Category Archives: Okinawan Karate

The Truth About Real Karate Philosophy

One of the great misconceptions of the martial arts, and we are dealing with karate philosophy and concepts, is the obsession with the point of impact. While it is of vital importance to get to that point, you won’t get to that point unless you analyze the motions in between the ‘stopping points.’

Studying this ‘in between’ motion is what leads a person to mushin no shin, or mind of no mind (time of no time).

The following win shows that reading the matrixing materials opened the door for this student. He is not talking about the stopping points, but rather is fascinated by the motion between. Matrixing is the only technology that opens that door, that makes a person look at the in between motion, and to bring awareness ‘into the curve,’ as opposed to putting it in the stop. Yes, a few do it over the decades, but Matrixing explains the concept and makes it happen now.

“Matrixing to me means to be able to adapt to anything that is given using natural unbroken motion. We should know how to use our tools in conjunction with the body. This “anatomy in motion” can now be truly understood by matrixing. The “True Art” is knowing the body in motion and being able to interpret that motion with your tools. I think it is very important to teach concepts and principles so that any art can be fully understood. Students will know longer be slaves of poor instructors and practitioners.”

I find this student’s last remark absolutely enlightening. Yet it is not the poor instruction we must break from, it is our adherence to misunderstanding the true karate philosophy and concepts involved.

If you want some real karate that is extremely effective, check out the Kwon Bup.

Win #48

Win #39–Does the Master Instructor Course Apply to only Karate Systems?

The Master Instructor course applies to all martial arts, and not to just Karate systems. Heck, there’s all sorts of things about throws, effortless throws, principles to be applied to karate katas, kung fu forms, martial arts applications any art, and so on and so on.

I think it’s a little easier to understand if you have a karate background, but still, any person from any art is going to be enlightened as a result of reading and doing this material. Here’s a win…

I received my Master Instructor videos yesterday. Awesome information and right to the point. LM

I get these wins from Karateka, kenpoka, aikidokas, kung fu-ists, Ninpo-ists, and on and on. These are the underlying principles, and they don’t just illuminate and make locgical any martial art, they put the martial arts together. Make one picture out of all of them. First time that has ever been done.

Anyway, if you want a taste of martial technology that applies to all arts, and not just Karate, email me for a free karate book.

Win #37–Does The Way Really Exist in Karate?

The Way in the Martial Arts is one of those things people talk about without knowing about. They are just sure that there is a True Path. And they are right. That everybody knows about it, and that leads somewhere, but don’t really know what it is and where it goes is one of those fascinating things.

The True Way refers to the scientific truth of how to use the body. It refers to a scientific arrangement of art to get the body there. The goal at the end of The Way is Perfection. Gichin Funakoshi wrote a fabulous bit of verse at the beginning of Karate Do Kyohan, one line of which goes, ‘The Way Straight and True…who will pass it on.

Here’s a lengthy win, but a good one…

I reached this conclusion while observing the progression of awareness that is necessary to move from one level of Dharma Combat to the next. It became very apparent to me that there is a distinct gradient of awareness that is followed.  [For example, first you are introduced to the concepts where you “think” about how to make things work. Then, through application and “effort” you learn to handle strength and force, and you eventually learn to use less effort with motion and flows. Next, it then becomes necessary to progress through the level of Emotion by overcoming such things as fear and anger, so that you can reach beyond the simple “Joy of Combat.” Beyond that, you enter into a realm which requires a much finer level of awareness, where you need to be able to simply “look” or observe what the opponent is doing, unencumbered by thoughts and emotions, even to the point where there is no mind involved at all. And then, as if that isn’t the ultimate, I believe you can go to a universe where intentions are senior to the physical universe, where one simply “knows” that his opponent and all things including himself are connected, and the True Art is reached where the experiences of “poetry of motion” and the ultimate Game of Life are all that exist!]–SN

Perfection through Karate. You can start the journey by picking up a free Karate Ebook I wrote.

Win #35–Defining the True Art through Karate Bunkai

It’s pretty obvious that this concept, of defining art by the workability of Karate Bunkai has to be pushed through every and all martial arts. Call it Karate Application, Karate Technique, or whatever, if it doesn’t work, don’t do it, and throw it out of your art.

