A Nonprofit, Democratic Martial Arts Organization Of, For, and By Practitioners of Combat Martial Arts with World-Wide Quality

# 4. 2005

The international Journal of Combat Martial Arts and Sciences ICMAUA

Current articles:

Jeet Kune Do Ideology : Seema Rao, Deepak Rao (01.2005)

Shin Kai Do (True Way Harmony) Personal Combat System : Stephen Michael Monasingh (01.2005)

Brief Combatai History (The grand struggle to help all people) Robert D. Parham, Jr (07.2005)

Tinh Vo Dao “The Way of Smart Fighting Arts” Quoc L. Tran (07.2005)

Psychological Problems in Contact Martial Arts (Screwing your mind with Martial Art!) Deepak Rao (07.2005)

What is Tranjitsu? Quoc L. Tran (10.2005)

The World Martial Arts Union: James Perkins (11.2005)

JEET KUNE DO IDEOLOGY

By Seema Rao, Deepak Rao

Jeet Kune Do is not a new art or style. JKD is a principle oriented art based on the following ideology. This article is written to convey our interpretations and opinions. It is not intended to be a fixed truth. However, as any Jeet Kune Do man will tell you, there are no fixed truths in JKD.

The Jeet Kune Do Ideology is based on the following principles, applicable to Combat as well as to Life. If you are smart, you wil learn to use JKD in combat, but if you are wise, you will also learn its application in Life.

Simplicity.

Mechanically, the more parts a machine has, the greater the chances of it breaking down. Accumulation of techniques only adds complications. Being simple in nature, Jeet Kune Do believes in few tools practiced to the point in which they are extremely efficient.
Hence simple tools like the lead jab and lead side kick to he knee are perfected.

Directness.

A line, being the shortest distance between two points, is the most logical path rather than a curved detour to reach the final destination.

In being direct, no excess motion is exerted. For example, If an assailant grabs your wrist, some forms of martial arts may teach you to stomp on their foot, lock the wrist, take them down to the ground, and then finish them with a strike to the throat. The direct approach would be to strike them in the throat right in the beginning. Hence there is no punching from the waist.

Also, Interception is preferred to Counter & parry as it is a more direct path to the goal.

Effectivity.

Jeet Kune Do believes in absorbing the useful and rejecting the limitation. Only techniques which work are taken. For e.g. the sport rules of various fighting are discarded and the foul techniques are imbibed. Jeet Kune Do uses any means necessary to accomplish this task. If grabbed you may bite, scratch, or pull hair or whatever best fits the situation.

Non Classical.

Practitioners do not wear uniforms, they do not practice forms, and they don't waste time with complicated techniques simply because of tradition. Shoes are worn, and training with equipment is given a lot of importance. Kata was vertical death, joked Lee.

Open mindedness.

JKD is open to newer ideas and concepts which work. It is a constantly evolving art. Principles from Filipino Martial arts now area regular part of Jeet Kune Do teaching curriculum worldwide.

Fluidity.

Jeet Kune Do believes in flowing, there is never an opposition to the forces and energies exerted by the opponent. All JKD techniques and responses are in accordance with the ‘flow’. Jeet Kune Do does not rely on one specific technique or another to counter an opponent. You should be able to adapt to the situation at hand. As an attack approaches, you adapt to it with the appropriate response. The opponents attack becomes your attack, as you fit into the opening created. Deflective parrying is preferred to rigid blocking. The rigid and unbending is the disciple of death, the soft and yielding the disciple of Life.

Economy of motion

Use the least possible movement to achieve your goal. Evasion is preferred to parrying and Interception is preferred to Counter & parry. Trapping from close quarters is preferred to moving away from an attack and then stepping in to counter. Sidestepping is preferred to retreat.

No Pick & Choose

In the beauty of spring, there is no for or against. All branches grow, some short, some long. Make a hairbreadth difference and heaven and earth will fall apart. Jeet Kune Do does not distinguish between one technique and another, favoring neither but supports a better and simpler application of every technique.

Balance

JKD is balance of opposites. Meet hardness with softness. Meet softness with hardness. Opposite’s compliment each other not oppose. Therefore domination has to be complimented with yielding wherever necessary. Be soft, yet not yielding, be firm, yet not hard.

