Martial News would like to introduce you to Sensei Peter Seth, a 3rd Dan Aikido expert who has also trained in karate, judo, ninjutsu, ju-jitsu, and many other martial arts.

He is also the founder and organiser of the region's biggest martial arts festival, the Marfest.

Peter is the founder and senior instructor and technical advisor to Sunderland University (Zanshin) Aikido Club; registered Coach for the British Aikido Board (Sports Council Affiliated); Sports Coach UK (National Coaching Federation); authorised Examiner for the Kogusoku Aikido Association (KAA); member of the KAA Technical Committee and Grading/Examinations Committee; member of Sunderland University Sports Coach team; and a qualified DFM Self-protection Conflict Resolution and Student Street Safe tutor.

Time - shifting

PETER SETH: Try and view ‘far things near’ and ‘near things far’.   In doing this you can attempt and sometimes succeed to manipulate events by mentally adjusting the time scale of the events.  In general ‘world terms’ time is perceived as a constant, moving inexorably onwards without pause or control by anything.  But, it is also only a figment, a construct of the human brain.  Time is relative to our thoughts, what we are thinking, where we are, what we are doing, where we are moving, at what speed and direction. 

All this is relative to everything else around us. Therefore our thoughts should be able to alter perceived time if we can learn and adapt to certain perspectives.  Ie: The ‘Far things near’ and the ‘Near things far’ principle. The time frames which contain certain events and the actions within those events can be viewed ‘out of time’.  Much as a video clip which you can speed up or slow down, zoom in and out of at will, in your own time.

Imagine someone is close to you and launches an attack – you have your ‘video remote control’ switched on in your head – you press the ‘slow’ button and alter the relative perceived speed of the attack to visualise danger and response ahead of any contact.

Equally, if someone is ‘far’ from you.  You then activate your mental video remote control to fast forward, as though the full scenario has already unfolded. This will again manipulate relative ‘mental time’ allowing you to ‘see’ ahead of the event and address the situation in your time and out of your potential opponents’ time.

‘Response’ is possibly the wrong word, as you are perceiving, starting and finalising the event before it has physically taken place. 

This ‘zanshin’ (awareness) is essential in combat situations.  But, the same sort of ‘time - shift’ effect can equally be modified to suit almost any life situation. Essentially be aware of the rhythms and timing of things, people and situations around you.  Be ‘tuned in’, as it were to the timing and rhythms of life and you can blend and flow easily and hopefully peacefully through life.  Until the time comes when you are confronted with the need for more positive action, which you should be able to handle using the same approach.

‘Sen No Sen’ is Japanese term which attempts to describe this - meaning ‘Before, Before’.

One explanation may be that the human brain can somehow speed up its processing when initiated by the chemical messages generated in extreme stress situations.  Also partition as it were, different functioning levels of awareness, isolating distinct areas relevant to particular situations. Where perception, thought and action processes are compressed closer together?  Different levels of intuitive mental acuity may be developed which function to protect us. 

These intuitive ‘gifts’ are probably born in us to varying degrees, but we are also able to harness and develop them through training and exposure to ‘situations’.  (Training is after all simulating ‘situations’).

I’m sure we have all heard of individuals with ‘natural timing’ and a natural intuition, being able to be ‘in tune’ with people and situations.  Successful sportspersons, boxers etc are good examples of the physical – The boxer Mohammed Ali is had a natural timing and rhythm plus that something else which enabled him to dominate other fighters even if they were bigger and more powerful.  This ‘gift’ is of course not limited to the physical arena of combat, it covers all aspects of life.  Throughout history examples of the application of ‘Sen no Sen’ can be seen.  Sun Tsu, Alexander the Great, and the many great politicians and diplomats throughout the ages all had this ability to varying degrees.  As I believe do we all – to what level, well that depends on nature, inherited traits, awareness, sphere of activity/life we are in, the amount and quality of training and practice we do pertinent to our needs etc.

The idea for this blog came from an answer I gave to a question on an internet forum (www.aikiweb.com).   There are a lot of theories about this sort of phenomenon but I think we are all capable of being in that state, of moving/being ‘out of time’ relative to what’s going on around us.   I used a similar example to the one in the first internet post in my first book ‘The Far Between’.  The actor Richard Griffiths had a similar experience on his motorbike and sidecar when he was a young actor travelling across the North Yorkshire moors in England.  In avoiding an oncoming bus he left the road and was heading towards a cliff edge.  He related that in those few seconds, time seemed to stretch out into what seemed like minutes and seemed to allow him more time to regain control and escape shaken but unhurt.

This is a print out of the last of an in depth discussion on a related topic which I answered regarding ‘Time shifts.

time shift" effect

In the "to look at opponent's eyes or not" thread (http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5920) George S. Ledyard mentioned "time shift" effect that interested me.
I experienced that couple month ago when I was driving on 101 in carpool at my usual speed 75mph and somebody cut right in front of me. For some reason I was very calm and found myself in an "observer" situation. My body was working by itself and my mind was looking at it as a third-party. Time stopped and I remember every millisecond.
First my body hit the breaks, then when car was very close maybe a meter or two from bumping my foot released the breaks to avoid a drift (my car does not have ABS and maybe that saved me) and I turned the wheel moving the car into emergency lane. When I passed the car I thought should I cut the freak or not (this is the first time my brain intervented, probably because the danger was over), I cut right in front of the car (to my shame) and hit the gas.
To me that lasted for several seconds, but when I looked at my wife, she hadn't had the time to feel scared. Only after couple of seconds we realized what happened. She was shocked, to calm her down I started to sing. I was very satisfied for being calm in a danger.
Could anybody comment or explain that phenomenon?

