Martial Arts Magazine Budo International 295 September 1 fortnight 2015

"The first symptom that we are killing our dreams is lack of time."

Paulo Coelho

e live in a culture of consuming, earning, doing, possessing... all inward!

That the result of all this might be an attitude of me, me, me, and then me... or that such attitude is what leads to it, is pointless to what suits my reflection today. The fact is that, with this terrible driving force toward the inside, sooner or later, we will inevitably implode like suns that acquire a critical mass and lit up.

With so many explosions, fire is everywhere. From the outside, pressure is enormous and the environment, as we know, is everything. However, from within we can contribute to that "omnium gatherum" by pouring more oil on the flames, or regulate ourselves by consciously cultivating the opposite. This "upstream" swimming requires a conscious effort and an immense determination.

The stacking is such that fatness is increasingly growing; in the USA one out of three people are obese; virtually a third of the population is overweight. The culture of accumulation in that country is paradigmatic.

From the standpoint of the spiritual it is not very different. The culture of stillness, non-doing, emptying, is the prelude to the necessary reflection (from the Latin verb "reflectere": re- "back" + flectere "to bend", that is, "to bend back on ourselves"). It's not only indispensable, but also a relevant step to reposition our values, our inclinations, our habits, our goals.

In this, as in so many things, either you stop... or they stop you. Compulsiveness, oppression, rush, consume more and more energy. Intuitively we know that we have to stop, but in so doing, we perceive with displeasure our emptiness and discomfort of change; the power of routines is enormous (even the negative ones manage to become tasty!) and we find a thousand and one reasons to plunge back into our maelstrom.

The mind is treacherous. We create our own traps, justify them and give them the seal of quality. Yes. Stopping is the first step, because the cumulative process is multiplier and what yesterday was not patently harmful, because it was still manageable, today can mean disaster.

This truth, that we learn over the years, more by default of energy than by virtue, could be integrated much earlier if we learn to listen to our inner self. But with the huge noise from outside generally we cannot hear his voice, always subtle, always whispering.

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"Wisdom is the art of accepting what cannot be changed, of changing what can be changed and above all, of knowing the difference."

Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Everything must be done ASAP! Everything becomes urgent! Immolating ourselves in our inner stupidity and acceleration will not fix anything, and it will lead us not only to misfortune, sickness and failure, but which is worse, it will turn us into the scourge of everything around us. Blind in our own bubble of misery, we will then blame others for our situation and keep them away from us with which we'll end up staying alone.

Stopping is good and necessary to perceive the tribulation that consumes us. Even God rested on the seventh day! How quickly we forget that the Tao's breath is in ... and out...

Entering a contemplative state doesn't mean being lazy; on the contrary, as a conscious, positive and directed act, it’s a discipline of the mind. Natural environments promote these regulatory processes, because by encircling us within their bubbles, they transform our energy much faster. It's not only what they add, but what we leave behind when exiting others... Primum non nocere‌ deinde purgare!

Traveling is another well-known strategy, though not necessarily as effective. Changing environments however, gives great results because we contact other forms of energy and because traveling is the best way to break with routines.

The classic formula: Fasting and prayer! Something that not necessarily means stop eating... perhaps it's eating other things... and not only through our mouth! The environment feeds us on all sides and in many ways.

But at the end, all these tactics, however wellintentioned and determined they may be, can never replace the essential in this equation, that is, the awareness of the need for change, the determination to carry it out. Taking action means stop driving automatic systems, to place ourselves back on the bridge and in the in manual driving format..

Because, my dear friends, we cannot trust our destinies to fortune, because she is an elusive, capricious and changeable goddess; nothing replaces the conscious individual, and being such is an act that is achieved by creating a disproportion to break routines that awakens us from the slumber, clarify our feelings and redirect our efforts. Either we do it manually... or life will do it for us on automatic, as it is obliged to do. Here we are all learning.

Alfredo Tucci is Managing Director to BUDO INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING CO. e-mail: budo@budointernational.com

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Weng Chun Kam Na (Chin Na) Trapping and immobilizing an opponent, and forcing him to surrender by means of locks and chokes During the last few centuries, Southern Shaolin in particular has been well-known for its effective and ingenious locking and choking techniques.

Especially noteworthy from the Weng Chun- family are Fung Siu Ching, who back then was trained aboard the famous Red Boat, and later on Wai Yan from Hong Kong, the last living Weng Chun- Grandmaster, a true virtuoso of trapping, grappling and locking. The Kung Fu term for this concept is Kam Na in Cantonese, and Chin Na in Mandarin. Kam may be translated as catch, mount, grapple; Na means control, break. In accordance with this concept, an attacker firstly is trapped and held by grabbing by his arms, legs, hair etc., then immobilized, and finally, using leverage force, he is locked or strangled. In doing so, his muscles, sinews, bones and joints are attacked, and furthermore the flow of blood, Qi and breath can be inhibited or manipulated otherwise.

Text: Andreas Hoffmann, Christoph FuĂ&#x;, Photos: Gabriela Hoffmann Studio: www.budointernational.com

Weng Chun Kam Na attack points: 1. muscles and sinews 2. joints (arms, legs, vertebral column) 3. blood 4. Qi (sensitive points according to Chinese medicine) 5. breath Kam Na plays a particularly important role within the Weng Chun family, and for every martial artist worth his salt it is essential to acquire at least the basics. The advantages for martial arts as well as for self defense are obvious: • Ideal for self defense: An attacker can be controlled appropriately and specifically, either to hold him or to haul him off.

• In the past, practitioners of Kung Fu usually had to deal with armed opponents. In cases of weapons involved, knowledge of Kam Na is particularly important for disarming the assailant.

• Effektive; contemporary „FREEFIGHTS“ clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of strangleholds and locks. Even experienced martial artists quickly have to surrender once having made a mistake and finding themselves caught in a stranglehold or lock.

The techniques of Kam Na often play a decisive role, particularly in ground fighting.

• In many situations of self defense, punches are no longer effective at close distance, because strike capability is restricted due to the proximity. Here the knowledge of Kam Na proves useful once again: In such cases, short punches and thrusts are used to target sensitive “Dim Mak”-points, as well as locks and strangleholds.

• Effektive against „wrestling“-attacks: An opponent who seeks to throw firstly has to grip, and that grip can be trapped and thus instantly controlled and locked.

• Kam Na, when properly applied, can be used to support punching and throwing techniques, providing a tool to the martial artist to use his opponent s power more effectively and easily for his own purpose.

Furthermore, training of Kam Na offers many more positive aspects for the martial artist: • He is provided with practical access to his own anatomy and his natural movement.

For example, he realizes that his joints must not be pushed through, and that the knees are not meant to be twisted; • he learns about the flow of the blood, Qi, and breath; • he learns to strengthen and stretch the muscles, sinews and fascia; • Kam Na also teaches him to keep his balance, and at the same time to break his opponent s balance. This offers a seamless transition to throwing skills; o he learns about mindfulness of himself and his partner, and develops a sense for the power of his partner, especially during Kam Na flowing exercises, during which one jointlocking technique is shifted into another; • he learns to gently control the attacker, which corresponds to the Shaolin ideal.

I myself came across the Weng Chun Kam Na in the year 1986 in Hong Kong. My then Ving Tsun teacher brought me to a huge market in Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong. Upon arrival, we went to a market hall named Dai Dak Lan. What I didn t know then was that

“In the past, practitioners of Kung Fu usually had to deal with armed opponents.

In cases of weapons involved, knowledge of Kam Na is particularly important for disarming the assailant.”

even Grandmaster Ip Man trained there and exchanged himself with others, and that the last living Weng Chun Grandmaster and boss of the Dai Duk Lan was still training there as well. At this market, I watched two elderly gentlemen engaged in a sparring match. The older one beckoned me over and asked me if I wanted to try it as well. I thought to myself that all those locking and throwing techniques would not work against me, and that I did not want to harm the elderly man.

But it turned out quite differently. Whenever I started an attack, Grandmaster Way Yan closed the distance and began to throw me off balance. As soon as I defended myself, he used my action to control me further. He changed his actions in a constant flow of punching, locking and throwing techniques. I met my match and was introduced to my

new master. That was how I became the last and the only western student of him. The other elderly gentleman was Weng Chun Grandmaster Lau Chi Long, who also answered my questions and always was ready for some Weng Chun training.

During my research expeditions through China I learned many more specific locking techniques of the Weng Chun- family from Grandmaster Pak Cheung, Grandmaster Tam Pui Chuen and his student, Grandmaster Leung Wai Choi. With Hung GarGrandmaster Chiu Chi Ling, whom I met in Hong Kong in 1986, I immersed myself in Hung Gar Kam Na, as well as in Dragon Kung Fu Kam Na with Grandmaster Lam Kwun Qun, and with Grandmaster Fu Seng Lung in the Kam Na of Tai Chi, Bagua and Hing I. Within Gracie-/ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which

today I teach as a black belt, I too find very similar methods of Kam Na. Kam Na once saved my life. When I was threatened and attacked by someone with a weapon a few years ago, I managed to disarm a n d t a k e t h e w e a p o n o ff t h e a t t a c k e r b y means of a Kam Na technique, thus saving my

life and that of others. I am very grateful of this, and that way experienced myself how effectively Kam Na actually works. May the method of Kam Na be spread, protect many people, not least the attackers, who in this w a y c a n b e c o n t ro l l e d w i t h m o d e s t commensurability.

“During my research expeditions through China I learned many more specific locking techniques of the Weng Chun- family from Grandmaster Pak Cheung, Grandmaster Tam Pui Chuen and his student, Grandmaster Leung Wai Choi.�

Keysi

THE KEYSI FAMILY Keysi and the Family In Keysi, we give sense to the word “family� since it is the irreplaceable foundation of any society, where the integral development of individuals and their health are gestated.

Health is not only physical, it is much more

than the absence of symptoms; it's something mental and emotional which is essential for personal development.

Values in the Family Each person who lives Keisi with passion is my family, the Keysi family. Sadly, we live in a society with a growing disbelief for values, and Keysi is evolution, a revolutionary challenge of

Keysi

the classic and systematic Martial Arts in a world of constant growth, a way of understanding selfdefense from the inside, with a defined objective based on the "values of the human being."

Succeeding in any goal of our life must irretrievably start by succeeding over ourselves.

Only if we learn to recognize our own values, we can see and recognize values in others, and this begins by respecting ourselves. Again, this only can be achieved with a Code of Ethics.

