COMFY? NOT!

 By Phillip Starr

For what it's worth, it's my opinion that much of the reason for the overall decline in the martial arts nowadays is due to...discomfort. New students dislike it (and often drop out), instructors are afraid that students will find certain routines too uncomfortable and they don't use them, or both. Actually, this has gone on for so long that we now have instructors who have never had to endure the rigors and frequent accompanying “discomforts” that were once part and parcel of traditional training.

In the East, it's generally understood and accepted that engaging in a martial art is going to hurt a bit but not so in the West where we've been made to be politically correct (except for a few such as yours truly) and strive to prevent offending anyone or making them physically uncomfortable. The West has managed to raise a generation of wimps; many public schools have reduced or eliminated physical education and children (as well as adults) are not made to engage in any activity that makes them uncomfortable.

If little Billy's legs are sore from running around the track yesterday, he'll be excused from doing any physical exercises today. And this attitude has been carried into many martial arts schools...a great many of them no longer make students practice static postures (such as the dreaded horse-riding stance) or any training routines that are usually painful. But it is this very aspect of training that develops character, spirit, and an indomitable will; things that are not only essential for the development of martial skill but necessary for daily life as well!

Authentic martial skill simply cannot be developed without enduring a considerable amount of discomfort. But nowadays, many instructors are overly concerned that everyone is “having fun.” They fear that discomfort may result in lower enrollment and subsequent loss of income. And so it might. Martial arts aren't for everyone.

CLUELESS

 by Phillip Starr

A good friend of mine, Mr. Chris Smaby (hachidan, JKA and student of Hidetaka Nishiyama and Keinosuke Enoeda) once told me with a chuckle that “There are those who don't have a clue (as to what authentic martial arts are), and then there are those who don't even suspect.” And I must say, I've certainly seen my share of both.

The clueless ones like to think that they know what they're doing; those who don't even suspect generally believe that they're doing is right and they refuse to pay attention to what else is out there. They KNOW they're right. They've learned and/or mastered all they need. They won't look any further.

These “maladies” often result from someone reading about a particular art or technique, watching a video about it, or attending a seminar(s) about it; none of these necessarily involve any firsthand, “hands-on” training. These methods of learning can be useful in learning various aspects of, or polishing an art in which one has already been taught. But learning an art from scratch? Nah...

Before the internet, such incomplete instruction was largely limited to those who attempted to learn from books and videos. But with the advent of the worldwide web, videos became much easier to come by and the problem snowballed. Now we have a whole generation of people who, starting off as rank novices, are convinced that they have acquired considerable skill in an art that they learned online or from books or seminars.

I have met people who became certified instructors in an art that they learned entirely through participation in seminars! They missed out on the rigorous daily training that actual students of the art must endure. And of course, they lightened their wallets rather considerably to obtain their certification, which only made them more determined to believe that their skill was authentic. Tragic and foolish. Books, seminars, and videos are useful as introductory or reference material but a complete martial art simply cannot be learned from them. To learn the real art requires frequent, regular attendance in a class taught by a genuine instructor.

The real tragedy is that many of these folks become instructors who will produce another generation of clueless, unsuspecting followers.

CATCHING THE MOMENT

by Phillip Starr

Knowing and “feeling” when the opponent is about to attack. Those who are able to do this are certainly very formidable opponents for obvious reasons. This skill is usually regarded as some sort of mystical skill that may be acquired through the practice of special meditative routines.

Not true.

You can meditate all the livelong day but it will be of no real use to you in developing this special skill. And it is developed through regular, repetitive practice of one of the most basic training exercises...three-step fight! Exactly how this is to be done is shown and discussed in my book, MARTIAL MANEUVERS. There's more to be learned from three-step fight than meets the eye.

We know the brain sends out electrical signals, like a radio. A simple EEG proves this. And a radio can, with a bit of work, be turned into a receiver. The biggest problem is getting your mind to be quiet so that you can “hear” the receiver.

