• Thursday, September 24th, 2009
As you continue your training in taijutsu your focus changes from what you are to doing to where and when you are located in relationship to your opponent. Many martial arts move then do a technique. With us the movement is the technique.
This ability to see alignments and spatial relationships is what allows a great martial artist to transcend the limits of size and physical strength. It is the mythical power of the aging master who can still defeat the younger, stronger student.
This year at Ninja Festival I had the privilege to be an uke (attacker) for both Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. I am much larger than Mrs. Hayes and as you all know Mr. Hayes celebrated his sixtieth birthday this year. An age in our culture that many would consider as heading for retirement.
For those of you who saw his demonstration Saturday night you know I held nothing back when I tried to hit him with my sword. I have to wait for the video to come out because I have no idea where he went. All I remember is flipping over him with a sword running up between my legs.
Mrs. Hayes did a private lesson for Theresa Murphy and I was the uke. We’re editing the footage so you all can see it soon here but for now let me say that she looked like the greatest puppeteer in the world as she made me dance around completely at her will. I never knew where she was or when she was going to hit me next.
So as you look at your training. Try not to just do your techniques. Techniques are not things they are lessons about cause and effect. They are answers to where and when.
• Thursday, September 17th, 2009
I was sitting in the Dayton Airport with my luggage Sunday night after Festival talking to one of the TSA people because my flight to Washington had been delayed and I was not going to make my connection. He noticed my Boston Martial Arts shirt and asked if I was in town for training with Stephen Hayes. The conversation was interesting, it went something like this:
“Yeah, we just finished up our annual festival. Do you train?”
“No,” he said.
“How do you know Mr. Hayes?” I asked.
“He’s through here a lot and I’ve spoken to him a couple of times. He’s kind of a martial arts celebrity…”
“Yes he is.” I said smiling.
“I met his wife too. She is a very nice lady.” he continued.
“She’s an amazing martial artist also. She can throw me around easily.”
“Really?” he said, “No offense but you’re a pretty big guy. It’s hard to believe she could do that. I never would have guessed it by looking at her.”
I told him she was very capable, he nodded said it was nice talking and went back to his job.
The conversation made me think about how much television and the movies control our perspective of what is. You can always find a match on tv with two hulking men trying to beat each other in some cage or ring. Martial arts stars in movies all look like they are right out of the gym.
When did our perspective of the martial arts change from learning the principles of ancient fighting systems that are universal and can work for anyone to martial prowess being determined by the genetics of bigger and stronger?
I am happy to say that there are still people like Mrs. Hayes capable of demonstrating and teaching those forgotten principles. Youth and strength will fade away, knowledge can continue to grow.
• Thursday, September 10th, 2009
I found this picture from 1979 not too long ago on my computer. It was taken literally half a lifetime ago for Mr. Hayes. Yesterday 9/9/09 was his sixtieth birthday.
Today as this is being published we are on our way to Ohio to celebrate his birthday and take part in the Ninja Festival 2009. Thirty years have passed between today and this picture. I’m sure if you ask Mr. Hayes it has gone by in a flash. I know it has for me.
As I looked at the picture and did a little math in my head I realized that I’m the same age now as Dr. Hatsumi was then. Where did two decades go so fast?
What amazes me most about this art is that two decades later I’m still excited to train this weekend because no matter how long you train there is always more. I know I’ll come home with something I’ve never seen before. How great is that?
So Happy Birthday Mr. Hayes and thanks for paving the way for us.
• Thursday, September 03rd, 2009
NEWC 2008
New England Warrior Camp is only a month away: October 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Join us this year at this twelfth annual gathering of Ninjutsu practitioners for the best training opportunity around. Friends from as far away as California will be joining us. Three days of non-stop training with six of the senior Shidoshi instructors in the area. Click the picture or here for more information.
