1 Warrior-Scholar Magazine www.warriorscholarmagazine.com
Welcome By Master Daniel R. Segarra (7th Dan) My name is Daniel R. Segarra I began my martial arts journey in 1974 and I have had the honor and pleasure to train with some of the most talented martial arts masters in the world. This combined with my studying the philosophy and mental technologies of the martial arts has given me what some consider a unique perspective which I hope to share with you in the upcoming issues. The Warrior-Scholar was the first martial art internet website in the world. I started it back before the actual internet became public. Back in the day when one computer would have to dial another individually as a bulletin board. Itâ€&#x;s pretty amazing how far itâ€&#x;s come. This magazine is not just about the art I developed (Moo Sa Do Kwan) but all martial arts. In a world were martial arts is becoming a side show on pay per view or a hobby that people dabble in, I think it is vital to remind the public how important and effective the ancient and traditional martial arts can be, the world needs the positive aspects of the traditional martial arts now more than ever. If you are interested in sharing an article, review of a book, movie or product please contact me at mastersegarra@aim.com because this magazine is free writers are not financially compensated for their contributions. But it is an opportunity to reach a wide audience. In the spirit of the martial arts,
Dan Segarra
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Traditions By Master Daniel R. Segarra (7th Dan)
The lost Alchemy of Traditional Martial Arts Quite often in classical martial arts we devoutly
You train yourself not to tense any other areas
follow traditions without understanding the pur-
unnecessarily and concentrate you energy in
pose of those traditions. Certain salutations,
your Dan Jun (center). This is complemented at
hyung applications, and basic rituals are often
the end with Paro or the finishing posture. The
practiced with either an incomplete understand-
Paro is to calm the energy created to take action
ing, incorrect understanding or no understand-
and transform it into a complimentary virtue. Thus
ing at all. It is often a valuable learning experi-
we use conflict to transcend our primitive instincts
ence to seek to understand the purpose of
and transform them into higher spiritual levels.
those unknown aspects, not question their value but understand their purpose. For exam-
This is the Alchemy of the martial arts, we trans-
ple I will illustrate this point using a movement
form the lead of conflict into the gold of spiritual
common to almost all martial arts the Choon be
mastery. This is what makes classical martial arts
usually known as the „ready position‟.
so unique and special. In Korean martial arts there are five elements Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal
Almost always choon bee (ready position) is
and Water. Each is associated with an emotion
thought of as a combat ready position. But if
that can be transformed into a virtue, each time
one were to really analyze the posture realisti-
an emotion is transformed it feeds a cycle and
cally you would have to come to the conclusion
each time the cycle is completed you reach a
that it has no tactical combat value and to think
higher spiritual level. In ancient times these prac-
so would invite disaster in a realistic combat
tices were given interesting names like the “Wood
situation. So why is choon be so frequently
Test Skill” of the “Fire entrance record”, etc.
practiced and almost always bookends forms, sparring and drills?
Wood – Mokshijae 木試才 Wood Test Skill – The
Choon be is a ready posture but it is an energetic ready posture where you wake up your
element wood is associated with anger. Just like fire needs wood to burn, so, too, does anger. As with all emotions, we do not want to suppress
spirit and center your energy in your hips. 3 Warrior-Scholar Magazine www.warriorscholarmagazine.com
them; nature gave them to us for a reason,
cordingly. Aspirations are important but to turn
but it is equally important not to let them
our dreams into our reality we must balance
get out of control. To pass the wood test
aspiration with perspiration. In other words,
skill, take away the fuel, and the fire dies
dreams are nothing without being grounded in
out; focus on being centered, and the an-
action. Acknowledge the present, take appro-
ger subsides. Transform the anger into
priate action and center yourself, to pass the
compassion. Compassion for others leads
Earth ascending level. The virtue associated
to propriety.
with earth is faith. When we have empathy and compassion for ourselves and others this
Fire – Hwa-Ipjeok 水受牌 Fire Entrance Record – Joy is the emotion associated
leads to respect (propriety) which transforms the
heart
and
strengthens
our
faith.
