"Fighting in the pocket"

On Saturday's I usually train at Sitydotong (Muay Thai) with my coach Jake Steinmann. Sityodtong is a great fight gym. Mark DellaGrote, who owns and runs the gym, not only produces great fighters but also produces great trainers. Jake Steinmann is one of them. Jake is a sharp guy. Not only does he possess some very excellent martial skills, he's a great educator. This is what he does professionally. This combination makes him a very good teacher for Muay Thai.

Jake has been working with me on focusing my Muay Thai on infighting. Lately, we've been training with my back against a corner of the gym to develop these skills. Jake has been reinforcing my infighting even while we've when doing pad work. He has been focusing me on "fighting in the pocket." Meaning, I have to stay close to the other person to work on both defensive and offensive movement, playing to my strength as a fighter.

Sometimes, seeing what we should do physically to get the best results and play to our strengths, isn't as easy to see in other aspects of your life. After Saturday's workout, I started thinking of where I could "fight in the pocket" to better help me grow professionally or personally.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. While it's important to develop your weaknesses, everyone should understand where their strengths are and why they are your strengths. This reflection will help in continued development.

So, for now I'm "fighting in the pocket."

Makes sense.

Just Relax...Proper "mechanics"

My friend and teacher, Tim Cartmell once told me that the difference between good martial arts and great martial arts is your ability to relax and use proper body mechanics while executing to produce the greatest output of efficient energy.

This of course, is easier said than done.
It takes years to master the physical. It's no different than any other endeavor, whether it's swinging a baseball bat, hitting a tennis ball, kicking a soccer ball, etc.

But my question is, how can I "use" my ability to relax with "proper mechanics" that I learn in a martial setting and apply it to my everyday life? After all most of the time we all are working, dealing with loved ones and living a normal existence.

While I might be able to relax while rolling with someone or mix it up a little sparring; my ability to "deal" with pressure from non-martial stress often fails. Tension creeps in and clarity becomes muddled because of stress. The phrase, "keep a cool head" comes immediately to mind. This is difficult for me.

I find this type of tension tremendously difficult to contain. It's hard to have to deal with yourself. It is for me. I'd rather have someone try to choke me out or take some punches at me. That's external, physical, tangible. The "inside" stuff is difficult to pin.

High level arts can transcend. There's a need to work on ourselves by using the principles that we learn in our physical study. How and if we apply these physical principles of relaxing with good mechanics into our normal daily lives is the challenge.

Think?

Below is a clip of my good friend and teacher Tim Cartmell. Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuP6cApKAD8

A straightforward way to approach your martial arts and your life.

Uechi Kanbun, founder of Uechi-ryu Karate-do, had 5 Principles that can apply to any martial art. Special thanks to the Uechi-ryu-journal.com folks for sharing Master Uechi’s 5 Directions. Special thanks to Tim Cartmell sharing Dai Long Bang’s Xing I Chuan 6 Harmonies Principles. These actions can apply to any martial art for effective execution and power generation.

1 - The purpose of karate training is to build and nourish a strong physique.
2 - The purpose of karate training is to develop the mental, spiritual, and human characteristics.
3 - The purpose of karate training is never to attack, but to defend only.
4 - The purpose of karate training is never to fight or harm others in any way by actions, words, or thoughts.
5 - The purpose of karate training is to develop stamina, endurance, and patience in order to calmly accept life’s responsibilities and overcome any difficult situation.

The Six harmonies refer to the Three Internal Harmonies and the three External Harmonies:

The three Internal Harmonies are -

The heart or desire harmonizes [coordinate] with the intent,
The intent harmonizes with the Qi or vital energy,
The Qi harmonizes with the physical strength –

Three External Harmonies –
The shoulders harmonize [coordinate] with the hips,
The elbows harmonize with the knees,
The hands harmonize with the feet.

Positivity...KenFlo Style

I talked with my friend Kenny Florian today. Kenny is a MMA fighter who is enjoying a very successful career. A lot of people know Kenny as a tough competitor. A lot of people don't know that as tough as he is physically, he's much stronger mentally. One of Kenny's strengths that keeps him at the top of his profession is perseverance.

Talking to Kenny today reminded me that a positive attitude is imperative to any endeavor. Kenny is often judged by critics as being too small and too weak.

Kenny doesn't listen to critics. Kenny listens to himself.

Because of his faith in himself and his ability, Kenny possesses a confidence that is fostered by an iron-clad work ethic and an acute awareness of his spiritual beliefs.

Generally, when people think of mixed martial artists, they think of kick-ass tough guys who like nothing more than pummeling someone into submission. Compare this to a traditional discipline like Karate-do, which is usually thought of as a more peaceful or serene form of martial art. Mixed martial arts seem primal and injurious.

Kenny Florian, however, possesses a socially conscious and spiritual ethic that often takes most UFC fans by surprise. He is the quintessential example of what we strive to achieve through the vehicle of traditional martial arts.

While some mixed martial artists are focused primarily on their public persona, Kenny is focused on his self imposed expectations of his mind and body. This endeavor, for Kenny, is a work in progress whose finality will be achieved not when Kenny wins a world title, but when Kenny Florian deems it so.

I'm proud to call him my friend.

The Vehicle...for me

… What is apparent is seldom the objective. The vehicle here is a martial art, but, we ourselves are the objects of study. What happens to us, our reactions to what happens, and our efforts to influence these happenings are at the core of our fascination. Although it is an individual art, the study takes place in a group setting requiring cooperation, mutual respect, self-control, and diligence. Martial arts is a physically demanding activity, but is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

So, the rhetorical question really is - where really is the fight? Physical chess? I've heard it described as such. Step out there and expose yourself; that's where you face yourself. Isn't it? Excuses come easily; pushing through is where you learn about yourself.

Martial arts is a vehicle for some. It is an exercise for others. For all of us, though, it is a means to an end.

What is it for you?