Today is one of my favorite holidays. It is Yom Kippur. No, I am not Jewish. I just think that setting one day aside per year for atonement is a good life practice. I think the United States ought to consider adopting a national holiday for a day of atonement. Nationally we could seek to make peace with so many adversaries. There is always a time to make peace. We should set one day per year aside just for that. I am not advocating that we adopt Yom Kippur as national holiday, but if we did, I would not complain but one iota.
In the course of human interaction we all inconvenience, marginalize, offend, and hurt others intentionally, unintentionally, consequentially, and even collaterally. We all have someone or something to atone for. Furthermore, we all have someone to atone with. Maybe they are an estranged spouse or family member or maybe someone that violated you or someone you violated.
Making atonement cleans out your emotional closet and makes room for positive feelings. It is good for you to forgive and to be forgiven. So my wish for you on this day is that you may forgive and that you are forgiven. That doesn't mean that you need to forget or allow negativity to persist. It just means that you let go of the resentment and the pain and that you use your power to release others from the same. It is quite powerful.
Happy Yom Kippur!
May you forgive and be forgiven.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Defining Violence
I recently came to a stark realization that violence has many more faces than I normally account for. I believe that violence is pervasive and just may be an inalienable part of the human condition. As a civilization we have mainly addressed physical violence as a criminal act. We discourage people from using brute force against each other citing that it is not civil and we live in a civil society. Emotional violence is probably more common than physical. It probably causes more physical violence than purely physical confrontations do on their own. Our society apparently has no problem with social violence, where one may use their time, money, and power at the expense of others. Also, symbolic violence occurs regularly when people marginalize or devalue each other due to divergent class or culture.
As a martial arts teacher it is customary to instruct your students on how to defend themselves from physical violence. This benefit is commonly achieved by students. Achieved even by students who attend for a short period of time. Many attacks are remedied by techniques (martial arts technology). But for our more sophisticated forms of civilized violence, in its emotional, social, or symbolic forms of attack, one must become adept in the symbolism and strategic approach that many self defense techniques are rooted in. This takes years and years of practice, development, and trials. Zhang Sah provides a wide base of martial arts technology in order to address the broad array of violence. Zhang Sah uses varied techniques but more importantly divergent and yet complimentary strategies that can remedy almost any situation if you understand the underlying concepts and act deliberately.
As a martial arts teacher it is customary to instruct your students on how to defend themselves from physical violence. This benefit is commonly achieved by students. Achieved even by students who attend for a short period of time. Many attacks are remedied by techniques (martial arts technology). But for our more sophisticated forms of civilized violence, in its emotional, social, or symbolic forms of attack, one must become adept in the symbolism and strategic approach that many self defense techniques are rooted in. This takes years and years of practice, development, and trials. Zhang Sah provides a wide base of martial arts technology in order to address the broad array of violence. Zhang Sah uses varied techniques but more importantly divergent and yet complimentary strategies that can remedy almost any situation if you understand the underlying concepts and act deliberately.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Keeping the "AWE" in Awesomeness!
At Zhang Sah students have the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of progressing to the next level in their training. Students who are in our early learning curriculum (Pre- M. A.) are reviewed monthly in class. Students who are ages 8 and older that are not red or black belts are tested in class every other month. This is what is commonly referred to as belt testing. Making progress in a student's practice is very important. Regular assessment gauges the degree of increased capacities and abilities for a student. It informs us on whether or not the level of instruction is of high quality or lacking . By evaluating test results we can see the effectiveness of the curricula being used for our practice.
As students progress through the ranks the testing tends to become more rigorous. Practice evolves from being solo to cooperational in nature to oppositional at advanced levels. There are physical and mental conditioning activities that support the student's progression. One key mental attribute that is developed through these processes is the ability to challenge the unknown.
