Boston Martial Arts Center

Break free from personal limitations

mdavis — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:13:26 +0000

Martial arts helps people break free from personal imitations. Over the years of studying martial arts I have come across many different systems. At first I was learning the basics of martial arts: punching, kicking, sparring, ground fighting and so forth. I felt, at the time, that this was the highest level of freedom. Then I started to think about applications outside the Dojo (school) and at that point I felt that I had achieved the next level of freedom. My next step in the exploration of martial arts was to see how they worked in a new environment – again an application outside the Dojo. I realized that nature, the ground the earth and sidewalk were not like the mats we had at the dojo or the sparring that was made possible by the ring. At this point in my training I started sparring in rivers on hills or deep in the snow. However, I still did not feel like I had achieved what I wanted and I began to think that this was occurring because martial arts was very limiting but instead what created a limit was my own way of thinking.

Some martial arts systems like Ninjutsu and Toshindo are there to help people break free from self imposed limitations. This is why it is called a martial arts school (Ryu). The school provides you with the tools to break free from your own limitations. Initially when I was a young student I thought that martial tools (sparring, jumping rope, ground fighting and bag work) were the end or highest level of martial skill. I even made fun of other people who were not training in the same way, however, only later did I realize how limiting this way of thinking was. You see, what I failed to understand at that time was that this method of training – the set of tools I had acquired – were only there to help me break through my own limitations. An old teacher of mine used to say “Don’t eat the menu because you think it’s your lunch but choose your food carefully so it gives you energy to live and create.”

Mr. Hayes has helped me along the path of self discovery as a martial artist but I am constantly aware that it is up to me to search for the next personal break through.

Boston Martial Arts Center

Martial Arts and Self-Defense Part 3

mdavis — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:45:00 +0000

When you are studying martial arts for self defense, it is important to make sure that you are using the correct technique with respect to the type of attack that is happening. This also includes your state of mind, since it is responding to the attack as well. Mr. Hayes has discussed the five states of the mind during an attack, they are; (Godai no kata five element form – earth, wind, fire, water and void).

These particular states of mind manifest themselves when we are under pressure. For example when we are surprised or caught off guard we could freeze (or) pull away from danger. The later being the best reaction. With correct study and training of the interaction between the mind and body we can close the gap between martial art technique and self defense techniques. The other day a student from our school was walking home from work when a person tried to grab them. The student’s reaction was to pull away and escape and avoid engaging the attacker. The student indicated that the training helped them to react in a manner than was fitting to what was needed at that particular moment.

Japan www.bostonmartialarts.com

The correct type of training for the student is very important. The best thing to do is to learn with an instructor who is qualified to teach. Training should always help a student reach their goals. If you want to learn how to defend yourself then study self defense and how the mind and body can work together.

My Teacher (Stephen K. Hayes) blog post talks about this subject : www.skhquest.com/2009/08/18/what-you-resist-may-save-you/

My First Lesson In Martial Arts

mdavis — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:21:50 +0000

I received my first and most significant lesson in martial arts from my father. This lesson had to do with correct behavior. He taught me respect for myself, my country and people. He also taught me how to be fair, even handed and yet at the same time not to put up with any foolishness. When I was a child I learned how to box, how to sweep somebody’s leg and I began my studies in martial arts which progressed to Judo, Hapkido, boxing, Jujutsu, Arnis,

Rock Garden In Japan

Ninjutsu as well as free sparring and knife work.

As I became older I also studied (in a correct and safe way) how to work with weapons including guns. However, an increase in power is always accompanied by an increase in responsibility. The correct role of a martial arts teacher or (system of study) is to function as a mentor to a student. This is not dissimilar from the role a parent would take with a child, which is one of great dedication and protection. I cannot imagine any parent either hurting or teaching their children to hurt others and yet unfortunately many students today are injured as a result of incorrect training.

Imagine, if you will, what it must have been like in feudal Japan for a Great Master to train a Young Samurai. The Master would spend years training and guiding his student, in such a way that the student would one day be able to carry on the lineage he was learning. It was understood that a Samurai could die in battle or for the person he was protecting – but never from foolishness, or because they engaged in childish quarrels. Today, the martial arts we study at this school are very much the same in style and they should also be applied the same way towards ourselves and others. Our skills and knowledge are there to help and protect people and not to hurt or subjugate others.

Please keep that in mind as you advance in your training, as others have done before you for many centuries.

Martial Arts and Self-Defense Part 2

mdavis — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:58:11 +0000

Center you mind !

