Everything we do in life requires some form of training. We learn things by doing, and by doing, we improve ourselves without consciously being aware of it. Think about your own experiences going through school, educating yourself with, not only Science and Math, but on how to interact with peers, manage your time, join school functions, and dealing with issues growing up. In a lot of ways, ‘life is mostly training’ because we are constantly learning as we go, learning from past mistakes, and taking on ever-evolving challenges. Any individual interested in acquiring a set of new skills, such as taking up a new sport, hobby, or job, must invest sufficient time in order to adapt and gain proficiency. Let’s take Muay Thai training as a specialized skill. A newbie is introduced to the basics, then advanced movements would soon follow. In the process, the student learns how to move his or her body as it relates to striking, blocking, and countering. It’s like learning how to dance with numerous routines to master. Initially, one has to do the curriculum in strict fashion, not to deviate from the standards in place. After proficiency is attained, one becomes self-aware and self-reliant, adapting to the immediate environment, gaining discipline, following appropriate behaviors, and no longer seeing Muay Thai as a tool, but as a lifestyle.

Training, in essence, is a non-stop exercise of both mind and body. And to understand Muay Thai in a spiritual sense, one’s actions and thought processes must be guided, regulated, and encouraged by responsible and knowledgeable teachers in order to transcend the physical and mental barriers of practiced skills. Nonetheless, it’s an endless process of absorbing the good, discarding the bad, and contributing to those in need. Whereas the Muay Thai we see on TV can be described as its most powerful and potent form, the unseen characteristics of it are what defines a great fighter, a mere enthusiast, and/or a responsible Martial Artist.

2012 at last — The beginning of a very exciting and unpredictable year. Is this the end, or simply the beginning? Whatever it maybe, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to start the year with a plan, and perhaps a blessing of sorts. A resolution, by itself, is only as powerful as we make it. If, for instance, we wish to live a healthy life, then we should create a blueprint which includes proper exercise and diet. Those who want to improve their martial skills can do so by writing down tangible goals and making them happen within the year. Training the mind leads to adequate training of the body. By changing the way we see things and developing our inner being, we can expect not to expect and, therefore, gain the patience and discipline to learn and grow as we should. This is particularly crucial in a society like ours, where we have become accustomed to a faster pace, information overload, and staying plugged into our high tech gadgetries. So, the question remains, how do we carry out a resolution in an ever-evolving environment? The answer varies from person to person, but the most basic of methods is clear: In order to change anything in our lives, we ought to alter our perception of things, create steps to reach said goals, and deal with obstacles without wavering. As far as our bigger and more ideal goals are concerned, let our small victories lead to higher and more ambitious ones. For moments when we feel overwhelmed by it all, guidance from an unlikely spiritual force can help boost our way through the rough and challenging times.

So it’s that time of the year again, where images of Santa and the snowman take over. Where every other neighbor decides to light up their home. And, where last minute shoppers flood the malls and angry drivers take over the highways. For all the celebration and gift-giving, one of the best reasons to look forward to Christmas is the actual holidays itself. But for people in Southeast Asia, there’s really no such holiday and it’s business as usual. Even this very moment, people here seem detached from this concept of season’s greetings: no Christmas carols on the radio; no Christmas trees to decorate; virtually no lighted up houses or condos; only a handful of super commercial shopping areas displaying Santa with a sled in hopes of increasing sales. It’s certainly one-sided to say that all of Southeast Asia has no Christmas, since there are groups of Christians, as well as, westernized communities all over the globe. What seems obvious, however, is the dominance of Buddhism in SE Asia, which encompasses its own set of holidays and derivative interpretations of it. For countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, Christmas is predominantly a foreign affair. Hence, there is no Santa bringing down gifts from the chimney, chestnuts on an open fire, or snow-covered sleds pulled by raindeers. But Santa, snow, and ornaments don’t truly define Christmas as a whole. And if the spirit of Christmas is to celebrate with families and friends while taking a break from it all, then these are things that SE Asians can relate with, minus all the Christmas themes and symbols we’ve gone accustomed to in the West.