Re: "time shift" effect

Look at far things near and near things far'. - you can put your thoughts through time and picture events out of what appears to be 'normal sinc'. If you are lucky/on the ball/aware, you can in effect 'react in advance' if that makes sense. Its actually 'working zanshin' and is the state we are all training to achieve. It is already there in us, but too many people cloud their minds and train to 'achieve' a certain goal or objective they 'focus' too much on their ego and achievements instead of just letting go - enjoy - dance the dance without trying to get the steps perfect. Enter the 'flow', enjoy - sometimes the greatest things are achieved with the least effort in no TIME at all!
Sorry, bit of a ramble - but?
Pete

Visit: www.zanshinaikido.co.uk

Phone: 0191 5226294

The Space Between!

PETER SETH: One of the greatest ever Martial Artists was Morihei Ueshiba

(1883 – 1969).  He was an expert at a number of Martial Arts, which as common perception goes, after an experience of ‘personal enlightenment’ (Satori) he amalgamated into the martial art of Aikido.

Today millions of Aikido enthusiasts practice the techniques he adapted and developed, thinking it the way of the Art.

When in fact his message can be misinterpreted.  They only copy some refined techniques from other arts, which he used to enable students to practice Aikido on a technical level.  Giving them a ‘key’ and a path to follow, leading them to the door of the truth.  His real revelation was in fact the discovery of taking control of ‘the space between’.  Initially in a physical sense but then as the revelation unfolded he saw the parallels with all areas and aspects of life.

His control of ‘the space between’, his timing and his innate humanity allowed him to master the space and not be at any time in a vulnerable position.  He could blend with energies and bring them into harmony and balance.  He only used his experience and techniques to bring closure to his movements when necessary.

I am sure he would have said something like – ‘There is no me or you, only us, together, as one energy in harmonious flow along the energy stream of life’. 

A few other Martial Artists have also discovered this.  Bruce Lee for example, understood and had the same insight, albeit from a different perspective.  But all paths lead to the same truth eventually.

So it is not techniques that are important, at best they are only the ‘full stops’ at the end of the ‘energy’ sentence as it were.  See the attack before it develops (even in the mind of your opponent).  Be somewhere else before it arrives (be where your opponent does not want you to be).  Blend with and balance their negative energy and lead them to realisation.

See the ‘form’ - Control the space.

So, maybe the secret to most things in life in general, is to control the space between, not the person, object or situation?  This applies to all areas of life – Physical, mental, emotional, behavioural, psychological, moral, ethical etc.

An example of the physical could be in combat, where you first ‘see the form’- the intent and manner of attack before it is developed (ideally before it forms properly in your opponents mind) -  (Sen No Sen – Before the Before).  Ensure you control the space by being in a ‘between’ position, a position your opponent does not want you to be.  They will instinctively know and have judged their correct timing, position and distance from you to deliver an effective powerful attack.  You, the defender must ‘see’, first the ‘intent’, then the ‘form’ before it is delivered and move into a position to break you opponent’s rhythm and spatial control so they are ‘in between’ good distance and timing.

Usually a pre-emptive half step in the appropriate direction (area of space) is enough to disrupt and unbalance an attack. You catch them ‘out of phase’ as it were.  You now control the ‘space’ and can lead (or even combine with) and neutralise the energy within it.

An attacker’s energy can be neutralised to varying degrees by blending with their energy.  As mentioned, their timing, balance and also direction can be affected to such an extent they have no viable base which with to continue.  They will be (depending on your blending), ‘without energy’ – they will be ‘in the void’.

An analogy:  A ball/object thrown in the air has mass, energy, timing and direction on the way up and also on the way down (slightly more – gravity).  A balloon may be a simpler example of the state you are trying to get your opponent in – light and easily moved.

But – there will be a split second at the top of the trajectory when relative to its surroundings it has no kinetic energy, just potential energy.  Relatively speaking it has no mass, direction, neutral time/distance therefore no energy to directly affect its surroundings. 

You can with practice be able to get your opponent extended beyond his balance, outside of his timing, going in more than one direction at the same time with his energy dissipating ‘every which way’.  In this way he will be unable to carry out his perceived attack, you will have harmonised and neutralised his efforts.

Its then up to you how you proceed?

These principles can be used in either a positive or negative manner in all areas of life.

 Positive - Imagine using the same principle in an argument, debate, business negotiation or the many other fields of life where a fair and equitable outcome is desired.

 Negative - Or as is so often done, to control or gain unfair advantage over others.

There have been many treatises written over the ages and all illustrate in so many words the fact that it is the ‘space between’ in its many forms which affects and connects all things.  By controlling this you can affect and control this connection and thereby, what is connected to it.

See for example:         The Art of War - Tsun Tsu. 

The Book of Five Rings –  Minamoto Musashi.

 NB:  Please read ‘become’ instead of ‘control’ the space between. 

If you ‘become the space’ everything in that space is yours, any other energy coming into that space does not belong and relies on you for its integrity.

(I’m not happy with the word ‘control’, it implies direct attachment to others and competition rather than harmony).

