How the Martial Arts Went Wrong!
I’m going to tell you the truth about the martial arts, and it is not always going to be pleasant. I will tell you how it evolved from kung fu, was twisted by karate, and wound up compromised in America.
It’s a hefty story, so get yourself a soda pop and sit back and prepare for some eye opening facts. When I’m done I hope you will have more faith in your art, and yet be able to see how it has been mangled and tainted.
Are you ready? Here we go…
Ya got to fight if ya wanna live!
Martial Arts were invented…somewhere. Some people say the oldest art came from India, others claim the Shaolin Temple, and there are other theories. The fact is nobody really knows; the fact is that people study an art, love it, and make up origin stories to give themselves, and their arts, validity.
The cold hard fact is that man is a violent animal. Many people would rather take from those that have instead of doing the work themselves. Thus, we have tribal warfare, which doubtless grew to warlords who roamed territories and fought for…whatever.
Well, maybe we do know what the whatever was. They fought for land, for animals, for goods, for food for territory, but, underneath it all, they fought because they wanted to fight.
So the first martial arts were probably villagers being conscripted by warlords to fight their wars.
Think about it. No fanciful fables and legends, just desperate peasants rolling in the mud because the warlord would kill them if they retreated.
And the peasants would run away, hide in remote villages, but they would remember their training, and they might even train some of the villagers so if the warlord came they wouldn’t be conscripted again. Or maybe they just taught young kids with stars in their eyes for a few bucks so they could eat.
Then came the fables and legends, basically tall tales, probably embellished to impress the young, and the histories of the martial arts began to grow.
Then came China.
THE KUNG FU ORIGINS
China likely has hundreds, or thousands, of stories of warlords and conscriptions and people learning to fight in a methodical manner. China also has…the Shaolin Temple.
Kung Fu develops into a thousand styles!
Legend has it that Bodhidharma came to China from India and settled at the Shaolin Temple. There are actually a few records indicating that this might be so.
So Bodhidharma stays at the Shaolin Temple, which temple likely had a few old soldiers who were tired of combat and wished for a more peaceful existence. Except they can’t forget how to fight, and suddenly this young turk shows up and starts organizing fighting methods. Thus, the Shaolin Temple puts religion into the arts, along with a discipline beyond the common ‘march and thrust’ methods taught by the military. It is doubtless that these monks began having religious experiences through the martial arts. Discipline plus religious doctrine will have that effect.
The legends claim that Shaolin became a threat to the emperor, so it had to be burned down. A bunch of monks a threat to the emperor? Hmm. Well, maybe. But the real occurrence is that some monks left the temple and traveled through the land. They were knowledgable people who could fight, and the martial arts began to proliferate throughout China. The Martial Arts took on many different flavors, which is to say many different schools and styles were created.
We’re going to shift into Karate at this point, and for the simple reason that Karate became one of the most influential martial arts on the planet, and in a short time. Be aware, however, that the things I am about to tell you about Karate doubtless happened in other martial arts.
THE OKINAWAN KARATE CONNECTION
There are two main stories about how Karate came into existence.
From Imperial bodyguards to school children…
One is that a shipwrecked sailor, a fellow named Chinto, became friends with an Okinawan, and the sailor taught the Okinawan fellow martial arts. Chinto might be named Annan, or Channan, or Chiang Nan, and he might have lived in a cemetery, and he might have been a pirate, or he might have been a diplomat from Fukushu who was named Wanj Ji…the legends abound, as do the confusions.
At any rate, the emperor heard about this Chinto fellow, and he sent the head of his bodyguards to investigate, a fellow named Sokon Matsumura.
The story goes that Chinto and Matsumura fought, and when there was no clear winner they became friends and Chinto taught Matsumura martial arts. Maybe, but it sounds fanciful. They probably just met, talked, and discovered common interests. But, who knows?
Okinawa has a long history of martial arts. For four hundred years before Chinto came along they were a major port and pieces of martial arts, and whole martial arts, came to Okinawa. So how much could Chinto teach Matsumura?
I don’t know the truth of this legend, but the fact is that Matsumura ‘invented’ Karate. He began the organization of karate into teachable katas. Even this is specious, because martial arts already had katas. But what is not in doubt is that Sokon Matsumura returned to the emperor, to Shuri Castle, and trained the Imperial bodyguards.
