Conception over perfection.

To envisage is to contemplate or devise something. We aim for perfection but invariably fall short. Thats okay though. The real talent lies in coming up with the plan, everybody knows that stuff never goes right in the execution of that plan. That should not be a reason to avoid something. We can train in a way that promotes fluidity of the mind, if a chosen course of action or technique fails we can reorganise or restructure to begin again. During times of stress we don't always get the luxury of throwing the optimal strike from the optimal stance. Anyone who has taken part in any combat scenario can appreciate that, but we deal with it. Sometimes even in times of great calm, during meditation for example, a spanner gets thrown in the works. A strange sensation, or a glimpse of something or a full on moment of complete understanding. One of the strangest things that has happened to me whilst I was meditating was that I disappeared! Hard to describe really but I became so aware of the things around me that I lost any perspective of myself. How did I deal with it? I think I decided it was the coolest thing that had ever happened to me and without panic reorganised and restructured and began again. If you wish to really practice Martial Arts you cannot slack in the cultivation of the internal systems of the body. Strengthen all parts of your physical body but if you neglect the energy systems at work within yourself you have only half trained and you will only ever half train. The energy systems relate much more closely to your health and well being. In my experience of Martial Artists I have noticed a strange dichotomy of many. On the one hand an acceptant, tolerant and of flexible mind bunch, on the other hand an unbending judgemental even borderline spiteful bunch. The latter is often brought to the fore when the internal arts are brought up. This is very evident in my "mother tounge martial art", there is a clear divide of camps. Really it is coming from people who should know better and conduct themselves more appropriately but their collective fear and lack of respect seems to be debilitating them. The previous Master of the style was a practitioner of the internal arts and discussion with the current Master would indicate that he was a practioner of some advance skill. This seems to be lost on some, their scoffing and pseudo-sapient attitude is offensive to the style that has brought me much pleasure in the many years I have been practicing. There are very few true Masters out there but there is one to which we should always defer, our own selves. Spend even a few minutes with that guy everday and you will see an improvement in many things. That is the very basic beginnings of internal training, is it really that hard to conceive?

Choose your weapon

Weaponry is a huge part of any traditional style. It is a huge selling point for many but is often reserved for the more advanced students. The reasoning behind that train of thought: you should have a fairly advanced understanding of the styles empty hand rudiments before you get anywhere near a wepon so you can fully operate it. Also there are health and safety issues of having untrained individuals swinging poles and blades around. Ironic when you think that the entire point of a weapon is to cause harm to someone! Traditionally of course the weapon was used to gain an advantage on an opponent especially if you happen to not be so adroit. So we seem to have lost our connection to the classic weaponry. Most weapons sprang from the use they had in the fields as farming tools. They evolved from apparatus that served man to apparatus that could sever a man. They function as a gruesome reminder to ages past and to the martial heritage of our chosen art. Times have changed and we have more efficient weapons but training the classic weapons should remain, we truly benefit from the inclusion of such things in the styles. The appreciation grows, we see how devastating the techniques can be and most normal folk accept that they do not want to see that weapon in action. In this way we see the way of peace in the paraphernalia of war. The combative merit should be taught above all, through that ferociousness and the control that the practitioner displays we find the hidden beauty whilst recognising the ugliness of it. This is why I am againt the musical kata and musical weaponry forms that many people enjoy! Not only is there next to no combative merit to the techniques they distance themselves from the function of a weapon to the point of irresponsible. The showboating and the way in which the weaponry is treated so lightly troubles me. Perhaps I over analyse, but when it comes to leverage over someone perhaps you should think more carefully before employing it?

Sometimes it gets tough

Well it's been a busy month for Breakthrough so apologies for neglecting the blog. Like many Martial Artists out there I also work a full time job and the month of June is the biggest challenge for me in my "Other Life". Breakthough most recently has put San Shou into focus, the tough contact sport which is the basis of many Wu Shu tournaments. It is so much fun, but is at the end of the day a contact sport. Thats right, I choose to engage in fight sports it makes me happy despite my senescent body! I teach a lot of good students and a lot of good people. One of whom recently and sadly passed away in very tragic circumstances. Big D or Tenacious D will be missed but never forgotten. He had the ability to inject fun into proceedings and his presence in a room, and the efforts that he made,served as a shining example to all who took their ensuing steps into the Martial World. Big D's driven nature happily continues on within some of the other students. Yes they are all progressing and getting tougher and tougher to handle on the mats. A good instructor should spar with his students, surely a great instructor should get beaten by them? Then it means he has nothing more to give? I managed to get a good couple of black eyes from the last big fight sesh that we did. My father with excellent comic timing (and a pinch of salt) asked when next I saw him "So have you finally met your match?". One of my newest and youngest students asked how it had happened at the next class, when I told him he still failed to comprehend and incredulously blurted "how?"

We engage in life and in sport for various reasons. Nowhere near the top of the list is the "to get hurt" option but it does happen due to the nature of the respective beasts. I am surprised at peoples surprise in seeing bruises or scars. Pursue it and try it out, sometimes things don't go according to plan. I can continue pointing the way from my understanding none the less. As for Big D he will too. His role has changed but he is right there, in our hearts and in our laughter as he always was. Wherever he is now he still has something to teach us, his understanding however will be far more vast than mine. Take it easy till next time Derek. I'm sure you still owe me a scrap!!