Category: technique

The Inner Stance

Posted on by joeharman8 | 12 min read | 85 views

Much has been written about the various Martial Arts postures and styles. However, what often remains a mystery is the inner state which the practitioner should strive towards reaching. In my view, the most important factor is the inner positioning, the inner stance. Fortunately, there are abundant traditions which discuss the inner mechanics of the stance, which in turn controls the possibilities of the body’s power. Broadly speaking, stance means attitude or disposition.

Whilst the martial artist should focus on his opponent, he should remain preoccupied with the inner environment and the obstacles he may face there. In this way, external objectives are achieved relatively easily because he is always at the front wheel There is of course a level of developed capability needed before relying on the inner side mechanics of Martial Arts. It is possible to develop this over time in a sensible way, first simply drawing attention to the inner landscape. Indeed it will all seem ridiculous to someone who has not experienced any these matters first hand. It is therefore a practice which requires experiential knowledge rather than technical. In matters of life or death, it is completely foolish to jump into the subtler side of fighting without first experiencing and developing the inner tools. As such it is best to start small and develop a basic awareness before it is possible to master this path.

Lets start with the gaze. The eyes should track the opponents movements, but this is best achieved with a sense of awareness which is free from the hindrance of self doubt, over analysis, and inner conflict. Once this is achieved, vision and clarity are then enhanced. Even at the technical level, the gaze is only narrowed when you are focusing. Until then it remains open to the peripheral enviornment to take in a wide area of surveilance. This is because historically, threats could happen at any moment. 

In Martial arts, a particular inner state is needed, rather than a preoccupation with just outside events. Of course, when one is attacked for the first time, or has experiences any kind of potentially traumatic event, they are overwhelmed by the senses. This can lead to an obsession that such trauma may happen again. It is therefore important to rely less and less on the traditional senses as ones competence level increases, to move beyond this point. This is because the fives senses give us only a peripheral idea of the scene unfolding, and to stay here can become self limiting.

Unmani Mudra, or no mind thinking, is a state of awareness which has traditionally been achieved meditatively. It’s applications apply beyond the sitting postures is it normally practiced ion. Unmani Mudra involves total inner awareness, even when looking around externally. During Martial arts training, once the senses of the body become less and less of a preoccupation, the inner stance or mechanics can be emphasised. This either happens when a particular state of perception is achieved, or during old age when the body itself becomes less reliable as a source or strength or inspiration. It is of course possible to realise this before the body begins to become less and less powerful. 

Does this mean you ignore the body altogether? No, not at all, it’s just that you see past the storm of events and the atmosphere it creates with a different set of senses which can penetrate all of this. You are there but not there, with the body but away from it. More and more it becomes about transcending the body to some degree. This can be achieved the more familiar one becomes with the senses and practices them. There is a natural longing to be free from the senses, so the progression is towards something greater. The more logically this longing is followed, the greater the realisation of this ideal which transcends logic itself. In other words, rather than becoming free of the usual perceptions, you bring down the higher ones to the level of the here and now so that everything is integrated. 

To do Unmani Mudra, direct your attention to the back of the head, between the crown and the middle of the back of the head specifically (at the level of the eyes). Here, there is a tiny invisible dot, or energy point, known as Bindu in Yogic texts. Bindu is a powerful energy centre which is responsible for enhanced bodily functioning, as well as enabling the fighter to become courageous. If the fighter is hit here, he senses are knocked out of him.

With practice, it is possible to work with Bindu to achieve almost superhuman activity. Without practice, it can be activated or triggered anyway, for example to pull the head away from danger in a merely reactive way. Either way, once you are aware of how it works, it is just a question of becoming consciously aware of this energy centre. However it can merely happen in a reactive way, which can lead to exaggerated action. The idea is to become more and more an initiator of action rather than reacting to an event someone else triggers. By conscious awareness, I do not mean controlling it necessarily. Once concentrated upon and experienced in its proper fullness, it merely acts in a liberated and unlimited fashion beyond full mental comprehension. Your job is then just to work on letting this happen and removing impediments in the form of ignorance. You just have to channel the energies properly. This takes work and dedication. 

As you inhale, energy is sharply transferred from the base of the spine to energise the brain at the level of Bindu. This enhances awareness and intuition as you prepare for action. The sensation is like lightning shooting up the spine. This can be constantly maintained for long periods by adepts. There is a sense of excitement, particularly within the intestinal region. It is a similar sensation experience when one is forced to hold urine for a time. There are various yogic methods of training this area, which are similair to sugical methods used for cleaning the inner tubes when disorder arises. However these are not nessessary. The excretory ducts of the urethra, the urinary passage, are drawn upwards with minimal contraction of the surrounding muscular walls of the abdomen. You simply try to lifting them towards the spine. Obviously there is contraction of the core muscles, however the focus is on the inner sexual organs and urinary canal. The surrounding muscles then act in correspondance with this activity in such a way that is not intutively possible by conscious control of the separate muscles.

As you exhale, this energy descends down the spine, towards the body’s physical centre. When this is performed correctly, you will feel the pelvis lifting, tilting, and engaged, as if performing a conscious physical exercise. Howevber it happens intutively. As an exercise in itself this stretches the pelvic floor area.  

Vajra means lighting, and there is a sensation that the hips are elevated as if electrified and charged with a certain energy. This means the Hara centre has been energised. However, conscious awareness is directed directed towards performing unmani mudra, because this is more related to work at the level of the nervous system as a whole, or more specifically, the energy channels. The whole body and system can automatically arrange itself in the appropriate physical stance with practice.

Predominantly the exhale is focused on in combat, because you are externalising energy. The inhale as an exercise of focus is usually reserved for yogis. By inhale and exhale, I am not referring to air. The inhalation and exhalation requires a certain energy flow which posture the body in such a way to receive oxygen. It is not the air that does this or the lungs, but the nervous system. You therefore focus on the expansion and contraction as well as the energy, and the air flow will naturally happen.

There are two interesting points to consider here. As the energy shoots up the spine, towards the brain, the eyes tend to open widely, as if to take in information. This is known as spontaneous pyschic attitude in Yogic texts, and can be seen in tribal displays where the eyes are used to intimidate. That means the system is fired up, even without the need for external stimuli. At the very least then, this means that training alone can become at least as beneficial as training with external opponents, provided this energy is properly utilised. But this is a separate matter. 