Whether it was the organization of techniques, or rigorous training methods, doesn’t matter. What matters is that the bodyguards of Okinawa became the most efficient bodyguards in the world. Their art, their Karate, would eventually become the martial art of Korean Imperial bodyguards, and Japanese Imperial bodyguards, and would influence the martial arts as one of the most workable and teachable martial arts in the history of the world.
Which brings us to the Japanese…
JAPANESE KARATE
Okinawa was a country ruled by two countries, Japan and China.
Gichin Funakoshi ~ The Father of Modern Karate!
Japan decided enough was enough, that Okinawa was theirs and the Chinese could go pound sand.
To make this happen the Japanese told the Okinawan Emperor he was to be a guest at the royal court in Japan. For the rest of his life the emperor, King Sho, was forced to live in Japan.
The royal bodyguards now had nothing to do. They were unemployed. To earn a living they worked on the docks, in the fields, became businessmen, and even became school teachers.
In the early part of the century a young Okinawan school teacher by the name of Gichin Funakoshi went to Japan. He began teaching karate, and he was barely making ends meet. He did manage to get his picture in the newspaper, however.
Another fellow who went to Japan was a rough fellow named Motobu Chōki. One night in 1922 Motobu went to a boxing match. There was a western boxer (Russian?) who issued a challenge to anybody to step into the ring with him.
Motobu steps into the ring, decks the Russian (some say it was a low blow, but…whatever) and the Japanese people all celebrate because Motobu has proven the superiority of the Asian race!
The newspapers get ahold of this story and they decide to run a big feature, but they don’t have a picture of Motobu. They do, however, have a picture of Gichin Funakoshi. And that’s how Funakoshi became the father of karate, and Motobu went home.
I know. Amazing, eh?
So Funakoshi is famous, can make ends meet, and Karate spreads throughout the land.
Except…
Except the remnants of the Imperial Okinawan bodyguards, back in Okinawa, didn’t like it. The Japanese had stolen their emperor, darn it all, and…you can’t go teaching those scurrilous fellows their sacred art!
Did old masters hide the real Karate?
So the masters of Okinawa held a secret meeting in which they decided, if you teach the forms, don’t tell anybody what they mean. If you teach the techniques, don’t teach the real ones. This meeting is outlined in the book, ‘Hidden Karate: the true bunkai for the heian katas and naihanchi,’ by Gennosuke Higaki.
Thus, the karate spreading throughout Japan wasn’t the real karate, and even that watered down version was later denied by Funakoshi himself. (The real karate is supposed to be Shotokai, which art has the official documents handed down by Funakoshi.)
Before you get upset with the idea that you might have learned a bogus karate (an ancient version of the McDojo?), or even with me for telling you this, I want you to consider something.
Martial Arts are proven by one simple fact: do they work?
Karate works. Modern versions are different than the older versions, but the men and women who have passed it down have invested their lives, and the result is a workable art. Heck, it might even have surpassed older versions. After all, the older versions didn’t have modern training methods, nutrition, a larger database of all martial arts to compare it against and draw from, and so on.
So don’t get pissy. Besides, the worst is yet to come.
THE AMERICAN MARTIAL ARTS AMALGAMATION
The Americans won World War II by dropping two atomic bombs on Japan.
The Americans then occupied Japan, and many of the servicemen stationed in Japan heard about this ‘Karate’ thing. They began studying the martial arts, and then taking it back to America.
There’s only one, teensy, little fly in the ointment, however.
Do you think the Japanese wanted to teach their sacred art to the people who blew up a couple of their cities?
Well, we can argue that point, but what is fact is that people with a year or two experience returned to America and began teaching as if they were forty year masters. There was actually a term for these people: ‘airplane black belts.’ They got on the plane in Japan as Green Belts, and got off the plane in America as Black Belts.
While the quality of the martial arts may have dipped, the one thing that America did was introduce money to the martial arts.
Money, that root of all evil, is a two edged sword.
On one hand, people could actually make a living doing the martial arts. On the other hand, many arts began to degrade, became useful only for babysitting children, and lost their true self defense aspects.
To illustrate this point, however, it is necessary that we look at…
THE KENPO KARATE KONNECTION
Karate was coming along in America. It was slowly growing, getting more well known, then Ed Parker came along, and with him the Tracy Brothers.
Was Ed Parker great, or a flake?
Ed learned martial arts in Hawaii under ‘Thunderbolt’ Chow. That art was called Kenpo, and now we are talking about some very suspicious beginnings.
