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My take on the internal aspects of martial arts and sports.

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Much of my understanding comes from reading about Chinese martial arts. As I understand it, there are different components that make up the internal aspect of martial arts. Here I attempt to break it down even more for my own benefit.  The first is Strength . This can be thought of as muscular strength that can be trained. A technique with the necessary amount of strength can be effective. You need strength to manipulate.  The second is Force Dissipation , the ability to generate maximum force through muscular tension release in the shortest time possible. This requires one to learn to relax (zero tension) and contract (maximum tension) in minimal time. A practitioner can be taught to practice going through cycles of relaxation-tension, and also to improve reactionary time.   The third is Intention . The intention is what the mind wants to achieve. It is mental resilience, and the ability to block out distractions (mental, visual, auditory, touch, smell, etc). ...
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6/26/2022 Recollections from the Small Circle Jujitsu Shodan Camp and Test Day

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5:30 AM Woke up and went for a full-body stretching routine for 30 minutes. I packed and prepared my meals for the day. I had a simple breakfast of an egg, a slice of bread, and a cup of coffee at 7:00 AM. This mix of macronutrients was meant to sustain me for another 3-4 hours.  8:00 AM I rode with Lacey who is an excellent training partner, and fellow Shodan tester. I remember talking about many topics ranging from kids, education, testing nerves, etc.   8:45 AM  We arrived on time, ready for more training before the test.  11:00 AM My brain and body screamed for sustenance. I took a break for my meal of the day which included a Power smoothie* , a medium-sized Japanese sweet potato, a banana, and an Olyra Dark Chocolate biscuit. This mix of macronutrients will fuel my brain and body for the rest of the day, including the test, which I guess was going to be about 3 hours away. I continued training, but it was mainly a blur of events. I remember getting autogra...
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A few positives of the pandemic through consistency and solace in Silat Buka Lingkaran.

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The pandemic disrupted lives in so many ways, and with so many unknowns, it was a blessing to find consistency and an avenue to channel a purpose when I discovered Silat Buka Lingkaran (SBL). When I had to stop jujutsu training for close to 18 months, SBL not only filled the gap, it took over completely. Practicing Silat has opened my world to various benefits including skill development, and physical and mental health. The hours of virtual group training gave the advantage of solo training in a socially supporting setting. Solo training breeds mindfulness and conditions the body. This has helped me level up in all aspects of my training, including Small Circle Jujitsu.  Circle Throw - Tomoe Nage One of the main outcomes of the SBL program is a physical body accustomed to the logic of Silat movements, movements that are unfamiliar in most Western societies but are fundamental in the way our bodies are designed. The SBL physique is an athletic body accustomed to moving in low, wi...
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Martial arts training - Fun, health, wellness, socializing, life and combatives.

I have come to realize that m artial arts training is NOT all about the combat aspects. It doesn't even have to be about fighting. Martial arts can be fun, beautiful, enriching, and restorative. If you extract the training methods, you may benefit your health and wellness, knowledge, socialization, and life as a whole. You are learning the attributes and principles that have served the warrior culture (武士道) so well since time out of mind and using it to serve humanity as a whole.
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Self-defense based training

I love self-defense based trainings because they are challenging. You improve endurance, grow stronger/ more flexible, increase limb coordination, have better balance and experience stress in a controlled environment. Most importantly, you learn to protect yourself and your loved ones.  So, keep up with your training, stay focused, humble and kind!
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My experience with a month of Cold showers

I have been reading about the potential benefits of cold immersion and cold showers, and I decided to give it a try since last month. Mind you, this is during the winter season so the cold water is not quite as warm as it was during summer months. Here's a conversation piece on the benefits and risks on cold showers/immersions:  Cold showers are supposed to be good for you. Typically, I start off with warm water, and when I'm mentally ready, I'd turn the dial all the way to the coldest setting. I thought I could improve on how long I could endure the cold blast. I can hold at least for 10 seconds, and the longest I managed was 30 seconds. It doesn't get easier, even after a month, but I'm getting used to getting past the initial shock.   I enjoy the immediate refreshing feeling, and that I don't feel the cold in my surroundings at all. I could sense my core body temperature being higher. Sometimes, I feel lighter in the head. Overall,  I try to maintain this rou...
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A reminder to appeciate the artistic aspect of Silat

 The local concepts of Silat are concerned with the artistic as well as the martial aspects.  A Malay old saying goes:  " In the move, lies the dance In the dance, lies the flower In the flower, lies the fruit In the fruit, lies the punch In the punch, lies the crunch" From the book " The Fighting Art of Pencak Silat and its Music "  edited by Uwe U. Paetzold and Paul H. Mason. 
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