Prairie Martial Arts

Reality Programing "The Bachelor" and "Survivor"

2012-01-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of talk about "Reality Programing" these days. "Jersey Shore", "The Bachelor", "Survivor". Not to be left out, I have created a bit of reality viewing entertainment as well. This video is from the Corporate Karate class at the fitness center at Hallmark. Both of these guys have been training around five years. These guys show up for class two times a week, sometime three. Both are in their 60's. They have outlasted folks half their age. Joe even had hip surgery just last year and is back at it. They knew starting out that they would not be becoming world champions ( then again neither will I ). I have had 17 years olds ask me if it was to late for them to start training. Of course, I reassure them that they are not too old. Why start if you are 19, 23, 35, 40 or even over 50? Because it is good for you brain and your body. Because you will learn things about yourself and others. It keeps your mind and body invigorated and challenged. It might even save your life.

I once had a person ask me regarding Karate... "When are you gonna give that stuff up ?' I replied "I don't know, when did you stop taking care of yourself and doing things you enjoy?". O.k., that may have been a bit snarky but they had it coming.

One reason I both love and hate video is that you get a chance to see things as they really are and lose any illusions you have about your skills. You can see reality. On the other hand, that is the same thing I love about it. Once you experience it you can accept it, deny it, or work to change it. Some "Keybored Warriors" out there might look at this clip an think to themselves "Ha look at those old dudes" (including the teacher). The truth is I have seen a lot of "those guys" come and go. If some of "those guys" do see this video they will probably watching it on a computer their parents paid for, between marathons of "Call of Duty" and "Keeping Up With the Kardashians". That's Reality.

Reality, Embrace it, Accept it or Change it.

p.s. Shelly IS a "Bachelor" and Joe is a "Survivor" i.e. Ex Marine

Beginning Again

2011-12-31T16:41:00.000-08:00

Another New Year. Another year practicing Korean Karate. Another year negotiating with Father Time. As you look ahead at the new year make time for taking care of you. Find a practice that you enjoy and works for you. Let go of perfection and enjoy practice.

Iain Abernethy seminar in Missouri

2011-10-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

Some of you are already familiar with the work of Iain Abernethy. For those of you who are not familiar with him or his work, here is a short bio from his website. http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/

Iain Abernethy is one of the UK's leading exponents of applied karate and kata application (bunkai). His martial arts DVDs and books have sold worldwide and have been translated into other languages. Iain holds a 6th Dan with both the British Combat Association (awarded by Peter Consterdine 8th Dan and Geoff Thompson 6th Dan) and the EKGB (awarded by Doug James 7th Dan). Iain is in great demand on the seminar circuit and teaches many seminars on his approach to practical karate both here in the UK and overseas. The bunkai that Iain teaches are not prearranged karateka vs. karateka applications. Nor are they static, complex, elaborate or reliant upon finite movement. Iain's approach to karate makes kata application practical, simple, direct and accessible to all.

Iain's seminar began on Friday evening with Funikoshi's 9 throws. I was surprised to find myself being invited to be the first "Uke" of the weekend. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term it would be one who "receives" a technique. The first throw he used me to help demonstrate was "Kubiwa" (To encircle the neck). After that I got to experience "Komanage" or (Spinning top) throw. Over the next two hours we cover all nine throws. Iain shared that of the nine, six, in his opinion had a higher percentage of working and were very practical.

On Saturday we began to go through the Pinan / Heian Kata as a complete fighting system designed by Ankoh Itosu. Iain has a very interesting approach. His kata based drills are based on the premise is getting the opponents arms out of the way to get to the head. More specifically the chin and jaw which Iain would refer to as "The on off switch."A the drills included a focus on awareness in regards to self defense. One primary goal was not being so focused on an attacker that you lose sight of what is going on around you... "Watching out for his mates". The drills start with no resistance. Resistance then increases and moves toward kata based sparring rather than tournament styled sparring. In many drills we started in a clinch or "Boss grip" and pummel for position.

One drill that was very fun went like this. Each member of a pair is given a number either 1 or 2. You begin grip fighting then when your number is call you have to break free, and escape. We did this One on one and one on three. We even trained biting and groin grabs. For the groin grabs the target was the belt knot. During grip fighting if you could grab your partners knot you scored a point. For biting it was just chomping BY the ear. The point was not to forget that an assailant might go for those and not to be lax in positioning to protect your assets. Good clean fun.

One thing I was most proud of was during a grip fight. we spun our belts around in back and the goal was to get your opponents knot in back. From the clinch I dropped to my right shoulder drove my right arm through his legs and got his knot. As I still had his lapel we both went down but I ended up in side control. We never stayed on the ground our goal was always breaking free and escaping.

Sunday came and we moved on to the Tekki/ Naihanchi/ Chulgi series and KuShanku. We looked at individual techniques and then worked them into drills that flowed from one response to another. This went on in earnest for the next six hours.

By the end of the weekend both my brain an my body had been well worked. I had the opportunity to work with Iain Abernethy, an internationally recognised karate instructor and meet sixty practitioners from all corners of the U.S.. One other pleasant surprise of the weekend being recognised by people who were familiar with my online cartoon persona "Oldman". Some had seen "Oldman Boobishi" on Chris Caile's www.FightingArts.com and others had seen pages from it published in Iain's online magazine, Jissen. It was a pleasure to work with Iain. I have always felt encouraged in our emails sent and received over the years. I felt that many time over with Iain in person. That to me is one of the marks of a great teacher.

Many thanks to Iain. I'd also like to offer a special thanks to Eric Parsons for putting the seminar together. Also, thank you to Sal Belahi a shotokan third dan from Urbana, Illinois. Sal was my training partner for the majority of the weekend. I very much appreciate a training partner that can help keep a fifty one year old karate guy in one piece.

The Relaxation Response

2011-10-04T22:49:00.000-07:00

Starting Monday, I will introduce a small group of people to "The Relaxation Response". Dr. Herbert Benson first coined the phrase 1974. In our first class will look at the warning signs of stress an impliment simple, yet proven methods to manage, reduce and even eliminate stress. We will spend twenty to thirty minutes each day for the rest of the week getting together to practice engaging the relaxation response and encouraging each other to take time to breath and relax.

Paul Henson Tae Kwon Do

2011-10-03T22:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a clip of some of our YMCA students. I had my Flip camera with me and I asked them if they wanted to see a video of themselves. They were very excited about the possibility. They are six and seven years old. They are doing very well. So well in fact that the parents can see the progress. For the last few years I have taught mostly adults. In all honesty as we started the program at the YMCA, I wasn't sure just how it how things would work. I'd just like to say that I am having a great time and could not be more proud of the students and the work we are doing together.

Onward and Upward

2011-09-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday the 22nd, Prairie Martial Arts held it's first rank test for the new Chung Do Kwan, Tae Kwon Do program at the Paul Henson YMCA in Prairie Village. Six students participated. I'm happy to report that each of the students that tested performed very well and gave their best efforts. Amy and Sam submitted test papers. Both papers were insightful reflections of where they are in their training. As always, testing points out our strengths as well as areas we can improve. This is true for the students and for me as an instructor. We are all learning and growing. I'd personally like to thank everyone involved for your effort and support. I'm very proud of you all and the program that we are building at the YMCA.

Meekness not Weakness

2011-09-21T07:16:00.001-07:00

This post was inspired by an exchange with Sensei Richard Kimura and Sensei Takeshi Tamura.

One of the beauties of Budo as a spiritual path is that it both encourages the practitioner to strive, persevere, and push ourselves at times to the end of our abilities. In any spiritual discipline there is the danger that ones accomplishments may lead to arrogance and grandiosity. Injury, infirmity and losses suffered in training and in life can remind us of our frailty and weakness which can be an effective path to humility. We are reminded that many of our losses and even successes have come by good fortune, divine providence, and the efforts of others. Embracing or acknowledging our weakness does not mean that we coddle ourselves but that we see ourselves realistically and honestly. In acknowledging our weakness we are able to lessen or eliminate fear that is based in the desire to conceal the truth. I'm remined of Christs words "My strength is made perfect in weakness". Disciplined effort to embody a spiritual truth through physical training can get us to the top of the mountain. I believe it is the acknowledgment of our frailty that can take us even higher.

Tae Kuk Chodan

2011-08-31T09:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a little help for all of you that are getting

ready to test for you white belts. Train hard and have fun.

The Agony and the Ecstasy

2011-08-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the pleasure of being introduced to the art of Isshen-Ryu Karate by Sensei John Kerker. I first became aware of Sensei Kerker after a friend Victor Smith returned from a seminar with him. Knowing Victor to be a skilled and experienced martial artist I noted his enthusiastic review of his time spent with him. Victor mentioned that Mr. Kerker only lived about three hours from me in Iowa. I tucked the idea away in the back of my mind.