As the energy descents towards the hara centre, and towards the base of the spine, the gaze narrows because information has already been taken in at the level of sight and perception. The gaze therefore restricts, and it sometimes looks as if there is a laziness in the eyes.The energy moves from the visual field, and you may find the eyes move of their own accord. Yogis have sat an experienced this state, which has sometimes been called bliss under certain conditions. In terms of survival, it is like the deer who first freezes by taking in oxygen, eyes wide open. When it decides to run off, it has committed to running and energy is sent to the rest of the body for action. Obviously there is an intensity present at both stages, but for different reasons. Broadly speaking, this energy can be used for survival, or enlightenment purposes, as in mediative practices.

As the energy descends down the spine, known as the sushumna nadi in Yoga, there is a tendency to look more downward, towards the centre of the nose. This is why the yogis cross their eyes and look at the tip of there nose, to work at the level of the base of the spine indirectly. It is also seen in boxing, when the fighter ducks down slightly to work with gravity and naturally looks down. However, yogis have always know that to become powerful it is not necessary to become a savage. However, they must posses the power to become violent, if only to direct this potent source of energy towards inner work. This is for the devotee. Remaining weak and powerless is not a virtue, but the choice to shut up and chose non violence by choice can be virtuous. It always comes down to choice. Do you chose to be this way or that, or is it forced upon you without your consent? There is no right or wrong necessarily.

The base of the spine is also related to and directly next to the excretory system. As the Energy rises upwards, there tends to be an upward gaze, converging at the eyebrow centre, which is at the level of the pineal gland, or the third eye. This region is also know as ajna chakra. So, both process, or gazing towards the tip pf the nose, or inwardly drawing attention to the eyebrow centre, are ways of moving the energies of the body. To move them up, think of the eye brow centre, the ajna chakra. To move them down, concentration is focused on the nose tip to work with the region of the Hara centre. 

By now, you may have noticed that different chakras can be moved or activated from apparently unrelated regions. They are therefore mobile rather than fixed. For example, by working at the level of the eyes, it is possible to activate the lower regions of the spinal collumn, related to the hara centre. The Hara centre is not moved, but the activity of the higher centres can be. The higher the centre, the more mobile, generally speaking. This unites and fire up the entire system, from a top down method of control. Otherwise, activity is purely instinctive 

Therefore, it is not necessary to even engage in combat to develop these capabilities. Combat has always been seen by fighters as a way of experiencing physical reality in the full sense. It often happens by circumstances rather than choice. Whichever way it happens, the master martial artist learns to more effectively manage his inner states by switching from a purely survival view of things at the level of instinctive action, towards a more powerful inner state of energy functioning

When the Martial Artist focuses on the subtle energy systems, this does not mean he no longer experiences fear, pain, or loss. Instead these consideration fade into the periphery or experience, particularly as bodily and survival imperatives become less of a basis for existance. They cease to have an all encompassing hold as wider experience enters the fold, or if he imposes a system of self discipline to habituate himself to stress. This is why Fighters have fled to the mountains to experience harshness, so that it becomes a constant thing they acclimatise to. They then forget about it as a hindrance and it becomes a constant companion they just get used to and they no longer shun it. This is one way of overcoming pain and resistance, to simply master it by becoming familiar with it and developing a certain contempt for its power.

Obviously, many chose not to move beyond survival as a priority, or are for some reason they are unable to. It is therefore ridiculous to speak about energy systems to such a person who is faced with constant stress. For them, it is best to make efforts to overcome or meet immediate survival needs. jIn the same way, it is ridiculous to speak of emotional wellbeing to a prisoner in a cell who takes joy in killing people. It is often simply not in their experience or understanding to derive certain experiences from inner means which do not involve exploiting or gratifying instincts.Therefore, there are multiple ways of looking at it. The body and its capabilities can be used and exploited purely instinctively and explosively, or you can use them in a non exhaustive way to flow like water. There is nothing wrong with either way, it is just a question of whether you want to use energy dictated by survival processes, or inner development, or perhaps a bit of both.

Bringing your training to life – exercises and principles

Posted on by joeharman8 | 14 min read | 87 views

Recently, the restrictive measures placed on society have reduced peoples access to gyms and other exercise areas. However, you do not need a gym or equipment to do the best exercises. The best thing to do is think about all of the opportunities in the day that you could be doing productive activity, such as gardening, housework, or DIY for instance. Such activities contain not only provide meaningful purpose, but also opportunities to get deeply involved. In other words, physical activities of any kind afford ample opportunity to practice mindfulness, which simply means conscious awareness of your movements and gestures.

To start with, it is a good idea to start activity by building a good level of strength and endurance. One way of building strength is by contracting the muscle in a given position of alignment for either a short or long duration. This is known as isometric strength. This will enhance the firing rate and strength of that  muscle region. For example, by walking around and pressing your foot into the ground, you can align the body in such a way to produce maximum force and tension. This can build strength, but more importantly awareness of internal connectivity. Such awareness can be developed when performing fast footwork, such as when skipping, or in a static position such as when holding a particular posture or stance. Simply by trial and error, and concentrating on the intuitive sense of energy and power, you will gradually find the alignments which produce the greatest balance and stability.

Which are the best exercises? Obviously there are many different forms of martial arts, such as boxing and Tai Chi. These are just different expressions of the same central idea, which is to build internal power. Whether or not this power is used to maintain health or to fight off enemies is another matter. The question is, how can these exercises be practiced effectively, whether in the gym or in everyday settings? 

First of all, it is important to train fundamental movement patterns to keep the body fit and supple. At the basic level, these fundamental movement patterns include stationary forms of kneeling, squatting, clenching, etc., as well as the more mobile forms of walking, jumping, and spinning for instance. When you combine the stationary movements of clenching the fist, for instance, as well as mobile walking, you are making something more complex which is used to create a martial arts movement. For example, a boxer walks around the ring in a particular form called a moving stance, which is based on clenching the fist, walking, and slightly stooping. The varieties of combinations are limitless. 

All of the dynamic techniques found in martial arts, such as throwing knife, launching a punch, rolling on the floor, etc., grow from the more basic forms. It is like when a flower grows from a branch. The branch gives the flower the basic stability to produce something new and beautiful, which later brings dynamic new life. In the same way, our basic everyday movements form the basis of more dynamic expressions. The flower cannot grow from a base without strong roots, which is why in martial arts you will find so much reference about working at the root level of stability. In a sense, the flower is of the same nature as the tree, but it does not look the same, it only resembles it. Before long however, the flower will attract other life forms to spread its seed more broadly, and then also drop back to the ground to fertilise the soil. This process of growth and renewal ensures life is experienced in its fullness.