with fire. As with all of the elements, we want to have balance. We want to cultivate
Metal – Geumsureon 金修練 Golden Cultiva-
our center, finding joy where ever we are.
tion– The metal element is associated with
Even the most mundane tasks can provide
sadness. It is natural to feel sad at times, but
us with joy, if we apply the proper attitude.
it is important to acknowledge the emotion, let
Focus on the present moment; find joy in
it happen and let it go. Instead of letting the
the simplest things. Don‟t chase happi-
sadness overwhelm us, we can cultivate the
ness. Invite it in, and you will pass the fire
emotion and turn it into something positive,
entrance record. The virtue associated
like the alchemist who turns the metal lead
with fire is propriety. When we have empa-
into gold. The virtue associated with metal is
thy and compassion for ourselves and oth-
justice. When we have empathy and compas-
ers this leads to respect (propriety) which
sion for ourselves and others this leads to re-
transforms the heart.
spect (propriety) which transforms the heart and strengthens faith. Our faith allows us to
Earth – Toseunggeup 土昇級 Earth Ascending Level – Pensiveness is associated with the Earth element. The Earth element
believe and gives us the motivation and confidence to act righteously, just, and in harmony with our higher self.
can be grounding, or when deficient dreamy. As with all of the emotions, we
Water – Susubi 水受牌 Water Reception Pillar
must be sensitive to our present level of
– Fear is the emotion associated with water.
centeredness, and adjust ourselves ac-
Crying and bladder control, weak knees are
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are centered. Also fear affects the posture, usually making you hunch your shoulders; straighten your posture like a column (pillar), breathe and center yourself and you will pass the water reception pillar. The virtue associated with water is wisdom. Empathy and compassion for ourselves and others leads to respect (propriety) which transforms the heart and strengthens faith. Our faith allows us to believe and gives us the motivation and confidence to act righteously, just, and in harmony
This practice is called Su Il (守一) or keeping oneness. Su Il means literally to keep, protect, guard the one. So as you can see one can practice a tradition such as choon be ignorantly thinking it is has value as an actual combat application and completely miss the opportunity to use it and the many other aspects of classical martial arts as steps towards self mastery. There is a schism of understanding in classical Korean martial arts for
“we transform the lead of develops wisdom and wisconflict into the gold of dom deepens our compasspiritual mastery. This is sion. As our wisdom grows what makes classical we can see past illusions and outward manifestations martial arts so unique and of our inner selves. Wis- special” with our higher self. Justice
dom allows us to see past each person‟s mask and have compassion for their transgressions and struggles. Each time we complete the cycle of the five elements our true nature becomes more brighter or as Grandmaster
Hwang
Kee
would
say
more
„luminous‟.
many. Much of the classical
martial
taught
by
arts
were
people
that
were born of its culture and some naturally and intuitively
understood
these concepts, many if not more did not, and with
each passing of these traditions especially when passed to the West the real value of them began to fade and was lost. But when seeking to understand their original intent their value still echo‟s hundreds of years later to those sincere few that seek it. Those few that put this alchemy into practice understanding the value and purpose of traditions, techniques and philosophy are rewarded
So all the ingredients of the classical martial arts can be used as a vehicle to self mastery.
with something more valuable than all the gold of the world.
From the most basic actions to the challenges of combat we must practice them with the
Moo Sa!
original intent in mind. Which is to transform ugliness of conflict into the beauty of mastery.
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Combat By Master Daniel R. Segarra (7th Dan)
Jang Kap Kwon (Long Back fist) JKK is one of the most practiced techniques in the martial arts in Hyungs (forms) Chinese martial artists practice it in various Kung Fu styles, Tang Soo Do practioners practice it in the Chil Sung (7 star) forms and Yuk Ro (6 path forms) and of course we practice it in Moo Sa Do as well. JKK is often practiced as an attack to two opponents one front and one back. This is usually the universal basic application. However how often do you find yourself in that exact situation? Probably not often enough to practice JKK as much as you like. In Moo Sa Do we also use JKK as a leg capturing block. We use the intermediate position to block the actual kick and the extended position to hold the leg and attack.
