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Reiki - The Other Side Of Internal Arts

9/20/2016

Author: Bret Gordon

A good martial artist learns not only how to break the body down but how to fix it as well. It's no coincidence that many of Japan's famous teachers were also bone setters and healers. Acupuncture, acupressure and bone setting are skills that every martial artist should know, but there's more.

I've written a lot about internal martial arts and the concept of aiki, but aiki has a cousin that's often neglected in martial arts conversations. Reiki, the Japanese concept of "Universal Life Energy," is a method of energy healing. First codified in the Usui Shiki Ryoho (Usui System of Natural Healing) by Dr. Usui Mikao, reiki involves stimulating the body's natural healing powers through the laying-on of hands. By connecting the practitioner's life force with the patient's, energy is stimulated within the body and concentrated on the ailment to promote fast and natural healing. So how does it work?

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How Do You Define Mastery?

9/19/2016

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In the martial arts, the abundance of Masters and Grandmasters can't be overlooked. Now, I personally do not use for myself or award the title of "Master" to anyone, as I believe there is only one Master, but I still define mastery of the art as this. In my system, an apprentice master (4th Dan) should exemplify the meaning of the shogo title "renshi," being a polished teacher. They have technical mastery of the art, along with the understanding and philosophies that embody the system. By the time they become a full master (5th Dan) is when I expect them to be a Master among Masters. They should have a wide expanse of information and knowledge of not just our system but general information about most of the major arts out there. I want a master in my system to be able to speak intelligently with anyone they'd encounter at a martial arts event, regardless of the other person's background. They're leaders among not just our student base but the community in general. They are perfect representatives of myself and our system.

However, I know everyone defines mastery differently. So how do you define mastery? At what rank are your students eligible to earn master-level titles? We'd love your feedback. Answer in the comments below!

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What Does It Mean To Be Legitimate?

9/16/2016

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Author: Bret Gordon

After only being published for a few hours, my previous article on Taekwondo (read it here) caused a great discussion on my Facebook page and has brought up an interesting question. What does it mean to be legitimate?

Let me start off by saying that everything in this article is my personal opinion. If you have a different opinion, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. The whole purpose of this blog is create discussion and share information.

When discussing legitimacy, there are several factors to take into account. Immediately, if your system is governed by a specific organization then they are the sole providers of legitimacy. For example, my art is governed my the International San Budo Federation. Anyone claiming to hold rank in or teach San Budo Sogo Bugei and is not affiliated with the ISBF is illegitimate and fraudulent. So if your art has a similar organization, then the answer is simple. But what if that's not the case. What if there are multiple governing bodies for your art, or even none?

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"I Do Taekwondo!" Yea, That Doesn't Tell Me Anything...

9/16/2016

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Author: Bret Gordon

About 60% of all martial artists in the world study Taekwondo. Now, in my personal opinion unless you are Kukkiwon you cannot claim to teach Taekwondo, however here in the real world no one seems to care about being connected to the only legitimate international governing body in the home country of the art (no, I will not get into the ITF debate in this artice). Therefore, you have numerous organizations each claiming their own "style" of Taekwondo. However, that's not really accurate.

The Kukkiwon was established in 1972 as the world governing body for the martial art of Taekwondo. The World Taekwondo Federation was founded a year later to govern the sport of Taekwondo, and was given an office at the Kukkiwon for its headquarters. This has led to the misconception that the Kukkiwon and WTF are one organization, however they are indeed separate. The Kukkiwon oversees the instruction, certification, curriculum, etc. of schools around the world, while the WTF handles all competition, rules, etc. So when someone asks you what type of Taekwondo you teach, "WTF-style" doesn't exist. You teach Kukkiwon Taekwondo. That tells me that you teach the art as is recognized by the world headquarters of that art. But let's go deeper than that.

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Bruce Lee: Still Just A Man

9/13/2016

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Author: Bret Gordon

Recall the lynch mob and hear me out. Yes, Bruce Lee paved the way for more well-known pioneers to step out on their own and break the "traditional" mold. Yes, he gained international acclaim as a movie star. Yes, he brought a lot of attention to the martial arts. But that's about it.

When you look at Bruce Lee from a technical perspective, he wasn't that good of a martial artist. He was extremely fast, which made him an excellent fighter, but there's more to being a martial artist than that. He certainly doesn't deserve the title of "Greatest Martial Artist of All Time." His technique was sloppy. He was a very one dimensional fighter. His system of Jeet Kune Do offered very little innovation, was mainly a degraded form of Wing Chun and was designed specifically for him and his body type. As an instructor, we're supposed to impart the arts in a manner that's most beneficial for our students. Not us. Yet I will say this. His record as a fighter, competing against mainly traditional martial artists who were stuck in their ways, was phenomenal. He shocked the world, and like I said paved the way for people like me to step away from that classical mindset and create their own system. I cannot take any of that away from him, but we need to remove his divine pedestal and remember he was just an above average martial artist.

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How Do You Define Aiki Jujutsu?