Value and Code of Ethics Purpose - Respect - Patience - Persistence Perspective.

Purpose: is what we aspire to achieve, is not a goal!

Respect: is the satisfaction that our own achievements and those of our mates make us feel.

Patience: when we have a clear purpose and keep the ego in check.

Persistence: although patience is all too necessary, it will not be enough if we don't have the help of perspective.

Purpose - Respect - Patience - Persistence Perspective... is like a wheel the axis of which is Perspective, the central point from which we can observe the other Principles and gives us the ability to establish what is really important in a given situation.

Keysi and Greeting We're all well connected by our affection for a common goal, the inner search of our values, those values that we all possess and we all have to discover‌ but where? Where is what probably constitutes the most valuable treasure for mankind? This valuable treasure lives in the heart of each person and is waiting to be found and it’s called Humility. When we greet each other in Keysi we put our hand on our heart and join our fist with that of our mate as a signal of self-giving, we are offering our most precious asset, our

Keysi

"heart", and as a sacred covenant, we join forces so that together we get our goals with courage, perseverance and humility.

Keysi, a Team Teamwork is the highest level, not everyone has the same capabilities and therefore we all seek in our partner what we need for our personal growth, to develop that in which we are skilled and, with the help and effort of our colleagues, turn our weaker areas into skills; so those who have more ability or experience, have also a greater responsibility to share their knowledge with their training partners; teamwork is the highest, effective and satisfying level in the interaction among people.

There are rules in Keysi Yes, there are some clear rules and limits, but these rules must be flexible; teachers behave as teachers and students as students, such is the respect and norm of strong families; respect is not achieved with the harsh subjection applied by traditional systems, where denial, deception, authoritarianism and hierarchy prevail; authoritarianism certainly restricts the personal development and individual growth; Keysi, like in a family, there are rules that everyone knows and accepts.

How situations are faced in Keysi Inside and outside the family, communication is the axis, an honest and direct communication gives us the needed tools to solve conflicts, and the privilege of creating strong bonds among us; it is important to be motivated and express feelings, perceptions and needs, this strengthens the team links and the individuality itself.

Being a team doesn't mean forgetting that we are individual beings and that we have desires, activities and links that are more or less outside the family; each person who make up the family is different from the other and is respected for his or her individuality; accepting personal spaces becomes the group's growth, in short, "No matter what the problem, you can count on us because we are your family."

SELF-ESTEEM IN KEYSI Self-esteem is not only feeling valuable and valued, and being who you are inside and outside of that environment, but also that the whole family is reinforced and proud of the good opinion that each of its members has of it as a human group; my personal commitment, and that of the whole team, is to achieve personal growth of each of the members of this family, accepting all of them just as they are, without wanting to change their personal values, and with the deep satisfaction to see that they are working to be the best version of themselves.

Self Pro Krav CHILDREN Urban crime and free violence, to which children are exposed from an early age, are getting more and more radicalized every day in every corner of the world, implying an adaptation and an almost permanent evolution for any legitimate system of civil or professional defense, on penalty of becoming obsolete and therefore unworkable. It is clear that, because of the multifaceted nature of physical assaults in our days, insecurity has spawned numerous self-defense systems with varying degrees of success in terms of realism. The problem in this regard is the fact that Martial Arts in their application of selfdefense, are not adjusted to the reality of the street, where there are no rules or limits.

Recognizing this, learning to defend ourselves has become a necessity, an instinct of conservation inherent to each of us who love life and our dear ones. If the source of such sudden craze seems obvious, what can we do to adjust to the harsh law of the reality, of which the news brings us daily its share of horrors? The problem is that we want all and we want it now, so

Photos: Edith Levinet

Self Defense we seek a system that, as under the impulse of a magic wand, allows us to be able to get out of all dangerous situations.

Apart from trying to flee whenever possible, the salvation of our children can only occur through a survival reflex that must be developed through a r egular training on the basis of a r ealistic approach, accessible to everyone, regardless of size and force, with simple and efficient gestures.

Captain Jacques Levinet, with his professional and martial experience, has created a method adapted to children so they can get out of such situations, a discipline adaptable to the school as well as to the street, in other words, for both the aggression of another child and that of a grown up.

This is an innovative initiative in the subject, whose pedagogy and results have been welcomed by numerous media and several psychologists and children specialists. We wanted to know more about this new fighting discipline against aggression for children.

and founder of the SPK by the greatest masters and experts worldwide.

Budo International: What does the acronym SPKE mean?

Jacques Levinet: S (stands for Self Defense) P (Pro, for Professional), K (Krav, for Fighting Spirit in Hebrew), and E (for Children, "Enfants" in French). This is not Kravmaga (whose purpose is essentially military and doesn't correspond to our self-defense).

Confusion arises from the term Krav that for SPKE means "Fighting Spirit" because without a fighting spirit, it's difficult for a child to get ahead. Besides, SPKE respects the French Criminal Law and it doesn't develop any aggressiveness, but self-confidence. The SPKE method comes from SELF PRO KRAV or SPK, a system with a proven efficiency to defend oneself in the street in a realistic way.

The SPK was developed by the international expert Jacques Levinet, who was recognized Soke 10th Dan

B. I.: What is the SPKE method?

J. L.: The SPKE is suitable for young people to fight against aggression and gain self-confidence.

They are taught how to escape thanks to techniques at their level, based on the survival instinct and the conditioned reflex, in addition to the management of speech and the right actions in case of aggression, not forgetting the legal aspect (what we can do and what we shouldn't do).

Mimicry and repetition facilitate lear ning SPKE, thanks to the professional experience of Police Captain Jacques Levinet, who provides an optimum credibility to the method according to the law.

The SPKE has been internationally recognized by the highest ranks of martial arts and police experts.

Its pedagogy is specific to awaken alertness in children, as well as trust in the respect to a code of ethics.

A fun-filled program of technical progress evaluates the students' work throughout the year, as it is also a new sport. Joint locks are excluded from the method because children are taught to defend themselves within the

limits of their physical capabilities and not the way of "Karate Kid".

Similarly, priority is given to defense against attacks on empty hands, secondary with stick and knife, but never against firearms, to stay in the reality of the defense possibilities of a child.

The SPKE is effective and realistic thanks to some key points: consideration of the instinct of survival, development of the conditioned reflex of defense, the simplicity of lear ning so as not having to think at the time of applying, and an operational pedagogy thanks to the mimicry in apprenticeship. And we don't forget to teach children how to explain their defensive gesture to justify their obligation to defend themselves against an unjust aggression.

B. I.: What are the fundamental principles of SPKE? J. L.: The words "hit" or "blow" have been removed from SPKE in favor of the word "response", to justify what is forbidden to do. For example, facing a strangulation (attack on life), the g e n i t a l response is tolerated, but in front of a collar grip (clothing) or

Self Defense

wrist grab, response to the tibia is enough. This is to make children understand the criteria of the law, including in self-defense.

The SPKE is a game-oriented activity - The SPK has recently opened up to children for the first time in France by creating the

method SPKE (Self Pro Krav children), endowed with a specific learning pedagogy, for women with the use of scenarios considering their peculiarities, and for elderly people, who are taught about the basic gestures to their reach in case of aggression. To meet these objectives of fun, a playful and multifaceted program has been developed, according to the personality of its practitioners with an educational schedule of technical evaluations. This knowledge will level the work and progress of the students throughout their practice to strengthen their motivation and interest. Thus, the character of welfare has been developed for all segments of the population, who find in the practice of SPK a factor of physical fullness and indisputable moral, while family bonding strengthens for some, since this discipline

is often practiced in family.

The SPKE is sociological - Sport for all and the utility of a regulated, codified and recognized personal defense, the SPK is therefore open to everybody. It's a method that is part of a social phenomenon whose watchwords are efficiency, flexibility, specificity of the methodology, the interactivity of the civil and professional method of SPK, respect for the life values and good citizenship, respect for the law, and social integration through the practice of a sports in relation to the problems of the city.

For young people in difficulty or suffering cyclical problems of confidence and affirmation of the personality, the SPK, through its code of ethics and respect for the values, and adjusting to the reality of the aggression, offers a solution to the current problems of our century.

Without exception, regardless of

Self Defense race, religion, age, sex or physical disability, the SPKE allows everyone to find the sports way in the fullest and most honorable sense of the term.

B. I.: What is the ethics of SPKE to teach children to defend themselves?

J. L.: Like the Bushido moral code that ruled the conduct of the Samurai warriors, the SPKE doctrine is concerned with the preservation of life and human dignity against unfair and unjustified aggression. This statement is the true basic premise of SPKE transmitted through our teachings in France and abroad. A theory, according to which, the survival instinct of the man of the XXI century must be supply the means of his defense.

The rule in this subject is not retaliation, but a legitimate defense, adapted and realistic to face aggression, within the limits of law and respect of others.

The SPKE solves the violent deviations of human nature in its aggressive excesses with some shock treatments in which the rights and duties of all are respected.

Therefore, thanks to its technical evolution, in constant communion with the situations of the actions of modern man, thanks to its ethical and respectable references, the SPKE has become an innovative method of self-confidence and thus of life fullness for youth of all ages.

B. I.: What is the priority in the SPKE method?

J. L.: Beyond the effectiveness and realism of this formidable method of self-defense, what counts is deontology and respect. They are key elements that should be implemented in every defensive move so as not exceeding the limits of the law, including in self-defense. A practical example of SPKE in this area is to never use the term "hitting the attacker," but "responding to an attack." The hypothesis is always to report a posteriori about our actions to the authorities or justice, hence the importance of having the maximum of arguments in our favor. Speaking of "responses" in an aggression is a presumption of self-defense, which is not the case when you speak of "blows". Instilling this phraseology difference in our courses and our SPKE training, from an early age, leads to an ethical discipline.

B. I.: How do you become an SPKE instructor?

J. L.: Firstly, following a SELF PRO KRAV instructor course, and then a specific course of SPKE, the methodology of aggression for children is not the same as for adults. SPKE pedagogy is a strong point that must be well learned because the instructor, beyond his or her impeccable morality, has an undeniable educational function. Children are not taught in the same way as adults. Learning to be a citizen at a young age is a constant goal in the SPKE method. This is the declared philosophy of this 21st century discipline, symbolized by the search for truth, morality and respect. A method exists only through the path that it paves, in the philosophical sense of the term.