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Review By Master Daniel R. Segarra (7th Dan)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (少林三十六房, Shào Lín sān shí liù fáng), also known as The Master Killer and Shaolin Master Killer, is a 1978 Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Liu Chia-liang and starring Gordon Liu. It was required viewing at our school the Five Towns Karate Center and is one of the greatest martial arts films ever made. It has so many lesson filled moments it makes it a true classic. The film follows a highly fictionalized version of San Te, a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under the general Chi Shan, portrayed by the director's adopted brother Gordon Liu. 36th Chamber of Shaolin is widely considered to be one of the greatest kung fu films and a turning point in its director's and star's careers. It was followed by Return to the 36th Chamber, which was more comedic in presentation and featured Gordon Liu as the new main character with another actor in the smaller role of San Te, and Disciples of the 36th Chamber. A young student named San Te is drawn by his activist teacher into the local rebellion against the Manchu government. The government officials suppress the uprising and liquidate the
school, killing friends and family members as well. San Te seeks vengeance. Wounded in an attack by Manchu henchmen, he flees to the Shaolin temple and seeks training in kung fu. Initially the Buddhist monks reject him, since he is an outsider, but the chief abbot takes mercy on the young man and lets him stay. One year later, he begins his martial arts training in the temple's 35 chambers and advances more rapidly than any previous student. Along the way, he is depicted as inventing the three section staff. However, as San Te nears the end of his education, the temple officially exiles him as a disguised way to allow him to aid the people against the oppressors. He returns to the outside world, namely to his hometown, and assists the people by teaching them martial arts. Before the political revolution he is inspiring to complete, he is forced into conflict with the Manchu governor. Finally, he triumphs and returns to the Shaolin temple, where he establishes the 36th chamber, a special martial arts class for common people to learn kung fu without having to become a monk first. From Wikipedia To view the trailer click here
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Ho Sin Sool By Master Daniel R. Segarra (7th Dan)
Chil Sung Jaseh (Seven Star Stance) The CSJ is another movement/stance found in many forms and martial arts. In Moo Sa Do we use the CSJ to step on the opponents foot, trapping it to follow up with a push or strike. We also use the CSJ to lock out the opponents shin by stepping behind their heel or buckle their knees when we shift forward.
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Ho Sin Sool Continued from the previous page. As we can see in the following pictures, the CSJ can be used to lock out the opponents shin from both the inside and outside positions (illustrations 1,2,3,4) and step on the opponents foot trapping it (illustration 5)
The defender moves his foot to the outside of the attackers placing it slightly behind the heel. (illustration 1) The defender then shifts their weight forward, applying pressure on the opponents shin causing it to lock out. From this position the defender can continue to apply pressure knocking the opponent to the floor or pull their foot back sweeping the attackers foot.
This can also be done either inside the opponents leg (Illustration 3) or outside (illustration 2). In addition the defender can use the CSJ to step on the opponents foot, trapping it. When stepping on the attackers foot use only the ball, this way if the opponent manages to pull their foot you will not lose your balance. 10 Warrior-Scholar Magazine www.warriorscholarmagazine.com
Philosophy By Master Daniel R. Segarra (7th Dan)
The Secrets of the Ship Sam Seh Many Tang Soo Do prationers have heard of the Ship Sam Seh, read about it or heard a reference to it, but the Ship Sam Seh is an elusive subject for most. In this series of articles I will help explain what the Ship Sam Seh are and how they can help you. Introduction Many years ago, when people tilled the land, counted the seasons and pondered the mysteries of the universe. The philosophy of Do (Tao Chinese) was born. Ancient people’s survival depended on their observation and harmony with their environment. They developed a simple and profound holistic philosophy of why things are as they are, and do as the do. They learned when to apply themselves, when to stand firm and when to yield. They applied this simple philosophy towards their relationships with heaven, earth and themselves. Since ancient people communicated first in pictures, this philosophy expressed itself in a basic universal symbol which evolved as the people did. This is not a static symbol but an animation of forces it is called Um (Yin) Yang. The actual Um/Yang diagram is called Tae Geug Do 太極圖. The Um and Yang were illustrated as complementary forces; Fire/Water, Heaven/ Earth, Male/Female etc. They also were illustrated as lines; Yang being a solid line ------ and Um being a broken line -- --. The ancient people observed that at various stages the two forces Um & Yang resulted in four various combinations of lines:
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So action and reaction, harmony and discord, all relationships were reduced to a simple formula. The strong Yang force represented by solid lines and the gentler Um force by weaker lines. This formula eventually evolved into a three line formula. The top line representing Heaven, the middle line man and the bottom line the earth. These 3 lined symbols became to be known as "Gwe" they represent the final evolution of the force continuum. The Pal Gwe or "eight forces" can be applied to many things and the ancient people applied this knowledge to all their relationships. Their relationships with, heaven, nature and themselves.
