K I H O N
Newsletter #7
June 2000
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An email newsletter focusing on Ninjutsu/Budo
Taijutsu training. Published by www.KIHON.com
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**** MISSION STATEMENT ****
We at KIHON.com wish to provide a short newsletter
bringing you information about Bujinkan dojo and
upcoming training events, as well as some insights
into training that we hope will help to further
your growth as a martial artist. Submissions are
welcome.
**** CONTENTS ****
SPECIAL FEATURE: The Essence of Koppo,
by Jeffrey S. Mueller
1. Taijutsu Tips: Tips to enhance your training.
2. Kata Ideas: Form variations worth trying.
3. Kappo Life: Health and the martial arts.
4. Shidoshi Insights: Shidoshi Q&A or article.
5. Budo Quotes: Budo quote of the month.
6. Keiko Events: Upcoming training events.
7. Dojo Locations: Contact info.
8. Shoshin Comments: Endnote.
*** SPECIAL FEATURE *****
The Essence of Koppo
Jeffrey S. Mueller
Capital Area Bujinkan
During my last trip to Japan, the important point
of the koppo solidified for me. Many people have
talked about this being "bone breaking" or other
shallow translations, but what I heard Sensei say
was different. The point that was continually
stressed was the movement of your own skeleton.
When you move your skeleton as one unit, keeping
the relationship of each bone constant throughout
your sabaki, you become strong without the use of
muscles. By using this idea, it is easy to break
the opponent's kamae and place him in situations
that make it easy to strike him. To me this is the
real 'Bone Method,' using your own skeletal
alignment to disjoint the opponent's alignment.
From there it is easy to strike in a manner that
might very well break bone.
*** Taijutsu Tips *****
The Training Journal
Fred F. Feddeck, BNYD
One of the most useful "tools" for furthering your
training is the training journal. This is a
notebook where you write down the techniques that
you have learned in class, experiences that you
have had, and notes from seminars that you have
attended--and is very valuable to your progress in
Budo Taijutsu. The training journal serves several
important purposes.
A training journal allows you to measure the
progress you are making in the art over the years.
By looking at your journal periodically throughout
your training, you can see how your understanding
and thought processes about training have
progressed. Your journal will also allow you to
record training exercises and insight that relate
directly to you from your teacher. This
information is very helpful during the times that
you train alone and the question: "what should I
work on?" comes up. Finally, it will allow you to
record and remember information from any seminars
that you may attend, and this will allow you to
continue working on the material once the training
is over.
So how do you start a training journal? Easy, go
out and buy a sturdy notebook, and then after each
class at the dojo, write down the date and what
techniques you worked on, along with any specific
things the instructor pointed out for you to work
on, and any feelings that you may have. Make
keeping your journal an integral part of your
training.
*** Kata Ideas *****
Putting More Power in Your Punch
Glenn Catania, BNYD
One of the most overlooked weapons in our art is
punching. Everyone knows it is important, but
because we train with friends, who we don't want
to hit too hard, the strength of a good punch is
often taken for granted. Like all the wrist locks
and throws, punching can be a very devastating
tool, and it too is a technique that must be
learned well. I use the term technique only to
label. Punching is not about technique, but in
truth all about feeling. We must absolutely learn
the fundamentals of the movement, but it is more
important to let that go, once the muscles have
memorized the movement, and listen to the body.
A good punch, like anything, comes from inside. If
we think about punching like driving, we might
think that those around us determine what we do,
where the car moves. Punching should be looked at
much differently. Usually, you see your opponent
in front of you, and you think, I must hit them
and get through. Let's look at this differently.
See your opponent, but treat him more like he
happens to be in your way. That he is there is
inconsequential.
I did *not* say, "treat him as though he is not
there." You should not allow yourself to think
your opponent has no chance; far from it, you
should have respect for your opponent's abilities.
Treat every opponent as a deadly foe. However,
don't focus your punch on what is in front of you,
but what is beyond you. Many people end the
movement of a punch when it connects. Instead,
make that the middle of the punch, ending it only
when you have moved beyond your opponent.
*** Kappo Life *****
Healing Touch
Phil Noto, BNYD
Touch is a very powerful tool for health and
healing. Massage has been used as part of medicine
for centuries, and its effects on the body are
profound. Benefits to be found in massage include
increased recovery rate from many illnesses and
injuries via increased circulation, improved
digestion, tension relief, and improved immune
function, to name a few effects. Massage is not
for recovery alone however; many would say its
primary purpose is in prevention. For the martial
arts practitioner, this is especially important.
