REAL KNOWLEDGE

 by Phillip Starr

There is a Chinese saying that tells us, “Real knowledge comes only through direct experience.” This is, I feel, very applicable to martial arts. It's not so much a question of how a given technique or combination is to be applied; rather, it's more applicable to just HOW a given technique or movement is to be done and WHY it is done in such and such a way.

Simply learning a given technique isn’t enough. You may be able to do it in a basic way, but you don’t truly KNOW how to do it. And you won’t know that until you CAN DO IT! Seem like a bit of a quandary? It is…

A good example of this is my senior student, Hiro Misawa. He became very interested in finding the most efficient way of executing a lunging punch. Generally, this is presented to novices as a simple forward step and thrust with the fist…and no instruction beyond that is provided. But there’s more. Lots more.

Although any technique or movement will suffice, we’ll use Hiro’s lunging thrust (known as “oi-tsuki” in Japanese, and it may be called “sudden chasing thrust: - 突追招 tu zhui zhao –in Chinese, which means the same as the Japanese translation), with which Hiro is enamored at this time. He has seen me as well as other teachers (such as the famed Naka sensei in Japan) do it and has seen Kuroda sensei (the best swordsman in Japan) virtually vanish before his opponent, and he determined to learn how to do it.

He’s previously trained with the legendary Hino sensei and he reflected on Hino’s words as well as those of Kuroda sensei and another revered teacher who wrote down his ideas many years ago. He understood that before anything else, he’d have to eliminate all unnecessary tension before executing the movement, and study – in minute detail – just how certain joints had to move (such as the elbow, shoulders, and knees) without creating tension. That required several months of introspection and feeling what was happening inside his body as he moved. We would talk and bit by bit, he came to understand the ultra-fine and subtle changes that had to be made to his posture and balance, and the timing of the thrust. After about a year, he began to truly understand how the lunge punch is to be done.

For starters, the lunging thrust is an ATTACKING technique. It generally isn’t applied as a counter-punch. So – if it’s to be used as an attack, how do we apply it with any chance of success? You rarely see anyone use it as an attack nowadays…they’ll tell you it’s too slow and your opponent can easily see it coming and either evade it and deliver a quick counter. The real translation of this is, “I don’t know how to do it correctly.”

In teaching this technique at many seminars, I can see the disbelief on the faces of participants when I tell them that I can easily use this technique successfully and there is no defense against it; by the time my opponent sees it, he’s been hit. They still don’t buy it, so I invite a couple of their top fighters to spar…and I demonstrate the truth of my claim, even at my advanced age. It is a fine example of not truly KNOWING until you CAN DO it.

But there’s more; catching “the right moment” is also crucial. Understanding and FEELING this concept of distance and timing (which, he came to realize, are the same thing) takes more time. And the whole movement must be made just so; if done correctly, an opponent who is standing in front of you cannot see the technique coming! Understanding how to do it is one thing, but everything changes when you actually CAN do it! Real knowledge and understanding comes about ONLY through physical practice. Many like to intellectualize about how something is to be done, but very few comes to actually KNOW how it’s to be done; most people just won’t put in the required time and arduous physical practice.

QI MA-BU, THE STORY OF A HORSE STANCE AND THE BOY WHO LOVED HIM..

 By Yang Xuangxing

I couldn't resist it...one of my senior students (literally thousands of moons ago and his name is John Morrow) blurted those words whenever it was time to practice the horse-riding stance. It didn't make the junior students feel any better but it got more than a few chuckles out of me... Got your attention, didn't it?

Arthur Lee was a dear friend and probably the world's highest authority on the style of Fut-Ga Gong-Fu. A stickler for mastering the basics, he especially focused on the importance of the “ma” (he was referring to the familiar horse-riding stance, often called “ma-bu” or “qi ma-bu” in Chinese and “kiba-dachi” in Japanese). He would say that “no root” also meant “no (martial arts) strength.” He insisted that regular practice of the “ma” would help lower the qi to the dantien (tanden in Japanese); that such training was the most effective way to accomplish this task.

