But What If...

Post By: Sensei Lee

I think one of the most common questions I hear as a Sensei is "But what if...?"

"But what if someone grabs you this way?"
"But what if the have a knife?"
"But what if they are on drugs and don't feel it when you hit them?"
"But what if they hit you with the other hand while you're escaping the grab?"

There are countless "But what if's...?" in life in general, and certainly these questions are bound to come up during training. In fact, it is good to be questioning. It shows that you are thinking about your martial art techniques and not simply following through the motions blindly.

Training in any martial art does not guarantee that you will conquer a gang of goons like Bruce Lee by delivering one perfectly executed technique to each bad guy. It means that should a threatening situation arise, that you are better prepared to handle it than the average person who has no training.

Lets say you are leaving a crowded theater when a fight breaks out. Suddenly an angry, violent, and out of control individual comes hurtling at you and your loved one. Your training can do a few different things for you. Perhaps because of your training, you heard the sounds of a fight and recognized it for what it was ahead of time. Martial arts training could allow you to get yourself and your loved one out of the situation before you inadvertently become stuck in the middle of it. Maybe you were able to get your loved one out of the way and divert most of the blow from this attacker while managing to subdue them with a couple of well timed strikes. Or maybe you heard the attacker coming and had enough time to meet their blow and throw them to the ground with an imperfect but effective Koshi Nage. Or maybe as they were coming at you...

There are thousands of scenarios you can work through. This is in part because of your training, you understand all the different ways a situation like this could play out. In contrast, someone with no martial arts experience would likely not even recognize what was going on until it was too late.

In real life, a self defense situation is never going to work the way it does in the dojo. An attacker will not grab you the same way, react the way you are used to, or necessarily respond to a foot stomp. However, after training for a number of years you start to develop a kind of martial arts 6th sense. You recognize what way joints move and what ways they do not. As openings present themselves you strike without really thinking about it. Awareness is what prepares you to react to an attack accordingly, even if it is not exactly like the way we practice in circle attacks.

This awareness comes from practice and time. One of my favorite Sensei told me something back when I was a green belt that I still think about today: "Cry in the dojo, laugh on the battlefield." I love that saying, and think about it often.

Photo By: Dan Hucko 

Getting Hit Too Hard in Sparring

Post By: S Lee

You're in the middle of a sparring match and your partner starts striking you harder than you are comfortable with. Maybe a punch penetrated your guard and got you hard in the gut, or even gave you a black eye. Or maybe the strike didn't get in, but you are afraid of getting hurt if it does. Either way, you are concerned and in the middle of a very uncomfortable situation.

There are a few ways of dealing with this. First, remember where you are. Karate and sparring in particular are combative. Striking and getting hit are major components, and they are not always a bad thing. Surviving a hard sparring match relatively unscathed shows that you can handle the ordeal. It also teaches you that bloody noses, black eyes, and rough throws to the ground while painful do heal. They are survivable. You learn how much punishment a body can take without being incapacitated. This is extremely important when applied in self defense.

That being said, we do not want our students to all end up in the hospital. If you feel like your sparring match is out of control, then you should say something. Politely ask your sparring partner to ease up or slow down. Stop the match if you have to. Make sure he or she knows that you are serious and not joking around. Also check yourself. I have found over the years that most people return the amount of speed and power they feel that they themselves are receiving. It could be that you don't realize how strong or fast you are going, and that your partner is simply returning that pace. Once both of you are aware and have reset the match, see if things improve. If they do not and you still feel threatened, get the attention of a Sensei. Sensei can intervene and make sure the situation is handled. However, make sure you flag us down and actually have our attention. While we are very aware of our surroundings we are not omnipotent, and we may not realize what is going on right away unless you tell us.

Another option is to wear sparring gear. Gear protects you as well as your sparring partner, and if you want to hit harder without the lasting damage this is a great option. If your partner is punching or kicking too hard bare-knuckle, ask them to put gear on. Those inches of foam padding make a difference, and that might be all you need to make the sparring match civil. This is often a double-edged sword. If you are wearing gear, your partner may take that as a green light to hit you harder. I will often request gear if I want to have an intense match, but I'm concerned that my partner may do lasting damage without it.

