NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Alright, check this out: at the beginning of every new year folks make resolutions in the hopes of improving their health, vitality; their life.  Typical resolutions are "I will do better at work so I can get that promotion" and/or "I will lose 50 pounds by spring".  As it turns out all those good intentions are forgotten or abandoned by February - though some may actually make it to Valentine's Day. 

The problem is that most of these resolutions are either too vague or too unrealistic.  One thing martial art training gives us is an understanding of realistic goals via our belt system.  Make the goals specific and reachable as in stair steps.  

Don't say you're going to do 100 push-ups every day because you're not gong to do that if you haven’t done 100 push-ups on a regular basis.  A more realistic goal  to be able to do 10 perfect push-ups by January 31st.  Now to some that may seem like nothing, however 10 perfect push-ups is a huge accomplishment if you weren't able to do 1!  

Your resolutions should not be for public consumption, it is a private agreement you make with yourself.  No matter what others may say, you are the one who has to fulfill that agreement, not your family, neighbors or friends.  YOU have to do it.

So start out with 10, next month a realistic goal may be 15, increase it by 5 so maybe the goal is to be able to do 50 push-ups by June.  Because you have reachable goals, things you can measure and accomplish, your goal of 100 push-ups is realistically within your grasp.  It is like climbing stairs, one step at a time until you reach the top - your goal.  As long as you are making positive progress, you are climbing those stairs; you should not become frustrated by your “inability” to advance.

Same idea with losing weight - 10 pounds a month may not be a realistic goal.  If you've ever been on a couple of diets, then you know they do not work.  Starving yourself, or denying things you crave will cause you to "fall" back within a couple weeks.  You make excuses as to "well just this one won't hurt etc..." and before you know it, you are angry and frustrated because you are back where you started.

One needs to make a "lifestyle change' in order to make those meal plans work for you.  Lifestyle changes usually mean a new job, apartment etc...  In lieu of that, one has to go and make a conscious effort to do something. Going to a gym or health club may seem like fun, but solo exercises get boring, and personal trainers get on your nerves after awhile.

What to do: make a small personal change: instead of joining a health club, join a Zumba class, a yoga class…hey…a martial arts class!  Do something that will give you a new skill set and also engage your mind.

            A more realistic and achievable resolution is more along the lines of  “I will lose 20 - 15 pounds in 5 months, and become more active”.  Instead of saying I will not eat such and such anymore though you know you like it and will crave it, lesson the amount you eat.  This is a more realistic goal, one you can achieve and spur yourself on by marking your personal accomplishments or milestones each step of the way.  When you lose 3 pounds at the end of the first month, enjoy it, and use it spur you onward to lose more (don't ruin it by going backwards).  
 Eat smaller portions and drink more fluids, don't eat after 8, 9, or 10pm depending on the time you go to bed.  Have at least a 90 minute window between your meal and when you go to sleep.  These are things you can more easily control and then feel good about what you do. 

Frustration is killer of goals and achievements, if you want to climb stairs and try to take them 3 at a time, you may give up by your 4^th or 5^th attempt if you’ve never climbed stairs 3 at a time.  Climb them in a realistic fashion, one step at a time.  This may take a bit of time; however, you can actually see your progress.  You should not get frustrated because you are still moving forward in a positive way toward your goal.  At white belt, the skills you are learning are new and daunting.  You see the Black Belts and think you can never reach that level, but if you advance one belt at a time, continue to pick up and understand the techniques and principles, quicker than you realize you are a Black Belt.

Martial Art training is the best way to accomplish these things, lose weight, get fit, get in shape, increase your focus, etc...   All of these are components in traditional martial arts and your teacher may be the best vehicle you have to guide you on the path to attaining your personal goals.

Remember, your resolutions are your personal contract between you and yourself, they do not have to impress or involve anyone else.  Make them realistic, keep them in the manner in which you can honestly do them and move forward.

Have a great 2014 and I'll have more next time....

