05/12/2005 In Miscellany by andy
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Note to those practicing Taido outside the USA: American Taido students typically wear standard karategi for Taido practice.
I started practicing Taido in 1984, when I was seven years old. For those of you who don’t remember, the 80s in America were all about flash, and the martial arts were no exception. I remember looking through martial arts magazines as a kid and seeing guys in American flag satin gi (the word “uniform” hardly applies), pink and black tiger-stripe gi, and all kinds of crazy patterns with patches for just about everything all over them. At one point, Century was even marketing “rugged” stone-washed gi that looked as if they’d ought to have been worn by the likes of Motley Crue.
You may laugh at the idea of seeing a karate school full of hair band rejects, but it’s not such a silly deal. In all seriousness, one could easily say the traditional white pajamas are just as silly in this day and age. Especially here in the West.
Note to those practicing Taido outside the USA: American Taido students typically wear standard karategi for Taido practice.
I started practicing Taido in 1984, when I was seven years old. For those of you who don’t remember, the 80s in America were all about flash, and the martial arts were no exception. I remember looking through martial arts magazines as a kid and seeing guys in American flag satin gi (the word “uniform” hardly applies), pink and black tiger-stripe gi, and all kinds of crazy patterns with patches for just about everything all over them. At one point, Century was even marketing “rugged” stone-washed gi that looked as if they’d ought to have been worn by the likes of Motley Crue.
You may laugh at the idea of seeing a karate school full of hair band rejects, but it’s not such a silly deal. In all seriousness, one could easily say the traditional white pajamas are just as silly in this day and age. Especially here in the West.
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28/12/2005 In Miscellany by andy
[rant] Not to be negative, but these things bug me. I have compiled my list of the top eleven problems with Taido as things currently stand. This list is unique to me and represents my personal values for what Taido is and should become. I can cope if people don’t agree, but meanwhile, i’ll be working on moving things in a direction that I feel is healthier and more effective all around. Maybe I can change a few minds, and maybe I’ll change my mind too as things go forward. For right now, here (not really in any kind of order) are what I see as the eleven biggest things holding Taido back from its potential:
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16/03/2006 In Experiments / Ideas, Practice / Training by andy
I love coffee. Always have, as far back as I can remember actually knowing what coffee tastes like. So when I was looking for a job during a “break” from school, it was only natural that I should apply at Starbucks. I did and was hired. Actually, I worked at Starbucks several times, as well as a few other coffee shops, but this story takes place at the Starbucks store at the perimeter pointe shopping center in north atlanta.
The last time I did a stint at Starbucks was the second half of 2001, and the manager of our store was a woman named Sherri. She was nice-ish, but the two of us had major problems getting along. Though we both had good intentions, we seemed to go about everything in totally different ways. Of course, my way was infinitely superior in every possible manner of judging.
I love coffee. Always have, as far back as I can remember actually knowing what coffee tastes like. So when I was looking for a job during a “break” from school, it was only natural that I should apply at Starbucks. I did and was hired. Actually, I worked at Starbucks several times, as well as a few other coffee shops, but this story takes place at the Starbucks store at the perimeter pointe shopping center in north atlanta.
The last time I did a stint at Starbucks was the second half of 2001, and the manager of our store was a woman named Sherri. She was nice-ish, but the two of us had major problems getting along. Though we both had good intentions, we seemed to go about everything in totally different ways. Of course, my way was infinitely superior in every possible manner of judging.
Continue Reading...
16/03/2006 In People by andy
I am not a violent person. Despite my skill at making others want to hit me, it has always been more my style to ignore insults and walk away from physical confrontations. My quick wit has been a tremendous advantage to me in talking my way out of potential trouble. However a few years ago, I found myself preparing to be (painfully) thrown out of a pub by some very large men who worked there. These men were smart enough to see that, if they did not intervene with what was happening in our corner of the bar, someone would have ended up hospitalized.
Luckily, no punches had to be thrown. The “other party” (oddly, a friend of one of my mentors) apologized, and we all went on drinking and having a good time. As the evening continued, it was obvious that he could tell I would not have hesitated to fight him had he not spoken up when he did. And I wouldn’t have: he had been trying to make an ass of Bryan sparks.