In one of those "Wow it's a small world" moments, I found out via Facebook that Mr. Kerker and I grew up in the the same town an actually graduated from high school the same year. I contacted Mr. Kerker on Facebook and we exchanged a few messages. When he invited me to his seminar I decided to take him up on the offer.

Last Saturday morning I rolled into tiny Carson Iowa around 8 a.m. and pulled up to the dojo. Upon entering Sensei greeted me warmly as we chatted a bit. Know that when you are hosting a seminar one has a lot on their mind I decided not to monopolize his time. I moved on, dressed out and began to introduce myself to attendees from around the country.

Mr. Kerker's sensei was Sherman Harrill. He studied with Tatsuo Shimabuku on Okinawa while in the military. They have very heavy hands ( in a good way ). I was impressed with their bunkai and striking power. Sensei Harrill was renowned for his in depth exploration into the application of Isshin Ryu kata and traditional weapons. After Sensei Harrill's unfortunate passing in 2001 Mr. Kerker assumed responsibility for the dojo and teaching.

Shortly after 9:00 we got started.

Though I'm not familiar with Isshin Ryu kata, Mr. Kerker was able to present his concepts and techniques via common basics. He showed shared fundamentals and principles. As he shared his approach he was clear about why he did things a particular way. That being the case there was never even a hint of condescension toward other styles. In fact many styles were represented there that day. I have seen that kind of distain in other seminars. The level of contact in striking during drills varied with each training partner and their preference and ability to tolerate discomfort. There was never any sense that people were whacking on or thumping others to show or to dominate. Any force seemed on to clarify or demonstrate the effect on an opponent and how it effected their ability to respond or dismantled their structure so as to put an attacker in a compromised position. I was surprised by the subtlety of their Ma ai and positioning relative to the opponent. It was a very Okinawan approach.

I enjoyed my time in Carson very much. Karate people tend to be a bit odd. I found that I am not the only karateka that has the tendency to laugh when I get hit hard. If you are going to progress in karate you have to be a person that can see pain as purposeful (if not pleasurable). Kirk Douglas once starred in a movie about the life of the painter Vincent Van Gogh entitled "The Agony and the Ecstasy". Most pepole understand that to produce great art a person will expeirience both agony and ecstasy. It is the same in the martial arts as well.

I can't really say I experienced agony but I did get pretty close to ecstay. In addition to the quality training, I can say that it was the most enjoyable seminar I have attended. I would encourage anyone that has the chance to train with Sensei Kerker to do so.

Step By Step.

2011-08-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Our Tae Kwon Do program at the Paul Henson YMCA continues it's steady growth. I think the neatest thing that is that is developing is the number of families that are training together. We have students that are inching forward, step by step, toward testing for their first belts. As these folks are finding out, this class is a great introduction to traditional martial arts and what it can do for you. If you are looking for a fun class and a challenging workout come on in and give us a try. Whether it's on your own or with the kids, join us for a free class any Sunday at 1:30.

2011-08-03T09:17:00.001-07:00

Basics Terminology "Coloring" Sheets

2011-07-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon...

Basics Terminology Sheets.

A Karate Kid

2011-07-24T17:06:00.001-07:00

I have to start this post by saying that the title "Young Karate Master" is a bit of a misnomer. It is probably just a friendly, sweet, way of saying "Wow this kid is really great". To anyone familiar with grading in traditional martial arts the idea of a ten year old master would be ludicrous. On the other hand a ten year old black belt is possible. The majority of my time spent teaching over the last year has been focused on adults. It has been refreshing and invigorating to work with kids again. I found this video on YouTube. It was a reminder to me. It reminded that children are capable of remarkable things. The video also represents the hard work of a student and a very good teachers.

Early Chung Do Kwan

2011-07-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

This is a repost of a previous post. As new students are visiting the Prairie Martial Arts site I want them to get just a taste of our groups history. A while back two online friends helped me with the translation of some historic Chung Do Kwan photos.The first comments are from Tashigae... "OK, here we go. The first three characters, in case you haven't recognized them by yourself yet, are 'To' - 'te' - 'do' ('Tang' - 'shou' - 'dao' in Chinese), 'Chinese' - 'hand' - 'way', in other words Tode-do, the old name of karate-do. The three next characters are Chung Do kwan ('qing' 'tao' 'guan' in Chinese, 'guan' being 'kwoon' in Cantonese and 'kan' in Japanese, as in 'Shotokan', Bujinkan', etc.) and mean Green Wave school (in Chinese, 'guan' actually refers to a building with only one or two floors but a very large surface. Didn't know how to translate that, so I chose to translate contextually as 'school', since it's often used as a metonymy for a school or style in Japanese). The next three characters mean 'the [N]th time' ('di [N] hui' in Chinese, don't know how to pronounce them in Japanese). The next character is unknown to me (sorry), but the next one ('cha' in Chinese, Japanese pronounciation unknown) suggests me that the two together might mean 'examination' or something like that. The next one ('hui' in Chinese) means 'meeting', 'gathering'. The last two characters ('ji nian' in Chinese) mean 'keep record', 'keep memory' (I must confess I had to ask my beloved for this one ).To sum it up:'record of the [N]th (examination?) meeting at the Green Wave dojo' ([N] being 3, 5, 7, 2 in that order)".

So the above photo is a photo to commemorate the third promotion examination at the Chung Do Kwan. The other numbers in his quote are from other photos he saw which I have not posted yet.

Here is a bit more from ButterflyPalm a friend from Milasysia

"You were doing so well I thought you should carry on.

However the problem with translating single words only in any language has pitfalls.

But generally you are right most of the time. It is obvious different generations of Koreans wrote those non-simplified Chinese words in the best calligraphic style he/she could muster. The best and the clearest was the last one, perhaps representing a gradual improvement in Korean education.

I am surprised that up to the 50s the Koreans were still using the Chinese characters for such auspicious occasions as the founding or setting up ('Chuang Li') of Song Moo Kwan, which the Koreans may have pronounced "Song" as "Chung" (hence Chung Do Kwan) which is also the Cantonese pronunciation of the pine tree.

The pine tree has some cultural significance in China (see all those Chinese black & white ink paintings where pine trees grew out of high barren rock cliff faces?) It shows fortitude and courage, qualities which the founding fathers of Song Moo Kwan obviously wanted to instill in the "Green Wave"

Green Wave ("Qing Tao") when read together in this context most likely means an 'Eternal Youth Movement' (a 'wave' so to speak) as both characters have respectively 'young & longevity' radicals in them. 'Qing' also has the meaning of young crops and so we have the idea of planting the seeds of future greatness in these Korean youths that will eventually and eternally grow into manhood achieving great things.

The word you had problem with is the word before "Cha" (to investigate/examine) It is "Shen" -- also having the meaning of 'to examine as in a court of law' Read together in this context it simply means a grading test.

"Ji Nian" in this context simply means a commemoration ceremony. Ji = to remember; Nian = to think of in remembrance. "

I was suprised by the word "Green". I was expecting Blue wave. I have read that Funikoshis's "Shotokan" could be translated as Pine Wave Hall or school. In " Karate do My Way of Life" he spoke of the pine trees in his native Okinawa. I later asked Tashigae about the color question. This was his reply..

‘Qing’ should actually be translated as ‘dark bluish green’. I’ve seen it translated as ‘green’, ‘black’ and ‘blue’ depending on the circumstances, although ‘green’ remains the most common one.

ButterflyPalm's comment about the founding of the Song Moo Kwan was also in regard to another photograph. Both Won Kuk Lee and Yong Taek Chung were present in the photo commemorating the opening of that Kwan.

"Ladies Night Ouch" at Paul Henson YMCA

2011-07-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

Prairie Martial Arts will be hosting a "Ladie's Night Ouch" self defense class at the Paul Henson YMCA in Prairie Village. The class will be held Saturday, July 16th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.. This class is for women only, ages 12 and up. The costs for the 3 hour class is $5 for members and $10 for non members.

Check out this link for more information and testimonials from past participants.

"Ladies Night Ouch"

One-Punch One-Murder

2011-07-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

In Karate, there is a concept called "Ikken Hissatsu". It is sometimes translated as “one punch one kill”. Many people believe this means that a fight should be finished with one decisive blow. Some see this as either impractical, improbable or worse, magical thinking. It may be a concept but it is not impossible. Consider this example from today's news.

LAS VEGAS -- A racial comment in the restroom of a Las Vegas Strip casino restroom preceded a single fatal punch that left a tourist from Utah dead and a Florida tourist jailed in Nevada on a murder charge, authorities said Wednesday.

