There will be a blue (full) moon tonight. Perfect for my PasaRyu New Year tradition: be outside working on a form starting a little before midnight and continuing into the new year. I hope everyone on the forum will join me (at least in spirit).
Forget making resolutions-just do it! SUN!

Happy Holidays

I want to extend to my best holiday wishes to all my PaSaRyu brothers and sisters. I am so grateful for your support and friendship. I look forward to another new year of great health and training with all of you!

SUN!

Once Again.

At this point-at this time

PasaRyu Am Hak

For your approval.
SUN!

PaSaRyu SoHo Yun

For your consideration, my attempt at SoHo Yun.

Manners

One of the things I have always enjoyed the most about our training and the way we approach it is the focus on manners and being respectful toward everyone, regardless of rank, etc. Every class, I know that I will be treated, and in turn treat everyone in a positive, mutualy respectful manner.
On the other hand, outside the dojang where I am forced to deal with people who have no concept of basic manners, I find myself very frustrated.

Respect for PaSaRyu Il Dan

Oh, the joy of Pasaryu Il Dan. Every move-devastating. Every move requiring the orchestrated participation of the WHOLE body. Each move begging to be repeated, over and over again until all facets are coordinated to produce maximum effect through the weapon dictated: the Hahk Doo, the Soo Kum Chee, the Jun Soo, the Mae Soo, the Jhun Kwon, the Pahl Kum Chee, the Hoo Kwon, the Soo Doe, the Chaang Soo, the Yup Cong.
I'm sore, but not poor. I just got through mining all that GOLD!

A proficient instructor will guide, not lead. A leader produces followers. A Guide will produces more proficient instructors.

Drop it!

I am thoroughly convinced that it is more strenuous to use "no speed and no power" and drop your body weight into every strike and block during a form than it is to go full blow but not drop.
My legs will be complaining tomorrow morning!

It occurs to me that centuries ago, masters wanted to teach their students certain techniques: strikes, blocks, kicks, avoidance, breathing, rotation, penetration, etc. So, they arranged them into forms, progressively more advanced, as memory tools, to engage interest and simulate events where these techniques may be of benefit and provide insight and opportunities to use them in different ways.
The goal was, and is, not to learn the form, but to perfect the individual techniques.
In essence, the technique is a stand-alone form in itself. From the beginning of its execution to its culmination it is a series of angles, positions, muscle contractions, weight distribution and delivery, timing, turning and twisting, raising up and dropping down. A simple Soo Do Bahng Auh is a mind blowing symphony of nerve synapses and muscle memory.
How can one do it justice by breezing through it - anxious to get through the larger form and onto the next? Only to absentmindedly fumble through another one, two, ten or fifty techniques in order to complete another form and so on.
And still, your Soo Do is not much better than when you were a yellow belt because you've been doing the same thing for --- how long?
Give the technique its due. After all, we want it to accomplish what we send it out to do, not just fill space between two other techniques.
SUN! I will improve myself through self-reform and self-refinement!

Injuries

I think a lot of consideration should be given in regards to long term training and injuries. Just as typist, etc. deal with carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis players have elbow problems and baseball pitchers have shoulder problems, basketball players have knee problems, we martial artist tend to have all of the above. The problem is, where the other sports and professions eventually retire, we tend to see our training as a life long endeavor so we generally "tough it out", probably to our detriment. Stretching will help to some degree, but the repetitive movements involving twisting, jumping, squatting, high kicks and hard punches take their toll over the years.
Master Rhee often says "no speed, no power" referring to doing a form with proper movement and technique and not get caught up in speed and power. Now I "feel" the wisdom in that.
Any thoughts?

Belt Testing

I often wonder what people/students expect or want from a belt testing. As a student, I always wanted to have at least several chances to show my best techniques and I liked to be challenged to step up to a new level. But as an Instructor, I get to see everyones best and worst in class every day and everybody is prequalified to promote so I don't really need to see anything specific on the promotion day. I think that the majority of our belt tests are excellent, but I still worry that maybe we should do more....or less....or different.
I'd like everyones thoughts on what they would describe as the ideal belt test.

CWMAI Online Store

Check out our new online store! Just go to the GetConfident.net home page and click on the shirt icon toward the bottom of the page. Theres some pretty nice clothing items in there and its delivered right to your home. You guys let me know if there is anything else you would like to see in there.

Handgun Disarms

This is a clip of some handgun disarms I was teaching at Mr. Wolfs class a few years ago. We still use this set.