If you spent enough time training in any form of Martial Art, sport, or discipline, you probably had the opportunity to engage in some form of verbal, physical, or mental sparring with others. Sparring, unlike fighting, is a means of expressing ourselves in a somewhat controlled environment, be it through words or actions. In a school setting, sparring can occur in any given moment, such as when one deals with a bully or gets into a heated discussion with pears. Sparring, in this sense, has more to do with negotiating and reasoning. In a Martial Arts setting, however, training dictates how sparring ought to be conducted. At the least, training objectives and goals set the sparring pace. Each school or gym operates with a different set of beliefs. A so-called fighter’s gym may favor hardcore sparring, while another may focus more on light contact. Whatever the approach may be, sparring is an integral part of understanding and expressing who we in relation to our surroundings. For instance, in a professional setting, sparring occurs in a more subtle manner and those caught in the mix either attack or defend themselves based on how they think and what they stand for. Have you ever had to defend your ideas against a friend, relative, or coworker while having a conversation? Verbal and mental sparring has many forms and can happen at any given moment. In a hardcore environment, it’s either ’sink or swim’. This is why some people who lack integrity resort to ‘backstabbing’ or ’surprise attacks’, while others become the very people they hate. A strong individual can weather this by staying true to who they are until the storm dissipates. Nonetheless, in a culture of respect, sparring is used in a communal way, to enhance everybody’s performance. Thus, sparring is exercised in a positive way, where arguments are meant to stimulate thought and improve upon current standards in place, as opposed to alienating others through force or using harsh words to discourage positive growth. There’s a difference between being strict to bring out the best in someone and being oppressive.

Let’s look at sparring a little bit closer, as it applies to Martial Arts training. Sparring, as I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, comes in many forms and in varying degrees. The most basic falls under light, medium, and hard sessions. Each version is beneficial to the extent at which it is applied in consideration with established goals. For instance, fighters can engage in hard sparring to hone their skills, then tone it down to avoid injury prior to a match. Novice practitioners begin by understanding movement as it relates to their individual capabilities before deciding to escalate successive sparring drills. Those in the intermediate level usually spar based on what they can handle. Intensity is based on how each participant delivers and deals with attacks. In general, the lighter the sparring is, the greater the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. When one is always defensive, it’s hard to try anything new. Of course, seasoned veterans tend to go a bit harder with each other since their ability to relax and strategize under pressure is much higher. The use of sparring is very subjective and to be comfortable in it, one has to start light. Note, however, that high intensity sparring does not necessarily determine absolute skill, as many fighters and seasoned Martial Artists can tell you, that there are always those who perform poorly in a sparring session, yet become outstanding during real fights.

Aside from the physiological benefits of sparring, it’s also a mental check on how we conduct ourselves in stressful and challenging situations. Do we panic, get angry, retaliate, or take it personal when we get hit? What feelings get triggered when we play against a more skilled partner, or a complete beginner? Can we learn to see our situation as merely another training drill in order to focus on what skills we need to build? Am I always going hard to prove something to my partner or myself? As a general rule of thumb, I always go as light or intense as my partner does. Sometimes a partner may go harder without intending to. One may be nervous or overly anxious and have not yet controlled their expressions during sparring. This is when some form of verbal agreement can be made prior to contact. With all this talk about dealing with pressure and learning how to relax, sparring is sparring, and anyone who wants to escape their current limitations can do so by finding ways to change ideas and skills that don’t work. Sparring gives us better control of our bodies. It also allows us to release our inhibitions and the negative feelings inside of us. This is why many athletes have a positive outlet for stress, while the general public experiences bad customer service, depression, and even road rage. Mentally speaking, sparring keeps us together, even when others want to disrupt our senses. After all, a fight or a struggle in our head is just that. Therefore, to react to someone’s misguided or mischievous intent is to fall for his or her trap. And all of us have fallen at one point or another. The idea is to learn from our mistakes and to see it coming the next time around. Remember that, sparring is simply controlled fighting, one that prepares us for the real thing. Once you gain enough experience in it, you begin to realize that you are merely fighting with yourself. The answer is to let things be through practice — Only then can we see things for what they are and deal with it accordingly!

