Black is the New Black

It was a great weekend, long awaited.  Five of my students, many who had been with me from Day 1, tested for their Kadua Guro (1st degree black belt) ranking in Kali Majapahit this past weekend.  As their teacher, their guide, their friend and brother, I couldn't be more proud.  To date, every single black belt in our system (including me) has been personally tested by the founder, Punong Guro Fred Evrard, to meet his exacting standards of excellence.

As per the KM website, there are only 32 active black belts in Kali Majapahit worldwide (now 37).  It is an elite brotherhood of experts committed to making themselves, each other and the world a better place.  We focus on martial arts, health, and personal development as the key areas of growth we use to achieve success in our lives on our own terms.  We share this method with everyone regardless of race, creed, color, nationality or social status.  All are welcome to join our family. We are all ONE. We are all connected.

The test is very difficult.  It usually is done over a weekend, and includes a written test as well as a practical exam.  KM black belts need to recertify every two years minimum to retain their ranks.
The physical part is formidable, including single/double stick flows, empty hand from all subsystems, boxing/kickboxing and knife defense.  Testers are pushed to their physical limits and beyond to see if they can find the willpower and determination to continue even when they are exhausted.

The test always includes "the Circle", where the each tester is put in the center of a ring of other students and black belts who assist.  Again and again they must fend off any kind of attack, including stick, knife, empty hand and continue to do so until told to stop.  It is an incredibly high-stress experience.  Later, they do boxing/kickboxing sparring with a sequence of opponents as their energy gets drained away...shaken, they continue on for nearly two solid hours.

Despite the stress and pressure all the testers performed well and got extremely positive feedback.  More importantly, even under stress they responded WITH CONTROL, and no major injuries occurred.  Rather than passively waiting for attackers to attack, each tester proactively engaged them, controlled the situation, and ended the encounter decisively.  As their instructor, I was convinced in a real self-defense scenario, these men would have been able to defend themselves and their loved ones from harm.  Forged in fire, they earned their black shirts.

Throughout their time as Kasama (assistant instructors), they have demonstrated leadership and maturity, and it has been a pleasure to see them advance their careers, find partners, start their families, and deepen their relationships with the people around them.  They shine brightly, and I like to believe their martial arts has given them confidence to be more...THEM.

Some have said that the martial arts is a lonely path, a lifetime struggle against ourselves to overcome our weaknesses, our limitations, and our doubts.  Instead, this group has shown that it is a fellowship, a brotherhood, a FAMILY that connects us and inspires us, that supports us and encourages us to be our best and to push past our old selves into new growth and awareness.  We are at once both learners and teachers.  More importantly, we smile, laugh, joke and HAVE FUN.  It is not enough to survive; we must THRIVE and prosper.  We do.

It has been a great honor to guide these Kadua Guros to this milestone in their journeys, and I have learned as much from them as they have from me.  Together we have built a strong Kali family here in Tokyo, where everyone is welcome to come and better themselves.

I ("We") will see you on the mats.

Pugay Po.

What Can I do?

Life can be very hard.  These days it seems especially so, somehow much more complex and difficult than it was when I was a kid (and my childhood was far from easy).  We are so, so busy and it seems we can never catch up on our to-do lists, our bills and on all the other various things we wish we had time to do.  Despite technological progress we seem to be expected to always be available to answer work emails, jump on early morning/late night calls or go on business trips (economy class, of course).  TV and media makes us think we should have...well...more.  Several times this month my commute was delayed due to someone committing suicide by jumping in front of a train (last night someone even did that for the Shinkansen, a fast bullet train).  Sadly, they average one per day in Japan.

Beyond this, many people suffering from depression, or even the earliest symptoms of it, say that they feel a deep, unsettling loss of control.  There is a despair and hopelessness that comes from feeling there is nothing you can do about all that is going on.  You are a receiver; a victim.  You might think "there's nothing I can do about it".  Yes, ultimately control is an illusion.  However, our state of mind is very, very real.

Many people you meet focus on what they can't do.  It's a constant litany of denial for everything and everyone.  "I can't get a better job", "I can't write a book or anything like that", "I can't look as good as him/her", "I can't afford it"... the list goes on and on, rooted in negativity.  This thinking closes our minds to the possibility of another method or another outcome being acceptable.  We set unrealistic standards (or allow them to be set on us) and then complain that we can't achieve them.  Before long we stop even trying.  We give up.

Another interpretation of the phrase "what can I do?" focuses on the "I" part.  It highlights the seeming insignificance of our individuality, meaning "I'm just one person, what can I do?"  We can think of so many cases where success or failure was dependent on the actions of an individual.  Where each individual collectively made a difference.  Without individuals there cannot be groups or teams.  Even on our own, we have the power to influence and shape our world, if only we choose to exercise it.  The greatest people in history were not born to it - they stepped up as individuals and made success happen rather than waiting for greatness to be bestowed on them.  Here's just one of many, many examples: https://www.seeker.com/theswim

Direct experience has shown me that we have very few limitations when it comes to our potential for success.  In almost every case, we can actually do whatever it is we think we want to do, provided we are willing to put in the time, energy and sacrifice it takes to get there.  Many of my friends and colleagues have achieved things I thought were impossible through their diligent effort.  Many struggled for years, inch by painful inch, to finally achieve their goals.  Their willpower and determination inspire me every day.

We see uplifting stories all the time of athletes, musicians and other public figures who overcame tremendous odds to achieve their measures of success.  Of course, we never hear about those who didn't.  Of course, being famous is not the point and not at all necessary for success.  They key is to adopt a mindset of success that will enable us to ask ourselves the right questions (or at least not the wrong ones).

Start not with thinking about what you can't do, but rather asking yourself what you CAN do.  Start small if necessary.  A complex knot is ultimately undone be a series of small, seemingly inconsequential movements.  The knots in our lives are not much different.

Even in martial arts there are techniques that look invincible.  There are locks and holds and chokes that seem unbreakable.  There are opponents who are bigger, faster, stronger...better.  Despite this, as long as you are alive and awake, there is always SOMETHING you can do.  A total commitment to survival is the best possible defense.  This has nothing to do with specific techniques and everything to do with mental preparedness.  I encourage my students to try to find something, anything they can do in a situation, to exercise their minds in looking for ways to make continuous progress, even one small step at a time.  I push them to never stop thinking and never stop trying.  I am so proud that they are not just great martial artists but also great people.

