Venrix

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. We live in the age of information. Want to know the height of Everest? Then why bother with a trip to the library? Who needs to waste a few minutes hunting down a book with the answer? Google has everything a growing mind needs! Want six pack abs in just six weeks with no effort at all? No problem! Just type the old "search string" into Google. Voila! There you have it, "Six Weeks to a Six Pack – Abdominal Workout for Men and Women." Marvelous isn't it? With zero effort we can learn just about anything from just about anyone! It's an educational revolution! Or is it? I am no technophobe. Indeed, in a former life I was involved in the development of technologies that are now "household standard." I love technology. I believe it can be of tremendous assistance in achieving the goal of self development (mind, body and soul). My concerns therefore, stem not from "information availability" but from the dangerously dark pit of "information overload." Isn't it a great feeling to have the light shone into the darkness of our questioning minds? Isn't it wonderful to have enlightening answers that leave us feeling all warm and fuzzy inside? But, what happens when the light gets just a little too bright? What about the times when, rather than getting a single guide with a single torch, shining the way to our seat in the cinema of knowledge, we get thousands of guides with thousands of torches and each light bearer claims to be the only true carrier of that which we seek (in this case – the way to our seat). Rather than being pointed in the right direction we find ourselves simply blinded by the sheer volume of light. Of course, all of this is nothing more than a metaphor for the scenario of information overload. Who are the guides? Anyone and everyone! That's the beauty of the internet and simultaneously its greatest downfall. Anyone that has the desire can simply put finger to keyboard and start waving their torch at anyone that's prepared to listen. To be honest, that's what I love about the internet. Prior to its existence, we were confined solely to the thoughts and opinions of those that were "connected." Those who "knew someone in publishing" that got them a book deal, those who's connections with the right people in show business had somehow got them onto the silver screen. Knowledge was the realm of academics only and if we didn't have a membership card to the club of widely published opinion, our thoughts, dreams and ideas remained scorned at best or unheard at worst. We were denied the thoughts and opinions of the vast majority, those who with no academic background but a diploma from the school of hard knocks and a Ph.D. from the University of Life. So, where does the torch come in? A torch (in this case) is a small battery powered electric lamp; our American friends may better know this particular item as a flashlight. The amount of light it's capable of emitting into the darkness depends on a number of factors. How strong are the batteries? How well polished is the lens? How much power/electricity can the bulb handle? Just how big is the bulb anyway? In other words, it can only give out in light that which it has already taken in (in terms of power/electricity and sound construction). It is the container of all that lovely light. Problem is, the world of commerce offers us well constructed Maglite torches, which themselves come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, plus a healthy selection of dodgy "10 for 50 cents" torches that really aren't much use to anyone. This is really where our problem begins. Bathed in the light of a thousand torches, how does one decide which guide to follow? Which beams of light are our friends in the darkness? Which are simply poorly constructed but well intentioned beams of misinformation? Who's holding the torch anyway? Are we really being guided to our seats or are we simply being lead down the garden path of wasted time? These are valid questions and failing to ask them could be the greatest downfall of all. Bearers of the Light? The martial arts have been good to me. Really. Without them, I have no idea what kind of person I would have become. I was raised in a somewhat "unconventional" family and those outside of it simply didn't approve. In order to help me understand this, I was regularly and severely beaten by large groups of well intentioned individuals, all waving their torches proudly and certain that I would learn from these little lessons. Between the ages of 8 and 16 not a day passed by that my face wasn't reintroduced to Mr. Fist and his faithful friends; Mr. Foot, Mr. Knee, Mr. Elbow, Mr. Head, occasionally Mr. Sharp-Object and, worst of all, Mr. Humiliation. These puppets of facial reconstruction did the bidding of the masters that wanted - very charitably - to "teach me a lesson." To this day, I am actually grateful to them for what I have learned. What was gleaned from these classes may not be quite what my would be teachers had in mind but they certainly put me on the path that I follow today. So, thanks guys... I appreciate your efforts! Of course, not all torch carrying guides are quite so ill willed. There are those that truly wish to help us find our seat. The problem is finding them and ensuring that they are indeed qualified to show us the way. May I see your seat number? Those who first begin a journey in the martial arts choose to get involved for all sorts of reasons. There are those who want to learn to defend themselves and those that wish to become the next Bruce Lee. There are those that wish to keep up a good level of fitness and those that wish to be the next Billy Blanks. There are those that want to feel connected to a simpler time and feel that Bushido is the way. There are those with low self esteem that wish to fill up on what appears to be the fuel of self confidence. There are the philosophers that wish to find the animal within. There are the animals that wish to become the next Siddhartha Gautama. There are those with no friends that simply want to make some – and if those friends happen to know how to