Certain primordial actions and drives left by our ancestors have limitless creative expression. But only if used intelligently. Therefore, they leave room for adaption to modern day contexts. We are human beings, not humans finished. Naturally, our modern day equivalent creations of certain basic forms must build on the inherited forms, which are the foundation. Children who have not yet learned anything have no problem performing basic things like squatting and running. In fact, they often do them better than adults, who tend to over complicate what is profoundly simple. Obviously, children have youth on their side, but that’s not the whole reason. They also have greater capacity for imagination and a sense of doing things just for the joy of doing them. This is because the pituitary gland, the region of the third eye, is highly active in children, and they often have no problem using the creative imagination and then immediately switching back to objective physical reality. 

The adult often finds reasons why certain activities are not practical enough, or simply looks at other people doing it better than them and loses enthusiasm. The natural intuition of the child often becomes a dim memory, depriving the adult of a certain creative force if they are not careful to exercise this faculty. Much of what we refer to as culture is responsible for the decline in this area, which is also responsible for material advancement. This is not categorically good or bad. There is a trade off. However, if you want to develop the intuitive sense, the first thing to do is not worry so much about what progress you are making physically, but to do martial arts activity for its own sake, and to be present at that level. Then, because you are relying on nothing outside of yourself, results will naturally flow even in spite of your limitations. If you are absolutely determined to become totally involved in your training, nothing will be able to stop you. The key ingredients are time and energy.

Instinctive drives and motives underpin all martial arts movements. These are things that the adult has in abundance. The child is fairly powerless in this sense.Therefore, the more our innate instincts are experienced and applied to our actions, the more they will integrate within your system in a constructive way. Rather than letting the instincts control behaviour, and becoming subject to their whims, the instincts must be seen as the object. Children must develop their behaviour, and adults can learn to manage their instincts rather than become hijacked by them at a certain age. For example, if aggression is simply pacified, there will be little power behind a technique. On the other hand, if aggression is given free reign, screaming away without self control, then there is no discipline. 

If you apply discipline to the instinctive energies, they will eventually give up working against you. But only for a time, which is why eternal vigilance is important. Remember, the roots are solid and tenacious, they are full of energy, a rich source of energy which needs intelligent direction. Otherwise they simply deprive the soil of nutrients without producing anything of worth. Then, these potent energies can undermine the stability and health of the organism as a whole, because it’s only goal was to survive at the root level rather than to raise its perceptions of life.

You cannot rely on the instinctive energies to make wise choices, because they work within the physical limitations of the body. Anything which works constantly within limitations cannot perceive of reality outside of itself. The roots of the tree rummage around in the dark, with no thought about whats best for the tree overall. This is neither good nor bad, it just depends on how energy is utilised.The intellect relates to the imposed limitations on the body, and in the same way cannot be expected to find anything other than resistance and then temporary solutions to problems. Still, the intelligence level is a step above the instinctive level. Technical proficiency in training will never fulfil us totally, because the nature of the intelligence is to criticise and find only transitory solutions, and the instincts are there to provide the energy for this work. This is why in certain spiritual practices, the importance of the moment is emphasised, because each moment is a reality which can be perceived in its entirety. 

When the intellect and the instincts have achieved great things together, the very next day the whole process begins again, simply because the intelligence is never happy and the instincts are so tenacious. Together they are phenomenal, but limited to a certain degree. This is why there can never be a so called perfect form. The perfect form is formless, which is to say limitless and without dimension, where the inner master dwells. The inner master has a certain perception, and is the higher self which experiences life at another level. This is why it is better to relate to the work and effort involved in being totally absorbed in ceaseless evolution and progress, without worrying what the outcome is, because the outcome is not really important. 

Only life is important, and experiencing it at the highest expression.The disciple in martial arts must learn to sit back and let the instincts and intellect do their job, because he is not really them. He or she shows benevolence and kindness towards them, because this is the only true way to appreciate them and remain linked. In other words, you can transcend these two dimensions without leaving them behind by anchoring yourself firmly to the ground with a high ideal. This high ideal is to work with all that is limited, to unite it with the higher consciousness, the higher self. If this unification does not happen, the day will come when you no longer have motivation, drive, or the intelligence to work properly. If your intelligence fails to embrace the whole, and is no longer so consciously aware at all levels, then there can be no awareness or ultimate meaning behind activity.

The body has certain tendencies which can be observed across different movements. For example, you might squeeze a tight fist to create tension in the forearm and wrist. This action generally has the effect of causing the elbows to tuck, the jaw to extend, as well as other stabilising postures such as locking the neck for stability. If any of these particular movements and states are practiced, they will tend to provoke the other corresponding actions regardless of which part of the body initiated the activity. In this way, the more mindful you are of engaging the whole body, the greater the interaction of each part on that whole. In addition, there is a greater experience of the unity of mind, body, and will. It then does not matter what you are doing, because each separate aspect is just a way in towards feeling this state of unity across the whole. 

When the whole body and mind is involved at the maximum level of intensity, you will feel the sensation of power in the most subtle gaze or posture. From this, it is easy to see how basic exercises encourage not only full body strength development, but also translate to all aspects of life. The two considerations, of personal life and training, become inseparable when this reality is realised.  

When performing an action, you should try to align the body in such a way that you achieve perfect balance for the demands of a task. This is usually only for a moment, such as when taking a step, and the motion should be as economical as possible so that effort can be applied optimally from within the framework of the body. It is like water running through a pipe. You don’t want any of the water to escape, and you want the pipe robust enough to send high pressure through it, in the form of energy. The energy, the pressure, is felt throughout the pipe and is not concentrated anywhere. Then, the whole house can become warm and powered. 

The training should support the system as well as make it run efficiently. If you do that, what question can there be about the efficacy of your skills and abilities? As such, work in this direction and the technical aspects will take care of themselves. Do not listen so much to the chatter of the mind, or the criticism of opinion, these are all working within the limitations of the material. Instead, try to cultivate a playful attitude which does not take things to seriously, but works with intensity. This attitude, which works with an intuitive playfulness, will allow you to transcend any limitations you might think of. 

When you experience doubt, get into the habit of questioning whether that doubt is really there, or whether it is you giving power to it. For example, if you doubt that your hand can lift a table by itself, is this the reality? No, it’s a reality only for the hand alone, which never works in isolation. If it works with the entire mind, body, and will, it will find a way to lift the table. In the same way, the intelligence in isolation finds ways of reducing things to its dimension. Eventually, it might convince you that other people are simply there to be beaten up. However, this is not the reality for the master, who sees all the same limitations in others but views things differently. He sees the criticism from others as an anchor, an energy, with which to hold him to earth. If you simply beat others up, then they will run from you and get tired of your self centred behaviour. Let the brain chatter for a bit, and then it will become more subservient, because it’s useful as a tool. It forces you to learn discipline of the mind, body, and will. Just sit still and wait until the brain calms down, then just be as you are.