Lastly, access what it is that you are specifically worried about. If you have an old injury that could be made worse, such as a bad knee, there are ways to protect it. You can request that your sparring partner avoid take-downs. If you were hit in the temple too hard once and are fearful of experiencing that again, talk to a Sensei. We can help you adjust your guard and give you other strategies to better protect yourself.  

The worst thing you can do is avoid sparring altogether or to avoid specific people. It is perfectly fine to take a break in order to recover, but you must get back to it. Overcoming fear is a huge learning experience in the martial arts. By avoiding you are not learning anything. When I think of the people I used to be afraid of I realize that these are the individuals who have taught me the most. If I had avoided them the first time they had hit me too hard, I would have missed out on some truly valuable lessons. In fact, some of the people I used to be afraid of as a yellow belt eventually turned into my favorite instructors.

If your sparring match is out of control, stand up for yourself. You can also ask an instructor for assistance. Try suggesting sparring gear as well. Never avoid the situation, and instead look for learning opportunities. Get the most out of sparring by being assertive and by working at your own pace.

Photo By: S Ken Smith 

Board Breaking

Post By: S Lee

Board breaking is one of those iconic karate things that new students are often in awe over. It is a showy and strong example of sheer power as a hand or leg blasts through wood or even concrete like it was nothing. Reserved for seminars and belt testing, board breaking is also a "special" activity we don't get to do at every practice.

While breaking boards looks impressive, you may find that it is not at all as difficult as you first imagined. Some power, speed, and muscle are needed, however, most of the ability to break a board comes from your mind. Staying focused and hitting through the board, as opposed to ending your strike on contact will determine the likelihood of your success. Mentally, you have to imagine that you are going to explode through that wood board. Being afraid or timid will likely result in failure. Send your energy past the board and into the holders, as if the wooden separation isn't even there.  

That being said, there are other nuances to board breaking. Your Sensei will help you and explain what you exactly need to do. Listen to them! Some techniques are more difficult than others, and if a Sensei suggests trying something else, there is a good reason for it. There are many different techniques to use, including kicks and upper body strikes. It is best that you pick something you are familiar with, especially if it is your first time breaking.

There are different ways to go about breaking your 4 boards. Some students will go through them one by one, choosing one technique at a time to focus on. You pick your technique and find someone to hold your boards. After performing a few practice strikes, you then launch your technique and break. More advanced students, typically green belt and above, will do a series break. This is where you select at least two techniques to do in a sequence without a break in-between. After finding your holders, position them where you want. It might be with them standing across from each other or in a circle around you. Practice your entire sequence a few times. As soon as you are ready, break your boards in the order of your sequence. Another option is to break multiple boards at once. Pick a technique that is very strong for you, like an elbow strike. The holders will keep at least two boards steady, giving you a chance to break both boards at the same time with just one strike.

Enjoy board breaking! This is a fun way to challenge your mind and body. Those boards won't stand a chance this seminar!

This comic used to hang in the Kung-Fu studio. It always made me smile!

Photo By: Ken Smith 

   

Solitary Training

Post By: S Lee

We are all happy to get to practice and see a group of people ready to work hard! Their energy helps keep us going. Seeing people you enjoy working with is always a bonus as well. However, solitary training is also valuable.

Training by yourself can seem boring at first. You also may worry about practicing things incorrectly. But the benefits of this kind of practice outweigh the potential risks. Going through techniques on your own can give you insight you would not normally have gained working in  group. Your focus becomes internalized, forcing you to examine yourself more than you would in a class full of people. As we progress, this is also how we develop our own art, as opposed to doing a kata or technique a certain way because we were told to do so. This might mean seeing other possible applications of the techniques, such as transforming a simple side-block reverse punch combination into an arm break in Seisan Kata. Solitary training is also when you have an opportunity to be experimental. You can freely play around with weapons, techniques, and drills without worrying about possibly messing up and being embarrassed. I spent a week drilling the "suicide" nunchaku move by myself before attempting it in front of other people, not wanting them to see me bash myself in the head with the things. Committing to a seigan is a great outlet for solitary training. Unless you are able to make it to the dojo every single day for classes, you will end up doing some of your training alone.