kick butt, well that's just a bonus! There are those that want to wrestle and there are those that are wrestling with the philosophical and physical nature of themselves. There are those that want to kick a trick but are struggling to kick the habit. There are those that want to punch up a storm and there are those whose interest in punch extends only to mixed drinks at a party. The would be martial artist comes in all shapes and sizes. It's doubly certain that for every would be martial artist there are a thousand "guides," all "torch at the ready" and oh so eager to lead the way. The problem is, the people I've just described, are those who know their seat number and just a need a little help finding it. They know what they want and where they want to go. They just don't necessarily know the way. If their guide starts to lead them up the garden path in a direction that has no relation to their intended destination, then these people generally smell a rat and trade their guide for someone or something else. Unfortunately, those that know their seat number are in the minority. By far the majority are those that have not booked a seat. They simply show up at the cinema and shout into the darkness, "I don't know where I'm going, I don't know what I want, I don't know why I want it, but could someone please show me the best way to get to the best seat for me?" This is generally the point when 100,000 beams of light hit the poor soul square between the eyes, often forever blinding their ability to find a seat in the cinema of martial arts. Learning to squint The lesson is clear. The modern age of information overload has brought us giant leaps forward. However, if we are to progress as individuals, we're going to need to take a few steps back. The deeper we get into the forest of advice that our well intentioned guides have to offer, the less wood we are able to see. All those trees keep getting in the way. We must therefore, learn to shield our eyes a little. Finding one's way in the blinding light is considerably more difficult than finding one's way in relative darkness. In the dimly lit room of limited information, we may well find ourselves chasing shadows but this - for me anyway - is far preferable to blindly following anyone that happens to be carrying a torch. It's time to squint our eyes a little. Now is the time to shield ourselves from the blinding light and survey the scene for ourselves. To suggest that we would like to find our own way, when the cinema of the arts is bathed in darkness and only one man is carrying the light, would indeed be foolish at best and ignorant at worst. But, this is the information age. Lack of information isn't the problem anymore so it's time to get back to some old fashioned solutions. It's time to decide for ourselves just where we want to sit and find our own way there. Sure, we'll pick up some help along the way and will always be grateful to those that offer it. But, total reliance upon our guides and failure to acknowledge that we are the ones making the journey is a mistake. It's a mistake that could mean we never actually make it to our seat. Taxi please! Would you ever get in a taxi and say, "Hi. I've never been to London. I don't know where I want to go, but please take me there. Be sure that you take me to all the places I want to see even though I don't yet know what it is that I want to see."? Of course not! That wouldn't be smart, now would it? Surely, it would be far better to take a "sight seeing tour." Hop onto one of those big red buses with no roof and chewing gum stuck to the seat. Pay next to nothing, sit comfortably (relatively) for the day and be taken around the city for thirty second snap shots of anything that's worth seeing. During our trip we might even take some notes. "That place looked nice, I'll go back there." "Good grief, I didn't know that was legal in this country, I'd like experience a little more of that." Etc., etc. After our little tour of the city, we could call our taxi driver again. This time, we're armed with an idea of where we want to go; we just don't know how to get there. "Hi. I took a look around today and I know where I want to go. I'd like you to take me to Buckingham Palace and then a quick trip to Soho, please." It's up to us to take the birds-eye view. It's up to us to survey the scene. It's up to us to decide where we want to go. Then, and only then, is it time to call in a guide. My dad's bigger than your dad! As we sit comfortably in our taxi, being driven to where it is we wish to go. Or, as we cling to our guide in the cinema, being led to our seat by someone that really does know the way, we will see other taxi's and we will bump into other guides. Taekwondo guides with big bright torches will scream, "Don't follow him! Follow me! I know the best place for you! I know just how to take you there!" Wing Tsung taxi drivers will lean out of windows shouting, "You're mad! You're paying far too much! I know a quicker way and I'm cheaper too!" Karate children will scream, "My dad's bigger than your dad!" Muay Thai travelers will shout, "Come with me! My guides better than yours! And he knows a taxi driver!" But we few, those of us that are finding our own way, that have chosen our guides wisely and have decided for ourselves the seat that will be the most comfortable for us will smile politely and respond: "I am glad you have found your guide. But, my seat is not yours. Yours is not mine. We are watching the same movie and we are in the same cinema. But, our seats are in different sections and the way is different for us both. I wish you success my friend. I hope you find your seat." Then, with satisfaction, we will spot our seat in the distance. We will breathe a sigh of relief that we have found what we are looking for and prepare to drop into its comforts. Some of us will smile and succumb to its leather bound reclining charms. Others amongst us will say, "Hell! That was fun!." We will drop our tickets to the ground, turn to our guides and say, "Thank you. But, I'm not ready to sit down just yet. I think I'd like to try another seat. Maybe even a different cinema."