A practical example of movement principles in action comes from the Alexander technique. Here, practitioners are told to lift the crown of their head towards the direction they want to go. This encourages good alignment of the spine and posture. This is because within the ears there are sensors which ensure weight is distributed properly, controlling posture. This idea is central to Yoga and Tai Chi, which describes this kind of activity as being lead by a golden thread which extends from the crown. As such, you are encouraged to lift the head to extend the neck and body in whatever movements you are doing. This is to lift yourself upwards away from gravity, which tends to pull down. In other words, you lift the body from the ground, which is  simultaneously being pulled down by gravity. By doing so you are using gravity , which can be translated into energy, to maximise tension in the system through correct alignment. This is a dynamic tension, which keeps you grounded and out of harms way. These two polar opposite forces, of heaven and earth, are working together and feeding each other. This is all done unconsciously. However, by deliberately practicing this principle and becoming conscious of it, you can apply it to any kind of movement. For example, from throwing to punching. It is also a way of viewing the world more broadly.

Alignment of the body and muscle tension are two complimentary aspects of movement and activity. They work in unison to raise the body away from gravity so that you are able to move freely and without resistance. This makes one grounded and rooted, as well as free and buoyant. Therefore, the two opposite forces of gravity and anti gravity, make up one overall whole. I mentioned earlier that the mind can hold us back. However, without this holding back, the spirit and will power would simply expand and spread, and you would be so self sufficient that you would become isolated. Nobody would talk to you, and you would interact with nobody, like a hermit. This has been the goal of enlightened beings, but it is not without danger, because meaningful interaction with life is then under threat if one is totally without need of others. It is better to take a step down and anchor oneself to the physical body from a high position. This is the reason for virtuous conduct, because there is no other reason for a master to come back down if he has beaten all opposition within himself. The only reason is to express love and kindness to others by demonstrating self mastery. Virtuous conduct, and morality, are therefore the highest form of martial arts and the most difficult to develop, but once this effort becomes habit, it becomes effortless.

The Roundhouse Kick

Posted on Last updated on by joeharman8 | 1 min read | 118 views
Roundhouse Demo
Audio description

To do the Roundhouse Kick, the knee is brought up and forwards. It is as if you are going to push kick off of a wall. The grounded foot roots to the floor. The big toe is important in this grounding, as it digs and grips to the floor.

The Hip is driven accross the target, the leg extended through. You don’t need to be close, because you want full extention of the hip and leg. You make contact with the instep of the foot, or shin.

The standing leg turns out via the hip to open the kick. There is a forward tilt and lift of the pelvis to activate the entire hip. This principle is key in developing power and flexability.

Practice slowly maintaining proper timing, until you build up confidence.

Stick Work

Posted on Last updated on by joeharman8 | 5 min read | 103 views

When working with weapons it is often better to practice the movements and actions around a target, articulating the joints and paying close attention to your every move. In this way you will be able to intuitively build a strong understanding of attack and defence by thinking consciously about your every subtle movement. But you have to be fully engaged, not thinking about smashing the thing to pieces, otherwise you will not be aware of the subtle movements. During inner Martial Arts practice we should realise that we already know how to do these things, it’s just a case of concentrating and genuinely feeling these movements and skills so that we manifest this understanding.

If you are simply seeking to smash the other person, you may well achieve your aim, but this is not to your own benefit. Personally I hold on to the idea in my minds eye that I am a living light, trying to illuminate the target, or forces of darkness. This can inspire the most attentive and inspired behaviours so that ones actions converge towards the highest ideal of perfection. But this is a very delicate point, do not confuse and delude yourself into think of yourself as a figure of light physically speaking, it is a mental tool.

You will find that by using this method you will awaken and stimulate skills and techniques which would otherwise remain dormant, even with extensive technical training. This is because we need a high ideal, and a simple symbol of power to surpass ourselves, which is often more effective than accumulating scars of lifeless information1. In other words to fully absorb ourselves in work, it is better to relate ourselves not according to our physical capabilities and limitations, but our creative imagination. You might say “What a load of rubbish, I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous”. You are free to think that and I wouldn’t blame you. However feel free to try it for yourself as I have no reason to deceive anyone.

It is better to concentrate fully on the task at hand, and then if you can put it into safe practice with a partner. Too often the partner drills lack any real intuition and freestyle improvised flow. These aren’t always conditions where your keen senses really develop, because you either get whipped up into a rage when hit by the other person or the exercise becomes dull and predictable. If you have a good training partner then great, but the subtle side of martial Arts requires relative silence from chaotic environments and concentration on the inner forces. In other words, this is where the lessons are learnt which will enable you to handle chaos2.

Obviously live sparring can be beneficial. But at the same time the inner attitude and philosophy is neglected so that the person engaging in such activities actually ends up more tense and taking things personally, when in fact it isn’t about winning some contest of drill. I only advise engaging in partner drills of this kind when it is clear there is no pride on the line, as pride is the most difficult enemy to overcome. Lots of people engaging in these activities say that they are humble but the way they go about training often betrays the fact they they are training their pride and vanity, which when active simply takes up all their concentration. They may pound other into the dust but in their ignorance they’ve stunted their development.

Only train with others if you think it will benefit your development. Otherwise it’s likely that your so called training partner will just undermine the exercise by letting the chaotic forces within them ruin the spirit of the activity. From my point of view, any training should seek to reduce the influence of vanity and pride by working on concentration, intensity, and inner understanding, and under those conditions your abilities will emerge triumphantly.

So move around the target, imaginary or otherwise, fully concentrating and immersing yourself in the subtle movements which are demanded of you to keep centred and connected to the activity. Keep this connection and you will find that you flow and understand the movements contained within the work you are performing. Each time you go back to this, your understanding will increase. Why stop there? every instance of the day is an activity to engage in exercise, by contemplating and mindfully practicing anything from lidting a chair, to holding a cup, from breathing to thinking.

It is not important to think only about the weapon. You will make all sorts of other connections by applying the principles learnt from weapon fighting to say, boxing. From knowing how to use a weapon you will better be able to use your hands more generally, and vice versa. Having the right attitude and perspective will allow everything to converge, so that even though you are practicing one thing, it represents everything else. This is worth contemplating.

