Friday, February 27, 2015

Martial Art Dualality: Healing & Harm

Friday Knight News

"We learn martial arts as helping weakness. You never fight for people to get hurt. You're always helping people." Jackie Chan 

Does your style promote healthful practices, or does it focus primarily on destructive capabilities? To be effective in ancient times the martial arts needed the healing arts to work in conjunction with it's destructive capabilities. This was true long ago and it remains true today, even though we now have medical professionals to call on. In the dojo we have to take care of ourselves and our training partners or we will either wind up training alone or not training at all. A lot of individuals that I have encountered in the martial arts are not aware of the healing techniques that are hidden inside of their martial art traditions. The big secret in unlocking these hidden treasures comes from closer examination of the techniques utilized in your system.

Many styles post thousands of techniques in their arsenal. Some of these systems achieve this mathematical sum by counting something as basic as a front kick multiple times. For example a front kick to the shin, groin, solar plexus, and the chin would count as four separate techniques. Other systems might count an outward wrist lock as a joint manipulation or throw, depending upon the effect the technique had on the attacker. Then again some systems would make a differentiation between an outward wrist lock that was performed from an inside position as opposed to an outside position. I have likewise seen where a technique that has been used to inflict harm has been used to invoke healing. So the technique is not what causes healing or harm, but the intent and the perception of it.

Image result for elbow shiatsu

It has been my experience that most systems only actually utilize between 15 to 50 basic techniques. That falls far short of the thousands of variations you can extrapolate from these foundational movements, but it is still too much to cover in one short article. For the sake of brevity and simplicity I will look at one of my favorite techniques and examine it broadly across the scope of its abilities. I selected this one as my wife was utilizing it on me this morning under the guise of applying a healing application. In all actuality she was applying the forearm to trigger points in my neck and trapezius to aid in relaxation. The general benefit from this practice is that it increases blood flow that promotes healing, and it also encourages stress reduction. My wife's first introduction to the martial arts, when we were dating, was demonstrated not by the application of martial technique, but through shiatsu as well as hand and foot reflexology. Then as her interests grew it went on to include joint manipulation, and stick fighting in the front yard. This practice often ended with the neighbors calling the police, but that is not the focus of this article.

Image result for elbow joint strike

The forearm and elbow technique is effective as a healing technique when it is generally applied to trigger points with a swirling motion. As the receiver relaxes, pressure can be gradually increased to help achieve maximum relaxation. The same technique when applied rapidly can result in a stunning blow. Often times the elbow can be utilized not only as a weapon, but as the target. When the elbow is utilized as a target, it is most often attacked with some form of joint manipulation. Although advanced striking art practitioners often target it as well. Most opponents utilized the elbow as a shield from oncoming blows. After one strong punch to the elbow, people generally move the forearm out of the way exposing the ribs. This was one of my favorite tactics to open up a fighter, but it requires a lot of maikwara training to do well.  In self-defense situations there are far more practical and effective targets to select.

Ude-hishigi-juji-gatame (Cross lock) 

Basically it all comes down to intention and timing as well as the perceived purpose of the application of the technique. The same gentle massaging application of the elbow to a trigger point can often be perceived as a torturous hold depending upon the point of view of the recipient. A thorough knowledge of the trigger points is also necessary for achieving healthful benefits. The regular application of these massage techniques go a long way with achieving and maintaining domestic tranquility. Who is going to complain if it has a side benefit of helping you to pinpoint the precise angles for pressure point strikes? Although, it might be best not to mention this side benefit to your partner immediately, it might be perceived as a selfish ulterior motive. But we know this is not the case as we are selflessly giving our time and energy for their benefit. It doesn't matter if we are able to simultaneously derive benefits by learning how to better protect and defend our loved ones. On the other hand there is no better way to accumulate enough brownie points for a reciprocal massage.

“It's all for healing” Fook Yueng

For a Kindle version of my book: "Enlightenment Kicking and Screaming", follow the link below. A customer's review; "If you are interested in the deeper meaning of marital arts, you need to read this book. This will help you in your journey."



Enlightenment-Kicking-Screaming

Below are links to some of my Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker" series. My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)

Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past. 

Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)

The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.


Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)

Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.


Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)

Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.


Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)

Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.

Jace Lee and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6 

Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.       

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