When someone attacks you, it occurs in stages:

1. First he has the intention to attack in some fashion.

2. Second, he determines just how he will do it and with what (punch, kick, grab, or whatever).

3. His brain then signals the muscles (via the nerves) that will be involved in making the attack.

4. The attack ensues as planned.

Now, the brain sends out signals at each of these stages. Thoughts (on your end) act like static in the receiver and you can't really pick up the opponent's signals. So, over-analyzing the process only gums up the works.

It is crucial to your practice that your partner actually has the intention of striking and harming you. This is usually the biggest stumbling block in training. You must feel his yi (intention). If he really has the intention of hurting you, his yi will be strong and you can detect it; if he's just lobbing his punch out there, there's no danger, no yi, and nothing to detect. There's no real attack. Yi is a vital key to acquiring this skill!

Once developed, you can feel when the opponent's brain gives his body the command to commence the attack. You then strike first! The opponent is momentarily helpless; to defend himself his brain would have to cancel the previous signals, determine what you're doing, where your strike will land, when it will land...and all this takes much too long. He's in an “attack mode” and cannot easily reverse himself and go into a “defense mode.” He's helpless and unable to defend himself.

The progressive training routine for developing this unique skill is tedious and can become rather boring. But you must stay the course and NOT jump ahead; each stage must be mastered before moving on to the next. I recommend getting a copy of MARTIAL MANEUVERS and learning how this is done. Take your time. Find an agreeable partner and begin. Your practice must be regular, not haphazard. You and your partner will find that building up a strong intention to harm each other (when performing as the attacker) is both mentally and physically tiring. But you must do it! Real skill isn't developed quickly...

ALWAYS WATCHING, EVALUATING, TESTING

 by Phillip Starr

I was a young newcomer to this group. I lined up and stood still, waiting for class to begin. Sifu Chen shouted the command and we all jerked our fists to our hips. The best marching band in the country had nothing on us; we all managed to move in perfect unison. But it was sheer coincidence...

And we stood still, staring forward and not moving a muscle. I wondered what was going on but something told me not to look around. I became a fleshly statue. I remember thinking that we were fortunate that we weren't in my karate class, which began with everyone sitting in seiza!

I tried to maintain a look of fierce determination. Probably looked fairly silly, but I wanted to be accepted by this teacher. I wanted him to know that I could take it (actually, I had virtually no idea of what that would entail). Sifu Chen, attired in his sleeveless t-shirt and sweatpants, walked casually around us, and seemed to be oblivious to our existence.

Then he turned and looked at us. His gaze was gentle enough but he radiated an energy that was palpable. Was he getting inside my head, somehow? He nodded slowly to himself and told us to relax. For some inexplicible reason, I knew better than to completely let go. I relaxed my arms and spread my feet a bit just to get more comfortable but I kept staring straight ahead. I stayed focused and didn't let my young mind relax very far. I knew my teacher was still watching. And in the months and years to come, I'd learn that he was ALWAYS watching.

From the moment he saw us enter his home or the training area (which was a recreation room in his basement), he watched...how we carried ourselves, how we greeted and treated each other, the condition of our training clothes, how we warmed up before class (not just what we did, but out attitudes as well). And he watched during and after class as well. He was always evaluating us, not just in terms of physical condition or martial prowess, but our spirits and what was in our hearts as well.

And he was constantly testing us, often in very subtle ways, to see how we'd respond...not only to doing our best to accomplish what was essentially an impossible task, but also how we responded to failure, criticism, and even success. He was probing, finding out who and what we really were, inside and out. Those who he judged to be worthy (in character and spirit more than mere technique), he'd spend more time and once they reached a certain level of skill, he'd show little “tweaks” - aspects of the art (spiritual and/or mental as well as physical).

When I began teaching many years later, I sought to do the same thing. It's not something that can be assimilated quickly. I'm still working on it...