It is important to view the world as being filled with endless possibilities, knowing that if needed we can change our approach to go in a new, different, better direction.  There is always the chance to improve and increase our happiness if we avoid the illusion that there is nothing we can do.

Don't give up.  Stick around for the end credits.  Keep going, keep moving.  Grow. Learn. Expand. Extend.  You'll be glad you did.

Trust me, there's always something you can do.   

  

The Illusion of Permanence

(thanks for the inspiration GE)

It was a great day.  One of the best really.  The sun was rising on the beach in Hua Hin, Thailand and we were starting a day at the Peaceful Warrior Camp, surrounded by friends and doing what we love.  Later, as I watched the long, slow sunset and listened to the ocean my mind drifted away --- I could live like this.  I felt like I could stay like this forever.

In an instant of course I knew it wouldn't last.  The week would end and I would return to a rainy, chilly spring in Tokyo.  I would return to the chaos of meetings, conference calls, emails, bills.  But for now, I was here in Paradise.  I tried to stay in the NOW as much as I could that week.

The other side was also true.  I had been working 14 hour days for nearly seven months trying to close a multimillion dollar global contract renewal.  I would go to evening Kali class and then back to work until the last train (or later).  Weekends I was too tired to spend time with my family   All I could do was try to sleep.  I started to get chest pains and shortness of breath.  I added another life insurance policy - just in case.  Those long days and nights seemed like they would never end.  But they did.  Finally, we got the deal signed.  To reward myself, I bought a Rolex.  When I look at it, I remember those long, difficult days and it feels like a million years ago.

We tend to suffer from an illusion of permanence.  Good or bad, we think things will stay the same forever.  We become complacent.  Of course, reality always steps in to show us that this is not true.  Nothing is set in stone, and nothing is forever. Good times and bad eventually fade into memory and, after we are gone, fade into history and disappear just as we do.

To me, this understanding is very, very important.  The good times -  a good job, a good relationship, a sunny day, a vacation, dinner with friends, raising curious young children, Christmas Day, fireworks, a trip to Hawaii, the cherry blossoms - all will come and go.  It's important (and necessary) to allow ourselves to rejoice in the joys of the everyday.  At the same time, these are made all the more precious by knowing that they will be gone.  This reminds us to savor them fully, to squeeze every last drop of goodness from them.  It tells us to hug the people we love whenever we can, to pet the dog or cat one more time, to sleep in or to have the extra cup of coffee or a piece of apple pie.  Soon enough it will all be gone.

The bad goes, too.  We can endure almost anything if we see an end to it.  Tough jobs, tough relationships, economic hard times.  All of this can be endured.  It's important to remember that this, too, will pass.  Try to see the bigger picture and the longer term outcomes.  Suffer now to be a champion later.  Challenge yourself to be patient and learn the value of perseverance.  Remind yourself again and again to remain calm and try to see past the current hardship.  Meditate more.

Martial arts training also helps us to appreciate the impermanence of life more fully.  Our discipline and meditation practice can help us remain calm and centered, and keep our emotions from getting the better of us, good or bad.  Understanding how fragile our bodies can be (and how strong our spirit can be) helps us gain perspective about our place in the world.  Study of Chi/Ki renews our awareness in the connection we have to everything arounds us - the Fabric of Life - and helps us not be so afraid of the inevitable return to that Origin which awaits us all.  We are ONE. Unchanged.  But always changing.

Peace.

Reflections on The Road

Wow, it's been a long road.  I realized that I've been in and around martial arts some way or another for the past 37 years.  During that time, I have explored a variety of different arts including boxing, wrestling, fencing, karate, judo, ninjutsu, iaijutsu, kenjutsu, aikido and kali.  I have achieved black belt ranks in 4 arts (ninjutsu, iaijutsu, aikido, kali) and continue to study kali and express the other arts in it.

It was not a planned approach.  It has been more of a random walk, but I have been very lucky to have had the best instructors guide me throughout.  Time and again, I have met and been inspired by people who showed me the keys to open new doors (thank you Guro Claes) and helped me recognize and remember the connection between mind/body/spirit that underpins what we do.  My teachers called me to a higher purpose in service of my fellow souls, and challenged me to accept that Martial Arts would be much more than just punching and kicking.

I'd like to say that I never gave up - that I still continue training every art I learned.
That's only partially true.  I definitely incorporate everything I have done into my Kali flow, as I should.  However, I no longer actively train Yoshinkan Aikido, Takeda Ryu Aikijujutsu, Ninkage Ryu Ninjutsu or Kiyama Ryu Kenjutsu.  In most cases it's because my teachers have stopped teaching or because I have moved away from them.  Even in Kali Majapahit, which I teach currently, my teachers are in other countries and I am mostly left to build on their basics and discover the art through my own practice.  I am doing my best and I hope they will see some progress in between meeting me.

My martial arts is a core part of my identity.  It is central to who I am and how I am, and I cannot imagine ever being without it.  Achievement of black belt ranks has been a welcome recognition of my commitment but was never the end goal - nor the end - of any part of my training.

Sometimes students stall - for whatever reason - and they can't seem to progress as fast as others.  In some cases, it seems like they really don't progress at all.  This can be frustrating and cause them to lose hope and ultimately stop training entirely.  Maybe they feel ashamed or lose motivation if they don't go fast enough.

The reality is that we will all have peaks and valleys in the training, and especially over a lifetime in the arts things will change from time to time.  It is most important to find your way back to the Path, in whatever form it takes, so your personal journey can continue.

Progress can be measured in days and weeks, but it is the years that matter most.

I am grateful to all my teachers, fellow instructors and students for making my journey so fulfilling.
You remind my why I started, why I continue and why I will never stop.

See you on the mats.

Are you doing all you can?

