many people through television, movies or friends and neighbors have seen or heard of the martial arts. This is most definitely a good thing.

I hope to be able to give some insight into the martial arts and help others in their journey along the Way.