I am not a violent person. Despite my skill at making others want to hit me, it has always been more my style to ignore insults and walk away from physical confrontations. My quick wit has been a tremendous advantage to me in talking my way out of potential trouble. However a few years ago, I found myself preparing to be (painfully) thrown out of a pub by some very large men who worked there. These men were smart enough to see that, if they did not intervene with what was happening in our corner of the bar, someone would have ended up hospitalized.
Luckily, no punches had to be thrown. The “other party” (oddly, a friend of one of my mentors) apologized, and we all went on drinking and having a good time. As the evening continued, it was obvious that he could tell I would not have hesitated to fight him had he not spoken up when he did. And I wouldn’t have: he had been trying to make an ass of Bryan sparks.
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18/04/2006 In Check It Out by andy
This page is for referrals to products I recommend. I do not make recommendations for things I do not personally enjoy owning and using. In some cases, I may receive a commission if you choose to buy through my links, but I’m not just posting random links for money - you can rest assured that anything on this page is the best I have found.
Elastic Steel
Paul Zaichik has some great products for improving strength, balance, and flexibility. Each one gives you a specific routine designed to get the most out of the body’s natural reflexes. Teach your nervous system to relax and allow your body to “stretch” deeper with less effort. Build real, solid strength without having to go to a gym. Paul is not just some random personal trainer selling internet workout programs; he’s a martial artist and gymnast, and he has some very impressive movement.
This page is for referrals to products I recommend. I do not make recommendations for things I do not personally enjoy owning and using. In some cases, I may receive a commission if you choose to buy through my links, but I’m not just posting random links for money - you can rest assured that anything on this page is the best I have found.
Elastic Steel
Paul Zaichik has some great products for improving strength, balance, and flexibility. Each one gives you a specific routine designed to get the most out of the body’s natural reflexes. Teach your nervous system to relax and allow your body to “stretch” deeper with less effort. Build real, solid strength without having to go to a gym. Paul is not just some random personal trainer selling internet workout programs; he’s a martial artist and gymnast, and he has some very impressive movement.
Continue Reading...
27/04/2006 In Experiments / Ideas by andy
There is a saying I’ve heard in various forms that goes like this: do not do what the master did; seek what he sought. The wisdom here is very applicable to us in Taido.
Who’s the Master?
Who’s the baddest mo-fo low-down this side of town? Well, that would be the Shogun of Harlem, but in our case the master was Shukumine. I don’t feel that’s the end of the story though, because I think the entire point of practice is to attain mastery for ourselves.
I know it’s taboo in martial arts to aim for mastery. We’re supposed to “follow the path” without thinking of the goal. Goal fixation and the lust of results are sure ways to stultify our development. But I’m talking about something different. Mastery is not a result at which we will someday arrive; it’s a process we live. I believe that thoughtful practice of Taido is one means by which one can choose to live the path of mastery.
There is a saying I’ve heard in various forms that goes like this: do not do what the master did; seek what he sought. The wisdom here is very applicable to us in Taido.
Who’s the Master?
Who’s the baddest mo-fo low-down this side of town? Well, that would be the Shogun of Harlem, but in our case the master was Shukumine. I don’t feel that’s the end of the story though, because I think the entire point of practice is to attain mastery for ourselves.
I know it’s taboo in martial arts to aim for mastery. We’re supposed to “follow the path” without thinking of the goal. Goal fixation and the lust of results are sure ways to stultify our development. But I’m talking about something different. Mastery is not a result at which we will someday arrive; it’s a process we live. I believe that thoughtful practice of Taido is one means by which one can choose to live the path of mastery.
Continue Reading...
08/06/2006 In Learning / Teaching by andy
So, what’s the big deal about patricide? It seems to come up a lot in literature. When the Olympian gods overthrew the titans in greek mythology, it was Zeus who made the victory decisive by murdering his own father, Cronus (who, incidentally, had also murdered his own father). I’m pretty sure there’s a few patricide stories in the Bible (it’s practically a how-to manual for all-around wickedness), but I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Some primitive cultures had coming-of-age rituals in which the sons would act out battles with their fathers and uncles before learning the secrets of the tribe. In American courts, murdering one’s father has become nearly acceptable behavior, provided he did something abusive to the child at some point.
