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I grew up in the fifties, and this strange thing called Karate exploded onto the scene. Frail women could use it to take down savage brutes. Even a child could use it to protect himself against the bullies.
Unfortunately, very few have ever seen the true side of the martial art called Karate. I studied something called Kang Duk Won back in the sixties and seventies, and Kang Duk Won did illustrate the True Martial Art. With Kang Duk Won Korean Karate, which was a forerunner of Tae Kwon Do, the rumors were true, even women and children could use the art to fend off large attackers.
I will tell you the secret of Kang Duk Won in a moment, but first let me make a point, what I am about to tell you was not true for Shotokan, or kenpo, or Goju Ryu or Shito ryu or any other art. These arts were altered, and so lost the essence of Karate. And, to be honest, there seems to be no sign of a resurgence of The True Art in these arts.
Shotokan, for instance, was supremely altered by the robust college students of Japan. It was tailored for tournaments and machismo and the singular and limited mentality that bullies holds only to the truncated truth that there is only art and it is the one I am studying. At one point a college student was beaten to death for not holding to this terrible principle.
Kenpo is another example of an art that has been reworked into something that can be brutal, but does not elevate the human condition. Tournaments, trophies, protective gear, and the desire to keep little Johnny entertained so he would keep paying his monthly dues are all part of this heresy. And, as time progresses, it seems that other influences are derailing the potential The True Art and stopping people from the real value a study of the martial arts can give.
Mind you, the secret of true martial art is still within such arts as Kenpo and Shotokan, but people do not open their eyes, study blindly, cannot open their eyes that there could be anything besides their own precious art. All they have to do is learn to do their forms in a manner more relaxed and conducive to mental relaxation. I do not mean limp relaxed, like Tai Chi often becomes when studied for health purposes, but relaxed, empty, and empty in a manner that results in awareness flickering through the body.
Do the form until you don?t have to think about it, but it is a simple, automatic sequence. Relax, and, while holding a slight tautness in the tan tien, close only the fist. Make a snapping sound with the fist.
We do forms in this fashion at Monster Martial Arts, and the result is an end to the mental chatter within, and a back and forth surge of intention and golden power. Indeed, we have more awareness in which to assess the threats of the world, more relaxed ability to move the frame, and the surge and whip of golden energy within creates a fist that will drop any attacker. Of course, you can always hold to the idea that there is only your art, and that nobody else in the world can have a thought...you can do that if you wish.
Unfortunately, very few have ever seen the true side of the martial art called Karate. I studied something called Kang Duk Won back in the sixties and seventies, and Kang Duk Won did illustrate the True Martial Art. With Kang Duk Won Korean Karate, which was a forerunner of Tae Kwon Do, the rumors were true, even women and children could use the art to fend off large attackers.
I will tell you the secret of Kang Duk Won in a moment, but first let me make a point, what I am about to tell you was not true for Shotokan, or kenpo, or Goju Ryu or Shito ryu or any other art. These arts were altered, and so lost the essence of Karate. And, to be honest, there seems to be no sign of a resurgence of The True Art in these arts.
Shotokan, for instance, was supremely altered by the robust college students of Japan. It was tailored for tournaments and machismo and the singular and limited mentality that bullies holds only to the truncated truth that there is only art and it is the one I am studying. At one point a college student was beaten to death for not holding to this terrible principle.
Kenpo is another example of an art that has been reworked into something that can be brutal, but does not elevate the human condition. Tournaments, trophies, protective gear, and the desire to keep little Johnny entertained so he would keep paying his monthly dues are all part of this heresy. And, as time progresses, it seems that other influences are derailing the potential The True Art and stopping people from the real value a study of the martial arts can give.
Mind you, the secret of true martial art is still within such arts as Kenpo and Shotokan, but people do not open their eyes, study blindly, cannot open their eyes that there could be anything besides their own precious art. All they have to do is learn to do their forms in a manner more relaxed and conducive to mental relaxation. I do not mean limp relaxed, like Tai Chi often becomes when studied for health purposes, but relaxed, empty, and empty in a manner that results in awareness flickering through the body.
Do the form until you don?t have to think about it, but it is a simple, automatic sequence. Relax, and, while holding a slight tautness in the tan tien, close only the fist. Make a snapping sound with the fist.
We do forms in this fashion at Monster Martial Arts, and the result is an end to the mental chatter within, and a back and forth surge of intention and golden power. Indeed, we have more awareness in which to assess the threats of the world, more relaxed ability to move the frame, and the surge and whip of golden energy within creates a fist that will drop any attacker. Of course, you can always hold to the idea that there is only your art, and that nobody else in the world can have a thought...you can do that if you wish.
About the Author:
Al Case has taught the martial arts for 40 years. Get a free ebook and see if he really knows what he is talking about at Monster Martial Arts.
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