MY MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE/DVD PICKS part 3

Please be sure to check out "parts 1 & 2" for more of the martial art movies I think you should have in your collection.  Alright here are some more movies and DVD's:

1. IP MAN 1 & 2: dir. Wilson Yip starring Donnie Yen as the legendary teacher Ip Man who brought the martial art of Wing Chun to the public.  Ip Man is also known as the teacher of  iconic martial artist BRUCE LEE.  This movies takes his story from before the Japanese invasion of China in the 1930's up to Ip Man's relocation to Hong Kong in the 1950's where he meets the child who will become Bruce Lee.  The fight scenes in both films are incredible, and Part 2 co-starring Sammo Hung, is also a very good story.  Like a lot of Asian Bio-Pics it has a tendency to become a bit maudlin, but overall this is an enjoyable series and good for the entire family.
2. KILL ZONE or SPL: dir. Wilson Yip starring Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung and Simon Yam.  This is an intriguing story about police vs a gangster - Hong Kong style.  It is interesting to see Sammo as a ruthless gangster with a soft spot for his family.  Each of the supporting characters are allowed to shine so to speak and couple of them really chew up the scenery.  But the main thing about this movie is the fight scenes capping it off with one of the best screen fight I have seen: Donnie vs Sammo.  Though Hong Kong style - it is "realistic" as both combatants feel the effects of the fight especially when it comes to it's incredible conclusion.  I highly - HIGHLY recommend this movie.  Maybe not for the wives and girl-friends, but a movie night with the fellows, especially if you are martial arts practitioners....Yeah, this is a DVD to watch.
3. MUSA the WARRIOR: dir Kim Seong Soo:  This is an odyssey of sorts as a convoy of Korean soldiers escorting diplomats and slaves to make peace with the Emperor of China in the late 14th century.  They have to battle fierce desert of Northern China as well as Mongols since they interfered with a Mongol convoy.  It's a dramatic, fierce battle as the Korean's try to find their way back home.  It's a good story, good acting an interesting fight scenes.

I also give an  “Honorable Mention” to Shinturo Katsu’s ZATOICHI film series.  You can pick almost any of them and you will thoroughly enjoy them.  I think there must be, what about 100 of them?  My favorite was "Zatoichi meets Godzilla".  No, seriously there’s about 25 or so and they are all enjoyable.  “Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo” is especially enjoyable watching the by-play between Katsu and Japanese film icon Toshiro Mifune.  You know they must have had some fun on that set. 

Also there’s

·        MASTER KILLER – (1978) starring Gordon Liu

·        EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN – (1977) dir: Lau Kar-Leung

·        YES, MADAM – (1985) starring Michelle Yeoh,Cynthia Rothrock

·        KING BOXER (5 Fingers of Death) – (1971) starring Lo Lieh: This is the film that is credited for starting the “martial arts craze” in the U.S.

Okay, that’s about it, I think.  Those are the films I believe would be a great way to start a martial arts video collection.  What do you think?  What movies would you tell someone to start off their collection with, and why? 
Talk it over, and then lemme know.
Till next time....

MY MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE/DVD PICKS part 2

Please check out "part 1" for the first batch of movies.  Alright, here are some more of my favorite martial arts movies and why:

1. POLICE STORY (1985) dir/starring Jackie Chan:  I had the privilege of watching this when it premiered in ‘86 at the NYC film festival.  I thought it this would be the film to “sell” Jacky Chan to the U.S.  Originally I did not think of this film as a martial arts movie.  The main character is a martial artist and there are believable reasons for his fight scenes and the approach to the fights.  But the martial arts are not the main focus of the movie.  In fact you could remove the martial fights and it would still be a good cop film.
2. YOJIMBO/SANJURO – dir: Akira Kurasawa, starring Toshiro Mifune:  I put these films together because I think they make one great film.  Mifune and Kurasawa changed the Japanese film industry with his portrayal of a dirty, scruffy, sarcastic ronin.  Mifune reminds me of how a samurai may have been portrayed if Raymond Chandler wrote them.  Watch for the final fight scene in the end of Sanjuro the duel between Mifune and Tatsuya Nakadai –hooo man!
3. VOLCANO HIGH - dir: Kim Tae-gyun; this is a good martial arts fantasy that takes place in a High School.  New student vs bullies, established cliques and an "evil" administration.  There are two versions of this movie, the original Korean availabe with sub-titles or the MTV dubbed version using the voice talent of ANDRE 3000, BIG BOI, SNOOP DOG and other rock, hip hop stars.
4. IRON MONKEY (1993) dir: Woo Ping Yuen, starring Donnie Yen: Story, Acting, direction, this is a damn good movie.  Though purist will not like the wirework, this is the same director who did the wire work in the MATRIX.  Watch this film and you will see why I believe Hollywood is wasting Donnie Yen.  If he’s reading this “Donnie, do a independent feature – this way you can retain control and showcase your talents!”  Watch this movie and then try to disagree with me.
5.  WHEN TAE KWON DO STRIKES/ STING OF THE DRAGON MASTERS (1973) dir: Huang Feng, starring Jhoon Rhee / Angela Mao:  This is actually the same movie, the distributor at one time changed the name to reach the bigger audience by putting the word “Dragon” in the title.  Before she was Bruce Lee’s tragic little sister in “Enter the Dragon”, Ms. Mao had a career as one of Hong Kong’s top female fighting stars. Here she is in top form with…”Jhoon Rhee”!  The story is about the Korean rebellion against Japanese rule.  I think it’s good because of Ms. Mao’s performance and Master Rhee’s final fight scenes.  The fact that the villains are played by Chinese stuntman (including Sammo Hung) unfamiliar with proper use of Japanese weapons does detract from it, but you’ll soon ignore that.
6.  STORM RIDERS (1998) dir. Wai Keung Lau, starring Sonny Chiba, Ekin Chang and Aaron Kwok: Anime combined with video games meets Star Wars! – That’s the best way to describe this movie.  The action is combined with special effects in such a way that it all works.  The story is wonderful; Sonny Chiba is a classical villain in every sense of the word (Darth Vader watch out!)  Aaron Kwok is the tortured anti-hero that I think they wanted “Anakin Skywalker” to be.  If you like animae, if you like video games, if you like comic books and martial arts….this movie was made for you.  The other two films made by this production team (A Man Called Hero and the Duel) suffered from over-production.  But STORM RIDERS …hooo baby
7. FIST OF LEGEND (1997) dir. Gordon Chan, starring Jet Li:  This is the movie for martial arts purist.  No wirework, very little special effects.  It is actually a remake of Bruce Lee’s “Fist of Fury (Chinese Connection)”.  Though Bruce played the main character as a little off, Jet plays him as a traditional, straightforward hero.  Though I liked Bruce’s psychotic performance better, this movie is still great.  The opening fights in the college were what made me purchase the tape.