Confidence or Arrogance?

At what point does confidence in your knowledge and abilities crossover into arrogance? Is arrogance backed by solid skills and knowledge neccessarily a bad thing?
Thoughts??

Success

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self - satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.
John Wooden

PaSaRyu Tae Jah Kwon

Can't let a little rain get in the way of a workout.

PaSaRyu Jah Un

IL Soo

Here is our version of the IL Soo 2 man form for your consideration. Special thanks to "Iron Arm" Mr. Bauman for his assistance.

reverse punch defense

Often times in the dojo, we practice defense off a punch with the offender stepping forward and punching. The idea of this technic seems to be to remind the defender to keep a good distance away so that the offender must make a huge body movement if they are to make contact thereby allowing for reaction time. However, when we spar, we are in much closer range to our opponent and they never seem to step forward to punch. I would think that with practice, a person would be able to increase their reaction time to be able to properly defend a reverse punch aside from merely blocking it. It would be as if I tried to hit a baseball thrown by a MLB pitcher; I would invariably strike out. But start slow and over time (years that is), I should be able to connect with a high average.

This is all theory at this point. Has anyone proven this theory? If my theory is correct, then why do professional fighters (ex. UFC, boxers) allow their face to be cut up and their ribs to be broken?

SoHo Yun

PSR and My Evolution

"Punishment" (push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks) seemed to be a normal part of my entire journey from white belt to black belt. Like Master Rhee alluded, it was just part of the culture. As an energetic 20 something yr old with an inferiority complex it was probably good for me. I always considered the punishments as a way to get stronger and better. There wasn't much verbal berating.
And then there is the other extreme that gives a pass to shoddy technique and disrespect.
But, now that I think about it, I saw a lot a people pass through the punishment phase to black belt and they had shoddy technique.
My teaching technique for colored belts, (of whom I have little interaction with and this is probably why), is one of "honest encouragement" or what I call H.U.R.T. (Have U Repaired That (yet). In other words, if I told you at the last class to keep your assistant hand in the proper place at your side and you are consistently not doing it at this class, or your feet STILL are not at the proper angle, then you will be walking cat stances or long hiking stances around the perimeter of the room, both ways, with both hands at your side the whole time. (I purposely tried to avoid saying "at your belt" or even, "on your belt" because I now consider that too low for most people.).
Some may want to call that punishment but I prefer to think of it as "focusing" one's attention on certain details.
Of Course, black belts don't receive that sort of encouragement. They should be pushing themselves to excellence. SUN!

PSR Evololution

Master Crane,

I was hoping you could share with us some of the things that you've seen change or evolve in the PSR system since you started. What aspects are different, what are the same, good, bad, etc.
Master Rhee once told me that at one time, the PSR training focused mainly on fighting ability and toughness. Only the strongest stuck with the training. He said he deeply regretted taking that approach as he woke up one day and realized he was surrounded by a group of egomaniacs. I believe this period was in the early 1970's.

SUN!

Technique of the Week

NoPai

BaSai Sho

Yun Bee

PaSaRyu Chul Kee Ee Dan

PaSaRyu Yun Bee-2

PaSaRyu Yun Bee

PaSaRyu Jin Soo

Critique to follow.

No Pae - Creative

I got a little carried away with the video. I also had to come out of the Doe Bouk top with the temps being in the 90's and the humidity as well.

No Pae

Ok, here is my version. No need to point out the flaws. They are painfully obvious.
Note to self: level ground would be better, with no mole tunnels.

Meditation

Since so much of Martial Arts has its roots in Buddhist traditions, does anyone regularly practice (the largely Buddhist inspired) art of meditation? We start each class with a few moments of reflection and deep breathing designed to center ourselves into the present but I am curious if anyone has included the practice of a deeper meditation into their daily\weekly routine.

I have read a few books on this from both a Zen Buddhist perspective as well as a Judeo Christian application and have found this to be something I want to incorporate in my life on a more regular basis. I have attempted to meditate, even if that means sitting at my desk at work and focus on breathing, but I usually get side-tracked by random thoughts. In a nutshell, I can't find a way to quiet my mind enough to be able to concentrate on a single thought. (Yes - insert voices in my head joke here...)

So, anyone practice meditation regularly? Any hints on how to focus without having some theme song or TV commercial diddy pop into your head? Any thoughts on how meditation applies to us living in a "western" society?

Sun!

