All Things Mystical in the Martial Arts

Dojo Rat posted about the Occult Nature of Martial arts. His post generated some energetic feedback for sure. Readers of this blog probably know that I’m a self-admitted metaphysical naturalist.

Metaphysical naturalism is any worldview in which the world is amenable to a unified study that includes the natural sciences and in this sense the world is a unity. According to such a view, nature is all there is, and all things supernatural (which stipulatively includes spirits and souls, non-natural values, and universals as they are commonly conceived) do not exist. It is often simply referred to as naturalism…

Do I believe that the supernatural (whatever that is) does not exist with 100% certainty? No. However, the evidence for it is practically non-existent, or so dubious that the probability is quite low in my opinion.

In the martial arts world there is much ado about ki.

Most long term or professional martial arts practitioners report that the practice of building qi via breathing exercises, deep relaxation and meditation practices causes profound physiological changes that enable special martial arts skills. After sufficient practice an ability to feel the qi develops.

Indeed, there are many masters of various arts who teach that you can channel ki to harm your opponent. For example, after a very good breaking performance in a taekwondo tournament, one master told me that I had done a good job of sending ki into the wood. I just smiled and thanked him for his compliment. In contrast to taekwondo’s power strokes, some of the Chinese traditions will talk of the dreaded “Dim Mak” or death touch. While it is speculated that pressure points are involved, the master of Dim Mak is though to use “ki” to kill their opponent by disrupting their flow of ki.

This all makes for good movie drama. However, based on what I know of science, I am very skeptical. In fact, the almost 4th dan (aka almost Master) who convinced me to give taekwondo another try, was also preparing to do post-graduate work in astronomy. Ergo, he had a strong background in science. Among many fantastic feats he was able to break concrete slabs and a stack of 10 boards. Very impressive and under the right circumstances he could seriously hurt or even kill with one blow. Death touch? Yes. Ki? Probably not. When he talked about breaking he would explain his ability in terms of two things: 1) 10 years of martial arts experience and 2) Physics.

While slightly long, this video does a very good job of scientifically explaining the science behind a taekwondo or karate break. In addition, for those wanting a version that they can read, this short paper might fit the bill.

It becomes easy to see that with little to no knowledge of how to perform the martial arts, one can simply observe the motions involved in the martial arts and quickly come to the conclusions of how powerful and devastating these movements can be. It is also easily seen that regardless of the size of a person, if trained properly in the body mechanics, kinematics, and physics of the martial arts, a person can easily cause destructive damage to an attacker.

Now despite being a naturalist I do admit to visualizing ki. I never think about the notion during breaking. However, when I meditate I do think about ki. This all having been noted, I look at ki as an exercise in visualization. That is, it is a mental trick which puts me in the correct frame of mind for mediation. Sport psychology has long touted the benefits of visualizing success before a competition. It is no different in the martial arts:

According to Fredrick (1999), mental skills used by martial artists during precompetition to achieve peak performance included visualization, raising emotion, warm-up routines, and focus.

While I do not think it is magical, I do have great respect for those who devote decades into martial arts training and the honing of their bodies to do spectacular things. Traditionally, the exposure to slight injuries over many years helped karate and taekwondo stylists to withstand punishment that would harm an untrained person.

Traditionally, conditioning was achieved by practicing very slightly injurious routines slowly and sustained over many years. The important word here is slightly. The inflicting of serious injury is detrimental to body conditioning, karate spirit, and general well being.

Interestingly, there are some modern practitioners of something known as “Combat Ki”. To say the least these people take body conditioning to the extreme. Whether you agree with the practice or not, you cannot deny that it is not impressive.

~BCP

[tags]martial arts, opinion, ki, chi, qi, occult, supernatural, science[/tags]

Spreading a Meme…

Chris at Martial Development asks that you help spread a meme by listing three embarrassing personal confessions. Here’s mine:

1. I’m my own worst critic. This is true in life and in taekwondo. My instructor knows this and it typically manifests itself when I demonstrate a form. I’m not sure if it’s lack of confidence or what but I’m rarely satisfied with what I complete. Same goes for papers: Despite having been published I always think an article or paper can (and usually should) be better. The good news is that I limit this to myself and don’t pass it on to my employees.
2. I’m too honest. Sometimes to the point of telling someone something that they probably don’t want to hear. I tend to call it like I see it and on some occasions it has offended certain groups and/or people. The good news is that having worked in public services for 10 years I have learned when I can and when I can’t.
3. I hate workplace politics; however, I find myself “playing the game”. In fact, some times I’m forced to play the game. I’m not sure if point three is embarrassing or not but the contradiction does cause me discomfort.

I have more but three is enough! What’s yours?

~BCP

[tags]meme, memes, opinion[/tags]

Getting Back at it

So the Pattersons drove to Cleveland for Thanksgiving. Aside from a really nasty cold the trip was restful and uneventful. It’s funny because I joke about my drinking habits. Well after this trip the reality is that I am anything but a hardcore drinker. I might have one or two drinks once a week but that’s about it.