9/12/2016

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Why do most people claiming to teach Aiki Jujutsu either don't have aiki, or don't have jujutsu? Some focus solely on aiki-type connection drills and balance breaks, while some focus solely on jujutsu-type joint manipulation. I'm sorry, but neither is truly Aiki Jujutsu. You must have both in my opinion. Even Daito-Ryu is splintered. The main line under Kondo Sensei and the Takumakai are known for their jujutsu, while the Kodokai and Roppokai are known for their aiki no jutsu. That's not counting the other branches of Daito-Ryu, let alone all the systems claiming to teach Aiki Jujutsu.

Let's hear your thoughts. Leave your comment below!

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Benefits Of Internal Striking

9/9/2016

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Author: Bret Gordon

Who doesn't love punching someone in the throat occasionally? I get it, simply hitting someone is sometimes more satisfying than a fancy joint lock or throw. But if you're considering pursuing the internal arts, you don't need to look elsewhere for your striking repertoire. The internal principles used to achieve effortless locks and throws can also be applied to create devastating strikes without exerting any unnecessary force.

When you watch a demonstration of any internal martial art, rarely do you see any striking. It's often a well conditioned student grabbing hold of the instructor's wrist and then flying through the air. I'll admit that the majority of those professing anything internal or energy related are nothing but great illusionists (for more information on this, read "Distinguishing Chi Frauds From True Internals"). But what if I told you that true internal systems also teach solid striking?

When you think of "striking" martial arts, styles like kempo, karate, kung fu and taekwondo come to mind, right? However, as I've discussed in previous articles, every martial art teaches the same fundamentals at their core. Internal properties can be found in many karate kata, particularly those of Okinawan origin. Goju-Ryu is an excellent example of an art that has the potential for decent internals. But the reverse is true as well.

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In Loving Memory Of "Papasan" Jack Stern

9/9/2016

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Author: Dell Sharpe

I was asked by a friend to write an article on my Sensei, Jack Stern. He said, "Who alive knows more about this man than you? Good or Bad." I have had the honor of sitting at my house on many nights picking his brain in a quest for knowledge, and I'd like to clear a lot of things up.

Born Jackie Albert Stern, affectionately known as "Papasan," he started his Martial Arts career in 1947 while in the US Military in Chinhae, Korea, in Korean Yudo under Sensei Tae Ju Chung who was killed during the Korean conflict. After one year, Stern's unit was moved to Northern Luzon in the Philippines where he trained under Berabe Paragas in “Stick Fighting” for 2 years. Then he was transferred again, this time to Okinawa and Japan where he trained under O'Sensei Yamaguchi Gogen in Goju Ryu Karate for 8 months. In Japan, he also trained at the Kodokan under Mifune Kyuzo and earned his black belt in Judo, as well as trained in Kyokushinkai Karate under Grandmaster Mas Oyama at the main Hombu in Tokyo. In 1956, he was discharged from the military and stayed in Japan, living with the Otani Family while continuing his studies in the arts. In 1958 he returned to the states due to his mother being sick.

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Take Your Joint Manipulation To The Next Level

9/8/2016

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Author: Bret Gordon

Nearly every martial arts system in the world teaches joint locks and manipulations. Yes, even Taekwondo. Don't believe me? Look at the application of the kata/hyung/poomse. It's hidden in there for the most dedicated of practitioners to find. Just because your instructor never revealed them to you doesn't mean they don't exist, because honestly they may not even know. It's not their fault, true bunkai oyo (kata application) is often reserved for a select few. Or did you really think your low block was to stop a full power round kick to the leg?

However, bunkai is not the subject of this article. Instead I want to focus on the physical techniques themselves, why they're just the beginning and how to reach the final destination.

In Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, there is a natural progression of learning physical techniques that seems to be lacking in most other arts. Everyone starts with jujutsu, the locks and throws that make up the bulk of the curriculum. From there, they learn to apply certain internal characteristics and principles to their jujutsu, in turn creating aiki jujutsu. It's this level of transmission I want to discuss to help you reach this next level of learning that most never attain. I'll probably have a hit out on me from the aiki mafia after this article, but it's worth it.

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The Test

9/5/2016

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Author: Richard Hackworth

A student, who had trained diligently for many years with an old and very traditional master, wanted to become a teacher. The old master was known for being very demanding, and very few students ever passed the final test to receive the transmission scroll (credential needed to teach). When the day of the test finally arrived, the student was very nervous. He took a deep breath and began stretching his shoulders.

“That is not necessary,” said the master. “Your test consists of only one question upon which hinges your fate.”

The student was clearly puzzled. His teacher continued. “The question is this: You have an adversary who is many miles away and it will take a journey of three days in order to fight him. What is the one most important thing you must be sure of before you fight with him?”

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In an effort to share information, each year we publish a book containing all of the articles written that year. This book is an excellent supplemental training tool for the beginner and master alike! To order the most recent volume, click the image below. For previous years, please contact our headquarters.

Articles of 2016

USAMA BLOG

Reiki - The Other Side Of Internal Arts

How Do You Define Mastery?

What Does It Mean To Be Legitimate?

"I Do Taekwondo!" Yea, That Doesn't Tell Me Anything...

Bruce Lee: Still Just A Man

How Do You Define Aiki Jujutsu?

Benefits Of Internal Striking

In Loving Memory Of "Papasan" Jack Stern

Take Your Joint Manipulation To The Next Level

The Test

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