C&S Online
An Online Newsletter For The
C&S Self Defense Association
Fall 2003

Confidence. Fitness. Success.

Views From Around the Association...

Survival depends on your awareness. In pre-historic times, if a hunter was not aware of his surroundings, he, and other members of his tribe, might go hungry if he could not track animals very well due to a lack of understanding of their behavior. Worse yet, he might get eaten by a predator if he was not paying attention! In today's world, we may not be directly threatened by a predator, but there are still many things that require us to be "in the moment" and aware of what is going on around us.

For example, when you are driving a car - do you talk on a cell phone, or try and chow down on your lunch/dinner? When you take your seat on an airplane - do you take the time to check out the safety information card regarding the plane you are on? When you sit in a movie theatre or auditorium - do you take the time to scan for the nearest exit and make sure it is clear and that you know where it is? When you sit at a bar or go out to dinner, do you take notice of the people around you to in order to size up the threat potential in the event someone goes off the deep end and starts trouble? All of these things demand our attention and for us to be aware of what is going on around us in the event something goes wrong. In all of these examples, death can be the result of our inattentiveness. The next question I have for you is - are you aware of what is going on inside you?

As martial artists, we are trained to be aware of our thoughts and feelings. This can help us mature and lead a peaceful life if we understand the roots of our thoughts and how they can dictate our actions. As martial artists, we are also trained to be aware of our bodies. This helps us develop: better balance, better breathing, better stances and better coordination so that we can become more efficient in our techniques and be better fighters. Now - take it one step deeper. Are you in tune with your body to the point you can tell when something is wrong inside your body? Do you have enough of the warrior spirit inside of you to overcome your fears and to seek medical attention even though it might not be anything at all, or, it might not have a pleasant outcome? You must understand that your body is a part of your total environment that you have to be aware of it in order to survive. I would like to share a recent event in my life with you.

Most people who know me think I'm a pretty calm guy. I don't get easily upset and I have good checkups at the doctors. Ok, so my cholesterol was a little high a few years ago, but I brought it back down with a change in diet. I work with databases and computers, so I do have a stressful job from time to time - but, who doesn't. Need I say anything about the impact two teenagers have? Anyway, on the Tuesday before the 4th of July, I was sitting in my cubicle. Around 2:30 in the afternoon I started to feel lightheaded. It seemed unusual, so I went through a quick checklist in my head. Was there anybody I knew who had the flu? (No) Could it be something I had for lunch? (Hmm - no upset stomach) Was I overtired? (didn't feel sleepy) Was I stressed out and hyperventilating? (I did some mind clearing and slow breathing - but that wasn't it either). One thing I did notice was a slight pressure in my chest. No pain - like you see in the movies where the guy grabs his chest - but more like the inside of upper chest was full. I tried to continue to work for about ten minutes to see if it would go away - but it didn't. Something just didn't feel right about the situation so I decided to check the internet to verify the symptoms of a heart attack. (oh, oh - some of the symptoms matched). At first, I thought "nah - not me. The symptoms aren't that bad", but I decided I should have it checked out. I went to see my boss for advice. He has high blood pressure and has a monitoring kit in his office, so I went in and told him what was going on. We checked my blood pressure and it was up a little bit - but still pretty normal. We both thought the best thing would be to have it checked out, so I drove up to our local Emergency Room and calmly walked in and described my condition and that I was concerned it was a heart problem. Within a few minutes I was hooked up to an EKG machine and the nurses drew blood to see if there were enzymes in the blood that indicated a heart attack. When the results of the blood test came back, the doctor told me I was not having a heart attack but they could not explain why I was feeling lightheaded. They advised me to follow up with my regular doctor if it continued. Over the next three weeks I had similar symptoms a few more times. I could not pinpoint any particular time or situation that made the symptoms appear. I continued to go to karate and work out with no ill effects. Finally I decided to make an appointment with my regular doctor. Knowing that there was some history of heart problems in my family, he decided to have me take a stress test with nuclear imaging. This involves getting an injection of some nuclear material into your bloodstream while you are at rest and again after you exercise on a treadmill. The material is absorbed by your tissue and the image that is produced can tell the doctor how well the arteries in your heart are supplying blood to your heart muscle. In my case, the tests showed I had a blockage in one of my arteries. They immediately put me on aspirin and another medication to help reduce the work my heart does. I remember feeling a small sense of shock, yet relief, when the Nurse Practitioner came out to tell me the results of the test. Shock, because here I am - a 44 year old guy, now diagnosed with heart disease. Relief - because we had been able to come to a quick diagnosis and could now start treatment. The warrior in me wanted to move forward and do whatever it took to get better. After all, doing nothing would only result in the blockage getting worse and I would end up having a full blown heart attack and possibly die. As soon as I got home that day I started to do research on the internet about heart disease, diagnostic testing, repair procedures and medications. After meeting with the cardiologist the following week, I was told the only way to determine the extent of the blockage was to do a heart catheterization - which, if you don't know, involves poking a hole in the artery in your groin and threading a catheter up into your heart.

