Alan Armstrong

It is great Lupin 1 that you are speaking up on your embarrassment, when you were a pre-black-belt, having to listen to ignorant comments. Ignoring ignorant comments is a a part of your growing pains, to fight with every one being ignorant, isn't going to change or educate them, more often than not, a belt ranking can seem intimidating to them, they are just displaying their insecurities that's all. Teaching usually generates a positive response, just because everyone has had some kind of teacher student relationship to base their reactions on; which has alot of respect connotations associated with it. A martial artist needs to believe in oneself no matter the color of the belt, as the belt doesn't define what I am or what you are. I was recently asked if I could beat up Jean Clude Van Damme, would any answer realistically satisfy such an incredibly ignorant question?

By doing a technique correctly is a way in the right direction that adds substance to it but no guarantee. Often in a none maist, that person can fight yet is missing alot of substance, as in wasted energy and not using economy of motion, also sloppy kicks and punches that are areas that should have something in them to cause damage. Punching for the sake of punching and kicking for the sake of kicking, is an indication that their techniques and fighting skills lack substance and power. As students showing up for class, there in body and not in mind, as if already spent more than necessary during the daytime, with not much substantial amount of energy to workout with. Making every punch, kick and block count for something, instead of the alternative of going through the motions. Perhaps this is what Bruce Lee was talking about, when using the term "Emotional content" adding substance to your art.

There was a term used when I was a young teen, they called it "Old man strength" also described as "A gorilla grip" There is something very interesting for an aged or mature maist, that can, as you describe cause more damage. Sometimes trying to be less gorilla can actually be more damaging, as softness was how martial arts was practiced instead of the hard way usually practiced today. It has alot to do with having a "Heavy hand" this includes having a heavy foot, elbow, knee. the list goes on. Look at for example when doing breaking, being calm is better than being hyper; as this thread is really on knowing when to be one way or the other in the right time and or place. There is also a coordinated strength that the oldies have developed, that can feel what they are doing instead of searching for the right way like the younger ones do. Another martial art element for the older maist is the quality that they have developed within. In Chinese this quality is called "Pung" bouncing; similar to when pressing into a ball and its innate quality pushes back without any effort. Another quality is using gravitational forces and sinking/rooting skills; similar to trying to move a waterbed that still has some water in it, again it is the quality of the water bed that makes it very difficult to move, a type of heavy strength.

I have no doubt that we are all proud to be what we are, yet the contrary combat connotations, can bring about any number of people to make it seem kinda like a blood sport or something orientated to promoting violence. Yes there is a violent aspect to martial arts and also in child raising, where parents discipline there children physically, something I don't agree with. My point being that, none martial artists can beat their children on the one hand and on the other hand consider martial arts to be a violent pastime.

The funny thing about foods, is that what a person craves can be the very food that is harmful to them.I crave deep fried food, but I haven't had any for many years, if I give into temptation, then my arteries will never forgive or forget about my lack of interest in staying healthy.

As he is a paranoid policeman that is looking and expecting people to cheat or break the rules when ever possible.

You have the MA style, now it is up to you to put in the substance, is there more room for you to do this? How are you going to do something with more wisdom or substance in your martial art, it could be as simple as being more enthusiastic? Changing things for the betterment of others is preferable but how? On my personal journey, it has been adding or focusing on more quality and getting rid of things of no value or use. Style vs substance, an opening question, how does it realistically relate to you?

Are you taking pride of being a martial artist or do you hide that you are? Personally I have been accused of talking too much about martial arts from family and friends, really I do try sometimes to talk about other things, really I do. Then out of the blue (a family member that works in the health and beauty industry) takes a course on natural health and the talk is about the benefits of Yin and Yang. Then a bell rings in their head, that I have been trying to explain its benefits about Yin/Yang to them for years. But it doesn't end there, as being a martial artist out with friends in Asian restaurants (Japanese or Chinese) and a few compliments in their native language to the staff, there is an instant connection with them that no one else has. So for me, martial arts can be related to all subjects, therefore for me I can proudly say that yes I'm a martial artist, are you?

