Not as weird as it sounds. This pianist has developed an idea of continuous music and which necessitates long periods of piano playing sometimes culminating in 19 notes a second being played. Lubomyr Melnyk says that this requires a martial arts mindset: in order to achieve this speed one needs to turn one's body "into water".
"The technique is based on a martial arts, kung fu use of the body and the energy"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16794606
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubomyr_Melnyk
Be water, my friend…..
All about martial arts training and how it affects the way I lead my life: martial arts as personal development. You'll find tips on all aspects of martial arts training such as techniques, fitness, philosophy and history. Shorinji Kempo | Tang Soo Do | Iaido
Monday, 30 January 2012
Thursday, 5 January 2012
The Grand Master says, "she works hard, she can do it": Memoir of a female Kuk Sool Won master
BBC News - Iron Butterfly: Memoir of a female Kuk Sool Won master
Nice little film from the BBC about a young female martial artist who follows her dream.
http://bbc.in/yuFmrc
"As a young girl growing up in 1950s South Korea, Choon Ok Harmon faced a dismal future as the youngest of seven brothers and sisters living off money their mother earned free-diving for shellfish in the ocean."
Also an interview by the publisher of the book and (ghost) writer:
Nice little film from the BBC about a young female martial artist who follows her dream.
http://bbc.in/yuFmrc
"As a young girl growing up in 1950s South Korea, Choon Ok Harmon faced a dismal future as the youngest of seven brothers and sisters living off money their mother earned free-diving for shellfish in the ocean."
Also an interview by the publisher of the book and (ghost) writer:
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Meditating our way into 2012
What with the last few months being somewhat turbulent I need to stay focused on task when I'm busy, but when I have down time it's important for me to dis-connect from those issues. Meditation is a good way but for me it is hard to stop that buzzing in my brain (and I don't mean this lovely Belgian coffee)!
Possibly here….
http://www.diamondway-buddhism.org/default.asp?col=05&t=centerlist.htm&CenterID=287
Saturday, 31 December 2011
New Year's Resolution for us all maybe?
A diet rich in vitamins and fish may protect the brain from ageing while junk food has the opposite effect, research suggests.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16344228
Monday, 10 October 2011
Martial arts movie references in The Matrix
Everything is a remix…check out robgwilson's take on the Matrix film's many martial arts references.
Cool and informative video.
Everything Is A Remix: THE MATRIX from robgwilson.com on Vimeo.
@openculture, @ChristofZuern
Cool and informative video.
Everything Is A Remix: THE MATRIX from robgwilson.com on Vimeo.
@openculture, @ChristofZuern
Friday, 23 September 2011
Shinto: Japanese belief system
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014qnld
"Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Japanese belief system Shinto."
Mentioned in the discussion:
Kami
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami
Keyhole tombs, Japan (Kofun)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun
"Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Japanese belief system Shinto."
Mentioned in the discussion:
Kami
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami
Keyhole tombs, Japan (Kofun)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Frederick The Great's Uniform
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Photograph, courtesy of Constanze Schweda
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Frederick the Great
His uniform was a simple officer's suit, without trim or accoutrements to show, as a true philosopher, "that outward appearance means nothing".
Which made me think of a karate uniform and why we pull one on and why its appearance is simple. Is it to remind us, like Frederick's uniform, that outward appearance is not important? Everyone should be treated equally so there is no place for fine clothes: just a simple training suit which brings everyone to the same level. A uniform, by its definition, is the same for everyone so nobody can bring in any external symbology: everything is found in the simple, white suit. We are all there to train together, to sweat hard in a co-operative way.
On the other hand there is the belt system which reveals other areas of complexity. Superficially this shows only the rank within the style, reflecting how long the practitioner has been studying and how much of the syllabus they have covered. But we all know that underneath this simple ranking system lies quite a lot of posturing and unsaid desire! As a romantic I love the idea that the belt, originally white, would turn black from wear and grime showing that those with a 'black' belt were more experienced. Furthermore Masters' belts would, through use, change back to white, donating a return to a beginner's mindset within the art: a full circle.
I had a conversation with Harry Cook, a martial artist of certain renown about the way karate was instructed. He maintains that regimented training in karate along with grading and exams may have been institutionalised by the Japanese following contact with European armies in the 19th Century. He backed this up with references which I'm afraid I don't have, but he mentioned the more relaxed earlier training styles of the Okinawans: often un-uniformed and in 'backyard' lessons. Worth more thought and references I guess...
I had a conversation with Harry Cook, a martial artist of certain renown about the way karate was instructed. He maintains that regimented training in karate along with grading and exams may have been institutionalised by the Japanese following contact with European armies in the 19th Century. He backed this up with references which I'm afraid I don't have, but he mentioned the more relaxed earlier training styles of the Okinawans: often un-uniformed and in 'backyard' lessons. Worth more thought and references I guess...
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