"Aikido is for everyone, but not everyone is for aikido"

I heard this expression some years ago and have never forgotten it.  When O-Sensei Ueshiba Morihei created modern aikido after the second world war, he wanted an art that leveraged his traditional background of sword, staff and jujitsu.  As well, he wanted an art that would be useful for self-defense (modern rather than battlefield) and that would be applicable in a variety of situations both by average citizens as well as law enforcement.  He wanted something moral and ethical that would promote spirituality, health and well-being and also a sense of calm among the practitioners.  Thus, aikido (The Way of Harmony) came to be.

I love aikido deeply and consider it a cornerstone of who I am as a martial artist and as a person.  You don't do aikido TO someone, you do aikido WITH someone, and I admire the connectedness and unity that aikido gives to how we move.  I think it truly is for everyone, and as a martial artist it is a great art to spend time exploring.

However, everyone is not for aikido.  What does this mean?
Many people are not ready for an art as holistic as aikido.  They want a movie/TV martial art served in 30 minute episodes (including commercial breaks) that can be consumed at random, at leisure.  They don't want to make a lasting commitment to change or have a regular training schedule. They don't want to invest a lot of time or energy.  The worst: they want something which is more violent (see also: "tactical").

All holistic martial arts have a lot in common.  They all deal with each personal sphere (physical, mental, emotional/spiritual).  They all address ideas of connectedness and community.  They all focus on health and personal development, bringing positive confidence to their students.  They all instill discipline and build skills in goal setting and leadership.  They all offer a lifetime journey of exploration and discovery which leads to personal growth and continuous learning.

I am deeply fortunate to have had such a wonderful experience and been influenced by so many amazing teachers over the past 38 years in and around martial arts.  Some have been coaches.  Some have been instructors.  Some have been scientists.  Many are still influencing me today.  Along my journey, I have been able to find keys to open doors, and this has led to new paths of discovery that have kept this path so interesting and fulfilling.  Martial arts has been my greatest investment in myself, and it continues to pay huge dividends every single day.

I want you to recognize, if you don't already, that the choice to learn martial arts in a holistic school, with a good instructor, can be the turning point in your life.  It can be so much more than punching and kicking.  It can bring you so much more than you ever dreamed.  But to get this, you have to be there FOR YOU.  You have to want every benefit and every bit of knowledge.  You have to seek it rather than wait for it to be handed to you.  You have to take ownership of your journey rather than just be led.  You have to do all you can - FOR YOU.

We all have such an incredible opportunity.
Let's make the most of it - together.

Start With Why

(thanks for the inspiration IDP)

A great intro by a very clever guy - Simon Sinek.  There are links to his full length TED talk, as well as his book specifically on the topic for those so inclined.

The idea is as simple as it is revolutionary, at least for most of us.  Starting with WHY helps us identify the motivation for action, creating the desire to change.  We can then determine the process for change and ultimately the result of the change - the WHAT.  In many companies, and for many people  the WHAT rather than the HOW is the starting point.

This is very important to us as martial artists as well.  Many students consider only the what: what techniques, what systems/subsystems, what skills, what belts/ranks/certifications...  Some few get as far as the How: training methods and drills, skills development, methodology, tactics and strategy, philosophy/history/culture.  Many will never even consider the Why.  However, it is very important to understand WHY we study and train martial arts in order to make sure that we are planning the right process and framework to achieve our goals.  For example, If my WHY (motivation) is purely self defense, this will lead to a different set of HOW and WHAT than if I am interested in competition performance or fight choreography or cultural study.

Periodically we need to ask ourselves WHY.  Why are we doing what we do, but also WHY the techniques, training, drills, flows are the way they are.  Many students go through years of being spoon fed every combination and flow.  They mimic their seniors and teachers and do their best to move like we do.  While this is inevitable for beginners, by the time a student is reaching higher level they simply MUST be finding their own flow and learning to express their uniqueness in the art.  The beauty of Kali comes from the fact that it is so individual and that no two teachers move exactly the same way.  The incredible richness and variety of our Southeast Asian heritage gives us so much to draw upon, and once we combine this with our own body type and how we move, we will naturally arrive at our own unique expressions.  It is an ART, after all.

We obsess about the answers to things when it is the QUESTIONS, questions like WHY, that are much more important.  Asking good questions requires deep thinking and analysis; it requires data and hypotheses, testing and feedback.  Good questions lead to good answers.  This does not of course mean stopping class every minute to ask "why?" about every movement.  Rather, the goal should be to reflect deeply on what happened in class on your own.  Consider your own movement, the movement of your partner(s) and the situations.  Let your mind explore every aspect of everything you do and turn it over again and again - dissecting every moment until you can wring all possible understanding from it.  Be deeply intellectually curious about yourself, your partners and the art.  Discuss it with other students and other martial artists from different styles without any judgement over who is right or wrong.  Compare and contrast until you can arrive at a clear understanding of what, how and why you do what you do.  After reflection, bring your questions forward to your instructors before or after class.

Start with Why.

The More You Know

(thanks for the inspiration KJ and KJ)

A month is a long time away.  I left the US with my family on June 29 and by the time I get home it will be July 25 - almost a month on the road.  It's been a busy trip, including a week with my family in Taos, New Mexico. A week of thought leadership listening and learning with my team in Redmond, Washington.  A week of Inspiration with 40,000 people at Microsoft Ready in Las Vegas.  Meetings with my customers (and a few old friends) in San Diego and LA.  Very busy, indeed.  However, in between there have been some welcome times for reflection alone in my hotel room; in the airport lounge; walking from point A to Point B.

I've been in and around the martial arts since I was 14 years old.  Lately, my Kali journey has filled the past 10 years.  I know how lucky I have been to be blessed with such talented, caring, focused, devoted teachers.  I know how lucky I have been to be part of an art that is about Life and Light, about being the very best we can be and then sharing that with those we care about.  I know how lucky I am to wake up every morning and live a life that has beaten all the odds.

The more I know, the more I realize I don't know.

There is so much out there for me - so much of which I have seen only the briefest glimpse, just enough to tempt me to explore further.  I am humbled.

YouTube shows me so many martial artists that are so much better than I am.  So many people that are deeply exploring their art.  So many that are better/faster/stronger/wiser than I could ever be.  It motivates me to keep going forward even though I know I'll never live long enough to reach their level.  I feel inspired because I know I can do and be so much more, and so much more beyond that.

Thank you to all my teachers for investing in me.