I had a compliment from a CI 1/3 my age. He said "I want to be like you as a martial artist, when I get old" He seemed to be trying to say that, I don't fit into the old guy stereo type of getting out of shape and giving into mediocrity or living in the comfort zone. Funny thing is, I don't feel like an old martial artist, I just feel more capable, confident and aware. Doing flying kicks, single, double or triple, was thinking that was martial arts, just a phase, a fun time but as time passes, so now enjoying many other phases and hopefully many more are awaiting to be explored. My advice as an old guy. Enjoy all the phases on your martial art journey, some will be more difficult than others, but if you ever wanted easy, then you would have never chosen such a difficult and challenging "Rocky" path.

Solid post!Knowing oneself in knowing what one can do and the limitations we have. I don't recommend doing, this but I have done it, at times to build up a tolerance for it. For instance going without food for four days and only drinking water. As most people might panic after not eating for 24hrs. I know now that I can be without food for four days away from civilization to get food, before any noticeable effects start to take place. I had read once that after 4 days you do not feel the hunger as much. I tried it. It works. I agree with you, I could have went alot longer without food but was feeling light headed; perhaps due to low blood sugar levels. It is reassuring to know that being a slave to food isn't an issue for me. I do the same thing but with different types of things, such as going many days without spending money or drinking coffee, watching TV, as there are many different kinds of things that we imagine to depend on to keep us going. How many people are addicted to buying tools and being addicted to buying clothes?

I used this successfully when I played paintball a lot. Strategy can be played out in many different battle fields, games and sports are no exception.I recently played a game of "Battle Ships" against another guy, at a social gathering. I used a staircase strategy from top left down to bottom right. As his ships were scattered. He had a very impossible time of sinking anything of mine and accused me of cheating a few times. At the end of the game, he could see that I wasn't cheating and won fair and square. There is strategy in all things just isn't always apparent to see it or make good use of it. Even in a simple game of "Battle Ships"

Warrior Spirit Strategy In Daily Life As Miyamoto Musashi explains it " Treat training as a part of normal life, with your spirit unchanging" Modern living conditions and restrictions seem more often than not to be impossible for many in the work a day world, to do as Miyamoto asks. As being physically, mentally and emotionally full of responsibilities with obligations and restraining factors, is it still possible to do as Miyamoto asks outside of the dojo? Then how is it possible to do as Miyamoto asks? His way deals with the spirit of strategy and the using the way and power of nature, also the void, which has no beginning or end, therefore you are a martial artist 24/7 and not just a few hours out of the week His teaching is to fight naturally using the spirit of strategy. One example comes to mind while working on a construction site as a teenager. The Forman for some strange reason or another felt like it was his mission in life to make my life a living hell. A confronted him in the changing room and asked him if we could talk; he agreed. I told him "If you weren't my boss, I would tell you what a ....... you are but as you are my boss I am not going too" then I walked out. He was very nice to me from then on, just a pleasant person to work for, always had a smile for me after that. Point being, to be a martial artist 24/7 there are areas of strategies that are available to you also at work, such as finding another job that pays better than the present one, then subtlety put in your resignation, chances are you will be offered a pay raise to stay (Please don't quit your job) this worked for me due to my circumstances at the time. Point being, strategy is always good to know and have at all times and all areas of one's life. Personally, Miyamoto's words increased my income, this is also why he is a big name in the Japanese business sector. A warrior in all aspects of life is the Musashi way. Is this possible or something impossible for you to do as a martial artist, to have synchronicity in all aspects of your life, with a warrior spirit?

Keep up the good work singularity6, just remember, the first 100.000 steps are the hardest.Better to have stiffness, aches and pains from having a physical workout that to have all the same symptoms while surfing the couch watching tv IMHO.