Self Defense In conclusion, although the SPKE method is effective in case of aggression, we don't tur n our children into a sort of "Rambo" or "Kamikaze". We teach them that fear is natural and that escaping is often the best form of defense. The truth of the spoken word is important, but when reasoning fails and the escape become impossible, then we must

rely on our skills to defend ourselves.

We also emphasize and war n children against any act of sexual aggression, giving them radical means to to emerge unscathed without suffering lifelong traumas. At this particular point, we are helped by some psychologists to ensure a constant "feedback" after the trauma of the assault against children.

The SPKE is represented in several regions of France and abroad with certified instructors of the Jacques Levinet Academy.

Jacques Levinet Founder of SPKE www.selfdefenseenfant.com Tel. +33467075044

Curiosities

WORLD TOUR FOR THE PROMOTION OF KARATE "FROM KEIO WITH LOVE..."

Everyone knows that the Keio University Karate Club captivated me for various reasons since I first set foot on its campus in 2008. Today I'd like to share another fact related to the Karate Club of this prestigious University, which it is curious and interesting.

Text and photos: Salvador Herrรกiz Embid, 7th Dan Karate

Karate

e must go back to 1967 and 1968 to know about a tour that two karatekas of this Tokyo club made worldwide to promote Karate that took nothing less than two years traveling around and visiting 85 cities in countries of the five continents.

Indeed, Koji Kuwabara, then a 24 year old Karate 2nd Dan, and his partner Toshikazu Noguchi, 1st Dan and 26 years of age at the time, embarked on a project in which, as goodwill ambassadors, showed and promoted Karate worldwide for two years.

In January, the two Keio University graduates boarded their van on a

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freighter and they steered in another boat to Bangkok, from where they continued by road to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Then they sailed to Calcutta, and from there they traveled to other parts of India, Pakistan and Europe (east and west)... They arrived in Europe in April, where they stayed touring through Yugoslavia, Italy, Netherlands, no less than 9 months.

In Naples they crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Alexandria, driving westward through North Africa to Morocco. They crossed to Spain and from there to France, departing from the city of Le Havre to the United States.

There, contacting with different organizations (as they had done in other countries), they promoted

Karate in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, El Paso, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

They also crossed into Canada to show the arte of Karate in Ottawa, Halifax and Sudbury. They also went down to Mexico, stopping in the capital and in Acapulco.

Today, almost half a century later, Toshikazu Noguchi is no longer active in Karate, but Koji Kuwabara continues his practice at the age of 70 and, once a month, he still attends joint training at the Shinanomachi dojo, that so many pleasant memories of the "living old masters" brings back to from the moment I met them.

“They promoted Karate in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, El Paso, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston.�

Toshikazu Noguchi, practicing in the Keio dojo, in Shinanomachi, in 1967, along with another partner: Shuntaro Ito

Vital Points Kyusho is an internal skill, both in oneself as well as learning to attack the opponent's inner structures and vital targets.

This is a powerful and devastating ability that increases your potential and effect on the opponent. It is not delivered with sheer power (although it could be for more devastating results), it is delivered with penetrating weapons to the most v i t a l tar gets of the inner body.

Evan Pantazi

Kyusho Entering

Vital Points hese targets are the nerves, the blood vessels, organs, brain and several other systems and structures. The easiest and least dangerous to practice is the nerve system as the results are instantaneous and the most efficient. The Blood Vessels attacks (called Dim Mak), are also great targets, yet not as efficient (taking longer for the opponents incapacitation), but much more damaging physically and permanently. Rather dangerous to practice and certainly foolish with training partners if not experienced‌ but still workable with great care.

Either of these skills takes ability to enter into the opponent's anatomical systems and functions. To do this we must understand the possible targets and their functions within the body and forge penetrating weapons to access them. Although the Sanchin is a formal exercise to develop the tools and tactics to access these targets, the skill can also be learned and used without it.

However it must be mentioned that the formal exercise does develop a body change method of Iron Shirt. This exercise conditions you to withstand the inner attack skill and damage that could be inflicted. By working with the form you have the full Yin and Yang of offense and defense inherent in the practice‌ the choice is yours.

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Evan Pantazi The form strengthens the bone, tendon and muscle to not only withstand the opponent's barrage, but at the same time help forge the penetrating weapons called the 6 Ji Hands to penetrate deeper into the opponents' body. This penetration helps get past their muscles and tendons, as well as between the bone structures to access the more vital and sensitive nerves, blood vessels, organs, etc..

One of the fundamentals of entering into the opponent is to stop their momentum or offensive actions. This is not to defend with a block to their attack, but instead we attack their attack so that their mind, body and spirit must restart as opposed to continuing unimpeded. The goal is to change their body action from motor function (motion, balance, strength) to sensory function (rebalance, receiving, feeling), thus getting beyond any Iron Shirt or Adrenaline charged physical barriers and actions. Then by striking

into the nerves we send an acute neurological message to the brain, the brain then monitors this inner assault and thereby sends less nuero messaging to the muscles for strength, balance and support.

Learning the vital structures and targets of the fully body is a crucial aspect, we cannot always gain immediate access to a head or neck target, so by knowing the weaknesses over the entire body will increase your potential substantially. Another key to entering into the opponent with Kyusho and the Sanchin is the fact that you will know how their body will react. This allows you to already be following with additional actions as they are trying to gain control from the initial entry. This is not only faster; they will have no way to protect from your following targeting.

We can also determine to what level we attack from the reactions. When we correctly target the nerves (Kyusho), the result is a white flash before the ensuing alter consciousness. If we gain deeper access to the blood vessels, there is a slower physical reaction as well as the opponents' sight fade to black.

Another benefit to using Kyusho in the Sanchin is that very little force is necessary. This conserves your energy as the actions guide the opponent to impale themselves on the extended weapon. This effectively proves the old Martial Art adage of using the opponents' strength against them.

Your entry is based on subtle and focused actions that do not directly oppose their actions, but instead enter due to position and momentum they do not fight as they initiated it.

“Another benefit to using Kyusho in the Sanchin is that very little force is necessary. This conserves your energy as the actions guide the opponent to impale themselves on the extended weapon.�

The differences in attacking the blood as compared to just the nerve, is a complex and dynamic result. It is not only a physically deeper penetration on the attack; it also affects more life systems of the body. This can manifest in many lasting effects from cold sweats to vomiting, loosing conscious again and other more serious ramifications, depending on the severity of the blow. It must be mentioned here and now that many have taken this information and worked to duplicate it, which is the purpose of the article and film presentation of this information. However do not take this lightly as you are affecting the internal systems, function and life sustaining mechanisms that could have serious and lasting effect on the recipient.

Many targets share the Kyusho and Dim Mak areas of access (called Points for those accustomed to using them), and with deeper penetration and skill you can access both at the same time. Invariably however you need to use a smaller weapon (not just a broad fist or palm) as well as the proper trajectory. This is another aspect of Kyusho many beginners do not utilize and they have difficulty in getting proper body reaction. In Kyusho the typical manta is "Angle and Direction" and on the surface, (pun intended), this is a valid approach, yet very limiting.

Angle: translates into the way your weapon approaches a specific target (some still call a pressure point), it is a descriptor of your physical action. This is from a starting position to a finishing position, front to back, high to low, low to high, right to left or left to right, etc.

Direction: translates into a course along which someone or something moves and can mislead the new practitioner in the study of Kyusho. It is also why many try fruitlessly to realize great affects but fall short... unfortunately also why many give up, stating that Kyusho does not work.

The better definition that helps people not only understand to a higher degree, but also enables them to actuate Kyusho affects more effectively and efficiently is "Trajectory".

Trajectory: is the path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces through space or object. In Kyusho that is everything as we seek to send our kinetic energy toward a specific path in the human body not at the site of impact, but deep into the core. We do not seek to traumatize the exterior or the shell of the body and all structures, instead we seek a trajectory along an accessed structure to the core. In Kyusho this is the central nervous system (spinal column and brain), via the nerves.

This is why there are no injuries in Kyusho as we are not using, nor do we need, heavy blunt trauma or power. Yes Kyusho will still work like that as this picture also illustrates, the damage can be inflicted and the trajectory also realized. But in the training the importance is placed on the trajectory and reaching the core with as minimal a force as possible.

Once that is trained and ingrained, adding force (if ever needed) will of course multiply the affects (and legal issues)... for a even more reliable protection.

We see in MMA now the hard realities of this as well. We see the heavy force and brutality, that is often absorbed and fought past... but every so often we see the proper trajectory used in a location that even with less power, incapacitates the opponent. But this and most Martial Arts are of this Yang nature and is not concerned with the inner workings as much as destroying the outer aspects.

Vital Points

And as a Yin comparative, we look at the skill of Kenjutsu (üïèp) or the Japanese Sword styles. They do not use force to make their cuts, but instead use trajectory to go through the outer... this is what Kyusho is all about, or should be. It is not the power, it is not the angle or direction... it is all in the trajectory.

The organs and inner structures are inherently weaker and therefore our targets, as example the liver, spleen, kidneys, diaphragm etc.

With additional entry past the nerves and even past the blood vessels we can access these vital structures and cause dysfunction or damage as necessary. The entry is accomplished with a small penetrating transfer of kinetic energy on a small focused target

with an equally small hard object such as the knuckles of the blood pool hand.

Entering the body deeper than the diaphragm level are the more important organs, this is what the Iron Shirt muscular tension of the Sanchin was designed to protect. However by causing a re-direction of mental and

physical actions as well as balance, the body becomes weakened. This allows the attack to seek the weaker target and penetrate to the vital targets. It is in the essence of Yin and Yang that Kyusho is manifested, not simply the Yang force or power many Martial styles seek.

The inner targets of the body are bilaterally and uniformly positioned, not only in the head or core of the body, but in the limbs as well. Superficial attack again gains the nerve access; a deeper strike will also involve the blood vessels and more permanent damage. The postures of Kata Sanchin yield the directional positions to access these, not so much with simple force, but a deep trajectory into the vital structures. By relying on the Sanchin postural integrity

rather than force, we avoid the actions that involve antagonistic muscle group that will yield less accuracy. If for example you try to drive your elbow down into a knee attack to your body, there are many of your muscles that are called upon to contract to increase the power levels.

However if you position the joint or bone of the elbow correctly (as the form ingrains into the subconscious - if trained for this purpose), there is no force or power involved.

The arm moves with less multi directional pulling from separate contracting muscles and more in a straight (and more accurate), line for greater depth of entry. This is also how to retain your endurance and potency even in our older and weakening years.

