Master One Move at a Time

Are you trying to master a form? 

Try the “get one thing right today” principle.

Check with your sensei to find out what the proper checkpoints are, make sure you understand them, and try to execute them. Once you get close to the example set by your sensei, practice that aspect over and over until you perform it reflexively. Next time you come to the dojo, run through it a few times to make sure you’re still doing it right, and come back to it now and then in the future to see if you can make it better.

A student who never masters one aspect before moving to another may know more techniques at the end of a year, but the one who gets "one thing right" will be better at the core movements of the art.

Build Your Skills at an Ann Arbor Martial Arts Organization

Getting one thing right today doesn’t have to end with martial arts. You can improve your whole lifestyle by joining SMAA, a prestigious martial arts organization that teaches historical Japanese martial arts. Contact SMAA here to start your journey.

Approaching New Moves

How do you approach learning a new move?

A great way to approach each day in the dojo is to decide to "get one thing right today." Isolate one aspect of your art—a foot position you struggle with in iaido, the rhythm of a form in karate-do, or the hand position leading up to a throw in judo—and concentrate on doing it right.

Wait until you can get that "one thing" right before turning your attention to another. You will be surprised at how your foundation moves improve if you take this approach. Since the average student comes to the dojo three times per week, you could get really good at 156 components of your art in a year.

Read more about the “get one thing right today” principle here.

Perfect Your Moves at a Prestigious Martial Arts Organization

Getting one thing right today doesn’t have to end with martial arts. You can improve your whole lifestyle by joining SMAA, a martial arts organization that teaches historical Japanese martial arts. Contact SMAA here to start your journey.

The Specialties of Suiejutsu

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to swim in armor?

Like most other koryu, or “ancient schools,” the various systems of suieijutsu each have (or had) their own specialties, which were often influenced by geographical location and clan affiliation:

• Shinden Ryu focused on long distance swimming
• Kankai Ryu concentrated on swimming in the ocean
• Suifu Ryu was directed toward swimming in river rapids
• Kobori Ryu includes much of the above, and it was what the bushi studied to learn to engage an opponent in the water while wearing armor.

Kobori Ryu Today

Kobori Ryu students learned to tread water by moving their legs in a manner a bit similar to an eggbeater. Today, you can see people involved in Western water polo and synchronized swimming do something vaguely reminiscent of this Kobori Ryu technique. The purpose of this water treading skill was to keep a vertical body position, which allowed the bushi to use a sword or gun and even shoot arrows while in a river. 

Kobori Ryu still exists today in Japan, where it is taught on a relatively limited basis. Students are no longer concerned with outdoor warfare, as is the case with most koryu today, and their focus is on using the training to develop their minds and bodies to live well.

To learn more about the history of suieijutsu, click here!

SMAA Can Help You Earn Martial Arts Rank Certificates

Do you want to learn more about the history of suieijutsu?

Two of the world’s leading experts in suieijutsu are SMAA officials in Japan. By attending the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, you can learn more about the history of this fascinating martial arts style.

If martial arts are your passion, you can earn prestigious martial arts rank certificates in legitimate, historical Japanese martial arts. To get started, call (734) 729-0330 or contact us here.

The Origins of Suieijutsu

Did you know there’s a martial art centered around swimming?

The Japanese bushi studied suijutsu (水術) or suieijutsu (suiei-jutsu) as one of their martial arts. It is essentially combative swimming. These antique and sophisticated forms of martial swimming are presently undergoing a resurgence of sorts in Japan and videos can even be found online.

The Ancient Origins

Long ago, a bushi (“warrior”) met many situations where he might need to cross a body of water, attack an adversary from the water, or protect himself while in water and wearing armor. Centered on the needs of combat, the Japanese advanced several different types of swimming over the generations. For instance, Iwakura Ryu contained assorted traditional bushi swimming skills, including swimming in armor, eating while swimming, even swimming while bound with rope. 

To learn more about the origins of suieijutsu, click here!

Work Towards Martial Arts Rank Certificates at SMAA

Two of the world’s leading experts in suieijutsu are SMAA officials in Japan. By attending the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, you can learn more about the history of this fascinating martial arts style. 

If martial arts are your passion, you can earn prestigious martial arts rank certificates in legitimate, historical Japanese martial arts. To get started, call (734) 729-0330 or contact us here.

Understanding Your Personal Form in Martial Arts

 Do you want to strengthen the connection between your body and mind? 

To do so, you must understand your form before increasing your strength.

Understanding Your Form

To understand the body geometrically, you should first be aware of the physical center point where the body's mass and balance naturally settle. First, envision a sphere whose radius originates at the body's origin. If circumstances demand occupation outside this sphere, then the origin of the sphere must be repositioned to accommodate. Now, the line representing the body can bow or hinge on shaping new tools within the sphere. 

To maintain structural integrity and unification, there are two requirements that must be maintained. The first is that one's shape must either move from its origin or around its origin. The second is that every point on the line that represents the body must be contiguously connected to the origin. 

If either of these requirements falters, then the form suffers disorganization, and the effectiveness of the body as a tool diminishes. 

To learn more about the forms in martial arts, click here.

Build Your Understanding of Form - Earn a Custom Martial Arts Certificate 

Do you want to build your understanding of form?

Joining an official martial arts association can lead you down a path to a better understanding of yourself. When joining an official martial arts association you can work towards earning your own custom martial arts certificate. 

Contact us to learn more. 

Forms in Martial Arts

 Martial arts are a collection of postural forms designed to express physical energy in an intelligent way. 

Understanding how martial arts is a tool for your body will expand your comfort in expression.

The Forms in Martial Arts

The martial forms are shapes that can be regarded as tools. The ability to shape your body into the appropriate tool at the appropriate time is the physical objective of martial arts. In order to accomplish this, it is important to possess both a geometrical understanding of the body and a spatial understanding of the body's potential area. 

To learn about your personal form in martial arts, click here!  

Connect with Your Form - Earn a Custom Martial Arts Certificate 

Do you want to build your understanding of form?

Working with a certified martial arts instructor can help you earn a custom martial arts certificate! 

Contact us to learn how! 

Art is an Extension of Self

 Do you feel like you’re connected to the art you create?

For successful performance in Japanese arts, the art demands a relationship of positive character traits.

Unity of Mind and Body are Essential in Your Art.

In Japanese swordsmanship, it’s customary to speak of a unity of mind, body, and sword. Mind and body coordination can be thought of as self-harmony. This integration is one of the mind and body in action, a central element for mastering any classical Japanese Way. Practicing one of the Ways can lead to an understanding of the art of living life itself. 

Join a Japanese Karate Association – Feel Connected

We are responsible for our own spiritual progress. Dabbling in martial arts can be easy when you have guidance.  Join a Japanese karate association to start your journey of personal growth. Contact us at (734)720-0330 to work on connecting with your art.