Comfort in all Ranges

Jeet Kune Do teaches you to be comfortable in all ranges. One learns to accommodate to the situation. Lee says “Be like water. It is insubstantial. It assumes the shape of the bowl.” Thus the JKD man fights and adapts to Long weapons range, Kicking, Punching, Knee-Elbow-Trapping, Grappling & Groundwork ranges. He also is the master of entry & Exit into & from all ranges

Adaptability

The legendary Lee states that JKD can "fit in with any style". This does not mean that Jeet Kune Do can be added to any style to make it more efficient, or vice versa. What it probably does mean is that Jeet Kune Do can counter an adversary regardless of their style or system. JKD believes that the basic body movement of all techniques from various different styles is always similar.

Longest Weapon on nearest target

Use your longest and strongest reach on the opponents nearest and most vulnerable target. In the words of Winston Churchill ‘If you hit your opponent, hit him with all your might or don’t hit him at all’ . Thus the lead hand and lead foot is preferred to using the rear hand and foot.

Non Conditional

The JKD exponent defies conditioning. The Jeet Kune Do man prefers to condition his opponent to a regular rhythm and then break it. He himself remaining free and resistant to conditioning.

Non Telegraphic

All JKD attack comes without forewarning or pullback. The punches donot start from the waist and the kicks do not start from the hips.

Individual more important than the system

All systems are incapable of pliability and adaptability. The truth is outside of all fixed systems. So to find liberation in the arts, one must go beyond the system, beyond Judo or karate or Boxing, one must even go beyond JKD. As Jeet Kune Do is just a concept and not a fixed gospel.

Experience over Technique

In JKD experience is valued over and above technique. Experience teaches response and this is valuable compared to executing conditioned technique. The Jeet Kune Do man has experienced boxing, kicking 7 grappling instead of having learnt techniques from Boxing, Kicking and grappling arts.

Teach how to Find Technique

If you fish for a man, you will fend him for one meal. But, if you teach a man how to fish, you will fend him for life. Thus the fighting principles take precedence over individual technique.

Strategy

If there is a tactic, a strategy that makes you reach the goal faster, it must be resorted to. However one must distinguish between strategy and technical cunning. Therefore almost all attack in Jeet Kune Do is indirect, with feints & deception.

Absorb what is useful

Take what is useful to you, what works and develop from here. So develop what comes naturally to you rather than learn complicated technique. If you are big framed and heavy and have a natural penchant for grappling, well start your journey from there and develop further.

Hack away the unessential

Reject the rules, the limitations. Absorb the foul techniques of sport martial arts and use them to make your fighting more effective. So Jeet Kune Do teaches you to punch the kidney, the groin and jab the eyes, use headlocks and hammerlocks in grappling.

Individual Uniqueness.

Jeet Kune Do is unique for each individual. The techniques that work for a big burly man are not the same as those which work for a small lean man. Each individual has to travel his journey to find something exclusively his own. His experiences which are unique to his self must form the core of his responses and his art.

Spontaneity

Muen Munshi. One thought. One Action. No Mind. For every thought there are two actions. Doing & Non doing. And for every thought and resultant action, there are a hundred doubts & uncertainties, a hundred minds. Buddha concluded under the Bodhisattva tree ‘Hack away the mind, it is the cause of all trouble’ the Jeet Kune Do man does not think technique, he does not hit. ‘It’ hits. The ‘It’ here refers to the No mindedness of the great origin.

No Limitation as Limitation

In Jeet Kune Do there are no limitations. For every rule there is an exception. The only limitations are those which you impose on yourself. So instead of this is better than that, the JKD man feels, This is another way of doing it! Hence Jeet Kune Do is a no Holds barred fighting.

No way as the Way

There is no fixed way. All routes lead to the same destination. Liberation. "Your Way May Not Be My Way, Nor My Way Be Your Way". In Jeet Kune Do You find your own way. The JKD man is no styles, but all styles.

All inclusive, excludes nothing.

Jeet Kune Do is not limited to only punching, or only kicking. During training, comfort is to be developed in all ranges. It is fighting with any ability you may have…..

Full Belief, Total Conviction, Commitment and Discipline.

We are here to question the answers and not answer the questions. Total knowledge is to question the Teacher, the teaching and the textbook. Once the debates are resolved, one must have full belief and conviction in his doctrine, unless proved otherwise. Complete commitment and rigid discipline must be exercised in its practice. In the words of Lee, Once the path is decided upon, there is no looking back.

Forever Evolving

JKD is forever evolving, getting better, losing its handicaps. The Jeet Kune Do practiced today will be different from JKD practiced yesterday.

The Principles laid down by Lee will never change, though our understanding of their execution will better with time as Lees timeless wisdom and intelligence will be realized.