Entry into the more vital structures, does not need to be ballistic in nature, it can be a deep pressure or agitation of these physical structures. Again power is not the key, the key is in the ingrained posture and the implied trajectories, that get past or fit into adjacent weaker structures circumventing the stronger muscles, tendons and bones. These postures enter even into the opponents joints in the form of Tuite (Manipulating hand), or joint locking methods.

Some targets are not

Vital Points

Vital Points

simply beside the bone, muscle or tendon, but actually in back of them.

This type of target demands that you enter past the surface structures to gain access to the rear or internal positioning.

In such a case we can not use a linear action, but need a torqueing or pulling action instead. All these actions are s m a l l a n d s u b t l e , n o t l a rg e r a n d m o re t e l e g r a p h i c t o t h e opponent or onlookers. Again these postural actions i m p r o v e a c c u r a c y, ( s m a l l e r a c t i o n s a re m o re d i re c t a n d efficient), take less speed or power and are subconsciously

ingrained by the ritual practice of the Kata actions and postures.

With the smaller actions involved in the postures of Sanchin, there is great power. The power is not muscle based as much as it is tendon based; this

yields a very strong and focused trajectory into the body. These actions combined with smaller bone structures create a very powerful entry or penetration into the body. These small torqueing actions also create a

vibration that transfers into even deeper structures such as the brain stem, inner ear, optic nerves, etc., which will shut down even more distant functions such as sight, hearing, balance and other vital functions. These are easily accomplished by entering deeper into the body and its physiological functionality rather than the motor skills of the

muscles, which demands a power based attack. This simplicity was guarded by the older or higher level practitioners as they needed to retain an equalizing factor as they aged and their physical prowess diminished.

As we work with the entry methods, we can see that it is not so much technique based, but rather a use of specific

trained tools and knowledge of the Vital Targets (Kyusho). As we use the tools and targets as opposed to set techniques, we can gain greater adaptability, subconscious automatic action and unlimited capability with no conscious thought.

Entering into the body on specific internal structures with the tools and targets (without set technique), allows us greater adaptability to combat other styles from striking to grappling and combinations of each. It is easier to control an opponent, cause dysfunction or even greater damage on the body.

By maintaining your own posture (with the benefit of the Iron Shirt protection), greater leverage with less force is also generated. This is essential when facing larger opponents whose strength is far

greater than your own. The smaller more efficient actions also allow for greater strategic deployment as opposed to the longer time involved in attempting technique‌ or the time involved managing the muscle and body movement of the opponent who is trying to do the same to you. By entering into the opponents' body, you

are attacking more than their body, you are attacking their mind and spirit as well with the confusion caused by physical dysfunction on a deeper level they are not used to.

Another benefit of entering into the body, besides using smaller weapons and actions for greater leverage and penetration, is we can utilize tactile

methods to locate vital target/s. When you get into a fight in close range, we cannot rely on our sight to find a target, nor can we develop much ballistic power to use conventional attacks.

When compressing nerves, a base against which you add the pressure for a deeper penetration is recommended. If the receiving body is allowed to pull away from the attack, the pressure and results on the nerve are substantially lessened and renders the transference less potent. By

basing or restraining the body, we will be able to achieve a far deeper penetration into the more vital structures and cause a more acute neural message to the spine and brain.

We can also use our own body or posture as a base for the deeper penetration. To add to that we can base on yet another target so that there is a double neural input for greater dysfunction of the opponents' body. But at this level you will need to have developed an intimate relationship with the tools and targets to blindly target

correctly in two simultaneous targets.

However the actin can be assisted via a t o o l (a hand t o o l as example), meeting another hand position as in the closed gate posture of Sanchin, or even a bowing action of the palm and fist. They can find each other even without site‌ the difficulty is only in working the correct trajectory into each Kyusho target.

One such idea that uses your own body as a base entering into the opponents' physiological system could be a head locking action. As you enter into this position, it is more efficient and powerful to utilize the Kyusho Targets to instantly weaken the opponent as you then secure the base posture. When you enter the body on one target and in one trajectory, the opponent may be able to compensate for the pressure if not based. If you use two or even three targets and or trajectories, the opponents' body will not be

able to compensate and you will have greater effect. On many targets this will be devastating to the recipient.

By using the targets, you can also diminish the opponents' base and thereby weaken their body, disrupt their balance and power. In this type of tactic, we can use the entry into the anatomy in opposing directions as well. The main idea here that should be conveyed is that in some fighting positions such as close grappling, damaging the opponent by blunt trauma or force is negated due to the

close range (no distance to develop the velocity in a strike). However when entering into the Kyusho targets, we do not need the velocity or even the ballistic force. This is an imperative skill to develop in close range fighting or grappling.

If you are working to accomplish a longer methodology such as a blood choke (which can take a minute or longer), by working the nerves to initiate, you can instantly weaken, control or incapacitate the opponent.

With that weakening or control, you will

be able to then achieve the longer blood choke with less fighting from the opponent until it takes affect.

The stronger the base (as with the ground), the pressurized entry into the internal structures will have greater effect. However you will still require the deeper penetrating tools to gain that entry and this is where the 6 Ji Hands (found in the ancient styles and manuscripts), these are evolved in the Sanchin by working specific tools and in several angles of deployment. Once on target the constrictive actions of the form will create a pulse of kinetic

energy that you can send deep into the recipient. By you also being the base on the ground you can gain great amount of leverage.

In joint manipulation, we weaken the tendons as we stretch or twist them and gain entry into the reflexive system.

This enters into the subconscious mind and body control which is far more profound as it also affects the autonomic system of the body. The body being comprised primarily of the somatic and autonomic nerve attributes can be attacked on either level. The somatic system will

work the motor skills of the body function such as the conscious movement of the limbs, head, or body.

By entering into the autonomics however, this impairs the automatic function of the body (reflex, digestion, and other automatic processes.

Once you fully understand and can gain entry to these Kyusho targets you can then utilize both systems and control the aggressor to a higher degree. But we must not limit ourselves to entry on the opponent; we must ingrain these tools and targets in tactical application so that it enters

Vital Points into our subconscious reflexes. This can be entered by using the ancient Kata of Sanchin practiced daily and then utilizing the tools, targets and tactics in hands on training as well.

A final thought I would like to pass on for this Kyusho Entry method, we not only reach into the anatomical functions of the body, but also the mental and spiritual aspects of the opponent as well. By getting into the brain function via the nerves we will steal the thought processes as the individuals brain function is now occupied with the overload and results on the physical, it has no cognitive ability and therefore we have entered their mind. And once their mind is entered, their will or spirit is also diminished as they are in confusion and altered consciousness.

Entering is not just getting into the opponent, but also developing the “in�-tuition or inner instinctive understanding or feel.

The affects you induce on your partner over time enter into your subconscious and can be felt each time you perform the Kata, so in essence the actions also have entered your Sanchin and you.

Do you really know your enemy?

Self-defense If you are devoting yourself to the Martial Arts in order to defend yourself or others, you must ask yourself a simple question: “Who is the enemy?” It is no different than a pilot asking the question: “Where am I going to fly to?” The answer will dictate what kind of airplane will be used and how much fuel is needed.

If you were to walk into some Martial Arts schools as a casual observer, you would come to believe that the “enemy” is an ancient warrior coming at you with a sword, a spear, or with empty hands. In other schools you would believe your enemy to be a wrestler that wants to do nothing more than to throw you to the ground and put you into a submission hold. Still, other schools will tell you that their system comes fr om some for eign militar y, but you observe that the courses being taught there are missing gun training, other than a few fancy gun disarm techniques.

I don’t know about you, but my enemies are today’s criminals, terrorists, the occasional person who goes into a rage (out of anger in a bar fight or resulting from a mental disorder), and yes, my enemies can be martial artists as well. These enemies are not confined to one particular fighting method or system. Their training and experience range anywhere from a terrorist camp in Somalia to a maximum security prison in California to a Karate school in Lyon, France. Since my potential enemies are many and varied, I must learn how to deal with them all. I can’t simply adhere to one self-defense style and develop the “group think” mentality.

Jim Wagner

Adversary The first step in defeating your enemy is to know who the enemy is. Of course, who the enemy is depends on your locality. If you live in the Los Angeles area, one category of enemy are vicious gang members who do drive-by shootings and could care less if you are caught in their crossfire. If you live in Madrid, your enemies may be Islamic extremists who plant bombs in commuter trains. If you live in New York City, you not only have the high probability of terrorists to contend with, but the city is filled with robbers and other predators. In London, one of your enemies, besides terrorists, are youths who will jump you and beat you with their hands and feet just to take your mobile phone. If you live in a small

Self-defense

Jim Wagner

village in Germany your enemy may be an obnoxious drunk who wants to start a fight with you simply because you look at him the wrong way.

My enemies, as I have mentioned before, may be martial artists that have gone to “the dark side”. As such, I must know what they all study, and as you might have guessed, there are a lot of systems to be aware of. Just in my own personal life lately, every time I teach a seminar in New York City I make it a point to learn the Russian Martial Art of SYSTEMA from my good friend Denis Dmitriyev, who teaches at the Fighthouse on 27th Street. Why do I do this? I study it because a lot of people are learning it worldwide, and I want to be able to defend against it. When I am in Tel Aviv I get together with Lieutenant Colonel Chaim Peer and Major Avi Nardia to refresh myself on the Israel Special Forces system of KAPAP (Krav Panim Le Panim, or face to face combat).

Training Once you know who your enemies, are the next step is to discover what kind of training they receive. Criminals and terrorists learn their destructive trade from somewhere. If your future enemy is possibly a Filipino Kali practitioner, then it would in your best interest to enroll into a Kali, Escrima, or Arnis course so you know what you will be up against. If you can’t enroll in such a course for

Self-defense

Jim Wagner

Self-defense

Jim Wagner

whatever reason, then at least watch a course or two or buy the many DVDs on the subject (these DVDs are available through Budo International). Not only do many martial artists ignore other systems they are not involved in, but I’m always shocked at how few police officers know anything about the Filipino Martial Arts, and yet Filipino Kali is becoming popular within the prison system of the United States and other countries. God forbid that one of these police officers encounters a criminal skilled in this deadly art because they will stab and cut the ignorant police officer to pieces before he or she could ever pull out their firearm to defend themselves. I know this for a fact because I am a police officer and a police Defensive Tactics instructor, having trained in police stations worldwide.