Lone training can help you develop into a stronger martial artist. Overcome any trepidation you may have about practicing techniques incorrectly. Working on your own is an excellent opportunity to really examine yourself.

Photo By: Ken Smith

Outdoor Seigan

Post By: S Lee

During the Thursday class we have been challenging ourselves by having part of practice outside. The idea is to continue to do this, despite whatever weather conditions might arise. Though we have not been purposely adding time to our half hour challenge, it has been naturally happening. The first time out there we lasted half an hour, while last class we spent about forty-five minutes training outdoors. So why would anyone insist on this?

There are a number of reasons why outdoor training is beneficial. First, we did not pick the Thursday self defense class randomly. Using techniques on uneven ground, sometimes slippery ground, against people wearing layers of clothing, adds some needed realism to self defense. Chances are if you are ever attacked in real life, you may have to face these conditions. Even throwing a simple and normally powerful elbow strike is difficult if you slide on a patch of ice (which I found out last week.) It makes you realize that things like head kicks or spinning kicks are maybe not as good for self defense as you once thought. Plus, with the noise of the passing traffic it is almost impossible to hear your attacker approaching. This drastically cuts down on the time you have to react with something that makes sense.

Toughness is an element that is necessary in nearly every sport, and certainly in the martial arts. Forcing yourself to train in less than ideal conditions helps develop this inner sense of strength. It shows you that you can go outside in the rain or snow, do what you have to, and return relatively unscathed. I think anyone who has experienced this will agree that it feels good running up that hill. It feels good throwing your techniques and working through circle attacks as the wind rushes at you. There is a certain amount of satisfaction when you throw your wet and mud-stained uniform in the wash.

Personally, staying focused outside is the toughest thing for me. The rushing cars, occasional jogger, dog walkers, and the huge glowing Tim Horton's sign are all major distractions. Staying focused through kata and basics is even more difficult with all these other things going on.

I strongly urge people to join us outside. It is excellent training and you will feel good about it. Oxyclean and Tide are great at getting mud out of white uniforms.  

Photo By: Ken Smith

Warming-Up Before Practice Starts

Post by: S Lee

You bow in, enter the dojo, bow to the shrine, and see that you have a good ten minutes before practice starts. Now what? Lately we have been going over some good ways to warm-up on your own when you get to the dojo a little bit early.

Range of motion exercises are a good way to start, but they shouldn't be done for more than a couple minutes. Muscles are like taffy, when they are warm they are stretchy and flexible. However, when they are cold they are susceptible to injury. Therefore, it is best to start warming up those muscles before you start stretching or doing strenuous activity like punching and kicking the bags. Here are some ideas:

-Knees to chest
-Jumping jacks
-Light jog, incorporating upper body movement
-Light shadow boxing
-Jump rope
-Kata
-Tai Sabaki

After a few minutes of warming up with one of these activities, your muscles should start feeling warm and loose. Depending on how warmed up you are, you may feel like stretching at this point. Another option is to start practicing techniques. Bag work, push-ups, sit-ups, weapons kata, rolls, and other techniques can be practiced for the last few minutes before class starts.

There are some things you should NOT be doing:

-Talking about non-martial arts stuff
-Sitting down to stretch
-Staring into oblivion

It is important to get the most out of every class you attend. This is true for everyone, but even more so for people looking to test. One of the things black belts look for in potential testers is their readiness and enthusiasm. This is also your chance to work that new part of your kata or to go over your offensive sparring combinations without a Sensei scrutinizing your techniques.

Keep these things in mind when arriving to practice early. Have any other ideas for warm-ups? Add them in the comments!

Photo By: Ken Smith

Competitions and the Martial Arts

Post By: Sensei Lee

A few years ago Sensei Kris and I entered an international karate tournament, with Sensei Harp's permission of course. While there were competitions in kata, weapons, semi contact sparring, and no contact sparring, we picked full contact fighting to compete in. Both of us had our own reasons for entering. Personally, I wanted to experience the competitive environment and see how my training held up against someone trying to hurt me.