Benjamin Gerard Hawkins, 37, of Gainesville, Fla., took offense to John Massie's comment about "a black man in a yellow shirt" while both men were in the restroom at O'Sheas Las Vegas Casino shortly before the fatal 12:45 a.m. confrontation, according to a police report.

Moments later, Massie was felled by a single punch to the jaw. Massie was pronounced dead less than 30 minutes later at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas.

"One punch," police homicide Lt. Lewis Roberts told The Associated Press. "He was out. Never got back up."

Hawkins was held at the Clark County jail pending a Thursday court appearance in Las Vegas. It wasn't immediately clear if he had a lawyer, and he police said he refused jailhouse interview requests.

Statistically the odds that you would drop an assailant with one strike may be small but it does happen. The point that I would like to make is that it could happen to you. The reality is you could be in either man's shoes. Are you prepared for the ramifications of that possibility. In the news story we see two small choices that have enormous and lasting consequences. If you are practicing Karate and being trained well you should be learning two foundational skills. The first, "Holding your tongue". The second, "Walking away". Good training should prepare us to respond rather than react.

The outcomes of this sadly common and foolish situation were death and jail. Sad indeed when you consider the options were life and freedom.

Grand Master Son, Duk-sung Passes.

2011-05-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

Grand Master Duk Sung Son, 88, of 375 Thames Street, Newport, RI, died Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. Son, Duk-sung, was born in Seoul, Korea, on June 17, 1922. Grand Master Son was a student of Lee, Won Kuk at the Chung Do Kwan and considered by many as a founding father of the Korean Martial Art Tae Kwon Do, and was the founder and first president of the World Tae Kwan Do Association. Grand Master Son was the original chief instructor to the Republic of South Korea Army and taught the United States 8th Army that was stationed in Korea after the Korean conflict ended. He immigrated to the United States in 1963 where he taught at the Military Academy at West Point, New York University, Princeton, Brown, Fordhan and many other Universities in the tri-state area. He was the author of two textbooks on the subject; Korean Karate – The Art of Tae Kwon Do and Black Belt, Korean Karate. He taught his martial art form all over the world.

Why at the Y?

2011-05-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

A friend asked me recently, "Why teach at the Y?". Though I didn't have a quick answer for him his question caused me to reflect a bit. An even better question might be "Why teach Tae Kwon Do at all?

The world certainly doesn't have a shortage of martial arts schools. A brief look through the yellow pages proves that. Looking at the multitude of adds one could almost come to the conclusion you could not spill a Seven Eleven, Big Gulp without inadvertently soaking a world champion, Grand Master or even an Eternal Grand Master. Boy I really hate when that happens. All joking aside let's look at some of the reason's I teach.

1. Because I enjoy teaching (and learning).

Many of the jobs I have had over the years have involved teaching. One of my first jobs was teaching tennis lessons in my home town growing up. As a teen and young adult I managed a skateboard park and pro shop. I also traveled with a skateboard team that did demos safety lectures. At Hallmark I have gotten to teach classes to other artists and even business people.

2. Because I don't have to (I want to).

For me teaching is not a have to. It is a want to. I do not need the additional income that it brings in. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the little extra that teaching brings in BUT, I do not NEED it. Because of that I have no need to sell, coerce or cajole. I don't need to bait and switch. I don't need anyone to sign a contract. I won't be offering Ninja Birthday Parties or hosting Karate Sleepovers. In each location that I do teach in the fee is set by the location that hosts it. Hallmark Cards Inc. is my full time employer and has been for 22 years. They pay me far more than they probably should to draw cartoons. After work I teach and train Tae Kwon Do studets in the Hallmark Fitness Center.

3.Because it is good for me (and others).

It keeps my mind, body and spirit active. It involves me with a wide and changing group of people in my community. I have had students that range in age from 6 to 63. I have had students that are male and female, black, white, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Indian, ADD, OCD, ADHD, and Traumaticly Brain Injured. To spend time with this diverse range of people committed to common goals and the common good is, well... good. Training exposes me to new ideas and people. It helps me to understand myself and others better. As far as the benefit to my body? I'm no Navy Seal but I can keep training long after the college kid next to me is ready to throw up his RedBull. I'm 50 and I can eat like an Elephant and sleep like a baby. And more importantly than that, when I'm wrong I can apologize, and mean it. That may not seem like much when you are 25 and want to fight in the UFC but come see me when you're 50.

4. Because it works (if you work).

I have seen unhealthy people get healthy. I have seen timid people learn to assert themselves. I have seen Men, Women and Children defend themselves from verbal and physical assault. I had a female student drop an attacker like a bad habit in a Walmart parking lot (sweeeeeeeeeet). I have even seen a mom understand conflict more deeply and grow in her ability to confront or stand her ground with a very strong willed teen. I've seen people win and lose and be alright with either outcome. I have passed tests and failed tests. I've seen boards break and I've seen hands break.

Tae kwon do is not a cure for every ill, a magic pill or a silver bullet. What is it? A sport? An activity or hobby? Yes, yes and yes. I think of it primarily is an art. A Martial Art. It is a way to integrate our minds and bodies. It is a way to explore all of who we are and express what we find with power and purpose.

So, back to the original question... "Why teach at the Y?", I'll give you three reasons...

1. Raygon

2. Logan

and

3. Everything I will learn from them.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day at The K.

2011-04-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

It was a busy weekend for my YMCA Tae Kwon Do program. Saturday we held our first demo class on the fitness floor. Students from both Hallmark Corporate Karate and Duncan's Karate helped out. Susan Smith the wellness Director mentioned that we have our first students signing up. Sunday brought the opportunity to represent the YMCA program at a Kansas City Royals game at Kaufman stadium. I got to meet some wonderful volunteers. There were also people giving Zumba and Yoga demos. I can't wait to get started. Remember, Monday May 2nd 7:00p.m. Give it a shot. You won't regret it.

Prairie Martial Arts at the Paul Henson YMCA

2011-03-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Starting May 2nd I will begin teaching classes at the Paul Henson YMCA in Prairie Village. Classes are currently scheduled for Monday and Wednesday 7:10 to 8:00. Chung Do Kwan, has a long history with the YMCA. There are many YMCA's that currently host a Chung Do Kwan group. Many people don't know that the relationship actually goes back to 1946 in Seoul, Korea. At that time students from the original Chung Do Kwan performed a demonstration at a Seoul YMCA prior to starting a group there.

I'm looking forward to this new venture. The above photo is the fitness floor where we will train. We will be doing a demonstration in April. We will also give people a taste of what a class is like. At this point the classes will be open to students ages 8 and up. I'm eager to see who will join in the classes, and the ongoing tradition.

Six Keys to Being Excellent at Anything

2011-03-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

The Following is from Tony Schwartz

1.Pursue what you love. Passion is an incredible motivator. It fuels focus, resilience, and perseverance.

2.Do the hardest work first. We all move instinctively toward pleasure and away from pain. Most great performers, Ericsson and others have found, delay gratification and take on the difficult work of practice in the mornings, before they do anything else. That's when most of us have the most energy and the fewest distractions.

3.Practice intensely, without interruption for short periods of no longer than 90 minutes and then take a break. Ninety minutes appears to be the maximum amount of time that we can bring the highest level of focus to any given activity. The evidence is equally strong that great performers practice no more than 4 ½ hours a day.

4.Seek expert feedback, in intermittent doses. The simpler and more precise the feedback, the more equipped you are to make adjustments. Too much feedback, too continuously can create cognitive overload, increase anxiety, and interfere with learning.

5.Take regular renewal breaks. Relaxing after intense effort not only provides an opportunity to rejuvenate, but also to metabolize and embed learning. It's also during rest that the right hemisphere becomes more dominant, which can lead to creative breakthroughs.

6.Ritualize practice. Will and discipline are wildly overrated. As the researcher Roy Baumeister has found, none of us have very much of it. The best way to insure you'll take on difficult tasks is to build rituals — specific, inviolable times at which you do them, so that over time you do them without having to squander energy thinking about them.

An Invitation

2010-11-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

I recently posted the above video on YouTube. I'm hoping to find a few new people that are interested in beginning or returning to practicing martial arts. Our situation at Prairie Martial Arts is unique. It's certainly not for everyone. First we are a small group and train in my home. That creates both benefits and challenges. Due to the size of our space we are limited in how many people can participate. It is also very important to us that we find not just new people but the right people.

Often when people inquire about training their first question is "What does it cost". Beginning in January there will be no cost for training. Of course people can contribute to help cover expenses like insurance but there will be no standard set fee for tuiton.
If you would like to learn more about what we do I would encourage you visit the Prairie Martial Arts Channel on YouTube. If you would like more information or would like to like to schedule a visit you can contact me at pvkscooks@aol.com .