It certainly was staged. It's intended to be humorous. Take a close look - the 'woman' is a stunt man. I think it's one of those 'advertisements that tries to be funny' but I can't be sure... ...I don't speak Japanese! -V-

You never can tell..... http://www.dkbnews.com/flash/2005/movie01.swf -V-

Hi mate, They're not body weight exercises. They use weight - just not in a 'conventional' sense. I'll send you the .PDF... -V-

I'll make up a .PDF with the exercises and forward it on to you (via PM) over the weekend. That'll give you a good idea. The reason for not working with benches etc (yes - the equipment is available to me) is that all exercises are targeted at using the complete body (in particular the core) to perform them. The problem with 'standard' weight exercises is that they focus on a specific muscle (or muscle group) and this is not how a fight works. These exercises are tailored toward 'strength for grapplers'. And that means utilizing the complete body as one. I'll make a .PDF and send you a link so you can download it. That should give you an idea. I do each exercise for 40 seconds with 20 seconds brake and rotate the complete workout for an hour (as a circuit). It's a complete mix of strength, core and condiditioning exercises. -V-

Hi mate. I'm aware of that. Yes, my training in complex. However, I don't do any work with barbells (ie. no bench etc). I work only with dumbells and discs. -V-

That's the smartest thing anyone has said so far. All our dojo's have a NO POLITICS rule. Training only. Absolutely. The internet's greatest strength and simultaneously its greatest weakness: anyone can say anything they want. Osu! I wish you great success in your training. -V-