Stick Fighting and Boxing Example
Stick Practice

References

1 The High Ideal https://harmanater.com/2020/07/26/the-high-ideal/

2 Live in Harmony, Fight in Chaos https://harmanater.com/2020/07/12/fight-chaos-live-in-harmony/

Intuitive Sense

Posted on Last updated on by joeharman8 | 19 min read | 190 views

In my experience, by focusing on mechanical routines or forms too much, I find I often get more and more confused and further from the truth.”Don’t think, Feel” said Bruce Lee. Whilst there is rudimentary mechanical practice needed to intuitively feel something, I don’t recommend making mechanical forms the basis of practice. Why? Because you will likely lose touch with inspiration and dynamism, and by being technically correct you may well end up the loser in the long run. I’ll show you why.

Analysis tends to divide and separate, to specify rather than unify. Instead, the starting point is always the idea; the high ideal1, and the mind fuel is will power2. From this perspective, your practice can inspire you to shape and mould yourself as a living example of this art. This is a higher goal than just remaining ordinary inside and producing some outside forms. Technical specialists have never studied or accepted this idea, which is why you won’t obtain any methods from them. So, by all means, practice technically for a short while, but then return to this centre, this source. The image of say, a certain style in action, is merely the stepping stone to propel you into practice of this nature. The image, the form is a starting point of reference not the end point. It is simply a means of practicing intuitive action, not the goal.

Don’t bother with over thinking and analysis for the most important tasks. As I was saying, you can view the technical details for a moment, as a starting point. You then get back to concentrating on embodying the technique, that is to practice it more naturally and intutively3. This requires serious work and development. But eventually this inner process of intuitive practice then sculpts your and fashions the physical organism so that the body itself reflects a particular form. You will then no longer need evidence of what is effective and what isn’t because you will simply feel it within. It starts off a conscious effort, but with training a honed intuitive sense will enable your practice to become second nature.

It is worth noting that the end products of your intuitive practice only reflect the technical forms. You will not be an exact replica because your are creating. Unlike mindless imitation, your execution of such forms will be adaptable, flexible, and alive. Your embodied practice reflects a likeness, not exactitude, because no individual is the same exact expression of truth. With knowledge of this, you are free to improvise and act with finesse, instead of sticking to a predictable script. This makes your movements elusive and cunning.

Truth is without form, we clothe it in our expressions and give it forms. In other words it is we who give expression to truth, and it inspires us to do so. To look for truth within a form would be illogical, because truth is above the constrictions of form. It is better identified by a feeling, a kind of developed sense. Personally, I have no idea what truth is and I can only look for the signs. This kind of intuitive training approach may not be for everyone.

Repetitively performing in a robotic way fails to make an impression on the instinctive sub conscious level, and therefore no evolution takes place inside. It doesn’t become part of us, or even second nature. If we train this way too much, it is as if we are just putting on a costume and then going back to our normal behaviour. It is possible to then be left with nothing, even after years of formal training once the conditioning of such training stops.

Scientists are beginning to take serious notice of how our environment effects our organism. However, the true meaning of Martial arts is not to act in our outer environment, it is to shape and mould the inner environment of ourselves. This inner transformation then later effects the outer environment. In other words, we are not prepared to shape the outer environment sufficiently before doing some serious inner work. We use the art forms we cultivate to channel our energies and surpass ourselves with our creations. This is true art.

In my opinion we must work on our instincts to transform their expressions, working with our inner raw materials, not against them. Desire motivated by a high ideal fuels this process. The instincts are often deadened by robotic spiritless exercises, which is why so many promising athletes burn out over time and lose their edge. This is not surprising when we set our sights to low, simply to perform a move mindlessly. If there is no selection pressure (as biologists would call it) to evolve ourselves within, then their is no need to harness our inner resources to surpass ourselves. That is, there is no evolution without getting our house in order. How can we expect to control the outer elements if we haven’t prepared ourselves properly by doing the same work inside?

Whilst our instinctive responses are crude and unrefined they do not require drowning under a tide of regulated behaviour. Nor are they the finished products. This is what people don’t understand. They suppose that our instincts simply get in the way of technical progress and can’t be channelled. What I am saying is that we need to intelligently assign work to our instincts to keep them busy if we want to take things to the next level.

When you are focusing on looking perfect, good for the camera, to impress onlookers, to win points in a match, etc., you are investing in something which appears correct or certain, but is actually very uncertain. In other words, when our behaviour is not motivated to develop our natural intuitive expressions, by the time it reaches the physical form its potency is greatly reduced.

That’s why I say it all starts with motivation, the inner drive – the high ideal. This calibrates our intuitive thought to expectations beyond normal. This explains why people who contrive an artificial appearance of beauty, without feeling it, often end up uglier over time. There was no solid foundation upon which to base expression, and later other individuals surpass them who were apparently behind to begin with. So, start from humble beginnings with the goal of greatly surpassing the norm. To be sure, the intuitive sense is hardly developed at all when we begin to work on it. The other sense like sight seem more reliable. However the more you practice the more intelligent and expressive you will become.

In the long run, endless imitation often ends up being a servitude even if it apparently seems like a good idea to begin with. This is why appearances are deceiving. People often become fed up of behaving this way only later, when the costs are seen to outweigh the benefits. So don’t worry about others overtaking you, it isn’t at all important. This lesson is a hard one but necessary for our development.

How can technical certainty lead to confusion? When you prioritise with all these external things like looking perfect, there is an inner tension, which prevents intuition from taking the first place and ruling. It is inhibited rather than trained into a force of nature. Even experts experience this, although because they have trained for so long to overcome it, they have succeeded in negating a lot of the negative effects of all this. One of the ways they do this is to commit totally as technicians at the expense of everything else. Ordinary people with more conflicting demands would simply tire out quickly. However, when they retire such experts often retrogress, become flabby, unenthusiastic, and bored. All this because they have failed to embody their practice by taking a more balanced approach4. But this takes time, which is why people don’t bother with it, because you don’t get anywhere very quickly.

The inner approach is intrinsically more satisfying for those who commit to it seriously. Most people consider getting bored later in life perfectly normal, “that’s life” they say, “it happens to everyone”. “Do what you can whilst you’re young”. What ignorance. Thoughts, like actions require sorting and correcting, there are some bad which shouldn’t be indulged, and other good productive ones that should be developed. Some thoughts are bad initially but can be refined and worked on so that they more accurately represent truth. I won’t go into that now but it worth thinking about carefully.