 The Analogy of Music:

 Imagine music without the ‘spaces’ of silence between the sounds, the gaps between the notes.  Without the spaces there would be constant noise, which may vary in pitch and intensity but would be chaotic and unbearable.  These spaces set the time/timing, rhythm and beat of the music, which in turn affects/controls the whole composition.  So influence in this area of the ‘space/s between’, effectively allows the leading of all these energies.  You become the ‘conductor of this orchestra of energy’.  

Visit: www.zanshinaikido.co.uk

Phone: 0191 5226294

A Slice of Life!

(A Students experience of ‘Life in The City’). 

PETER SETH: Are martial arts necessary in this day and age?  Daft question really, obviously human nature doesn’t change and violence is an every day occurrence.  But, how much violence is out there and how often does it occur?  Does the ‘official’ line, where violence is the exception rather than the rule, ring true?

This blog sets out some of the major ‘incidents’ which occurred to a young lad I know whilst he was studying at Northumbria University.

(There were also lots of minor incidents).

The lad in question is (or was) not a naturally aggressive person, though he played rugby and sampled the odd martial art when he was younger.

Nutter on the train!

Travelling on metro from training – carriage full when nutter gets on.  Nutter proceeds along the carriage trying to intimidate passengers.  Growling at them, asking ‘what they are looking at’ etc.  Attention sets on student who he threatens, student stands up and nutter takes a swing at him.

Luckily nutter doesn’t see pole and his swing is painfully cut short when his arm hits it.  Embarrassed he leaves the carriage issuing threats, threatening to stab the student if he sees him again.

(The nutter was apparently a well known junkie who did this sort of thing on a regular basis.  He did confront the student again in a similar situation. But he failed to notice the rest of the rugby team who were in the carriage, who sort of ‘restrained’ him in a positive rugby fashion – poor lad).  All to the applause of the other passengers.

Battle at Hot Dog Ridge!

Again going home after rugby and a couple of pints, about 11:30ish.  Heading from the town to Heaton, the scene is a Hotdog Van. Walking peacefully past the van he was randomly attacked by two tall skinny charvery lads in their late teens.  Being only slightly intoxicated and fairly relaxed, the student avoided the initial attacker (helping him firmly into the side of the hotdog van). Then accidently ‘clotheslining’ the second attacker (rugby training I think) he went casually on his way home (to the sound of the hotdog man shouting about the dint in his van).

Frying Tonight!

Heading home from a night out on the town, pops into the local fish shop – waits in the queue.  Another ‘nutter’ comes in and walks straight to the front of the queue.  Other customers complain, to which the nutter responds by telling them all where to go in an ‘F,O’ sort of way. Following up by pushing a woman who tries to reclaim her lead in the queue.

The student tries to pacify the nutter, who replies by saying he has a knife in his coat and threatens to ‘carve him up’!

Luckily the situation calmed down and all was ok. But?

Sharing a meal!

Heading home again. Scene – Pizza shop, just been served with hot margeurita when a ‘pack of nutters’ walk in and go on the offensive, having a go at all the customers. Alpha male nutter confronts student and demands some of his Pizza, student opens the box (realising this was just a prelude to some violence) and ‘shares’ the whole steaming hot Pizza by planting it in the nutters face.  Followed up by a very fast 500 yard dash towards home.

Good Samaritan-ish!

Walking to meet his girlfriend at the time, passing Newcastle Civic Centre-ish area.  A car pulls up (4 youths inside) and the passenger window winds down – young lad calls the student over.  Thinking he wanted directions the student goes over and bends down to the car window, to be asked if he wants to fight the youth’s mate who is sitting in the back seat.  Student declines and resumes walking.  The car pulls away tyres screeching, shoots off down the road, round the roundabout and does another circuit to pull up beside the student again (the hunters had found their prey).  Passenger jumps out and confronts the student, pushing him in the chest.  Noticing the back seat passengers also bailing out the student (by this time being much more in tune with the streets), encourages the first youth to rapidly fall down, then with his foot assists the car door to close onto youth 2.  Then into sprint mode again.

Just to round off a good night out on the town!

(This seems to be the ‘nutter’ thing to do at the moment to nicely end a good night on the town).  Scene – Bottom end of Stowell Street ish.

Student with three friends heading off towards casino about 1:30ish after a good night out.  Tells his friends to carry on while he texts his girlfriend.  Sits on a low wall, few seconds later first of three lads is standing in front of him shouting something at him (seems the lads had targetted this ‘lone’ punter for some ‘round off the night’ beating).  The student (being now streetwise), immediately from his seated position on the wall, pushed forward, tackling the first lad round the middle, lifting him up rugby style to deposit him over the wall.  The second lad was ‘encouraged’ to fall down and when the student’s friends arrived back on the scene, lad number three was being gently caressed around the head by the student.  (Unfortunately this time there was some injury to the student – A damaged hand, ankle and a deep gouge to his shin.  But it could have been very much worse).  A less able or streetwise person - well, I’m sure you know what could have happened.
Where do these ‘nutters’ come from? 

In using the word ‘Nutter’ I am generalising.  Some are just part time alcoholically enhanced nutters, others immature characters but maybe most dangerous are the professional nutters. 

So, would introduction/training in a martial art help? (Also training in Awareness and Conflict Management).  Not only for the potential victims, but also the ‘nutters’ as well.  Would they become ‘nutters’ if they developed their characters via martial arts training? 

