AboutSensei Vice Expertise My specialty is... The mental and Spiritual aspects of the Martial Arts... How to generate, and focus Ki energy... Heavy breaking... Self Defense (Street Fighting)... Use and Effectiveness of Basic Strikes, Kicks, Grappling, Throwing, Pressure Points and Joint Manipulation Techniques.
I may also be of help in answering questions regarding... finding a good fit in a School/Instructor... Tournament Kumite (Fighting.)
I will not be of much help regarding Kata (Forms.)
I prefer the use of use English terminology when taking and answering questions.
Experience 37 years as Student and 27 years as Instructor/Mentor in the Martial Arts.
Education/Credentials 1st Don Black Belt in Japanese style Karate. 2nd Don Black belt in Moo Duk Kwan. 2nd Don Black Belt in Kodenkan Jujitsu. 5th Don Black Belt in Renzuko Karate (Kobojutsu Ryu.)
Founder, and Instructor of the M.A.S.K. (Martial Arts School of Karate.)
Expert: Sensei Vice Date: 6/17/2008 Subject: Advice for well being
Question In order to understand my question, i must give some background. Please bear with me here. I am 29 years old and a mother of three young children. I am overweight and out of shape. At one point I practiced using the flow of life energy for healing, although not in a martial art. Since becoming a mother and dealing with the innumerable stresses of financial difficulties, i feel like i have lost a lot of myself. I have finally come out of the self-pity phase and would like to pursue finding myself again. My husband and I were talking one night of having our son join martial arts so I started to research what would be the best for him. He is a functioning autistic so a lot of deep research is involved. Since I am ignorant to most aspects of it, I was surprised to find the amount of information and the depths of which they are practiced. I have found several that would be suitable for him as a starting point to leave him open to choose later if it is a path he wants to take. I, however, believe I would benefit from these art forms. Because my main focuses are health, body and mind discipline, confidence in its myriad forms, and spiritual rebuilding, I am at a loss of which path to choose. I have read of Hapkido, Shintaido, Taido, and Hwa Rang Do, as well as the more common Karate, Tai Chi Chuan, and Judo. Since I know that the path I choose will be one for life, I don't want to waste the time of an instructor, or my own to be honest, to find out its not the right path. I am not asking to have someone choose for me. I just need advice on paths I should pursue that meet my needs. Any advice is appreciated. Thank You. Genevieve
Answer Hi Genevieve,
Thank you for choosing me as your expert.
First off let me say that I hear you. I believe I understand what your saying and asking.
All completely taught martial art styles should have a spiritual component as well as increasing health, body and mind discipline, and instilling confidence. Any system you train in should have instruction involving the physical, mental, and spiritual components of it's system. However, that most often boils down to the instructor. I will try to explain. "Spiritual" Martial Arts are most often associated with what is called "soft" or "internal" martial arts styles. Tai Chi, Pa Kung, and Hsing-I are probably the most well known of these. However, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo and Chi Kung are also often referred to as Spiritual styles. I myself taught for years a style that by most outward appearances was a "hard" or "external" martial art style. Styles of that nature are seldom seen as Spiritual but, again, It depends on the teacher and how they teach their art. My students were well trained in meditation and the use of Chi as well as all of the physical components of the art, as I personally believe all martial arts students should be. You could take a class in a "soft" style with an instructor who's focus was mostly directed to the physical movements of the art and you could study Karate (a "hard" style) with a instructor who's focus was mostly directed toward the development of the mind and spirit.
You see, All well taught Martial Arts are going to have elements of physical, mental, and spiritual discipline. The Instructor will have a much greater impact on how good a fit the classes are for you, rather than the Style itself. Your focus should be on finding a instructor rather than a particular style. I believe you would be best served to sit in on as many different classes in your area as possible and focus on how the classes are being taught. Take some time to speak privately and in depth with the instructors and share with them what you are hoping to gain and ask them how they can help fill those needs. Take the class offered by the instructor who you feel is the best fit and that you are most comfortable with.
I hope you have found my answer helpful. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Sensei Vice
