Ikigai | Blogging the Martial Way

Anderson Silva Fights Like Whoa

July 20, 2008 – 4:35 am
Mastery often makes a difficult task look easy. Anderson Silva dispatches his opponents fluidly, routinely, and authoritatively. When I watch Anderson Silva fight, I can't help it - I have to say WHOA! "The Spider" is an MMA fighter for UFC, but comes from a Muay Thai and Jujutsu background. Silva is an amazingly well rounded fighter. He has an extensive reach that usually puts him 2-3 inches outside of his opponent. He is most well known for his explosive striking, but is also very impressive on the ground. When watching SIlva, I can't help but be impressed by his calm and collection. His natural body language is the same in the ring as it is outside, and there is no explosive increase in zanshin when he fights. That's because he is prepared at all times. Fighting for him seems as natural as riding ...

Posted in MMA, Opinion, Recent Events | 1 Comment »

Karate on the Beach

July 16, 2008 – 4:00 am
I'm fortunate enough to find myself writing this post from Ocean City, Maryland. We are in a hotel called the Marigot and the accommodations have been stellar. During my stay here, I've ridden some waves (and been wiped out by some too), eaten some great seafood, and watched a bunch of people from our 11th story balcony. Is there anything more useful for a writer? Yesterday, while chilling out on the balcony, I spotted two guys standing side by side...and bowing. I lifted a karate eyebrow and paid closer attention to them. Right before my eyes the two began performing kata seiunchin! I was pleased. Allow me to apologize for not snapping any pictures of them, I was watching too closely to think of it at the time. It was actually a bold move on their part - they chose the middle of a crowded, ...

Posted in Kata, Martial Arts, karate | 4 Comments »

The Two Deadliest Fists of Karate

July 8, 2008 – 1:50 am
This is a big-secret-revealed kind of post. The question - What are the two deadliest fists of karate? Is it the seiken, or two-knuckle fist? That would be a good guess. The seiken is used very heavily in most karate styles and can be an utterly devastating weapon. But that is not one of the two. Is it the shuto, or knife hand? This technique is also very common and embodies karate's empty handed nature. The ridge end of a shuto strike can often be found breaking boards and roofing tiles in exhibitions. Unfortunately, this is also not one of the deadliest fists. It must be the ippon nukite, or single finger? The ippon nukite uchi, or single finger strike, can be extraordinarily unpleasant when used properly. The Bubishi refers to it as the "one blade of grass hand," and anything that poetic has to be good. Used for ...

Posted in How-To, Techniques, Tips and Tricks, karate | No Comments »

Observing Seikichi Odo of Okinawa Kenpo

June 30, 2008 – 12:28 am
I never had the chance to personally train with Seikichi Odo Sensei. This is very regrettable. But don't we all feel that way about those seniors who have passed before us? I bet there are men who Odo Sensei would have loved to train with, but never got the chance. Luckily, I have had the chance to study with excellent instructors who spent extensive time with Odo Sensei, and who patiently entertain all of my inane questions. I have also had the luxury of pouring over tape of Odo Sensei training. Here are some observations for those inclined to learn more about those who came before us. In these days of martial arts mayhem, it can be very difficult discerning who to trust and listen to. For example: who am I? Who cares? I'm not anybody of significance. But Odo Sensei ...

Posted in Okinawa Kenpo, karate, kobudo | 1 Comment »

Top 5 Stumbling Blocks For Kids in Martial Arts

June 29, 2008 – 1:17 am
It's tough for us to remember what it was like starting something new as a child. The strange people, the strange surroundings, the complete abandonment of our comfort zone. Sure we still experience that as adults, but it's not quite the same. From my experience teaching children, here are some stumbling blocks that I think are common for kids to run into. Of course, every child is different and must overcome unique obstacles, but there are a few issues that commonly arise in the realm of martial arts. 5. Fear, Intimidation, Jitters Starting school can be tense. So can trying out for the softball team. But what about coming to a karate school where you will inevitably be punched and kicked!? Some kids actually thrill at the thought of strapping on pads and going at it, but many experience trepidation and anxiety. I often ...