Some of Bob’s in-laws and their friends ARE heavy drinkers. On Thanksgiving they started at 1 PM and kept it going to until 1 AM. These people are in their late 30’s to early 40’s, still go to clubs, do the local bar scene, concerts, parties, travel, etc., and pretty much nurse a steady flow of booze. In between all that they slip in trips to the health club in order to stay fit. Sorta seems counterproductive but then again no one is asking me for my opinion. Still, I have to shake my head at that…

Anyhow, overall I got a lot of rest which my body sorely needed. We have not set a date for my school black belt test but I do know that it will be before Christmas. Regardless, time is ticking away. So today and on Sunday I have to hit it hard from home in dojang garage.

Last night I watch the Human Weapon episode on Silat. Just like all the other martial arts (including taekwondo and karate) there exist dozens of distinct styles. If I’ve learned anything from watching this series, this would be it. It’s really easy to get isolated in your own martial art and school and start to think that your way is the only way. The reality is vastly different.

If I decide not to stick with the Korean arts after Cho Dan silat was actually one of the arts I’ve considered. There is one school in the area but they are fairly hardcore. However, I doubt I’ll be heading down that road.

This brings me to viewer mail…

I had one person read this blog and then send me an email asking why I was not considering going on to 2nd dan in taekwondo. In fact, they are an self-admitted taekwondo purist and were a little offended that I wouldn’t consider it. So I think I’ll explain “the story” one last time then refer back to this post when people ask. It goes something like this:

1. School founder moved away for post-graduate work while Bob was mid-rank
2. His senior student took the school over
3. School is non-profit so we are a small, tight nit bunch who are in it for the art
4. New instructor realized that with her schedule it was all but impossible to continue training for her next dan rank, and run a school. This because of over an hour drive to grand master’s dojang, her schedule, etc.
5. So the unspoken theme (or rarely spoken) has been get Bob to 1st dan. After that it’s very likely that come May she’ll take take a break and close the school.
6. If, however, we figure out a way to keep it kicking I’d stick with her, the school, and work towards 2nd dan. I’d do that out of loyalty but right now, it’s not looking like that will happen.

Remember how I said their are styles of a particular martial art? Well there are. While certain fundamentals will always be the same in any style of taekwondo, the poomse or forms may differ. The one-steps and self-defense steps may also differ and the school’s orientation may even differ too (i.e. sport vs. self-defense, heavy on tradition, etc.).
Since the nearest AMAA school is over an hour from my location–and given that my schedule is as bad as instructor’s–continued training in this style of taekwondo is practically impossible. So if we fold I’ll have to start over and let’s just say that Bob is not too keen about being downgraded in rank and having to learn new stuff–especially new forms, depending on the school! In addition, while I greatly respect the athleticism, 2nd dan typically spends a lot of time mastering taekwondo’s aerial kicks. (hey you have to do something in that two years before your next test) Regardless, part due to age and physical limitations and part due to practicality, Bob is not too keen on aerial kicks. So, in order of preference, this is what I’m slowly shopping around for:

1. An affordable hapkido school (so far affordable is not happening!)
2. An affordable school that offers Chin Na (back to my limited Kung-fu roots)
3. A style of Japanese or Okiniwan karate

I’ve already located a very affordable Kung-fu school that’s drivable and which has a Chin Na program that’s designed to complement the “hard arts”. So, unless something unknown comes along, that’s where I’m likely headed. You can even obtain instructor certification rank which is black belt equivalent so it’s even goal-oriented.

What’s likely to happen to my taekwondo is something that I’m already doing outside of class: Solo practice in dojang garage. All of the strikes can be practiced on a bag or in the air as can the fundamentals. Same goes for the forms and weapons. So, what you get is a good workout that at least maintains some of the skills you’ve learned. It’s the same thing I’ve done with pieces of boxing, Wing Chun, and PPCT so I know it’ll work. The downside is you lose the chess game that is live sparring.

However, what’s worse is I know for a fact I’ll lose some of the complex self-defense and one-step sparring routines. In fact, that’s why Chin Na has peaked my interest.

While techniques along the lines of chin na are trained to some degree by most martial arts worldwide, many Chinese martial arts are famous for their specialization in such applications.

Chin Na would also kick it up a notch. In the taekwondo and karate world–for the most part–self-defense and one-steps are prearranged. That is, attacker responds with A and you counter with B, then it ends. Chin Na adds the concept of flowing which can be seen here in a video from Dojo Rat. So what happens is you learn to keep flowing from attack to counter and so on.

Interestingly, on the drive in last night we noticed a sign offering “karate lessons.” Naturally, I had to check out the school. From what I could tell from pressing my nose against their window is that their core style is Ryu-Te Kempo. They also offer Tai’ Chi and Chin Na. Given that the same person who teaches their Tai’ Chi also teaches their Chin Na, I have to wonder if it’s NOT the popular exercise style of Tai’ Chi that most places offer? So, old Bob is going to give them a call and rule them in or rule them out.

Anyhow, right now I need to worry about taekwondo and get back to training!

~BCP

[tags]martial arts, taekwondo[/tags]