Corporate Karate at Hallmark

2010-08-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

We started a new session at Corporate Karate today. It was a really fun class. The high point of the class today has the addition of a new student. Erin, is new to both martial arts and Hallmark. Erin jumped in with both feet. I'm sure she has no idea how her arrival invigorated the class.

The Magic of Five Minutes

2009-12-08T17:41:00.000-08:00

It is often said that people overestimate what they can do in a month and underestimate what they can accomplish in a year. How about what you can do in five minutes? I want to share a tip with you that I learned from my high school art teacher. He must have done something right. I have made my living as an artist for over twenty five years. Do you want to know his secret? Here it is... "The Magic of Five Minutes".

How does it work? When we are fired up and motivated we can't wait to get to the dojo or get started working out. As we all know it's not always that way. What do we do when we are less than fired up. Many times we get cranking and try to fire ourselves up. We might even set higher goals and commit to working twice as hard. More often than not we fail to fall for our own bluster and bravado. We get overwhelmed by our own aspirations and can end up throwing up our hands and saying "whats the use". A lot of times It just doesn't work.

As an artist it looks like this. Instead of saying "Tonight I'm going to start my Sistine Chapel!!!". Instead I just say to myself "Just draw. Just draw for five minutes". In doing this you give yourself permission do stick your toe in the pool. You get started. That's the biggest hurdle. Once you are over that, more often than not you can get into the process far enough to experience "flow". When you do that you can ride to the end of an enjoyable and productive session.

It works with the martial arts as well. Give yourself a break. Don't say to yourself "I'm going to create my own style" or "I gotta get into the UFC". Tell yourself "Just five minutes". You might be surprised how long you go and what you end up accomplishing.

Bunkai Pinan Sandan, PyungAhn Sam dan

2009-12-07T20:01:00.001-08:00

Part of tonight's lesson.

Little Drag Ins

2009-12-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking lately about "Little Drag Ins". Not Little Dragons, Little Drag Ins... you know the little kid that REALLLLY doesn't want to be in the dojo that day or even at all. It's not that adults training don't face the same ambivilence, boredom or frustration. Honest kids we do. Many a Saturday morning the siren's song of my flannel quilt is much more compelling than the cold blue mats of the school.

Did I say cold mats? Yep. The temperature in the dojo today was 47 degrees. That's cold enough to make the most enthusiastic student ambivalent. The temperature really isn't the theme of my post. It is about wanting to or not wanting to be in class. As I said both adults and children will have times that they don't want to be there. The main difference is that adults are making the choice for themselves. Often times in the case of children adults are making the choice for the child. Being a parent I have found myself in the situation where one of my kids want to discontinue (QUIT) training. Did I say Quit? THERE ARE NO QUITTERS IN THIS FAMILY!!!!!

This may sound like an odd perspective for a martial arts teacher to take but. Discontinuing (QUITTING) can be a good thing. Yes quitting can be a good thing. Quit lying, quit cheating, quit overeating, quit drinking... Even quitting karate. WHAT!!!! QUIT KARATE?!!!?!!!. You see practicing a martial art can provide many benefits but it is not magic. Similar benefits are available in, and can be found in a number of of different activities. Once again karate is not magic or even automatically good for a person. The point really is the benefits.

Here in lies the irony. One of the most important benefits is learning to persevere. That's not one of the lessons that is best learned by discontinuing training. There are those that will quit before the receive even the most basic benefit. The are also benefits that stop when we stop. If you are an adult that is training you get to make the choice to continue or stop. If you are a parent you need to understand your child and work with then to determine if they are benefiting from their involvement.

Making the decision to take a break, quit or continue is difficult. Either choice can be healthy and take courage. Changing direction can feel like failing. It can also represent personal growth or coming to the understanding that another activity may be just what we need.

The Ultimate Currency

2009-12-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

The Yen? The Pound Sterling? The Dollar? Not according to Tal Ben-Shahar. In his book "Happier" the Harvard professor defines happiness as the ultimate currency. That's all well and good but this is a martial arts blog. Martial arts are not about being happy they are about fighting...right? I think the answer is yes and no.

Certainly people can practice martial arts or a fighting system for self defense. In our day and age there are certainly easier ways to protect oneself and others. In addition once those self defense needs are met why continue with martial arts? What if after training for a period of years you found that you were, well...happier?

If we look at Ben-Shahar's ideas and compare them to tradition martial practice we will find that they share many common practices and principles.

Creating Rituals.

Gratitude.

Present and Future Benefit.

Meditative Practice

Improved Physical Health

Development of Purpose and Meaning.

Developing Potential.

Setting and Achieving Self Concordant Goals.

Achieving the state of "Flow" or Optimal Experience.

The opportunity to be Known rather than Validated.

Involvement in a Supportive Community.

The practice of benevolence.

So, just as a warning, if you begin training in martial arts to kick ass be careful. You might just find yourself with an account full of the "Ultimate Currency". You may end up too happy to care about fighting someone to the death.

Pyung Ahn Edan / Heian Nidan

2009-11-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

I thought for today I'd mix it up a bit and post something from Pyung Ahn Edan. We worked on this applicaion in class today. The application is different from most of the applications you see. Most interpretations show a response to two incoming punches. This applications is shown as a response to an attack from a rear shoulder grab. As I mentioned in a previous post imagining the attack will ultimately determine the responses you come up with. Envision various attacks from different angles. Work with a partner. It does not take long to find things that don't work. Over time you will find real gems. In my experience if you do the work to find things that work you are more likely to continue to train the things you find. You can find things in books or on video but there is, for me at least, great pleasure in the hunt.

Developing Speed, Power and Accuracy.

2009-11-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

Above is an illustration of an exercise for developing greater speed, accuracy and control with your punches and kicks. You can do the exercise by yourself or as a game in class. First you will need some kite string and a few buttons. Cut a piece of the string that is long enough to reach from the ceiling to the floor. Thread the button onto the string then hang the string from the ceiling of the room. You can now slide the button up and down the string to adjust it to various heights. You can also put multiple buttons on one string and put up multiple strings for a whole group. Once the string are hung they will serve as targets for punches and kicks. The goal of the drill is to kick or punch hard and fast without hitting the button and causing the string to move. If you or a student hit the button they get a predetermined number of push ups to do. Also the student can be given push ups for not coming close enough or not kicking fast enough.

So once again the goal of this "Game" is to help develop speed, accuracy and control. Strong arms can also be a by product.

Chung Do Kwan Sparring

2009-11-22T15:14:00.000-08:00

If you search Chung Do Kwan on the web you will find a wide variety of approaches. This is true in both forms and sparring. In regards to forms/hyungs/poomse some organisations practice WTF,ITF or even forms designed by the organizations head. Still other practice older forms/kata with Okinawan and Japanese origins. Some Chung Do Kwan schools practice a WTF style of sparring. Most use protective equipment as well. Some use a stop and start point method.

The posted video is from a recent tournament in Kansas City hosted by Master Thomas Duncan and Master Rudolf Muhammad. The video is a good example of competition sparring under the Yong Taek Chung lineage. There is contact but it is controlled. Safety equipment is optional. There is no contact allowed to the head. Incidental contact receives a warning and if continued constitutes grounds for disqualification.

All in all I believe it to be a balanced and valuable approach to competition sparring. It is hard enough to test technique, spirit and resolve. It is controlled enough to protect participants from serious injury (head trauma via knock out)and more often enough to prevent any injury at all.

How about your organization? Hardcore full contact? A pitty pat game of tag? Maybe it exists in that wide expanse between the two.

Spiritual Disciplines

2009-11-13T19:56:00.000-08:00

When we think of Spiritual Disciplines in relationship to the practice of martial arts, many people automatically think of Shaolin Monks or Zen temples. Many others have very little interest in anything remotely "spiritual" or religious. Some will say " I don't want any of that mystical CRAP!".

It is not hard to think of austere practices and disciplines in those settings. Extended periods of Zazen for hours on end during sesshin. Purification rituals under ice cold waterfalls. The restricted diet. Not to mention being whacked with the Kyosaku if you happen to dose off during meditation. Then there are the mind bending Koan.

One book I often recommend is "Mystics and Zen Masters". It does a beautiful job of finding contrasts and commonalities between Eastern and Western Monastic practices.

Richard Foster in his 1978 book "Celebration of Discipline" examines what are considered the historic disciplines of the Christian church. He divides them into three categories.

First, the inward disciplines of prayer, fasting, meditation, and study in the Christian life.

Second, the outward disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service.

Third, the corporate disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration.

In The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck talked of the importance of discipline. He described four aspects of discipline:

Delaying gratification: Sacrificing present comfort for future gains.

Acceptance of responsibility: Accepting responsibility for one's own decisions.

Dedication to truth: Honesty, both in word and deed.

Balancing: Handling conflicting requirements. Peck talks of an important skill to prioritize between different requirements.