If your enemy is Islamic extremist terrorists you should first of all read the Koran, their holy book. That will help you get “into their minds”. If you start here you would soon realize that the “War on Terrorism” is

Jim Wagner

“It is not enough to know how your enemies train or what tactics they are most likely to learn.

You must “walk in their shoes” as the old proverb goes”

Self-defense never going to go away, and the Western world is on a collision course with the Islamic world no matter how desperately Western capitols seek “peace”. The National Intelligence Council of the CIA released a 119-page report, January 2005, which predicts that Islamic terrorism will be active for at least 15 years.

Now, if I were a Muslim, which I am not, my hero would be Osama Bin Laden and Abu or Musab alZarqawi, and I would be 100% for the conquest of the world and the elimination, or slavery, of the “infidels”. The reason I know this is because I take time to learn about those who would harm me. Don’t forget, I have not only walked the streets of Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian areas of the West Bank, but I was also a counterterrorist for the United States government, having done 146 counterterrorist missions after 9/11. According to the Koran, these terrorists are justified in what they are doing.

If you want to know how to defend against terrorists you need to find an instructor who knows this field. You don’t want your information from a Karate or Kung Fu instructor who picked it up in a book somewhere, but from someone who has actually been “on the ground”. The only self-defense instructors teaching civilians how to protect themselves against terrorists are myself (RealityBased Personal Protection), Avi Nardia of the KAPAP system (DVD available through Budo), Dennis Hanover of the Hisardut system, Kelly McCann of The Crucible system, and Mike Lee Kanarek of the F.I.G.H.T. system.

Tactics Tactics are the actual methods and techniques that the enemy will use against you. The one thing you can be sure about is the techniques that criminals and terrorists train in will be the same ones they use against you. For example, many criminals who have served hard time in prison have a very simple approach to attacking their victims with edged weapons. Imagine if one of them came up to you. It would be like this. They come up close to you in a non-threatening manner, then without warning, he smashes his fist in your face. As you move your arm to block the attacker’s punch, he pumps the blade into your belly a few times like a sewing machine with the other hand. He stabs low in case you are wearing body armor (in prisons they make their own home-made body armor because they are always afraid of getting stabbed by other prisoners). Of course, they don’t need to change their tactics when stabbing a police officer who is wearing a ballistics vest once they get out of prison. How many Martial Arts schools prepare for such attacks? There are

Jim Wagner

virtually none that I know of. Rarely do inmates or prisoners who are turned loose on society use slashing moves. They go in for “the kill” immediately and effectively – for vital organs, not large muscle groups. I know this to be the truth because I worked in a jail for two years and I have trained prison guards in a few countries.

One of the problems that I have observed over the years with traditional-based martial artists is that they train one way, then do it an entirely different way when it comes to tactics. For example, when I trained in Japanese Karate as a young man, my instructor would have us do techniques from a very rigid, precise, fighting stance. However, the moment my class would start sparring, all the stances I was taught “went out the window”. It was hard to be rigid and mobile at the same time. Perhaps if I had had Samurai armor on while doing the stances it would have been more practical. After all, those fighting stances originated from that time period, from the eighteenth century and before. The Reality-Based Personal Protection philosophy is that training and conflict should be identical – minus the injuries in training. Even so, we often use stage blood in training to get used to the sight and feel of blood, as I wrote in my last Budo article.

Act It is not enough to know how your enemies train or what tactics they are most likely to learn. You must “walk in their shoes” as the old proverb goes. In the Reality-Based Personal Protection system we include Conflict Rehearsal (role playing to simulate likely modern self-defense situations). For example, when I teach people how to defend themselves against robbers, I don’t just have the students stand there facing each other, holding up a rubber gun that is easy to grab. Rather, I go a step further by actually having a student (the victim) pretend that they are at an ATM machine withdrawing some money. They push the buttons, look around, and act as if they are really there at the machine. Then the “bad guy” (another student or one of my assistant instructors) comes up to the victim with an air gun (one that shoots small plastic 6mm pellets) for out-of-reach distance training, or a rubber gun for inreach distances. Yet, to make the situation feel more real, the robber has on a ski mask, a jacket to conceal the gun, or I have some white powder on their face and some dark make-up painted around their eyes to make him look like a drug-crazed robber desperate for money to buy their drug of choice to feed their drug habit.

You, or your training partners, can learn how to “act” like your enemies by reading or watching news reports. If a particular attack is reported by a news agency, then you can simulate such an attack in your own training. This is how I get a lot of my training material. Of course, some things never change, such as typical bar fight; not much imagination is required to set that up. The days of a sterile training room, with everyone wearing nicely pressed uniforms, with mirrors and diplomas on the walls, will one day be the thing of the past when it comes to realistic self-defense schools.

“I don’t know about you, but my enemies are today’s criminals, terrorists, the occasional person who goes into a rage (out of anger in a bar fight or resulting from a mental disorder), and yes, my enemies can be martial artists as well”

Self-defense

Jim Wagner

Self-defense

Jim Wagner

“If your enemy is Islamic extremist terrorists you should first of all read the Koran, their holy book.

That will help you get ‘into their minds.’

If you start here you would soon realize that the ‘War on Terrorism’ is never going to go away, and the Western world is on a collision course with the Islamic world no matter how desperately Western capitols seek peace”

Self-defense Condition Conditioning your mind and body for an encounter with your enemies is what Reality-Based is all about.

In my training, I include sprinting (running) short distances because running is always a self-defense option. Rather than call it “running away” I prefer to call it a “tactical retreat”.

In other cases I condition my body to dive to the floor as fast as possible because many of my enemies might shoot at me or throw a hand grenade. In such attacks the ground is sometimes the best place to go, or at least that is what the U.S. Army taught me to do in my combat training.

If a technique is not likely to be used, or succeed, in a real physical conflict then I

don’t waste my time conditioning for it. For example, I would never kick an enemy above the pelvic area. I will thrust my foot through his knees, his groin, or his hips, but I will never kick him in the chest or head from a standing position.

High kicks may work in the dojo or in the ring, but not on a rain slick sidewalk in Rome, on the cobblestone streets of Old Jerusalem, or even on a blood covered floor of a jail cell somewhere in Belgium. My goal is to match my conflict conditioning with real situations I may actually encounter, or my “reality,” and not to condition myself based on fantasy or outdated methods.

Keep Life changes, and so do the training methods and tactics of my enemies. One day when the criminals and terrorists I may face

are using laser guns and sickness sound wave machines I’ll change some of my techniques to accommodate these changes and the new technologies. I’m not ever going to stick to a particular set of training methods or techniques just because I like them or they make me “look good” as an instructor. I must change as fast as my enemies change, or better yet, try to stay even with them.

That only comes if you keep current. You must be constantly reading the news paper or watching the news in your area in order to understand what kind of attacks your enemies are doing.

You must talk to police officers, judges, lawyers or anyone else who may know what criminals are doing now. You can even glean a lot of good information from Hollywood movies, but keep in mind that some of it will be sensationalized.

The Reality-Based Personal Protection system is not just “another self-defense system”.

It is a REVOLUTION, and it’s changing the way people around the world are learning how to protect themselves.

Since 2000, Budo International magazine has been reporting on the reality-based movement, and knowing who your likely enemies are, is just one of the elements in this vast system.

Be a Hard Target.

Jim Wagner is a police and military Defensive Tactics instructor. He also teaches Reality-Based courses and seminars for civilians. For more information, visit www.jimwagnertraining.com

INTERVIEW TO SIFU CHAN KIM MAN (GRANDMASTER WONG SHUN LEUNG LINEAGE) In our second interview published for BudoInternational, I must admit that I am very happy to introduce you to one of the greatest teachers I have met on my trip to Hong Kong: Sifu Chan Kim Man.

I

personally believe that a Martial Arts Teacher should primarily be a person who is surrendered to the practice of the system which he dedicates his life to but above all, a man with principles. Politeness, humility and always willing to help their students are the qualities of a MARTIAL ARTS TEACHER. Sifu Chan Kim Man is all of the above. For that reason, after meeting him and sharing with him and his students the evening I declared myself a huge fan. Every time I visit Hong Kong I will

visit him to show my RESPECT. We visited his school in Hong Kong Island. Accompanied by a large group of students attending the training session that afternoon. Gary Wong, an instructor of Sifu Chan Kim Man’s School (whom I thank for the courtesy and kindness) welcomes us and introduces us to the GREATEST of Ving Tsun in Hong Kong. The first thing that catches my attention is the great affection and respect that all his students have towards Sifu Chan Kim Man. It is perceived in the small

details, but I personally pay attention to the students of a school: Sifu Chan Kim Man’s students are polite, respectful, educated in the Martial Arts and, above all, FIGHTERS. Sifu Chan is a great teacher of Ving Tsun due to all of these details, but above all because he knows Ving Tsun from A to Z. It is noticeable the years of he who has come a long way in a Centuries-old Arts and who knows the great responsibility of representing a linage of a style like this one.

After the interview we conducted a technical exchange, which ended where "kungfu brothers" end: sharing a table, conversation and experiences among people who had never seen before. The visit to the school of the Grand Master Chan Kim Man was the example that this Centenario art unites people worldwide through a passion: Ving Tsun Kuen.

Sifu Chan Kim Man was a direct student and assistant to the late Grand Master Wong Shun Leung.

He currently teaches in Hong Kong and China. If you are visiting Hong Kong and fond of Ving Tsun, I would not miss the opportunity to train at their school. You can contact him at the following address: "Yuen Yuen Social Services Centre, 2/F., Western District Community Centre, 36A Western Street Mid-Level West Hong Kong". 香港西環西半山 西邊街36號A 西區社區中心 二樓的 “圓玄軒“ If you need to contact the school, please, you can write to this email: scientificvingtsun@gmail.com BudoInternational: Sifu Chan Kim Man, first of all I would like to thank you for receiving us in your school. It is a pleasure and a privilege to meet you in person and hear your thoughts In reference to the Ving Tsun Kuen style, THANK YOU. Sifu Chan Kim Man: You are welcome. Thanks to all of you.

Budo: When did you start practicing?

CMK: Well… it was back in the year 1974 when I was 17 years old.

Budo: Why Ving Tsun? What drove you to choose this style?

CKM: It was actually simple. For me, it is the most direct and efficient self-defense system that exists. Besides, due to my physical complexion, Ving Tsun is the perfect style. It adapts very well to my characteristics. It was actually a very simple election. All of these things impulse me to practice this system.

Budo: How was your trajectory? Since when are you a teacher?

