15 Benefits of Studying Martial Arts

• Self-Defense – Your child may still be in the developmental stage of their; focusing on the basics of our Martial Arts Curriculum. Basic Techniques include: Proper exercise form, striking, kicking, blocking and evasion techniques.

• Focusing and Listening – Focus plays a key role in the mindset of children who have limited attention spans at this stage in their life. Our Program will build their attention span… teaching your child to focus on the task at hand while improving their listening and reaction skills at the same time. As a result, your child will excel in physical activity, improve their ability to stay focused, and become an astute listener in the dojo, at home, and in school. 

•  Teamwork and Positive Social Interaction – Teamwork is necessary for any young child to develop. It is at this stage in their life that they develop an understanding and a confidence in their ability to work with others. 

•  Self-Control and Good Decision Making – Self-control refers to the training that one gives one’s self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behavior, even though one is unfocused or would rather be doing something else. For example, when your child has learned to listen to mom and dad, pay attention in class while listening to the teacher instead of talking to his friend next to him, he has demonstrated the ability to self-control… while making the good decision to do so. 

•  Balance and Posture – For many 3-6 year olds, one of the skill-sets that is often overlooked, but needs constant work and attention is balance and posture… basic skills necessary for almost any activity. Poor posture leads to cramped organs, improper breathing, and a whole host of other unhealthy bodily expressions. 

•  Memorization and Retention – Aside from Martial Arts etiquette, skill-based and technique driven retention, our memorization requirements include parents home and cell numbers, emergency contact numbers and residential address retention. You’ll find in many cases, our students are prepared and learn these life skills prior to being introduced to them at their school. Our program improves memorization skills essential for well rounded student development and school academics in the near future. 

•  Self-Discipline and Responsibility – Our instructors are masters at creating a vision for your child that self-discipline is fun and rewarding. We instill this vision through interactive and teamwork oriented games, drills and real world activities.  

•  Physical Fitness and Healthy Living – It is important for children to understand the importance of being healthy and physically fit at an early age. Being physically fit is a necessity for any martial artist but more importantly, the sooner we enforce this concept, the healthier your child will be now and the less difficult it will be to stay physically fit as they grow older.

•   Coordination and Motor Skills – Children with strong bodies, fine tuned motor skills and physical coordination developed through martial arts will have improved: general health, sports performance, as well as other physical activities such as dancing or bike riding. Our Coordination and Motor Skills Training will develop your child’s cardiovascular system, their muscular strength, and will create a general kind of body awareness which can only be gained from a whole body method of Martial Arts training. Self-Esteem and Confidence Building – Our Youth Program improves a children’s self esteem through consistent positive verbal reinforcement. When kids work to earn their next sash level, not only are they learning traditional Chinese Martial Arts, they are building self-esteem and learning to feel good about themselves. We believe a student must earn their next level, not pay for it Self-Confidence – Nothing can take the place of the security in knowing that your child can defend themselves should the need ever arise…and your own child’s self confidence in knowing this themselves is immense.
“People who continue to practice the martial arts for prolonged periods are different from the general populace in these ways: they have a lower level of anxiety; an increased sense of responsibility; they are less likely to be radical; they have an increased level of self-esteem; and they are more socially intelligent.” (Source – Psychology Today, May 1985.) 

•  Respect – One of the most important words in martial arts is respect. Students are taught to respect their instructors, each other, and themselves. Our instructors spend time in class discussing the importance of respecting school teachers and parents. Respect is often missing in many facets of today’s society. This is one thing that separates martial arts from other sports. A child’s social behavior should be directly linked to his or her progression in the martial arts class. It’s not just about winning, Our program is about personal growth and becoming a better person. 

•  Discipline, Behavior and School – We have a lot of fun in classes but instructors will not tolerate excessive talking or goofing around in the school. Improved behavior in a Martial arts class often translates into improved behavior at school. Improved behavior at school often translates into improved grades. We want to make sure that our students are working on their martial arts technique, improving their behavior at home, as well as improving their grades at school. 