Fighting in tournaments is very different from the sparring we do at our dojo. There were different rules as well as different goals. For example, elbows, leg kicks, and knee smashes were allowed but not punches to the face. The goal of the match was to render your opponent unable to continue. This meant knocking them unconscious. Points were also awarded for spirit and dominance during the match. No gear was worn, except for mouth guards.

For those who have never been to a karate tournament, they are not easy. There were last minute weight division changes, fighters dropped out and had be reorganized, and the fights were running hours behind. Managing through all this is sometimes just as hard as the competition itself.

Even so, I'm glad we entered. Considering that we had no competition training, we both did very well. Sensei Kris came in second while I came in third in our divisions. We both stuck it out and fought hard during our time in the ring. Sensei Phil was a great corner man as well! While I'm not sure if I would ever compete again, I did enjoy some aspects of the experience. I was able to fight with people from other styles, including the reigning Canadian champion!

Competitions have their benefits and rewards. It feels good to prepare, work hard, and experience other schools and styles. However, you have to be careful not to let it influence your ego too much, or to take the results too personally. Treat it like any other facet of your training: Learn and grow.

Check out S Kris's battle! There is a link to it on the left under the "Harp Karate on YouTube" heading.

Photo By: Ken Smith

Training with an Injury

Post By: Lee Phelan

Eventually one day it happens: you move incorrectly, have a lapse in concentration, or find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sure enough, you walk away with an injury. Hopefully it wasn't serious. Maybe all you need is some ice, ibuprofen, and Tiger Balm. But sometimes it is serious, and you end up having to take some time off or drastically change how you train.

Injuries for the most part are frustrating, painful, and reminders of our vulnerability. However, they can also teach us a great deal.

Being injured does not have to interfere with your training. Just about anything we do can be modified and adjusted. Techniques can be done one handed, sitting down, slowly, gently, or even mentally. This forces us to use our other abilities to accomplish an end result. Sure, you may feel silly at first. But in actuality you are enhancing your training and adding an element of realism as well. In an actual self defense situation, you may not have all your weapons available. You may end up injured in the exchange and have to improvise. Working around an injury allows you to work on other facets of training that may otherwise be ignored. Without muscle to compensate, balance and positioning become that much more important.

That being said, always follow the advice given by a doctor or other medical professional. If they tell you to take it easy and stay out of practice, do it. If a Sensei tells you to stop and treat an injury, do it.

One of the biggest lessons the martial arts have taught me is perseverance. No matter what challenges are ahead, continue fighting and confidently head forward towards your goals.    

Photo by: Akeeris

On drinking, Spitting and Sword

Post By: Sensei Kris

Welcome to the second part of my irregular series on the Isshinryu Code. In this feature, we’ll examine one of the strangest of the tenets:

The manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft.

At first glance, one might wonder whether we are talking about martial arts at all. But I think this one line from the code nicely sums up a lot of what we do at Harp Karate.

First of all, we need to think more closely about “drinking” and “spitting”. Both deal with the same idea: are taking a liquid into your body (drinking) or expelling it from your body (spitting). If we replace the word “liquid” with “an opponent’s energy”, we get something interesting: The manner of taking an opponent’s energy and returning that energy is either hard or soft.

After a small amount of training, especially in circle attacks or sparring, we’ve experienced this. Sometimes you charge in at the person in the center in a direct confrontation (spitting hard). They respond by either meeting your charge with direct force like a block or a kick that catches you before you get too close (drinking hard) or by moving slightly and redirecting your energy (drinking soft). At other times, you try to be sneakier and attack the person in the middle more indirectly, such as a leg sweep while they are trying to reset after the last attack (spitting soft). They respond either by solidifying themselves against the sweep (drinking hard) or by allowing you to move them and then continuing that motion to their advantage (drinking soft).