Maybe if the Martial arts were introduced in schools as part of the curriculum?  Well you know where I am going with this!  It’s been suggested for a long time that the benefits of such a thing could be significant. 

A Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to everyone.

Visit: www.zanshinaikido.co.uk

Phone: 0191 5226294

A Follow on from blending – Sept blog

Rhythms, Timing and Flow.

Peter Seth: Finding life’s rhythms, timing and flow is a real art and is essential to find and maintain balance in life.  Everything in life has a ‘time and rhythm’ which together enables a flow through time and space or time or space.  If you can recognise these things and blend with them you can to some extent harmonise successfully with life.

All things in life, both animate and inanimate have their own place, position, mass, and potential.  They interact with each other continually.  Their energies, potential (static) or kinetic (moving) will and do affect everything else.

A simple example – walking along a track, you step on a large rock, it’s loose and moves, you stumble and fall.

Same scenario – you trip on the rock ---.  You stub your toe on the rock ---.  You move to one side to avoid the rock.  Whichever scenario, the rock has an effect just by being there. 

The effect depends upon the interaction.    Input - Process - Output.

Each effect also has many consequences depending on a myriad of factors – speed, direction, force, rhythm, timing, flow etc.  Possibly even as far as luck or the chaos theory?

The outcome of the effect can also vary, eg:  sore toe, broken ankle, other bodily damage, you may fall on someone else, affecting them – they may stumble and fall over the edge?  The stone may be dislodged and cause another set of ‘incidents’?

And so it goes – (The butterfly flapping its wings on the other side of the world scenario) comes to mind.

So to some extent we are subject to certain ‘randomness’ in life. 

Interactions with people – rhythms, timing - hence flow/harmony.

Developing bonds/relationships - friends – people with same likes/dislikes/interests/ etc – same or similar rhythm, timing, flow – some people get frustrated, angry and aggressive with others who are out of sync with their needs and requirements.

So, individual needs, both physical and emotional may be a common factor in getting along with others in life.  If there are conflicting needs then there will be conflict, which will undoubtedly impinge on something else.  This ‘sets the ball rolling’ as it were and a minor ‘needs’ issue, could potentially start a world war.         

Maybe the Buddhist philosophy of having very few needs, only the basics to support body and soul goes some way to achieving a harmonious existence.  If your needs are few there is usually nothing to fight about.  This of course does not factor in the ‘randomness’ of life’s anomalies.  Events, situations and unbalanced individuals (who would want to be violent for no reason at all).

Of course there are many ‘human’ traits which come together to affect the needs and requirements of each individual which can ‘get in the way’ as it were of harmony at any level.  Most are ‘hard wired’ into us and are part of life’s blueprint.  We all have bits of the following to a certain degree.

They include:

• Egotism.
• Narcissism.
• Arrogance.
• Ignorance.
• Competitiveness.
• Ambition.
• Greed.
• Selfishness. Etc.

These can be seen as the more negative of human traits if allowed to dominate a character.  They have the potential to be led to evil deeds.  Though, in small measure and balanced, they can be positive and even essential to living, giving an individual a sense of identity and purpose. 

Intellect – in its many forms and at all levels can incorporate some or all of these traits, any of which can affect the balance of any situation.  The balance of these characteristics and the immediate or long term needs of each individual – basically an individuals sense of ‘self’ will define their actions in any given situation.

If a solid sense of respect, fairness, empathy and tolerance can be developed in an individual.  Also an awareness of their own built in traits.  Then that individual usually enjoys a more harmonious life which is often more positive and successful at every level – and their needs are usually met. 

They say the role of religion or faith, in whatever form, is to influence, affect and develop peoples so called ‘higher’ values and behaviour.  There are also other influences which usually have a positive impact:  Family, community, education, social contacts etc.  Also activities such as sports, team games and any occasion where people come together to take part in similar activities all contribute to greater connectivity, cohesion and harmony.

In my personal experience most martial arts have a very positive effect and influence on both individuals and groups:

On an individual level some of the positive effects are:

Respect - developing respect for yourself and others is a major plus. 

Trust - each individual must at some time allow themselves to be thrown, or be used to demonstrate a technique or principle. They are giving their personal safety and wellbeing over to their partner and undoubtedly visa – versa, so developing trust and confidence in your fellows is another important factor. 

Control – the ability to develop control both emotionally and physically, strengthens you and allows you to ‘step back’ as it were, to assess situations more comprehensively.  Enables a calmer, more objective approach to situations.

Confidence – speaks for itself really, allows you to communicate with others in a socially balanced manner giving and receiving on equal terms.

Ego – recognise the positive and negative aspects of ego.  We all need some ego to feel good about ourselves, to value ourselves and contribute to this world in a positive manner.   But too much ego leads to arrogance, conceit and lack of respect for others (the cock who crows loudest will attract attention to himself but there are also many enemies listening) P Seth 07.   [Sorry couldn’t resist – just popped into my head.  Reminded me of someone]?

A balance should be found – your martial arts colleagues will usually ‘gently’ remind you if you are getting overly ‘full of yourself’.

Good work ethic – knowing the value of setting goals and appreciating the work involved to achieve them, as well as the personal organisation involved.  Also appreciate the achievement of others and respect for their endeavours.  Following on.

Tenacity – With regard for others, a positive mindset to endeavour – not giving up easily.  A personal focus on achieving, again not at the expense of others.

