INTRODUCTION
It is with great pleasure that the Chief Instructor and the other members of the team welcome you into our Multi Style Martial Arts Academy and present this student information manual on Multi Style Martial Arts.
The Academy’s Chief Instructor is Mr Robin Warburton. Mr Warburton first commenced training in 1978. He began teaching in 1987 after completing an intensive full time, live in, Instructor training course in Brisbane Australia under Korean TaeKwon do Master Yun Ku Yun 8th Dan. Mr Warburton holds Black Belts in Karate, TaeKwon Do, Aodenkou Ju Jitsu and an Instructor certification in Kombatan Arnis as well as having had competitive full contact kickboxing experience. He also has completed a Diploma of Recreation and Sport and is the former Southern Director for the South Pacific TaeKwon do Association.
The following are some of the excellent Martial Art Masters and Instructors whom Mr Warburton feels privileged to have learned from in his past thirty years in the martial arts.
Mr John Mcdougal 4th Dan Tae chung Karate
Mr Andrew Barber 6th Dan Seido Karate
Master Yun Ku Yun 9th Dan TaeKwon do.
Professor Wally Jay 10th Dan Jujitsu and 6th Dan Judo.
Bill (Super foot ) Wallace undefeated World Middle Weight full contact Karate champ.
Master Surachai Sirisute President of the Thai boxing association U.S.A.
Master George Dillman 9th Dan Ryukyu Kempo Karate.
Mr Ian Waite 6th Dan Ryukyu Kempo Karate.
Mr Kurt Graham 5th Dan Kombatan Arnis.
Mr Andy Elliot 8th Dan Kombatan Arnis
Maser Rick Clark 8th Dan Ryukyu Kempo, 7th Dan TaeKwon do, 6th Dan Jujitsu.
GrandMaster Bobby Taboada, Balintawak Escrima Cventada system of Philippine Martial Arts
Master Toshishiro Obata. Swordsmaster, Aikijutsu and Kobudo Master.
There are others that are to numerous to list and although not as well known as the above have contributed to his growth and knowledge in the martial arts.
A message from the Chief Instructor:
It is my strong belief that the martial arts offer a powerful tool for self growth and self realization, I am happy to be able to share with you my experience. We the Instructors of the arts have the opportunity to pass our knowledge onto you the next generation of martial artists with the hope that you to will enjoy the full and many benefits that we have. It is our hope that you will become the next generation of instructors and allow the continuation of these arts into the 21st century and beyond. I ask you to think deeply on all that you learn and to ask questions when you are unsure of your level of understanding, remember that there are no silly questions and that experience is sometimes the name we give to our mistakes.
Because of the nature of the art that is being taught and as it is understood that all persons are responsible for their own actions. Neither myself or any other instructors of the team are able to accept any liability or responsibility for injury resulting from the abuse or misuse of Multi Style Martial Arts by or upon any person, Member or otherwise. I ask all students to keep in mind that Multi Style Martial Arts is to be used only as a last resort when yourself or others are in physical danger or you believe them to be in physical danger. I leave you now to read thorough the rest of this manual and ask you to give thought to the following. Although martial arts can be used to aid yourself and others when in need that the greatest value lies in the strong spirit and strength of character that develops from your concentrated practice and every day effort.
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
Your hands are your natural tools and also your natural weapons. They are with you at all times and you don’t have to dive into pockets to find them in times of emergency. However without proper training your hands are just that, hands. The best way to learn to use your hands for self defense is to learn a martial art. Learning self defense however is only a small part of the skills that Martial Arts develops.
Practicing Martial Arts also enhances your mental. physical and spiritual well being. The mind is exercised in numerous ways, the most obvious of these is the concentration you develop while learning the movements. Students develop a greater sense of awareness and how to relax under stressful situations.
In Multi Style Martial Arts you can also progress at your own pace. Strength, speed and power are developed over the duration of your training.
When students first start learning Martial Arts they begin to improve their balance, coordination and develop supple body movement. As the student acquires more knowledge they will come to appreciate that these three skills are the basis of all Martial Arts movements. For most beginners coordination can be a difficult skill to develop. However without it your ability to generate powerful and efficient movements is greatly diminished. Coordination is developed during line drills and basic training, and it is here that is important for the beginning student to concentrate on repetition and movement so as to allow this skill to develop in a natural and progressive manner. Body linking in which separate parts of the body work together in unison is a goal of all students. Fluid, flowing movements are practiced in basics which enable the practitioner to learn to use their body weight and coordinate muscle movements to deliver effective power in their techniques. During the Warm up and stretching part of the class students are gently improving their strength and flexibility, these skills then follow over and are enhanced with their basic training. In Multi Style Martial Arts beginners are taught techniques considered by most martial arts organizations to be for advanced students only. The round punch (hook) for instance, which is the same punch most street attackers would use, is taught from day one, allowing the student to cultivate this technique from the beginning rather than withholding it until he or she has reached the so called advanced level. Stationary targets are simple drills to maximize power, but moving targets are harder to hit and require more training. Anyone can train themselves to shoot a pistol and be accurate hitting a bull's eye on a stationary target. Yet to do the same thing with a moving target is a very difficult task. Therefore students learn grappling movements and pressure points strikes in order to place their opponent in a position which enables the practitioner to deliver powerful strikes to vulnerable knock out areas of the body.