We’re all used to sparring combinations. This tenet reminds us that there is a higher level of combinations – sort of a “meta-level” – where we think in larger terms about how we are being attacked and how we are responding to the attack. So here’s where my mathematician’s way of thinking comes into it. We have two ways of drinking and two ways of spitting. That’s 2 X 2 = 4 combinations of responding. To summarize them, we can

Drink hard and spit soft

Drink soft and spit soft

Drink hard and spit hard

Drink soft and spit hard

In sword, we refer to this by a more formal concept of yin and yang. Your partner attacks with the sword and you either block with yang (force against force) or yin (redirecting energy). Your counterattack after the block is either yin (following their movement) or yang (against their movement). Further, sword has eight basic strikes and eight blocks, so the combinations start to grow: eight strikes X 2 blocks (yin/yang) X 2 counterstrikes (yin/yang) = 32 combinations. When you factor in the three different distances that might be involved (close, middle, far) and how that affects the way you perform the technique, we suddenly get to around 96 combinations. Those on the Aiki side of the dojo are familiar with this combinatorial way of thinking (whether they realize it or not). But the karate side tends not to think this way too much.

At any rate, we’ve now got a lot of movements to memorize and practice. And to try and recognize which of those 96 you need at any given split second of a sword fight would result in “analysis paralysis” for most people. So the goal of our training is not simply to memorize all the movements and perform them perfectly. It is more subtle (did we ever think it wouldn’t be?). We need to think about the basic components of each of the movements – build our understanding and ability to perform them strong – so that we can use them as Lego blocks and build an appropriate response in the heat of the moment. This requires us to be fully present in the moment of each activity in the dojo and our personal training, aware of each of the facets (distance, the attacker’s technique, our block, our counter, etc.) so that we can develop a feel for what is actually happening that goes beyond what is easily seen.

So as you train in karate, Aiki, sword, automobile traffic, assignments, or whatever, think about how you take in the situation and how your give back. After all, it’s the season of giving! So drink up, everyone! (Or drink down, or…)

Photo By: Ken Smith

Interview with Sensei Terry

1. How long have you been training?

In January of 2012, I will have been training for 20 years … I wish I had started sooner!

2. What martial arts have you studied?

I began my martial arts training at Harp Karate, studying Sensei Harp’s interpretation of Isshin Ryu Karate. I took a stab at Aiki Ju Do, but it didn’t work for me … I love the concept and principles of Aiki, but I have physical limitations that prevent me from pursuing the art. No worries though … Aiki Ken Jutsu and Ken Ai Do provide me with many opportunities to expand my horizons. These sword arts add depth to my training.

3. What do you love most about the martial arts?

So hard to say … there is always room for improvement and growth … there is the feeling of confidence … there is the satisfaction in helping others learn … I have never found a negative aspect to martial arts training …

4. What do you think is special about Harp Karate compared to other schools? 

 I have never trained at another school, but I have visited some … at Harp Karate each student is an individual, valued for their individuality and trained with that individuality in mind. Each student is encouraged to work and progress at the pace that suits them best, and each student is backed by the support of all members of the dojo.

5. How did you first become involved in the martial arts? 

My sons joined Harp Karate while I was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy in a battle against breast cancer. When I finished my chemotherapy, I decided I would “take karate” to regain my strength. My four year old son taught me to tie my belt! I soon discovered that one doesn’t “take karate” … okay … some do … but not me …I was hooked after the first few classes … after that I didn’t “take karate” …. I was on the road to becoming a martial artist.

6. What is your proudest moment in the dojo? 

I don’t think I can identify a proudest moment … there have been so many and there are so many more to come. The proudest moments so far have been when I have watched someone I have helped to train overcome all odds and attain their goals …

7. Who in the martial arts has inspired you? 

My brother was my first inspiration … then I joined Harp Karate and was inspired by many … Sensei Margot, Sensei Jennifer, and of course, Sensei Harp.

8. Where do you see your training going in the next five years?

As one of the senior members of the dojo (I’m old), I see my training continuing along the path I have been following … I work on making more of less

9. What is your favorite technique, kata, or other activity in the dojo?

When I enter the dojo whatever I practice is my favorite for that day … if I am the sensei I get to choose my favorite ,,, if I am not the Sensei, whatever I am assigned is my favorite for that time.

10. How have the martial arts changed who you are? 

The martial arts have made me an entirely different person …I am more confident (ok … confident at all) … I’m in the best physical condition I’ve ever been….I am happy and proud every day when I train and know that I have improved my life (and had fun doing it!) 