Cooperation – being able to operate as a member of a group, harmoniously working towards a common goal.  Helping others to

achieve their goals and accepting the help of others all given freely and without strings.  Following on.

Altruism – Giving without thought for reward.  A rare beast but does exist and can be developed when other attributes are brought together.

Empathy – to be able to ‘feel’ how others are feeling, mutually shared experiences engender this important quality.  Enables more effective help and support if required.

Tolerance/Reflection – seeing the flaws in others, at the same time looking at your own.  Responding appropriately to the actions of others.  A very old saying ‘Mene’, Mene’, Tekel, Upharsin’ is the famous ’writing on the wall’ of the Bibles old testament.  Meaning literally when you are weighed in the balance don’t be found wanting.  The ‘Mene’ and ‘Tekel’ were said to be either coins or measures of weight in ancient Babylon and represented a graphic easily understandable example to the people of that time. 

Competition – Not necessarily to always win, sometimes just to take part, test yourself and broaden your experience.  Learning to compete positively without cheating or using subterfuge.  Cheats always seem to get caught out and their achievements are undermined and devalued in the eyes of their peers.  They lose the respect of their peers.  [I am not naïve – I know many of the ‘tricks’ and if the situation were serious enough to warrant a trick or two to enable survival, they would have to be used].

On a more ‘universal’ level.

Combine the positive aspects at the individual level and I am sure you can see how they would enhance one another and overflow into the larger arena of life.  Helping create balance in many other areas of life and possibly help influence the attitudes and behaviour of others.

Groups of people may benefit from this positive ‘model’. 

Mutual group support and a fair society may be engendered.

Try keep in sync with others – makes life much easier and interesting.

Visit: www.zanshinaikido.co.uk

Phone: 0191 5226294

KEEP YOUR WINDSCREEN CLEAN!

PETER SETH: In all martial arts (I am sure this also parallels all areas of life), practitioners can visit many different classes, recognise the techniques and training and feel comfortable with the practice.

But, is this wrong?  Should not art be taught at each class, which reflects the instructor’s individual knowledge, understanding, interpretation and feel for their art.

If an instructor is sincere in his quest for the art, each class should be different, individual and unique.  Each should, when the basics have been absorbed, move constantly on, reminding and encouraging their students to create and develop their own art.  Only in this way will any art (thing) grow and flourish.

If you practice in an environment which concentrates solely on techniques, gradings (belts) and status = ego, you may end up with many student black belts who are good technicians.  But, being so self-absorbed and encased in the ‘system’, you will never move on to the level of an artist who strives to become the art, ‘being’, instead of just ‘doing’.

Technicians, no matter how good, just keep the ‘machine’ running, usually along a single road.  Their single-minded focus on the workings (mechanics) of the machine keeps them from noticing that the windscreen has become dirty and the artistic brakes are being applied.  Consequently, their vision is obscured and journey restricted and very little real progress is being made.  They only see the road ahead and the many other roads are missed.

Open your mind, adjust/release the brakes, clean the windscreen and see beyond the machine.

See all roads, explore, get out and walk round.  All roads weave in and around each other, it is easy to move back and forth bringing back new experience and knowledge with which to make your art.  Don’t restrict yourself to travel just one road no matter how familiar and comfortable it is.

In fact don’t just restrict yourself to travel many roads, it’s two-dimensional.  Spread your wings, be unconventional and fly, soar into the air, use every dimension life offers.  Engage your very being in the spirit of whatever art you practice (especially the art of life) and assist and encourage others to fly even higher and further than you.

Don’t just ‘do it’.  ‘Feel it’ then ‘be it’.  Easy to say, very hard put into practice – but try!

Contact Peter at:

psethp@yahoo.co.uk

www.zanshinaikido.co.uk

DFM Martial Arts presents its Cage Fight Night at The Alnwick Garden


The event will feature some of the top MMA and kickboxing clubs in the region in an explosive night of non-stop action


There will be pro, semi-pro and amateur MMA
and
full-contact and semi-contact K - 1 and kicboxing

BLENDING (becoming ‘one with’).

PETER SETH: Depends on more than ‘timing’. 

It is commonly accepted that ‘timing’ is one of the keys to success.  This is rather simplistic (apart from the interpretation of success – what is it? – maybe later)?

Even ‘blending’ itself is open to interpretation.  To become ‘one’,
What does that mean?

To keep it simple I’ll loosely confine myself to the physical act of blending energies with a partner as performed in activities such as martial arts (Aikido is a good example to use).  But can be applied to most other activities eg: dancing, sports, fishing – (Your adversary being the fish – your connection the rod and line.  Using the balanced flexibility of the rod and the strength and stretch of the line you can ‘play’ the fish efficiently and with little effort.  Sometimes landing a specimen many times the weight your equipment was designed for).   

If a partner/assailant/competitor applies their energy against you – where do you start?

Do you respond? 

When do you respond? 

How do you respond?  (it may be too soon/late)? 

Do you anticipate? 

When do you anticipate? 

How do you anticipate? (it may be too/soon late)? 

Are you aware? 

How much are you aware?  

Do you see ‘all’ the potential dangers?

ZANSHIN = more than awareness. (Japanese word).

Are you ‘Go – no – sen’?  (After - before).  or  ‘Sen – no – sen’?  (Before - before). (Japanese phrases).