Thank you to all my assistants and fellow teachers for loving the art as much as I do and for giving it with such commitment and dedication to so many others.

Thank you to all my students for being brave enough to take this journey with me.

Guro Fred Evrard, my teacher, let me in on a secret some time ago --- Shhh, don't tell anyone else.

IT'S NOT ABOUT MARTIAL ARTS

Yep, that's right.  It's about so much more.

Our journey together is about becoming who we are meant to be, and being the very best version of ourselves.  Martial arts is just the means to that end.  A noble means, but just that.  

Martial Arts can be the HOW but it is not the WHY.

The structure, focus and practice are there to help us regain control of our minds, our bodies and our spirit.  It is for us to develop positive habits that lead to positive outcomes.  It is to reinforce our ability to achieve our goals and remind us that we can do and be whatever we choose to do or be - it is merely up to us to set our direction and keep applying our effort - one step at a time, relentlessly, until we attain whatever we really want.

I love to share this power with my students.  I'm a talker and sometimes guilty of being a bit verbose (you thought I didn't realize that, right?).  My assistants love the art like I do, and they love to share it with you.  They are excited and eager to explain and to share their knowledge.

However, knowledge on its own is not enough.  It is only through practice, daily practice, that we own that knowledge, internalize it, and make it truly our own - OUR KALI.  It is for this reason that our class time must be about talking less and doing more.  Our art can be learned with the mind and felt with the heart, but it must be experienced through the body.

The class was never about me - it was about YOU.  It always will be.  I don't want my assistants to try and show you how much they know and can do.  I want them to get you to see how much YOU know and can do.  There is no place for ego in our dojo.  It must always be about YOU, the students, not us.

I can't wait to get home and be back on the mats with you all.

I miss you so very much.

Training to Train

(thanks for the inspiration KW)

Great discussion over breakfast with one of my assistant instructors.  We talked a lot about training.  Specifically, how to train for training.  What do I mean?

Most students show up to class 1-2 times per week.  At best they come to class fresh, alert, well-rested and ready to learn.  They are open-minded and ready to train in the drills and instruction we give.  At worst they are tired, distracted and unfocused - but we quickly put them back on track, at least for the few hours they are in the dojo.

This is training, of course, but it is not enough.  Not nearly enough.

Becoming proficient in FMA, especially in Kali Majapahit, takes much more.  We need to be facile/fluent with single/double sticks, knife defense, a variety of empty hand styles including Panantukan/Pangamut/Dumog, Hakka Kuntao, Silat and to be competent boxers/kickboxers.  We learn about a variety of other weapons including the barong, sarong, karambit, tomahawk too.  It's a lot to remember.

It is said that martial arts must be understood with the mind, done with the heart and mastered with the body.  This means that we must learn strategy and science (the intellectual component), apply it with our hearts (ethical and moral integrity) and commit the movements to muscle memory (the physical side).  All three are required to progress in capability.

Particularly the foundation skills - footwork, stick manipulation, basic punches.  All of these need to be fully committed to muscle memory like they would be in any other activity.  Professional athletes of every sport spend countless hours on the basics: footwork, swinging, throwing, passing, shooting.  They invest this time until those movements are instinctive and done at will under any circumstance.

Why??

If not, then part of the awareness must be used to execute the physical movement.  Unfamiliar movements require our focused attention - the more delicate/precise the more attention needed.  Once we master a movement through repetition we no longer need our attention there.  This is important since, in fighting, we need our attention to be focused on the adversary and their intention.  We need our attention to perceive any changes in our surroundings.  We need our attention to decide our strategy for each situation.  Playing an instrument first requires mastering the position of the hands, after which attention can be redirected to the sheet music, for example.

Sometimes students tell me I move fast.  Too fast for them to defeat.  This is simply not true.  I am not bigger/stronger/faster than most of my students.  However, when I start moving I do not pause or stop.  That makes me appear faster than I am because I act without hesitation.  How does this work?

Every attacking motion coming to me gets routed or "bucketed" into a particular configuration that flows through a pattern I have committed to muscle memory.  Once I react, I am always redirecting the attacker into one of these "buckets" where their attack can be processed.  Similarly, a pachinko ball does not pause after hitting each pin.  It merely goes to one side or the other until it reaches the destination.  So do I.  Regardless of the attacker's response, I just keep flowing into one of the "buckets" I have drilled again and again.  Then I end the situation as needed.  I've been preparing "buckets" like that for almost 10 years, and always channeling the attacker into them makes it far easier to deal with whatever attacks may come.  The more you train, the more of these solutions can be embedded in muscle memory.

We have about 4 hours per week to train together, during which time we introduce new material, show sample techniques, drill and practice our skills.  We spend time on our fundamentals, but frankly 4 hours per week is not enough to develop fluency in fundamentals very soon.  This requires work outside of the scheduled classes.  I often recommend students to train on their own, and this is why.  Striking and especially the flowing striking combinations we use in Kali take time to commit into muscle memory.   This means DAILY PRACTICE.  Even for a few minutes per day it is very important to work with the sticks.  Just a round or two of Karenza is often enough.

Train Hard.  EVERY DAY. Even for just a few minutes.  The results will surprise you.

Be a Man

(thanks for the inspiration JY)

   He stood up as tall as he could, coming up barely past my shoulder.  My son said proudly "I'm getting bigger.  Soon I'll be a man like you, Dad."  I realized it was a good time for a very special conversation I had been saving.  I asked "Is that what makes a man?  Being tall?"  Immediately he understood.  "No", he replied.  "So what makes a man?" I asked.  "Being Strong?", he suggested.  "Well, most women are much stronger than men." I replied.  "Especially your mom, for example."  "No way", he exclaimed. "You're much stronger than Mom."  I knew I had him.  "Not so.  Strength is not just your muscles.  Strength can be emotional strength and mental strength, too, right?".  He conceded "Yeah, I guess so."  "So what makes a man?" I asked again.  He tried a few other guesses: getting a job (sadly child labor still exists, even in places we have visited together),  having children (close, but just having children does not make you a man), having a car or house (definitely not).  He gave up.  "tell me the answer", he pleaded.

