Ju-Jitsu

Wanted to do this for some time and finally got my finger out!  Having started Karate many many years ago, I was always fascinated with the "other" aspects of martial arts particularly close contact "grappling". 

Why?

I found that the usual karate class teaching was focused very much on a narrow aspect of the martial art.  This always puzzled me as the Kata's i was taught and watched all seemed to have movements and "actions" which we never practiced or were never taught.  This is particularly obvious for hand techniques.  Many kata have techniques for gripping, locking, twisting etc.  Check out the YouTube link of Frank Brennan performing Kata Nijishiho and watch the hand and arm movements and you can imagine the application of the techniques.  They certainly seem like grips, locks, twists etc.

However, they do not seem to be taught very much in the usual Karate session.  So I decide to go find a class where I could become more proficient.  Did the usual searches and it appeared that Ju-Jitsu was the way to go.  But then there was the usual myriad of Ju-Jitsu forms.

I settled for the traditional Japanese Ju-Jitsu and found the British Ju-Jitsu Association and slowly worked my way through their website to find a local class.   The site does look a little dated, perhaps it's just "traditional"  :)   Anyhow, tracked down the class and popped along to try my hand.

I have to admit the husband and wife instructor team was very good. They took time with each new joiner, going through the break-falls to ensure we knew that we will be hitting the mats regularly!  That was straightforward.

Then we moved onto the first few moves of learning how to get out of front attack strangulation!  My karate instinct was to punch even before the hands reached anywhere inside my personal space.  But, I resisted the urge and allowed the slow strangulation and worked my way through the moves..

Other big thing i had to keep a check on (and was told by the instructor) was to ensure I performed the technique slowly.  I kept wanted to do it quickly and get to the lock or part where I made an attack - this bit was more familiar and felt right due to all my years of "block and punch" or even the pre-emptive punch training!

For two hours I thoroughly enjoyed the session, it kept my braining whirring away as i worked out where my feet, body, hips, arms, head etc were supposed to go for each movement.  I feel i am now on the way to becoming a more "rounded" martial artist.  But that will be a few years yet!

Which Style should I practice?

Everytime someone finds out that I practice Karate and have done so for over 30 years, there is one question that sometime gets asked.

Which style style should i start practicing?  or usually the other question is "Which style is the best?"

How do you answer these questions? 

To be honest, when most people start a martial art, typically they find the nearest club and head down for a tester session and sign up.  Or perhaps a friends is already training somewhere and they go along for a session or two, get hooked and sign up after a few weeks.

My start in Karate was no different.  I was at university and decided to go along to the karate class that was being run on campus.  I had no idea what style it was.  It was there and i went along.  Would be interested to know what other peoples experience was when they started their particular martial art.

Every style has its own unique perspective but it also shares many aspects with other styles.  The history of all martial art styles is intertwined, so any particular martial art is not defined by its own methods and practices, but by the people who practice the style.

It really comes down to the individual and how he or she "implements" the style to make it work for them. 
When starting out in a martial art, it probably doesn't make any difference where you start training as long as you are committed and give it your 100%.....every time!

The one thing I would add is that once you get past the first few gradings then it may be worth asking the question about the instruction that you are getting.  Is the instructor giving you the best instructions that really draws out the best in you.

It is always worth training at another club and training with different instructors.  After a few more gradings and particular once you have received your Dan grade (black belt in karate) it really is worth to go try other styles.  You will find techniques that are made just for you, or techniques explained and executed in a slightly different way so that they again work for you.

The challenge then becomes in ensuring you perform techniques the way your style permits particularly for gradings if you wish to continue grading !

So, does it really matter what style you start training? 

Not really. 

What do you think about at the end of the training session?

I keep wondering what people think about in the short mediation after each training session.  But, then the other question is "do we know what Mokuso is really about"?

Firstly Mokuso roughly translates to "quiet reflection," or  "to breathe".  The aim of practicing mokuso is to clear the mind of all thoughts, to control your breathing and allow the body to relax and return from the intensity of training.  It is also meant to be used to reflect on the training, what you have learned, what you have achieved.


Unfortunately, there is never any clear instructions from instructors about what you are supposed to do in Mokuso.  I was taught and definitely believe it to be the meditative part of martial arts.  In previous generations this was practiced for much longer than the 30 seconds we tend to give it and it is "performed" more out of routine rather than rigger.  Nevertheless it is indeed a real key part of any martial art.