Our bodies undergo a certain amount of punishment
in training, and it is important to balance the
painful touch with a healing one.
The varieties of massage that exist are numerous,
but there are two fundamental schools that most
practitioners adhere to: Swedish and Shiatsu.
Receiving massage regularly can have an enormous
impact on health. If you can find an LMT (licensed
massage therapist) within the means of your
budget, I highly recommend trying it out. Look for
someone who is from a reputable school and is
licensed by the state. Another feasible
alternative is getting a good book by an LMT and
getting together with someone with whom you are
comfortable (i.e. a family member, spouse, or good
friend) and massaging each other. Getting a good
book by a professional is essential. Aside from
the obvious benefits of good instruction, there
are certain things you want to avoid which could
be harmful, and there is also a certain protocol
or etiquette you can follow that will make the
experience more comfortable and satisfying for
both of you.
*** Shidoshi Insights *****
Bunbu Ryodo
Joe Maurantonio, shidoshi (BNYD)
Last year, a dojo friend of mine remarked on how
impressed he was with the level of martial ability
of some dojo members. Naturally, I mentioned my
appreciation of his implied complement. He also
added that he was further impressed by the fact
that many of the students at our dojo pursued
their education in university settings as well.
"Balance," I smiled.
My dictionary explains the meaning of the word
balance as "a stable mental or psychological
state; emotional stability." One of the more
important aspects of our martial training deals
with the concept of life balance. Bunbu Ryodo, or
the balance of pen and sword, is derived from the
the Edo period of Japan. During this period, the
Tokugawa Shogunate encouraged the members of its
warrior class to pursue both the literary and
martial arts with equal emphasis. It was an
attitude that helped the bushi adjust from the
warring period of Japan to one of peace. And today
it helps those who pursue the martial ways develop
into complete human beings.
*** Budo Quotes *****
It was natural for a warrior to be rebuked for not
taking respectable care of his sword. Likewise,
human beings must be urged to cultivate an attitude
of polishing themselves and achieve tempering from
facing hardships. The warrior aspirant incapable
of such disciplined evolution will never become an
exceptional "sword."
By Masaaki Hatsumi
[Ninpo: Wisdom for Life, Page 43]
http://www.kihon.com/ninpo/
*** Keiko Events *****
* Tai Kai Atlanta 2000
Koto Ryu Koppojutsu, Teppan & Ninja-to
Hatsumi Masaaki, Soke
Atlanta, Georgia
August 18 - 21, 2000
* Mark O'Brien USA Seminars
http://www.kihon.com/mob.html
*** Dojo Locations *****
Bujinden Hombu Dojo
Atago, Noda-shi
Chiba-ken, 278, Japan
Bujinkan New York Dojo
27 Milburn Street
Bronxville, NY 10708
Bujinkan Bellaire Dojo
Houston Gymnastics Academy
5756 So. Rice Blvd.
Houston, TX
Bujinkan Middlesex Shibu
300A Carlton Ave
Piscataway, NJ 08854
*** Shoshin Comments *****
Taking Up The Slack
Lauren Brandstein, editor
Occasionally in training, you may reach a point
where you say to yourself, "enough is enough." You
may mean any number of things by this, but the
feeling is always the same. One comes to the edge
of a cliff, a place in training where whatever one
has been struggling with must be surmounted to
avoid the stagnation that is death. There is no
where to go, no way to proceed, except to jump
across. Reaching this place may feel like a wall,
like an insurmountable obstacle of perceived
limitations, of frustration or disgust. But it is
this place that holds the greatest potential for
change and growth.
I have been experiencing this with odd frequency
lately, and I have come to accept the feeling as a
signal that I have a chance to really improve
myself, if I want to enough. Every one of us knows
deep down whether we are slacking or not. We all
know if we can really train harder, stand
straighter, get up quicker, forgive ourselves less
often for the bad habits we don't really have to
give in to anymore. That cliff is the place where
you can find out what you can really do, and all
you have to do is jump.
_______________ KIHON Newsletter ______________
** STATEMENT OF PURPOSE **
We at KIHON.com wish to provide a short
newsletter bringing you information about Bujinkan
dojo and upcoming training events, as well as some
insights into training that we hope will help to
further your growth as a martial artist.
** DISCLAIMER **
It is recommended that you seek out medical
advice before following any of these suggestions.
It is also suggested that you find a qualified
instructor to guide you in your martial arts
training.
** IMPORTANT **
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KIHON Newsletter and all contents
Copyright (c) 2000 by Joe Maurantonio
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