"Compassion"

Compassion. The ability to understand from another's vantage point and show sympathy.  This is what makes a man.  We all have the capacity to harm others, be it physically or emotionally.  A man knows he has this power, but he chooses not to exercise it.  Instead, he exhibits mercy and care for others, knowing that it is man's place to protect and comfort other people.  Animals do not have compassion, it is a uniquely human trait.  According to Buddhism, we cannot solve the problems of others, not all of them, anyway.  Each of us must own his/her karmic path, challenges and all.  However, this does not mean we should be indifferent to suffering.  In fact, quite the opposite.  It is our heart of compassion that connects us and supports us on our respective journeys.

This modern society tries to get everyone to hate each other, thereby dividing us and making us easier to rule.  This "microtribalism" encourages us not just to disagree, but to revile anyone who's opinions do not exactly match our own.  Cities are overcrowded and we are all far too busy.  These social factors push us to be cold toward one another or to waste our attention looking for some "invisible enemy".  Beyond obvious physical abuse of bullying or violent crime, emotional abuse of other children, co-workers, spouses, service providers and others is at an all-time high.  Video after video gets posted on social media showing police hurting regular citizens, people "fighting back" against the system and in general expressing rage at other people.  Everyone is "triggered" by the slightest affront and our default reaction is to attack rather than to engage, discuss and understand.  We've lost our soul. How can we ever recover?

In the face of so much negativity, it becomes even more important to consider the importance of compassion in our everyday lives.  Not just to strangers, but to our own close friends and family.  I see so many cases, some bordering on domestic violence, where men treat their girlfriend/spouse or children very badly - heaping verbal abuse and sometimes even physical abuse out of frustration over their own failures or insecurities.  Everyone feels like they are losing out - that they should have or be more than they are, which leads to feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness and despair.

Religion continues to be used as a reason for dividing us from each other, when it should really be the opposite.  All of the major religions teach compassion, but their worshipers are swayed by extremists who advocate hatred and violence against anyone who may believe differently, and the beliefs are used as just another lame excuse for racism and exclusion.

It's time for us all to take a big step backward and reconnect to our heart of compassion - our natural state of being.  We need to rediscover our connectedness to each other and remember that WE ARE ALL ONE.  The mass media can make the world seem like an awful place.  It's not (at least it doesn't have to be).  The reality is that we can and should make an effort to foster love, kindness and compassion in our little corners and help it spread throughout the world.  Strength and mercy go hand-in-hand.  Strength without mercy is brutality. Mercy without strength is timidness.

It's time to be a man.   

2in1 Seminar - a weekend with Sifu Jack and Guro Evan

What an amazing weekend.  Since our family vacationed in Brisbane, Australia last Christmas I had been in touch with Sifu Jack Leung, who runs several Wing Chun schools in the greater Brisbane Area.  Although we didn't get to train together over Christmas, we kept on corresponding and working on a visit to Tokyo for a seminar.  Almost half a year later - it happened.

As it turns out, Sifu Jack is very good friends with another of my martial arts legends, Guro Evan Tai from Hong Kong.  The two meet frequently, train together and have hosted joint seminars before.  When Sifu Jack mentioned that Guro Evan might also be available I was even more excited!

We spent two days covering a wide variety of topics, with both teachers taking turns and building off what each other showed.  Sifu Jack's Practical Wing Chun was exactly that - fast, powerful, effective and very well suited to self defense applications.  He explains techniques from a very scientific point of view, focusing less on the Chi Kung and more on proper structure, posture and breathing.  The many technical options were based around three simple entries (inside/outside/split) which are universal and common in almost every martial art.

From there we explored a wide variety of potential outcomes using different weapons including strikes/punches, elbows, traps, grabs, kicks and so on covering high line and low line, too.  They all can end up in the same finish, or be adjusted for distance and circumstance.

No one can learn Wing Chun in 2 days, but for all of us without that background it was a very accessible set of material that we can continue to explore on our own.

As for Guro Evan Tai, I have been watching his videos on YouTube for years and always hoped to get a chance to meet him.  For anyone who thinks his videos are sped up, I can tell you - HE REALLY IS THAT FAST!  Guro Evan took us through some flows with knife, single stick and sarong/scarf that were really interesting.  He moves extremely fast but with great precision, exactly as you would expect from an expert at his level.  He also showed us a lot of options, often bringing the same techniques back into the flow in different steps.  Of course we were only scratching the surface in these 2 days but it was really exciting and fun.

Both teachers traveled with friends and family, who were very kind and open.  Together we got to make a lot of new friends in addition to some excellent training.  If you get a chance to see them in Brisbane or Hong Kong - TAKE IT!!  If you see a seminar from either of them (hopefully both) - ATTEND!!  You will be very glad you did.

Great thanks again to everyone who came out to support and, most of all, thanks to Sifu Jack, Guro Evan and their Entourage for sharing and giving us so much good stuff.

See you again next time!!

Why I love Silat

In this cycle, we are introducing some silat.  I must confess, I LOVE IT.  Of the many things that we do in Kali Majapahit, including Sinawali/Serrada, Panantukan/Sikaran, Hakka Kuntao, Muay Thai/Muay Boran and others, silat is always one of my favorites.  Years ago, at the Peaceful Warrior Camp, Dakilang Jeff Espinous introduced us to a variety of movements from his Kali Silat Concept and I was mesmerized.  I have been ever since.  In the interim, I have had a chance to experience some fantastic instructors such as Guru Berni Chu, Sifu James Nener and Guru Maul Mornie, who deepen my understanding further and help me make sense of this beautiful art.  Of course, I was thrilled to see silat shown in movies like Raid/Raid 2 and The Accountant.  Silat was even used as a basis for the fighting style of King T'Challa, the Black Panther of Wakanda.   

Why do I love it so much?

Low Stances

While not exclusively so, silat tends to be characterized by an extremely low stance relative to other fighting styles (like Muay Thai, for example).  As a smaller guy, this is to my advantage.  Practicing the Jurus/Langkas is also great for building leg strength and flexibility in the hips and ankles. Some styles like Cimande/Mande Muda have very low movements and are great for lower body physical conditioning. 