Over a year ago, I wrote a blog that related to the subject of awareness. It’s a topic that can never be overemphasized. Just to illustrate my point. Last week, a new student got off work late one night and encountered a man who repeatedly knocked on her car window. Luckily, she did the right thing and drove off. Someone else may be too naive and would roll down the window to talk to a stranger even if nobody else is around. Or someone else may freeze up and not know how to react, giving the stranger an opportunity to break in. Awareness, coupled with safety in mind, allows an individual to take the initiative and do what’s necessary to stay out of trouble. For others, however, leaving a place when trouble starts may not be possible, especially when it happens within closed doors. Take for instance, the disturbing news today about repeated gunfire inside a hair saloon on Seal Beach. Six people died and three others where injured in this usually trouble-free neighborhood. Ruthless acts such as this one are hard to predict, not just because of where it occurred, but the manner in which it transpired. I mean, it’s not normal for people to walk in any public setting and go postal on strangers. So what can unsuspecting individuals do in times like this? As I’ve mentioned before, it’s always good to scope out your surroundings and keep an eye out for unusual activities. There’s certainly a fine line between being aware, as opposed to, stereotyping individuals as possible criminals, since there is no specific characteristic that fits this mold. Being aware means many things to many people. For a martial artist, it boils down to a few basic things:
- Look for signs of trouble around you and before entering any particular establishment
- Immediately locate exit doors in case of trouble or knowing where to hide
- Have a snap-shot of everyone and everything around you
- Know which items can be used for self-defense
- Always be aware of suspicious activity or unusual behavior (learn to understand what’s around you)
- For women, it’s always better to carry some sort of protection, such as a pepper spray, zapper, or sharp object (such as a pen)
- Be unassuming and stay in the sidelines until a self-preservation act or an act of preserving others is a must
- The ability to act without hesitation when immediate action is required must be done swiftly (such as nullifying an attack)
I will stop the list here, to dissuade others from becoming too paranoid everywhere they go. The idea is not so much to stay on full alert 24/7, but to be aware of subtle changes without overreacting, yet knowing when to change gears when trouble escalates. This is a challenge in itself and requires constant practice. Even then, life is too unpredictable at times. Nonetheless, by leaning towards safety, we can minimize the danger that may lie in front of us, or behind us. Of course, I would also advocate training in Martial Arts, not only because of the apparent self-defense training, but the mental toughness and alertness that develops through time. In a worst case scenario, ‘attacking the attack’ to prevent further damage must be instinctual, just as you do in sparring. It may not save everyone, but it may do less damage than simply turning one’s back and escaping. Either way, it’s always helpful to learn techniques that can keep you out of harm’s way, but it’s much better to spot possible danger and avoid it altogether. After all, danger in the form of a gun or multiple attackers is not something anyone, including top-notch fighters and Martial Arts masters, would want to be involved in. Unless, of course, you happen to have an entourage of ninjas beside you, ready to watch your surroundings at all times!

Vandalism is a “deliberately mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property.” There is among the public, a vandal on the loose, who attempted to break one of our night vision cameras. The culprit had the audacity to strike in broad daylight, but when nobody was around to notice. It was as if he knew just the right moment to carry out this dirty deed. He’s pictured here, bald-headed, wearing shorts and holding a stick (a blow-up pic will be posted on the board). If anyone sees this guy outside the premises or notices any other suspicious activity around the school, don’t hesitate to notify us. The vandal walked around the targeted camera, not realizing that it has a WIDE angle view. This, of course, captured his actions on film. Unfortunately, nobody was watching the monitors during this calculated sneaky back-alley attack. Regardless of what his intentions were or who his accomplice is, this unsavory behavior done in such a dishonorable manner will surely come back to him one of these days. I guess some people view criminal and hateful activities as some form of entertainment and empowerment, when, in fact, it’s more of a measure of how weak they can be, wanting to upset or intimidate others in hopes that they can feel better about themselves. And while Arcadia PD will be alerted and notified, let’s take the initiative and be on the lookout for suspicious characters who try to ruin our training time. As for the mystery vandal in our video, why not take up a productive hobby, feed the homeless, or, at the least, play big brother to a child from a dysfunctional family? By doing so, perhaps you can find some meaning in your life instead of conducting petty acts of aggression that do nothing more than keep you even more aggravated and dissatisfied in an already hateful world.

To absorb a new idea or new way of learning, it’s best to start with a clean slate. However, there can be conflict between the ego and the path to emptiness. Past knowledge and experience must be set aside in order to get the most out of a new curriculum. The higher the knowledge is, the more difficult it is to let go. This is why ideal students comprise of those who no nothing about the subject at hand. As humans, we have a tendency of adding our own ideas and opinions about just about anything, especially when the subject is something we’ve invested some time learning in the past. This is the ultimate challenge, to start with close to zero. Sometimes, it takes something drastic and life-changing to humble us into learning as we should. A martial arts practitioner who learned a watered down version of the real thing, for instance, may receive a rude awakening during a sparring session against a real stylist. Or a person highly skilled in sparring or competition can fall victim to a real street confrontation. It’s moments like this that acts as a catalyst, prompting the few to re-asses their own shortcomings and ‘empty their cup’.

