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Post by mat on Aug 2, 2006 20:50:42 GMT 8
That is way more esoteric than my own practice. My first master started training me to build up my chi - but that was a long time ago and I wasn't very interested in it. But I certainly saw no hues of light or dead people. Colin LOL - I was at work when reading that. Dead people. LOL Indeed it is esoteric. I continued reading the book and now he talks about a doctor that studies cancer - I don't know the english term for that. That also practices ChiGong and "cures" patient while talking to them on the phone. I have no idea where this book is going, but I'm gonna read it until the end. Although I'm unsure about all the Chi talk and curing people and everything, I'm curious about how he applies breathing and chi into his practice. It must have some value, as the guy gets called in various parts of Asia for conferences and demos. Reading on....
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Post by mat on Aug 2, 2006 2:36:20 GMT 8
Posted by Colin Wee on Jul 23, 2006, 4:56pm I have experienced this phenomenon of being aware of the technique before it has been launched not just a few but many times. I would be very interested to understand what kind of system he uses to help the practitioner link such training to kata. In my knowledge, I have never seen Ki/Chi used in this way before or at this speed. ColinI have just finished reading the first of two books I have ordered by the same author. It's basically a research on chi. What it is, where it comes from, etc. He never once talks about how to devellop it. It's a 200 pages introduction. Very interesting. He mentions that lots of his notions come from Kendo and ChiGong. Seme, Chi and another term I forgot. I'm just starting the second book that's called "chi in budo" researching chi in combat. I just started it, but basically, practicionners talk about seeing "hues" of light before the move starts. Or blurry things. Something like that. He talks about different ChiGong practices, breathing, relaxation and other stuff. I'm a bit skeptic about that second book, as he starts by saying that he practiced four years with someone who was an auto-didact in chi Gong and after the four years, he started to have diminished eyesight and felt "tremors" in the ground. Which are supposed to be side-effect of a bad chiGong practice. He also mentions that he stopped hitting all sorts of makiwara and then started to hurt in his wrists. Because the blocked chi was making it's way back in his hands. This man is often called to do many seminars in china and Japan. He basically lives with his practice. He is often referred to has someone who seeks true budo and stuff like that. I haven't finished the article I'm working on. In fact, I haven't worked on it since last time. But all in all, I would be very curious to see him in action. It's an interesting venue. Far from magic or Mumbo Jumbo I've already heard about or read or saw. Three things I know for sure : 1- I am currently trying chigong. Although I must be ages from feeling whatever part of feeling he's talking about, I must say that I do have strange feelings in my hands. I don't know yet if those feelings are imposed, self-imposed or genuine. I still have to discover. 2- The way he forms his fist when striking is different from what I have seen in karate and in Tae Kwon Do. I don't know the physics behind it, but when I hit someone with that fist formed, it produces a harder hit. Felt "deeper" When I get hit, it does the same thing. 3- Since reading and applying what I can from my readings, my tsuki is much more efficient. I've learned more in those books than in a lot of years of practice. Maybe I'm a slow learner, maybe those concepts are already assimilated by you guys. I don't know. As promised, I'll post more about those two books when I finish them. Cheers!
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Post by mat on Jul 13, 2006 21:53:38 GMT 8
Hey Colin.
Great hunch, it's exactly based on QiGong.
I know. It's only an introduction. I'll post other translated texts as I finish them. His practice is based on Chinese techniques, which he believes to be what was initially the basis of all Asian martial arts. What I like so much about it is that he blends it in his karate practice. And furthermore talks about how to integrate it in Kata and in Kumite. I'm currently reading one of his book on the subject. And sure, it's touchable. But try telling that to a down-to-earth doctor and you'll understand why he uses these terms. It's a bit like how you though of the kata teachings in the 1900... It's all about who's your audience.
I'll post about the kata part soon - After translating. The applications are clearer. This is just the beginning. Although you might find you already have those feelings yourself.
While I'm no expert, I've tried a few exercices he proposed and found that they work. I also got too confident and got hit a few times. :-) But there were instances were I "felt" the hit coming before it was launched. Each time I was going like "woah, what was that?". And the next punch hit me straight up. LOL
I also believe that he doesn't hold the "universal" truth, but I like walking a bit on his path and seeing what I can learn from someone who walked before. I'll post later two articles I really liked. Cheers! Mathieu
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Post by mat on Jul 13, 2006 4:04:39 GMT 8
Sorry for any mistakes in my english - I do my best.
