We have in our system the 3 C`s these factors are few in number, but powerful in effect they are:-
A mind like the moon contrary to implying lunacy, it refers to the necessity of being constantly aware of an opponents movements, down to the flicker of an eyelash - the way the moon shines its light on all things opposite its faces.
A mind like water. Untroubled water there is a stressed need for the mind to remain calm enabling thought therefore to flow as a smooth stream, and to reflect the thoughts of an opponent as a pond reflects the images of all things around it.
The way of the willow tree. The strongest branches of the Oak tree will break in a blowing gale - but the willow tree bends with the wind. Confidence may be considered a combination of the first two plus the knowledge of physical fitness.
I find it important to remember these but equally to remember that the beginning is as important as the
end and one should not forget the beginning and just concentrate on the end but to use it to reach the end.
As one can go back to the very basic principle of a punch and slightly alter it to make a new punch,
therefore learning something new or one can go into the methods of how to make a proper fist and why,
which adds a new dimension and a basic principle as to how it relates to the five elements in our system.
One could go even as deep as to how torque, potential and kinetic energy is used to deliver techniques
therefore learning something new from the very beginning.
If one spent a whole life time sorely perfecting blocking techniques where nothing could penetrate
the blocking techniques then nothing else would be needed because it is so perfect, no matter how hard
someone tried to hit you they would never be able to penetrate your defences. So in theory they would
give up trying to hit you or unless you destroyed their attacking limb with a blocking technique.
In Martial Arts this is not practical as people would soon get bored and Martial Arts is not just about
learning blocking method it envisions many things and there is always something new to learn, whether
on a course under a Master or senior coach at club level there is always someone above you can learn
from or, they might see something from a different prospective therefore giving a new dimension to the
same technique.
In coaching Martial Arts I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that I `am passing knowledge on that I was
grateful for receiving from my Masters and sensei’s knowing that some day the students I have coached
might pass there knowledge on to other people.
I feel it is important for a person to adapt a technique for them self as what works for one is not always
fitting for another, but as long as the principle’s are the same the system will not fall down.
Developing the body may be most peoples prime desire to make the body stronger and physically fitter
through training in Martial Arts as well as learning a system for defending them self against an attacker.
At the end of the day it is the YI, the mind that I feel is the ultimate challenge to develop, this is HONTAI
(developing mind) the first word in our club name, RENSHU (training) Kai (internal power) and KEMPO
the system we are using to help develop the mind and body to become one to be in unison with each other
and the universe, not every one will reach this level of development but they will have gained much
knowledge and become a much better person within them self.