I'll have some more movies next time....

MY MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE/DVD PICKS

It's the holiday season, folks are out buying gifts and wonder what to get that martial artist on their list.    Well, this is my list of favorite martial art films and why..  Check it out, tell me what you think.  Talk it over with your friends, students and so on.  Then tell me what films you think should be there; or make up your own list.  This should be fun.  Let the discussion begin….NOW:

1. THE BIG BOSS (Fist of Fury-1971)/FIST OF FURY (Chinese Connection-1972): dir Lo Wei, starring Bruce Lee:  I believe these two films are essential for understanding martial arts film genre and Bruce lee’s magic.  They are, in my opinion, his best work, with FIST OF FURY (Chinese Connection) being the best.  The story is excellent; Bruce shows a range that is not present in his other films.  He even has a love scene or a “tender moment” with his lady.  Yes they do kiss!!!!  And of course, Bruce plays his character as a “psycho”; Bruce does the slow built up rage better than anyone before or since.  Also, I like the fights scenes in this film because Bruce actually gets hit by his opponents.  He’s not exactly superman as he is in his other films.  He’s more like…Captain Marvel.

*Quick Note to parents:  There is nudity in all 4 of Bruce Lee’s movies.  It may be quick, but it’s there. 

2. SNAKE IN THE EAGLES SHADOW (1978) dir: Woo Ping Yuen, starring Jackie Chan:  This is actually the movie that introduced me to Jackie Chan.  My good buddy Stan Orzel, who recently did an excellent documentary on the making of Jet Li’s latest movie HERO; and I were projectionist in Syracuse University. One of the things we had to do was screen the movies before we showed them to make sure there were no tears, ripped sprocket holes and so on.  So on a Friday afternoon we put the film in the projector and were incredibly surprised.  At first we thought it was just going to be another “Kung Fu film”.  But then we saw this scene: the “Old Master” runs up a wall, chased by the Villain.  Jackie tries to follow, but can’t.  He steps back out of frame like he was going to build up more speed, but instead gets a ladder…   That was when we realized there was something special happening with this actor.  Jackie successfully created this formula of pathos, comedy, action and lovable characters, not unlike Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin.  We saw it first in this movie
3. BRIDE WITH THE WHITE HAIR I & II (1993) dir: Ronny Yu, starring Brigitte Lin:  This is the one martial arts movie that guys can watch with their girlfriends, a “couple's” martial arts movie!  Ronny Yu who also helmed the “Chucky" movies (Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky…) creates a fantasy world filled with a lot of great action, and an interesting love story.  Great for a guy to introduce martial arts movies to his girl friend.
4. SWORD OF DOOM (1966) dir: Kihachi Okamoto, starring Tatsuya Nakadai / Toshiro Mifune: A very dark movie, but Nakadai has a remarkably intense performance as sociopath samurai, one who’s mastered an “evil style” of sword fighting!   He is extremely magnetic, using subtle eye movements, barely discernable mouth twitches, and an eerie stare; yeah he can scare the devil out of you.  I still maintain that DeNiro, Joe Pesci and the rest want to see this film to see how to portray a sociopath; and one we will root for!  *Note, Mifune’s role is barely a cameo appearance, but it is quite pivotal to the film.  *Quick note: watch for the scene where Nakadai’s character takes on an entire fencing school.  The choreography is incredible, camerawork is great and his movements are absolutely poetic.
5. LEGEND OF NEW SHAOLIN (1994) starring Jet Li & Tse Mui; this is actually the first Jet Li film I ever saw in its entirety.  Watching Jet and the Tse Mui, who plays his young son, is a fun movie to watch.  It has a great story, great fight scenes and of course some comedy as well.  Some of the stunts and fights have to be seen to be believed. This is the film that made me say I have to keep my eye on this guy.  The chemistry between Jet and Tse is incredible.