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Post by mat on Jul 13, 2006 3:31:02 GMT 8
Part one translation
« KI » The key to budo practice Thoughts about the path appear spontenaously when the self-development tension is applied to martial arts and to the progression through time. In other words, as long as this tension doesn’t appear, pratice cannot contain the thought of the way and therefore cannot be constituted in Budo. In the rigorous aspect, budo cannot be described by particular disciplines, but rather by it’s quality and by the contents of said discipline. So, it isn’t because you’re seriously practicing karate-do, kendo, Jo-do, etc. that you’re practicing budo. It is when your practice incorporates the tension towards self-formation of one’s self in it’s totality, (the way), that your practice becomes budo. Budo is not a definite kind amongst various combat arts, but is the way that you involve yourself in a discipline of combat arts while searching for efficiency. Tension towards self-formation, as described earlier, does not appear in an abstract way but is based on a concrete physical sensation. It’s a physical sensation that all humans can perceive no matter their cultural origins. In other words, this physical sensation is the key that allows one to practice budo entirely while going past cultural obstacles. What is that physical sensation? In Japanese, it is defined as “ki” I believe that physical sensation (Ki) is commonly present in the human experience. But the interpretation of it differs from culture to culture. For example, the logical character is much more developed in occidental languages than in the Japanese language. But there isn’t a word in occidental languages a word equivalent to “Ki”, and it’s a major translation problem. This Japanese term covers all sensations and impressions that are mysterious, untouchable, strange, that touch something in the bottom of our being, that are probably coming from a lost or archaic acuity. This “ensemble” of impressions that can hardly be described by a word is present in the daily experience, literature, Japanese arts. When we have to name it, we say “ki”. The exclusion of these sensations and impression of the surface of the vocabulary seems to be correlated to the logical development of the occidental languages. The rational thoughts seemingly developed itself by driving back this sensibility. This is why, through practice, the sensation of KI must be capted as “ki” without trying to translate equivalent words. It seems to me that in order to have the key to budo by going past the cultural obstacles, it is necessary to cultivate one’s acuity to the sensation of “ki” and being guided high and wide by this feeling by way of the corporal techniques of combat. In Kendo, the initiate learns right from the start what is « ki ». It is done in a simple way by the expression “ki-ken-taï”. Throughout the years, he will learn the importance of “seme” for combat. “Seme” cannot be easily described. But it is clear that the level of the initiate is directly reflected by the quality of his “seme”. Generally, “seme” implies the attitudes or moves that communicate your combativité to your adversary. “Seme” is much more than simple faints used in a karate combat. Even if you use faints, if they don’t make your adversary react, they do not represent “seme”. On the other hand, “Seme” is what happens when your moves, as small as they may be, can trouble your adversary’s mind and, at an advanced level, when you can move your opponent’s mind without doing an explicit sign. When you can trouble your adversary by the “ki” emanating from your self, without an apparent move, it’s “kiseme”. That’s why it’s inaccurate to define “seme” by movement descriptions. The move of the “seme” is that which communicates something essential. If that thing is not communicated, no movement can constitute the “seme”. In other words, if that thing is communicated without an apparent movement, that transmission constitutes the “seme. That essential thing is called “ki”. -------------------------------------------------------------------
That's it for today. It's an introduction of sorts.
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Post by mat on Jul 13, 2006 2:53:44 GMT 8
Here's the first article I found. It doesn't go very far in terms of chi, the best is yet to come.
"Karate combat with “Kiseme”
by Kenji Toktisu sensei
It is necessary to acquire an enhanced sense of the space we occupy during combat in order to tell what the adversary's intentions are. We often express this through an image: turn your upper limbs into a radar scanning the field of combat. In order for the body to obtain this heightened sense, you first need to be able to sense the body itself in its entirety, and then extend sensation of the body to surrounding space. There are exercises that cultivate and develop these internal and external skills, and which also serve to strengthen the body from the inside. Examples include certain currents of Chinese Qi Gong and Japanese introspective breathing exercises. “Modern” karate is almost entirely lacking in these exercises, however, since for the most part, its practice is structured round competition and is often basically incompatible with these principles.