Self defense is the process by which we avoid danger. This is done by using a combination of our intellect and our physical bodies. First and foremost it is important to recognize fear. Fear itself can be utilized, however, it can also make us overreact or it can impede us from evading a situation. Making correct judgments under pressure is a very difficult process and this is where training is particularly important. When training for self defense it is very important to recognize that this is not only about kicking, punching and choking. It is about your mind and how focused you are on addressing the particular situation at hand.

How will your mind affect your ability to keep safe? Will you escalate out of anger and start punching the attacker only to find that they are hiding a knife? Alternatively will your mind respond to fear by freezing you in place? Last week our class addressed this issue since we worked on drills and skills that make the mind stay centered under pressure. A member of the dojo commented on this the following week. He mentioned that he was able to foresee a situation escalating at work and was able to redirect the energy in a positive manner, since he was able to focus his intentions correctly.

Martial Arts and Self-Defense Part 1

mdavis — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:21:40 +0000

Boston Martial Arts Center Night Fall in the northeast time to clear your mind

After a seminar in Boston Mr. Hayes and I were discussing Martial Arts and self-defense. Mr. Hayes was commenting on the fact that moving in a reckless manner was very dangerous in Martial Arts and self-defense. This was a subject which was discussed recently in one of our leadership classes at the Boston Martial Arts Center. One of my students asked how one can move in an environment in which weapons were being used, since this is often the case in situations/attacks which occur outside the dojo. The most important thing to consider is to move in a way that would greatly reduce the chance of getting hurt. By moving in a non-reckless way and by not ‘just’ using speed and power a person can greatly improve their chances of survival. (It is very important to use techniques that are made for self-defense if one is going to defend oneself – see part 2 to this post). This lesson was made very clear to me when I was working as a doorman and was asked to walk a very impaired customer to the street. The customer bumped into the hallway and I noticed that he had a broken beer bottle cupped in his hand. I took care of the client appropriately, but had I rushed into the situation with reckless intent I could have become seriously injured and lacerated.

Boston Martial Arts Center

Seminar at Boston Martial Arts Center June 27,28 2009

mdavis — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:36:24 +0000

Boston Martial Arts Center June 27,28 2009 Kenjutsu,Yarijutsu and Taijutsu Seminar (Sword Arts, Spear Arts and Unarmed Martial Arts)

This seminar will cover how to use the Ninpo Taijutsu (Self-Protection and Fighting Method). We will be working on developing intelligent responses that originate from a deep examination of the older Japanese fighting systems in relationship to changing modern environments. Please bring MMA style gloves, training sword and mouth guards and a 6 foot stick. Students are also encouraged to bring a healthy lunch although local restaurants are also available.

Special Optional Evening Training for seminar attendees: (Awareness, Meditation, Taijutsu section)

To register please call the Boston Martial Arts Center at (617) 789-5524 or Mail Payment to : New England Ninpo 161 Harvard Ave #4e Boston, Mass 02134
DATE: 6/27-28/2009
TIME: Sat. 12:30 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. Sun 10:00 am till 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: 161 Harvard Ave. #4e
Make Registration Check Out To:(New England Ninpo)
Cost is $ 175 for two days.

* at this seminar ask about upcoming invitation only events this year.

Dojo and Martial Etiquette

mdavis — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:33:08 +0000

Kenjutsu in Japan

During the old days of feudal Japan, the way a person acted and carried themselves could mean the difference between life and death. For example placing the sword in an incorrect fashion while sitting with fellow warriors could send the wrong signal or using an incorrect word could send the wrong intention. Comportment was an essential expectation of society, and trained warriors had very high standards of behavior – learning from the very first day of training how they should act.

In today’s dojo it is still important to maintain correct etiquette and respect not only for yourself but also for your training partner. In order to train effectively your mind needs to be at ease and proper etiquette facilitates a structure which helps students learn and feel safe at the same time. Please remember that in choosing to study martial arts you are also choosing to learn from history, including all of those who preceded you as well as all of those who used what you are studying to protect others.

Shoshinsha (Beginner’s Mind)

mdavis — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:47:06 +0000

Kannon

I was reading a story about a Japanese Martial Arts Master Teacher who was 90 old. He was giving a lecture about his teacher’s ‘teachings’. He started to talk and said “I would like us students to find inspiration from our teachers.” Never did he speak of himself as being a Teacher or Master of martial arts, even at 90 years old, but rather he referred to himself as a student. A Master Teacher is one who has completed his life and therefore there is no time left to learn. The path of Martial Arts is an ongoing process of self introspection and physical training. I still train and talk to my teacher Mr. Stephen K. Hayes and sometimes I visit his teacher in Japan Dr. Hatsumi. I have been studying with Mr. Hayes for a better part of 27 years. Mr. Hayes will still make adjustments to my Taijutsu and give pointers to direct my learning. Sometime in the last year I was training with Mr. Hayes in Kenjutsu and I was moving to try and gain a position to enter and cut. I started my attack and was cut before I was able to move, all I could think of was “how did he know I was going to cut?” Mr. Hayes then went on to explain the position of the mind kamae in relation to what was going on. He then made some small changes to my technique based on what I was doing wrong and we went on from there. I have to remind myself all the time of Shoshinsha – the beginner’s mind.