Unusual Weapons

I've always been a "weapons" guy, and silat training exposes us culturally to some of the most exotic tools in the martial arts - sarong, karambit, Kris, sabit, tekpi to name a few.  Even weapons which resemble those of kobudo (sabit and tekpi, for example) are used in a very different manner, which means a lot to learn, explore and discover.  Years ago, I was fascinated by a photo of Silat master Eddie Jafri with little blades held between his toes for kicking opponents...mind-blowing stuff.

3 Levels of Engagement

In silat, things are happening all at once, often on 3 planes at the same time.  While the hands are engaging/trapping and striking, the hips may be in contact and the feet may be entering for foot traps, low kicks, sweeps or other low-line attacks.  The fact that these all happen simultaneously make silat an extremely effective fighting system that is very hard to defend against.

Fighting Strategy

Many people observe the jurus (forms) of silat and comment that they are impractical or ineffective.  This is often derided from a point of view that does not understand the actual fighting movements and strategy inherent in silat.  Unlike other styles which favor showing opponents a tight, close guard, silat is very deceptive.  Often the silat artist will "bait" the opponent by offering a (seemingly) very open and available target such as the head or groin.  This is done to try to "channel" the attacker into launching an expected attack - which results in their defeat.  The open guards are usually done with other targets hidden or covered, limiting the attacker to one good (irresistible) line of attack.  I love the psychological approach of making an opponent commit to a doomed strategy.

Silat is not a static art.  The goal is always to use footwork to reach a place of advantage, flanking to gain access to the opponent's back or using footwork to adjust fighting distance.  

Locking Flows

Having come from a background of strong locking/throwing techniques (aikido/jujutsu/judo) I truly appreciate the beauty of being able to control an attacker or project him/her into other combatants.  However, silat has a wide variety of locking techniques that are rarely seen in other arts.  in silat, we lock with the feet, legs, arms and elbows and lock both standing and on the ground.  In general, these locks are a pathway to one of two outcomes: 1) joint breaks/dislocations or 2) strangles and chokes.  Like quicksand, the more the attacker struggles, the more they are locked, in pain and blacking out.  There are also throws in silat, but less the kind of dynamic projections seen in judo or aikido, and more likely to be sweeps or takedowns, usually flowing straight into locking.

Silat is not a submission style like MMA/BJJ or Aikido.  The locks are designed to dislocate or break joints and usually lead directly into strangles or chokes.

Groundfighting

Filipino Martial Arts has its own groundfighting style, called "dumog", but this is a bit different from silat.  Styles vary of course, but some such as cimande are extremely low and centered around in groundwork.  Almost like the BJJ guard, these styles seek to pin the opponent to the floor where they can be attacked with brutal full-power strikes, elbows and kicks without being able to retreat.  In general, three points of contact (two knees and one hand, two hands and one knee) will be the base while the remaining limb hits or kicks.  BJJ is considered extremely formidable on the ground, but silat is no less deadly.

Adab, Adat, Hormat

These three words, Adab (courtesy), Adat (culture) and Hormat (respect) form the foundation of good silat training.  This is consistent with all good martial arts instruction and promotes healthy, mature and responsible people.  The silat practitioners I have met all exemplify these traits and I am proud to call them my brothers and sisters.

The great thing about Kali Majapahit is the contrast between the different sub-systems.  There is always a lot to see and do, and it takes some time for the mind to feel comfortable with the vastness of the curriculum.

Train hard. 

White Belt

(Thanks for the inspiration Guro Rose)

Starting something new is at the same time challenging and intimidating.  Especially martial arts class.  It's exciting to embark on the journey as a white belt, fresh and open to new ideas and new understanding.  At the same time, it's humbling to see the other students, some of whom started just a month or two before you did, looking like veterans after just a bit of repetition and guidance.  I've been in the Arts almost all of my life (all of it that matters, anyway).  I can remember every time I started a new style feeling like I had forgotten everything else I had ever done.

Kali Majapahit was the first Southeast Asian fighting art I studied.  I was familiar with wrestling from high school, fencing (especially saber) from college and boxing from my older brother. The others, ninjutsu, aikido, iaijutsu, karate, judo all had a lot in common.  Kali Majapahit, a Southeast Asian martial art encompassing Kali, Silat, Hakka and Muay Thai, as well as a host of weapons I had never used before, was a real struggle at the beginning.  For the first year everything felt wrong.  We fought right foot forward (Southpaw) versus the Orthodox boxing/kickboxing/MMA/Muay Thai left foot forward stance.  I couldn't "flow".  I was too stiff.  Nothing made any sense.  I kept berating myself, assuming I should be able to learn it all much faster.  I felt ashamed that I wasn't...better.

However, I was convinced that Kali Majapahit had Truth in it.  The senior students (Vince, Guillaume, Ben) were excellent.  The logic of body mechanics and physics was irrefutable.  The speed, power and gracefulness were enticing.  Guro Fred was very patient and kept encouraging me.  He knew my long background in other styles, as well as my frustration.   He assured me that I didn't need to give up decades or everything else I had done, telling me that it would all find its way into my Flow (it has).

The years teach much the days never know.

I have been running the KM group in Japan since 2011 - over 7 years.  With great support from KM HQ we have built a dojo of great people - a real FAMILY of like-minded people who love to train and share.  I couldn't be prouder of what we have achieved together.  Every year a few new faces make their way to us and join our little community.  Little by little we have grown.

This year many of my original students will test for Kadua Guro, 1st Dan black belt, a very important milestone in their journeys and a testament to their years of hard work and dedication.  Brining them from white belt to black belt gives me a tremendous feeling of accomplishment, especially seeing how they have also become great leaders, great partners and confident professionals.  Our future is bright indeed.

For our new joiners, you have some great role models around you that will help me lead you in the right direction.  You will learn Kali, but hopefully you will also learn about yourself and the people around you.  You will develop the confidence to succeed in every aspect of your life through your hard training and discipline.  You'll make new friends that will become closer than you expected.

Step by step you will change your life for the better, and this will influence the people around you.

So...if you're sitting on the couch...what will you do?

In 5 years your couch will still be there, but you could choose to be somewhere else - somewhere better.  Martial arts is an investment in yourself and your future.  Trust me, you deserve it.

Pugay.

