Taikyoku - First Cause

A universal theme in the martial arts (true martial arts, that is) is peace. One of the most basic lessons that I’ve learned in Shotokan is called First Cause, which is the literal translation of “Taikyoku”(the first kata that I was taught). First Cause can be interpreted as several things.

First cause can mean that you never start a fight, and this lines up perfectly with the first precept of the Dojo Kun. The best way to overcome a conflict is to not enter a conflict in the first place. Sometimes, conflict is inevitable, but when the conflict is started by you, there is no excuse for it, and any effort spent on overcoming the conflict is wasted energy. When conflict arises, you can usually talk the situation down, but in some cases, you may be forced to defend yourself, which martial artists should be trained to do. This brings us into another interpretation of first cause.

If you are backed into a corner with no possible way out, what do you do? Some would attempt to get out of this situation the Steven Segal way, and knock all of the opponents out with several well placed kicks. While this works in the high intensity, amazing world of Kung Fu flicks, back in the real world, it usually just ends up with the defender injured or dead. When backed into a corner, with no other option than to fight, you HAVE to take the initiative if you want to survive. But what is the most effective way to do this? You have to take out the attacker on the edge. If you attack the one in the middle, the gap you created can be closed rather quickly, trapping you again. This wastes time and energy. If you attack the adversary on one of the outsides, the gap is not so easily closed, and you may have more time to escape.

In learning Taikyoku, you learn these lessons. Even though Taikyoku Shodan is the first kata in many styles, that does not mean that it is not for everyone’s benefit. It is a black belt kata, preformed starting at the white belt level. If you learn the lessons it has to teach, and always remember them, you will go far in the martial arts.

It's All In The Hips

People who train in the martial arts realize that it's all in the hips. Well, mostly anyways. Your legs are your rooted connection to the strong Earth element, and tapping into that force, by gripping the ground, and using it to turn your body makes your punches, kicks, blocks, and other attacks stronger by atleast ten times.

Your punch in itself is powerful, even without hip rotation, but look at it this way. Imagine your hand as a chisel. If you strike something repeatedly with a chisel, you will eventually knock it loose, but it takes much more effort than if you use a hammer behind that chisel. Your hips are the concussive force that drives the chisel right to its' mark, making it more powerful, and more effective. Force = Mass x Acceleration. It's simple physics. A punch off of the shoulder has the mass of the arm and fist, and all of the acceleration that the pectoral and arm muscles can muster. Whereas, a punch coming from the ground up has the mass of the ENTIRE body behind it, plus the acceleration of the hips twisting forward, and the punch rocketing forward from its' chamber.

One of the first things you have to understand about hip rotation, is that you cannot and will not get a good hip swing until you have developed strength and stability in your lower body. After developing stability and strength in your lower body, the next step to achieving your full power is developing strength and stability in your core. The last, but not least important step is the strengthening of your arms and upper torso.

The last tip that I'll share for now is that without a proper stance, you won't be able to fully unlock the power of your hips. If your stance is too wide, too narrow, too deep, or too shallow, your hips will not become unlocked, and much of your power will be lost, and expelled in the wrong direction.

I hope you've found this article helpful. Until next time, have a blessed day.

The Dojo Kun

Most people who have never stepped inside a Karate training hall (dojo), have never heard of the Dojo Kun. Even some people who frequent a Karate dojo haven't. The Dojo Kun is a set of precepts that all Karate practitioners, and martial artists in general should know.

The Dojo Kun, when literally translated, means 'Rules of the Training Hall'. It consists of five ideals that are expected of each and every student (Karate-ka), and is usually placed at the head of the dojo (Shomen). These precepts are often repeated at the end of every class, and in some schools, at the beginning also.

The five precepts of the Dojo Kun that I learned were:

• Seek perfection of character
• Be faithful
• Endeavour
• Respect others
• Refrain from violent behavior

Although, upon more research of the subject, I found that not all forms of the Dojo Kun are created equally.

Excerpt From the Wikipedia Article on the Dojo Kun:

"Varying translations and interpretations of the dojo kun exists. Each translation differs in the terms used and the interpretations vary regarding the philosophical depth, meaning, and intention.

The population of English karate practitioners has pushed one form of the translation into being the most widely accepted outside of Japan. Generally, the English translation states:

• Each person must strive for the perfection of one's character
• Each person must be faithful and protect the way of truth
• Each person must endeavour (fostering the spirit of effort)
• Each person must respect others and the rules of etiquette
• Each person must refrain from violent behavior (guard against impetuous courage)

A more terse translation is used by the ISKF and JKA:

• Seek perfection of character
• Be Faithful
• Endeavor
• Respect others
• Refrain from violent behaviour

The dojo kun also appears in various other martial arts styles, with alterations according to the general precepts of that style.