If it is a poser, get rid of it.

If it is bushwah (hit him in the big toe to disable him), get rid of it.

This is not to say that you should get rid of beginning or intermediate techniques which build response and lead to the real thing. This is not to say you should strip your system of energy or breathing techniques, but you should define them more exactly. But…here’s a win.

…has allowed me to perfect the function of my system. Thats the difference between the True Art and everything else. ‘Function.’ Now I have a martial art system that functions at a very High level I might had. I highly recommend this course to anyone who aspires to be an instructor of True Martial Arts.Sincere Thanks Again, Dr Charles R Cashmere Md.,Phd Founder Chung

You do your system, find out what works, what can be kept because it will lead to increased workability, and you define the bulk of your system. Again, be careful, you don’t want to strip the art entire, and just say you’re going MMA, you’d be losing out on the true art. But do get lean and mean and make your art work, and the best way to do this is to make those Karate bunkai work, or to analyze and work them until they do work. Period.

If you want to take a look at a stripped down, functional work of Karate, check out Perfect Karate. It’s absolutely free.

Win #30–Hands on Transmission of True Karate Possible Over Time and Distance

The key to learning True Karate has previously been through what I call a hands on transmission of data. That is, you have to share the art by having physical contact with the teacher, by learning the forms and techniques through direct instruction. The really neat thing is that I’ve been able to break this ‘barrier.’ Read this win.

“You are a master. You have opened me up to things that I have never thought of before.” KFM

And I thank KFM for his kind words. The truth of the matter is that the art is learned by physical doing. If somebody does the forms–but knows the correct data–then the form will reveal the art to him. This is such a simple but astounding truth, and it leads to this conclusion: I’ve helped KYM, gave him a few pointers, but he opened the door himself. Once he saw the correct data, the true art could not be denied him. That’s just the way the martial arts, and truth, work.

Here’s a vid snip of the good old Iron Horse (Tekki).

Have a great day, and good skill with your seeking of the True Karate.

Go here if you want a free book on True Karate, and see if what I am saying about a hands on transmission of data is possible.

Win #28–How I Got Started Writing Articles for Inside Karate!

It’s true, I wrote articles for Inside Karate in the 90s. I actually started writing in the 80s, and my last article came out in Inside Kung Fu two months ago, so I’ve been a writer for the mags for near 30 years. Here’s a win I got in the mail one day.

“I used to read your articles in Inside Karate and was excited when I found your web site.” RV

It shouldn’t surprise me, I mean, I used to take note of the writer’s names and the kind of articles they wrote, but I figured it was a writer thing. I was interested in the competition.

What I used to do was look at the magazine a year after it came out. I went down the subjects, and if any subject hadn’t been written about for a few months, I wrote a fresh article on it. That’s how I avoided writing the same old same old. I knew the editor liked those kinds of articles, and I knew he hadn’t seen one for a while, and at my heyday I used to sell 90% of the articles I turned in.

What was nice was it got to the point where I was accepted, and I could write about anything I wanted. People actually said nice things about me. Huh! Anyway, try that gimmick if you feel like being a writer for a magazine, I know Inside Karate is gone, but there are others out there.

BTW, you can pick up a free book with some Martial Arts kata in it at one of my websites.

Win #25–Why People Fight Before They Learn Karate

And, if they are fighting before they learn karate, what happens to them that they don’t fight after they start learning karate.

The fact is, once you start making a plan for an emergency, the emergency doesn’t happen. This is one of those universe oddities.

The mugger won’t jump you while you’re looking…he’ll jump you when you’re not looking.

Where awareness is, you see, trouble doesn’t start. Here’s a totally generic win that is exactly on the spot.

“It’s not ironic that I’ve not had a physical confrontation since beginning my martial arts training under Al Case. What’s more interesting is that I enjoy this new life style.”

Now, you don’t know karate? Or some other martial art? You are a walking target. You will, somehow, actually cause somebody to jump you.

Let’s not talk about lack of confidence, or an inability to take care of business…you’re just unaware in a field of study that demands awareness, and once begun, you will always be protected by that awareness.

On another note, If you want an absolutely free book on Karate, go to

http://www.25martialartsbooks.com

Don’t get mugged on the way. Heh.