I was told that if it was a significant blockage, they would need to open the blockage with either balloon angioplasty or a stent (a wire mesh used to hold the artery open). The doctor explained that although rare, there are risks of strokes (due to blood clots), heart attack, or death (if the artery ruptures when they install the stent). Once again, the warrior spirit inside calmed any fears I had and I simply said that I would go ahead with the procedure. After all, doing nothing would be worse. One week later, I was in the hospital undergoing the procedure. As it turned out, I had a 75% blockage in one of my arteries so the doctor used a stent to open it up. The blockage was near a branch between two arteries but was far enough in the artery so that they could utilize the stent; but, it was also close enough to the branch, so that if it had become totally blocked I might not have survived. As you need to be awake for the procedure, I was able to lie on the operating table and see my heart pumping, dye spreading through my arteries and the small wire of the catheter in my heart on an x-ray monitor. It was a fascinating experience. By the next afternoon I was on my way home and on the road to recovery. (ok - so I was limping a lot for the next two weeks!) The unfortunate part of this whole deal is that my problem is more genetic than lifestyle related; so, besides being a little more careful about my cholesterol intake and taking medication for the rest of my life - there's not a lot I can do to correct the problem.

What I can, and will do, is remain ever vigilant and aware. You see, unfortunately, there is also a significant risk of cancer in my family history as well, so I can not let my guard down. I share this all with you not so you will feel sorry for me - but in the hopes it will make you take notice that our Art can help you become more self aware. Don't let the predator take you by surprise. Use the tools we give you to learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible. For the beginning and intermediate students - utilize your mind focusing exercise to feel the rhythms of your body. For the advanced students, make full use of your meditation to understand your thoughts and the workings of your body. This knowledge will hopefully enable you to know when there is something seriously wrong with your body and give you the strength to follow through whatever path you need to take. Start your journey with knowledge - finish it with wisdom and faith.

( The MSN web site has an excellent resource section on health topics. For more information, visit http://content.health.msn.com/condition_center/default.htm )

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2nd Degree Black Belt Nidan Larry Holman is the Sempai of the Somersworth School Of Self Defense in Somersworth, NH. He lives in Dover, NH, with his wife Sue and their three children. Nidan Holman can be reached at sempai@ssosd.com.

The concept of Yin/Yang is probably the most important of Chinese Medicine. The earliest reference to Yin/Yang is most likely from the I Ching (Yi Jing) or Book Of Changes in about 700 BC. The Chinese, like Einstein, viewed the universe as a vast energy field. This energy field is characterized by polar opposite energy sources. Yin/Yang represent these polar opposite energy sources. The inter-mingling of these opposite energy sources create change (Qi). The 64 hexagrams, detailed in the I Ching, represent all possible manifestations of Ying/Yang and ultimately all universal phenomena. Consequently all phenomena ultimately depend on Yin/Yang.