   

The Shame Factor

(thanks for the inspiration IDP)

Great class on Friday and some great conversation, too.  Getting good at anything takes work, a lot of work.  At the beginning, everything feels so difficult and in Filipino Martial Arts the learning curve is particularly steep.  Because we learn so much and it feels so diverse, each new movement requires a lot of repetition to absorb and sometimes we feel we are hardly making any progress at all.

It made me think a lot about what I would call "The Shame Factor".  In fact, I am sure I could write a book just about that and its unique place in Japanese society.  However, when it comes to martial arts training this is one of the biggest traps new students fall into.

Especially if they have had a bit of training elsewhere, or think of themselves as reasonably fit/athletic, students imagine their transition into the FMA should be pretty smooth.  Grab the sticks and go, right?  Many of them are shocked when seemingly basic movements are very difficult for them to grasp.  There are so many details in each action, and so much happening at once that it can feel a bit overwhelming.

Then the shame sets in.

We start to tell ourselves that it shouldn't be this hard; that we should be learning FASTER or doing BETTER or not making the same mistakes so often.  This is rooted in ego and the feelings of shame.

The reality is that FMA, like piano or tennis or golf or math or chemistry or contract law or software engineering, has a completely different expression compared to anything else, even other martial arts.  Not only do we have a brand new vocabulary (which may include Tagalog or Bahasa or Hakka words, and I add in Japanese terms as well) but the body has a different language too.  To "move" like an FMA practitioner is not easy at all, despite how easy the KM Guros make it look.  At the beginning it is truly frustrating.

To get good, really good, at something we must set our ego aside, accept that we do not know and allow ourselves to move past any feelings of shame.  Only then can we freely invest the time and energy needed to master something.  Every Guro in KM has gone through this and it was not easy for any of us.  It will not be easy for you, either.  It will, however, be worth it.

Every minute you spend with the sticks makes them more a part of you.  Every step of footwork you do helps you own the movement a little more.  Before long, the muscle memory sets in and you can free your mind to focus on strategy and environment rather than trying to command your arms and legs to do the movements themselves.

O-Sensei (founder of modern Aikido Ueshiba Morihei) is famously quoted as saying "whenever I move, that is aikido".  Of course he was not born like this, and it took decades of practice for his movement to become so instinctive.  If he had given in to shame at the beginning, the story would have ended very differently, and tens of thousands of us would have missed out...

So, when you enter the dojo take your shoes off and leave them outside.
Take your ego off, too, and leave it outside as well, right next to any feelings of shame or self-consciousness.  You can pick them up when you leave after class (well maybe just the shoes).

Trust your training and each other.  You will get there if you stick with it.  I promise.

Being The King

(thanks for the inspiration BH)

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown" - Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2

Chess is a fascinating game.  For more than a thousand years, this game has been used to sharpen our analytical and strategic minds.  Chess has also contributed to our understanding of mathematics and psychology, as well as computer science.  Thousands of books and articles have been written about Chess and it continues to be studied intently today.

Despite having only a limited space and scope, 64 space and 16 pieces, the combination of possibles moves and outcomes is practically infinite.  At its most basic premise, this mirrors our lives very well - since we are also finite but with practically unlimited potential.

The King is one of my favorite pieces in Chess.  Many prefer the Queen, since she is often considered the most powerful.  However, even the Queen must be sacrificed if needed in order to protect the King.  This means that the King is truly the most important piece in the game.  This is ironic, since the King himself rarely captures another piece.  It is clever use of the other pieces, and a good understanding of the battlefield (the board) that makes a Chess master.  The game is a subtle blend of patience and aggressiveness that I continue to find fascinating.

There is an important understanding here.  In life, too, we are often focused on our individual contribution - our own KPIs - as a way of justifying/validating ourselves.  In this, we lose sight of the fact that the King's real power is the power of his supporting cast: the bishops, rooks, knights and especially pawns, that determines the outcome.  All of these pieces are aligned to protect the King and to wage war on the opponent.  They each have unique skills and limitations, but if used in combination they can be unbeatable.  Every piece matters, and each lost piece is significant to the overall outcome.  Sacrificing pieces is rarely an effective strategy and is usually not done without very specific gains associated.

Of course it is no accident that the role of the Queen is significant.  A bold partner is indeed a force to be reckoned with, and choosing a strong right hand to act in concert with the king and the rest of the team is key.  Using the Queen in a good balance of offense and defense is vital to victory.  Losing the Queen often results in downfall.

As BH wisely pointed out, the more senior we become, the more we act as an influence to those around us - the other pieces - making sure they are included in the strategy and aware of their unique contribution to it.  We can accomplish so much more as an orchestrator than we could as an individual contributor.  Using the King as a proxy for any other piece usually results in a loss, so it is important to learn how to adapt to a leadership role when the time comes.

In companies, the "King" (CEO), is also reliant on a host of other "pieces" in various departments such as sales, marketing, operations, IT, finance, HR to execute his/her strategy and keep him/her (and the organization) safe.  It is a reminder that selecting and curating talent is the most important factor for success in any organization, and the King's ability to influence others' mindset/culture is a big determiner of success.  Remaining clear about the roles of each group and keeping them aligned is also paramount.  Without clear guidance and direction, the pieces do not operate together as a team, and this usually ends in disaster.

Since IBM's Big Blue beat Chess Grandmaster Gary Kasparov in 1997, we have found that AI can be a big factor in chess.  Programmed well, these learning computers have the ability to perform deep analytics with a lot of computation to validate possible outcomes.  In business, too, strong leaders use data analytics heavily to validate their decisions and empower even their front line staff (pawns) to do so as well.  "Better informed, better performed" or so it would seem.

In martial arts the parallels to Chess are very common and well-discussed.  Even I have had a go at it.  However, as described above, it is interesting to consider that just like in chess, the different pieces yield different combinations of moves.  This is why it is so important to train a wide variety of scenarios and combinations involving different ranges and heights, different environments, different tools/weapons and even different numbers of participants.  Every variable we change offers a new chance to discover and learn.  Patterns and habits in Chess, like in fighting, can be read and used against us by a savvy opponent.

Although not a skillful player, I have always enjoyed Chess and appreciated its significance as more than just a game.  Martial arts, too, is much more than game and similarly can offer deep insights about how to improve our lives.           