UKEMI'S IMPORTANCE

 by Phillip Starr

In speaking with an old student, I learned that he was attending regular “meet-ups” of various martial arts practitioners who all practice together in an effort to improve their skills outside of class. This is a wonderful idea but my student made one important observation; NONE of the other participants knew how to breakfall. Only when they ventured to a local kenjutsu school (that also included traditional jujutsu in their training) was he able to practice the various forms of throwing and takedowns that he had learned from me.

I think the absence of proper ukemi (breakfalling) training in many martial arts schools is most unfortunate. I remember my early days as a young boy when I was so excited to begin learning the exotic Eastern martial at of judo. We spent the first lessons practicing various forms of breakfalls and for me at that age, it was great fun! But as I got older, I realized the importance of learning ukemi (at any age) and it had a lot more importance that just being fun...

In learning how to fall correctly, we are doing much more than we think. We're overcoming, little by little, one of the most fundamental human fears (it may, in fact, be THE most fundamental human fear); that of FALLING. From childhood, we learn to fear this thing (usually because we've taken a few nasty spills) and as we get older, the fear grows...unless we do something about it.

A good and caring instructor is necessary. I have always (and still do) teach breakfalls to new students “from the ground up.” They begin in a supine position and gradually work their way up to beginning from a sitting position (on the floor), a squat, and so on. Children generally LOVE the rolling techniques and we make a game of it. I was very fortunate in developing this skill when I was still quite young. It is useful not only for the practice of martial arts, but for daily life as well.

Ukemi is a tremendous confidence booster. When a child or an adult learns how to do them properly, they feel very much empowered! Their confidence, their belief in themselves and their ability to overcome obstacles soars! This impacts not only their martial skills, but their daily lives as well. If you've never learned proper ukemi, I implore you to do so as soon as possible. It WILL make a difference!

TENDON POWER

 by Yang Xuangxing

We often hear about differences between the so-called waijia (external martial arts styles) and the neijia (internal martial arts). Many neijia stylists explains the major difference between the two by simply saying that the neijia rely on the utilization of qi (intrinsic energy) while the waijia don't. This simplistic statement is both true and false at the same time.

“Tendon power” is one of the main secrets of the Chinese internal martial arts but rarely practiced nowadays. To develop it and use it properly requires time and a great deal of practice, but the results are very worthwhile!

Most martial arts rely on the use of the large muscles, although they caution that one must be careful not to tighten them to the point of moving like a wooden soldier. However, the internal martial disciplines of China (taijiquan, baguazhang, and xingyiquan, as well as a small handful of others) don't do this; instead, they rely on utilizing what is known as “tendon power.” And it's considerably different from the power that comes from using the larger muscles.

When a muscle is tensed and then relaxed, it will release about 75-80% of its stored energy. However, if a tendon is stressed (torqued, not tensed) it will release as much as 95%. The muscles needn't be tensed, per se, in order to stress the tendons ( 腱, “jian”), and movements can retain a sort of “flowing” look. Less energy is used by the body to do this, so the muscles don't become fatigued. It is an essential ingredient of chansi jin (silk reeling power).

Many moons ago, internal martial arts made wide use of this principle. However, learning it requires a good deal of patience and daily practice and with the passage of time it was, for the most part, forgotten. It is not possible to generate and emit true “coiling power” without utilizing tendon power. Small wonder why contemporary taiji and bagua enthusiasts possess no real power when they perform their sets, which are only the outer shells of the true art. Such performances are little more than forms of exotic dance. Xingyi stylists often rely on use of the larger muscles, making their art stiff and too karate-like.

To properly use it in the practice of these arts involves more than simply learning how to torque and release certain tendons, but several other equally important principles as well. They must all be performed exactly so, and in the proper sequence. This what my book, “REFINING JIN” discusses and illustrates.