The Chinese character for Yin translates to shady side of the hill. On this side of the hill there is shade and inactivity.The Chinese character for Yang translates to sunny side of the hill. On this side of the hill there is light and movement. So, Yin and Yang are a picture of opposites in the natural cycle. The sunny side of the hill will be shady at some time. And the shady side of the hill will be sunny some time. And, there is always some shade on the sunny side of the hill and some sun on the shady side of the hill.

Optimum health in Chinese medicine is achieved through balanced energy movement (Qi) through the body. This balance is maintained through diet, accupunture/accupressure and exercise.

As martial artists, we practice many techniques on both sides of our body. This helps balance our body and mind. The Yang of a powerful opposite punch is balanced by the Yin of the retreating non-striking hand. And, once we balance our body and mind through the physical and intellectual demands of Karate, we can then extend that concept to balance to other parts of lives. Ultimately coming into harmony and peace with all of nature.

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3rd Degree Black Belt Sandan Russ Jones lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire where he founded the Sachem Self Defense School. He began studying martial arts under Grandmaster Rose in September, 1985 and became a Disciple in 1997. His martial arts career has been one of independent research. During the 1980's Sandan Jones researched Modern Arnnis with Master Remy Presas and Small Circle Jujisu with Master Wally Jay. In the 1990's Sandan Jones studied Dim Mak with Master Evan Pantazzi, Ling Kong Jing (Standing Meditation) with Sifu Richard Mooney and Qi Gong with Master Pham Huy Khue. In September of 2002, Sandan Jones began studying Zen Shiatsu with Patricia Carusone and Tai Ji with Master Henry Oliveras. He is a student of Chinese Medicine at the Charles River School Of Shiatsu in Arlington, MA. Sandan Jones shares his unique combination of martial, meditative and healing arts at the Sachem Self Defense School in Laconia, N.H. In his spare time, he can be found snowboarding, hiking, playing bottleneck slide guitar or doing kata in the park next to his house. Sandan Jones can be reached via email at: elizibethreed@yahoo.com.

How we develop power and speed in our basics is an evolving process that can be accelerated with teaching techniques that we can instill in the pre-brown belt stage. At that level, students assume muscle tension equals power, and we must examine that. When I teach a green or purple belt with “air breaking” syndrome, I pull them to the side and practice a simple exercise to break them of that habit. I ask them to do an up-block with what I call a ‘launch and let go’ until it reaches full extension. Launch-Relax-Recall - no power at all. As advanced students know, you cannot go fast if you are tense, so I set the stage for the four rules of acceleration.

1. Know how to completely separate your extender and contracting muscles of your arm or leg. You cannot extend efficiently if you are contracting for the final contact.

2. Learn how to add to your extending muscles power (while still relaxing your contracting muscle). The launch is finalized, then you add to it using that set of muscles that launched it. At this point, the body is relaxed and you are just feeding power to the acceleration.

3. Know that you have to call it in. There has to be an immediate contraction at the point of impact, right down to the toes. Just as the launch is like the crack of a whip, so does the point of impact have to reverse the process.

4. You have to get out of your own way. By this I mean, for example, on a round house kick, you cannot kick to your center without moving the center out of the way. A quick rotation of the top torso to the left, creates a vacuum in the lower section that starts to pull the leg over. At that point, apply Rule 2 to bring the leg up. It comes up by itself if the top rotation, (‘Load’ as we call it) is done correctly. A good definition of ‘Load’ is that it pre-supposes the wanted technique to start on it’s own. This sets the hip, and the leg is already in motion and the kick is finalized almost on it’s own with the extension and lock. The same principle is present with all techniques. When the string is pulled back on a cross-bow, everything is lined up and loaded for an effortless delivery.

As advanced students, we learn more advanced techniques, like using the rising motion of the legs and knees during a front punch. We add to the energy of the launch and rotation, increasing the mass because of the 2” to 3” lift we gain.