Unknowns are wild card variables introduced during martial arts belt testing that manifest an array of student capacities and abilities. The best example of this concept is the board breaking requirement (Kyuppa Ki Sool) at mid-level belt testing and beyond. The goal is to have the student synthesize technique, mental focus, and spirit to overcome not knowing if they can split a board. The boards are cut to accommodate the size of the student attempting the break to keep the exercise rigorous yet safe. The student is not prepared in advance specifically for the break, they do not rehearse the break. The student is expected to have a very firm grasp on the technique being deployed in the attempt to break the board. For example, a student is required to perform a flying spinning back kick break (Yidan Dwit Budo Chagi to be promoted to red belt level (Cho dan Bo - Black Belt Candidate). The student will have been practicing this kick for well over two years prior to being challenged to do it is a break on an exam.
The reason that students do not rehearse breaking techniques that are reserved for testing is because the act of rehearsing dilutes the significance of the test and the personal satisfaction that comes along with being able to believe in yourself to accomplish an awesome feat that that they didn't know that they were capable of. It keeps the test in the test! It keep the "awe" in the awesome feelings of self-confidence that are experienced. At Zhang Sah we do not teach to the test.
SSS
As students progress through the ranks the testing tends to become more rigorous. Practice evolves from being solo to cooperational in nature to oppositional at advanced levels. There are physical and mental conditioning activities that support the student's progression. One key mental attribute that is developed through these processes is the ability to challenge the unknown.
Unknowns are wild card variables introduced during martial arts belt testing that manifest an array of student capacities and abilities. The best example of this concept is the board breaking requirement (Kyuppa Ki Sool) at mid-level belt testing and beyond. The goal is to have the student synthesize technique, mental focus, and spirit to overcome not knowing if they can split a board. The boards are cut to accommodate the size of the student attempting the break to keep the exercise rigorous yet safe. The student is not prepared in advance specifically for the break, they do not rehearse the break. The student is expected to have a very firm grasp on the technique being deployed in the attempt to break the board. For example, a student is required to perform a flying spinning back kick break (Yidan Dwit Budo Chagi to be promoted to red belt level (Cho dan Bo - Black Belt Candidate). The student will have been practicing this kick for well over two years prior to being challenged to do it is a break on an exam.
The reason that students do not rehearse breaking techniques that are reserved for testing is because the act of rehearsing dilutes the significance of the test and the personal satisfaction that comes along with being able to believe in yourself to accomplish an awesome feat that that they didn't know that they were capable of. It keeps the test in the test! It keep the "awe" in the awesome feelings of self-confidence that are experienced. At Zhang Sah we do not teach to the test.
SSS
Monday, January 16, 2012
Life Giving Sword
"...Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools. He uses them only when he has no choice…"
Lao Tzu Section 31
The above captioned saying holds true for all but one sword; the Katsujin-ken (Japanese). The "Life-Giving Sword". Around the 1600's there lived a great sword master named Yagyu. He was the head trainer to the Shogun. He is a key historical figure in martial arts. His teaching and training methods espoused killing sparingly. Sustaining life and protecting the weak were held in high regard within his teaching philosophy.
For many, even students training in martial arts, this is a difficult concept to grasp. Fear rules conflict when unchecked. It is human nature to react when we embrace conflict. Instinctively we tend to either run or fight. It takes considerable time in arduous training to take control of our instincts when facing conflict. It is not an easy path.
Martial arts training runs the gamut from the physical to the cerebral as a practitioner progresses. As one matures in their training they can develop approaches and strategies that mitigate conflict and thus giving life to new opportunities. This is the essence of the life giving sword.
I believe that in many ways Zhang Sah is a life giving sword!
Suggested reading " The Life Giving Sword", Munenori Yagyu.
Lao Tzu Section 31
The above captioned saying holds true for all but one sword; the Katsujin-ken (Japanese). The "Life-Giving Sword". Around the 1600's there lived a great sword master named Yagyu. He was the head trainer to the Shogun. He is a key historical figure in martial arts. His teaching and training methods espoused killing sparingly. Sustaining life and protecting the weak were held in high regard within his teaching philosophy.
