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Terror

terrorism

Terror – 1. Intense, overpowering fear (The Free Dictionary). 

The duality of terror though the word seems harsh and callous. Unfortunately terror exists in our culture as others. The one or group who acts in terror and hurt people are driven by their beliefs and actions. Although they commit these horrible acts of terror, they too are full of fear.

Those who terrorizes people, places and society, mentally are incapable of relating to compassion and disregards humanity and life. Their actions are not on the same plane as those who labor and lives to improve the quality of life and evolution.

I believe our purpose for humanity is to sustain all life and our planet. There are many ways terror exists in our society. Though the media broadcasts the worst of terror that instigates where people and groups continue acts of violence. Such hideous behavior will continue to the so-called ‘good guys’ stop.

Martial arts and self defense training can help. The majority of people don’t act till something terrible happens either to them or hits home where an alarming mechanism goes off inside of them that most of are familiar with an overwhelming and overpowering calamity of fear. The media broadcasts footage of people suffering to those responsible. What other way to get exposure?

 

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Training for Life & Success

THROWING & MOVEMENT

Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset for self defense?

Having a entrepreneurial mindset in regards to studying self defense. When something comes at you, you don’t just push back against it. You can see everything that comes at you as an opportunity. Faced with a challenge, you ask, ’how can I leverage this? How can I flow with this? Where is the opportunity in this?’

Natural ability requires a lot of time and dedication to what you believe what it will take to get you to your goal. To develop competence, it’s not about constantly looking for new things. It’s about developing a deeper level of understanding of insight, of the things you already know and do.

People often think of martial arts as training for physical fitness or self defense. There’s a bigger picture in the two. It’s training for life and know yourself.

Most martial art instructors in the US have an entrepreneurial mindset. Either to grow their schools or franchise. Sort of like tiger schulman.

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Aggressive Fighting

One word

Hi everyone!

Happy New Year 2017! I sure hope everyone had amazing holiday season filled with laughter, love and warm memories with family. Now it’s time to get busy. Now in the 2nd week of Jan 2017 no excuses but hard work and increasing income and most importantly your skills, whether it be self defense training, sports, mma, work, sales, etc. The point is to set your goal and get with it!

I have been working more than training the last year or so. Have to admit I miss the 4 to 5 days of training weekly. The advantage is dedicating more time into working and increasing my income. It doesn’t mean making a lot of money but conditioning the mind to focus on the objective. Wealth has different meaning to everyone. For me its a combination of multiple definitions. My goal is to condition the mind and delete old beliefs that no longer serve any purpose nor make any sense.  Believe it or not this is aggressive training in one sense. On the other hand there is the martial arts training. As I get older and grow into what I love to do, my passion for movement and self defense I find less practicality in developing skill for intended purposes of fighting a waste of my time. Mainly because as you older its hard not to realize how necessary it is to limit wasting unnecessary energy on activities the yields no long term growth. Keep this in mind the harder you train and spar, fight or whatever you do tears the body, mind and psyche down. Strain that is irreversible. That’s the physical part, what about the mind and emotional components. Another blog in of itself!

 

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting” – Sun tzu

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Adaptation

FB Photo

Hi all,

It’s way to long. I’ve been over at Koteki Dojo’s sister site – The Stealth Method.  So much going on these days. What you get here, you can get there. So in essence you really don’t miss anything, but that what you miss…

Life is about adapting and going with change and flow. It’s import to continuously empower yourself. Presently I’m working on two specific programs. One of them is a Women’s tactical self defense bootcamp…. I call it BootCampX which is a compilation of a few disciplines and self help protocols. So in other words, you take part in our 10 class program, you get to learn and develop numerous skill sets of tools to be successful in life. The beauty is the tactical training. No matter if your strong, or weak, big or small the tactics skills you learn teaches you how to move with hardly any effort or power. The moves are golden, and the outcome is incredible.