What kind of philosophy determines that we have only a few adult years to develop our talents before we lose all drive and motivation? The truth is, we lose all drive and motivation because precisely because we believe this. We assume our development has stopped and we stop putting the work in. From the intutive point of view, which has not even fully evolved in adulthood, this is idiotic.

Those who engage in short termism often win a few matches, get a few certificates and martial arts belts, and then that’s it. You retire and reminisce over what you were, a professional champion. You are obliged to wear yourself out and become fed up with it all. You are then said to be a somebody. Instead of moving beyond this kind of practice, they are instead charged with instructing others in this method. But there is something they have not seen. This kind of practice is only the reality for those who have used their resources within a short time frame to ensure their future comfort and status. Others have a choice. It is understandable that people desire this, and as far as I’m concerned they are welcome to this way of life and I leave them to it, they find meaning in it. But it’s not for everyone.

The problem is that all the training recommendations out there abide by this mentality of short term returns, and prescribe accordingly. I have no idea why. It is like someone who made a million pounds during the first few years of his career, at the expense of everything, and then after going bankrupt, telling others how to do the same. But this is not my model. It has nothing to do with success as I see it – for me, success is more of a long range broader goal. Later years should be more and more fruitful, and they can be. There is no point in initial benefits with long term liabilities which prevent enjoyment later. You only need to look at how many previous world champions are now broken down by injury and embittered by it all. For them, it may have been worth it, I will leave you to decide, but at least be aware of the realities.

For me it is about pooling your resources across a wide range of investment and then gradually watching your investments grow, figuratively speaking. You then see whilst others have over spent and pay the costs later, that a more sustainable and sensible model might be preferable. Each of your investments grows and grows and are reinvested into other ventures and existing enterprises. None of them collapse because they are all related, mutually supporting one another. You will notice these law of economics, of benefits incurring costs, and long term growth, apply equally to all areas of life.

Work on the intuitive level is only capable of working through the intermediary of certain fundamental movements patterns and the wisdom of the body5. This is the level to work at (below conscious thought) because the cause of progress is not simply chasing the effects without first doing the inner work. These subconscious pathways can be brought to the level of consciousness with training. Make sure your investments are based on these golden geese, you’re evolution depends on it. Progress will be slow, but certain. You will understand more each day. It’s not much, but its something. Those who understand what I am saying will benefit greatly from this knowledge. You can concentrate only on technical correctness if you want, and see what the results are.

The work of any Master who has created a form is not finished even if he dies. Yes, he is dead physically, but in spirit he will live on in an idea which has permeated others. And whilst there are many Masters who were simply idolised for no good reason, I am not talking about them. Such gurus die – that is, the spirit of what they stood for died – the moment they took up the path of comfort, ease, and short term pay off. I don’t suggest taking them as models. Only model yourself after the most inspirational figures who aim relentlessly at perfection without selling out. It doesn’t matter what field they are in, or even if they are technically highly proficient. You are better off working alongside someone who inspires, even if he is ignorant of many things.

Whilst you can relate to great masters through their work, you must also try to relate to their mentality which brought to fruition their gifts. I try to do as they would do – continuously work with inspiration and enthusiasm6. To work from the form and then try to reach a state of high motivation and enthusiasm would likely end in disappointment. It would require nothing of my creative input or spark. There would be no demand and correspondingly supply would cease. Instead I try to take something from outside of myself, an energy conveyed by others who have the spark, ignite it within myself and get to work. I don’t pay much attention to the appearance.

Instead of over analysing all the time, and consciously controlling the body, view things from the perceptive of the intuitive senses. Once you have embodied certain techniques and skills, your intuitive sense will make sure that your actions and techniques flow in such a way that ensures coordination and power without even thinking about it. Yes, but only if you take the perspective of the intuition, rather than copying a set drill or routine mindlessly. Then, everything is done in a balanced and relatively harmonious way, and we succeed in our work. You will get better and better instead of worse. We then start to feel, understand and realise what to do, in all sorts of unpredictable rhythms, in spite of our limited technical understanding of facts and mechanical knowledge. Even the most ignorant person can become very effective when using this method. It’s incredible, you should try it.

If the brain itself is in charge, with its tendency to overthink and micromanage the body, everything becomes clumsy and awkward even in the most intellectually developed. Yes you start off with technical imitation, but you then move on. Just look at all the scientists out there who analyse and think they understand everything, but haven’t even bothered organised their inner machinery. This takes many years of practice, but your intuitive sense will then have the conditions to instantly succeed if you practice intelligently. I assure you it is worth the effort for those who want to work in this direction. In fact you will feel so enlivened by this method of practice that you simply won’t be able to keep it to yourself.

In my view the goal must be an unattainable perfection, because evolution is relentlessly advancing and our little minds cannot possibly foresee the conclusion of this journey. arrive there before you’re body and brain do. This high minded ideal will ensure we don’t stop short of perfection. Therefore practice must reflect this reality. Perfection is without form so don’t look for it in forms, feel it, out there in the future and surpass yourself.

Form is just a passive state, an empty shell. It is the end. You may have noticed earlier a contradiction, that I said form is the beginning. But there is no contradiction because it is the beginning in the sense that it starts us on our journey, but once we have arrived we cast it off. It’s a circular relationship. In this way, the physical “fruits” of your labour if you like, that is the forms you create, then lay the ground for subsequent generations of future forms. The seed is then planted once again, and the whole process continues once more. It is exactly like the flower whose seed is spread and then starts all over again after flowering. Using a similar analogy, the old form takes on the new use of manure for your field of progress. Yes manure, get rid of it but don’t waste its recyclable properties.

As you progress, it is better to combine existing forms, using them to create, and in this way you inspire motivation, enthusiasm, and true art. This is a form of reusing and recycling. You are then progressing. It is a long and arduous process, but you will understand it better every day the more you practice with it. It is not necessary for any authority to give you the stamp of approval before starting with this method. Begin at once.

In fact, you can work on your actions and behaviours which are seemingly unrelated to martial arts. Working mindfully on your everyday gestures has a tremendous effect. Picking up a cup suddenly becomes an exercise, where you handle it with care and grace with your articulations. Form a habit of relating a certain universal principles to your everyday activities. First of all you might refuse to think that a particular thing relates to seemingly separate things, but with perseverance and practice your intuition later insists than your reasoning is wrong. You succeed in spite of yourself. It just takes time and work7.

It is important to understand that there is no way of gauging the power of this process if we have never seen the effects of it in action. In other words, those who have never worked with this method are unlikely to be aware of its power. Nobody thinks about this. This is because for the most part Martial Arts practice traditionally consists of working with fixed forms. These fixed forms were intended for the masses. Here, there is then a visible, tangible objective reality to imitate. Intuitive sense is the other way round, this visibility emerges from a subtle intangible reality. This is the Spirit of Martial Arts taking the forefront.