Thunderbolt Chow had gnarly knuckles, so ugly he would always hide his major hand. Probably didn’t want to scare the kiddies. He learned from his father, who was supposedly a priest in a Buddhist Temple. Except there don’t seem to be many records concerning that story. Hmmm.
Chow’s ‘partner’ at one time, or at least an important influence upon him, was James Mitose. Mitose claimed to be descended from samurai. He also claimed serious connection with ‘Kosho Shorei-Ryu Kenpo.’ The problem is that there is no documentation as to his samurai claim, and there are very little records of him studying in any ‘official’ martial arts institution.
Mitose’s character is also in doubt, as he was implicated in a murder for hire plot with one of his students. The student killed a man, claimed Mitose put him up to it, and while the student served a few years in prison, Mitose spent the rest of his life locked up.
Suspicious beginnings aside, both Mitose and Chow seemed to be the real deal, tough men who knew the martial arts well and could make them work.
One of Chow’s students was Edmund Parker. Parker was apparently an on again off again student. He did learn enough to start teaching Kenpo at a university in Utah.
Parker’s first teachings were simple karate techniques from the traditional karate katas, the Heians. This is proven by his first book, which shows his techniques exactly as they happen in the forms.
Parker was quite good at business, and he became a key figure in the Martial Arts, even sponsoring the most prestigious karate tournament in the United States, the Internationals in Long Beach.
Parker would teach Kenpo for a while, then change the whole system. He ended up with five versions of Kenpo, each one was supposed to be an improvement, but they seem to be pretty much the same.
Two (three?) of his students were the Tracy brothers. And now the story takes a wicked turn. The Tracy’s hired a dance instructor from Arthur Murray Dance Studios to write contracts for them. In this way they could keep students longer, and be assured of a more steady income.
To accommodate these ‘car’ contracts, Kenpo was expanded to 40 techniques per belt, with the end result being four years to black belt. Prior to this it would take a student one to two years to earn his black belt.
The Tracy’s were quite genius, and they expanded their schools to over a thousand studios across the United States.
Such rapid growth led to a further decrease in the quality of instructors. It also led to professional jealousy and martial artists all clamoring that ‘their art was the best art!’
Bruce Lee at Ed Parker’s Internationals…
To be honest, Parker, and the Tracy’s, were tough people. They could make the art work, but the degradation in teaching and methodology meant they had many students who couldn’t make the art work.
This situation has continued to this day, and is core to the idea pushed by many in MMA that karate doesn’t work. These MMAers have never met real martial artists, trained in the old way, who could make Karate work.
The only classical martial artist in the MMA who can make it work is Lyoto Machida. He used karate correctly, and won consistently. And he is not a trash talking muscle head just trying to beat people up. He seems to be seriously concerned with being the best he can be, and he has selected the ring as the best venue for him to practice his art.
Anyway, we now come to the crux of the matter; we now come to the reason I have detailed this thumbnail sketch of how the martial arts developed.
Consider this list:
- peasants forced to jab and thrust
- developments in China
- combining arts to make new arts
- Okinawan refinements
- Okinawans teaching the art to their ‘enemies’
- Okinawan masters hiding the art
- the real art of Motobu replaced by Funakoshi’s art
- Japanese teaching the art to their ‘enemies’
- Importation of unqualified instructors to America
- rapid growth and a degradation of quality in instruction
These are all the changes martial arts have gone through, and they are enough to seriously impede, or to alter, any real truth there is to be had in the martial arts. But the spread of the martial arts in America compounded these errors, and led to a few more. Here’s another list:
- financial considerations so teachers could stay in business
- watered down arts for teaching children
- arts changed for political considerations
- arts slanted for tournaments
- outright racism
- arts changed for religious reasons
- People creating arts for specious concepts
And so on.
With so many different arts, so many styles and schools and systems, so many changes over thousands of years, how could there be a TRUE MARTIAL ART?
Actually, the true art is very easy to define, and there can be one.
BUILDING A TRUE MARTIAL ART
A ‘true’ martial art would be one built to scientific standards aimed towards the almost effective technique with the least amount of effort.
Matrixing is an actual science of the martial arts.
A submarine is designed with a certain ‘sleek’ shape. This shape makes it easier to travel under water, and it is used by ALL submarine manufacturers. This would be a ‘true’ submarine, at least by exterior design.