Win #23–Karate as a First Martial Art

I like Karate as a first art because it is solid in the basics. Later, when you have experience, it’s fun to twist the basics, create different types of energy, learn sneaky ways of bashing somebody. But, in the beginning, Karate is the best. Straightforward power that can out kick a donkey, out slam a gorilla, and is just plain fun!

If I had not learned this as my first art, I would not be where am today. The basics, the foundation; a solid point upon which to stand, was essential to me as a martial artist. Few people truly understand what the basics are, let alone how important they are. Karate taught me all of this and I finished the program with confidence that I could apply what I had learned.

It’s true that people don’t understand what basics are. Take a look at the Pan Gai Noon Sanchin form. Goku does it for breathing, Shotokan does it for technique, uechi does it for dynamic tension…and they all are only partially right. Ground the weight, turn on the tan tien, and put the energy in the hands. The other theories are all right, but they miss the boat if they don’t concentrate on these three principles, and just these three principles.

Here’s a vid snip of me teaching Sanchin to my son many years ago. Karate was his first martial art, and it saved his life. Literally. Take a look at the columns at Monster Martial Arts and you’ll come across the tale.

Talk to you later.

Al

Win #16–The Deep, Dark, Karate Secret

When I began the martial arts I thought there was some serious karate secret that the masters knew that nobody else did. If I could only find this secret I could have everything wanted: money, women, respect…maybe I wouldn’t even be a dweeb. Interestingly, there is a secret, but it ain’t what you think. And it is easy to find out. Just a little hard work and common sense, and anyone can have it. Here’s a win from one of my students about this dark mystery. Like many others, I used to like to believe that there was a great mystery out there; that there was some kind of unattainable power and wisdom that I could only reach for in my dreams. Mr. Case has taken my wonderful dark mystery away and replaced it with facts that work; that work beautifully actually. Truth is a good thing, but sometimes a rude awakening can be best avoided by a longer slumber. Which path you choose is up to you. Just remember to shield your eyes if you’re opening them for the first time; it can be bright and painful to the pride at first.” ?HH (12 years of martial arts experience) Now isn’t that interesting? It seems that the mystery is easy to understand, but what is hard to take is the fact that you were blind enough not to see it in the first place. Well, it is easy to see, but the thing that stops most everybody from seeing it is the fact that: 1) they think they know better. 2) my art is best. 3) I’m already studying under somebody who knows everything. And so on. The prime problem here, you see, is that you must be willing to learn before you can learn. Doing push ups and forms until you sweat is fine, but when are you going to work out that brain? When are you going to say…maybe I don’t know everything…maybe there is something else under the sun. When are you going to open up and accept data and actually think. I know it sounds like I’m in your face, but I’m not. I’m just stating something that scares most people. Shut up thinking you know everything and be willing to learn something. That’s the truth, that’s the truth HH had to confront before he could start to learn, that’s the truth that near every martial artist in the world has to face before he can learn the real martial arts, and before he can find out the truth about this deep, dark karate secret thing.

Feel free to visit Monster Martial Arts, pick up a free ebook, and find out if I might actually have something to offer. Have a great work out.

Win #8 Another Win From The Old Master Instructor Course

I’m glad I started posting these old wins, they rejuvenate me, and they tell people what I am really doing…from the ground up. This one is from Nehemiah, the guy I usually bounce around on the courses. The guy is a phenomenal martial artist, I was lucky to teach him. Here’s a snippet of us on one of the courses. Scroll on down for his win.

Nehemiah’s WIN–I have a real ability to get my students to duplicate and understand anything that I might teach them, fully and completely, no matter the subject. For example: in addition to martial arts, I also have a dance class, swing, specifically, and I have found that it flows much more smoothly. With the tools that I have acquired, and learned to use with the completion of this course, I can comfortably state that I am an Instructor, through and through.?Thanks Al, for the tech you have created for us aspiring teachers. Can’t wait for the next course. Infinite Affinity, Nehemiah Lewrel The thing I love is that his knowledge is not conditional on having a degree…but rather from actual knowledge that nobody can argue with. This makes him absolutely confident, absolves him of any hint of overbearing attitude, and students really appreciate that. You can find out more about the Master Instructor Course at Monster Martial Arts. Have a great day. Al