As discussed in On Relaxation, excess or unnecessary tension when performing movements can be a common problem in disciplines like martial arts and music. In jujutsu, the unnecessary tension tends to find its way into the upper body, in particular the shoulders. The upper body (including the arms) often feels like it needs to do […]
On Relaxation
Relaxation is necessary tension. Tension is unnecessary tension. Relaxation is never accidental. – Robert Fripp My jujutsu teacher was fond of this aphorism from Robert Fripp, founder and guitar player in the legendary rock band King Crimson. Although Mr. Fripp is best known for his music and work with Guitar Craft, my sensei felt that […]
Budo and Breathing
Eric Spinelli recently posted a great article called “Budo and Breathing” on kenshi247.net, a translation of excerpts on the subject of breathing from “The Essence Of Budo” by Kawakubo Takiji (1896 – 1985). Its a fairly detailed and extensive survey of the key components of natural hara or tanden focused breathing and a good read for […]
Women in the dojo?
Lately I’ve been considering why there is such a small percentage of women compared with men in the traditional martial arts. Like most things in life there are probably more than a few reasons for this, but as I see it the main factor has been cultural. We know that the traditional arts, with few […]
Sign posts along the way
Why should we be afraid when we find ourselves saying more than we know? That must happen to us, if we are to become useful instruments. Some have written like that, some have painted like that, some have simply acted like that. Then we must understand the meaning of what has been said or written […]
Are you stuck in the sympathetic nervous system?
Jonathan FitzGordon from CoreWalking.com has a good series of posts on the sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous and the role they play in our lives. The post on being stuck in the sympathetic nervous system seems to particularly relevant for many of us, and possibly more so to martial arts.
Is Slow Practice Really Necessary?
Here’s a good article from The Bulletproof Musician on the role of slow practice in music and martial arts (and really any body-mind learning endeavor). Is Slow Practice Really Necessary? by Dr. Noa Kageyama
Training with Joe Adornato in Austin
Joe Adornato visited the Hakkoryu Ken-Nin Dojo for a day a training on Saturday. If you or anyone you know is interested in studying Hakkoryu Jujutsu in the Houston, Texas area, please contact Joe Adornato at the Nintai Dojo for more information.