Time Zones

(thanks for the inspiration Mike)

Here we are on this little rock, spinning around the sun.  This situation gives us days and nights and seasons as well.  It also gives us time zones, so my morning in Japan is evening in New York City and so on.  The fact that the times are different doesn't make one place faster or slower than another.

I was inspired by this video post.

It is easy to compare ourselves to others and think our lives are better/worse than theirs.  The reality is that we all have a different timeline, a time zone, for our lives and our paths unfold uniquely.  There really is no comparison.

Even in the martial arts, seeing someone effortlessly learn new material or pass rank tests and gain new belts can make us doubt our abilities or wonder of the training is right for us.  We can become discouraged at our apparent lack of progress.

The truth is that none of us were born with martial arts skills.  Even gifted athletes struggle to get their bodies to perform complex martial arts movements and lots of repetition is needed for muscle memory.  In my experience, since FMA is so diverse, no one picks up all the categories (varieties of different weapons, empty hands, boxing/kickboxing) easily or even at the same speed.  In my case, despite more than 25 years of martial arts study before KM, I struggled with many of the movements during the first few years and I am still trying to perfect them.  At times it has been frustrating, but I always knew I would get better at it if I just kept training.

Let go of any time pressure.  Relax and let the classes do their job.  You'll get there in your own time, and the journey will be worth it.

I promise.

Homework

Homework...remember that??

I have two boys in international school - one in high school and one about to enter middle school.  Homework means something a bit different to each of them.  For the elementary school boy, homework doesn't really exist.  After school they play basketball or do club activities, but no real study is needed outside the classroom. They are smart enough to let kids be kids - for the moment, anyway.

For the high schooler, in preparation for college, there are concurrent projects going on constantly.  In fact, time management is the real skill they must master since without it they would do little else but go to class, do projects and study for exams  - it's a lot like working.

In our KM school, we have 2 classes (Tuesdays and Thursdays) of 2 hours duration each (1900-2100).  That's four hours total each week.  I'd like it to be more, but I'm grateful for what we have.  Some students, due to work or other commitments, rarely make it to both classes.  That's 2 hours per week for many of them.

In each class we do warm ups and then cover at least 3 different skills (sticks/empty hand or knife/boxing or kickboxing).  In the new model that Guro Fred introduced just after Peaceful Warrior 2018, we will need to do conditioning/Tabata in each class as well.  That means that we have about 30 minutes of training for each technical part, plus 15 minutes each for warm up and conditioning.

Since I only teach adults at the moment, I normally don't give out "homework" as such.  During class time all of us, myself included, can forget the outside world and focus on our training.  We introduce new material, drill and apply in a variety of new ways.  My goal is to build understanding of all the ways we can move and solve situations.  I try to cover as much as I can in each cycle. 

However, martial arts can be understood with the mind but it must be mastered with the body.  The intellect can analyze the movements but only the body can perfect them and make them second nature.

This means that all students are expected to spend time outside of class working on what we do in class.  We provide videos of the material, done with great effort by Kasama Jeremy.  We are all available to meet outside of class for additional sessions as required.

My personal preference would be to spend our class time learning and exploring.  However, as a teacher, I need to spend at least half of it on repetition, since it is so important to develop muscle memory of our techniques.

The rule of 10,000 has proven to be very accurate when it comes to mastery.

Those who do their homework diligently always do better on tests than those who don't.

Anyway, wouldn't you rather do Kali Majapahit homework than trigonometry??   

The Big F U

Weeks later I am still thinking about the Peaceful Warrior Camp 2018.  Fantastic photos from our Peaceful Warrior Photographer, Elsa Girault, posted this week and helped remind me of that incredible time training with the world's best in the sun and on the sand.  As always, some topics simmer before being done and I am thinking about them long after we all go home.  This is one of them.

Every morning at 0630 on the beach we start out stick work with Guro Claes.  He is a Viking from Gothenburg, Sweden; a great big bear of a man.  Trust me when I say you want to remain on his good side.  Fortunately, he has a great big heart as well and has taught me much over the many years at camp.  He is a perfect role model in my journey to be a Peaceful Warrior.

His voice booms out as the sun rises "Someone is attacking you?  You tell them F@@k You!"  "We're Filipino Martial Artists; we're stick fighters. If he comes, you smash him!!"  When Guro Claes swings the stick, believe me you're smashed.  End of.

I'm still thinking about that morning, and many others we shared on many other beaches over many other camps.  Every time I think about it I know he's right.

With a stick or a blade in our hands we should feel invincible.  Many years of training have honed us.  Our weapons are extensions of us.  We can block any attack they try.  We know we can hit them anywhere we like whenever we want.  If not, we need to train harder.  Train until we are without doubt.  Until swinging the stick or the blade; striking and kicking are as natural as breathing.

I would call Kali Majapahit the "beautiful art".  We flow and evade, we strike and recover.  When I watch Guro Fred move he's like magic.  Fast, smooth and effortless.  Everything chains together in an elegant and deadly dance.  Nothing is coarse or crude.  Everything has a purpose and a strategy and it is all part of a never ending flow. It's hypnotic.  I love it because it is equally martial and equally art.

At the same time, there is much to be said for directness, and we often spend too much time getting out of the way with spirals and circles and evading footwork.  If it is part of our strategy, then fine.  KM is amazing partly because of the deceptiveness of our fighting tactics.

However often it is because we lack confidence in our blocks or our control of the fighting distance.  We lack aggressiveness.  We seek to avoid the conflict rather than dominate it.  We are timid and shy; afraid to tell the attacker "F@@K YOU".

If so, we need to train harder.  We need to train not until we welcome the fight, but until we feel confident in the outcome, regardless of the circumstance or situation.  When we grab our weapon or set our stance we should feel like a shark in the water - a predator completely in our element.

Being a Peaceful Warrior means that we do not seek combat, but we stand always ready to protect what we love, and we have the ways and means to do so without doubt or fear, confident in our training and our abilities.

There is a time for pleasantries and niceties. The battlefield is not that place.  If that time should come, we do what we must.  The greatest mercy you can give is to finish your opponent quickly.  Their last thought, an instant before they hit the floor, should be one of regret - that targeting you was a big mistake.

TRAIN HARDER.