CKM: I started practicing around the year 1974, afterwards I spent a lot of time assisting my teacher, Grandmaster Wong Shun Leung, for plenty of years in Hong Kong. After his death on 1996, I continued teaching in his academy for 13 years, but it was after the year 2010 that I established my own Ving Tsun School. Since then I teach in Hong Kong and China.

Budo: Do you dedicate full time in the teachings of Ving Tsun?

CKM: No, I have another job. Ving Tsun is my part time job although I admit I spent a lot of hours teaching and training.

Budo: You were a very important disciple in the Wong Shun Leung linage. You were someone really close to him. Can you tell us something about him?

CKM: Well‌ Sifu Wong was a person with a very special character. He was a very charismatic person. First of all, I must say that Sifu Wong had a very open mind (in reference to Kung Fu). As a person he was a very generous man.

Money was not a matter to him at all. At times this would

generate financial concerns, but that didn’t worry him at all.

He was generous and open with all of his students.

In terms of teaching and practice I must emphasize various aspects of his being: Sifu Wong Shun Leung liked a more direct form of practice with his students. He led the class but he practiced with each and every single one of them. That way, the training and learning process was very direct.

He always allowed in the practice that his students battle out their Chi Sao. He never stopped them unless the confrontation became very intense.

If we have to point out something very important we must say that the focus of the training was set on one idea: ATTACK! Budo: Fantastic! That was something I wanted to ask: What was Sifu Wong Shun Leung’s center focus in his practice? I ask this because, as we all know, some schools focus in technical aspects,

others in health, others in structure or forms and finally some in combat. Your previous answer clears the question on what your school focus their training on but please tell us more in technical level. In which technical aspect do you pay more attention?

CKM: Well… actually, I try to maintain the system just as I learned it from my teacher. In that sense I continue with those keys. For me, the fundamental point of the practice must be the stance. If the stance is not good, the arms will not have the necessary strength. On the contrary if the stance is good, I can maintain myself relaxed and when we strike we don’t do it with just one arm but rather it is the whole body in its structure that generates a great amount of power towards the adversary.

La columna del Wing Chun

Sifu Salvador Sรกnchez

La columna del Wing Chun Obviously, the “Central Line” concept is related to the stance and it is also very important. For us it is a fundamental thing and something we pay much attention to. The reason is easy: a central line is the shortest line between two points. We use that line to attack and defend…

Then we concentrate on different aspects depending on the people that assists that training session. But the pattern is quite classic in this. When beginners come, Siu Nim Tao is the basic work they must do. Siu Nim Tao allows us to maintain that precise position and the elements that I mentioned in the previous question.

Of course, if more advance students assist then we train other elements following the order of the forms of the style.

Budo: Do you have schools or instructors in Europe of other countries?

CKM: No. Not now. I teach here in Hong Kong and some courses in China.

It is true that some students and teachers from Europe and other countries from all over the world come visit me.

Budo: Do you maintain relations with other Ving Tsun schools?

CKM: Yes. Of course. I maintain a relationship with other Ving Tsun schools. Some teachers from other countries like Sifu Philip Bayer, Sifu Clive Potter and some others.

Budo: What is your opinion about today’s Ving Tsun?

CKM: Well… everything has changed so much. Nowadays there are a lot of Ving Tsun students. Many come to Hong Kong to train due to the Yip Man movies. Many are interested in learning Ving Tsun and this is good, but… Ving Tsun is a scientific style. It is based on principles and physic laws… We hope that in the future Ving Tsun will be shown in better manner.

Budo: Why the difference in the styles of Ving Tsun? Of course we see the difference between schools of Hong Kong, but if we look with a bigger perspective, the difference between Hong Kong and Europe and USA is very big. Why do you think this is so?

CKM: Well… all of it has to do with what the students learn or what they study. For example… if we talk about a concept such as the “central line” there can be different opinions, but we must agree that it is the shortest route between two points. Deep inside it is the most important thing. Many of these differences are based on the different compression of the same idea that a Sifu teaches. In one class, the same concept may be interpreted in different ways by different students. Besides, between teachers there can also be difference due to the fact that each Sifu applies in different ways their Ving Tsun.

In reality the main difference is

probably in this… How you apply each practice.

There are many differences… The students must pay attention to the “mottos” and the small details of the technique.

Budo: To finish… We know that your teacher Sifu Wong Shun Leung would use plenty of those “mottos” when he taught. Can you share some of the most important ones as advices for those that follow us in our BudoInternational Ving Tsun column?

CKM: Of course…

“Maintain behind the center line… and use it to ATTACK…” “STANCE!” (gee kim yeung ma). He would constantly use that command to insist in the importance of the stance and position.

“Do not worry about getting hit. When you go to fight, even when you are being hit, maintain your stance and hold a serious and confident look ... " “Do simple and direct things… maintain yourself in the simple strategy… Do not let your mind complicate everything…”

“Use all of your weight to attack…”

Budo: Thank you very much, teacher. It is a true HONOR to share this evening with you. All of my respect and admiration.

After the interview, Master Chan Kim Man invited us to practice in their school and after the technical exchange he invited all the

Sifu Salvador Sánchez members of the delegation to a dinner in a nearby restaurant. We share table with the teacher, some of his instructors and students. It was a memorable night: United by one passion.

I will always remember the phrase that Master Chan Kim Man said goodbye with: We must be like one Family…” Those that love and respect this style will understand it.

Sifu Salvador Sánchez BudoInternational “Ving Tsun Column”

This new work on Fu-Shih Kenpo by Soke Raul Gutierrez is centered on the traditional forms of the style, their applications and self defence. We will have a deeper insight into the form "The Tiger Defends Himself", with each of the corresponding technical applications, the form "Tiger Teeth", and a special work on weapons. Then the Master will explain in detail the extense series of advance techniques on self defence, indicating the whys of certain movements, the necesary precautions to take into account, possible angles and the variations that could be applied in each technical group.

The DVD completes itself with a series of combat techniques for competition and conditioning work. where Master Gutierrez explains how to prepare oneself physically with the use of weapons, arms and leg conditioning, self defence preparation and for combat. Without any doubt this work is rich in knowledge based on the exchange and coordination of different styles and how to learn to respect the differences from each source of works.

REF.: • FUSHIH-2 All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com

Kung Fu

Martin Sewer Kung Fu School "Guaranteed success - successful guarantee" Dear reader. Congratulations! By simply reading this article, you’ll be one step closer toward achieving your personal success. Those among you who know me well, are aware that I'm a fan of success, be it my own, that of a student or even a stranger’s. Whether small or big, success is something great.

Success means achieving set goals and experiencing out a great happiness. Success empowers us with new energy to discover new possibilities in ourselves and in others. You need not be a Great Grand Master of Kung Fu to know that. But everyone wants to know how you can become successful. One thing after another, let's start from the very beginning.

D

ecades ago, when real Kung Fu was still flourishing in Hong Kong, especially for the emerging masters (or, more precisely, for all the technicians of a craftsmen profession) there was mainly a way forward to achieve success: a hard and noble work. Working hard creates skills and experience and may mean a reputation and a safe future. There was also the possibility of an academic way, which at that time was even the best guarantee for an excellent preparation and a successful future. Already then, the admission criteria in such academic institutions or schools demanded great efforts on the part of the candidates who also had to take an exam.

When I talk to my students and other people about success, it's as if it were no longer important. Hard work seems to be "out" and the academic way doesn't look safe enough. Why do people think that way (youth in general)? Is

“A large genealogical tree proves that the doctors and philosophers that participated for hundreds of years in the development of Hung Gar Kung Fu were right.”

it indeed so? And if so, what has changed? Today we live in a time when there are more chances of success than ever and every day we hear about extraordinary performances that make us all doubt, including me!

I think, for example, of Jiao Wang, a professional of computer games who earned more than one million US Dollars last year in the known E-Sport Tournaments, i.e., in the Games of computer games. Or Larry Page, co-founder of Google, who founded the now world famous company in a garage, based on a project of his time as a student, which he amended and filed, and in the blink of an eye reached a capital of over one million US Dollars. Also Tom Bergling, a Swedish DJ known under the name of "Avicii", who mixing and composing electronic music, he has also accumulated a fortune and today you can’t imagine him off the charts. If we observe superficially such kind of people and their performance through their official messages, as most of us do, it seems that they are just lucky people who, out of nowhere and with little effort, have managed to suddenly become successful.

Why confusing in that way the younger generations that have ahead their first decisions to take in life? Very simple: it seems that what it was once learned isn't good for today. That is, a strong academic background is a guarantee for success.

And the curious thing is that this is true. Just like the way of the "self-made man" is not a warranty.

Do you find surprising that many young people early in their career don’t know exactly what they want? Well, I don’t. But, what have exactly done these successful people of today? If we delve in detail in these characters’ personal attitude in front of life, it's not difficult to find out. For example, the aforementioned Wang Jiao, an ESport professional who had to train very hard every day, whether he wanted or not to play, in order to be good, just like today's traditional successful athletes have to do.

And he continues to do so today. It is not unusual that characters in this position are also linked to contracts with sponsors, which brings them other obligations. Another example is the founder of Google, who for long months had to plan and schedule his project with the most possible accuracy, so that it could tur n into a product

Kung Fu worthy to be presented, not to mention the history of the founding of his firm. And wouldn't you like to be head of a DJ firm, that produced hundreds of tracks and try to get make them reach the man in the street, before the music industry could ever find out?

These are the things that come to light when you try to deepen and track these successful men. And as suspected, it's related to one thing: Hard work, be it or not the academic track.

