When You Lose Sight of Who You Are

I will always stay close to my martial arts roots, no matter what style I know or will learn. The one important quality that I will always hold onto is being humble and not become someone who is condescending to others. No matter where you go, you will always find individuals whose belief in their own self-importance becomes a liability to themselves. Don't know if you recall the movie "THE LAST DRAGON?" The key prognosticator to the main character is a self centered martial artist named "Show Enuf." His skills were  superb. Unfortunately his own self-importance (arrogance) becomes his downfall. Yes, you have instant followers when you do or say things. People are awe struck and will follow you to the ends of the earth. Unfortunately there are too many martial instructors out there who are more show than substance. Instructors who talk the talk but cannot walk the walk. Instructors who do not know the word "humble" and see their own self-importance (arrogance) as the only substance of their teachings. The student or peers own development is overshadowed if the instructor does not receive what is felt as proper recognition. Recognition in the form of placing oneself on a pedestal vs. speaking on the same level. Self-respect and recognition of the teacher will grow in an environment of humbleness rather than arrogance and self-importance.Yes, arrogance can kill.

What Kind of Practice?

Carrying on from the last positing of  how one develops the skills to react. However, prior to doing so, I would like to acknowledge my sincerest condolences to good friends Tom & Benita Byrne who lost their daughter to Cancer yesterday evening. Her husband, Ryan Demers lost his love. The two shared their spirit through Martial Arts. Angilika fought so valiantly the last weeks of her life. Those who have gone through Black Belt promotions could only imagine how easy their physical tests were compared to Angilika's test against this final foe. Her spirit lives on and her strength will be remembered to those who were touched by her presence. Rest-In-Peace Dearest Angilika. Life continues.  The cycle will repeat itself. Brothers Tommy, Jeremy and Stevie will sorely miss you as will daughters Lilly and Naomi. God's Speed. Please visit DRAGON STAR KUNG FU @  www.dragonstarkungfu .

Developing the skill set: Chi Sao also known as sticky hands (as well as feet) is the core exercise practiced by skilled practitioners. The exercise develops one's ability to feel and recognize movements as their are applied. Application and recognition is initially learned by touch and slowly develops to partial contact and then non-contact. An analogy would be learning to ride a bike. You first start with walking along side the bike then getting on the seat, learning how to balance. Your feet are used to touch the ground to feel a connection and correct the sensation (balance) of falling. As confidence and ability develops, you do not rely on utilizing your feet to balance and/or your body to adjust to those sensations associated with this new skill.  Learning Chi Sao a.k.a. Sticky Hands should be in a class room environment. One cannot learn this skill initially and should have interaction with practitioners with developed skills. Those with developed skills can continue with their abilities sans a partner. Knowledge of center, rooting, movements are required in order to develop your skills. More in the next positing.

KNOWING WITHOUT KNOWING

     It's always interesting to work with fellow martial art practitioners from different styles. There are advantages and disadvantages to practically all styles whether traditional (e.g. Shudokan, Takewondo, KungFu, etc.), Hybrid (e.g UFC, WEC, etc.) and/or ground based (e.g BBJ, Judo, etc.). Those who've had a cursory introduction of a martial art are sold by the demonstration of the instructor or instructor student. A good demonstration equates to a new student and vice-versa. People are "sold" on a good demonstration. Unfortunately a lot of demonstrations are meant to dazzle the observer with gymnastic moves and fantastic choreography. What about effectiveness at the street level? Will those same moves be effective against an attack? At street level (i..e street fighting, combat) those Kata's and/or Forms will most likely be ineffective. This isn't to say that learning Kata's and Forms aren't effective; they are. They teach basic movements and strategy, but in an "ideal" attack presented in an ideal environment. The student develops strikes and blocks at an invisible entity, parlaying the movement to the next invisible attacker until the Kata or Form is completed. Continual practice of the Form or Kata will hopefully develop into a "learned response" to an actual attack as it unfolds. Sadly to say, there are a lot of practitioners out there who, although they practice many hours for days, weeks and months on end never develop the ability to react. Instead, the reaction is more of the "deer in the headlamp" look which can be fatal.

     This is where I digress to the Title: Know Without Knowing. Yeah, it sounds mystical and perhaps something more familiar or associated with  the character Kwai Chang Caine of the television series KUNGFU  (  http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FKwai_Chang_Caine&rct=j&q=kwai%20chang%20caine&ei=z-rJTMLuMovCsAPDnr3RDg&usg=AFQjCNGpbrp_Vo0hJmrczR03S99l5_jDQw&sig2=hSz9hWiOLv8Y97xzbGPIYg&cad=rja ). Knowing without knowing relates to all aspects of training, but (in my opinion) more so with how one reacts to an unfolding situation. Reaction should be immediate and without hesitation. How quickly one reacts can only be developed by practice. Practice should be developed in a safe and controlled environment against attackers committed to unleashing a barrage of weapons (i.e. kicks, punches, elbows, knees) so as to develop the ability to "know without knowing" the next weapon and/or technique to be utilized by the attacker or attackers. The challenge for the defender is knowing how to defend, deflect, absorb and/or re-direct the weapons presented.The skill is more enhanced by one's ability to see and defend against a movement a split second before the movement occurs. Yes, one can develop this ability (knowing without knowing) with practice. What kind of practice? That will be the next topic.