At work, my boss made a fake punch at me and I just moved my head and did nothing more. He jokingly asked me if I was getting older and slower. I asked him if he was familiar with the ‘chicken-neck’. He said no, so I proceeded with a demonstration of the technique. I used the principles described above and let it fly. The room literally shook. I had six store manager’s mouths drop open. One went to the wall, touched it and said “It’s still shaking. I thought the sound in karate movies was fake.”. Launch-acceleration-relaxation and the exact lock-up point is an impressive combination that make the study of karate an inspiring process.

In conclusion, there are teaching techniques that make it easier on the body because we are not fighting ourselves. As we grow older, efficiency and knowledge are the key to staying healthy and keeping the joints free from excessive pain.

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2nd Degree Black Belt James Nancarrow has been a student of Grandmaster Rose since 1975. In 2003 he opened the Northwood School of Self Defense in Northwood, NH starting a long time dream to have his own club. After an exhausting 27 year career with Radio Shack where he was a store manager for many years, he changed careers in 2003, and is now in grocery store management with the Hannaford supermarket chain. Nidan Nancarrow can be reached at jccj4@yahoo.com.

It's getting later in the year and with the approach of fall comes the time to prepare for this year's Retreat. This is a time when I usually review topics that I want to discuss with Grandmaster.

One item that has surfaced many times has been the root precepts of our training, that of training of all aspects of body and mind so that they work in harmony with each other for the benefit of not only the self, but of society as a whole. In addition to these precepts has been the 'directive', for lack of a better word, from Grandmaster to take this knowledge and positively affect the lives of two people. So how do we do this?

Many of us interpret this to mean that we should get more people involved in karate and have them go through the same process that we have, so the this process of training will eventually make a positive change in their lives.

But is that really the case? Our 'Code of Ethics' states 'Thus I will live my life as I study my Art'. This implies that our training doesn't stop at the dojo door, it's for all of our life.

During conversations with Grandmaster, he has used the terms 'Right Thinking' and 'Right Living'. There are books on Oriental thought that mention and define these terms, however for our use these terms are more easily understood as concepts that develop within us over time from the integration of the Five Maxims from our Code of Ethics. These Maxims are Character, Sincerity, Effort, Etiquette, and Self-Control.

One thing we have to understand is that as martial artists we are constantly training. And this means applying our training to every situation we run into during our day-to-day life, not only in the dojo. How we handle these situations is a direct reflection of how well we are learning to apply the underlying lessons of our training.

As we integrate the Five Maxims into our lives, we then become examples of 'Right Thinking' and 'Right Living' to everyone around us. In this way we have the potential to affect the lives of countless people.

Don't misunderstand me here, we definitely want to bring more students into our dojos, so that we may then directly affect their lives. But we should not lose sight of the fact that we are constantly interacting with hundreds of people a day and how we interact with them through the daily application of our training may indirectly create a positive affect in their lives.

Train hard and live your lives as you study your Art. Be an example to others.

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Mr. Parker holds a 3rd degree (Sandan) black belt rank with the C&S Self Defense Association. He began his training with Grandmaster Rose in March of 1978. His study of the martial arts began in the Fall of 1970, while attending college. Because martial arts classes were extra-curricular activities and the available instructors came from the student body on a volunteer basis, he experienced a number of different styles that included shotokan, uechi-ryu, judo, and kempo karate. Following college, he trained in shotokan karate with Sensei Frank Caligeri, where he received a green belt. He is currently Head instructor of the Mountainview Martial Arts Academy of Spokane, WA. and a Senior instructor with the Strike Three Karate-Do Group, of Dallas,TX. Mr. Parker holds a Bachelor of Science degree, in Electrical Engineering from Grove City College. He is employed as a Project Engineer with Cutler-Hammer Engineering Service and Systems, a part of Eaton Corporation. Sandan Parker can be reached at maddogparker@excite.com.