The other program I mentioned is a rare bout awesome opportunity. Doesn’t have to be for you, it could be a referral situation for someone you love. What I’m offering for a limited time is a proven method for quitting smoking with hypnosis – self hypnosis. You may object to the idea of being hypnosis. However I can assure you its smooth and easy. You do it all the time. For some reason most people aren’t aware there hypnotized.

Here’s an example. Say you drive to and from work every day – 5 days a week. Either way to or from – you pass a landmark (familiar place / gas station, church, etc) and one day you arrive to your door step or work place and can’t remember passing either landmark.. You were actually hypnotized. It’s called highway hypnosis…. You get the idea!

The smoking cessation program is going to be offered to two people for a full session (valued at $250) for free. There is a screening process though. I would send you a questionnaire consisting of four questions. Thats it!

Quit Smoking2

 

 

 

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Shihan

Greetings to all,

It’s been to0 long since my last blog update. I sincerely apologize. Though my previous blog from 2004 – 2009 my entries were much more regularly than now. Unfortunately I haven’t been back to Japan since 2012. My last promotion actually. Never would I have thought that I would receive a menkyo (license) Judan (10th dan). My heart will always be grateful to Masaaki Hatsumi. His unyielding patience with many of us westerners is / had been unparalleled. Since 2012 so much has happen and so many experiences. I’m still practicing budo taijutsu. However prior before my last trip to Japan, I moved to Hungary, while being married. The last four years has been filled with opportunities and many unexpected setbacks. One can say I guess maturity has finally caught up. LOL  Maybe I caught up! Last year I decided to consolidate some of my daily tasks. Such by narrowing down whats important and focusing on doing less. Concentrating on doing small things with much more focus and incentive than multi-tasking with little to no results. Moderating a few websites, social media and teaching took a toll and prevented financial freedom. Since my return back Stateside, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to many people who lacks financial independence and lives are regulated as well. A expensive lesson to learn!

I believe to reach the level of shihan (master teacher) and be responsible takes more than skill. Takes experience, sacrifice and patience with oneself. Life will confront you with challenges and lessons. It’s up to you, and what you learned during your process that would determine how you come out from the other end.

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Insight of a Warrior

ANTHONY2

Greetings Buyu,

My intention is to share an insight with you all I wrote a number of years back during a trip to Japan. It’s a good read. Perhaps a lesson to be learnt!

Up until yesterday, before visiting Japan, I had a belief that was not mines originally but of a greater awareness. This awareness came to me recently. The study of budo taijutsu entails more then the average system of martial arts. Although budo taijutsu by definition is a martial art. Each and every one of us makes decisions based on our individual needs. These needs are manifestations of unconscious awareness. Cultivating the components (body, mind & spirit) is essential to nature. Sometimes I wonder if I was chosen like many of us, to live an existence in harmony as our ancestors (ninja) once lived.

The theme for the year is Kihon Happo – Year of the Rabbit. .

The focuses of training are on how to unbalance while moving and deceptively confusing the mind of your opponent. So far I’ve seen various interpretations of the TCJ and Kihon Happo. I would imagine if you go to all the shihan classes and all are teaching some aspect of the basics, it’s possible to learn an in depth level of budo.  For the past 2 years basically I studied the TCJ from Noguchi sensei. The training has shown me many lessons. Prior before my last trip, I was lost from lack of a foundation (basics). Noguchi sensei last class, he taught some elements of the TCJ that was familiar to me, yet they evolved. Shirishi sensei told me yesterday that the kihon happo is always evolving. Like a flower evolves.

A couple of years ago I decided to train with Noguchi sensei mainly because his movement and teaching I felt made sense to me. A couple of years ago when Noguchi sensei taught a basic class do to my request

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Women’s Self Defense Bootcamp

bootcamp

Have a New Year’s resolution?

This is the time, though it may be late, in any case this is the time to set resolutions. What are resolutions?  A firm decision to do something. It’s not easy committing to a plan. The way to do it is know what is needed as for change, and how it would impact your life in a positive way. 

Starting January 5th 2016 we’re holding our first Women’s Self Defense Bootcamp. Which will be held in Forest Hills, Queens NY.