Applicable anywhere

Jeet Kune Do principles are applicable to Combat, Life and every possible place where greater effectivity is desired.

JKD is towards personal Liberation

Jeet Kune Do is one of the avenues through which life opens its doors to us. The goal of JKD is to know our ignorance. Knowing our ignorance is the best part of knowledge. In the words of Sun Tzu, If you know your self and the enemy, there is no fear in a hundred battles. If you know your self, but not the enemy, the odds are even. If you know neither yourself, nor the enemy, there is fear in a hundred battles.

JKD is just a word.

In the words of Lee, Jeet Kune Do is a boat used to cross the river, once across, discard it. He also says in the Tao – If people say JKD is different from this and that, then let the name of Jeet Kune Do be wiped out, for that’s what it is, just another word.

(Abridged from http://jkdmumbai.tripod.com )

Authored by Dr. Seema & Prof. Deepak Rao

* All ‘JKD’ references above refer to JKD Ideology of the UCCA

SHIN KAI DO (TRUE WAY HARMONY)

PERSONAL COMBAT SYSTEM

By Stephen Michael Monasingh

1.The Shin Kai Do of the Kokoro Ki Karada is the True Way Harmony of the Mind, Spirit and Body and was founded in December of 1975 after Professor Stephen Michael Monasingh’s return from Tokyo, Japan and the 1st World Open (Full Contact) Karate Tournament, sponsored by the late Grandmaster Masutatsu Oyama.

The Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System is a pragmatic form of Self Defence which is in constant evolution and comprises of the best workable techniques (to suit each student) extracted from the Japanese, Brazilian, Korean and Chinese Martial Arts being practiced and studied.

Martial Arts Schools of a variety of Systems in Guyana and quite recently, the Bushite Ryu Karate Do founded by Soke/Junior Grandmaster (7th Dan) Sakhria Mourad of Tunisia, North Africa, are affiliated with the Kokoro Ki Karada International Organization of Martial Arts (founded in April 1963).

The KKKIOMA does not interfere with the administration of any of its affiliates, trusting in their integrity. However, the KKKIOMA operates on a Technical Consultancy basis and monitors the grading of its affiliates.

The Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System seeks to assist the Black Belt Martial Artist whom has harmonized his/her Body and Mind to the next level of Spiritual Development by channeling his/her Ki/Chi along the Path of the Godhead.

Kyu/Kub grades are issued in the respective Martial Arts Systems and Dan grades are issued in the Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System, based on the personal evolvement of the student. ALL GRADES ARE FREE! Nevertheless, earning such is not an easy task.

Colour of Belt

Colour of Belt	Kyu/Dan	Duration	Significance
White	10th Kyu	3 months	Water – preparation to flow into positive directions of forms and development
White with Yellow Strip	9th Kyu	3 months	Sunrise – awakening knowledge
Yellow	8th Kyu	3 months	Midday – the Glory of the Sun’s Brilliance compared with the understanding of technique
Orange	7th Kyu	3 months	Sun closer to the Earth – the Burning Flame of Enthusiasm for knowledge
Green	6th Kyu	3 months	Lush Vegetation – Body and Mind evolving blending technique and person as the rich diversity of the Amazon Jungle
Blue	5th Kyu	3 months	Beautiful Sky – Serenity of Body and Mind
Purple	4th Kyu	3 months	Royalty – Stability of Physical and Mental Development in preparation for Ascension to Leadership
Brown	3rd Kyu	3 months	1st Stage – Preparation for Leadership
Brown	2nd Kyu	3 months	2nd Stage – Preparation for Leadership
Brown	1st Kyu	3 months	Final Stage – Preparation for Leadership
Black [1 Bar]	1st Dan	3 months	Leadership
Black [2 Bars]	2nd Dan	2 years	Junior Instructor
Black [3 Bars]	3rd Dan	3 years	Senior Instructor
White/Red [4 Bars]	4th Dan	4 years	Junior Master
Red/White [5 Bars]	5th Dan	2 years	Senior Master
Red/White [6 Bars]	6th Dan	3 years	Senior Master
Red & White Checked	7th Dan	3 years	Junior Grandmaster
Red & White Checked	8th Dan	4 years	Senior Grandmaster
Red or White (with Bars)	9th Dan	Honourary	Senior Grandmaster
Red or White (with Bars)	10th Dan	Honourary	Supreme Grandmaster