Interview with Sensei Kris Green

      How long have you been training?

I started in 1991, but had to take time off for knee problems for a few years, then got back into it and had to take time off after getting hit by an SUV while riding my bike in a perfectly legal and responsible fashion. But I’ve been back solidly for almost 5 years now.

What martial arts have you studied?

I’ve studied karate primarily, with Ken Jutsu (art of the boken) coming second. But I’ve also learned and taught some Tai Chi (Yang short form). I’ve been exposed to techniques from Aiki, Jujitsu, and other styles, but only at a very surface level.

What do you love most about the martial arts?

It’s a lot of fun, it’s challenging and it keeps me fit. I’m in better overall shape now than in my 20’s. In fact, martial arts was the first activity that I both liked and had to work hard to improve. I liked that challenge. And the breaks I took for injuries really helped me see how much I was missing. Another benefit is providing me an outlet emotionally and spiritually; the self-discipline and self-awareness have been VITAL to getting where I am today.

How did you first become involved in the martial arts?

My first college roommate wanted to check out the karate club at school. It was Isshinryu-based and a lot of his high school friends had done Isshinryu. I stuck with it; he didn’t.

What is your proudest moment in the dojo?

I think that would have to be seeing and hearing the reactions to what Sensei Lee and I prepared for our second degree test. We really worked hard on those interpretations of the kata, and having everyone react the way they did was extremely gratifying.

Where do you see your training going in the next five years?

I hope to still be on my seigan, first of all. Second, I hope to be more patient and aware; right now, I get very impatient in sparring. I don’t like to wait for my opponent, even though that is extremely important, and always backfires when I don’t wait. I also hope to have helped a few students progress to their next level of training. I’m thinking about some of the green belts, in particular.

What is your favorite technique, kata, or other activity in the dojo?

I love Kusanku. I think that kata is really complex and has a lot of layers to it, as evidenced by the “strange applications” Sensei Lee and I demonstrated a our second degree test. I also like sparring a lot.

How have the martial arts changed who you are?

Believe it or not, I’m a calmer person when I practice regularly. My mental focus is better. I’m happier. In high school, I had a lot of nicknames that were related to my dour personality. Now I’m much more pleasant to be around.

Photo by: Kathleen Vona

Weapon of Choice

Post By: Lee Phelan

We are lucky to be able to train with a variety of weapons at Harp Karate. At green belt karate student can begin practicing with the sai, nunchaku, and the bo. Later are the tonfas. In Aiki Ju Do students learn the chujo, chojo, and dijo.  Once a student in either art reaches black belt, they can begin practicing with the sword.

At first I never liked weapons. The practical side of my brain would think things like: "When am I going to be walking down the street with a katana or bo in my hand?" However, I have now learned that weapons can teach us much more about balance, power, coordination, and body mechanics than I once thought. A weapon truly is an extension of yourself, and it can teach you a lot.

If forced to choose a favorite, I would have to pick the sword. For me it truly expresses our concepts of opposites. This is a very powerful weapon, even though it takes little in terms of physical strength to use it. At first the cuts and defenses seem simple, but they are complex with countless variations. It is also a very beautiful and elegant weapon, despite being so deadly and dangerous.

Think about your own weapon of choice!

Photo By: Rob Wiltshire 

Awareness in Every Direction

Post By: Sensei Kris Green  
 
This is, I hope, the first of several posts related to a common theme: the 
karate code. And while the code is Okinawan in origin and derived from and for 
karate, it applies equally well to any martial art. Isshinryu’s founder, Master 
Shimabuku, adapted the Code of Karate from an ancient text on empty-hand 
fighting called The Bubishi. This code is a set of eight precepts that a 
karateka is encouraged to consider, interpret, and reinterpret as he or she 
develops through the art. 
 
1. A person’s heart is the same as heaven and earth. 
2. The blood circulating is similar to the moon and sun. 
3. The manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft. 
4. A person’s unbalance is the same as weight. 
5. The body should be able to change directions at any time. 
6. The time to strike is when opportunity presents itself. 
7. The eye must see all sides. 
8. The ear must listen in all directions. 
 