What has all this to do with Kung Fu? Formerly, to learn the true Kung Fu being a Westerner, you had to overcome many obstacles that, supported by a hard work, could even overshadow a successful career. Back in the 80's, when I made up my mind and took the decision of learning from my Sifu, I traveled regularly to Hong Kong and then to America to learn what I wanted to learn. Naturally, I had to train for 8 to 10 hours day. Some of my students are surprised when they see my old passports, riddled with more and more stamps, over 40 stays in Asia, to learn the original Hung Gar Kung Fu. When journalists or students ask me today how I got to be the successor to the style of Dr. Chiu Chi Ling and I've come so far in my branch, I can't help frowning, I remember all the famous people who have had success out there and I think of what they and I have had in common and on our way to success: hard work! I say formerly... Today? Today it's much easier than ever for students, my students, to learn here, right in the center of Europe, the same "High Quality" Kung

Fu I've learned and, as I, follow the path of a guaranteed success. Travelling has become cheaper, there is much more information and it’s practically free. “Yes, but Kung Fu - I hear my students say -, is like that for sure? Even training hard and working with yourself?” It is understandable. Maybe they know other artists who, despite they are doing what they love, they don't really get to find success. What then is the guarantee that learning in an institution like MARTIN SEWER KUNG FU SCHOOL leads to excel? Very simple. Having success was already the target from the beginning, when the Hung Gar Kung Fu was developed thousands of years ago. Defending successfully yourself (combat). Succeeding in the maintaining health. Succeeding in developing one's character and spirit. A large genealogical tree proves that the doctors and philosophers that participated for hundreds of years in the development of Hung Gar Kung Fu were right. Many "ancestors" of our school reached more than 100 years old. And this with a constitution that today, speaking in medical terms, probably would be considered as "almost a miracle" or an "exceptional case". It's no miracle. They are men with "power” that in a system with "power", in a school with "power", are instructed and taught to work hard. As already hinted, it's not only about combat or general fitness, as a layman would probably understand with the words "Kung Fu school".

It's a complete package for body and spirit, for

Kung Fu

“I'm sure that whoever has followed my articles and the evolution of my school in the past, will remember this statement of mine: Each one of my students is a VIP for me.�

Hung Gar anyone who is willing to try. Sometimes I hear people say "that's the genes" or "I'm differently built." This may be true to some extent and each person needs his or her own time to learn and to apply. But the direction in which we move with our students is the same as that of Jiao Wang, Larry Page and Tim Bergling: Ahead to success!

I'm sure that whoever has followed my articles and the evolution of my school in the past, will remember this statement of mine: Each one of my students is a VIP for me. This is palpable in the practice, among other things, because everyone who is willing to learn to take forward his or her personal goals with us, will always have our help to achieve them, regardless of the time he or she needs.

This might sound perhaps like a great promise for some. In a time when emphasis is placed on pretending to be, rather than on really being, this happens everywhere. But 600 students can attest that, like hundreds of years ago, this also works today. So, we have understood: hard work.

Training in the Martin Sewer Kung Fu Schule.

But hold on. There is still something more. Biceps can be immediately developed. But when do you have to start with the knowledge? Unfortunately, trying to develop everything on your own and "instructing yourself" at a 100% is also a huge illusion. This corresponds to something that true men of success around the world and the Martin Sewer Kung Fu Schule have in common: the inescapable student-teacher relationship.

Very often you hear today famous men of success say that they learned a lot from someone special. Some call that person "mentor" or, like us, "master." It's an important part of a successful teaching and the path to true success.

To formulate it an accurate and simple way, somehow you need to know what's all about. And if you someone can explain it to you, must be someone who has already achieved it. Does it mean that Successful Master + personal effort = guarantee of success? Well, I hope so.

Not for nothing, the Master is a corner stone for students and their progress. You have to be prepared to convey what has been learned. You have to be prepared to participate in the design of the next generation. As a hobby being an instructor, or as a profession being a school principal. After reading these lines you might say: "Okay, time to start. I want to learn and succeed!" But what is a student supposed to do after enrolling the MARTIN SEWER KUNG FU SCHOOL for training? What awaits him beyond?

After the student has shown the required restraint and respect, he must be willing to take his body to its limits, reflect on what he has learned and have the will to go on learning and improving. Everything else will be solved by the teaching and the Original Hung Gar Kung Fu of the Chiu Chi Ling line.

My instructors, professionally trained, have passed various tests, including some at international level, and continue constantly forming. They are successful men (Surprised?). We hope, dear reader, and all who are hungry for success out there, to teach every day with the same quality I myself learned before. Or rather, even today I'm still learning my Sifu.

Finally, going a little further with what is needed, for both new students and the experienced ones, we want to bring your attention on a virtue that unfortunately sometimes is rather relegated, but no less important: patience. Patience with yourself. Let's put this all together and let's accept that extraordinary successes, as the ones listed at the beginning, are also based on hard work and can only be achieved with two things. First: hard work. And second: learning a system that ensures that success comes along with hard work. I hope we all know what it means to work hard, and I hope that we all can imagine what it is. I have already told the name of the effectiveness of this system for success and where you can learn. And do not forget to smile, because in the end, having succeed will seem amusing to you.

“After the student has shown the required restraint and respect, he must be willing to take his body to its limits, reflect on what he has learned and have the will to go on learning and improving.�

Always with the Ochikara, "The Great Strength" (called e-bunto in the Shizen vernacular tongue) or secret wisdom of the ancient Miryoku Japanese shamans, as a backdrop, the author takes us into a world of genuine reflections that are capable to move at once both the reader's heart and head, thus placing him continuously in front of the abyss of the invisible, as the true final frontier of personal and collective consciousness.

The spiritual taken not as religion, but as the study of the invisible, was the way of the ancient Miryoku sages to approach the mystery in the framework of a culture as rich as unknown, to which the author has wholeheartedly devoted.

Alfredo Tucci, Manager Director to Budo International Publishing Co. and author in the past 30 years of a large number of titles about the Warrior's Way, offers us a set of extraordinary and profound reflections, which can be read individually in no particular order. Each one of them opens up a window to us through which we can take a look at the most varied subjects from an unexpected angle, now dotted with humor now with forcefulness and grandiosity, placing us in front of eternal matters with the view of the one who has just arrived and doesn't agree with the common places in which everyone coincides.

We can affirm with conviction that no reader will be indifferent to this book; such is the strength and intensity of its contents. Saying this is saying a lot in a world crowded with collective mangers, interested and behavioral ideologies, manipulators and, in short, spurious interests and mediocrity. It is therefore a text for big souls and intelligent people who are ready to look at life and mystery with the freedom of the most restless and scrutinizing minds, without dogmas, without transient morals, without subterfuges...

REF.: • LEVI LEVI8

All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com

WING CHUN GUNG GUNG FU: FU: The Explosive Art of Close Range Combat

Five brand new Wing Chun DVDs 1 DVD: “Bot” Jom Doh Basics Complete “Bot” Jom Doh Form, 108 Motions, Historical Information about the Wing Chun Broadswords, Detailed Knife Blocking and Striking Techniques, “Bot” Jom Doh Footwork, Details of the footwork orientation of the form, One-man “Bot” Jom Doh Drills 2 DVD set: “Bot” Jom Doh, Applications, Drills, Concepts & Principles Applications of the motions from the “Bot” Jom Doh form, Knife vs. Knife, Knife vs.

Pole, Drills, Concepts and Principles, Specially created Knife drills for the Wooden Dummy, Detailed Knife Blocking and Striking, Knife techniques as compared to their empty-hand counterparts, Cutting Principles

Sifu Randy Williams’ extensive collection of books on Wing Chun in 6 volumes, the series contains the history of Wing Chun, the theory and description of all Wing Chun forms in detail, Volume 6 is focused on instructing the system and provides additional information about Wing Chun Combat Theory from A to Z! This great work, originally written in 1988 and newly revised and updated is a must for the library of any serious student of the art.

You can order the entire series as a set of 6 books, or by individual volume, and the new DVDs can also be ordered individually or in sets directly from us through our website:

1 DVD: CRCA Wing Chun “Biu Jitsu” Groundfighting Contents: The concept of “Reverse Engineering,” Chokes; Rear, Front Standing, “Guillotine,” Head-and-Arm, Side-Mount Shoulder Choke, and many other Groundfighting drills and techniques.

2 DVD set: “Look Deem Boon” Gwun Volume 1 ( 55 min. ) Content: Pole Details, Pole Drills, Pole Footwork, Form Overview, “Look Deem Boon” Gwun Form, 6 ½ Strikes of the Pole, Applications: Pole vs. Pole

www.shop.crca.de One Volume SingleWeapon DVD Biu Jitsu DVD DVD Set (all 5)

€ 49,90 € 39,90 € 25,90 € 149,90

The shipping & handling costs are not included for more information please contact us: Copyright © 1989 CRCA Enterprises Publisher CRCA-Lopez / Mario Lopez, Atroper Str. 56, 47226 Duisburg, Germany E-Mail: info@crca.de

“Look Deem Boon” Gwun Volume 2 (60 min.)

Heavybag Drills, Dummy Drills, Two Man Drills, Form overview, Pole vs. Knife

Text: Shidoushi Thiago Moraes.

Master in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia

"Reflections on the force structures" Kaze no Ryu Bugei is taught and studied through the organization of several individual arts, which normally present cross references, either by their common purpose in the Art of War (Bujutsu - 武術) - Defeat the enemy and not be defeated - or by the constant calls of the same historical periods that through the ampleness of sociology, dictated the need for evolution of these same individual arts. This type of Bugei School that centralizes different matters or arts is known by many scholars as Sougou Bugei (総 合 武 芸).

In the case of old Japan, which for centuries was a martial society - not civil -, the development of the Arts of War and their specializations occurred in an intense and particular way. Anyway, in all countries, war systems have always been part of the nation's structure. As the great British writer J.R.R. Tolkien said: "War is the province of men" - guided by his reflections after his own experiences on the battlefield in World War I. One may often ask about the differences between these arts. If on one hand the set of all Bujutsu, seen from a distance, appears homogeneous and one nevertheless multiform - on the other hand, the analysis since the depths of each individual art shows that the distance between each has astronomical dimensions. The answer has 2 parts: the historical aspect and the force structures.

The historical aspect refers to the origins of each art in the chronological line. It is therefore natural that the formalization of Aikijujutsu (合 気 柔 術), for example, occurred after the development of Kenjutsu (剣 術), the art of Japanese fencing - as the arguments present in sword handling during fencing greatly influenced the development of Aikijujutsu. In fact, there is consensus that at least one of the origins of Aikijujutsu is to be found in Kenjutsu.

When we refer to a classical thought, whether it be music, ballet, martial art, painting, etc., it's implied the meaning that there exist beforehand a form and a proper characterization, and that such form is full of peculiarities that cannot simply be mistaken with an indistinct move or expression. I realize that the classical arts eventually become a stronghold of pure origin: they are pure sound in the case of classical music, pure expression in the case of ballet, or tradition and pure movements in the case of martial arts.

The chronological moment more connected to each art also determines a specific socio-political scenario and, if we analyze it from the human anthropology, we recall that necessity is the mother of progress! Thus, despite the intersection among the various disciplines, each one of them has its own universe with certain laws, set limits and own characterizations.