2.Professor Monasingh’s Martial Arts History is as follows : 1963 - Judo (covered the 2nd Dan Syllabus) and Shotokan Karate (covered the 1st Dan Syllabus) ; 1966 - Shito Ryu Karate (covered the 2nd Dan Syllabus); 1971 - Kyokushinkai Karate (covered the 7th Dan Syllabus during the 14 years but graded to 3rd Dan because of internal politics); 1975 - Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System; 1985 - Taekwondo (4th Dan WTF); 1995 - Kickbboxing (eventual 4th Dan); 2003 - began Tai Chi C'huan (to assist in the growth of Shin Kai Do); and 2004 – awarded the coveted 10th Dan by the World Organization of Mixed Martial Arts.

3.Professor Monasingh’s Actual Grades/Certifications are :

- Individual Member (MD) – The International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS);

- Doctor of Philosophy in Asian Martial Arts (Ph.D MA);

- Doctor of Philosophy in Martial Arts (Ph.D MA);

- Grandmaster of the Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System: The Martial Arts Association – International – Germany;

- 10th Dan Patriarch and Supreme Grandmaster: Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System – KKKIOMA – Guyana;

- 10th Dan: World Organization of Mixed Martial Arts – USA/Japan Kyokushinkai-Goju Karate Association;

- 8th Dan: World Organization of Mixed Martial Artists – U.S.A/Dong Koo Yudo Kwan – South Korea.;

- 7th Dan: Founder and Headmaster, Soke of the Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System – The International Combat Martial Arts Unions Association – Latvia;

- 5th Dan: Taekwondo – Il-Do-Kwan – W.I.F.- U.K;

- 5th Dan: Taekwondo – Tang Soo Do – GNBF/GTSDF – Germany;

- 5th Dan: Karate – Kempo – WNBF/GKFI – Germany;

- 4th Dan: Taekwondo – Kukkiwon – WTF, South Korea;

- 4th Dan: Karate – Kyokushinkai – WNBF/WMAMS – Germany;

- 4th Dan: Kickboxing – CBKBT – Brasil;

- 3rd Dan: Karate – Kyokushinkai – I.K.O. - Japan

- International Self Defence Instructor: World Heads and Founders Society of International Styles –Saudi Arabia/Japan;

4.Professor Monasingh is the only authority on the Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System being its 10th Dan Patriarch and Supreme Grandmaster.

5.The Mission Statement of the Kokoro Ki Karada International Organization of Martial Arts is :

“Kokoro Ki Karada is not a Religion but a Way of Life through the Discipline of the Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul, by means of Martial Arts Training, for the Evolution of the Person to understand the GODHEAD. ALL PRAISES, HONOUR AND GLORY BELONG TO GOD ALMIGHTY!”

6.The Shin Kai Do Personal Combat System of the Kokoro Ki KArada International Organization of Martial Arts and Massotherapy Service’s web page is:

http:/www.geocities.com/kokorokikarada/My_page.html.

Brief Combatai History

(The grand struggle to help all people)

By Robert D. Parham, Jr

Archeological findings in the fertile crescent of Mesopotamia tell us that there existed martial systems in this land under those who knew themselves as Kushites (but sometimes called themselves by the name of the cities they built such as Summer, Akkad and Chaldea). There is also evidence of this martial art system in another land of Kushites who were the ancestors of the Pharaohs of the 25th Dynasty Egypt. We find descriptions of this ancient martial art on the tombs of Egypt at Beni Hassan. It was probably practiced by the ancient Pharaohs.

It is believed that this ancient martial art made its way into India. Through Buddiharma it arrived into China. However we find that the Shang dynasty (who were described as Kushites by the Chou dynasty) also introduced martial arts to Asia. The Kushite lineage of Asia is verified by the National Academy of Sciences,(the product of the Chinese Human Genome Diversity project, a consortium of seven major research groups in the People's Republic of China), and the Human Genetics Center at the University of Texas at Houston. It was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

This is the basis of the system we call Comba-Tai. Comba-Tai has it's origins in African Dynasties and Asian Dynasties, hence it is referred to by the linguistic term, Afro-Asiatic. We find that the Kushites erected great empires on the plains of the Sudan. These Kingdoms were known as Alwa, Nobadia and Makuria. These warriors fought under the symbol of the Sword and Shield and were both reverenced and feared by all nations. Yet, the Greeks spoke of them as "the most just of men."