Many cars play with this concept. Racing cars are made ‘sleek’ so they won’t encounter undue wind resistance. The fastest cars always have low, lean, looks, like Corvettes, or McLarens, and so on.
So how do we find a true, ‘sleek’ shape for martial arts? We simply analyze the body. Consider the following points…
On what side of the bone is a muscle? Change your form so the muscle is used in the most efficient fashion for a push/pull.
What is the most efficient angle of a joint? Change your forms so the joints achieve the proper angle for the most efficiency with the least effort.
As your forms become more ‘true,’ test the techniques in them.
Analyzing the angles of my body in 1974…
Get rid of all poser techniques (poser techniques are those which require the attacker to wait for the defender to execute the defense).
Get rid of all unrealistic techniques.
Do not think you are going to be faster than your opponent, he might be faster than you, calling for a whole different arena of techniques.
Take into account emotional reactions you might have, what it feels like to penetrate through two (yours and his) emotional ‘shields.’
At this point you might blinking and thinking that this is too much. You want to learn karate, not conduct a study of engineering and physics and psychology and remaking something that took thousands of years to figure out.
You’re right, why should you do all this? Especially when it’s been done for you?
MATRIXING MARTIAL ARTS AS A SOLUTION
I think I’m the first and only person to think of the Martial Arts as a puzzle, and to search for a solution.
The first Matrixing course!
I’ve been studying since November 24th of 1967, and I’ve learned dozens of arts. I’ve written for the magazines, which speaks of my credibility. And if that doesn’t do it, then consider that I’ve got over 700 pages of testimonials as to the workability of my Matrixing method.
Since the beginning I have been obsessed with the most efficient way to use the body.
Consider the arch on your foot. It is basically a spring, and the feet should be pointed forward when you walk so as to make the best use of the spring. In stances you need to figure out how much to turn the foot so as to use the spring without compromising the position of the muscles on the bones.
I wrote a book, Martial Arts 101, which detailed 101 outpoints on how people use their bodies. It is out of print now, but give me a couple of months and I’ll have it published again. You don’t need to search for it, it’ll be on the left hand column in the BOOKS section when it is published.
The body correctly arranged, I then began rearranging forms, and here it gets interesting.
To learn math you have to count 1, 2, 3, and so on, in the correct order. You can’t learn to count if the numbers are out of order. In the martial arts the techniques are out of order.
The basic forms, the Taikyoku in Karate, aren’t too bad, but the techniques in the Heian forms are in no order. In fact, they are more an example of chaos than a logical method. In the first form you have three techniques.
- A Rolling Backfist, in which you are supposed to hammer the top of an opponent’s head. I’d like to see that work in a boxing match.
- A Low Block High Block combination, which is fine.
- A Knife Hand Block, which is actually sort of an advanced technique.
There is no order here, there is no progression or overall method! There isn’t even any context!
So I made three forms, with corresponding two man forms, which put the eight blocks of Karate in order, and provides a complete database of workable context.
Mind you, DON’T GIVE UP THE CLASSICAL! Learn the Matrix method, then, when you take on the Heians, or other forms, they will make perfect sense, and you will see the hidden techniques in them.
To give up the classical is to cut off your nose to spite your face.
So that’s how Matrixing works!
And, in this matter of the classical, these are the forms and techniques passed down by geniuses in the martial arts. Their lack of logical method aside, these are techniques that, with a little work and the correct analysis and correction of form, can be made to work!
Learn Matrixing, then use matrixing to fix your martial art, to make it more logical, more correct, easier to learn and apply.
Karate is only one art. You’ll notice that I have applied Matrixing to many different arts. Check out the column on the left. Kung Fu, Tai Chi, various weapons systems, they have all been made logical, efficient, and easy to use.
The fact is that a person who learns matrixing tends to learn the martial arts three times faster, and they are easier to learn and they work better. The mind likes what is logical, and tends to ignore what is illogical, or doesn’t make sense.
And this brings us to probably the most important thing I can give you…
NEUTRONICS, OR TRAINING YOUR MIND THE RIGHT WAY…
I began selling Matrix courses back about 2007. I had been teaching matrixing concepts for 20 years before that. And I collected, as I said, over 700 pages of wins, of people telling me how they finally understood their art, how the art worked better now that they understood it, and…how their lives were changing.
Why didn’t somebody tell me this before?