Here, I’d like to focus on the last two precepts: “The eye must see all sides” 
and “The ear must listen in all directions.” I want to consider them together 
because they are very similar, and yet that similarity often hides a much deeper 
interpretation. 
 
On the surface, these two seem to be very applicable to self defense. After all, 
how can one defend against opponents if you are not aware of their presence? If 
you only look forward, you cannot see the enemy hiding just beyond the doorway 
to the right. You may miss the sound of footsteps behind you as a malcontent 
approaches. Not to mention the threats that may come from above as someone drops 
from the ceiling, or below as the floor shifts, slides or falls out from under 
you. 
 
After reading many interpretations of these two precepts, it seems that most 
people stop there. And yet that ignores the profound philosophical side to these 
precepts. Lately, Sensei has been working with us specifically on developing 
awareness. Certainly these precepts speak to the importance of visual and 
auditory awareness of one’s surroundings. But there are two other directions in 
which we must see and hear. 
 
Notice that all the above awareness is focused externally, on one’s opponent or 
potential opponents. Basically, it teaches us to be productively paranoid. But 
we must also listen and see internally. Listen to our own breathing for signs 
that we are tense. See one’s stance and guard from the opponent’s perspective. 
Be aware of one’s awareness and where our attention is located. Listen to our 
intentions, and let go of them as needed. 
 
The other direction is one that normal people might not think of as a direction. 
But I’m a physicist/mathematician by training, so thinking of time as a 
direction is second nature. We must see the future and the past. I’m not talking 
about mystical mumbo-jumbo here. I’m talking about hearing and seeing our 
previous and possible future selves. What did the old me want to get out of my 
training? Have I accomplished it? What will the me of ten years from now want to 
be able to do? How can I help him get there? We are like the stream: the water 
is always changing, but the stream remains. Our self is always changing, and our 
perception of past, present, and future selves is always changing. We must be 
aware of these as well, for we train not just for now but forever. This applies 
every minute of our training – if throw a technique that is good or bad, we must 
move past it and look to the next technique, rather than getting stuck on what 
has already happened. 

Photo By: Idea Go

Switching Styles: Aiki and Karate

Post By: Lee Phelan

For the month of September Karate students had the opportunity to switch over and try some Aiki classes. I have also been practicing Aiki a couple nights a week for approximately a year or so. Even though these arts are practiced under the same roof, they are very different, and switching between them is no easy task.

Sensei Kris is the one who pointed out one major difference that tends to perplex karate students. In karate, you can really feel the devastation of a correct technique. For example, if you kick a bag or mitt with a perfectly balanced and executed roundhouse kick, you can see and feel the strength of it. The punching bag swings back with a deep THRUMP and you feel like you could hold your kick in the chamber and deliver yet another technique. Aiki is much more subtle. When done correctly, gravity does more “work” than the practitioner when it comes to throws. Controls are more about alignment than wrenching certain joints one way or another.

It is never easy switching styles. Even similar arts like Karate and Taekwondo or Aikido and Judo have some major and unexpected differences. It takes a bit of effort to put aside familiarity and muscle memory in order to learn something entirely new. It also takes some humility to adjust and take in instruction on concepts or techniques you thought you knew.

So this is a congratulatory post for the karate students who ventured onto the Aiki mat in September, and for the Aiki instructors who patiently shared their knowledge and insight. I also want to commend the Aiki students who have come to sparring classes. Aiki practitioners are excellent sparring partners, despite coming from an art that has little traditional sparring instruction. 

Photo by: Ken Smith

Thoughts on Testing Requirements

Post by: Lee Phelan

When I was in high school I loved art, and my day was packed full of art classes. There was one particular project that I was extremely excited about. We were asked to construct a box out of whatever materials we wanted, the inside was supposed to represent our inner selves, while the outside was what we portrayed to the world. I was so excited about it that I took my project home and stayed up all night working on it, ignoring the other homework I had been assigned that day. By five in the morning the box was done and I was thrilled, however, the art teacher was not.