Quiz 1

Here is a short quiz. Master Pryga is not eligible to answer.
Why do we maintain our feet at a 45 degree angle, for instance, in the cat stance (meo bo jah sae)?
TcB

Feel Free

Hey Guys and Gals,
We want everyone to feel free to post your thoughts and ideas up here, not just myself and Master Crane. Also if you know other students who would like to post here, get me their email and I'll get them set up.

Any Ideas?

I'm pretty sure all of us are constantly looking for ways to improve our health, conditioning and just finding things that make us feel good. (healthy good)

I've always observed that different things work for different people and that it takes alot of trial and experimentation to really "dial in" the right combination of diet, exercise, supplements, rest and things like that.

I invite everyone to share your ideas and what works or has worked for you. Specific exercise routines, supplements, etc.

SUN!

Congratulations Mr. Viper!

I want to extend my best wishes and congratulations to our own Mr. Viper on his wedding this weekend. I wish I could be there to help you celebrate. I hope you have a wonderful time!

I'm here

Master Hawk,
Thank You for involving me in the search. Iwill do what I can for the betterment of all.
SUN!!

Seeing is Believing

One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing misinformation in particular about PSR, kicked around on the web. I have even gone so far as posting on some of the forums and blogs to try to enlighten the misguided jugheads who post some of the nonsense I have seen. I just can't imagine where these guys come from. My posts are promptly removed. (they were nothing bad)
The moral of the story here is this, don't put much faith in what you read on the net, or at least take it with a grain of salt.
Believe what you see, and feel, and know from your training and life experiences.

SUN!

Knowledge does NOT equal skill

Knowledge does NOT equal skill.
That is one of the basic tenants of the Mother Tongue Approach to learning from pioneer educator and violin instructor, Dr Shinichi Suzuki. Indeed, most of the major building blocks of the Suzuki Method translate directly to the martial arts and for that matter, most anything you want to learn well. A phrase that I naively thought I had coined in the mid 1980's, "Practice does not make Perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.", I come to find out Dr Suzuki had written down decades earlier. (I did add "if you practice a technique that is incorrect, you will do it perfectly incorrect all the time. He was more succinct. He said, "Practice makes Permanent". And so it does!)

I thought of that quote about knowledge a couple of weeks ago at class. There was a young black belt there (under 15 yrs.), 2nd degree, that was obviously very intelligent. For some reason, people have been conditioned to believe that the faster you move through the ranks, the better, more skillful that makes you. Which is one of the problems with using the point system for advancement. Many students are advanced (moved forward) beyond their skill levels (I've got the points, I'm ready to move up). That is very faulty logic. I have also found that most forms done super fast hide defficient technique. Ok, I have strayed, getting back to the young 2nd degree... being intelligent, he had quickly memorized the sequence of strikes and blocks and moves for each belt but had not spent the time to refine those moves (there's that "r" word again!). What resulted was painful to watch and worrisome because this lad was also an instructor. Even worse, I felt that my instructions to him were going in one ear and out the other. (Barely a "SUN" peeped out of him.)

I'll end with a Suzuki quote which continues on the theme...
"Ability is developed when we STUDY a piece AFTER we can play it with no mistakes."
Mull on that for a while.
TcB

As Iron Sharpens Iron

There is an old proverb that goes....."As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another".
While your fellow martial artists may be your friends, they are also valuable tools to keep your technique sharp and your strikes on target.
I have seldom, if ever, participated in a class where I did not pair off with another instructor or student and work on a two-person form, or the yahk soak deta, or simply strikes and blocks (those are SO fun!). Forms that are seemingly simple, such as Il Soo or Chil Bo, require hundreds of repeats with another person in order to develop the necessary flow of movement, shifting of balance and targeting. You can learn the forms alone and even practice those attributes mentioned above, but you can only achieve the subtle and not-so-subtle nuances of the form by having a physical opponent(as opposed to an imaginary one).
Pick a large opponent, a small opponent, a tall one, a short one, the most intimidating one, the most humble, PICK THEM ALL, develop, develop, develop, sharpen, sharpen, sharpen... You get the picture.
You may be 'using' these fellow students, but hopefully, they are there to reform and refine themselves as well.

I started with a proverb, I'll end with a Psalm..
Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle."

P.S. Remember, technically all forms are two-person (or more) forms.
TCB

Cosi Cosa

When it comes to demonstrating a form, Master Rhee has always stressed the importance of contrasting dynamics: soft/hard, fast/slow, strong/gentle,...a dynamics dichotomy if you will.
It not only makes the form more fun to perform but it is also more pleasing to watch. And since most forms are simply assorted combinations linked together into some cohesive whole, this dynamics dichotomy also makes practical sense.