Posted in Martial Arts, Opinion, children, karate | No Comments »

Practical Tips for Beginner Sparring

June 23, 2008 – 2:28 am
Breaking into sparring can be intimidating. If you're joining a martial art school for the first time and you've never so much as thrown a punch at a live target, there can be a lot of doubts running through your head. If you do have fighting experience, the prospect of fighting at a new school can be equally as high. Here are some simple, easy-to-follow tips that will get you rolling. Keep Your Hands Up I know it sounds obvious, but it's really easy to forget. Keep those hands up! Trainers have been yelling it at students for years, and they will be yelling it for years to come. This is a particularly volatile trap for students of the martial arts because there are a myriad of kicking techniques that cause the human body to naturally drop the arms. But it's important for everyone. ...

Posted in How-To, Martial Arts, Tips and Tricks, sparring | 2 Comments »

Goals (Now with Color Pictures)

June 14, 2008 – 4:39 am
I have an extensive commute to and from work these days: 1 and 1/2 hours. During that time, I enjoy/have to muscle through a lot of talk radio and music. Sometimes though, especially on my way home, I tune out those distractions and allow my mind to wander (don't worry, the bulk of my attention is always on the road). Recently I got to thinking about goals. Many times a goal is something ethereal. A whisper in the back of your mind that subtly guides your actions. Other times a goal is something so tangible you can taste it and nothing can stop you from achieving it. For some reason a visual very quickly formed in my mind about the potential relationship between a person and their goal. It's probably just nonsense...but check it out and see if it makes any sense to you. I'll readily ...

Posted in Martial Arts, Opinion, Philisophical | No Comments »

How to Begin Your Kata Immersion

June 7, 2008 – 7:23 pm
Kata training is crucial to success in many traditional martial arts. It teaches muscle memory for technique, proper balance, theory of movement, and integration of body, mind, and spirit. Unfortunately, just going through the motions won't allow you to reap all of the benefits. At its most basic level, kata is a great workout that can teach some technique. Physical movement in kata is very dynamic and tends to exercise the entire body. I've encountered few training tools that can help a person get in better overall condition. But conditioning does not translate into life protection ability. To gain real self-defense and combat knowledge from kata, you have to dive deep into theory and purpose. Therein lies one of the greatest difficulties I have personally experienced and seen others experience - making the leap from kata practice to kata immersion. Kata Practice Kata practice is what ...

Posted in Bunkai, How-To, Kata, Martial Arts, Recent Events, karate, kobudo | No Comments »

Enhance Your Bunkai - Scenario Thinking

May 28, 2008 – 2:36 am
Bunkai is a critical part of traditional kata training. In kata, a person learns a series of techniques strung together to form fighting concepts. Some kata contain many techniques, 30-40, some contain far less. But these techniques are merely a physical exercise if we don't come to understand what they represent. Bunkai brings us to a higher level of understanding by prompting us to analyze motion, body position, attack, defense, and much more. Unfortunately, it's extremely easy to get stuck in "base-level" bunkai. By that I mean, an explanation of technique that only represents the most obvious possible interpretation. For example, you may hear someone (or yourself) walking through bunkai saying "now my opponent punches to my face, so I block up. I step in and punch. kiai. Then I turn left and a new opponent kicks at me. I block down...step ...

Posted in Bunkai, How-To, Martial Arts | No Comments »

Sanchin and Seisan - Analysis of Two Elusive Kata

May 13, 2008 – 1:57 am
In Okinawa Kenpo lineage, we practice both Sanchin and Seisan kata. Anybody who has trained in them realizes quickly that these are very different from ordinary kata. The breathing is intense, the body is tight, and the spirit is wound like a coiled snake. The positive influence on health and martial arts ability is fairly well accepted, but the origins are a cause of debate. I'd like to analyze a little bit about the backgrounds of both, starting with one important fact - they both stem from Naha-te. It is widely believed that Naha-te was heavily influenced by Fujian White Crane style, originated in Southern China. Therefore, it could be logically asserted that white crane style has had influence upon both Seisan and Sanchin. This actually stands to reason as both kata exhibit Chinese flavors in their execution such as open hands and circular movements. It ...

Posted in Historical, Martial Arts | No Comments »