Know the smallest things and the biggest things the shallowest things and the deepest things- Miyamoto Musashi As Miyamoto related his way of strategy to carpentry and building houses, he could now be viewed as 3D thinking, also as thinking outside of the box, as he developed his skill with the spirit of strategy without following a master but as a master Forman carpenter. My Sensei was a carpenter and a very capable martial artist, very helpful to have realistic concrete skills to work with and to combine them with strategies and plans of action that go hand in hand. Do you use strategy in your area of expertise to make a living and does it benefit your martial art strategies for fighting? Does this work for you visa versa also?

"Immature Strategy" Immature strategy is the cause of grief- Miyamoto Musashi. What was Miyamoto implying with this statement? Is this true of martial arts and artists of today, having an immature strategy? Is fighting strategy something that has been pushed into the background, where profit margins is now at the forefront and colorfully woven garments have replaced battle armour? Are our fighting stratergies in MA become more immature compared to the past?

Before semi-retiring my job, was mostly to fix the mistakes others made, I liked to joke that I'll be the last one to be fired, also that, doing one's job is "Job security" As well as "How is it possible that there is always time to fix things when done wrong and never enough time to do it right the first time?"

Solid post!Knowing oneself in knowing what one can do and the limitations we have. I don't recommend doing, this but I have done it, at times to build up a tolerance for it. For instance going without food for four days and only drinking water. As most people might panic after not eating for 24hrs. I know now that I can be without food for four days away from civilization to get food, before any noticeable effects start to take place.

Which quotes were good and which were out of date?I'd have to go back and review. I do recall reading it and thinking "wow, the world has moved on from that perspective." Hagakure gave me a similar impression, as well (except Hagakure was way more boring.) Miyomoto's words are two things, a gift and a winning mindset; same holds true also with Bruce Lee.They are not going to be able to re-explain them selves so we can understand them, neither should they. A martial artist, now or in the future will be able to make sense of their insightfulness and make good use of it. If Miyomoto is difficult to understand, just, think how difficult it was for his opponents to figure him out, without his book or manual to go by. Miyomotos teachings are not a read it once and you have it figured out, it is more like a place to review and revisit throughout your martial art journey, to make more sense of his words than the last visit. To the bold type above... If I was Miyomoto's opponent, and his book or manual was available, I'd not have the whole and complete understanding because, imho, books/manuals can have that intention underlying withheld in its manuscript. A teacher doesn't always reveal everything that's taught to their student for that teachers own reason(s). So, I'd be cautious as to what I was reading because one can't judge a book in its totality because Miyomoto might have kept things to himself. Have to keep the blade sharp, at all times!! As Miyomoto was in his 60's when starting writing his book (retreated to the mountains) I don't this as a time to start keeping secrets, very much the opposite, from my understanding of him.

Here are Von Clausewitz books in audio format, each one is approximately 10 hours long. pt1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o96xvCiAweM pt2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBdrz_qCqZ0 pt3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0W4vweG46E

Which quotes were good and which were out of date?I'd have to go back and review. I do recall reading it and thinking "wow, the world has moved on from that perspective." Hagakure gave me a similar impression, as well (except Hagakure was way more boring.) Miyomoto's words are two things, a gift and a winning mindset; same holds true also with Bruce Lee.They are not going to be able to re-explain them selves so we can understand them, neither should they. A martial artist, now or in the future will be able to make sense of their insightfulness and make good use of it. If Miyomoto is difficult to understand, just, think how difficult it was for his opponents to figure him out, without his book or manual to go by. Miyomotos teachings are not a read it once and you have it figured out, it is more like a place to review and revisit throughout your martial art journey, to make more sense of his words than the last visit.

Become what you think about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj52FbQcVs0 Can you become better at martial arts by thinking about it for 30 days?

Never appearing too perfect. Are you appearing as being too perfect as a martial artist?

33 strategies of war. How are your stratergies of war?

Visual communictions speak louder than words, this is an integral part of martial arts.Fight or flight, a proficient martial artist knows when it is the right time to use both, wheras a novice does not. I am visually sized up every day, if I can fight or not, when going to or coming from my workout, in a jungle gym park, this never actually happens in the park, people just give me a little more space to do my thing.

The 48 laws of power Do you have any laws of power as a martial artist? What are your favourite laws of power?