Chronicles
Gokyo — The Five Elements of Mind in Martial Arts
Posted by Larry Foisy on
In the Japanese martial tradition, techniques are not just gestures to be mastered: they are an extension of a state of mind. The concept of Gokyo - THE five elements — draws inspiration from Buddhist and Shinto philosophies, and offers a valuable framework for understanding our way of fighting, thinking, and evolving. It is broken down as follows: Chi (Earth), Sui/Mizu (Water), Ka (Fire), Fū/Kaze (Wind) and Kū/Kara (Void or Ether). This model is found in several disciplines, including in Japanese funerary sculpture throughout the Gorintō (五輪塔), the five-ringed stele, which materializes this cosmic vision and is also found in the practice of Gokyo No Kumite in...
Self-defense and the legal aspect in the martial arts
Posted by Larry Foisy on
Unfortunately, there is one aspect that we do not often address, and that is the legal implications of our actions in real self-defense situations. I will try to demystify some legal concepts of the use of force (defense) in order to help you win your fight without losing your case.
How to easily tie your belt and uniform?
Posted by Larry Foisy on
You have just bought yourself a martial arts “kimono” uniform (Karate, Judo, Aikido, …) and you are given the jacket, the pants and the belt… but how do you attach this belt and what is the label? wearing the uniform?
What is Koshiki?
Posted by Larry Foisy on
Koshiki (representing the word "hard") is a form of Bogu Jutsu , training with armor, using a breastplate ( do ) and a helmet ( men ).Among all forms of combat, the Koshiki stands out for its philosophy based on protecting the one who receives the blows rather than the one who gives the blows. Of this, a combat system, Shiaï , full contact security
Belt grades (Obi, kyu, dan, menkyo,...)
Posted by Larry Foisy on
While some martial arts ( budo ), such as iaido and aikido , refuse to mark rank with an outward sign, the vast majority of practitioners such as judo , karate , taekwondo , jiu-jitsu , etc. wears a band of colored cloth around the waist to illustrate their level of advancement in the practiced martial art. The wearing of belts could come, at the base, from the samurai who wore an obi (belt) to keep their sword at their waist. But this practice has evolved within the framework of a gradation system in order to illustrate learning markers testifying...