DUTIES OF THE SENIOR STUDENT
What responsibilities do the senior students have in a Multi Style Martial Arts school?. It is an important question. A good senior students knows that the strength of the school, and the strength of his art rests upon the next generation of students, and therefore cares for it with diligence. Spending time teaching and encouraging junior students ( Junior refers to not just age, but also is used to refer to those of a lower belt ranking than oneself) is only a part of the responsibility of a senior student. Another duty is the constant evaluation of the juniors skill and the ability to adjust to that level during practice. Consider for example a junior who is working on a low parry with a 45 degree forward shuffle movement and his higher graded training partner who is performing the kick for him or her. A self-centered senior would use this session as an opportunity to practice only his technique, uncorking one powerful kick after another.
A more mature senior however will be adjusting his/her kicks. He or she will unleash some strong kicks to allow the junior student the ability to understand the techniques potential and then ease up and deliver some more slowly allowing the junior grade the ability to work the defensive movement. This helps the junior to get a feeling for the technique and makes them feel more competent.
At the same time the senior is not neglecting their own training. When executing kicks at the slower speeds they are evaluating their own kicking form. Is the knee cocked correctly? Is the hip thrusting forward as it should? The senior is honing their own techniques while seeing to the instructional needs of those below them.
The senior student must also remember that while they are evaluating the juniors form the juniors are also watching and evaluating the senior. They will notice if the senior shows favoritism to a student of the opposite gender while ignoring those of the same gender. They will notice the seniors attendance habits and take note of frequent absences. They will notice if the senior shows respect for his Instructor and his dojo. They will in short notice if the senior lives the precepts of his or her art, and if it’s values are translated into actions, both in and out of the training hall. It is not easy to be a senior student of Multi Style Martial Arts. It is similar to the process of growing up and realizing that there is a younger generation behind you that trusts you for its care. It is up to you as a senior student not to disappoint these individuals and therefore also disappoint yourself by not realizing your true potential as both a martial artist and as a human being. For what use is the refinement and understanding of a martial art if after your time on earth is done you have not passed your knowledge and understanding on to others so that future generations may come to know and enjoy the fruits of their labors as you yourself have done.
ATTITUDE AND COMMITMENT
The most important aspect to achieving result for the student is the attitude and commitment projected towards training. The progress made in Multi Style Martial Arts training is largely dependant on these two factors, attitude and commitment. A willingness to learn, a respect for those able to offer tuition, a resect for fellow students and a preparedness to work hard will ensure satisfaction for all students.
RULES: All major organizations have rules, and we are no exception. The major rules are printed in this manual. Study them carefully, they are there to maintain order and safety.
SAFETY: The recognized signal for release of a technique is a tap to your, body. Alternatively you may exclaim “submit”. This signals to your opponent to release the technique immediately. Remember that safety is a prime concern at our Academy
ETIQUETTE: To maintain a degree of authenticity and traditionalism we observe certain oriental customs as pertaining to the Martial Arts. This includes salutations which portray respect for the instructor, the art and your opponent. You are advised to observe others and do what is obviously correct.
TECHNIQUE: Although the word “technique is often used to describe each defense, it is important not to focus to much on only one movement. Consider the word technique to mean “possibility”, for our ultimate goal is to react spontaneously, flowing from movement to movement without conscious thought. The mind therefore should not become static and fixed upon only one solution as the word “technique” tends to imply.
AGGRESSION :There is no need to prove yourself in the dojo or in the street. The dojo is a place of learning, of effort, of striving for improvement. Ego has no place in the dojo.
TENACITY
There are two pitfalls that all students regardless of rank should avoid.
1. BOREDOM
There is a common tendency among beginners to tire of repeating the same technique over and over again. Boredom will usually set in between the third and sixth month for the beginning student. This is a period when the student is building his foundation by learning fundamental techniques and building power. Impatience, lack of self confidence, inability to perceive improvement and just plain physical fatigue can combine to cause psychological and physical ennui. After the seventh month however the student begins to learn ways in which he or she can gauge their rate of improvement. The best way to combat boredom is to attend class requlary and develop resolve to attain a specific goal.
2. LACK OF THOROUGHNESS
To often students sacrifice thoroughness in the learning process, because they tend to lose patience and insist on progressing to a higher technique before mastering the previous one. Students should realize that it is extremely important for them to know one single technique until it becomes reflexive before progressing to the next.
The secret to attaining a Black Belt is a simple one, learn thoroughly each technique, especially kata, step by step, not only developing a physical reflexive action, but developing mental concentration as well.
THE MARTIAL ART VIRTUES
COURAGE
COURTESY
INTEGRITY
HUMILITY
SELF CONTROL
COURAGE: This is shown when a courageous person and their principles are pitted against overwhelming odds. A serious student of Martial Arts will at all times be modest and honest. When confronted with injustice they will deal with the situation without relinquishing their obligations to themselves and to others.
COURTESY: Martial Arts students should attempt to practice the following elements of courtesy to enable the development of a strong character and to conduct training in an orderly manner.
1. To be polite to one another.
2. To encourage a sense of justice and humanity.
3. To distinguish Instructor from student, senior from junior and elder from younger.
4. To behave oneself according to etiquette.
5. To respect others possessions.
6. To handle matters with fairness and sincerity.
INTEGRITY: One must be able to define right from wrong and have the conscience if wrong to feel quilt.
HUMILITY: A weed holds its head up in arrogance while a mature grain bows its head in humility. It was the philosopher Lao Tzu who said that lofty virtue is like a deep valley into which all streams of water flow. A virtuous person will draw respect of others towards them in the same fashion while one who is selfish and egotistic will lose the respect of their fellow man and become despised and isolated. To be humble is not to engage in petty squabbles, but to be like the magnanimous river in the low valley which irrigates the farm fields around it.