•  Personal Attention – We know the impact a good instructor can have on a student, our instructors are experienced, patient, enthusiastic, and teach with a blend of discipline and fun.  Social Skills and Friendship – Making friends is an important part of life. We provide the positive atmosphere and family oriented activities necessary to help you and your children make new friends. 

GET YOUR CHILD STARTED IN OUR MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM TODAY!

Try us out while meeting friendly staff, parents and students. If you have any questions. about our programs, Please feel free to contact us at 910.398.7277. Thank you for your interest in Rou Long Ma School of Chinese Martial Arts. We look forward to hearing from you.

Honor, Respect and Deceit in Martial Arts

It has been a long month of frustration for some of us. The last blog post I shared dealt with some of the frustration, but it has been renewed now even greater than before. I have learned and believed ever since I was a young man that participation in martial arts was about much more than just fighting skill. Honor and respect were integral parts of my early training and indoctrination. In high school, one of my research papers was about the warrior codes of conduct, comparing the Code of Chivalry with its Samurai counterpart, the Bushido (directly translated as the way of the warrior).

This belief has carried over and only become stronger as I get older. To me, acquisition of the physical skill involved renders one as a technician, and without the social and philosophical aspects, one never enters the artistic realm, nor is one either capable of reaching mastery.

I have witnessed many martial arts classes and teachers, as well as their students. I am too often struck by the glaring lack of integrity exhibited. The instructor espouses respect, humility, striving for no ego, but then makes business and personal decisions driven by ego and pride, and shows utter disrespect for others.

I am not trying to imply that we as martial artists and instructors have to be perfect, we are human after all. What I am implying is that we have opted to a different route, and part of this journey is betterment of self.

Students are not served by:

Instructors stroking their own egos - I have witnessed this one alot. Instructors passing their classes off as better than someone elses. Telling their students how good they are, how great their classes are. I know of one person who even claimed his classes are better than his teachers...right in the same school.

Instructors showing lack of respect to their students or to others - This is a big one for me. I think most problems in the world are solved by applying respect. Yet I see instructors disrespecting their students & their parents, teachers and fellow martial artists by lying, causing drama and problems within their schools. Don’t get me wrong, I can certainly fathom how a person could unintentionally run afoul of protocol. That isn’t what I am talking about. I have seen blatant disrespect displayed by teachers, lies and backstabbing. It really baffles me how students choose to learn from individuals like this.

I guess what boggles my mind most is when teachers and “masters” allow such behavior to exist. At this point, I have to remember what a Chinese friend of mine once told me. He said, “Rich, you have this ideal about martial arts, that it is about honor, respect, and a refinement of self. The truth is martial arts was developed by thugs, bullies, ruffians, criminals and mercenaries.” I listened with a grain of salt, and did my research. There are ancient manuscripts showing that very early on in China, it was recognized that martial skills could be practiced towards the end of attaining enlightenment and personal development. Overall however, my friend was right. I am learning that most “martial artists” probably are thugs, bullies and ruffians.

Lineage, Effectiveness and Phony Masters

Lately I have had a number of conversations that have built up to this blog. As a conscientious practitioner and teacher I am very concerned with how parents choose martial arts schools and teachers for their children. Then someone shared this video …

a. This teacher has students

b. Parents have chosen this guy to teach their children

c. Someone gave this guy permission to teachSome of you might say, but that isn’t in my town. I know for a fact that this type of stuff does happen in Fayetteville. I have seen it. I watched an ATA Instructor fall down while teaching a kick. Master McGuire said he was one of my Taiji students and had never met me. I watched a tournament here in town, and was basically disgusted with the instructors and quality of martial arts that was on display. You can see the resulting blog post here. http://taijirich.blogspot.com/2010/10/master-martins-magical-martial-tai-chi.html

So, how does a parent ensure that their children aren’t being taught by a numbskull? This is harder, most often, parents don’t know martial arts. I addressed picking your teacher in this post http://fsmap.blogspot.com/2012/09/who-is-your-teacher.html

There I talked about student fit, and I stand behind my statements there, but the longer I think about this, the more I get frustrated. In fact too often without intense scrutiny, teachers pass off false lineages. We had an instructor here for a while that claimed direct permission from the Yang Family to teach....except they don’t do that unless you have studied directly with them for years.