Many practitioners and teachers of martial arts today talk about spirit and discipline. Others lead by example and never speak about the matter. Taking the time to look into these methods and practices gives us and idea of how participating in a systematic method of disciplined practices can help us grow even when it is not addressed directly. We can also see how those same disciplines can benefit us purely approached with a secular and psychological mindset. Like Merton I enjoy digging into the contrasts and commonalities. I can enjoy both.

Enlighten Me

2009-11-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

In his book The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck talked about the the idea of human spiritual development. He theorized and described four stages of human spiritual development.

The four stages

Peck postulates that there are four stages of human spiritual development:

Stage 1. is chaotic, disordered, and reckless. Very young children are in Stage 1. They tend to defy and disobey, and are unwilling to accept a will greater than their own. Many criminals are people who have never grown out of Stage 1.

Stage 2. is the stage at which a person has blind faith. Once children learn to obey their parents, they reach Stage 2. Many so-called religious people are essentially Stage 2 people, in the sense that they have blind faith in God, and do not question His existence. With blind faith comes humility and a willingness to obey and serve. The majority of good law-abiding citizens never move out of Stage 2.

Stage 3. is the stage of scientific skepticism and inquisitivity. A Stage 3 person does not accept things on faith but only accepts them if convinced logically. Many people working in scientific and technological research are in Stage 3.

Stage 4. is the stage where an individual starts enjoying the mystery and beauty of nature. While retaining skepticism, he starts perceiving grand patterns in nature. His religiousness and spirituality differ significantly from that of a Stage II person, in the sense that he does not accept things through blind faith but does so because of genuine belief. Stage 4 people are labeled as Mystics.

Peck argues that while transitions from Stage 1 to Stage 2 are sharp, transitions from Stage 3 to Stage 4 are gradual. Nonetheless, these changes are very noticeable and mark a significant difference in the personality of the individual.

In a later post we will look at his ideas of the disciplines used in the process of human spiritual development. Where do you stand? Enlighten me.

More with David Muhammad

2009-07-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a video clip from Mr. Muhammad's visit to PMA. He shared with us the value of keeping a high knee chamber while kicking. He makes it look easy.

A Visit With David Muhammad

2009-07-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the opportunity to train with a young Chung Do Kwan friend of many years David Muhammad. David is a 3rd dan training under his father Master Rudolf Muhammad 6th dan. The younger Muhammad has been training for 20 years. David is now a high school teacher (ahem, at my daughter's school)and has also started an MA club there. My son was able to join in tonight as well.

David arrived at seven and after heading to the basement we made a plan for the night. David would share kicking drills and sparring combinations and I would share applications from kata. David has a side kick that he can use just like a boxer uses a jab. After we each shared we even finished the evening with some grappling.

I shot some video of some of the drills but I havent uploaded it yet. We do not practice weapons but Master Muhammad does train them at his. The following video is a clip of David competing a staff kata in California.

Yep, trust me his kicks are just about as fast as that Bo. A few years back I was able to end my losing streak against him by turning 40 and moving to the "Executive" division. That was 9 years ago. I'm waiting for him to make it to my division. When he does I will wreak my vengence.

We finished the night enthused and excited looking forward to more opportunities to train in the future.

At Times Like These

2009-07-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

I visited my teachers website today. I found this sweet photo of one of Master Duncan's students and myself after a class. For the life of me I cannot remember who may have been behind the camera. It's times like these that cause me to think..."Dang, I really am middle aged".

Training at Prairie Martial Arts

2009-06-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

Recently I sent out an email with an invitation to people to consider training with our group. I also invited them to visit this site. I wanted to put together a short post to let people see what a class looks like.

Most classes are made up of three parts. They are basic exercises, Kata or forms practice and free sparring and, or self defense. There are also a variety of drills that improve performance.

Kata are traditional exercises that improve conditioning, speed, flexibility and balance. They also serve as a kinesthetic encyclopedia of self defense techniques. Kata are the unchanging syllabus that help transmit the art.

When it comes to sparring in our style we focus on developing power and self control. New students do not participate in sparring until a few months into training. Our style Chung Do Kwan, Tae Kwon Do has a remarkable history and an lineage.I have been practing now for 15 years and teaching for over 10 years. I'm still excited and challenged during each class I teach or attend as a student. It is a pleasure to introduce others to the art an work together toward vigorus health and well being.

Desire Paths

2009-06-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

A few weekends back I was talking with a friend of mine that is a Landscape Architect. In our conversation the concept of "Desire Paths" came up. A desire path is a path developed or worn away by animal or human traffic. The path is often the shortest or easiest route between a starting point and a destination. The amount of wear on the landscape is representitive of the number of people or animals consistanly using that path. Most often a Desire Path is referred to as a "shortcut" or a "path of least resistance".

My friend even told me of a college that when built, did not put in sidewalks for two years. After two years they just paved the desire paths that had been worn by the students. The students found their way.

Gichen Funakoshi, the father of Shotokan Karate once wrote this poem...

To search for the old is to understand the new.
The old, the new
This is a matter of time.

In all things a man must have a clear mind.

The Way:
Who will pass it on straight and well?

Do you ever wonder on your martial journey, "is my teacher is teaching me straight and well"? If you are teaching do you ever ask the same question of yourself? Who does pass on "The Way" well, and how would you know? Do you find yourself on a Main Street or have you stepped off that known road and onto a desire path?

The Martial Addict

2009-05-30T12:43:00.001-07:00

I'm sure you have heard this comment or something like it, "Dude I Love BJJ I'm a total junkie!". Or maybe "I'm living the martial WAY baby, I'm addicted to Karate!". It is very possible that the statements are more true than we imagine. Can a person be addicted to Martial Arts? Absolutely, positively yes.

Right about now you may be saying, "Yeah I know this guy that... yeah but not me". Or "Even if I was it's not like alcohol or crack for God's sake, it's good for me!". Maybe yes, maybe no. What characteristics do all addictions share? What do substance addictions and process addictions have in common?.

Addictions allow us to not feel our feelings or unacceptable emotional states by distracting us or removing us from feeling by providing us a way to escape. Addictions "help" us avoid anxieties by avoiding reality. Constant pleasure seeking through stimulation or tranquilizing ourselves is potentially very damaging in the long run.

All addictions are also chemical addictions even if nothing enters your body. Why? Because our bodies and brains are an amazing self contained pharmacy. Our martial practice can release a flood of life enhancing chemicals into our systems. Adrenaline excites and stimulates, endorphins relax and soothe us. Any substance or practice that can stimulate us, tranquilize us, help us avoid pain and experience pleasure hold the possibility for addiction and dependence. We can also use the arts to meet psychological needs that are unique to each individual.

In the same way that the chemicals in our bodies are good and exist to benefit us, martial practice can be a great benefit to the practitioner. It can also enslave us.

Martial arts practiced in a healthy manner and environment can help provide us with many many life affirming benefits. When done well the arts help us to become strong. Not so strong as to become invincible, that is a fantasy. We have the opportunity to become strong enough to embrace reality. That my friends takes strength.

If It Quacks Like A Duck, It Just Might Be A Chicken.

2009-03-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

There is a story that is told about an abandoned lion cub that is raised by sheep. One day another lion approaches the flock. The sheep tremble with fear and bleat in terror as the lion comes closer. So does the Sheeplion. Struck by the odd behavior of the Sheeplion, the outsider approaches and says, "What the hell are you doing? Why are you bleating like a sheep, you are a lion!?" The Sheeplion replied "Nooooo I'm a sheep. Please don't eat me!!!!

Well, this discussion goes on for the better portion of the day with each of them trying to make their point. Ultimately the Lion gives up trying to convince the Sheeplion and leaves in total frustration and disbelief. Tired and parched from hours of arguing the Sheeplion bends down at the edge of a spring to get a drink of cool water. Startled by his reflection he lets out an enormous roar. He then says to himself "Oh my God, I am a lion".

One reason people like this story is the hope that one day they may become "a lion". Who would not want to be the lion? The powerful, majestic,King of the jungle. The truth is he never transformed from a lamb to a lion. He just came to an understanding and an acceptance of who he really was.

What does this have to do with martial arts? Everything. Some teachers and schools promote themselves and sell the idea that if you are a sheep they can turn you into a lion. That is disingenuous and dangerous. It does capture the imagination better than inviting a student to become the best sheep they can be. How sad would it be to convince a chicken that he needs to become a duck? Believing he is a duck will not change the fact he is a chicken if he finds himself plopped into the middle of a lake.

Now it would seem obvious that the lion would know he is a lion but it is not really as simple as it seems. Do you think that during the time the Sheeplion was growing up no one said "Damn boy, you is one big brown sheep! Whats up with those long ass teeth?".
Sheep and people believe both what they want to, and what they need to believe to survive. For a season, a lion may even have to believe he is a sheep to survive.