Do you wait and counter or try to anticipate and ‘get in first’?

Fine line between attack and defence?  Or No line at all?

Rhythm.

A must!  Without rhythm appropriate to the energies at work, then timing is well, basically a ‘waste of time’. 

On a physical level an example could be:

As you may have seen in films, a horse running loose – cowboy jumps on as it is passing – good timing.

Lands in the saddle when horse on up stroke - bad rhythm – sore backside.

To blend correctly with any situation is incredibly difficult and takes more than being physically adept.  To truly blend you need mental, spiritual as well as physical elements.  You need to empathise as well as harmonise.

Important:  Never be drawn into the rhythm of your opponent!

Your rhythm must be ‘outside’ of your opponents, out of phase if you will.  This will affect his timing. 

This being so, does it mean that rhythm and timing are the same thing?  Are they interchangeable or are they separate things which depend and affect each other?

There’s something to think about!

(Most of my blogs are really just ideas or questions, please feel free to reply, comment etc.  Good to get other opinions).

Contact Peter at:

psethp@yahoo.co.uk

www.zanshinaikido.co.uk

DFM Martial Arts presents its Cage Fight Night at The Alnwick Garden

The event will feature some of the top MMA and kickboxing clubs in the region in an explosive night of non-stop action

There will be pro, semi-pro and amateur MMA
and
full-contact and semi-contact K - 1 and kicboxing

One Hand Clapping!

PETER SETH: There is a Buddhist ‘koan’ that asks for the sound of one hand clapping.  Ie:  a question posed to which there is no obvious answer – gets you thinking in all directions!

I’ve come up with a parallel using the same question to describe, compare and contrast the principles of various martial arts. 

Eg: .  Physically competitive arts:

 Striking arts – boxing, karate, muay thai, etc.

 Grappling arts – wrestling, jujitsu, judo, etc. 

Who tend to use/rely on physical force as well as technique.  The resulting competition is to a greater or lesser extent two energies/forces coming together – akin to two hands clapping, the dominant hand usually controls the balance.  The harder they come together the more noise they make (waste energy), energies collide causing damage to both sides.

Whereas arts like Aikido, Tai Chi, and some of the softer Chinese arts which tend to blend with, redirect and neutralise energies can be seen as moving towards the ‘one hand clapping’ scenario. 

At a less experienced level a less powerful meeting of energies is the aim as the opponents come together (the hands clap).  At a higher more experienced level the aim is to try and get one's opponent to put in all 100% of the energy if possible whilst you lead and redirect his energy to neutralisation (one hand claps. At this point you can also if the situation warrants, apply your energy one hundred per cen). This added to the 100% you have captured from your attacker results in 200% going directly back to your attacker).   This is of course is the ideal, very difficult to achieve if not nearly impossible – that’s when you learn to ‘adapt’).

Problem is, what does it sound like – or is the sound not the real point of the question?

Maybe the sound is that of the hand passing through the air – a gentle ‘swish’ as ones opponent, firmly focussed, eagerly reaches for the target (you) which is ‘constantly’ just out of reach.

(Could be like chasing a butterfly over a cliff – focussed so much on catching the butterfly you miss what is around you).  So an open unfocussed mind may be essential to see the whole picture and be able to change and adapt to the challenge.

So a lot depends how you meet any situation in life.  There will be times when the head-on approach may be the best option, totally confrontational, which some see as being ‘positive’.  This approach is usually chosen when time or options are limited.  It is a base response in the fact that it offers immediate and sometimes violent actions.  The results can be destructive not only in a physical sense but also psychologically, leading to bad feeling, resentment, alienation, continual anger, frustration, thoughts of revenge, vendetta etc.  All in all, a very negative outcome.

If the opportunity allows, a more harmonious approach could be taken, trying to blend with: 

1). *The intent  - before any action is formulated in the mind of  your opponent.             

2). *Initiation - the way or form of attack.

3). Position - the best place spatially to be in relative to the attacking energy.

4). Physically - the most appropriate ‘form’ (physically) to take to deal with the attack. 

5). Movement, rhythm, flow - the most appropriate direction/s, to move to enable redirection, control, neutralisation and reconciliation of the energy.

6). *Technique – the appropriate technique to use to enable you to end the confrontation with the minimum of physical and psychological damage. If you actually need one, as any one or a combination of the previous steps may be enough to deal with the situation harmoniously.

* In points 1 & 2, a well developed sense of zanshin (awareness) helps enormously in being prepared allowing you to apply this approach. (Even a smile in the right place can help)

In point 6, technique is really only the physical manifestation of a thought process and can be anything from just stepping aside to any number of intricate, technical or wildly athletic moves.  But simplicity is easiest. 

This idea of harmony and blending works in all manner of situations from verbal to physical. 

I was once told of a celebrity who was caught up in an incident where he was randomly confronted by a drunken thug who had just split up from his girlfriend.

THUG – What you looking at?

MAN – Who me?

THUG - I’ll punch your face in!

MAN  - Have you been on your holidays yet?

THUG -  Wot ya talking about!

MAN – I’ve just come back from Greece, had a great time.  It was red hot, spent a lot of time snorkelling.  Have you been snorkelling?

THUG – Wots that?

MAN – You know, diving with a mask and breathing tube, the different fish under there was amazing.  Even saw a small shark!

THUG – A shark!

