Uechi-Ryu Karate - Celebration of First Blackbelts

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Some people start thinking about planning and may have a goal but few have back up plans, the plan “B” in case the first choice doesn’t happen. The real successful people have a unique ability of understanding human nature, real information of success patterns and effectiveness of tactics and have action plans developed several levels deep and well thought out.

I see this evident in the modern Mixed Martial Arts programs out there today, but this is not a new concept. The art of blending different martial arts to come up with a system that works best for the practitioner has been the path of successful martial artists for thousands of years.

In the Chinese arts for example, systems were created a student may start learning the Tiger style because they are big and strong but later learn the Crane style to maximize his abilities by adding angles to his fighting style. Similarly, Mohammed Ali added the tactics of the lightweight boxers and took that into the heavyweight division and dominated professional boxing for years with his style of floating like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

In the 60’s and 70’s Bruce Lee pushed heavy the idea of taking what is useful from a style and discarding the rest. I would guess that Bruce would be considered the grandfather of Mixed Martial Arts with his JKD style where he blended western boxing, grappling, stick fighting and a host of other arts to his base Chinese system.

To day we are seeing grapplers begin to study striking arts and many of the striking martial arts are beginning to learn the grappling arts in order to compete against other various fighters under mixed martial arts rules.

The same is true with business success.

Many of the huge breakthroughs have occurred when they have identified something that is very effective in one industry and adapted it to their business. This includes marketing, price points, competitive advantages and even image.

What I really see effective today, is the people that add redundancy to their personal, business and martial arts life. If you have a clearly defined plan of action – what if?

What if it doesn’t happen? What is your plan “B”? And do you have a plan “C”? OK, that is the strategy of black belt excellence, to have a pattern of response that is ready for any situation as it happens, but do you want to know the secrets of the true masters?

Now this is for advance thinking people. That is using pro-activity and systems to eliminate those options in the first place. Knowing that if Plan “A” fails, why not design into your plans the very thing that will prevent the necessity of having to implement plan “B” because you have eliminated in your initial plan.

The most successful people today, have double and even triple redundancy systems set up to avoid any options in their operations. So this week when you do your planning, include a section on what if and back up plans. This will go a long way of helping you take your martial arts training, personal life and even business success to a new level.

To Your Success,

Terry L. Bryan, Instructor American Black Belt Academy

Jim Baggett - New Shodan and one of the Junior
division's instructor at the Central Florida Martial Arts
Academy. With Jim are his two kids, Connor and Taylor.

Respect. . .

Another great article from Terry Bryan

Of the seven essential principles of bushido, the Japanese word for bowing or "rei" is one of the most important for the true warrior. Most Americans bastardize the process and just slap their sides in an imitation act of a quick greeting, but the true meaning could take a little more care and effort to do it correctly. I am sure I am not alone when I see the crude behavior and the rudeness of many American martial artists as they do a rough superficial copy of the act, not having a clue of the intent and purpose of this cultural display of humility and respect. Most don’t even know when or where to bow, let alone know how to do it correctly.

I know, I know… this is old school and the new modern martial artist simple touch gloves or fists and “Get It On”. And I guess that’s ok, if you are teaching a new modern martial arts and not calling your art karate. But for those claiming to teach a traditional based art – well - give me a break. Do your homework. You have a responsibility to know the truth and share that truth with your students. If you don’t believe in bowing fine, but if you are going to do it in your school, then dog-gone-it … do it right.

Of the seven essential principles of bushido, the Japanese word for bowing or "rei" is one of the most important for the true warrior. Most Americans bastardize the process and just slap their sides in an imitation act of a quick greeting, but the true meaning could take a little more care and effort to do it correctly. I am sure I am not alone when I see the crude behavior and the rudeness of many American martial artists as they do a rough superficial copy of the act, not having a clue of the intent and purpose of this cultural display of humility and respect. Most don’t even know when or where to bow, let alone know how to do it correctly. I know, I know… this is old school and the new modern martial artist simple touch gloves or fists and “Get It On”. And I guess that’s ok, if you are teaching a new modern martial arts and not calling your art karate. But for those claiming to teach a traditional based art – well - give me a break. Do your homework. You have a responsibility to know the truth and share that truth with your students. If you don’t believe in bowing fine, but if you are going to do it in your school, then dog-gone-it … do it right.