In any case, when facing an adversary, you sense the movement of his will through his gestures and the energy that emanates around him. When he is about to launch a tsuki against you, you sense his intention to do so before he executes the move. If you succeed in reacting against this mental movement, your action will precede his. You are ready to respond as soon as the adversary decides to attack. As for him, if he's able to sense your potential response, he'll withhold his attack because he'll realise that it's already been rendered useless. If he's not able to sense your reaction, he'll follow through with his attack and will receive your response, which most likely will be successful because it is guided by a perception that precedes that of the adversary.
If both one and the other are at a sufficiently advanced level, and if each is capable of perceiving and sensing the adversary's intentions, the match will unfold implicitly before each attack is executed. In order for this type of combat to take place, both combatants must be open to perception. If it is blocked in one of them, such a match cannot occur."
Next to come soon
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Post by mat on Jul 12, 2006 23:10:59 GMT 8
I can see your point. Thanks for that. I've discussed that with the said friend and well... She has another point of view. Diversity truly is the spice of life. I guess in order to see that range of possibilities, you have to "get" the basics first. And that in itself is a huge milestone I still have to reach. Cheers.
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Post by mat on Jul 6, 2006 22:24:10 GMT 8
Well, time, I have some. They won't be ready tomorrow, mind you. But re-reading that will be good for me. I also knew a girl who wouldn't read what was posted about feelings while doing some kata work for fear of imposing feelings upon herself. Don't get me wrong here, I'm all for self-discovery. There are no shorcuts in the arts. But there are different ways of working. What we see as advanced stuff in karate is the beginning in many arts, be it taichi or chigong. Therefore, I believe there shouldn't be a "fixed" order of things to learn. I also believe that by remaining in a "fixed" pattern or syllabus of training imposed by a style that was founded by someone who had lots of knowledge in many arts is good. There's a progression of things. BUT, by staying in a fixed syllabus, you're really following another person's path. The biggest example of this I have right now is the order of kata. In Wado-Ryu, Seishan is taught only to yudansha students. In Chito-ryu, it's taught at the orange level. In Isshin-ryu, it's taught at white belt. When did you learn hangetsu? It's the same kata. Different stages of training. Why? I have no idea... What it shows is that the original founders had different understandings of the kata (or so I believe) and taught differently about who should be practicing what. Well, it kind of remade my view of an what is considered an "advanced" kata. Advanced for some, basic to others. So, in that same order of idea, what is an advanced concept? A basic one to others. In fact, karate works that way, someone finds something and teaches it. Why not learn from what that guy found? I tend to think that by refraining from touching something, I would be following my style's syllabus greatly and probably advancing faster in that style's way of thinking. But for my self-growth, it's limitating. Because of my background in other styles. So, I touch a bit of things here and there. Without any sort of limitation. Sure, it's unorthodox, but it's my way. Or the way that found me. I have no idea where it will lead, but I know I'll learn quite a few things on the way. And hey, what do I know? I'm preparing an article on the next issue of the Chinto, our association's journal. So, I'll gladly put it out when it's over. I'll touch exactly what I've written about here. Perseverance Mat
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Post by mat on Jul 3, 2006 13:21:13 GMT 8
Hi guys. Jumping into that discussion. Seriously, I've blogged about it a while ago, but Kenji Tokitsu made great research on kata, kata application, kumite, sparring, combat and so on. On his website, there is much talk about the flowing of Chi in a battle. I believe most articles are in french, but I could translate (it'd be a great revision) the french-only articles. I just finished the first book he wrote and it's incredible. I learned a great big lot. I've already said that kumite is my weak point. Well, my game is getting better.
He talks a lot on how to breathe, how to move and there are lots of references to Musashi's writings.
Oh! And I read something written by Sensei Jean-François Tiserre, who's really big in Europe (in karate) and there are lots of techniques for breathing in a fight that he talks about. That was a rather short text but I could translate that too.
Anyways, great subject and yes, great advice too!
It's true that kata show us the really nasty tools. Sport Kumite kind of un-do that. You look for point and end it after a hit. I have the nasty habit of jumping on my opponents. Litteraly. I'm a close-in fighter. My first impulse is often to get real close and hit/claw/bite/tear up, even if it means taking a few hits before breaking something. Not really good in kumite! LOL
anyways, let me know about those articles.