And so the conversation went on about sharks, holidays, the price of flights etc. They ended up sitting together on the kerb talking about relationships and life in general.  They departed with the drunk hugging him as a friend. 

Simply sidestepping his aggression using words.

• Causing an imbalance in his thought process, redirecting the drunks’ thoughts and intent and therefore the focus for his anger.

• Realising that sometimes events and emotions can overwhelm some people causing them to behave and act inappropriately. And it is just a matter of how the situation is perceived and dealt with.

Pass the Parcel?

PETER SETH: Just a point to ponder? 

They say competition is a positive thing, stimulating all kinds of changes, generating opportunities and so on.  After all life is about competition, at its base level for survival, then for gain, power and finally entertainment which on to the sporting level may be viewed as survival in microcosm. Organised controlled conflict with governing bodies, organisations, leagues and teams.  Strategies and tactics - mini battles with rules.

Either taking part or watching, great fun and entertainment if enjoyed at the right level.  But sometimes a less positive side emerges and the ‘sport’ is used as an excuse for many negative things:  Xenophobia (even at local levels – local leagues, moving outwards to national and international levels). Cheating, bullying, aggression, hatred, violence are some of the outcomes.  The rules and codes of conduct sometimes fall victim to the negativity of groups and individuals who highjack them for their own ends.

I was recently having a conversation with a friend who occasionally comes along to my Aikido class to train.  He was telling me on that occasion he decided on my class as opposed to his usual Thursday night five a side football game with his teaching colleagues at the school where he works.  He had become disillusioned with the whole ‘competitive’ nature of his colleagues, who seemed to view the game as a way of de-stressing whilst being physically and verbally abusive ‘in the game’.

He concluded they were actually only ‘laying off’ their stress and frustrations onto their fellow players.  Actually compounding their stress and potentially causing rifts, friction and resentment within the group. 

As the title suggests they seem to be ‘Passing the parcel’ of their individual stress to their colleagues in a variety of ways depending on their characters.  Some, the more dominant may feel better after their game having reasserted themselves.  Whilst on a sliding scale others may feel worse, more stressed, frustrated, angry, slighted, vengeful (with a small v) at their treatment during the game. He said he knew that such games should be regarded as just fun and a way to blow off steam but he had experienced some unpleasant scenes.  Some games can become quite ‘competitive’, intense and nasty, generating animosity and bad feeling.  Some of his colleagues seemed to act totally out of character, giving way to their darker side.

I know in general, competition of this kind played in the right spirit can be beneficial to everyone involved and the exercise itself is a major factor in stress management.  But it does not take much to tip the balance as it were.

He reckoned coming along to a martial arts class, (though concentrating on applied violence as it were) where an atmosphere of self competition is cultivated and a friendly, helpful ethos is encouraged was a much better alternative.  He also pointed out that the noticeable difference was the smiles, good natured banter and the willingness to help others no matter what their experience.  All positive dimensions, even when testing their skills against each other they use the activity (competition) only to improve their art.

Someone once said that the highest level of competition was with oneself.  The bar is constantly being set higher and the range is ever widening. 

After writing all that, competition properly conducted can be brilliant.

PETER SETH: First, may I just thank everyone who contributed to MAF 9.  Another great day with excellent demo’s from everyone – the feedback is brilliant.  You really can’t single out any of the arts but I would just like mention the ‘new’ squads, John’s judo squad – an inspiration, Steve and his kung fu/kickboxing – ouch! The Chi Taekwondo team – spectacular, The escrima – frighteningly effective and please accept my appreciation for the distance you travelled to come and take part.  Also Geoff thanks for all the running around to be there.  And of course the youngsters, a credit to their instructors – brill.  Apologies if I’ve missed anyone and thanks again.

PREVIOUS BLOGS

A knowledge beyond the workings of the mind!

 Ai-ki-do.  (Harmony – Spirit – Way).
What is generally practised world wide as ‘Aikido’, is in fact not really Aikido per se.  Rather it is a mixture of ‘techniques’ gleaned from various martial arts (depending upon the individuals experiences).  These are performed under what the individual perceives the translation of Aikido principles to be.

O’Sensei (great teacher) Morihei Ueshiba was a brilliant technical martial artist, proficient at a number of arts.

But, and here is the man’s genius.  He moved from this technical ‘doing’ stage, (the stage where technique is performed and the opponent is physically defeated by force and technique).  Forward to the ‘feeling’ stage, where he attuned to the flow of energy, the vital importance of space, time, form, movement and rhythm.  Also that ‘thing’ beyond anticipation, which when tapped enables an individual to blend with and in advance of, an attack, to facilitate the attacker to defeat themselves.  Even to the point of ‘merging minds’, as it were to sense intent even before it is formed.

(Sen No Sen).
Any individual who initiates an attack, or even thinks aggressive thoughts, has in fact already committed themselves to imbalance (in both mental and physical energy).

O'Sensei and one or two others who understood and were attuned to this, could blend with this imbalanced energy and guide it to dissipation.  Ie: Lead the attacker to throw/defeat themselves, using no more than ‘zanshin’ awareness, space/distance, form and movement (minimum/transitory or no contact) – no ‘technique’ at all.

Traditional instruction must be based on technique, a structured core of defined and structured movements.  This is essential to establish a basic knowledge of principles, performance, ability, effectiveness and movement through the ranks.