James Marshall of Ethiopia and George Warren of Nubia brought these ancient fighting skills to the Americas through the Royal Warrior Blood Line of the Sword and Shield. They formulated traditional Sudanese wrestling contests through which a secret sect of warriors peacefully competed in the Mississippi hills (The types of contest they practiced can be traced back to the Nuba people in the Sudan). A young boy named Samuel Adams Jones became a champion of those contests. Moving to New Orleans and marrying Eloise Jones, Samuel Adams Jones (Dr. S.A. Jones) passed his skills and knowledge to his grandson, Alonzo M. Jones.

Dr. Alonzo M. Jones began to study Shaolin Kempo, Kempo Karate, Goju, boxing, Jujitsu, Judo, Iado, Arnis De Mano and Capoera from various Instructors. He became the Asian World Full contact Champion, Pacific Boxing Champion and Inter-service Pacific Wide Karate Champion. These experiences led him to found the system of Kempo Comba-Tai. Through this system he claimed the monogenesis of humanities' common warrior lineage. He concluded that understanding our common unity should influence warriors everywhere to help the world in the struggle for peace. When Dr. Jones Grandfather died, he became the sole heir of the ancient system of the Sword and Shield. He has passed his knowledge on to a select few.

Dr. Alonzo M. Jones tells us, "The challenge of modern warriors is to help others with the light God has given them."

Tinh Vo Dao

“The Way of Smart Fighting Arts”

By Quoc L. Tran

A Brief History of Tinh Vo Dao

Tinh Vo Dao is both traditional and modern fighting arts, founded by Sifu Quoc L. Tran on August 28, 1999. It is a system that combined techniques from different styles and techniques of his own. Tinh Vo Dao is a Vietnamese name literally translated, the word, “Tinh” means wisdom, smart or intelligent, “Vo” means Arts and “Dao” means the Way. The whole meaning of Tinh Vo Dao, in a short way of saying, is "The Way of Smart Fighting Arts". It was created to guide those who are serious and wanted to study and dedicate themselves to the martial arts and learn the realistic art of self-defense through rigorous training with great discipline and respect. Tinh Vo Dao combined both hard and soft styles.

What makes Tinh Vo Dao different from other styles is that there is no sport application. We are more interested in training in combat applications to deal with street circumstances and real life situations. Some of our technique principles are:

· Creativity

· Quick reaction movement

· Simple and highly effective technique

· Modification of technique to make it stronger and better

· Eliminate long/complicated techniques as much as possible, make it short/easy that can be used effectively

· Free expression

After students have learned such techniques and advance to higher levels and have enough knowledge, they can create their own techniques.

Our goals and purposes are to develop every aspect of self in order to create a mature human being who totally integrates intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. We train in martial arts not for fighting but to promote physical and spiritual health and to build a strong body. We also train martial arts not just for self-defense purposes but also to develope the atmosphere of respect, friendship, brotherhood, cooperation, to stop violence among people, resolve conflicts within ourselves and promote world peace.

A Brief Philosophy of Tinh Vo Dao

Tinh Vo Dao is a realistic form of self-defense. It is simple, easy and effective. We are not interested in any highly complicated techniques; we like to keep everything simple and easy to learn. When students are trained in Tinh Vo Dao, they are expected to be serious, open-minded, willing to learn and prepared to take any challenges. Tinh Vo Dao is a journey with no destination. During the journey, students will find training in Tinh Vo Dao fun and enjoyable. Since Tinh Vo Dao is a combination of many martial arts styles, it will help students to become well-rounded martial artist. Our goal is to do whatever we can to make sure our students reach the maximum of their martial arts goals.

Some expectation from students:

· Students should always show respect to their instructor.

· Students should treat each other as brother and sister.

· Students should learn to help one another and love one another.

· Students should show respect and be kind to each other at all time.

· Students should not use their martial arts skill toward their enemies unless necessary.

· Students should keep away from any confrontation and always avoid conflicts.

· Students should show positive attitudes at all time.

· Students should never use their martial arts skill to harm anyone.

· Students should always respect other martial art styles and schools.

· Students should only use their martial arts skill for self-defense and protect others from danger.

· Students should learn not to be selfish but always shared what they have with others.

· Students should learn to live simple, happily and peacefully without too much expectation.

· Students should always be humble.

· Students should have compassion for others.