He explained to me that this project wasn't going to be due until the end of the month, giving us three weeks or so to work on it. To my dismay he pointed out how hastily my box had been constructed: there were uneven edges, blobs of glue showing, and the drawings were sloppy. Most importantly, he noted that I simply did not take the time for my ideas to solidify. My box met all the requirements for the assignment and it was “done,” but it was not the finished and thoughtful piece he was looking for.

Testing in the martial arts is like my art box. It is easy to get in a hurry, to check off the requirements in the book, to expect your next belt, and to inevitably feel crushing disappointment when told that you are not ready. Despite all the years of your training, despite doing Seisan kata or Aiki-Otoshi five million times, you may not be ready. It isn't that you are doing the techniques wrong, or that you didn't complete the requirements set out before you. Instead, it is because Sensei has the ability to see your potential, and that you have not quite gotten there yet.

Initially you may feel like ripping your box apart and throwing it in the trash. You may wonder why you even bothered working on it so hard only to be told it isn't good enough. You may look at the boxes around you and start comparing them to yours. You may even wonder if other teachers would better appreciate your box. But this will get you nowhere.

Trust in those who have walked this path before you, and most importantly, trust in yourself. Your journey in the martial arts is not about what you are, but instead it is about what you will become.  

Photo by: Graeme Weatherston

Taking a Hit to the Solar Plexus (and staying on your feet)

Post By: Meghan Orfitelli

As soon as the blow lands, you know you’re in trouble. Your breath rushes out, pain shoots through your chest, and if the hit was hard enough, your vision cuts out briefly. Suddenly, you’re fighting, not to hit your opponent, but just to stay on your feet.

A blow to the Solar Plexus, that soft patch just below your breast bone, can end a fight. It can, in a worst case scenario, lead to massive internal injury and even death. Aside from blows to the head, hits to the Solar Plexus can be some of the most devastating strikes allowed in sparring.

The best way to deal with a hit to the Solar Plexus is, of course, not to get hit there. Sometimes however, taking that blow is unavoidable or is the lesser of two evils. When faced with the choice of blocking a blow to the head or a blow to the body, I will always choose to take the hit to the body.

One of the most important things to remember when you do get hit in the solar plexus is not to panic. Even though it doesn't feel like it, you will eventually be able to breathe again. Keep your guard up, maybe give up a little ground, buy yourself time. Don’t try anything crazy right now, no jumping spinning crescent kicks. If you need to, throw some quick strikes to back your opponent up, but realize that right now, you just don’t have the breath for anything spectacular. You are strictly on defense duty right now.

The next thing you need to do is evaluate. How badly are you hurt? Are you in imminent danger of throwing up or passing out? Sometimes calling a fight is the best option. You can’t learn if you’re not conscious. If you have to call the match, put your arms above your head to stretch out your chest and give your lungs some space. Concentrate on getting your breathing under control. Sit out a round or two if you have to, and then evaluate if you can get back in a match.

Assuming you’re not too badly hurt to keep fighting, realize that you’re going to have to spare a bit of your concentration for keeping your breathing under control. Your Diaphragm just took a hit, and it’s not going to want to work smoothly for a while. Try to keep your breathing as even as possible. An easy way to regulate your breathing is to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breathe in for three counts, and out for three.

Once you’ve gotten your breathing under control you’re golden. Remember however, like with any injury, if you’re still feeling it a couple days later, it may be time to get yourself to a doctor.

The Harp Karate Blog is Now Open!

Harp Karate now has a blog! This space is for students and teachers who would like to share their thoughts, ideas, and opinions on some dojo-related topics. We can also share photos and videos on here as well. All posts are going to be open for discussion and comments, which is a great way to exchange ideas.

If you have something you would like to blog about, simply email it to me and I will post it. Don't panic if your post isn't on here right away, it just means that I haven't had a chance to add it yet. As long as your post is positive and insightful it will go up on our blog.

Here are some ideas:

Your favorite kind of class
Thoughts about a seminar
Techniques
Sparring
Ideas about the competing clans
Kata or basics
Things you would like to see more of
Testing requirements
Independent workout ideas
Weapons

There are plenty of other things to write about, so be creative and share your ideas! Meanwhile, don't forget to check the Harp Karate Facebook page.