A thought:

The beginners mind represents a stage of innocence with respect to learning. It does not mean that a person is not skilled in martial arts but rather that a person accepts teachings and observes from the environment without preconceptions. When very young children explore the world they do not have ideas of what is wrong, right, stronger, weaker. They are simply learning without overriding reality. When we stray from this our thoughts can lead to significant misconceptions about reality as well as delusions about ourselves and our knowledge. In a true martial confrontation clarity of thought would have made the simple difference between life and death.

Mind and Martial Arts

mdavis — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:57:34 +0000

The Mind and Martial Arts 1985 We were training in a park in Boston and it was a cold winter day there was snow and ice on the ground. We started the randori (random movement within the context of the training) we were punching and low kicking grabbing, throwing. The ground was wet, icy and muddy. We were trying to move each other into a part of the ground where the footing was bad. We had to feel the ground with our feet and make adjustments on the fly all the while remembering the slippery spots. At the same time we needed to punch, counter attack and control our training partner.

The first phase of Mind training in martial arts is mindfulness: where are you now and what are you doing now and how is this affecting the world around you. I pushed my training partner into position on some ice and mud and then moved in for the take down as he slipped. I remember seeing him slipping and falling and then coming right back on his feet and rushing me with a grab and punch and grab. We stopped, and started laughing at how fast everything happened. The push slip, take down ukemi (ground hitting and recovery without getting hurt) and counter attack was so fast.

NOTE: You have to train to do this safely but being mindful and aware is very important in Ninpo Kihon Happo (The basic and advanced training. We finished our training with some Ninpo Meso (Mediation) and awareness drills that Mr. Hayes had given us to close the training.

"The present is our only opportunity for power."

Old Warrior

Stephen K. Hayes (Wisdom from the Ninja Village of the Cold Moon)

Japanese Kenjutsu (Sword Arts of Japan)

mdavis — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:08:34 +0000

Kenjutsu

My first experience with Japanese Kenjutsu was in 1975 at the ‘All East Coast Karate Championship’. It was one of the final demonstrations and listed as the high point of the tournament. The young Karate Master jumped out on the stage with a loud shout (kiai) and started to slash the sword in the air like he was cutting an imaginary opponent as he shouted. The demonstration lasted about 45 sec. and it was a blaze of steel and yelling. Then it suddenly stopped! The Springfield Civic center was so quiet you could hear the popcorn crunching under our feet as we waited for the clapping, then there was a roar from the crowd and the Karate master received a standing ovation. I went home that night thinking about Japan and the Art of the sword.

I was only 17 at the time but it never left my mind. About 8 years later I was in Dayton, Ohio training with Grandmaster Dr. Hatsumi’s student Stephen K. Hayes. The class started with our bokken (wooden swords). I started to hold it like a baseball bat but Mr. Hayes soon showed us how to hold it correctly. Holding it like a baseball bat grip was very limiting and there was no flexibly to the movement. He started to lecture about the importance of getting a good feel of your basic taijutsu (Body Arts for Martial Arts) and then starting to move with the sword.

He had us try basic cutting in the air with our Ninpo Taijutsu, placing the sword in (kamae) positions that would be to our advantage when our physical and spiritual state was under stress from an attacker. This taught me a great deal about martial arts strategy. At the time the ‘Go Rin No Sho the Book of the Five Rings’ spoke about sword strategy and life. Mr. Hayes’ sword strategy which he learned from his teacher could be applied the same way to life but like all things in Martial Arts it had to be learned on the training floor with interaction with your training partner and a good teacher overseeing the process. In the old system of training in Japan things were understood via interaction and intuition. The deeper lessons and strategy were beyond words.

As a martial arts practitioner it is important to understand the history behind what you are studying, for example Kenjutsu. What does it mean to understand the sword and what it represents? If you consider the history of the blade it may mean the difference between life and death. Therefore the study of this particular art was never taken lightly. It was extremely serious. In today’s society we do not walk down the street with swords at our sides, however our mental discipline should be the same. The sword is not a glamorous toy to be slammed around in a dojo like what we see in the movies. The sword is a physical manifestation of the discipline of our thoughts. This is why the book Go Rin No Sho addressed the concept of strategy and life. In this way all of the learning that we acquire as students can be applied to all aspects of our life inside and outside of the dojo.