I'll have more films next time.....

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER....

Check this out; a lot of people were surprised to discover that I knew how to cook, clean and so forth. I never thought about it.  All my children know how to cook, clean and so forth.  Though nothing was ever spoken about it.

            I  didn't think twice about it, because I believed that was the way things were done.  I saw my father do it, and he never said anything about it.  It was just something that you did?  Even though for awhile, my mother was a Stay at home Mom – mostly because as a child I was very sick, she did most of the cooking and cleaning.  But when she caught a cold or something, nothing in the house changed.  My father would cook, get us ready for school and what not.  He had dinner prepared – the house never skipped a beat.

            When I became an adult I just did the same thing.  In fact, when I was in college I was shocked by the guys who didn't know how to wash their clothes!  I thought everyone knew how to do that.  They said their Mom’s did all that work.  I never thought of it as Men’s work or Women’s work.  It was what had to be done!  After all, that's what I saw my father doing.

            All of my children love to read, from novels, technical manuals, graphic novels and comic books – they all read.  I love to read.  As my eldest can tell you, there was many a time they come downstairs to the living room, find me on the floor stretching my legs, the radio or cd player going and me reading a book.  The TV was off.  I was just reading.  I also read to them when they were little.  I read TALES OF THE 1001 NIGHTS, Bullfinch’s mythology,

            So now as adults, they all love to read, be it novels, technical manuals, what have you; you can find them reading in their spare time.  All three of my children have an understanding of martial arts, my sons actually train, my daughter refuses to sweat  ‘divas don’t need to exercise or get sweaty” !!

          Yes babygirl!

         But she can tell you the difference between Tae Kwon Do, Tang So Do and Hwa Rang Do.  They can do it and like to do it because they all saw me doing it.  What I did was as important as what I said.

            It’s the same with the arts.  None of us in the EAST COAST HWA RANG DO Association who trained under Kuksa Nim Yum Ki Nam are arrogant, etc…  We all saw Kuksa Nim, a man of incredible accomplishment as well as deep humility.  He never addressed himself as Grandmaster Yum.   We saw him roll up his sleeves and get into the dirt with us when we had to clean up the Hillside dojang man, many years ago. This is a man who has spent time with world leaders, international celebrities, and is still  very humble and respectful of everyone.  Because he is that way, we, his students, his disciples, try to do the same and be respectful and humble.  I hope my students do the same.

            The old adage “action speaks louder than words” is very true.  Students will mimic and adapt what the teacher does “with a quickness”!  How often have you observed a student doing a form and you were able to identify their teacher through the way they did the form.

            On the same hand, if you are one of those complaining, whiny, loud instructors we see at tournaments; odds are your students will behave the same way when they become instructors.  No matter what you say to them, or how you tell about “fair play” and sportsmanship.

            More often, it’s what you do more so than what you say!

            

"SELF DEFENSE AGAINST...THE BANANA..." Part 1

Alright, check these out, they may make you smile, laugh, giggle or just shake your head.  All of these are true, names and bits of information have been changed to protect the dignity of the guilty….

A veteran police officer and his partner were responding to a call at the local diner one evening.  When they arrived at the scene they saw a distraught young man in his late teens, brandishing a steak knife, threatening a couple patrons.  This being a small town the officers knew the young man and the reason why he was threatening the couple with the steak knife.  (The young woman was his recently ex-fiancé with her new boyfriend.)