I have said many times that a martial art is like a a mirror. If it is a good mirror a teacher can use it to help the student see themselves as they really are. He or she can accurately reflect who the student is whether they be lion or lamb, chicken or duck. Today people bounce from style to style, method to method, teacher to teacher looking for someone to teach them how to be a lion. Very few are brave enough to accept being a chicken.

New Students?

2009-03-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air and a man's fancy turn to...students. New students specifically. Two of the three students that train in my home are college students. Both have intense schedules and at this point have few nights available to train. Many times this means that my student and good buddy Jan gets all of my "attention".

Teaching out of your home has benefits as well as some drawbacks. You don't necessarily want to put up a flyer at Starbucks or the grocery store. Even though I have done a lot of artwork for advertising I've never been much for marketing. As you can tell by my previous posts about receipts, I'm not a numbers kind of guy. Nor am I much of a business man. I was self employed for six years as a freelance designer / illustrator when I lived in Chicago. In spite of my entrepreneurial deficits I managed to do reasonably well.

Not that this is a business based decision. When you only have three students and one of them pays for his training by keeping the dojo clean nobody's getting rich.It is more of an intuitive thing, more like, "I think it's time". The students I have now have come from word of mouth or been acquaintances. Even a neighbor or two. There is nothing better than passive aggressively choking your neighbor for letting his poodle poop in your yard.

Looking to the yellow pages for ideas for bringing in new students might help.I could promise the "Ultimate in Self Defense" or "Lose Weight" "DIM MAK" or my personal favorite "Better Grades". I could also give myself a couple or five additional degrees. Nobody seems to check up on those things anyway. In all honesty I have no idea how or if they will benefit from the experience. I have reason to believe they can benefit from the training, I just don't feel comfortable predicting their future. I could just as easily promote "Find out your knees can't take it" or " Fully experience your inevitable decline of strength". Those are a couple of perks you don't want to overlook.

So, like I did a few years back, begin to put it out there. Who will find their way here?. I have absolutely no idea but I'm excited and very eager to meet them. Whoever they may be.

Jamie Thornton, Chung Do Kwan

2009-03-10T06:13:00.000-07:00

Jamie and her mother Sharon own the Lyndell Institute where they teach Chung Do Kwan, Tae Kwon Do. They are students of Master David Blevins. They are wonderful ladies with tremendous heart and spirit. The inspire me both as a student and as an instructor. I often have a hard time describing our style to people. I feel that these videos capture the feel and expression of Chung Do Kwan as passed on by Yong Taek Chung.

Jamie Thornton 2nd Dan test.

Women's 1st Dan Sparring

You Got Judo In My KARATE!!!

2009-01-20T10:31:00.001-08:00

Do any of you guys remember The old Reese's peanut butter cup commercials? One guys would say "Hey you got peanut butter on my chocolate!" then the other would say Hey! you got chocolate in my peanut butter!" Then hey would try the combo and ultimatley fall in love with it. I was watching a Judo video yesterday when I saw a throw called, "Tsurikomigoshi". I thought to myself...

HEY! You Got Judo In My KARATE!!!

Why Kata?

2009-01-15T12:25:00.001-08:00

People will argue the value of kata till they are blue in the face. Most often Kata is maligned because of peoples assumptions about it's lack of efficacy in combat. I would encourage them to consider Maslows hierarchy of needs. The base of Maslow's pyramid is security and safety. Without that being established in a persons life if is very difficult to progress through the natural stages of personal development. Still it is at the bottom. At the top of the pyramid humans aspire to meaning ad purpose. It would be foolish and a waste of energy to expend more energy and time than was necessary to meet a need and even more wasteful to continue on focus on a practice that meets a need that is already met.

I think it is safe to say that the compelling reasons to continue the practice of kata and bunkai supersede it's efficacy. As an art form kata rescues the beauty of combat from the chaos of brutality and war. The value of a system and an art form is multileveled. The practice of an art or system based on combat allow for both the recording, recognition and recovery from the experience of violence that happens to us and also the violence and conflict that originates in us.

Kata is so much more that people generally assume. It is a puzzle. It is a Practice in paradox. It is a forge to strengthen us. It is a mirror that reflects who we really are. It is the the practice of fighting which is the most "Alive". Alive because as Matt Thornton would say it is about his art "It Is a form of Yoga. "Alive" because you are facing off against the most deceptive and subtle of opponents, your self. It is a complex physical and mental task that provides challenges for us on many levels as part of a lifelong learning process. It grounds us within a particular martial history and a community of people dedicated to the well being of each others minds, bodies and spirits. It is in fact, “the way one behaves”.

So, if a person is choosing a method of self defense it is essential that the person understand which "self" they are intending to defend.

Christmisses

2008-12-28T22:25:00.001-08:00

It has been a while since my last post. Time that I might normally spend online was redirect to Christmas cards, gifts and travel. Soon our group will be wrapping up a brief seasonal hiatus and recommence to rolling. It has been a wild week that was punctuated with a 4:30 a.m. sprint to my basement dojo with my screaming wife and kids. One hundred mile per hour winds sent tree limbs flying and uprooted 50 year old oaks. Our home (and dojo) executed very impressive tai sabaki and remained unscathed.It was a Christmas near miss. Our only inconveinience was 2 days without power. My neighbor was not as lucky. Some of you may not have may not have gotten everything you hoped for this Christmas. It could be worse. Santa could have delivered a 60 foot oak.

PyungAhn Sahdan

2008-12-18T20:10:00.000-08:00

Things You Can't Do With A Yellow Belt

2008-12-16T06:02:00.000-08:00

Falling

2008-12-02T21:11:00.000-08:00

I'm commited to falling better. I still fall like a Karate guy. Remember when you were a kid. I remember running as hard as I could and throwing myself on the ground just for fun. When you are a kid falling is a blast. By the time you become a teen, as much as you might enjoy fallng, you "can't" do it anymore(outside of sport). We become "self conscious". As an adult we either dread or fear it. I'm convinced the reason some folks drink to excess is the dormant memory of the unique pleasure falling offers. I wouldn't say I fear falling at this point. I'm more like a teen, a bit selfconscious as I post the video. I'm heading in the right direction though. I'm relearning the fun of throwing myself on the ground.

Iain Abernethy and Oldman's Boobishi

2008-10-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Some of you are already familiar with the work of Iain Abernethy. For those of you who are not familiar with him or his work, here is a short bio from his website.

Iain Abernethy is one of the UK's leading exponents of applied karate and kata application (bunkai). His martial arts DVDs and books have sold worldwide and have been translated into other languages. Iain holds a 5th Dan with both the British Combat Association (awarded by Peter Consterdine 8th Dan and Geoff Thompson 6th Dan) and the EKGB (awarded by Doug James 7th Dan).

Iain is in great demand on the seminar circuit and teaches many seminars on his approach to practical karate both here in the UK and overseas. The bunkai that Iain teaches are not prearranged karateka vs. karateka applications. Nor are they static, complex, elaborate or reliant upon finite movement. Iain's approach to karate makes kata application practical, simple, direct and accessible to all.

In that spirit of accessibility Iain has created an online magazine titled "Jissen". He is preparing to release his 3rd issue. The magazine is released free of charge in a pdf. format. I could not be more excited about it. First, I'm excited because the previous two issues have been outstanding. The second reason I'm excited is that I was invited to contribute an article to the publication. Quite an honor wouldn't you say? In all honesty, one of Iains stated goals is to publish work contributed by martial artists of any rank or level. Everyone is invited.

The article I contributed has one unique feature, it is in cartoon format. The images are from "Oldman's Boobishi" a digital collection of drawings that are a humorous record of what I have found as I have explored Kata / Forms over the years I have been training. The image below is a possible application from Pinan Nidan / Pyung Ahn Edan. The article in "Jissen" is similar in style. It is an excerpt from NaiHanchi /Tekki/ Chulgi Chodan

The first two issues of "Jissen" are available in Iain's website. If you are interested in receiving Issue #3 it is now available at...

www.iainabernethy.com/Jissen_Magazine.asp

New Rank at Prairie Martial Arts

2008-10-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

Early Chung Do Kwan on film

2008-06-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

Teacher and Student Spar at PMA

2008-05-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

Basics At Prairie Martial Arts

2008-05-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

Kicking Drill

2008-03-14T06:22:00.001-07:00

Tae Kuk Chodan

2008-03-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hello to the new students in the Fitness Center. I'm glad you have decided to give our class a try. If you look at some previous posts on the blog you will find some of the history of our style Chung Do Kwan, Tae Kwon Do.

The first form in our system that you will be learning is called Tae KuK Chodan. The video posted here shows it done rather slowly for beginners to follow along. I hope it helps. Again we are glad you decide to join in with us as we continue to grow and explore a remarkable and traditional martial art.