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These eight symbols became archetypes universal forces; ☰ "Heaven" The three strong Yang lines represent the power of the heavens. ☱ "Lake/Marsh" The two yang lines that seeped through the gentle Um/Yin line represents water pooled into a lake. ☲ "Fire" The soft Um/Yin line surrounded by the two hard Yang lines represents the flame hotter on the outside and cooler wick in the center. ☳ "Thunder" The hard Yang line ready to break through the weak Um/Yin lines like thunder. ☴ "Wind" The strong Yang lines float above the weaker Um/Yin line. ☵ "Water" The two soft Um/Yin lines surround the hard Yang line, represent the hardness inside the soft. ☶ "Mountain" The strong Yang line capping the two softer Um/Yin lines representing the zenith of the mountain. ☷ "Earth" The three Um/Yin lines open and receptive like fertile earth. These trigrams when juxtaposed upon each other create sixty-four hexagram permutations eventually developing into the Chinese classic the Yi Ching (Chu yeok; Korean). The Yi Ching is a record of the sixty four hexagrams (See chart opposite page) and their comparative relationships with the various stages of birth, life, decay, sociological cycles, government and much more. For years it has been used as an oracle for looking into the possible paths of any given situation. This application of the "Do" philosophy permeated every aspect of ancient life. Agriculture and architecture (Pung Su bop), Astrology (Ku Sung bop), Medicine (Sa Sang), Acupressure, and also the combative arts (Kwon bup). Each of the Pal Gwe were eventually assigned a direction forming the eight points of the compass. Which in turn indicated possible directions of movement and attack. So now we have eight directions of movement and eight directions we can move our hips (forward, backward, left, right, up, down, clockwise and counterclockwise) and combining that with the five basic steps (forward, backward, left, right and center) and you have 13 possible kinetic energies that can be produced. These energies are called the Ship Sam (13) Seh (actions/postures). 8 + 5 = 13. To be continued next issue…...
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Final Thoughts By Master Daniel R. Segarra (7th Dan)
Thank you! Thank you for reading issue one, I hope you enjoyed it and if you would like to contribute to future issues you an email us at; mastersegarra@aim.com and we will review your submission. Some idea submissions for future issues; Story, lesson, proverb Movie, Book, Product, DVD, Seminar review Comments, rebuttals, feedback Upcoming seminar, tournament, clinic or special event Articles on any martial arts related topic with pictures. We may even use for future cover shots. Use your imagination, we are open to your suggestions. Next issue we will cover; Peet Cha Gi (Diagonal kick), How to make and apply Warrior Balm, Secrets of the Ship Sam Seh Part 2, and much more.
See you next issue.
D.Segarra
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Next Month PEET CHA GI Next issue we will cover; Peet Cha Gi (Diagonal kick). Specific stretches, and ways to apply it in sparring and self defense.
Secrets part 2 Next issue we will pick up where we left off in issue one and discuss five element theory.
How to make Warrior Balm Next issue we will start an herbal medicine series beginning with how to make and apply Warrior Balm (similar to Tiger Balm) And of course there will b self defense, sparring articles an much more. 15 Warrior-Scholar Magazine www.warriorscholarmagazine.com
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