So, what’s the big deal about patricide? It seems to come up a lot in literature. When the Olympian gods overthrew the titans in greek mythology, it was Zeus who made the victory decisive by murdering his own father, Cronus (who, incidentally, had also murdered his own father). I’m pretty sure there’s a few patricide stories in the Bible (it’s practically a how-to manual for all-around wickedness), but I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Some primitive cultures had coming-of-age rituals in which the sons would act out battles with their fathers and uncles before learning the secrets of the tribe. In American courts, murdering one’s father has become nearly acceptable behavior, provided he did something abusive to the child at some point.
Continue Reading...
08/06/2006 In People by andy
note: Some people didn’t understand this article the first time around and took parts of it as an attack on my teacher - a man whom I greatly admire. I have attempted to abate this somewhat by narrowing the focus of this article and dealing with tangential issues in separate posts. Some of the content originally included here has been moved, but I have not significantly altered my general tone or message. Please understand that I am a little sarcastic sometimes, and my humor is extremely dry. There is no venom here; just an honest look at a man few people really understand.
Mits Uchida is the founder and head instructor of the “United States Taido Association.” Much has been made in recent months over my apparent falling out with him (due in large part to misinterpretations of the first incarnation of this article), but I maintain that this is essentially one-sided. Though I cannot support certain aspects of the way he runs his business, I have a deep respect for his abilities, talents, and accomplishments.
note: Some people didn’t understand this article the first time around and took parts of it as an attack on my teacher - a man whom I greatly admire. I have attempted to abate this somewhat by narrowing the focus of this article and dealing with tangential issues in separate posts. Some of the content originally included here has been moved, but I have not significantly altered my general tone or message. Please understand that I am a little sarcastic sometimes, and my humor is extremely dry. There is no venom here; just an honest look at a man few people really understand.
Mits Uchida is the founder and head instructor of the “United States Taido Association.” Much has been made in recent months over my apparent falling out with him (due in large part to misinterpretations of the first incarnation of this article), but I maintain that this is essentially one-sided. Though I cannot support certain aspects of the way he runs his business, I have a deep respect for his abilities, talents, and accomplishments.
Continue Reading...
08/06/2006 In Experiments / Ideas, Taido/Blog by andy
As I mentioned in my top 11 article, one of my favorite aspects of my Taido experience has been the opportunity to participate as a member of an international community. There are people all over the world that share my passion for Taido, and I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many of them. There are plenty of others whom I have not yet had a chance to meet, but I hope to get around to it.
It’s one of my goals for the next couple of years is to visit every country where people are practicing Taido. My reason for wanting to do this is to learn more about how Taido is practiced and what kind of people practice it. The more I can learn about the people who do Taido and the practices in which they engage, the better I can understand what Taido actually is and, more importantly, where it’s going. It’ll give me a chance to influence this evolution as well.
As I mentioned in my top 11 article, one of my favorite aspects of my Taido experience has been the opportunity to participate as a member of an international community. There are people all over the world that share my passion for Taido, and I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many of them. There are plenty of others whom I have not yet had a chance to meet, but I hope to get around to it.
It’s one of my goals for the next couple of years is to visit every country where people are practicing Taido. My reason for wanting to do this is to learn more about how Taido is practiced and what kind of people practice it. The more I can learn about the people who do Taido and the practices in which they engage, the better I can understand what Taido actually is and, more importantly, where it’s going. It’ll give me a chance to influence this evolution as well.
Continue Reading...
27/06/2006 In Experiments / Ideas, Taido/Blog by andy
The two words “consider it” happen to make up one of my favorite english-langage phrases. I was once asked what was required in order to be considerate - my answer was “consider it.”
So, foregoing any kind of clever segue, a few months ago, I lost the ability to do anything at all to Taido/Blog. Obviously, I have now corrected the issue, but the nature of the actual problem is still somewhat mysterious to me - it’s something semi-technical that falls under the general rubric of “things I’ve chosen not to bother with learning to understand.” Luckily for me, an upgrade of my WordPress build pretty much took care of things.
The two words “consider it” happen to make up one of my favorite english-langage phrases. I was once asked what was required in order to be considerate - my answer was “consider it.”
So, foregoing any kind of clever segue, a few months ago, I lost the ability to do anything at all to Taido/Blog. Obviously, I have now corrected the issue, but the nature of the actual problem is still somewhat mysterious to me - it’s something semi-technical that falls under the general rubric of “things I’ve chosen not to bother with learning to understand.” Luckily for me, an upgrade of my WordPress build pretty much took care of things.
Continue Reading...