Indeed, the phrase ‘empty your cup’ has been a staple of Martial Arts philosophy since it all began. Yet, the very notion of being empty is misconstrued, not only by everyday people, but by modern practitioners themselves. When we ‘empty our cup’, we open ourselves to new concepts and experiences. This does not necessarily mean that we should be completely ignorant and absorb the new teachings without common sense or further inquiry. We all, at some point, had to learn something new in our lives. It’s normal to assume, even to a small extent, what to expect out of a new lesson, based on what we’ve seen or heard from others, as well as, past experiences. For instance, before learning how to play guitar, it’s useful to learn reading notes. Then the way in which the strokes are practiced and applied depends on the style being performed, be it the blues, rock, and so on. In Martial Arts, some styles may throw kicks to set-up their hands, while others throw punches to set-up their kicks. To ‘empty your cup’ is to decide prior to learning something new, that whatever you’ve learned in the past will not interfere with your new learning. That if questions arise, the smart thing to do is to ask questions rather than to come up with your own answers. That even if you feel that you have plenty more previous information than your classmates does not mean your knowledge of the new material is such. That you should expect to feel like a beginner for as long as it takes until proficiency from humble training transpires.

When someone has a full cup or a cup half full, there maybe too many pre-existing ideas that leave no room for new ones. A cup half full is still a challenge for beginners because learning only goes half way. But in modern times, is it really possible for anyone to empty their cup? And with today’s collective mindset, is it sufficient enough to learn the fast way by omitting the time-consuming details of the past? In other words, is the old school way of thinking and learning no longer required in today’s half-filled and fast-food type environment? So far, the internet and endless ways to gather information has made it accessible for anybody to learn just about anything, anywhere (or at least, get a quick education of sorts). Anyone can type in any particular style or lesson from any field and attain instantaneous information on the subject at hand. Yet with all these innovative learning methods, the idea of emptying one’s cup is still as relevant today as it was in the past. To learn without limitations, it’s important to keep an open mind and digest new learning opportunities without prejudice. It’s not that we cannot learn other things or that we have to unlearn what we already know. It’s more about being faithful to the new lesson and giving it a chance to flourish inside us. With a cup half full, our attention can sway elsewhere and our learning can take new form. Our ability to make the lessons our own and eventually use our own interpretations of what we learned hinges on the proper way in which they are to be internalized in the first place. A half-baked understanding can quickly turn into something else entirely if the initial purpose and goal of learning disappears with each half-hearted attempt.

Have you ever wondered why some students get better after each level achieved while others stay the same? Just like normal people, there are those who aspire to improve while others are simply content with what they know (or don’t know). Those who reach the elite levels use so-called failures as a boost, gain motivation from the criticism of naysayers, and humble themselves for further study. The concept is easy, but not everyone follows it – start with an empty cup and fill it with something new. Then you can add other ideas and skill sets once you’ve reached a certain level of understanding. This way of thinking, however, is very challenging, for many fail during the initial phases of learning something new, afraid to try something different or look awkward, uncomfortable to abandon old ideas for fear of being in the dark. In some ways, to ‘empty your cup’ is to let things go and loose control. Let someone navigate your new journey until you can walk on your own again. Only when you achieve ‘emptiness’ will you fully absorb new things, things that can re-create you in ways you never thought possible. Would your guard be down during this process? Absolutely! But that’s the purity of self-discovery. Be if failure or success, let the adventure shape a new you. So decide if your cup is half full or half empty, then empty your cup over and over again!

Video games can be addicting. For many gamers or even occasional users, getting glued in front of the monitor for hours is not uncommon. In fact, it’s quite normal. I remember way back when, I spent hours in front of my computer screen playing Doom. At one time, when I was recovering from an injury, I sat in front of my TV all morning and the better half of the afternoon playing Metal Gear. During that moment, all I wanted was to get to the next level. Of course, each time one level gets completed, another one lies waiting to be conquered. Like any task or activity we obsess over, time stops and nothing else seems to matter. In reality, our health and body does matter. By sitting around for hours without taking breaks and neglecting our most basic need to take care of ourselves, we put our body and mind at risk.

Obesity is already a serious issue among children in the West, many of whom attribute a great deal of time in video anonymity. If that’s not serious enough, consider a growing number of young gamers who have lost their lives after spending too many hours playing. Recently, a 20 year old got a blood clot after sitting for hours in a fixed position during his normal game sessions. He lost his life shortly after. Sitting or being in a static position for hours without adequate circulation to the body can be harmful to us. Think about what happens when we cut-off circulation to any part of our body? We suddenly feel a slight tingling sensation or a sense of numbness. To regain full control of the cut-off area, we then need to loosen the body and create movement until blood circulates as it normally does in our veins. While getting a blood clot during gaming is an extreme case, it’s always better to take precautionary measures and avoid stationary positions for extended periods of time. In Asia, it’s not uncommon for gamers to pass out from playing too long. In fact, a kid was found dead after playing for three straight days without a break.