10 fun and exciting classes. Meeting people like yourself. Perhaps with similar goals. Originally 8 was planned, and we decided to add two extra classes. They will consist of exercises, drills and self defense workloads. By the completion of bootcamp you will have a thorough understanding of the principles and fundamentals. You would have developed the needed kinesiology awareness most if not all martial artist acquires over a repetitious span of time. 

To the count down begins. 10 days before the first class. Book your spot soon as possible. You can either register at the center, or through our sister website at: www.systemaprimal.com

This is going to be a must not miss opportunity. These events are fun, innovative, adaptive and most importantly, from my experience is the camaraderie among the participants.

 

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” – Seneca

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Traditional Martial Artist

Dear friends,

It’s been a long while since my last post. I apologize for my long absence. Training has been pretty crazy here in New York. I don’t know if its just me, or something is continuously changing with regards to martial arts. There are few martial artist told than one would imagine. On behalf of my last sentence, i’ve realized that there is martial artist, and than there’s hobbyist. How the two are not the same?

A martial artist is someone who is committed to studying, and teaching (if the’re teachers), regardless of family, job or any other responsibilities. In fact, its part of the martial pursuit. Those who cry or make excuses, alibis for not training, attending seminars or working with others for any of the mentioned excuses, will argue this point. So be it.

A hobbyist – (An activity or interest pursued outside one’s regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure). Now, I see this a lot in my friends who study martial arts. This is a general description folks. I’m not implying you have to give up your responsibilities or obligations to study MA. Than you wouldn’t be considered a martial artist. This is the 21st century, not feudal Japan persay. Though the martial artist (a.ka. samurai, ninja), duties were part of their everyday lives. 

What tickles me though, the majority of traditional practitioners who practice martial arts, are quick to tell you about tradition, and how ancient schools worked, and techniques. Yet, they are the same people who make excuses, pick and chose, etc. I strongly believe if your a parent, have a career, and other obligations, that makes your martial study comparable to the ancestors of the traditions.  You tube has replaced a teacher, master or whatever you wish to call them. Most people are gluttons for certifications, confrontations, arguments and boosting about their ranks, teachers pet, etc. Such poor attitudes. Certainly not a model.

Are you motivated to move / training? If you were, than training with whomever, wherever would be not a issue. Though it seems so. Example, if there were a seminar with either something of interest, or something I may be missing in my training, and tool box. Also depending on my finances at the time would determined my decision. Not that it means I would not sacrifice and go. Movement is movement… There is no particular tradition, style or difference. There may be good teachers that you can relate to, and comprehend what they’re putting out there, than the ones who make no sense, and clearly can’t explain what there representing. In any case, you just got to move. If you can do it with other likeminded people, all the better.

 

What I share on my blog is totally my belief, and opinion. No one is to blame for what I say. Its the opinion of a free thinker..

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BEGINNERS 6 WEEKS BASIC COURSE – BUDAPEST 2015

Our 6 weeks basic beginners course is completed. Congratulations to everyone. Including my students who selflessly assisted, and helped our graduates to a better understanding of Budo Taijutsu. Job well done!

When I started the 6 weeks course, I had no idea, what it was going to be like at the completion of our amazing course. In fact, the course was full of energy, fun and great participation from all (including my regular students – who attended).

I learned some really profound insights about instructing, and general movement. This course helped me to explore further about my interpretation and understanding of budo taijutsu. I’m not interested in reinventing the wheel, nor confining myself to the (so-call) wheel.

The course material was not hard, nor strict. My job was simply to pass on the information. Help the beginners establish a foundation. Never did I insists  to my trainees that there was one way. It was great to see how each one differ in psychology, and body mechanics.

My approach to training, though holistic – yet practical. So many practitioners of Budo opt for the more traditional approach. The mechanics of the more traditional type seems to be going in another direction. The techniques are effective with cooperative opponents. One has to train many years to establish a natural movement. Till a point where technical applications can be abandon for a more subtile and smoother movement (like Hatsumi sensei, and many shihan). I believe the assumption is to study only from this traditional stand point before one can move freely and without tension. Nothing is further from the truth.