Steady Growth

2007-11-29T18:27:00.000-08:00

A Living Legend, Taika Oyata

2007-11-09T15:57:00.001-08:00

Not long ago I received an invitation from Kyoshi Greg Lindquist to meet and spend and evening training with Taika Oyata. Greg has been training with him for 39 years. Greg has recently relocated his dojo after a fire in an adjacent building caused the closing of his previous dojo. His dojo is in Overland Park, Kansas. You may not think of O.P. as a hotbed of MA activity but within a mile you can find 4 schools teaching Iaido, Chen Tai Chi, Chung Do Kwan, and Crawfords American Ju Jitsu. Greg wife also teaches Chinese arts. The evening was an opportunity for a small group of people to get together and see the new space and train with Taika Oyata. After a few minutes of greetings an a tour of the dojo we were ready to begin. Someone asked Mr.Lindquist what we would be doing and he repiled whatever was in Mr Oyata's head.

Here you can see two views of the main training area. There are three rooms in total. The floors in the main training area are carpeted with about an inch and a half of padding underneath them.

At the age of 80 mr. Oyata is still vigorous and filled with enthusiasm. He smiled and even chuckled frequently. I personally had to work very hard to understand him. Mr. Lindquist helped clarify any points I misunderstood.He corrected me frequently and I was the first to be used for instructional purposes. At one point of the evening he said to me. "I not hurt you". He then demonstrated a movement from NaiHanchi. I was effective and instructional but in no way brutal. His approach that evening was not like some demonstrations of the past.

If I had to choose one word to describe the evening I would say "Technical". One other thing I caught this evening was Oyata's use of the words "Basic" and "Foundational" he would say "Is a not basic! is a foundation!".

After we finished Mr. Lindquist and Mr. Oyata took a few minutes to clarify a couple points.He also talked about "Shu" and "Jitsu" and their meanings. At one point Oyata pantomimed a conflict with an assailant. He stressed de escalation. He said "The meaning of a martial arts is a NO TALK. Is a I want no problem. Okinawan (are) like that". It was also clear that he also meant the attacker, because of "Shu" (being hidden) should never know what you are capable of or if neccesary what hit him.

Ladies' Night Ou...ch at Hallmark

2007-07-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

The class begins with introductions and general discussion and questions. From there we move on to the topics of awareness and boundaries.

This picture shows the beginning demonstration of verbal and physical boundaries. The photo also shows the discussion on how we build defensive techniques on natural reactions and responses.

After we practice handling verbal aggression we move on to using environmental awareness to escape. In addition we cover improvised weapons in the environment. After this drill we begin training combat techniques. We keep it very simple, kicks, knees, palm heels and elbows.

In the next two pictures the ladies implement all they have trained beginning with first attempting to deescalate the verbally aggressive assailant. You can see as each woman go full contact with the padded assailant her peers cheer her on and yell out techniques when they see the openings for their use.

It does not matter how much padding you have on. Some things still hurt. I continue to press the assault until I take a shot that I feel would have sufficient impact to stop an actual assault. We tell the ladies, "Don't stop till they drop".

After class we debrief, celebrate and take more questions. In a class that is 3.5 hours long we cannot cover every possible thing that a woman could encounter but we cover a lot of ground. The women leave the class encouraged and invigorated. They also have information and options that they can and have implemented to protect themselves. We call "Ladies' Night Ou...ch" a fun, fast paced introduction to effective women's self defense". I think that is an honest accurate description of the class. I am happy to be able to provide it.

Moms and Daughters

2007-07-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy month since my last post. I have had the opportunity to teach classes in four different locations. I have met some really remarkable moms and daughters. As I wait by the front door of the location where I will be teaching that day I watch the cars pull up. Being a parent I recognize the look on a lot of the young ladies faces. It's the "Oh my gosh, I can't believe you are making me do this" look that I also get occasionally from my teens. It's natural and normal to be anxious when going to a new place for a class. My wife says "It's a lot like going to the doctor". I asked her how so?. She said "Well, no one really wants to go to the doctor. You know you should but you still don't want to". I really do understand that and confess that I'm always the last person to make an appointment at the Dentist. I get it.

It isn't long before that look changes though. In the beginning of the class we progress to eye rolling and nervous laughter. The eye rolling is my cue to continue, that I've droned on with too many stats. So we get on with the meat of the class progressively, challenging and cheering each other on. After three and a half hours the looks are different. Many times the girls have seen a part of their moms they have not seen before. A little less cat, and a little more tiger. I think it is a good thing for the girls to see.

In a very short time the girls go from "Oh my gosh, I can't believe you are making me do this" to "Oh my gosh can you believe WE DID THAT!!! As the ladies leave they look and sound different. They are different, they have shared an intense experience.

In the class women will feel vulnerable. They may also feel more powerful than anytime before in their lives. They will also learn to set strong verbal and physical boundaries.

Understanding vulnerability, power and healthy boundaries are important in good self defense. They are also foundational qualities of good relationships.

What does one do?

2007-06-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

What do you do in the aftermath of a tragedy? We all need to reflect, process and grieve. We need to come to an understanding of what actually happened. We can, as part of that process, look at our own lives, choices and associated risks. In doing so we can make informed choices that contribute to our well being and the well being of others. It is important to keep perspective. I know there are parents out there tonight that will have a very hard time letting their daughters leave the house. Some of them will give into that fear and put their foot down. That is natural and understandable. It is hard not to let our fears get the best of us. We can choose to be as prepared as we can and help our loved ones prepare to face adversity and danger. We can prepare as best we can for random violence. We can take a self defense class. We can also protect ourselves from even more common dangers. We can wear our seat belts. We can wear sunscreen. We can also refuse to ride with someone who has been drinking. Those dangers are less dramatic than the random attack of a predator, but are much more common and take even more lives. That is self defense too.

Sad News

2007-06-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the body of Kelsey Smith was found. There is a suspect in custody and more news will be coming out soon. Kelsey and her family attended the same church that our family does. The loss hits very close to home. May God bless and keep them. Knowing the Hillcrest Covenant community, I know that the family will be cared for and lovingly supported by those with the gifts of mercy, caregiving and healing.

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/crime-missing-missouri-teen/20070605152809990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Yesterday in Overland Park

2007-06-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I started a post on adrenal stress and padded assailant training. I find myself wanting to change the post I was working on because of current events in our area. Yesterday in Overland Park an 18 year old girl was abducted in the parking lot between a Target store and one of the areas busiest shopping centers, Oak Park Mall.
Today they released video footage from he parking lot. It was blurry and grainy but showed a struggle on the ground behind the car. It was sobering as were my wifes comments after viewing it. My wife asked me if I knew what she could have done differently. Instead of answering I asked what would she have done. This was her reply.

1. Be aware of your environment.
2. Have your keys ready to unlock the car.
3. Make a lot of noise
4. Fight to stay out of the car and do anything to avoid being taken to a second destination.
5. If you end up in the car as the driver, crash your car into something big. Your air bag will protect you.
6. If you end up as the passenger of the vehicle jump out when the car is still or slowing down. You may be injured but it is better than being taken to a second location.

I added one point which was the possibility of getting under a vehicle. A person can fit under larger cars and vans. If the assailant tries to pull you out, hold on to the underside of the vehicle.

If a person is armed with a gun find an opportunity to escape. Run away traveling in a zig zagging pattern away from the person. Even trained marksmen have a hard time hitting that type of target.

My wife then added "I know what to do, I'm not sure our girls do".

This story is not over yet. The abducted girl is still missing tonight. And my girls have lessons to learn.

Pyung Ahn Chodan

2007-05-25T07:21:00.001-07:00

As new yellow belts you have been introduced to a new form, Pyung Ahn Chodan. It is the first form of the Pyung Ahn or Pinan series. I have asked my friend Oldman if we could borrow a page or two from his "book" to help you guys out. You can see the forms illustrated below. You can also click on them to enlarge them. It gives you the basic sequence. Keep in mind Oldman's techniques need to be polished just like ours do but it's a good frame of reference. I hope it will be of help to you.

I will also occaisionally post some illustrations of ways to apply the basic movements of the form in self defense situations.
Maybe something like this...

Look familiar?

Getting together

2007-05-23T19:11:00.001-07:00

Last Friday my wife and I took the opportunity to invite all of my students over for dinner. It was an enjoyable evening of friendship and food and a beautiful spring night. In additon to that my instructor Master Tom Duncan took the opportunity and presented certificates to two people that had passed dan testing this year. I was fortunate to be one of those people. I say fortunate for a couple of reasons. The first reason is because I failed my third dan test in October of last year. It was a tremendous disappointment. I was successful on my breaks and my sparring but came up short on my forms. I felt I managed to redeem myself a bit by winning the forms portion of the tournament the day after the test. It did not change the fact that I would have to wait at least 6 months to retest. I resolved myself to train harder and more diligently than I ever had. In the end it paid off. A humbling public failure was an opportunity test my resolve. I was not expecting my test to last 6 months, but it did.

