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…
Tag Archive: Grandmaster Don Baird
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….
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…
Just Keep Training – It Will Come: Part 2
“A response to a question on a Facebook thread. I thought I would share the info here, with you.” “It is the scholarly position that I represent. Doing what one believes is one thing; proving it through years of research is another. In that, keep in mind that techniques are not unlike suggestions. There are…
Just Keep Training – It Will Come
Food for thought. If you remain in the thought-realm of “if he does this, I do that,” you are not yet trained enough. The basics, the techniques are all representations of “theories.” These theories give birth to variations and a multitude of understanding. The multitude comes from your creative force within and adapts, assimilates in…
A Year, A Life – in Reflection
A Year, A Life – in Reflection Martial arts has a Way about them. There is a humbleness and yet a power within them. But, the power is not one that is obtained; it is a power that is gifted from years of arduous training. Train soft to become strong; train slow to become quick;…
Clarity of Mindset
There is this whimsical thought that one can mix and mash any style together through being creative and become better martial artists and fighters. This is seriously flawed thinking in my opinion. Technique represent more than just “hit him this way.” Technique, and the style it is embraced by, is not simply physical movement but,…
Trying Too Hard
Instead of trying too hard, overworking and adding to your frustration list, slow things down. Take a deep breath and relax. Wake up each day and make your classes. Listen to the instructors: participate and enjoy yourself. There is nowhere to go and all the time to get there (my common and long standing mantra)….