Let me make it clear. There is nothing wrong, in my opinion with the traditional approach. There are many ways and lessons to develop skill. So in essence, there’s not ONE way.

I’ve chose to explore further out from my comfort zone. Though not an easy decision, let alone action. Life is about making decision, and changes in ones life to better themselves, and hopefully contribute something to life, and mankind. Life is a big playground.

In my school, a member needs more then just showing up with their monthly tuition. Even then, the member is not considered a student at such time. The person to be has to first admit in their heart, then behave in such a way where it mirrors their commitment. Until such, there is no real purpose.

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GROWING UP IN THE BUJINKAN

Growing up in the Bujinkan.

I’ve been around for a couple of years. Literally, its been a lot of years. The Bujinkan is one of the best organizations in the world. Not to forget to mention the martial art system. Much has changed after the millennium(2000).

The Bujinkan from what I understand is the biggest martial arts organization in the world. I don’t believe Masaaki Hatsumi (Present day Soke), imagine his organization would take off as it did in the world. What was once the image of secrecy, and ninjutsu. Today is known in just about every martial art style in the world. Perhaps it was never meant to be a martial art, as it is known today. It may have meant more to those families, and grandmasters then what many of us believe. It was kept quiet, and in the shadows (per-say). By the mid to late 20th century, that changed. Probably a hand full of foreigners arrived in Japan around the 1900s looking for the ninja. Hard to keep a tangible phenomenal a secret in the western world. All it took was a few books on the topic to pop up. Speculation, mixed with curiousity, brought the seeker filled with courage to the door of the Bujinkan present day Soke.

 

This widespread of interest may have been the turning point. Back in the 80s, the majority of people didn’t have a few thousand of dollars to journey to Japan. Stephen Hayes mainly is the one responsible for the widespread of ninjutsu. There were others, few and far between.

Rank (grades) seems to be an unfortunate nowadays. Many have the means to travel to Japan these days. When I was in Japan last.  I was in the right place, at the right time. It was the class of a Japanese shihan. During the tea break, he spoke about the early days of training. He said how training has changed, and the behavior of many young practitioners journeying to japan to train with the last Ninja Master. That was seriously the pivotal point in my life. Growing up was eminent. The desire for advancement was no longer a priority. Nowadays, people promote others easily in exchange for being invited to do seminars. This in turn affords  trips to Japan. Rank in the west seems to be far more important then character, and leadership quality. The standards has swindled. Imagine being a 10th to 15th degree, and between the ages of 20 to 35 years of age. The license itself has more character, and leadership quality, then the holder. Not to be negative. However, experience is not a factor. Experience in life not only in martial arts, requires time, dedication, knowing oneself, compassion, humility, etc. Deprivation of growth does injustice!

“The world needs demonstration more than it needs teaching” – Wallace D. Wattles

This particular Japanese shihan said people travel to Japan to learn how to mimic Hatsumi sensei, never to realize what he went through to discover himself. I would like to share something I read the other day.

This guy was offering a service. The service only took about 3 minutes. However, he charged a heft sum for his service (1000s of dollars). The guy who needed the service, asked.

” Why is your service expensive for 3 minutes”. The answer: “It took me 30 plus years to learn this service, and do it in 3 minutes”.

The point to the story is clear. It takes many years to develop skill sets, and tools. There is no other way. Even for the gifted pupils.

Was speaking to a fellow buyu the other day, via messaging. I mentioned how great it was to see change happening among those who were concern with a particular event. Especially the instructor teaching at this event. My friend response first was the credentials of the instructor. And how many years he has been training, and learning. Was great to hear!

The majority of young instructors, is more interested in rank, and how many trips to japan then experience. Experience cannot be acquired by journeying somewhere. Yes, its part of the process. Experience transform into wisdom via time. Trial and error!

Hopefully this will change one day. Maybe not. Only nature knows!