Technique Versus Tactic

Beyond the gun, beyond the bow, the knife, a bat, there are tactics. The weapon is not the tactic; it simply carries out the tactic. The hundreds of techniques that you might learn in martial arts are the collection of weapons. But they are rendered useless without the tactics to lead them and support them into battle.

Baseball has its gear; so does football; and tennis. While they do not share the equipment, they do share the guiding mind behind their use — tactics!

Train hard. Be serious. Study your opponent; study yourself; make a plan; then follow the plan. It is the tactics that count in the end. If two people meet with similar skill, it is the one who has smart, clever tactics that will prevail.

Spend time training techniques. But don’t shy away from pondering tactics — ones that YOU can use based on your personality, size, strength, and tenacity.

Maria Baird Interview

LOCAL STORIES PUBLICATIONAUGUST 26, 2022 Rising Stars: Meet Maria Baird Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Baird. Q: Hi Maria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. A:…

Structure

Structure is the hose that water pours through. Without the hose, there is no possible way of transporting water in such a focused way. If the hose is weak, it breaks; if the hose is too stiff, it’s lack of pliability impedes its full use. Our bodies are similar to the hose. They are the…

There is Nothing Like Playing Push-Hands for Exercise!

There is nothing like playing some push-hands to enjoy an afternoon. Josh and I frequent the game for a bit of fun and exercise. Once in a while we get a little rowdy . . . but usually we simply train to sweat a bit. This day was a rather demure day of simple exercise….

Sincerity

Sincerity is a primary ingredient that leads to greater kung fu success. However, often students who are absolutely sincere do not seem to improve. This is a matter of perception and individual differences. Improvement is difficult to notice, sometimes. And yet, there are times when one notices right away they have improved their skills, their…

Ignore Result – Follow Process

“Ignore result,” was a common mantra of Grandmaster Suh. He constantly reminded us to to “try to hard for power,” that power will come out of excellent training following principles — that if you try for power, you will lose it. This is such an important point that I should post it every day for…

Some Interesting History

Mr. Suh’s teacher was Park, Chull-hee the man in the center of the photo below. To the right of Mr. Park is Grandmaster Kim Soo a friend and training partner of Mr. Suh back in Korea. They were part of the body guard team together. Grandmaster Kim Soo continues to teach in Texas, Chayon-ryu style…

Inch by Inch

When training a martial art, it is important to keep on mind that you are involved with an “inch by inch” endeavor — that it takes time to do something well; and, more particular, it takes time to undo what time has done! You could be 15; you could be 50: but those are not…

Emerson Church — Pursuing Your Self

Of all faiths, something in and or between these words may have meaning. Yesterday, at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church was a magical, wonderful day that I will remember for a long, long time. The people are of all backgrounds, all faiths, but aligned in heart. I hope you enjoy this presentation as much as I…

Just Keep Training – It Will Come: Part 3

(In response to a interesting post on Facebook) “To illustrate my point, slightly, a story: when you are playing push hands (any style or version), you are implementing the basics you have been taught. Over and over you play, improving your “game.” Soon, you become difficult to defeat. One day an advanced player asks to…