I've been teaching the martial ways for just over 60 years and to this day, I stress the importance of the proper “ma.” Many moons ago at a national event, a world-famous gong-fu teacher (who shall remain unnamed) approached Sifu Lee and asked if he'd teach some of his senior students. Arthur told me that he declined. “They have no 'ma'”, he said with a frown. Gesturing to his chest and arms, he continued, “Their strength is up here. They fall over easily. No real power.” Then he flattered me...”Your students have a very good 'ma.' Would any of them like to learn Fut-Ga?” Fut-Ga is the style that Arthur taught. It's a very old form (perhaps the oldest) of shaolinquan, and Arthur was likely the world's highest authority on it.

I remember my own teacher, Master W.C. Chen, emphasizing the same thing and over the years, I have found it to be true. Those who fail to develop a strong “ma” invariably rely wholly on upper-body strength to generate power and it is insufficient. They may THINK they're doing well enough, but it's an illusion and without a proper “ma” they will never develop a high level of skill.

MORE THAN TECHNIQUE

 by Phillip Starr

For all the attention that is, and must be, given to learning proper techniques, there is a subtle development that is also being fostered. Our instructors constantly correct our movements, berate us for doing them incorrectly, and insist that we repeat them over and over. I remember my own primary gong-fu teacher, W. C. Chen, making us perform punches over and over until I literally thought I was going to puke! He didn't appear to care; he was focused on our performance...and as I got older, I realized that he was also watching something else. Something none of us could see. But he could.

When we made to stand in the horse-riding posture for extended periods, I began to refer to the practice as a “religious experience” because I thought I could see God! Our legs would burn and shake uncontrollably...and then, one by one, we'd collapse in a heap. I'd struggle back to my feet and start again as did most of my classmates. A few would just sit for several minutes, rubbing their legs. They wouldn't be back. But those of us who persisted with the exercise would...

There were numerous other forms of self-torture that we were admonished to practice...every day (like the xingyiquan posture of santi). And then there were the basics that we repeated incessantly, until both our bodies and minds became numb. And the forms...over and over again and again. And again. Many times I wondered if my body could continue to take it.

Small injuries such as split lips, bloodied nose, muscle spasms...were patched on the spot and we'd continue with practice. Gut it out. We thought nothing of it. We got stronger but more importantly, we became mentally tougher. And that's what our teacher was looking for; the development of an indomitable spirit, the willingness to persevere regardless of what we had to endure.

It prepared us not only for personal combat, but for life.

MAKING SACRIFICES

 by Yang Xuangxing

New students are sometimes surprised and more than a few are disheartened when I tell them that following the martial path is going to require making some sacrifices. Oftentimes, it means making changes in their lifestyles; changes that usually involve having to make some sacrifices. And that's rarely a comfortable thing to do.

One of the most common problems lies in the ability to attend class. Class times may run afoul of one's hobbies, job, or family activities. I never ask that a student sacrifice family functions (the importance of family is paramount, in my opinion) but hobbies, spending time with one's buddies, and even job conflicts? Oftentimes, yes. I sometimes changed jobs because my current one interfered with my ability to train. It may not have been a wise choice in so far as income goes, but my training was placed higher on my list of priorities. And training always took priority over hobbies as well.

I remember wanting a particular sword very badly. I simply couldn't afford it outright, so I saved up money by eating simpler meals and not spending money on anything that I didn't absolutely have to have. It didn't take long for the extra money to accumulate and I eventually bought that sword. I still have it. And I still practice with it regularly.

It's a question of how badly you want to learn and what level of skill you want to reach. If you want something badly enough, you'll make the necessary sacrifices. If not, you'll make excuses.

THE LONELY JOURNEY

 by Phillip Starr

For all of the colorful verbage we hear about walking the martial path, there is a consideration that is rarely mentioned. When you step onto this path, you must do it for yourself. You will begin alone and although you may enjoy the camaraderie of some fellow travelers from time to time, you must take each step alone. And of course, there will be times when you are completely alone and sometimes the burden of this aloneness weighs heavy on you. Many there are who can tolerate the loneliness for only so long before they turn around and go back.

For those who continue along the Way, there are the naysayers. Many of them mean well; they simply don't understand why on earth you want to be so involved in what they perceive as a rather exotic and foreign hobby. “Why do you have to be so different?”, they ask. “Why don't you do XX or XXX?” If you let it, this kind of babbling can really get to you. Rather than try to understand what you're doing and why you're doing it, they reject it out of hand because it's foreign to them and doesn't fit into their “box.” It doesn't necessarily mean that they're trying to be cruel or uncaring; they just don't understand.