I had a math teacher telling me he used matrixing with his students, and scores went up 10% within a month.
I had a fellow take a matrix course, and start teaching self defense to security companies.
I had win after win as people began to understand their martial arts, and the most impressive win of all was that in rewiring the software of a martial arts program, I began rewiring the hardware of their minds.
People wrote me about how they were thinking more clearly, how the world made sense, how life was now simple, how they were able to do their jobs faster and with more ease.
Consider: a computer won’t work well if the program is incorrect, and karate, the martial arts, are so illogical and out of order, people were using their bodies in such an incorrect manner, that everything was …incorrect, including their thinking.
I began writing books on how Matrixing was affecting the human mind, and I called this subject ‘Neutronics.’
WHAT MARTIAL ART YOU SHOULD STUDY…
The most common question I get is…’where do I start, Al?’
What Martial Art should I learn first?
I always say, ‘Start at the beginning.’
I began with Matrixing Karate. Then I applied Matrixing to Joint locks, and put that together in a course I called Matrix Kung Fu. This led me to the soft techniques of Matrix Aikido. Finally, I put the major points of correcting your form, and the forms of others, into The Master Instructor Course.
Don’t get me wrong, if you have a particular interest, if you want Tai Chi Chuan and don’t care about my claims, that is fine…do the Tai Chi course. If you think you’re ready for Pa Kua Chang, or different weapons systems, then do them. If you just want to fight, go through Rolling Fists and Matrix Combat.
I know the martial arts, but you know you, so trust your gut.
But, if you are interested in exploring Matrixing from the ground up, then start with these four courses…
To help you along I offer these four courses, along with some bonus material in…
The Core Package
And if you aren’t inclined to buy, that is totally fine. Enjoy the site, I’ve got some of my articles, some of my original column (Case Histories), which appeared in the Inside Karate magazine many years ago, a sampling of the wins people sent me, and a few other goodies.
Enjoy, I wish you the best with your martial arts, and have a great work out!
A FINAL WORD
I’ve been studying the martial arts since November 24, 1967, that’s nearly 60 years of knowledge.
You can have my knowledge, it’s all on the courses
Please stay in touch, sign up for the newsletter and get a few FREE books.
You can reach me at aganzul@gmail.com
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Hi Al !
I want to thank you for all the fantastic Matrix courses you are offering. The Matrixing process really speeds up learning and even helps with retention of the material as well. Al I am hoping that you would consider trying to Matrix a course on Hsing I (a.k.a. Xing Yi). Recently I have become particularly fascinated with the martial applications as well as the health benefits of the so-called Chinese internal arts. I really do appreciate that you have a Matrix course for both Tai Chi and Pakua (a.k.a. Baguazhang). I would love to see what you could do with Hsing I after the Matrixing process has been applied. Thanks again Al for all your efforts and good work. Please do consider the Hsing I Matrixing possibility —- thanks again :).
Sincerely,
~Paul
Hey Paul, thank you. I thought about Hsing i, but never got around to it because I read in a few places that it is similar to Karate, and I was already doing Karate. But, maybe I should rethink, or find someone who knows Hsing i and wants to matrix it. Again, thanks, and have a great work out! Al
It’s a shame Robert Smith is no longer with us. He did a couple of books on Hsing I. I have read those and your Karate does look like Hsing I.
Robert Smith wrote all the original books way back when, a real pioneer. I used to pore over his books…such a brilliant man. Al
Paul,
Hsing Yi already comes Matrixed… well at least the begining 5 element portion of Hsing Yi;-)
Not to send bus. away from Sifu Al but Mike Patterson has some good, although short in duration, Hsing Yi instructional tapes IMO. I’m not ashamed to say I learned my 5 element fist from his tapes in the early 90’s as my Chinese teacher wasn’t teaching me anything except post standing and how to a be punching and throwing dummy.
Karate with Hsing Yi influence???
IMHO Matrix Karate has more Hsing Yi in it than the late Robert Triases Shuri Karate! I can see seemless KDW Karate, Aikido, Pa Kwa, Uechi ryu Seisan and Tai Chi principles combined in Sifu Al’s Matrix Karate. Combine Matrix Karate with Monkey Boxing and you have a much more workable and concise Kenpo art then either Tracy’s or EP Kenpo.
