Martial Arts And Perseverance

Training in Martial Arts helps to develop not only physical techniques but it also helps teach perseverance and inner strength. At times we are presented with situations that seem impossible, however, through non-stop training and hard work we achieve small accomplishments. It is the accumulation of these accomplishments that eventually leads to a large success. This story is about Martial Arts Student who stops in Ueno Koen 上野公園 (Ueno Park in North Eastern Tokyo),The student stopped in the park . He was looking over a bridge at a beautiful pond when a gentleman approached him. He asked me “What do you see?” and He replied, “A beautiful pond.” The gentleman smiled and replied, “Perhaps you see only many small drops of water.” There is a lesson in this, which is simply that the accumulation of many small actions leads to something significant.

Martial Arts and life

One of the things I think about in martial arts is how to grow as a person, it is very important as a martial arts practitioner to personally grow. The martial arts are metaphors for many struggles and gains we have in life. One of the big gains we can have is self-respect. When I open the dojo I look at my students come in the door old, new and understand that we share the same path. Understanding this point makes me have deep honor and respect for students. I cannot tell them how to live their lives but through a shared hardship we can walk the path to personal growth.

Deep sense of gratitude

When I first started martial arts I was getting to know how and were I should stand in the room they called a dojo (school), how to put on the gi (uniform). Now when I walk into the dojo feel a deep sense of gratitude to all the teachers I have study with without whom I would have not have able to see the path I travel today. Thank you

Martial Arts is used to end conflict

When using Ninpo Taijutsu (NINJUTSU) it is very important to understand that the attacker is going to put pressure on you. You need to take that energy and redirect it to your advantage. When studying the movement of energy in a conflict learn to read the energy of the conflict. Then use the your taijutsu (unarmed fighting, body skill) to change the energy to bring peace. Remember it not about escalation, it’s concerning bringing balance to the universe.

Kenjutsu in Boston (Sword Arts)

I was working with my training partner on Kenjutsu (Sword Skills) in Boston at the Boston Martial Arts Center. We were exploring the basics from the standpoint of safety and position for strategic advantage. Using some of the old school tactics blended with a great strategy in training can lead to a deeper understanding of Taijutsu (unarmed fighting) and self-protection & self-defense skills. We found that we could change the direction of the conflict through positioning and what our intent is. By studying the old school Kenjutsu strategies and basic skills, it has opened up a whole new world of martial skill that was not apparent before.

What is the martial arts used for ?

Martial arts have many uses, I feel that one should take the time to understand the context in which their martial arts were used. This will open a whole range of skills and understanding about what needed to learn your martial arts in the correct manner. For example the Sansakubojutsu (3 foot stick skills or walking stick fighting arts) was not the first thing one would use is Sengoku period 戦国時代 or warring states period of Japan for fighting. But today its is a good skill to have for self defense in Boston because of the times we live. So take your time and study the history use of your martial art. Do your homework.

Selecting and Studying Martial Arts,Self-Defense

Over the years I have met, trained and learned from many great martial artists. Each time I trained I took a moment to ask them what makes their martial arts unique as well as whom their teachers were. I was not simply creating a shopping list of techniques. My martial arts friends have shared some of the deeper points of their systems with me, but it took time for me to understand the points and it made me have a deeper appreciation of the varying styles of the world. The martial arts of the world are as diverse as it people. Each martial arts system has it method and use. There are some systems that are small pieces of other systems, or hybrid systems, and others that are totally unique and rare. (On a personal note I like systems that are effective, unique, and rare. But that’s just me). In the future I would like to have some of my friends discuss martial arts systems in our upcoming online newsletter and DVD series. When you are trying to find a martial art to study it is very important to know what you want out of your training and since there are many styles of martial arts you have to do your homework carefully. I have yet to run into a martial art system that has it all. For example for years I looked for an older system the Koryu (old school) meaning there were many generations of experience passed on to the students. It had to teach self-protection, self-defense, and help you understand how to adjust the martial arts method based on cause as well as find a deeper meaning to life. I was not satisfied with systems which simply taught kicks, punches and grabs because I was looking for a martial art that I could train with over my entire lifetime. Over the years the meaning of the martial arts has revealed itself as I gained more experience with it. This experience has also me helped me grow as a person.

Training Idea’s From Boston Martial Arts Center Class Room 3

When training in martial arts many things can be learned, but the most
important is that we learn to handle are self’s. Because if we do not
handle are self’s some one else will do it for us. The Martial Arts dojo
is a great place to learn to be independent minded and a learn to have
clear mind. (If you find the right dojo) Martial Arts should be a
liberating experience it should not imprison one in dogma and mediocrity

Now Class Starts…….

The sound of the hands clapping in the dojo as class starts bring all the minds of the dojo members in to focus. Leaving the days events at the door. This small moment in training is so important that many students will gloss over this point. But this could reflect in other parts of the lives, so take care not to let your mind become unfocused. Stay on the path.

Is Martial Arts Violence?

Is martial arts violence? It depends on you intent. We train so there is peace. At times in my life I have found that the some people were out of balance and they want to bring that unbalance energy into my life. This is when I had to use martial arts to bring life back into balance. But I never wanted to increase violence I just wanted have balance and peace in my life. Thank you for the question?

Martial Arts give you the self-confidence to make the right choices and to also see when things are out of balance so one can take action to stay clear of poor choices.

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