Student's Code of Conduct:

· Respect

· Discipline

· Integrity

· Honor

· Pride

Tinh Vo Dao Curriculum Includes

· Hand Techniques

· Foot Techniques

· Self Defense

· Sparring

· Controlling Techniques

· Falling Techniques

· Throws and Takedowns Techniques

· Evasive Maneuvers

· Grappling

· Combat Drills

· Standing Combat

· Close Combat

· Ground Combat

· Gun Defense

· Knife Defense

· Weapon Disarming

· Weapons: Nunchaku, Short Stick, Staff, Spear, Cane, Sword, Etc.

…and much more!

Ranking System

White Belt
Yellow Belt
Orange Belt
Blue Belt
Green Belt
Red Belt
1st Degree Black Belt - 7th Degree Black Belt

Lowest Rank is White Belt
Highest Rank is 7th Degree Black Belt

Title

White Belt - Red Belt [STUDENT]
1st Degree Black Belt - 3rd Degree Black Belt [INSTRUCTOR]
4th Degree Black Belt - 6th Degree Black Belt [MASTER]
7th Degree Black Belt [GRAND MASTER]

Psychological Problems in Contact Martial Arts

(Screwing your mind with Martial Art!)

By Deepak Rao

This article refers to common psychological problems encountered by the trainee student while studying combat arts, particularly in contact oriented martial training.

1. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought:

Once you learn Martial arts, you can knock down any opponent of any size.

Correct Thought:

When you are confronted with a taller, heavier & more aggressive opponent, you are in trouble. Martial arts does not make a superman out of you. After a study of martial arts, you will understand the probability ratios of you winning better & you will be able to estimate the opponent’s strengths & weaknesses & use this knowledge towards your survival or victory.

2. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought:

When a student comes to learn any full contact art, he or she is of the impression that Fighting is a magical art, comprised of secret techniques. He feels that once these techniques are learnt & mastered, he can effectively knock out any bully or opponent using these secret techniques!

Correct Thought:

There are no secret techniques. All techniques are correct body responses & specific reactions to a particular attack. or form of assault. These responses are skills which have to be learned by the body at a reflex level, so that they can be reproduced in the advent of an actual attack by the unpredictable opponent.

3. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought:

Martial arts makes you lose your fear for fighting!

Correct Thought:

Martial arts do not take away your fear. They make you comfortable with it. Fear is a necessary component of human psyche. It is a protective instinct which gears you for a fight or flight. Fear must be used to channelize your action in the appropriate direction. There is a difference between fear & cowardice. Fear can either make u a coward or a hero. It depends upon how you channelize it!

4. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought:

The Senior student is always going to beat the junior!

Correct Thought:

The senior is person who has spent more time training than u. Like u, he too comes with his set of fighting weaknesses, like say, small frame, female gender, excess weight, etc. His journey is about finding a way around his weakness & also in improving his skill.

Many a times superior skill cannot overcome superiority in weight, height, aggression & gender. Females are generally smaller built than males & also more gentler in predisposition, hence less combat ready. Some people are more aggressive & may have greater drive, will power & determination to win. Some people are naturally muscular & possess greater strength, which may enable them to overpower their seniors.

However, the senior is to be respected, as he possesses superior attributes & qualities. He has endured the tough martial arts journey longer than you & risen to a degree of skill far above yours. He has tided through several injuries, numerous sparring bouts, strenuous physical training & is psychologically more combat mature than you.

So disrespecting the senior is certainly going to slow down your combat progress, as you miss out on benefiting from his combat experience. So, even if you beat the senior, you will not be able to beat his seniority!

5. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought:

During sparring, the Senior intentionally hurt you to teach you a lesson!

Correct Thought:

As a junior, the psychology of sparring is beyond your ability to grasp, so dont start guessing.

Sparring in the class is generally safe & supervised. The Instructor who is conducting the bout controls the sparring partners. He stops the bout when he thinks you can get injured, as he is more bothered about junior safety than senior, who is combat seasoned. On the contrary, if the junior starts scoring on the senior, your instructor may not stop the bout.

At the same time, there are certain experiences you must have in order to train in full contact combat. These experiences are being handed over to you in a safe & controlled manner, as prescribed, without serious injury.

So you are actually being meted out preferential treatment! So it is wrong to think that you are being intentionally hurt by the senior.

6. BEGINNERS IDEAS:

Wrong Thought:

I will get the better of my colleague the next time we sparr!

Correct Thought:

You must realize that your colleague is there to help you to put your ideas into action. To see whether your technique works, as most of them will not work on your seniors.

Your colleague gets a punch on you, good. Establish a relationship with him, so as to get comfortable working on techniques & sparring with him. You are both here to learn to fight your future opponents, not to get the better of each other.

7. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought:

I will correct my colleague in the presence of my instructor

Correct Thought:

In the presence of your Instructor, Never correct your senior. You will be doing the job of the Instructor at the expense of not concentrating on developing your own technique.

If your colleague makes a mistake & your Instructor is ignoring it, it will be because of a purpose, the correction may not be a priority in the teaching process.

8. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought:

I will dominate my instructor! - Dominatory Talk, Behavior & Attitudes

Correct Thought:

The student tends to dominate his Instructor by speech, gestures or attitudes.

Retort reply (Back answering), contradicting without taking time to understand, or refusing to acknowledge a statement all are speech dominations.

Placing your hands on your hips, Staring constantly, Facing away while being instructed & not acknowledging the Instructors presence are all gesture dominations.

Attitudes like ‘I don’t care for you” & ‘Not following proper respects procedure (like a bowing)’ & not following the orders issued in class are dominatory.

Dominatory attitudes are always noticed not just by your Instructor, but by all your seniors & your Teacher. In the beginning, you are often excused as time is given to you to develop correct attitudes. But later on, dominatory attitudes will make your Instructors lose interest in training you & will offend your Instructors.

9. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought: The student who wants to fight with his Teacher & score over him!

Correct Thought:

When you join the training, you have preformed ideas of your Teacher - That he will be serious, hard, tough, loud, stern & reserved in his approach.

However as you train you may find that he is easy going, soft spoken, comfortable with criticism, ignores your errors, & easily approachable. This may make you feel that he is “soft”.

As you train with your Teacher, you may at one point feel that he is not as seasoned as you first thought. This is the time to correct yourself.

Your Teacher has probably put in decades in to training. He must have been in numerous bouts, competition or otherwise. He has faced several challenges & emerged successful to be able to establish his reputation which drew you to learn under him in the first place!

If he is over looking your mistakes, it is because he understands your stage of learning. If he is soft spoken, it is because he does not see the need to portray toughness. If he is comfortable with your criticism, it is because he is patient with your faults & wants to give you enough time to learn. If he is easily approachable, it is because he believes that you have a right over him.

If you punch him, he will probably say ‘Good!’ If you kick him, he may say ‘Wow that was good!’ If you parry his attack, he may say, ‘You are learning fast!’ If you get the better of him, he may say ‘Hey man- You got me- you are great!’ But make no mistake – he has seen it all, done it all. In all probability he is just encouraging you. If he desires, he can show you his superiority with ease, but he will usually refrain from doing it. As he is not here to fight you, but to teach you to fight. And the goals are clear in his mind, at all times.

If you are lucky to sparr with him, remember that he will impose no threat to you, but will only want you to give optimum performance. Because, in the arena he has lived in, he has seen much more violence than you can ever imagine. He will have harnessed bullys, controlled rough houses & tamed more aggressive opponents than you can imagine.

So learn whilst sparring with him, because he is your Teacher – The only man who can help you to change your self in combat! And may be , even in life!

And therefore, do not mistake his ‘Softness’ for ‘Weakness’. Remember, the Bruce Lee adage ‘Be soft, yet not yielding, Be firm , yet not hard”

10. BEGINNERS IDEAS: Wrong Thought:

I will quit, if I get ego problems!

Correct Thought:

Ego problems are very common in fighting arts. Fighting arts precipitate inherent dormant ego problems.

When you begin to learn fighting arts, you are very apprehensive of your seniors prowess, but as you progress, you find that they are all human. They make mistakes, have weaknesses & are not as omnipotent as you first thought.

As you learn, your confidence grows, & there comes a time when you feel that your seniors & Instructors are no big deal & you begin to underestimate them. At this point, you must realize that you are on the wrong track & correct your thinking (as already explained before).

Now, during bouts or during exams, when you are beaten, ridiculed or taken to the height of tiredness, your ego crashes & you suddenly start disliking everyone who has shown you that you are not as good as you would like to believe. Then some students may suddenly want to quit & escape from the class which brings them back to reality.

If this happens, Know that there is only one reality. The reality of Combat – where there is only one opponent, some big horrendous unknown enemy who will cross your path in the future, when destiny decides……. And it is your training Class, your Teacher, your Instructors, your Seniors & your Colleagues who stand on your side to train you for that big fight!

And a good Martial Artist is one whose training destroys the ego, rather than build it!

“Punches and kicks are tools to hack your ego, your fear and your hang-ups.” Bruce Lee, Tao of JKD.