A combination is generally a set of techniques designed to take your opponent to a non-functional state. Often, but not always, the end of one combination and the beginning of another is signaled by a change of direction and/or a 'kee hop'. While instructing, endeavor to point out these combinations to the students (age appropriate, of course). Once a combination is identified have the students execute it several times, a dozen times even, until they know what it is for and what the targets are. I recommend having them pair up and experience what that combo will accomplish against a real person. SLOW IS THE WAY TO GO here.

The brain develops muscle memory (a sequential firing of the muscles) through repetition, not speed. If you perform a new technique too quickly then you are more apt to be off target and lack penetration. In fact, you cannot perform at combat speed and achieve the full penetration necessary without damaging your partner.

Going slow however, allows you to penetrate (step through) and displace your partner. Your partner will be able to give you the proper reaction to your attacks, i.e. a groin attack will cause them to stoop over, hands to the groin and chin up. An eye gouge will immediately bring their hands to their eyes and face down.

Granted, it may take 1/2 of your class time to adequately cover one form but I guarantee that you and your students will have a firmer grasp of the form and your enjoyment level will skyrocket.

SUN! Why do we say it...

Why do we say SUN!. Good question. To someone outside the system (or even inside) it can seem strange, even cultish. A quick look in our handbook will dispel that notion. I won't go through the four Oriental Characters or the meanings attached to them here since we have all memorized them as white belts. But I would ask you to consider the deeper implications of the term the next time you are at class.
For instance, when I enter the training area and I bow and say SUN!, (and hopefully everyone responds with a good attitude as they should), I am announcing to the class that I have come with Honorable Goals. I am affirming that I will endeavor to IMPROVE MYSELF through REFORM (dropping old ways that don't work) and REFINEMENT (more on refinement later...)
And, of course, I am stating that I APPRECIATE the opportunity to train there, with them, and I will not COMPLAIN about ANYTHING.
When an instructor is explaining technique or form and we acknowledge what they are saying with a loud SUN!, we are affirming that we will do what they are saying to the BEST OF OUR ABILITY for our continued REFINEMENT.
When we square off with someone in Promise Sparring or one of the Two Person forms we always precede with SUN!, affirming to our partner that we have SELF-DISCIPLINE.

Imagine, all of that packed into one little word.
SUN!
TCB

Getting Serious

Last week a couple of us were talking after class about conditioning, strength training, supplements etc. A day or two later, Mr. Falcon made the following comment to me: "I figure I have only another 40-50 years left to get into the best shape of my life, time to get serious." Even though he was kidding around a little bit, he nailed it...right on the head! Now is the time to get serious. About getting in better condition, taking better care of yourself, having more fun, doing the things you always wanted to do, telling people the things you always wanted to tell them, spending quality time with your family and friends. I think these are the types of things we should all get serious about.

SUN! Hello to my Wisconsin friends and others whom I've yet to meet.
Thank you, Master Pryga, for your continued support and advancement of PaSaRyu.
As usual, you get things done in a big way. I look forward to posting some of the things that I have learned on my martial arts journey and hopefully through discussion and input we will all grow in the Way of Honor.
TCB

How to Post on this blog

You first must go to www.blogger.com and login using your email and password.
Once you've logged into Blogger you'll see your Dashboard, showing your list of blogs. Click the blue 'New Post' button to create a new post:
When you are done, click the orange 'publish post' button.

Open Mind

One of the biggest lessons I have learned from my training (so far) is the importance of keeping an open mind. I have found over time that people that refuse to consider others ideas and concepts end up frustrated and unable to grow, even becoming bitter.
I'll never forget the time at one of our seminars one of the guest Instructors was unfamiliar with our customs and proceded to tell me what we were doing was "wrong". I felt bad for him because he didn't know any better.
Over the years we've had quite a few people with prior training come in who sincerely wanted to learn what we were doing, but when they got into class, they just could not think out of the box or open up to new ideas and end up quitting before they have a clue as to what we're trying to accomplish. You can usually identify these types pretty easy. They are the guys running around saying "XYZ style is the best" or "123 style is crap", etc.

Welcome to the CWMAI PaSaRyu Blog

Hello and welcome to the CWMAI PSR blog.
This is a joint effort between myself and Master Crane, Tim Baker to discuss and share ideas regarding our Martial Art. We hope to get input from other practitioners as time goes by.