My understanding and way is to use the "breath" meditation.  This is when you focus on your breath and the process of breathing. You body relaxed, but not hunched.  Your back straight and your head tilting forward a little, mouth slightly open.

You breath in slowly and "watch" the air entering through your mouth and and you follow it in to your lungs and continue watching it as it enters various parts of your being.  A slow inhale followed by a slow exhale once again watching the air gathering and drifting out of your mouth/nose.  You hold this thought in your mind and this alone to help clear the mind of all the other thoughts; other diversions.

In fact I was taught not to fight other thoughts of coming into my head as this then diverts attention and concentration and defeats the object of mediation.  You can allow the thoughts enter, but watch them as a spectator, not engaging with them but letting them drift away like helium filled balloons drifting into the horizon until they are no longer visible.

The effort you make with your mind is that of bringing it back to focusing on your breath. Everytime your thought drifts and engages in "conversation" then you gently let go and bring yourself to focus on your breath.

 Sounds easy?  First time I meditated it was less than 5 seconds before I was bombarded with a myriad of thoughts all vying for my attention.  But with regular practice and relaxed perserverance I finally hit the 1 minute mark!!!  And it does have a great calming, relaxing effect.

As with all things the more you practice the longer you will be able to meditate. But if you want to practice for more than a few minutes, I suggest you set aside another time in the day as it is unlikely that it will  happen at the end of a training session!!

Warming up before training

What is the best way to warm up before a Karate session?

This is particularly relevant as the weather draws in and gets colder here in the UK. The dojo or training hall will be cooler or even cold as the weeks take us into Winter. It always concerns me when i see students walking into the dojo and "hanging around" waiting for the class to start.  As they are told to line up, the adjust their gi and stand upright wating for the premlinary "Oss" and bow before being handed over to a senior grade who does the "warm up" and stretching.

It is at this point i get even more worried, as i watch the pained expressions on peoples faces as they streeeeetch their tendons, muscles and funny faces!  Is this really the best way to way up and stretch for a testing all body karate session?

No, i think not.  The first and foremost thing about stretching is that you really should not do this from a standing cold start.  The tendons and muscle are probably tight and most damage can be done by stretching them in this state.

The best thing to do is to arrive a good 30 minutes early and after a quick change, start with your own warm up.  A gentle warm up.  This could simply be walking around the dojo just to get the blood flowing, raising the pulse rate and getting the bigger body muscles (your thighs!) flexed - these are are at the heart of your body's heat generation. 

Walk at first and then start to speed up into a slow and gentle jog.  You should feel your legs and body warming up even if you haven't broken out in perspiration.

If room is limited and you cannot get into the dojo, then walking up and down the corridor or even in the changing room will help.  You need your body warm and ready for a fuller workout.  At this point you can start some arm movements., circling them gently forward and backward.  Only when you feel good and warm should the whole stretching part begin.

Everyone has their own routine of stretching, so do what you are comfortable with or what you feel you need.  One thing to watch for is that you do not over stretch at this point, just take it easy and work through your whole routine and body.  The big thing to avoid, which i see a lot, is the "bouncy" stretch particularly of the legs.  STOP.  Bouncing up and down simply pulls and "twangs" your tendons unnaturally like a guitar string - which also break!  It is better to stretch slowly and hold for a few seconds, move to the other side of the body and then come back and repeat.  Work your way through your own routine and get ready for the session warm up and stretch.

Below is siome suggested reading for a making sure your warm up is effective.




If you have your own recommendations for a good safe warm up, please comment.

Be Safe!

What does it take to excel?

Apparently it's a number, which is 10,000 - that is 10,000 hours of training!

It appears Mozart spent 10,000 hours learning to compose, Bill Gates spent 10,000 hours learning to programme, and the Beatles spent 10,000 hours learning to play together. Not withstanding some level of luck, it seems that it takes around 10,000 hours of hard work/training to really achieve and reach the top of your sport, business, sector, profession.

It isn't just about gifted individuals, it applies to everyone. It isn't just about raw talent, but the willingness and determination to practice again and again and again.....to achieve the perfect punch, kick, block, foot movement and that most elusive - balance, will inevitably pay off and propel you to the top..