I once read a story about respect and the message by analogy was that the rice stalk that carried the most grain bent the lowest. I find that in the martial arts, there seems to be a similar truth. It has been my experience that the most senior and respected teachers are the most humble and respectful beings around. They understand that respect is not something one can demand, but is earned by showing respect to others. The very act of taking time to recognize another and showing that you recognize them and appreciate their being is an act in humility all in itself.

There is a natural law that I call the law of the farm. This law specifies that in order to get, you must first give. In order to get respect from others, you must first give respect. On a farm you plant seed in the spring, work the crop during the summer, and harvest in the fall. You can't skip the first part and expect results in the fall, nor can you rush this process by pulling on the stalk during the summer. There are those that sit in front of a stove and think that once it heats up, then they will add wood to the fire. That process just doesn't work, and yet everyday, products are sold and bought that promise instant gratification with no effort needed.

Even in the martial arts world, there are those who promise instant security, a six-month black belt, or deadly abilities in only a few lessons. Anyone who understands natural laws, must realize that quality martial arts takes many years, a lot of hard work and dedication to a good organization and teacher. Every time you bow in the dojo, you should understand that you have identified this process and are earning your proficiency the old fashion way – through hard work, discipline and respect.

Many senior teachers have realized that simply teaching fighting tactics or strategies, without including the philosophical and spiritual attributes of respect, humility and self-discipline, is doing nothing more than creating street-fighters. In classical martial arts, the training of the entire person, mentally, spiritually and physically, is the goal of the teacher. One of the major first steps towards becoming a great warrior is learning how to bow properly.

A couple of key points to a traditional bow and my opinions why. First of all, you stand up straight, heels together, feet together turned outwards at a 45 degree angle, back straight, hands to your side.

Why all the detail? Because it shows discipline, correct posture and respect, that’s why. In all things in life there is one way to do things right, some things that are ok, and most things that are just wrong. A true warrior always strives for doing the things right, not a sloppy imitation that is good enough. Imagine going into a life and death encounter thinking that second place is good enough.

Next step, back straight and bend forward to a 45 degree angle, come to a complete stop, hold for a second, keeping your eyes straight so that you are now looking down at a 45 degree angle too, then return to starting position before doing anything else.

Bending the body forward to a 45 degree angle shows respect and trust.

Coming to a clear stop before returning to the starting position teaches the student that if you start something, finish it.

Keeping your eyes focused straight ahead, teaches the student to develop their peripheral vision in order to see everything around them, even though they have lowered their eyes.

A simple procedure, yet almost always screwed up in the majority of martial arts schools in America today, where the tradition has come to be - teach quick, collect cash fast, and good enough is good enough in everything. And lets not forget, taking credit for everything as your own invention and giving no credit to your teachers, the history or culture from which your art came from. Better to just make up some damn story.

OK, maybe I am old fashioned. Maybe I am outdated.

But then again…

Maybe each of us should go and look in the mirror and ask a simple question.

Am I doing everything I can to become the best martial artist I can and have I done everything I can to make sure what I am teaching is true?

Now I bet that if you are honest with yourself, you will answer either yes, or no. And I bet is you responded yes… well quite honestly you are probably lying. Come on, how long would it take you to list 10 things you can do right now to improve yourself? How many more have you blown off, or just not got around to doing?

If you stand in front of the class of students as their Sensei, Sifu, Guru, Sabunim… have you done everything you can to deserve to be the role model they need?

Humm… interesting questions in your pursuit of black belt excellence isn’t it?

To Your Success,

Terry L. Bryan, warriorwiz