THE STORY OF PASTOR “JOB” LI

 by Phillip Starr

During my first year as National Chairman for the AAU Kung-Fu Division (1990), I had the honor of meeting a man known as Pastor “Job Li.” Much later, I would learn that his name was Li Liangjung. My friend, Bing Chen, attended Pastor Li's church and introduced me to him. Mr. Li (who was in his 80's at the time), he told me, was a well-respected martial artist. I found him to be very humble, courteous, and insightful.

But it would be a short while before I would be told his story. Pastor Li's full name was Li Liangjong. During WWII, he helped rescue downed American fliers, often going behind enemy lines to do so. He'd had to dispatch many enemy soldiers, often with his bare hands. After the war when the communists and soldiers of the “Republic” led by Chiang Kai-shek locked horns, Li sided with the latter and fought against the communists.

When many Chinese fled to Taiwan to escape Mao Zedong's takeover of the nation, Li went with them. By this time, he'd been promoted to the rank of Lt. General. But his days of fighting weren't over.

Between Taiwan and mainland China are several smaller islands. In 1949, the PLA (People's Liberation Army of communist China) determined that if they could take Kinmen Island (aka., Jinmen, meaning “Golden Gate”), they could easily launch a major offensive against the main island of Taiwan itself. And General Li was put in charge of defending this stepping stone. At all costs.

Thus began what became known as Guningtou. The communists shelled Li's positions and then began with their favored tactic, the “human waves.” Li's ROC (Republic of China) forces held their positions, but at a terrible cost. Wave after wave of PLA soldiers charged but they were repeatedly driven back. Pastor Li's eyes gazed off into the distance as he spoke of this horrific fight, seeing a past that only a survivor can see. I cannot imagine that kind of horror and slaughter. But Li and his men held. Taiwan was saved.

Shortly after the battle, Gen. Li attempted to take a small military aircraft to China to rescue his older parents, who were trapped there. It would be a dangerous mission, but he was determined to try. Unfortunately, he was caught trying to fly out to the mainland and subsequently placed under arrest. He'd never see his parents again.

The trial was short. Fortunately, the judge and several other officers who participated in the court martial were his former students and he was sentenced to just two years in prison. Shortly after his release, his wife passed away. His heart was broken and he had no idea which way to turn. A friend offered him a position in his company, which was in the business of making records! This would later become Taiwan's most popular record-making company. But Gen. Li turned him down. He wanted a simpler life...

Sometime during all this personal turmoil, Li became a Christian and determined to leave Taiwan and come to the U.S. He adopted the name “Job” as he felt that his life had been one of terrible sorrow as was his namesake's life in the Bible. He settled in Omaha, Nebraska and opened a church for local Chinese residents.

He expressed sorrow that he had been largely forgotten by his own people. I really felt for him; how could they forget the man who had saved the Republic of China when it was in its infancy? I therefore determined that as long as I was National Chairman of the AAU Kung-Fu Division, we would award a special “Job Li Spirit Award” to the competitor who demonstrated the greatest fighting spirit.

At the First AAU National Kung-Fu Championships, I stood before the crowd and told everyone the story of Pastor Li. When I announced that this incredible hero was present at the event, a huge cry and applause went up and I awarded Pastor Li with a special sword, which I had had specially engraved for him. My heart swelled as I saw the tears in his eyes.

In 1992, Pastor Li received a very formal invitation from the People's Republic of China to attend a week-long celebration of his heroism in his hometown. He was conflicted; he wanted to go and see what few surviving relatives he had, but he feared it was a trap and the communists would arrest him. Bing and I assured him that he'd be fine and with a bit more pursuading, he was flown back to China.

The celebration was a massive party, honoring Pastor Li's great heroism and he was able to reunite with his surviving relatives and meet many newer descendants. He could scarcely believe it! The party lasted all week and he was thrilled.

Some years later, Pastor Li joined his wife. I was very saddened to get the news of his passing but I was glad that I'd been able to provide some measure of recognition for this incredible man. I'll never forget him. I hope you won't, either.