For me, I’m not interested in noticing all that is wrong, how good or bad other people appear, whether they are more refined… Or at fault. I try to visualise nothing when I’m training. Once you reach an inner harmony and silence all the noise, this is the way to see most clearly and simply sense what needs to be done. This is the way to reach towards perfection, beyond form. You will then be able to act instinctively and below the level of conscious thought, because by silencing the inner noise you will notice the subtler realities. This cannot happen with background noise. There is a scientific method behind this approach8.

By observing and practicing only what is most inspiring, unpretentious, and what makes sense intuitively, this is the way to do meaningful work which leads to success. I leave the other approaches alone – What they emphasise is none of my business. Many styles of Martial Arts emphasise separation from intuitive movements. They retain the physical forms but become estranged from meaningful action and behaviour underpinning them, the human input. In this way they become the contorted demonic forms we observe in certain Asian Traditions depicting evil entities. These evils are merely symbolic of reality.

When people are technically minded, exact, and ordered on the outside this is how they measure everyone else. And those who feel intuitively how things work tend to view others according to the same criteria. In other words we measure and sense the value of others by our own criteria, how we see things. This is why I said earlier that unless intuitive practice is actually practiced, people will remain unaware of its benefits. Personally, if I see what others is doing is too pretentious or technical I don’t bother trying to extract anything from it, I just move on. I just get on with my own work, and anything that doesn’t correlate with that is of no interest to me. I would expect the same from those who view things from the other perspective.

If I’m coaching I don’t correct other people by insisting they do things the same as me. If they are doing something dangerous or they’ve misunderstood, then that’s different, but if people insist on interpreting things their way then I take them as they are. They can then progress at their own rate. More often than not, people want technical explanations, and we will just be talking at cross purposes, but I tell them anyway. And since there are others to give them technical prescriptions, I leave it to the others.

As for me I try to convey an impression and spark an interest so that others might want to work with enthusiasm and motivation. Not a superficial excitability, but an energy. Seeing that technical descriptions, formulas, and lifeless routines offer no results to me, I see others in the same way. In fact, far from learning superficially, I feel as though I am unearthing something deep inside me which I already know. Yes, I have a criteria that I apply to others, based on my own vision and experience. I try to convey the same inspiration which was passed on to me through others, which helps me continue to develop.

References

1 The High Ideal harmanater.com/2020/07/26/the-high-ideal/

2 Will Power harmanater.com/2020/07/26/the-high-ideal/

3 Martial arts and Health https://harmanater.com/2020/08/09/embodying-the-technique/

4 Embodying technique https://harmanater.com/2020/08/09/embodying-the-technique/

5 See Instincts, Behaviour and Archetypes. https://harmanater.com/2020/03/31/instincts-behaviour-and-archetypes/

6 The Skill is not separate from the work https://harmanater.com/2020/07/04/the-skill-is-not-separate-from-work-and-contemplation/

7 See The Stance https://harmanater.com/2020/08/05/the-stance/

8 Fight in Chaos live in Harmony https://harmanater.com/2020/07/12/fight-chaos-live-in-harmony/

Embodying the Technique

Posted on Last updated on by joeharman8 | 11 min read | 160 views

In order to learn certain techniques, it is important to go over them in a simple, detached way, so that the limitations of your understanding can grasp something new. In other words we look at things purely technically at first. But we don’t stop there.

A tree separated from the forest may have the same qualities as the forest but it is not the forest. Similarly, a drop of rain may share some of the qualities as a thunderstorm, but it is not a force of nature. However once one of these elements joins in with the whole again, it becomes part of it. In the same way a technique grasped on the technical level needs to be embodied in the organism to be understood and effective. That is, for it to becomes a force of nature within you.

When you feel as though you have a good understanding of the technique this gives you some confidence. However it doesn’t give us the confidence to go out there and really put things in to practice, or even go beyond the basics. We need some authority over it, a way of verifying that we understand how it works properly.

When you have embodied the techniques properly, you are confident to go out and relate them to everything you do – like a bird showing its feathers if you like. You will be proud to show your colours and cultivate them in the wider environment. You will want to, rather than seeing it as an arduous exercise. Even if you are not very good yet, it’s something. It is instinctive to radiate this confidence if you have a proper grasp of how to apply and embody a technique or skill, even if you haven’t mastered it. This will drive you forward in your practice. In fact I would go as far to say that when this confidence radiates from you powerfully, and if you know how to demonstrate it without arrogance, people will know they are dealing with someone alive and powerful. And no Mugger can possibly victimise such a person, they target someone else weaker.

How do you explain the idea that skills and techniques can be “forgotten” over time. I’m afraid this is impossible if it has become part of you, if you have embodied it like a tree within a great forest. The only way to forget about something is if it was only learnt superficially. And if something is learnt superficially it won’t relate to everything you do. People invent all kinds of excuses, they need to train again starting from scratch, they’re too old to do it anymore, or they lost interest, but they fool nobody except themselves. The fire and aliveness has gone – There aren’t any feathers to wear.

If you form a habit of relating a certain universal principle to your everyday activities, you will be practicing all the time, or as much as time allows. Because a universal principles relate to everything. Therefore, the best way to embody a skill or discipline is to work on the intuitive level, according to universal principles1. The only way to do impregnate your organism with this understanding is to mindfully practice all your everyday actions. Say you a practicing a punch, then play it over in your mind and think how it relates to holding a cup, grabbing an apple, or swatting a fly, for instance. The when you are doing one of those actions, you relate the punch to it. You ill find many overlapping similarities when you investigate this question.

The way I do it is I don’t bother learning all the holds, moves, and stances. I don’t even know which boxing combinations are supposed to be taught. It takes a lifetime to understand properly and intuitively the depths of any one good stance, so it would be a complete waste of time to go over them all superficially. Know one discipline properly and you will have access to them all, because everything else will follow as you gradually increase your fundamental understanding of universal principles and the laws of nature. This is the highest form of understanding, a lifetimes work. It has been called “Form without form” in certain Japanese Traditions, or fighting without fighting2, which is to say the same thing.

Get into the habit, whether you’re shopping, sitting in the pub, or waiting in a queue, of taking a minute to centre yourself physically in all sorts of different stances and positions. This is something Steve Morris Recommends, so that you can be training under any circumstances, remaining linked physically and mentally. This is in order Feel the alignment so that you are for a moment embodying the posture necessary to deliver a particular move you might be contemplating. Then go back to whatever you are doing3.