I also get frustrated with the teachers that have legitimate lineages, but teach totally ineffective moves/techniques. I get so frustrated in fact, that I can definitely understand how the “Dojo Wars” of years past got started.What is the answer? How can we as artists and teachers help fix this problem?

Rich on Google+

What the Transporter needed to learn to achieve his complete potential.

Years ago I remember reading an article about Jason Statham in a fitness magazine. The point of the article was about self-discipline. Coming from a former Olympic diver, who has had to use self-discipline to get where he had already gotten, it was a pretty authentic article. I remember vividly a quote in the article that went something like this, “if you have to have a trainer to motivate you and ensure you get a good workout, you might as well quit.”

Fast forward a couple of years, same fitness magazine, another article about Jason Statham...this time, to get in prime condition for a role, he had enrolled with a trainer, and was talking about how he was pushed further and harder than he had ever been in his life. His physique showed the difference as well.

This isn't about disproving the need for self-discipline, to the contrary, realizing that self-discipline is incredibly important it is acknowledging another factor necessary for great achievement, accountability. You may be saying that accountability and self-discipline are very related, you would be right. What world class athletes have learned is that the outside accountability of a coach really helps them achieve their full potential.

In the martial arts world, this accountability typically comes from a teacher or coach. Often though, the demands of time and our work life take us from our teacher, or at least regular face to face contact with them. Unless we actively set something up to maintain a relationship of accountability with our teacher, often times we are left with our self-discipline as our only guide.

I am reminded of a story I heard and is written in Paul Gallagher’s book, Drawing Silk. The story is of one master visiting another master, both had students in attendance. Before the visit was over, the one master did some Taiji and asked for corrections from the other master. Some of his students were surprised by this. His answer was simple, even a master could benefit from corrections.

Of course, there are also many other reasons why you might find yourself without a teacher/student relationship. Our recommendation for those of us striving towards mastery, is to either find a new teacher, or at least a mentor that can provide us with the relationship of accountability. If nothing else seems to work, form a peer group to accomplish the task.

Accountability is too important to neglect, and is a piece of the overall betterment that mastery requires.

Rich on Google+

Thinker V. Doer

My last blog focused on the inseparable nature of academics from mastery of a martial art. Don’t expect a recant here. You obviously have to be able to study, learn and think in the martial arts. This has more to do with getting stuck in the cerebral realm.

5 frogs were sitting on a log, two decided to jump in the pond, how many frogs were left sitting on the log?

Hmmmmm. Let’s see, 5 frogs, two decided...that means that 5 frogs are still on the log, none acted. Action is often the difference between those that think and decide and those that achieve. Obviously there is a whole body of work out here about this relationship and the shortfalls of non-action. You wouldn’t think that participants in martial arts (a fundamentally physical art form) would  have this challenge. Some, in fact do.

There is a vigorous conversation amongst teachers, one side throws out such wisdom of founding artists as this quote by Mas Oyama:

In Martial Arts, introspection begets wisdom. Always see contemplation of your actions as an opportunity to improve.

One side of this conversation will look at this quote and focus on the contemplation, the thinking part. The other side will focus on the need for actions. Both sides are right, the ones that focus on one side or the other are the ones that have it wrong.

Master Jou Tsung Hwa in his book the Tao of Meditation.discusses that thinking and ideas are a yin aspect while doing and action are the yang aspect of the complete martial art. We should all remember this concept as we pass down the road to mastery of our respective arts.