Those who truly seek the Way are on a quest of sorts; striving towards a goal that cannot be reached in this single lifetime; perfection. And such an enterprise brings with it all forms of suffering – mental, spiritual, and even emotional – which must be borne in solitude; the only relief is to be found through more intense practice. We try to find the answers to questions that are themselves difficult to understand. Oftentimes, just discovering the question itself is a profound discovery. But this is the Way we have chosen to follow. For a lifetime.

FOUR PILLARS OF KARATE

 by Phillip Starr

There is an old Okinawan adage that reminds us that proper karate training consists of three essential parts, although they also include a fourth. These are sometimes referred to as the “Three (actually, Four) Pillars of Karate.” It is believed that one must practice all of them and refrain from neglecting any one of them. And they apply to all other martial disciplines as well...

The first pillar is Kihon (basics). Without regular (as in “daily”) practice of these, everything else falls apart. They must be practiced and continuously polished until they become a part of you. There is no end to striving to perfect the kihon. Beginning students often just lob them out into space, but this will lead nowhere. Each punch, each kick must be executed with yi (intention) and a strong spirit.

If we compare martial arts to language, the kihon are the words. They mustn't be garbled or mispronounced.

The second pillar is Kata (forms). As with the individual kihon, kata must be practiced and polished daily. It isn't necessary for you to practice ALL of the kata that you have learned every day; in fact, trying to do so would end in disaster! You'd quickly become bored, discouraged, or frustrated (or all of these) and discontinue your practice. You must FOCUS on the kata 100%. Select just one or two to practice on a given day.

If the kihon are words and phrases, so the kata are sentences and paragraphs that comprise a book. They are the ways of expressing the kihon in a coherent manner.

Kumite is the third pillar. It does not, however, refer only to freestyle sparring; it refers instead to practice routines that involve a partner. There are numerous two-person training routines besides sparring and training with them properly will develop genuine fighting skill. These include three and one-step fight, and freestyle one-step fight. Because they require a partner, such routines cannot necessarily be practiced daily, but they can and should be practiced in every class.

The Makiwara (literally, “rolled straw”) or striking post forms the fourth pillar. It will ensure that your Kihon are correct and it will polish, strengthen, and sharpen them. If the kihon are compared to using a sword, the makiwara is the sharpening stone. And it is where the blade is tempered. You wouldn't want to rely on a dull blade or one that's fashioned out of cheap iron, would you? It's better to have a razor-sharp sword made of the finest steel. And the striking post will make sure that you do.

An old friend of mine, “Sherm” Harrill once said, “Any karate school that doesn't have a makiwara is just teaching people how to dance.” And I agree. It's akin to a boxing school that is void of heavy bags...

Remember these Four Pillars. They're what your art and skill are based on.

FOOD AS MEDICINE

 by Phillip Starr

Basic Chinese medical theory is, in my opinion, seamlessly merged with the culture of that nation (probably more so than the average Chinese citizen suspects). One example is that of their diet. Unlike Westerners who tend to eat on the run and often garf down whatever is quick and easy, the Chinese thoroughly enjoy their native food and take time to adequately prepare good meals.

Although some Western fast-food restaurants can be found (such as McDonalds, KFC, and Pizza Hut) and they're usually rather crowded, most Chinese readily admit that they're very much aware that this kind of food is “bad for the body” and the truth is that they go to them just every now and then rather than on a regular basis; they're regarded as something special that's been imported from the West...a novelty (kind of disappointing to think that these are often held up as “American Food”...).

Traditional Chinese medical theory holds fast to ancient teachings regarding Yin and Yang, the so-called Five Elements, the Five Flavors, and so on. And although the average Chinese housewife cannot necessarily expound on the intricacies of these subjects, they understand something of their essense and utilize them in the preparing of daily meals. For instance, the so-called Five Elements – Earth, Metal, Wood, Fire, and Water - feature certain flavors. These are: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter, and Pungent. And each (complete) Chinese meal contains a bit of all five flavors which, they believe, contributes to good overall health. Their food is also their daily “medicine.”

And since good health is necessary in order to keep up daily training, martial arts followers are careful to maintain a good diet. They take their medicine daily.