Historic Chung Do Kwan photos

2007-05-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

Recently two online friends helped me with the translation of some historic Chung Do Kwan photos. This quote is from Tashigae...

"OK, here we go. The first three characters, in case you haven't recognized them by yourself yet, are 'To' - 'te' - 'do' ('Tang' - 'shou' - 'dao' in Chinese), 'Chinese' - 'hand' - 'way', in other words Tode-do, the old name of karate-do. The three next characters are Chung Do kwan ('qing' 'tao' 'guan' in Chinese, 'guan' being 'kwoon' in Cantonese and 'kan' in Japanese, as in 'Shotokan', Bujinkan', etc.) and mean Green Wave school (in Chinese, 'guan' actually refers to a building with only one or two floors but a very large surface. Didn't know how to translate that, so I chose to translate contextually as 'school', since it's often used as a metonymy for a school or style in Japanese). The next three characters mean 'the [N]th time' ('di [N] hui' in Chinese, don't know how to pronounce them in Japanese). The next character is unknown to me (sorry), but the next one ('cha' in Chinese, Japanese pronounciation unknown) suggests me that the two together might mean 'examination' or something like that. The next one ('hui' in Chinese) means 'meeting', 'gathering'. The last two characters ('ji nian' in Chinese) mean 'keep record', 'keep memory' (I must confess I had to ask my beloved for this one ).
To sum it up:'record of the [N]th (examination?) meeting at the Green Wave dojo' ([N] being 3, 5, 7, 2 in that order)".

So the above photo is a photo to commemorate the third promotion examination at the Chung Do Kwan. The other numbers in his quote are from other photos he saw which I have not posted yet.

Here is a bit more from ButterflyPalm a friend from Milasysia

"You were doing so well I thought you should carry on.

However the problem with translating single words only in any language has pitfalls.

But generally you are right most of the time. It is obvious different generations of Koreans wrote those non-simplified Chinese words in the best calligraphic style he/she could muster. The best and the clearest was the last one, perhaps representing a gradual improvement in Korean education.

I am surprised that up to the 50s the Koreans were still using the Chinese characters for such auspicious occasions as the founding or setting up ('Chuang Li') of Song Moo Kwan, which the Koreans may have pronounced "Song" as "Chung" (hence Chung Do Kwan) which is also the Cantonese pronunciation of the pine tree.

The pine tree has some cultural significance in China (see all those Chinese black & white ink paintings where pine trees grew out of high barren rock cliff faces?) It shows fortitude and courage, qualities which the founding fathers of Song Moo Kwan obviously wanted to instill in the "Green Wave"

Green Wave ("Qing Tao") when read together in this context most likely means an 'Eternal Youth Movement' (a 'wave' so to speak) as both characters have respectively 'young & longevity' radicals in them. 'Qing' also has the meaning of young crops and so we have the idea of planting the seeds of future greatness in these Korean youths that will eventually and eternally grow into manhood achieving great things.

The word you had problem with is the word before "Cha" (to investigate/examine) It is "Shen" -- also having the meaning of 'to examine as in a court of law' Read together in this context it simply means a grading test.

"Ji Nian" in this context simply means a commemoration ceremony. Ji = to remember; Nian = to think of in remembrance. "

I was suprised by the word "Green". I was expecting Blue wave. I have read that Funikoshis's "Shotokan" could be translated as Pine Wave Hall or school. In " Karate do My Way of Life" he spoke of the pine trees in his native Okinawa. I later asked Tashigae about the color question. This was his reply..

‘Qing’ should actually be translated as ‘dark bluish green’. I’ve seen it translated as ‘green’, ‘black’ and ‘blue’ depending on the circumstances, although ‘green’ remains the most common one.

ButterflyPalm's comment about the founding of the Song Moo Kwan was also in regard to another photograph. Both Won Kuk Lee and Yong Taek Chung were present in the photo commemorating the opening of that Kwan.

Historic Chung Do Kwan Photos

2007-05-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the opportuniy to see a remarkable collection of photos. The photos were part of a collection of early Chung Do Kwan history. Many of the photos included My teacher's teacher, Yong Taek Chung and also Won Kuk Lee, the man who founder the Chung Do Kwan in 1944. I am fascinated by the faces in the photos. I would love to know the stories of each individual pictured. I have heard some of the stories. It is hard to imagine what it must have been like for people caught between transitioning governments and the hardships that came from that. Today martial arts are considered a hobby, sport or pastime. I can only imagine what these young men thought as they walked through the door of the Chung Do Kwan in those early days.

Testing and Promotions

2007-05-19T15:08:00.000-07:00

On May 6th the students of Prairie Martial Arts had the opportunity to test for new rank with Master Tom Duncan of Duncans Karate. Four students were from and two were from the Hallmark Fitness Center. Those testing for yellow belt were required for the first time to turn in a paper in addition to their physical test. Two Hallmark members that were unable to test on Saturday were able to test the following Monday.
Each of the students seemed to enjoy the expierience. Not that there was no nervousness. They stepped up to the challenge and were successful. It was an honor and a pleasure to present them with their new belts on Monday evening.On the FightingArts website there are often discussions about the value or lack of value of the belt system in martial arts. It is often quite heated. In a recent conversation a friend commented..

Quote:
are rewards incidental, or are rewards the goal?

This was my reply in part.

I guess it would depend on which rewards you were referring to. Some rewards are by products of the process. Increased health, flexibility, stamina and skills. In addition the growing intimacy and bonds between the people practicing.If you are asking "are belts or rank the goal?" I would probably have to answer yes and no.
If we decided to chuck the belt system would the people I teach move on to other schools or pursuits. Yes, no, maybe? Personally it has helped me over time as a student to have belt levels as goals.I have at times trained harder knowing that I'm preparing for a test.Of course it has its risks also. You can lose sight of the more intangible long term goals for the more visible ones. You can get caught up in using rank to prop up a shaky ego or identity. Also anytime you want something really badly you are ripe to be taken advantage of or manipulated, or manipulate others.

Ideally the things that would keep us growing and learning together are the bonds and benefits and if used, belts can acknowledge those rewards.

Brad Visits Again

2007-05-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since I last posted on the PMA blog. A lot has transpired since October. We currently have eight enthusiastic students in two locations. Continuing the longstanding tradition of hospitality and friendship we have also to hosted guests from around the country. Once again Brad Burkland, an Ashihara Karate practitioner and teacher shared his amazing art with us. He left an impression on all of us.

"Ladies Night Ou...ch"

2007-05-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce a new program at Prairie Martial Arts. You could think of it as a Tupperware party where you learn how to "open a can" instead of seal a container. "Ladies Night Ou...ch" is a great opportunity to get a group together for a fun, high energy introduction to effective women's self defense. Spend an afternoon or evening strengthening your friendships and empowering yourself and the people closest to you to face anything life throws at you.
The class is perfect for ladies who lunch or young ladies getting ready to launch. "Ladies Night Ou...uch" is designed for women age thirteen and up. It's about more than personal safety it's a bridge to personal growth. LNO works for all kinds of groups: friends, co-workers, teams, squads, or moms and daughters.
At Prairie Martial Arts we specialize in private and small group training. Limited class size ensures individual attention and personalized instruction. All of our classes are offered in an emotionally safe and supportive environment.

Contact us anytime to find out how to put together a "Ladies Night Ou...ch" group for you and your friends.

The Hidden Inside Room

2007-05-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

This photo is of the Northwest corner of the Okunoma Dojo. Okunoma translates to "hidden inside room".The dojo is located in the lower level of my home. It is a compact but useful 475 sguare feet. I cannot say for certain but it may be the worlds smallest Chung Do Kwan facility. It is equipped with Zebra mats and a waterfilled heavybag. In addition there is a TV/DVD/VCR player and a small dressing room. Since it's completion we have held classes and hosted seminars for visiting martial artists from around the United States. This illustration below the photo shows the floorplan.

Welcome to PMA

2007-05-18T08:09:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the blogspace of Prairie Martial Arts and Mark Cook. At Prairie Martial Arts we practice Chung Do Kwan, Tae Kwon Do also know as Korean Karate. We also teach effective womens self defense to small groups. Prairie Martial Arts currently has classes ongoing in two locations. The first is located the Hallmark corporate fitness center in Kansas City. The second location is in my home where I train with small groups and individuals. If you are in the Kansas city area and would like to train in Chung Do Kwan, Tae Kwon Do or learn more, feel free to contact me with questions.