Visiting my Heritage

Visiting my Heritage

In martial arts we bow to show respect. I train in a Japanese rooted system based on a Canadian Style (Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu) and therefore have been bowing in the Japanese style. What better way to show the diversity we have in Canada then incorporating another culture into a Canadian style of martial arts. The bow goes like this;
Bend at the waist with both hands on you thighs. Having done this literally hundreds of times in class, I thought to myself "why not put a little bit of my own heritage into my bow. I was born in Canada and have lived here all my life, but I do have a Chinese heritage.
The bow known as Bao Quan Li 抱拳礼" (literally translated as "Fist Wrapping Rite".
I found many interesting facts about it. Stand Upright with the body straight. Clench your right fist. Straighten your left palm to have 4 fingers in plane, and your left thumb slightly bend. Wrap your two hands together (the left palm over the right clenched fist). Placed the two hands in front of your chest, but making sure that your two eldows do not come up.

There are philosophical martial arts meaning about this practice: The left palm (with 4 fingers) symbolizes Virtue, Wisdom, Health, Art, which are also called the "4 nurturing elements", symbolizing the spirit of Martial arts. The left thumb is slightly bent to mean that one should not be arrogant or always attempt to be no.1 . The right fist symbolizes rigorous practice. Since the right fist is clenched, it means a form of 'attack' but with the left palm wrapping it, it means "discipline" and 'restraint/control in order not to abuse the martial practice".
So from now on I will incorporate the Chinese bow in class if Sensi allows it.

The Ultimate

The Ultimate Pushup

Earlier this year I purchased a product called Perfect Pushup by Bodyrev. I have been using it for the past ten months on a regular basis and I have to admit these suckers really work. The product is basically a pushup handle connected to a rotating platform and as you go through the movements of a pushup the platform rotates clockwise and counter clockwise. The movement will help develop more power in your punches and also strengthen your entire upper body including your core muscles. The handles on the Perfect Pushup position your wrists in a way that your wrists are not supporting the weight of your entire upper body therefore eliminating sore wrists after your work out.

The Perfect Pushup can also be used to strengthen weak rotator cuff muscles’.

If you follow the recommended exercise program included I guarantee you will build muscle and tone up by the end of the second cycle of the routine.

Tradition and Honor

 

Well it is coming up on two years since I decided to pick up a martial art again (Canryu Jiu-Jitsu).

When I first started two years ago I had some serious doubt that my body could take it.  I took Judo as a kid for four years and I wondered if my breakfalls and throwing technique would come back to me.

I am happy to report that yes, those four years of training as a kid paid off.  Break falls no problem at all and my throws just needed some fine tuning by Sensei.  It also made it much easier to learn new throws and techniques.

I am discovering martial art is not just about the physical but also about the mind, spirit and most important Breath.  I forward towards this coming year to learn the traditional and spiritual aspect of this ancient art.  This is something I think is missing in this new Mixed Martial Arts craze.  You put together the best fighting techniques of all these ancient arts to compete.  But the Respect, Tradition and Honor are not being taught as far as I can tell.  Our Sensei’s have a lifetime of teaching and Knowledge in them and they are gracious enough to share it to all that would learn the art.  So remember to not only bow to your sensei but also say Thank You.

Remember Jui-Jitsu is the Gentle Art not the “I am going to choke that guy until he goes to sleep or I am going to break my opponents arm” art.

Hello and welcome to my blog

This blog is a diary of a jiu-jitsu students journey towards becoming a better martial artist from a students perspective.