The veteran officer calmly approached the youth who now turned his attention toward him.  The officer was a martial artist, a local legend having won a number of Tea Kwon Do tournaments.  His house was filled with plaques, trophies and other mementos of various national and international tournaments.  He was now the master instructor at the local dojang.  The youth recognized him and realized he was in for a few pounds of trouble.  So the kid panicked and lunged at the officer.  The officer stepped back and executed a “text-book” perfect disarm, just like they do in practice, the same thing he did at various demonstrations and exhibitions.

The youth stepped back, the officer bowed, picked up the knife and handed it back to the youth and went into “Chun-bi” stance. The youth looked at the knife and then looked at the officer.  Before realization set into the officer, the youth went to attack again.  This time his partner bopped the kid, took away the knife and cuffed him.

Afterwards, the partner asked the officer what happened, but not as gently as that.  His question was filled with various four-letter expletives.  The officer, embarrassed, admitted he blanked and thought he was back in class practicing.

A few years back, after a workout a bunch of us stopped by a local McDonalds to grab some quick food.  Behind the counter was an attractive young lady.  She overheard our conversation and saw the Asian writing on our shirts.  She asked if we were martial artists, my student Rich, in the hopes of getting her name and phone number quickly struck up a conversation with her, saying that we had just finished class. 

The young lady smiled and announced that she was a ju-jitsu master along with her brother.  Rich, thinking he had found his perfect woman, young, attractive and a martial artist; really turned on the “charm” if you want to call it that.  Women I know call it something else.  Anyway, he asked whom she trained with.  She said she and her brother had bought every Brazilian Ju-Jitsu DVD they could and she had read Bruce lee’s “Red Book” (?).

We were all struggling to keep a straight face.  But when she announced that her and her brother learned real combat techniques by watching YouTube and going to various websites, we busted out laughing.  So did Rich.  She became extremely angry.  She said she had “mad skills”.  She said she was going to get Bruce Lee’s other book and then watch the “Karate Kid” movies so then she’ll be a master of karate also – and Rich had better watch himself!

Hmmm....anyway, I'll have a couple more next time.

SOMEONE PLEASE DEFINE "REAL MARTIAL ARTS".... part 2

Alright, talking about "real martial arts", "real techniques" and such...check this out....  Back  in those “BKKM” days (Before the Karate Kid Movie the original one with Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio) when most Masters would train you so hard to see if you would quit, they still followed that pattern of constant repetition of simple techniques until you absorbed it and were able to advance to more complicated and intricate maneuvers.

            Going from the simple to the more intricate and advanced is the same basic procedure followed in academic classrooms.  Once the student has absorbed the simple theories, they are capable of moving forward to the more advanced.  You don’t throw algebra at a student until they have understood basic math.  You don’t have them read James Joyce or Albert Camus until they have figured out what Dick, Jane and Spot were doing.

            You can’t just throw information at people and expect them to retain it.  Hence we have the “gup” and “dan” curriculum.  Each new skill and technique is built on the previous one that was taught.  As the student progresses, the techniques and materials come at a faster pace.  But even then, one doesn't throw a new technique at a student until they have absorbed the previous one.

            Throwing someone to the lions in order to teach them how to hunt is not really that effective.  One sure thing is that you do not have a huge number of returning students.  It sounds great on your brochure, and the fact that you may have a couple people that went through your program and are now hunters is great publicity.  But the truth of the matter is that you probably do not have that many students at all.  It’s a wonder if you even have a double digit amount of students.

            To be fair, most of the MMA teachers that I know follow a “traditional martial arts” type of curriculum.  They have beginner techniques that the students must absorb before they move forward.  Also, most of their students already have previous experience, Judo, wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido and so on; as do the instructors.

            The problem with traditional martial arts is not with the art, it may be the way the art is taught at that particular location.  There may be particular Masters who does not have certain knowledge or experience so their particular dojang, or system, may be lacking.  But that is the fault of the Master, not a tenet of the entire martial art.  If you study traditional arts, completely study them, including all the rituals, traditions and so on, you will discover applications of the techniques that are as valid today as they were when the art was first conceived.

            True, we may not carry or even use swords in today’s society.  However, if you study the sword, break down the techniques, breathing, hand positions and so on; you may discover how those same hand positions are useful in executing particular joint locks and throws.  You will also discover that you can apply sword strike theories and some techniques to the Bo staff, baton and knife.  Plus, it's a wonderful avenues for meditation.

            I know, I’m preaching to the choir.  We are quite aware that traditional martial arts do possess effective, “real” techniques that are useful on today’s streets.  If your art doesn’t have effective self defense techniques, you may need to change schools because it’s probably that particular instructor, not the art.

That's it for now, until later....