Blog Post from Master Paul Keller. Very cool!

Question from Blog:

Colleagues, I should like to begin exploring with you the concepts of “hard” and “soft.” I’ve been inspired by my recent training in Goju-ryu (which as you probably know means something like “Hard-soft style”), as well as some workouts with a Kung-fu stylist, to start thinking about the soft in our Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu. One of my Goju instructors keeps stressing the relaxation required in order to generate power, even in a straight zuki or a basic block. He says everything is ju until the moment of contact, and then it’s go, but only for that instant. The ju of some types of round blocks, such as mawashi-uke or hiki-uke, is obvious, if difficult to achieve. But the ju in our basic age-uke, yoko-uke, and geidan barai—or oi-zuki and gyaku-zuuki—is not so evident, especially if you have trained all of your karate life to execute these with “power,” which for most students up into lower dan levels means striking and blocking with a lot of tension everywhere in the body. I note, however, that when sensei Sindt (see the “Martial Arts Video Vault”) does his kata, all of that snap and power comes from his relaxation while executing the technique. Since many of our so-called “hard” techniques are best executed in a relaxed state, I wonder if we shouldn’t substitute other terms for “hard” and “soft,” such as “relaxed” and “tensed,” or “without effort” and “with effort.”
I anticipate your feedback.

Master Keller's Rresponse:

"I think that most experienced martial artists associate the term hard and soft, internal and external in the correct way. In my opinion, every system has to be relaxed and without tension to be effective. From my view, seeing circular motion in movement makes the most sense, even a bullet comes out spinning just like our punch. Better to talk in terms of muscular contraction, point of contact, and recovery position. The relevant muscles contract through the target zone. You wouldn't apply the brakes to slow a technique down, a golf swing, or any motion. What you get is follow through and recovery. A boxer hitting a speed bag is working in circular movements. A baseball swing is circular, but would be considered a hard strike on impact with the ball. From my view, all motion is best understood as relaxed, absent of tension, with good follow through depending on what you want to happen with the next shot and the one after that, etc.

"Shorin-ryu works better in medium to long range relative to Goju, which is far better for close-in fighting, a more realistic range for most fights; then you get into Jujitsu and the ground game, which is considered "soft". Like a baseball swing, elbow strikes, hooks and uppercuts are circular, hard on impact, recover circularly using more of a sanchin type stance, for an instance. To the recipient it will seem very "hard" indeed, but those techniques will look more like soft goju-ryu than hard style shorin-ryu. Seems a misnomer overall, like "hip dynamics" rather than full body dynamics."

Great testing week.

I am so proud of all our students for their accomplishment of new stripes. Way to go! I know a lot of you have earned chevrons. Very impressive. Each and every student is doing so great and I am really thankful to have such hard working and wonderful black belt Leaders. All our parents are so supportive and I feel blessed by each family at the academy. Thank you Moms and Dads for doing all you do because you have the hardest job in the world. I see day in and day out how much you love your children and do for them. So God bless you and keep it up. They are going to thank you in about 10 to 20 years. See you in class next week. Lets keep up the training as we prepare for graduation.

Matt Gilberto Congradulations on being accepted by OSU and University of Arizona.

Matt will be shooting for his black belt this summer. Way to go Black Belt Leader!

Sincerely,
Scott Shoen

Noah Hickin you are awesome!

I just caught Noah practicing his kata in between class. What awesome self-control, Sir!

Ten Easy Times To Fit In Kata Practice.

1. TV commercial breaks.

2. Waiting for the bus outside.

3. If you are on the phone and placed on hold.

4. Waiting for your computer to restart.

5. Waiting in line. (You may want to practice in your head.)

6. Lunch break at work.

7. If you lift weights, practice between sets.

8. Waiting for microwave popcorn.

9. Waiting for laundry, or dishes to be down.

10. Waiting for boring previews to be over at the movies. (You may want to practice in your head.)

Bonus
11. Hitting the snooze button in the morning? Skip it and practice a kata or two.

Kata are very short 30 sec to a 1:30 at most and they clear your mind, help you focus, aid in relaxation, burn calories, and allow you to be more aware and present focused. That is a really good trade off compared to being bored out of your mind. I us these tips to help with my kata practice and it just makes it more fun to boot.

Have some other times to practice kata? Let me know and leave a comment.

Jenna Hays Earns Academy Award at School!

Jenna Hays earned the very coveted WOW academic award at school. It is only given out twice a year to each grade. Way to go. You sure are upholding the Black Belt Leadership standard and we are super impressed and proud of you.

p.s. students bring in your report cards from school to earn stars and set some awesome goals for next semester.

Stripe Testing This Week Starting Wednesday!

See all students at stripe testing and I am so looking forward to see everyone earn their next stripe and take their next step toward skipping a belt and earning their next belt. We will all be moving one step closer to our Black Belt and a journey that will let us begin a journey towards becoming a Master Black Belt Leader.

Sincerely,
Sensei

Ippon Two (Two Step Drill)

1. High Block, Reverse Low Front Kick
2. Cross High Block, Reverse Low Roundhouse Kick
3. Outside Middle Shuto Block, Grab, Side Thrust Kick
4. Inside Middle Shuto block, Low Front Kick
5. Dodge, Low Angled Front Kick
6. Spinning Back Kick
7. Block and Haito, Hook Kick, Take Down
8. Low Open Hand Block, Grab, Knee Low
9. Low Open Hand Block, In-step Kick Low
10. Middle Open Hand Block, Grab, High Round House Kick

This Drill focuses on hand attacks and kick counters. Changing ranges is an excellent way to confuse your partner and land a point.

Ippon One

Ippon One (One Strike, One Step)

1. Low Block, Reverse Punch Middle
2. Middle Block, Reverse Punch Middle
3. Open Hand Middle Block, Nukite Middle
4. Open Hand High Block, Nukite to the throat
5. High Block, Reverse Punch Middle
6. Inside Chest Block, Reverse Punch to the Ribs

This will help you remember if you know the drill. Otherwise it might not really help. Hopefully we will have a video of the drill up at some time in the future.

Little Dragon's Pictures

Quote from O'Sensei Kim

Open your hand, you can grab anything; close your hand, you can not grab anything.

Adult students feel free to grab a copy of his biograph (20th Century Samurai Richard Kim) from amazon.com.

Ninja at the Academy this week!

Ninja have been showing up during the kata this week at the academy so watch out!

Karate Quiz:

Name the Colors of the Ninja in order?

Way to go students on Stripe Testing.

Students did so well with their stripe testing last week. Keep up the great work everyone!

This year we ranked in the top 250 schools in our martial arts association with over two thousand members. Thanks we owe it all to our wonderful families and students. Keep spreading the good news about our academy and will break the top 200 in 2009.

God Bless,
Sensei Shoen

Happy New Year - Welcome 2009 Karate Style

I just finished up 2009 techniques old school on a heavy bag. Hope you all meet the challenge too. For our younger students shoot for 209. Remember to let me know for stars. See you all on 1/5 when the school reopens.

Sensei Shoen

Merry Christmas!

I hope all students and families are having a blessed and wonderful Christmas Day. Students remember to thank Santa, Mom, and Dad for all your gifts.

Mrs. Barna and I are so impressed with graduation and all your hard work. New black belts hope you enjoy your first Christmas as Black Belts.

God Bless,
Sensei