WHAT IS TRANJITSU?

By Quoc L. Tran

Tranjitsu is a personal fighting art founded by Master Quoc L. Tran. It is a modern style of self defense. Tranjitsu practice anything that works to survive in real life combat situations.

Tranjitsu deals with both armed and unarmed attackers. 60 percents of this style are focus on grappling and ground combat and 40 percents are focus on standing combat such as kicks, strikes, disarming techniques, etc. Tranjitsu techniques are simple and effective and continue to evolve.

However, this style is for advanced practitioners only. It is for those who already trained in other martial arts styles/systems for at least 3 to 4 years or has attained the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt or higher. In training this style, it is assumed that the practitioners already know how kick, punch, block, etc. so that they don’t have to waste their time learning the basic when practice this style.

The ranking system of Tranjitsu is from 1st Degree Black Belt – 10th Degree Black Belt. There is no time requirement for advance in rank. Rank advancement is base on dedication and knowledge in the art.

Tranjitsu is recognized by the United States Jiu Jitsu Alliance, American Federation of Jujitsu, American Modern Jujitsu Inc., Martial Arts Association – International, World organizer of Martial Arts, International Combat Martial Arts Unions Association, World Federation of Universal Combat Systems, and many others.

THE WORLD MARTIAL ARTS UNION

By James Perkins

The World Martial Arts Union was founded in 1991 by Master James Perkins. Master Perkins has been in the Martial Arts for over 30 years.

He has 5th Degree Black Belt Goju Ryu Karate, 5th Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do, 2nd Degree Black Belt Kodokan Judo, 1st Degree Black Belt Combat Ju Jitsu, 1st Degree Black Belt Sil Lum Kung Fu, 1st Degree Black Belt Shorin Ryu Karate. He is 1986 USKA World Champion, 1987 USKA World Champion, 1987 – 1990 MIKA Welter Weight Kick Boxing Champion, 6 Time Missouri State Karate Champion, 1986 – USKA Competitor of the Year. 1994 – Inducted into World Christian Martial Arts Hall of Fame

Seeing the direction martial arts were headed, Master Perkins decided to take a stand for the traditional values and ethics the martial arts was originally founded on.

Master Perkins began training in 1973 in Kodokan Judo with Master John R Perkins (His Father), in 1982 he received his Nidan. In 1983 Master Perkins began training in Goju Ryu with Master Jose V. Sandoval. He received his Shodan in 1987, Nidan in 1989, Sandan in 1993, Yondan in 1998 and Godan in 2004, In 1989 Master Perkins began training in Tae Kwon Do receiving his 1st Dan in 1991, 2nd Dan in 1993 and 5th Dan (Honorary) in 2003. Master Perkins also trained with Sifu Fred Jones in Sil Lum Kung Fu and received his Black Sash in 2003. Master Perkins trained with Shihan Kal Rooks in Shorin Ryu and attained his Shodan in 1995 and also his Shodan in Combat Jui Jitsu.

The main purpose of the WMAU is to bring the respect back to martial arts that has been lost over the years. We believe honor, respect and integrity should be the cornerstones of every martial artist. We have hand picked many exceptional Masters from around the globe to represent us in many States and Countries. We also sponsor a spirit of "Open Mindedness" in the Martial Arts and unifying martial artist of various styles from all over the globe. Our doors and our hearts are open daily to all individuals, martial artists, schools, small groups or large organizations, regardless of past affiliations, associations, organizations or federations. It’s required that members adhere to the basic martial arts philosophy of Honor, Courage, Dignity and Respect.

We are a organization of the members, by the members and for the members. Every Black Belt in the organization has a vote in what happens. It is also our mission to offer all legitimate Martial Art practitioners a home, without the political atmosphere, while providing them with fellowship, training, and support that they deserve. The WMAU is very thorough in their background research of each member that joins making sure every member is what they claim to be. In 2005 Master Perkins bought the World Combat Arts Union to offer a organization to those martial artist that are not in a traditional system yet, have a valid combat system.

The goals of the World Martial Arts Union are to offer support to Martial Artist around the world by offering training, discount equipment, affordable school insurance, Instructor certification, School Marketing tips and a wide network of schools, instructors and training. We also want to bring back the traditional tournaments that focus on technique not flash and gymnastics. We also intend to implement a child safe program that will offer instructors training and tools to help keep children safe in today's world.

Visit today and take a look http://www.worldmartialartsunion.us