For many, even students training in martial arts, this is a difficult concept to grasp. Fear rules conflict when unchecked. It is human nature to react when we embrace conflict. Instinctively we tend to either run or fight. It takes considerable time in arduous training to take control of our instincts when facing conflict. It is not an easy path.
Martial arts training runs the gamut from the physical to the cerebral as a practitioner progresses. As one matures in their training they can develop approaches and strategies that mitigate conflict and thus giving life to new opportunities. This is the essence of the life giving sword.
I believe that in many ways Zhang Sah is a life giving sword!
Suggested reading " The Life Giving Sword", Munenori Yagyu.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Art of Ukemi
As a practitioner of many many martial arts I have come to know a thing or two about how to identify excellence. It is said that a master in Aikido or Judo is best exemplified by his or her Ukemi. The Term "Ukemi" is Japanese and means to take a fall.
Cats are great at Ukemi. No matter how they fall they always land on their feet. Ukemi simulates being a wheel.
This might strike some of you as peculiar but in many ways it truly is the highest art. A master of Aikido knows intrinsically how to harmonize with others and a judo master can do this the same but with a supple touch. This level of sensitivity is not reflected by how many people you can take out during a conflict or how big of an opponent you can put flat on their back. A master pays no mind to winning or losing. They just are at a place where they can enjoy the flow and thus enjoy the fall when it happens. This is a freedom that less refined practitioners are not privy to. They must mentally struggle and try to figure out how to attack you or how to bring you down. When their plans are foiled they often lament having to take their falls (Ukemi)an feel subjugated. Meanwhile the master only needs to adjust his general approach and maintains no plan and relishes in every moment of the engagement.
For me the technique of Ukemi has become the cornerstone of my training philosophy and teachings at Zhang Sah. I try to live my life in this free fall state. Only paying mind to the approach and living in the flow of things with great joy! You can tell by the way I greet people by wishing them a "Happy - Day" on any and every day. Because that day is a happy moment. By the virtue of the moment itself. It doesn't matter if it's a winning or losing day.
Learning to live like you are in a state of "Ukemi" frees you up to live passionately. To throw yourself wholly into anything that you desire. When you become the embodiment of what you seek the outcomes are inevitably positive. Just as long as you are seeking to be positive. This is the best way to live, love and lose with the greatest fulfillment life has to offer.
My advice - Learn to fall, take the fall, enjoy the fall. Throw yourself into what you love and it will always turn out great.
Cats are great at Ukemi. No matter how they fall they always land on their feet. Ukemi simulates being a wheel.
This might strike some of you as peculiar but in many ways it truly is the highest art. A master of Aikido knows intrinsically how to harmonize with others and a judo master can do this the same but with a supple touch. This level of sensitivity is not reflected by how many people you can take out during a conflict or how big of an opponent you can put flat on their back. A master pays no mind to winning or losing. They just are at a place where they can enjoy the flow and thus enjoy the fall when it happens. This is a freedom that less refined practitioners are not privy to. They must mentally struggle and try to figure out how to attack you or how to bring you down. When their plans are foiled they often lament having to take their falls (Ukemi)an feel subjugated. Meanwhile the master only needs to adjust his general approach and maintains no plan and relishes in every moment of the engagement.
For me the technique of Ukemi has become the cornerstone of my training philosophy and teachings at Zhang Sah. I try to live my life in this free fall state. Only paying mind to the approach and living in the flow of things with great joy! You can tell by the way I greet people by wishing them a "Happy - Day" on any and every day. Because that day is a happy moment. By the virtue of the moment itself. It doesn't matter if it's a winning or losing day.
Learning to live like you are in a state of "Ukemi" frees you up to live passionately. To throw yourself wholly into anything that you desire. When you become the embodiment of what you seek the outcomes are inevitably positive. Just as long as you are seeking to be positive. This is the best way to live, love and lose with the greatest fulfillment life has to offer.
My advice - Learn to fall, take the fall, enjoy the fall. Throw yourself into what you love and it will always turn out great.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)