The art of fighting is a secondary art...  that is, it should be the last alternative used when one is found in a confrontational situation.

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Fighting is the last resort of a desperate man!

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I don’t believe in violence, but I do believe that we have a given right, that is the right to not be intimidated!!

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Everyone has their own ideas on why they want to learn any fighting art.  I took up the art because I was afraid of fighting.  It was that plain and simple.

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My education in the arts began in the early 1960’s.  Those times had a philosophy of their own.  The United States was entering a war and the philosophic younger generation of that time saw the devastation of war and rebelled against it.  The idea of an active peace  movement began to take shape , and many of us believed that if there was anything to fight about...  it was for peace! I am sorry to say that in the beginning I was not one of these people and was honorably discharged from the Air Force after serving nearly 5 years. 

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With these new views came investigations into the Eastern Philosophies.  I found myself diving into these new and complex theories.  They were telling me that honest simplicity was perplexing, and at first I found that concept quite unclear.  I found in learning these basic principles, I had to first disregard almost everything I previously learned and become willing to look at life from another direction.

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The true martial artist has nothing to prove, hence fighting will not make him a better person.  The old Samurai maxim states “ The greatest swordsman has never drawn his sword” or more simply put “fighting will never make you great!” The greater person will find a way to avoid a fight (That’s not to say, he won’t fight.) As for myself,  I have!...  but only as a last resort!

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If you have been with me long enough, you have probably noticed that I have worked one on one with different students,  teaching different aspects of Shizen-Ryu to each one.  I watch each one of  you as closely as possible and look for an area that I feel will strengthen your foundations.  In time, what I teach to one will be learned by all, but in the meantime I try to bring each of you up to a higher level by emphasizing specific areas of weakness. 

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This is where I will begin.  I’ll share with you the flaws that I see most often. Your job is even simpler than mine.  Work with each other observing the following.

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· Don’t vary from the technique! As much as you want to try something else, DON’T! Repetition is an incredible teacher.  Nothing is instantly given.  To be good we must make sacrifices.  In the end you will not have to think if it will work...  IT WILL WORK!.  So don’t vary.    

   
· Don’t rush through the technique. You have heard me say it over and over again, “ Speed is accuracy of motion ”.  It is far better to have a perfect slow technique, than a poor fast one.  Besides, you could hurt your partner.  

​· Don’t take you eyes off of you opponents eyes. That is, don’t look at his/her foot, hands, legs, neck, nose, inner ear canal, etc. Look at the eyes... always! If you don’t your attention will be drawn away from the whole, and you will be working at a much lower capacity.    

    
· Don’t think that if you tighten-up your body that you will be strong. Relax...act or react softly. You will find your greatest strength coming from control rather than power.       
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· Don’t move from the top?! We must practice moving from “One Point” letting our breath rise from the Saiken Noiken. There is no movement from One Point without proper breathing. Relaxation is also a part of proper movement, don’t tense up... relax, be aware of your body’s response to the actions around you. 
  
Lastly, don’t think!!! If a situation arises in which all avenues are closed except one, then your response must begin with a clear mind. Once a thought begins on how you will react, then you have removed any and all variables to whatever possible action you might take.

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There is no secret, no short cut, and no easy path. If you want to learn, please, by all means come join us. We are slow... we are repetitious; we are traditional, and honest in our approach. Most of all, if you are honest in your desire to learn, we welcome you.