K I H O N
Newsletter #15
April 2001
April 2001 ISSN# 1534-1437
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An email newsletter focusing on Ninjutsu/Budo
Taijutsu training. Published by www.KIHON.com
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**** CONTENTS ****
>> Shidoshi Insights: Instructor Insights
>> Kata Ideas: Thoughts on Technique
>> Budo Quotes: Martial Arts Quotes
>> Keiko Events: Upcoming Events
>> Shoshin Comments: Comments
*** Shidoshi Insights *****
The First Lesson
Joe Maurantonio, shidoshi (BNYD)
The first lesson:
"When the enemy advances, win by escaping."
-- Hatsumi Sensei (in conversation)
Training in self-defense classes often centers
around learning how to kick, punch, and block,
with some additional physical tricks and mental
strategies. Training in many martial arts schools
focuses on form, decorum, and sparring. While
these are all important lessons that can help with
balance, personal development, and mental well-
being, I find that many teachers often forget the
first of all lessons: You stand the greatest
chance of survival if you are not in a place where
conflict presents itself.
As martial artists, this concept is one that we
should carry throughout our everyday lives. A
simple example is that of parking a car in a
crowded lot. Have you ever noticed that most
people circle their car ever closer to the
entrance of a store in hopes of finding a free
spot? Doing this, they sometimes get into
arguments with people over who "saw the spot
first!" Seems to me that, as martial artists, we
should automatically look for the free open spot
farther away from the crowded masses. It will
provide us with a nice walk...
*** Kata Ideas *****
Kamae Games
Don Houle, BNYD
The concept of kamae is one of the most
fundamental aspects of Budo Taijutsu. Although the
word "kamae" is usually translated as "stance" or
"posture," the strategic concepts that are
represented in the use of kamae are rather
profound and begin to reveal themselves only after
the student becomes more comfortable with the
physical aspects of kamae.
One of the best ways to train oneself to move
freely between these postures is to run through a
series of physical kamae. For example, you may
start in shizen no kamae (natural posture), step
back into ichimonji (figure one), then raise your
arm into doko no kamae (angry tiger stance), then
move into hira no kamae (flat posture), then hoko
(embrace and encircle), and finally to juumonji no
kamae (figure ten). This series of movements is
presented as a guide. You can use any kamae that
you like for this, in any order. You may want to
work through a preset series of kamae, or just let
your body move effortlessly from one to the next.
This ability to flow from one posture to another
is important in taijutsu. It also reinforces each
of the physical stances in the mind and muscles of
the student.
Another great exercise is to have a training
partner call out a series of postures. As each one
is called out, you assume the kamae. This is good
for committing to memory some of the more unusual
and less practiced postures, as well as ensuring
that you can make smooth and effortless
transitions between them.
*** Budo Quotes *****
There is a man named Yamato who is said to have
fought against a bear and won. When he was
attacked, he jumped right onto the bear, thrust
his hand into its mouth, twisted its tongue off,
and killed it. It should be considered a lucky
accident that he survived.
By Masaaki Hatsumi
[Ninpo: Wisdom for Life, page 59]
http://www.kihon.com/ninpo/
*** Keiko Events *****
* Mark O'Brien USA Seminars
http://www.kihon.com/mob.html
* Bujinkan New York Dojo
http://www.kihon.com/
* Bujinkan New York Dojo
27 Milburn Street
Bronxville, NY 10708
http://www.kihon.com/ny/
*** Shoshin Comments *****
Makoto, "True Heart" - Sincerity
Lauren Brandstein, editor
Sincerity is the one character trait I have come
to look for and value most in others and in
myself, and it is the one trait that is most
unusual to find. To me, makoto, sincerity, means
consistently living by your word. It is saying
what you mean, and doing what you say. It is being
honest with yourself and others about who you are,
never pretending to be something you're not, never
denying any part of yourself. It is showing your
true heart every time, without false modesty,
without false pride, living each moment fully and
fearlessly by the simple power of your own
integrity. Makoto is training for the love of the
art, without politics or pretense, without
illusions or agendas, seeking purely to live and
grow, with innocence and joy, every day of your
life.
_______________ KIHON Newsletter ______________
** STATEMENT OF PURPOSE **
KIHON.com provides this FREE short newsletter in
an effort to offer information about taijutsu
training. We hope you have enjoyed reading it.
** DISCLAIMER **
It is recommended that you seek out medical
advice before following any of these suggestions.
Be sure to find a qualified instructor to guide
you in your martial arts training.
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KIHON Newsletter and all contents
Copyright (c) 2001 by Joe Maurantonio
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