But, some people, especially those who become adept and maybe receive kudos for their technical abilities, lose sight of O’Sensei’s message and continue to amass an even greater repertoire of techniques.  They get stuck in the convention of what they perceive the art to be, they drag an ever increasing ‘baggage’ of technique along with them.
 
You can learn too many techniques.  So when the time comes to act, you have too many choices. This delays or interrupts your natural flow, your head becomes ’engaged’ and your natural instinctive actions are compromised).

To succeed in combat you must be in a state of Mu Shin - ‘no-mind’, this is not possible with your head full of techniques.

It was O'Sensei’s wish, that when technically proficient, the basics learned, all students of the art should aspire to take up where he left off.  To ‘feel’ Ai Ki and use it as a ‘way’ or ‘path’ by which to live.  To rise above the mundane/technique, however pretty and spectacular it seemed. To recognise Ai Ki in all things and to travel along the true path of harmony with all things.

‘Free your spirit, feel your art’.

Leave that heavy baggage of technique/convention behind. It will still be where you left it when you need to go back to query/reflect.  (Which you regularly will).

Aspire to be a swallow amid the chickens, but always remember you have to land occasionally for sustenance.  And try if you can to encourage the chickens to fly, or at least look up!

The following was on an ‘Aikiweb’ post (Aikiweb.com) –

‘It’s easy to squash a bug, it’s much harder to pick it up and let it go’. 

Says it all really!

I have used Aikido as an example, but the message is true of all martial arts as well as all areas of life.

Try to fly – or at least look up!  Learn the basics, then, let them go.

Sensei Shoji Nishio said: "We are Artist's... Using the tools of destruction to develop a peaceful way to express love and harmony within ourselves and others."

This blog though describing a martial art, parallels with all other areas of life – learn the basics then using them as a base - explore, push the boundaries. Don’t be afraid of challenging convention and changing the basics if that is what you need to do.

PETER SETH: In fact it does not even have to be a knife, almost anything can be employed to intimidate, terrorise, wound and kill. It is the individuals not the weapons they use which must be the priority in addressing the present violence sweeping the country.

With youngsters, both male and female as young as nine up to the age of early 20s and sometimes beyond, being involved in nasty and sometimes deadly violence how do we address the issues?

By education.

This is by far the most important factor in controlling violent behaviour. But the youngsters most likely to use violence and carry weapons are usually the least likely to respond to traditional education.

As a practicing martial artist (who has worked within the traditional education system) may I suggest that one way could be that martial arts should be included in the national curriculum (even if it is outside of
school hours).

In Japan where this system operates there is virtually no violent crime compared to this country.

I know from experience the personal and social benefits good martial arts training imbues in the individual; respect, confidence, fitness, goal setting, tolerance, team work, good work ethic, and so it goes on.

Weapons, especially knives, are readily available anywhere, but as previously mentioned it is the individual which is the main element in violence and this should be taken into account.

A positive sustained policy of stop and search when the carrying of weapons is suspected is essential as is more rigorous prosecution of the sanctions available.

Let those intent on violent acts realise there will be serious consequences - mandatory minimum sentences for the unlawful possession of weapons with intent...that are adhered to by the judiciary.

It has been suggested army-style boot camps should be set up to give the yobs a glimpse of real discipline and to generate some idea of respect. Maybe’s this is a good idea.

Mankind is designed at its most basic to be violent, but there are many factors that come into play which control its use. Some are regularly quoted in the face of the many incidents that occur such as poverty, crime, alcohol, drugs, breakdown of the family, stress etc. Which are all valid factors that must be addressed.

But there are more basic human traits that directly influence violent behaviour. Resources, tribalism, gangs, peer pressure, ego, greed, status, need to dominate (power) which gives you more access to available resources. This could come under the heading of various levels of the natural survival instinct.

Training to defend your self!

Does anyone actually know how a martial artist would fair in the courts and public perception if they defend themselves?

With the perceived misconceptions the media and the authorities seem to have (or manipulate for whatever reason) how are martial artists actually seen/viewed in a fracas situation?

I’ve heard in the past about a 'six month veteran' at karate who was involved in an 'incident' and the media had him down as an expert who used his 'great skill' on some poor thugs who attacked him. Not sure of the outcome but he didn’t get good press due to his 'vast' marts experience. (a whole six months – can’t even walk properly in that time!)

Do we immediately become cast as aggressive, violent people? Does it actually make a difference to the authorities and how do they really view it? After all the police are trained in arrest, restraint, armed (to
various degrees) tactics etc. Does that make them martial artists? Some of this is tongue in cheek but also serious - would be great if someone from the media or authorities could give their take on the subject.

Intervention!

Until the law is clarified and common sense and moral justice is considered it is a very dodgy thing to intervene - the police are only too happy to 'apply' the 'law' AGAINST the good citizen. Its a very easy point or two on the target board and a lot easier than dealing with a pack of yobs.

Especially if the good citizen has a smattering of martial arts experience, after all we are all experts eh? There is no incentive to be a good citizen if you risk arrest for doing so. A great shame that in this once proud country the nice guys are on the run.

There’s lots of talk from the yoof lobby but how about some positive action. Let's try address the problems. It’s a fact that teenagers are or can be in the right conditions the most dangerous sector of society as they have not developed empathy, have poor moral limits and have poor perception of boundaries. You are much more likely to be killed by young 'yobs' than by older age groups. That is sad but true.