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Post by mat on Jul 6, 2006 23:02:22 GMT 8
Very impressive!
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Post by mat on Jul 6, 2006 22:42:53 GMT 8
The modern world exacerbates these dualities too ... we've got to be PC, democratic, sensitive/new age, environmental, international, conservative, philanthropic, and informed. It was way simpler when I was a younger black belt and all I thought was in fight mode. Colin Sure, it might have been. But how much have you learned since then? Is that what was originally meant when "keeping the mind of a beginner" was said? There are so many questions that can be asked... I guess the best quote I can give is of a friend of mine who asked me how to conciliate the infinitely big with the infinitely little. - I have no idea - Everything has it's place and it's time. But to mix the two? I'm not there yet. I guess it all comes down to choices. Martial arts open your mind. In ways you initially never thought they would. That's the good thing. I'm just glad I can practice, learn and share thoughts with what I consider to be "good and fine" people. (sorry, no better translation for what is a french concept) Imagine your life without all that. (blasphemy!) And again, what do I know? I presently think stuff that will probably change in 10 years and another time 10 years from then... Mat.
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Post by mat on Jul 3, 2006 13:02:34 GMT 8
hehe, thanks for the big bear hug. I give it right back! Glad to be here. Good point. Maybe it is... But still, I'm starting to wonder if it means something. Karate or any other art if full of dualities. Slow/fast, hard/soft, etc. (you get the point) put that part is one-sided only. Go up. That it instills a negativity is a by-product of not having demotions. Look at a business, that's the way it works. Look at life - that's the way it works. I once heard my aikibudo teacher telling us that each day you pass off the tatami is a day you get weaker. I tend to believe that. I guess it's only wishful thinking. Because for most practiocionner, the arts are a hobby. Some take it to really high levels of training. But it still remains a "on the side" part of life. I guess no matter what style/dojo/dojang/training hall you're in. Theyre will be a form of hierarchy. Implicit or not. It'll be there. I say respect it. But don't let it rule your life as a practiocionner. Still, no matter who you speak to in the arts, no matter what they think of the ranks/kyu/gup, one of the first question you'll hear will be : "What's your rank?" And it's okay. Even if I'm not a big fan of the system, I see it's use. You generally get the idea of what level a green belt is. Because you've been there.
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Post by mat on Jul 1, 2006 21:44:41 GMT 8
Very good subject.
To answer what was currently posted as a question :
"So then how does one balance that mental attitude of confidence in your skills that you need to achieve rank with that beginner's attitude wherein you are always looking for that little "twist" that you might have missed, and that can be added to improve your technique?"
Strange, but I find a lot of yudansha asking that. I have yet to experience the feeling. I can only say that a lot of Black belt ask that question.
As for my view on it - Well, I have mixed feelings. I understand the purpose of rank. That they should reflect one's progression in the arts and give a "general idea" of one's capabilities. Yet, if it truly is the case, then shouldn't there be demotions? Which is something I see quite not often of. I'm sure it has a good purpose, I just haven't seen it always well applied. I tend to think that that belt is quite useless if you make about -0- efforts to keep it. In fact, it would be best said that I don't give a rat's a** about rank. I just want to learn and help others learn. I received my Kyu quite unexpectedly last month and my Sensei said I didn't show much enthusiasm. And he was right. I don't care much for a promotion. I just want to learn.
My style - Chito-Ryu stresses rank. A lot of importance is put on rank and you should have the correct rank to reflect your habilities. Therefore, my view is a bit ... (googles the English term) in dissension with my style's view of rank. But I get the importance of having ranks. They just don't mean much in my head.
Cheers!
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Post by mat on Oct 18, 2006 1:31:18 GMT 8
Stuart's book will show that he's got the knowledge it takes to go head to head with any stylist or instructor! Colin I hope to see that book. I'd be interesting to see/read. It is available now? Cheers, Mat
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Post by mat on Apr 30, 2007 23:35:39 GMT 8
Yeah, well, somebody's gotta convince the rest of the world! Warmup - not stretchup. Works for me too. But I still follow Sensei's sometime strechup. I do talk about various things with him on the subject. Such a fine Sensei I have! ( i mean I'm lucky to have found him ) I much prefer warmups.
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