Rich on Google+

The Academics of Martial Arts

A question came up in class last night that really helped me put this topic into perspective. The question was one that led into a conversation of the philosophy upon which our art is based. This blog isn't about a specific art, but Martial Arts in general, so I won’t get into the specifics. The question is important because of where it led and the fact that all martial arts are based upon philosophies. To work towards mastery of a martial art, a practitioner has to study, understand and embody the philosophy upon which that specific art is based.

I am certain that many will disagree with this concept...I have read plenty of internet discussions specifically contrary to it. Many feel that the only true martial component is the physical. I definitely won’t disagree with the fact that a martial art is not real, unless it is based in the martial. By it’s definition, martial arts are about warfare, fighting. As with anything else though, there are always different ways to achieve our desired end, winning the fight. The philosophy upon which the art is founded determines the path we take in the fight.

But, the human body is the human body - therefore all fighting styles work the same.

Do they? Yes, the human body is the human body, and the human body works in a

specific way. There are many similarities and overlap amongst the different arts. There are still differences. A good analogy is that food is food...the purpose of food is nutrition, but each country, each ethnicity, each region develops its own flavor and cuisine. Likewise, different regions and cultures have developed different fighting arts that have different “flavors”.

Along the same lines of human bodies working the same way, a good martial artist has to know about the physiology of the body, how it works and a lot more. This just supports my overall statement.

You can’t master martial arts only focusing on the physical aspects, there is a need for the intellectual. In fact the intellectual is in ways just as important as the physical.

In a recent conversation, a friend/student was lamenting the amount of martial skill that seems to have been lost. He brought up firsthand stories of artists that had great, almost supernatural abilities. I countered with scientific advances and knowledge that we had gained. Though, there does always seem to be a movement to embrace the new. Academically, embracing the new without also learning from our ancestors is not a recommended path at all.

As Martial Artists.. it is our job to learn from this existing body of knowledge. Study what our ancestors have left for us and add to it where appropriate. With thousands of years of experience behind us, my guess is that this is mainly a journey of rediscovery. 

Rich on Google+

Lone Wolf or Pack Mentality

Some lessons are harder for me to learn than others. I was raised with the American ideal of “Rugged Individualism”. Work hard, count on yourself, and get things done. I learned this lesson well, as many who know me will testify. I am not afraid of hard work, know how to do many a varied task, and really have trouble counting on others or asking for help.

Martial  Arts is typically viewed as an individual type of endeavor. In fact, most of the time we hear how it is about self mastery. I am reminded of a movie Circle of Iron also known as Silent Flute,  the protagonist of the story came from no school, wore no uniform and (gasp) did not follow the rules. The movie and screenplay were originally conceived by Bruce Lee but unfinished when he died. The quest the character takes in the movie is to find Zetan, the guardian of the Book of Knowledge (supposed to contain all of the wisdom of the universe.

As you may have guessed, the protagonist finishes the quest and finds the book. I am not going to spoil the development of the story here, I mention it to simply say that this movie as well as many other documents about the martial arts stress that the journey we are on in the end is an individual journey.

Many aspects of Martial Arts cannot be learned in a vacuum.

Without getting into a lengthy debate on the virtues of Kata/Forms, historically, when developed, it was known that practitioners would not always have partners to train with. Kata/Forms were developed just for this reason so that individuals could practice alone. With that said, you can’t learn martial arts effectively without having partners to work with. Right off the bat, we have to admit that there are individual and cooperative aspects to training with the context of Martial Skills.

This brings us to a common dilemma that many martial arts practitioners are faced with during the course of their development.

Should you embody the spirit of the individual “Lone Wolf” or should you train and learn with/from others in a more social context.

The most resolute answer that I have come up with is both. There are times when you will be best served by striving for self mastery, and there are other times on your journey where it will be essentially critical for your development to work with others in a group setting. Remember, no one (with the exception of movie heroes) goes into a battle alone, take an army.

If you are building a school or business it is recommended that you build a team.

The one thing that is clear, is that if your intent is building a school or business around anything, not just martial arts, having a team is very, very important. Build your army, then attack the business plan.