Hi mate, I've been lucky enough to train with Jon Bluming (Kyokushin 10. Dan, Judo 9. Dan) and he has 'dispelled' many of the 'legends'. He was there and is the ONLY westener to receive at 10. Dan in Karate/Kyokushin from Japan. He has a book called, "Street Punk to 10. Dan" and it's layed out in there. From the people that never actually did the 100 man kumite (that are credited with it) to the 'stories' about Sosai Oyama. I can tell you now. Bluming is not trying to discredit Oyama. He loves the man. He just thinks the stories are a discredit to the reality of Oyama's incredible achievements. Other things in the book (by way of example): Oyama knew NOTHING about grappling, ground work or throwing. (Not quite in line with a 4. Dan in Judo...) The 'bull' was an OX that was beaten almost to death by Kurosaki BEFORE the great 'bull fight'. There was just the one 'bull fight'. NO others. Kurosaki even loosened the horns of the animal with a hammer before the great 'horn chop' for which Oyama is infamous. Oyama could not have won the open Knock Out Karate Championship in 1947, Kyoto (as is claimed) in order to 'demonstrate his new style'. Budo, especially Karate, was banned by the General McArthur of the occupation. And many, many others. Remember: these are not my claims. They are the statements of those that were with Oyama from the beginning (Bluming, Kurosaki etc). If you are interested take a look at this: http://www.kyokushinbudokai.org/content/history/bl-interview.html and this... http://www.realfighting.com/0102/jbsem.htm and this... http://www.realfighting.com/0102/jonblubk.htm Hope that helps you in your research. I highly recommend the book. Thanks. I'm glad you like it. -V-

Hi mate, You're right. It's just another 'legend'. Oyama never practised Judo. -V-

I'm definately going to use that one the next time I show up for Bo practise. Problem is, the school is in Germany and the instructor is from Rumania... ....I'm not sure if they'll get it. Still... ...it'll keep me entertained. -V-

I'm still laughing at that...

My Sensei is actually a Tatooist (among other things). We used 6 Chinese characters to describe my life story. He drew them down my spine (thus completely invisible when clothed). Basically, they are drawn as small as the intricacies of the characters will allow. I agree that 'meaningless' characters are a little old hat. But, having my 'story' on my back means that I can never forget my roots (even if there are times that I would like to). Characters (in sequence): Hu - Tiger Long - Dragon Feng - Fire Huang - Bird (Feng Huang = Phoenix) Wu - Stop Shu - Violence (Wu Shu = Stop Violence ) -V-

For me, this is the perfect response. -V-

Hi mate, I see what your saying and pretty much agree. I would never 'take' a fight to the ground. My Judo and Jiu Jitsu is a 'support system'. Mas Oyama never fought anyone that would take him to the ground. He only fought Karateka (not counting the ox he fought!) so, his philosophy of Karate (one strike) was sound. It's also a sound principle in a real-life situation. But, I think of Judo and Jiu Jitsu like a seat-belt and air bag in the car. You hope you wont need them - but, it wouldn't be wise to drive without them... ...just in case there is a crash. It doesn't matter how skilled a driver is... ...he can always find himself in a crash (met.: on the ground). Mas Oyama was a very proud man and was the 'face' of Kyokushin Karate. He wasn't really the 'fighter' - he was the 'PR Man'. This is not to say that he wasn't a great fighter (because he was). It is simply a fact that people like Kurosaki (in the earlier days) and Matsui or Midori (in more recent times) did the fighting on behalf of the Kyokushinkaikan. Unfortunately, a great deal of Mas Oyama's reported exploits were simply the martial arts equivalent of political 'spin'. It's sad really. Mas Oyama was a great man - and these stories that are designed to make him appear 'godlike' are simply turning him into a cartoon character. If people really want to honour him, it would be wise to cut out the stories and stick to the facts. For the facts are more impressive than the unbelievable (and untrue) 'legends'. Some claim therefore, that his failure to name a successor may have been a deliberate action on his part. It is thought, in some circles, that he may have intended the splintering. Possible Reason 1: He didn't want Kyokushin to survive without him. Possible Reason 2: The splintering would force an 'evolution' in the style. Weaker systems would grow from it and become extinct. Stronger systems would grow from it and survive. I must admit though. 'Kyokushin Politics' saddens me. It's passing as an organisation is sad but, it's evolution as a style is invigorating. Of course, the down side is the soft Kyokushin decendant styles that train 'soft' and claim the name of Kyokushin. -V-

It can certainly help ensure that you are taking in enough calories. In my case, I train alot, work a lot and have little time to eat correctly. So, energy suppliments and protein suppliments are a must (in my case). -V-