In Goju Ryu the Dojo Kun consists of eight rules and are (in English) as follows:

• One thing: Be humble and polite.
• One thing: Train considering your physical strength.
• One thing: Practice earnestly with creativity.
• One thing: Be calm and swift.
• One thing: Take care of your health.
• One thing: Live a plain life.
• One thing: Do not be too proud or modest.
• One thing: Continue your training with patience.

In Ryu-te the Dojo Kun consists of five rules and are (in English) as follows:

• Strive for good moral character.
• Keep an honest and sincere way.
• Cultivate perseverance through a will for striving.
• Develop a respectful attitude.
• Restrain physical ability through spiritual attainment.

In Bushido the Dojo Kun consists of five rules and are (in English) as follows:

• Loyalty is the essential duty of the soldier.
• Courage is essential since the trait of the fighting man is his spirit to win.
• Valor is a trait to be admired and encouraged in the modern warrior.
• Faithfulness in keeping one's word.
• Simplicity is a samurai virtue.

In Budokan (NSW Branch) the Dojo Kun consists of four rules and are (in English) as follows:

• Show courtesy, respect and honesty towards others.
• Develop confidence through knowledge, honesty and strength.
• Never use violence for personal gain.
• Seek perfection of character. "

Also, something similar, I learned in my Youn Wha Ryu training.

• Be polite
• Be patient
• Be alert
• Be brave
  
• Do your best
• Respect yourself and others
  

Each of these are very different in wording, and yet the same in meaning. Let's look at each precept and attempt to find the meaning behind it.

Seek Perfection of Character

Seek perfection of character to me, means that in everything we do, we should strive to do our very best at it, and maintain the most Christlike attitude before it, essentially, striving to be like Christ. We should never go into an endeavor halfheartedly, but always with a good spirit, willing and ready to do our very best.

Be Faithful

I see "Be faithful" as meaning that we should always be loyal to our dojo, families, friends, fellow human beings, and above all, be faithful to ourselves, and our maker. If we have a commitment, we should honor it if at all possible. We should let our word be our bond, because afterall, if a man doesn't have his word, what does he have?

Endeavor

Endeavor seems to mean that we should always press forward, and should never quit trying to find new ways to succeed or excel at any given field. If this means practicing kata for several hours a day to hone it to its' fullest potential, then that's what it means. If this means studying hard so that you can learn more, and further your education, then this is what it means.

Respect Others

If you were walking down the street, and a beaten and abused homeless man asked you for your shirt, what would you do? Now consider this, what if instead of a homeless man, what if it were Jesus himself? Are the two outcomes different? They shouldn't be. Respect others means that you should treat others like you would like to be treated, and also, treat those around you as Christ would have you treat them.

Refrain From Violent Behavior

When you see the martial arts in the media, or on Pay Per View, what do you see? A bunch of sweaty men beating the living snot out of eachother. Blood and teeth flying everywhere, arms separating backwards, and all kinds of grisly things. This isn't what the martial arts is about. The more you learn about the martial arts, the more you learn that it's not about HOW to fight, but about How to NOT fight. This means that you should never start a fight, be it physical or verbal. What good comes of fighting anyways? To fight is to struggle, and who likes to struggle?


Each of these precepts of the Dojo Kun can mean different things to different people, so just read what I've had to say, and think about what they may mean to you.

Thanks for reading this article, until next time, have a blessed day.

A New Beginning

Hello, everyone. My name is Alex, and I would like to welcome you to my blog. For my first entry, I would like to let you get to know me and my background a little bit better.


I am seventeen years old, I am a lifetime resident of North Carolina. I am an avid martial artist, I currently take six classes per week. I study:

• Shotokan Karate(first degree brown belt)
  
• Ving Tsun Gung Fu(white sash)
  
• and Youn Wha Ryu(first degree blue belt).
  

I have studied several other styles in the past, including:

• Judo(white belt)
  
• Tsunami Ryu[an eclectic style, encompassing Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, Aikijutsu, Bojutsu, Iaijutsu, Karate, Gung Fu, and several other styles](Junior Black Belt, Trainee Instructor)
• Tae Kwon Do(purple belt)
• and Tang Soo Do(purple belt)

My goal for the future is to teach, and own my own school, where all styles and forms of martial arts are accepted.

Aside from martial arts, I am a musician, a visual artist, and a writer. I play guitar, aswell as sing and write music; I take photographs and draw and I also write short stories and poems. If you have a request for a piece, just let me know and I should be more than happy to oblige.

If you have anything else that you want to know about me, just ask! I am a very friendly person, and would be more than thrilled to answer any questions you may have about myself, martial arts, or anything else I may know the answer to.

Until next time, thanks for reading my blog, have a blessed day.