Samurai Arts

The structures of forces determine themselves the principles by which the physical form is manipulated and reaches the desired end. Currently, physical science explains that in the first moments of the formation of this Universe in which we live, quantum fluctuations determined the fine-tuning that exists between the four fundamental physical forces we know. That same original fluctuation and adjustment are what allow that everything in the Universe, in fact, exists - starting with 3 spatial dimensions expanded in which we live (and make war!). As far as is known, these relationships among the forces are extremely striking in the developing of a Universe that allows the existence of matter, a relative stability and the appearance of life. In rough analogy, in the same way that these universal constants (in our Universe) determine possible approaches for energy transformation, the principles of each art create a private space with its own laws, with approaches that permit their own creation, manipulation and destruction.

Let's try to get now a basic understanding of the power structures of some of the arts in Taijutsu (体 術) - body arts in our School.

Jujutsu (柔 術) is considered the oldest body art of them all, when the first forms of aggression and self-defense occurred.

Some of the principles that define its structure of forces are: the use of levers, harshness (for the sake of efficiency), fairness, objectivity in the movements, a heavy Hara (腹) that can promote a strong rooting of the base and act as a driving force for uprooting the adversary, the use of the floor as a weapon and the intelligent use of the own weight and that of the opponent, among others.

In Jujutsu, many masters teach their students to grab the hip of the adversaries and take them out of their normal axis of balance, seeking the decentralization of the axis of forces and causing that the main action is directed to the limbs (arms and legs). Thus, the Hara is isolated from its primary condition of convergence of strength and muscle wasting is inevitable. In this way, either at the front part, or using parts of the own body, a divided command is a dead command.

Still, from the viewpoint of Jujutsu, the ground is seen as a great equalizer of forces, and if the opponent is thrown to the ground, the force distribution is altered and the more experienced will seek to protect the odd areas of the body - those that, being involved, can lead to death or a complete inability to action.

Samurai Arts

“I realize that the classical arts eventually become a stronghold of pure origin: they are pure sound in the case of classical music, pure expression in the case of ballet, or tradition and pure movements in the case of martial arts.�

This is what differentiates in no small measure the sports experience (of a combat system, occurring under the authority of a referee, within rules intended to maintain the integrity of the participants, something healthy and important), from a clash experience or actual violence without rules or limits, where only one survives. Some internal "keys" start spinning around the parties involved, that begin to act upon instinctive parameters that generally have nothing to do with the prior and civilized practice in a dojo or training location.

Especially older and experienced teachers - in the periods previous to World War II - knew that in the past, fights were conceived as life and death situations. They claimed that in case of a decisive real fight, knowing how to drive the Ki (in their own language) and saving energy could be the most important factor in a slow and exhausting combat. Furthermore, they advised us to place our Ki just where it should be placed.

In other words, they meant that in the application of an atemi for example, a punch - the strength of the whole body should fit in our hand, and the focusing exercises should be made as to feel the pressure of all the Hara only in our hand. Furthermore, the opponent could also know these factors that differentiate a fight and therefore we should never underestimate the one we have ahead of us. When a powerful enemy - as in the case of an experienced practitioner of Kenpo (ć‹łćł•), with his body duly empowered - attacks seeking a definition, he has the will, the power, and he must also have the certainty. The one who defends, however, only on the empty will protect himself. The energy simply exists, flows, transforms... before seeking to go to the empty, understand what is heading to the empty! After all, there's no use trying to have eyes when the mind is blind - taught us the older masters.

Thus, of the principles of Aikijujutsu, the Ki should be conducted and redirected to its place of origin - against the opponent. In the Aikijujutsu structure of forces, then, is the understanding of the application of the geometry of each force, either static, as with the weight force of a stationary body, or dynamic, as in the case of an attacker who launches over his opponent. In depth, this forces us to work out compositions of postures and movements that avail themselves of the energy polarities (in the Eastern perspective) existing in every state, whether potential or manifest. It means we don't allow our minds to be captured by the opposing attack and

Samurai Arts

we can work the full and empty each time. They went even further and determined energetic qualities based on elements (fire, air, water, earth, wood and metal), and they also established ways of using those elements on the basis of the contractions and relaxations of the Hara, associated with breathing.

In the origins of Aikijujutsu, all opposite attack would be done using a katana or a tant - the sword or the traditional Japanese knife present in the daish . This means that erring by one centimeter is the same as erring by one kilometer. Here, right and wrong are only results more or less ordered and favorable to us than to others. It is what JosĂŠ Saramago said: "Right and wrong are just different ways of understanding our relationship with others."

The depth of Aiki still leads me to shocking observations. Going even deeper, the Aikijujutsu structure of forces transits the dimensionality in which all forms of energy (either on its eastern sense or in the western physical definition) are expressed. In other words, the forces that are directed to us and from us make themselves present must exist within the three dimensions within which everything we know today exists - and the nature of relationship among these three dimensions must be well used.

Simply put, in an everyday example, this means that when we look at one side of a two-way street and make sure we can go through because no car comes from that side, yet we have no information on the possible cars coming from the other side - although being the same route! It’s a dimensional question!

Simple as it may seem, not observing the dimensional completeness can put our lives in risk and lead to accidents. Similarly, when we are attacked, we have numerous ways of using the disposition of the forces present in the dimensions. In the case of Aikijujutsu, two of these forms are held as primary forces: the circle and the straight line. Expanding into three dimensions, the circle becomes a sphere, if we consider all possible circles from the same center, and the straight line passes to go through a three-dimensional space.

In the second analysis, we combine these two basic shapes forming spirals and helicoids. With spirals we have a circumference that is crossed by a straight line. The increasing distance, is an energetic expansion or yang polarity; decreasing represents a contraction or yin polarity, heading to rest. In the helical shape, a straight line crosses a circumference of constant radius and always touches two points diametrically opposed.

These parameters permit that forces greater than our own, orbit under the control of the hara tori and make uke become anatomically fragile. Despite the depth that we can probe comprising the structure of forces dell'Aikijujutsu, only those who experience can grasp the extreme violence and danger that this art has itself.

Samurai Arts

The truth is that in the martial atmosphere, everybody wants to have a perfect technique, which indirectly, by the breadth of psychology, has to do with wanting to be invincible. But to be invincible you need to make yourself invincible inside.

This means understanding your own weaknesses. It's the process of Renshuu (硴 習). An essential element in the formation of the Bugei practitioner is that of developing an attitude and a movement of warrior from experimentation and understanding, not of that scrawny and hidden little thing.

For example: Have you tried to understand the nature of thoughts? Where do they come from, where they go, how they really influence us and how are they influenced? How do they connect, how are they rescued?

As a drop in a glass spreads naturally throughout the liquid, we also assume internal positions when the environment strikes us: it is the beginning of a reaction movement! Unlike what many think, the position does not occur when we initiate a body movement, but when internal structures of perception are highlighted and driven against an energy that comes to us! In essence, we all have the vehicle to work out our instinctive response: awareness! In this regard, we are all endowed with the same guidance capacity. Certainly the road to reach the deeper layers of ourselves, is best done under the guidance of someone who has been through it, although with his own personal history and through his own experience.

And how we can learn and teach such mechanisms if they are part of the internal reality of each individual? Every art, however abstract it might be, has had an origin at a time, throughout history. Therein lies the difference: in its roots!

There's little point that a musician tries playing baroque music without placing himself at the time, either by social reflexes, or by the essence of the compositions, by literature or by any other legacy. How can you be interested in following the line of paint masters such as Caravaggio or Manet, before attempting to understand what lies beyond the colors and strokes? That's the way in which your eyes, your ears end your other senses turn to the invisible, to the occult, to the fear of the unknown, to the language of symbols, to the sacred and the ancestral streams that make up the transmission of lineages. Be it intuitively, as in the arts, be it with the eyes of modern science, with astronomy, quantum mechanics and or the development of the unifying theories, it is important to remember that we are still experiencing a Universe that gradually is revealing itself.

All this leads us back to the beginning and to comprehend that we understand that the major Bujutsu is winning yourself, working for the victory of the will and consciousness on the ego and vice.

By Shidoushi Thiago Moraes, Master in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia.

Samurai Arts “In essence, we all have the vehicle to work out our instinctive response: awareness!

In this regard, we are all endowed with the same guidance capacity.�

The "Kyusho Tactical Control Program" (KTCP), was designed for Subject control escalation with Legal, Medical and Tactical Deployment research, field-testing and coordination. The scope of this program is for use by but not limited to, Law Enforcement, Security, Emergency Medical or Response, Coast Guard, Military, Governmental Agencies, Body Guards and Personal Security. This Basic Module is comprised of one set of 12 primary targets and integrated into 4 modules of escalating force restraint continuums. There are several weak structures in the human body that can be utilized by an Agent to simply gain control of a perpetrator more efficiently than conventional use of force methods. This would be in the protocol should a situation escalate past the verbal command stage. These Kyusho (Vital) points are where the Agent can make use of internal systems of physical control such as, Nerves, Tendon Structure and natural Nerve Reflexes of the body. Not requiring heavy force Fine or complex motor control or even sight… all of which is subject to failure and loss in high adrenaline states. This information is dedicated to the Brave and Resilient Members of these Agencies around the world… Thank you for what you do!

REF.: • KYUSHO 22

All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com

The main emphasis of this DVD is edged weapon. Knowing and understanding all the dangers associated with any edge weapon.

The main theme in this DVD is establishing the priority.

The main emphasis of training with an edged weapon is knowing and understanding all the dangers associated with this type of weapon. All the “What if’s”, and “Yeah buts”, are all great for trial and error, and assuming predictability. The serious danger of edge weapons is real, and should be treated as such. This means where you should establish your training priority to be a survival tool, in the event this situation happens to you. Let’s face it, you are the one having to survive, not your trainer, helps you train your goals, not your objective. The training priorities I use in LatosaEscrima are as follows: reality, technique and drills. Reality: This is the understanding of exactly what could happen and the dangers when using or going against an edged weapon.

Techniques: These movements are trying to give you a generalization of possibilities, and probabilities of what may happen.

Drills: Most drills are used to develop and enhance body movement skills used in the technique application.

REF.: • LAT-3

All DVDs, wichi is produced by Budo International, si provided and alone in the formats DVD-5 or MPEG-2, in VCD, DivX or the like is however neves offered with a special holograma sticker. Besides our DVD is characteristed coverings by the hig quality in pressure and material. If this DVD and/or the DVD covering do not corespond to the requirements specified above, it concerns illegal pirat copy.

ORDERS: Budo international.com