But how long is 10,000 hrs? Firstly, you are not going to do it in a year! Simple math says 24 hrs x 365 days = 8,760 hrs - a shortfall of just under 1,300 hrs. Even in 3 years you need to be practicing 9 hours per day EVERY DAY to reach 10,000.

I think shows that total commitment and immersion in what you like, enjoy and believe in is fundamental to reaching the pinnacle of whatever it is that you do.

Talk a look at the book OUTLIERS from Malcolm Galdwell, which exlores the success of a variety of people. So now when your Sensei tells you to do a thousand front kicks, you may respond differently. Have fun....and i am sure you can do your own math to see how it will take you to master your art..

Tokaido Japan and Tokaido International

There have been many questions about the various products and quality of the Tokaido range. For some time now, some of the Tokaido products have been made in China and not in Japan.  A few weeks ago it was confirmed that Tokaido has formed an alliance with a China based martial arts goods manufacturer and the alliance will go under the name of Tokaido International.  So what does this mean to Aregato and the traditional martial artists who want to buy the genuine Tokaido products?

The first thing to say is that when you buy your Tokaido uniform or belt from Aregato, you are buying the traditional Tokaido product made in Japan.  What the Tokaido allaince means is that Tokaido International (China) will make and provide uniforms, blets, and other Tokaido products under licence from Tokaido Japan.  In effect they have agreed to specifications set by Tokaido Japan and then are able to attach the Tokaido label/logo to all items included in their agreement. 

So, are these "fake" products?  The answer is NO.  They are "genuine" as the the manufacturer is legally entitled to use the Tokaido label on any agreed and manufactured product. 

Therefore TOKAIDO JAPAN is the only source for Tokaido products made in JAPAN

Aregato only deals with Tokaido Japan.  We order directly to Japan and receive all our products from Japan, usually flown from Nagoya Aiport in Japan.  We use a Japanese freight company who picks up the goods direlty from the Tokaido factory.  Also, we only provide a small handful of authentic Japanese made Tokaido products as you can see from our website.  So when you buy your Tokaido product from us you buy the authentic Japanese item.

Below is a lis of items that are made by Tokaido Japan and by Tokaido International (China).

Made by Tokaido Japan (made in Japan)

TSA Heavyweight (plus WKF approved) - imported by Aregato

SAW Heavyweight (plus WKF approved) - imported by Aregato

TAW Medium Weight

KTW Medium Weight

AW Medium Weight

BW Light Weight 

NST Ultra Light

SAB HeavyWeight (Black Gi) - imported by Aregato

BLC Cotton Black Belt - imported by Aregato

BLS Satin Black Belt - imported by Aregato

BLH Silk Black Belt - imported by Aregato

Made by Tokaido International (made in China)

Kumite Master WKF Approved

Kata Master WKF Approved (12oz & 14oz)

Tsunami Blue

Tsunami Silver

Tsunami Gold

Arashi (12oz & 14oz)

Kumo

Kaminari

Tokaido Silver

Tokaido Gold

Tokaido Elite Belts

Tokaido Black Belt

Hope this helps and now you may be better informed about which Tokaido is made in Japan and which is not!

Karate Suit or Jedi Robes

What is happeing to the karate suits?  They seem to get long and longer every year.  Watching a competition recently as well some videos on YouTube the jackets of the competitors are longer than ever.  They are now down by the knees resembling  jedi knight robes!

The sleeves are flapping around, the gi bottoms are just as baggy, flopping about like flags in the breeze.  This is a long way from the close fitting gi's seen on some old grainy films of masters performing katas.

What is it about the baggy look?  Am i missing something?

Hello

Just a quick hello to get the ball rolling or perhaps "the session started".  This blog is about and around Traditional Karate. Or at least what i think is traditional karate as i am sure you will have your own view.

So what do i mean traditional karate?  If you look at Karate as a whole it doesn't really have a long history.  In fact, modern day karate is barely 100 years old!  A fact that surprised me when i first learned to tie that damn knot in my sparkling white belt. In such a short space of time it appears to have gone through many changes.  In fact the factions or should i say "schools" of karate that have emerged in less than a 100 years is amazing as it is fascinating. 

Anyhow, as i said, this is just getting the ball rolling for this blog......I hope to share my views, thoughts, experiences as well other things "Karate" that you may find interesting..


Bye....