Yesterday I wrote a blog speaking to the principles of techniques and applications in the martial arts.
Last night I had a frustrating class where the simplest concept eluded me. I was so focused on the right hand I did nothing with my left hand. Too focused on a small section, I missed the big picture, thanks to Sifu Freitag who pointed out the obvious and I was back on track. Simply put, the concepts of equal and opposite action, working to apply leverage and the result is a lock.
Once again, kung fu is ever humbling.
Sifu Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Becoming a Student of Principle
Trying to be a student of principle. Sometimes its easy sometimes it takes a little more brain power.
In the beginning we tend to be students of memorization. Learning a technique or application in a very perscriptive manner. If bad guy does this we must respond with movement A then B then C.
I would ask tonnes of detail and try and practice exactly the same way every time.
Which is good, the body needs correct repetition for the correct execution of the application. Somewhere along the way I realized our curriculum is loaded with Principles in the applications and techniques that can be plucked out and adapted to other scenarios. Its recognizing them and applying them appropriately that has been fun and continues to be challenging.
Sfiu Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
In the beginning we tend to be students of memorization. Learning a technique or application in a very perscriptive manner. If bad guy does this we must respond with movement A then B then C.
I would ask tonnes of detail and try and practice exactly the same way every time.
Which is good, the body needs correct repetition for the correct execution of the application. Somewhere along the way I realized our curriculum is loaded with Principles in the applications and techniques that can be plucked out and adapted to other scenarios. Its recognizing them and applying them appropriately that has been fun and continues to be challenging.
Sfiu Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Courage
If we could see inside people we could see the true measure of their courage.
Often we do not even realize what someone is dealing with inside, we just see their actions.Something that may seem courageous to us may in fact just be another day in the life of a well trained individual.
The difference or the true measure of courage is the size or extent of fear. Fear, anxiety, stress.
The larger the fear, the more courage is required to go where you don't want to go, sometimes at all costs.
From the outside we usually cant see this, mostly because people are pretty good at hiding their fears.
The fear of not succeeding, the fear of getting hurt(physical or emotional) the fear of rejection or not belonging, the fear of not being the right fit. The fear of embarrassment or humiliation, the fear of being alone.
There are many courageous people we encounter everyday, I think we really have no idea what some people go through, sometimes when we realize their fears by listening, taking the time to get to know them and their challenges we may be more than just surprised at their courage but inspired as well.
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Often we do not even realize what someone is dealing with inside, we just see their actions.Something that may seem courageous to us may in fact just be another day in the life of a well trained individual.
The difference or the true measure of courage is the size or extent of fear. Fear, anxiety, stress.
The larger the fear, the more courage is required to go where you don't want to go, sometimes at all costs.
From the outside we usually cant see this, mostly because people are pretty good at hiding their fears.
The fear of not succeeding, the fear of getting hurt(physical or emotional) the fear of rejection or not belonging, the fear of not being the right fit. The fear of embarrassment or humiliation, the fear of being alone.
There are many courageous people we encounter everyday, I think we really have no idea what some people go through, sometimes when we realize their fears by listening, taking the time to get to know them and their challenges we may be more than just surprised at their courage but inspired as well.
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Gracie Girl
I'm out of town again, but this time its worth it.Right now I am in Torrance, California on a helicopter course. Thats the boring part.
I am a big fan of the Gracie family, their lineage and pioneering in the marital arts.
I know the headquaters for the Gracie Jiu jitsu Academy is here, so last night I thought I would find it and check it out (they have a museum to visit) and buy myself a T-shirt.
So, I walk in, at the front desk is Rener Gracie (like no way!..that is the actual teenage phrase that went through my head )... I try and act all cool and ask if I could get a size in this shirt, blah, blah . I can hear classes going on in the back hall, so I boldly ask if it would be OK to watch?
He(Rener) asks me what my background is with the marital arts, so I let him know about Silent River Kung fu and my interest and novice experience with grappling(emphasis on novice).
He said, and I quote"..this is the best night of ever any nights of all time to walk in my friend, I will do you one better, you can gear up and participate with the next class and the following specialty class."
Next thing you know, I have been given a Gi to borrow and I am lining up with the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Combatives class...(most excellent!).
Ryron Gracie spends 10 minutes with me to assess my grappling then pairs me up with a blue belt.(Sweet!)
The next class is the Women Empowered class, basically a self defense class only everything is on the ground, that too was super awesome!
The thing that really blew me away is after the class, They brought me up front and introduced me as "an extended student family member from Canada" to all the regular students, I received hand shakes after class and some friendly chat.
All this was free of charge, and this is the Los Angeles area, not what I expected, still a little shocked.
They deal with hundreds of students a week, I was impressed how they took the time at no cost, and I am not sure if they knew how much it meant to me but it was something else to be treated so kindly.
Anyways, that is my bragging story ,I am like a kid grinning Christmas morning. 24 hours later!
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Focus Skill
Focus is a pretty simple word and a simple concept but there is no question it is a moving target for me.
I think when are lives become consumed with busyness and a lack of balance, focus becomes overtaken by distraction and quality suffers.
As part of the I Ho Chuan , with teammates to follow as examples,my, hope is for a improvement in my ability to focus on any given goal, person or moment.
Trying to do many things at once has become a way of life but only to my disappointment sometimes.
The ability to truly focus is a skill I hope to achieve through, of course, practice.
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
I think when are lives become consumed with busyness and a lack of balance, focus becomes overtaken by distraction and quality suffers.
As part of the I Ho Chuan , with teammates to follow as examples,my, hope is for a improvement in my ability to focus on any given goal, person or moment.
Trying to do many things at once has become a way of life but only to my disappointment sometimes.
The ability to truly focus is a skill I hope to achieve through, of course, practice.
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
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