The point I want to make is that you don’t so much see these similarities, as appearances are deceiving, but you get to feel them. In fact, I don’t see much at all when I am training, I relate things together by the way they feel internally. You don’t need to necessarily do the move externally, just to feel it and relate it to your organism and its other movements. You will soon see how similar the sensations of moving are, and in this way you will be able to determine whether you have got it right or not, according to this “wisdom of the body”, as they call it in the Chinese systems. If it feels right, it is absorbed subconsciously over time quite naturally, but don’t delude yourself, it takes a certain amount of experience and knowledge to feel the right thing! This method can be done as much or as little as you like, and nothing is better for results than this habit.

If you take make it a habit to practice inwardly and feel these moves in action, then the outer manifestation will take care of itself. You will feel such satisfaction, such motivation with your progress, that you won’t bother with all the thousands of tried and tested mechanical routines. You will be working on your subconscious instincts, and moulding them intelligently. This is the aim of the disciple in Martial Arts. You will reach the level of skill you need just with this one habit, provided it becomes a dedicated method of practice. The power of this approach is beyond explanation, and its important to go over it again and again until you do it instinctively and you can’t do without it.

When you have an intuitive feel for how movements should feel, learning particular skills will then just be a formality. You’ll hit the ground running when you pick it up. You go over it for a short period of time in depth, as a separate part, and then integrate it back into the whole. This is the way to practice any particular skill you want to analyse in depth (just don’t get obsessed with the details). Steve Morris calls this “Zooming in” (to analyse something in particular), and then “Zooming out” (to then udnerstand it as part of the whole more generally).

The only thing you need to remember is to work4. Work at this idea of relating all the moves to your more mundane movements and the progress takes care of itself. Put in the practice of doing this, that is work at it, so that this becomes the work – not the individual drills. But nobody bothers with this, they just see everything else outside the special moves as unrelated and a waste of time. This approach may shock you, when you see so many people going over mechanical routines, but these traditional moves are just forms, appearances. For a long time I have been baffled that things continue to be presented in this way, and it’s not the way I think.

If you don’t relate everything together, from, say walking to sewing, then the drills never make any sense, because they don’t relate to the wider sphere of existence. You will say that you can make a certain amount of rapid progress without wider understanding. Yes, but for how long? If you never apply the wider laws of nature to what you are practising you will never see the connections between things, because it is these connections which verify the truth. You will say “So what you are saying is that all the drills have been a waste of time?” No, don’t hold yourself back with this attitude, just disengage with emphasis on differences and make the wider connections. One skill acts as a stepping stone to another, see them all as different forms of the same idea.

So my advice is not too bother so much with the idea of mastering one system in the small sense. You’re just then doomed to remain trapped within this small sphere. As time goes on the apparent gains to this simplistic reality diminish. Whereas, when you work with certain fundamental principles for a long time, you embody them and they help you learn everything else. You no longer need to see with your physical eyes to know how it works, you feel it. “Don’t think, feel” as Bruce Lee once remarked. The more you work with the underlining fundamentals – the universal principles – the more you understand them and the more they work for you. It becomes more and more automatic.

First of all you might refuse to think that one thing relates to seemingly separate things, but your intuition later insist on it without you even thinking. You succeed in spite of yourself. Then you have reached intuitive understanding and can trust your senses rather than being mislead by appearances. You will then observe other talented athletes and pick up revealing behaviours in them, embedding them in you, like a kind of osmosis. You will also be able to identify aggressors in the street effectively. But you only know this by studying yourself5. What can you do then, except have access to all disciplines intuitively? Of course this takes time and effort, from humble beginnings. What is a belt or a medal, even a world championship, compared to this understanding?

The problem is in Martial Arts people don’t know what kind of activities to devote their time to. Since you can only devote your whole attention to one thing, not two, or three, or four, then it should be the most important aspect when represents everything else. Whatever the opinion of others, it doesn’t matter when you are in possession of this kind of intuitive understanding. You are then wearing the inner black belt, because all individuals, systems, and techniques start with an idea. And it is the quality of the idea that counts.This idea then works through us and becomes a physical reality. No amount of inferior physical practice will disprove a truth of this kind, that is a high ideal.

This brings us to another important point. A state at war with itself will not reach understanding, not with all its constituent parts acting according to different laws. There will just be anarchy and break down. Yes, there might be some mutual coincidence, but there will not be time to devote to unified cooperation due to all the conflicts of interest. There will be lots of contradictions, confusion, and suspicion. Progress will be limited because everyone has a different conception of the truth – of the laws. Each is as good as the next. However, if all the members share access to the same higher truth, even if they apparently work in different directions they will work in a kind of dynamic harmony. The human organism is the same. You can acquire all sorts of knowledge as long as it conforms to proper understanding of Unifying laws and principles, these very ideas validate truth, and seductive but bad ideas betray themselves. Otherwise you will be divided and trying to give your attention to everything at once, rather than dominating this situation with authority.

References

1 see Which Moves? https://harmanater.com/2020/04/30/which-moves/ ,

2 See Self Defence without violence https://harmanater.com/2020/06/14/self-defence-without-violence/

3 See Alignment and Tension exercises https://harmanater.com/2020/03/22/alignment-and-tension-exercises/

4 See The Skill is not separate from the work and contemplation https://harmanater.com/2020/07/04/the-skill-is-not-separate-from-work-and-contemplation/

5 See Identifying Aggressors https://harmanater.com/2020/07/30/identifying-aggressors/

Elbow Strike

Posted on Last updated on by joeharman8 | 1 min read | 87 views

You can do the front or rear elbow. It is the same principle as the jab or straight.

Steve Morris makes an interesting point in this regard – that if you are doing a rear hand strike it is offensive on the front foot, and vice versa for the front front hand. This is an incredibly powerful principle.

You can be offensive as well as defensive, in that you can shift your body forward whilst being on the back foot. Think about this carefully.

As far as practice goes, nothing beats relating to important concepts tirelessly.

The Round Kick

Posted on Last updated on by joeharman8 | 1 min read | 77 views

The Round kikc is quite hard to do without practice. The basic idea is to turn out the standing foot (Otherwise you pull your groin) and swing accross like a basball bat.

The Most simple and effective target is the knee area. Use the shin or foot.

As with all the techniques, you don’t just turn the body or swing it round. You do both: Shifting the weight in whilst extending your hip and leg in.

Steve Morris has done a video on youtube talking about the whole body round kick, which I recommend you should watch.

Back to top ⇧