Certainly, exercising is not the only way to keep our body functioning as it should. Activities such as outdoor sports and doing normal social interactions that lessen our chances of sitting around too much or abusing our bodies for hours can help us maintain a good balance. Video games can be fun. But, just like anything else we engage in, it should be moderated. Isn’t it ironic, that some people take normal activities like walking, driving, and hanging out with friends for granted until something alarming transpires? It’s not until one looses control of normal bodily functions or feels a deep sense of discomfort that health becomes paramount. A friend of a friend once experienced a stroke on the job. Much like an obsessed gamer, she did nothing but overwork and stress over small details without taking breaks. Often she would simply eat a candy bar and drink soda to supplement her lunch or dinner cravings. Certainly, the warning signs were there, with every little dizzy spell she experienced. Perhaps being a young working women made is seem as if she was immune from any serious health threat. The stroke paralyzed her body and made it difficult for her to speak. Nowadays, she has improved a great deal since her long rehabilitation.

Taking great care of ourselves should take precedence over any other task. Outside of our health, everything else seems trivial. Think about it. If we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we take care of anybody else? Breaks are important because it helps us recover. That’s why the things we do, be it work, school, or playing video games should never be conducted to the point of paralysis. Remember that the world is full of games, so choose your battles and play wisely!

Each time we begin a new venture, be it a new career, a new passion, or a new outlook in life, we start the process of working on new goals and aspirations. The first step is usually the most challenging, since it forces us to change the way we normally think, to somehow rediscover ourselves, and to start off with a clean slate. The idea of starting all over again means abandoning, at least for the duration of our new venture, old habits and ways of doing things. It’s like starting in the first level, where we let go of our preconceived notions in order to receive a set of new lessons, ideas, and ways of learning. This is how we evolve as humans, a constant work-in-progress waiting to break new ground or understand concepts that once eluded us. When you think about it, our mind, body, and soul are never static, seeking to internalize the world around us as we see fit.

Picture, if you will, an infant discovering things for the first time. Walking, talking, and even looking at grumpy old faces seem all so new. With each discovery, a child begins to learn more and more about his or her world. As adults, we too discover and rediscover ourselves in relation to the world through new experiences. Reinventing our very existence through new tasks, settings, relationships, and ways of thinking. Some people, for instance, change careers in hopes of earning more income, or to do something they truly enjoy. Others look to others to share mutual experiences and fill some sort of void. There are also those who seek to reinvent themselves through a happy medium, such as learning Martial Arts, moving to a new state, making new friends, and getting a new hobby. It’s like solving puzzle within ourselves, though the puzzle always seems to be unfinished. As our life unfolds, we learn about ourselves and create our own experiences. We then begin to develop our own ideas about world around us. But ideas, much like the seasons, can change over time. Through life-changing experiences, painful memories, and even traumatic moments, the way in which we see and do things can change in an instant.

In training, work-in-progress means learning as we go. Within each level, a trainee gains proficiency through muscle memory and mindfulness. Training is followed in the strictest sense, until advanced practitioners gain proficiency, thereby making it easier to go through the next phase of the learning curve, one that requires reflection, insight, and individual improvisation. Adaptation, much like when a child learns to walk, happens after a series of unsuccessful attempts. It occurs when a certain amount of trial and error takes place, allowing the mind and body to work as one to create the desired result. Any type of skill, however, can always be improved upon. A writer gets renewed inspiration from different types of prose, as well as, other types of artistic expression. A race car driver can always improve his or her take off, speed, and lap time through competition. And a true warrior never stops learning, not only new skill sets, but basic skills which always require subtle tweaks in an ever-changing fighting environment.

To achieve completeness, say, in martial proficiency can be somewhat of an irony. For completeness has more to do with mastering the fundamentals and internalizing them in a way that the movements and concepts are infused together as part of any given Martial Artist’s character, capabilities, and overall comprehension. To learn the complete system of any given style means to take and internalize the main teachings of masters that have gone before us and eventually use our personal interpretations to guide us in the future. This includes, not only the interpretation of martial skills itself, but the way in which we interact with others, how we find new ways of feeling patient amidst the chaos around us, how we stay calm during stormy seasons, how we constantly learn to look beyond superficiality and get to know others for who they really are, how we can forgive ourselves for past mistakes and move on to bigger and better things…There are certainly endless ways. By understanding that we are a constant work-in-progress, we can eliminate arrogance and promote humility. Ultimately, we have the ability to use our own shortcomings to propel us further, realizing that nothing is ever set in stone.