My top 10 Kenpo Arts List- 1 is the Kenpo art Most Easily Learned/Most Combative and 10 has some problems: Lucy, we gots a Classical mess on our hands;-)
1. Combined Al Case Matrix Karate & Monkey Boxing (Kun Tao Kenpo Jujutsu anyone;-)
2. Robert Trias Shuri ryu karate and Kosho Shuri Ryu Kenpo (Trias was a student of James
Mitose too)
3. Kajukenbo
4. Sampai Kenpo (tough fighters and I saw them practice sanchin and tensho katas too)
5. Shoto-kenpo (can anyone say Benny the Jet)
6. James Ibrao’s Hung gar Kenpo
7. Ed Parker Gen. 5 Slap Kenpo
8. West Coast Shaolin Kenpo
9. East Coast Shaolin Kenpo
10. Tracy Kenpo (they HIRED all of their best fighters away from other schools back in the day)…
But if you want to learn how to make money the Tracy Brothers are your go to guys!!! Ed Parker should have really listened to them as his bus. skills were not too good- sometimes luck is more important than skill and EP was lucky to have his early school in Pasadena.
BTW Will Tracy was super cool to me when I was visiting and training in CA (JKD/Kali, Ninjutsu and Hapkido) in the 80’s.
Yes, the Hsing I basic moves seem very well thought out. Now if they could expand that matrixed look to the rest of the system they would really have something! Al
Greetings and salutations everyone!
I want to thank you Brian for the information concerning Hsing I. I will certainly be sure to check out Mike Patterson’s instructional materials. Jerome I really appreciate you mentioning Robert Smith. In my opinion Robert Smith was one of the first western martial art authors to open the door of knowledge regarding perhaps lesser known eastern martial art systems. I can honestly write that Robert Smith’s books were really helpful to me as an introduction to Chinese based martial arts. I do agree with Sifu Al that Robert Smith was one of the great early pioneers in the dissemination and study of varied martial art traditions. Sifu Al thank you for creating this site and sharing your wisdom! I do really appreciate and thank you all for your insightful and helpful commentaries —- thanks!
Hello (again) all!
Just a quick question regarding Hsing I training materials. I recently came across some older video to DVD training showing James McNeil originally on Panther Video now sold through Century Martial Arts. I am unfamiliar with James McNeil’s work and I was hoping that someone might be able to offer insight or an experienced opinion concerning these training aids. Thank you (again) everyone for your input.
Sifu Al I want to thank you (again) for all your matrixing courses. I am especially enjoying the Five Army Tai Chi course! I feel that I have gotten a much better understanding of the physics and practical application behind the traditional movements of Tai Chi Chaun — thank you!
Hi Paul & Sifu Al,
Patterson & McNeil had the same Hsing-Yi Taiwanese instructor. I had McNeil’s videos on VHS and as I can not find them in any of my storage boxes so I guess that like about 80% of my personalables there were destroyed in Hurrican Rita.
From what I remember McNeil’s Hsing-yi was a little more “formless” and free-flowing. But M. Patterson won many full-contact contests/tournaments as a teenager in Taiwan. Patterson has also produced many personal students who have won in Full-Contact Taiwanese fighing -very often in fact.
In reality Paul you can’t go wrong with eithers videos but I actually PREFER Patterson’s shorter length 5-element Instructional video.
Sifu Al is all too correct in that once you get past the 5-element fist training many systems of Hsing-Yi become typically kungfuey with many forms…
Paul on August 26, 2013 at 1:17 am
Greetings and salutations everyone!
I want to thank you Brian for the information concerning Hsing I. I will certainly be sure to check out Mike Patterson’s instructional materials. Jerome I really appreciate you mentioning Robert Smith. In my opinion Robert Smith was one of the first western martial art authors to open the door of knowledge regarding perhaps lesser known eastern martial art systems. I can honestly write that Robert Smith’s books were really helpful to me as an introduction to Chinese based martial arts. I do agree with Sifu Al that Robert Smith was one of the great early pioneers in the dissemination and study of varied martial art traditions. Sifu Al thank you for creating this site and sharing your wisdom! I do really appreciate and thank you all for your insightful and helpful commentaries —- thanks! Darrel Barton on March 18, 2014 at 9:53 pm
Hey Al …
If I buy one of your books and toss it in the bookcase along with 30 minute Abs, will I be an MMA heavyweight? These 2 are only people wh reached out to me when 95% hated me and showed no mercy they gave me a dream and taught me martial arts in my 1 bedroom flat my dream , Paul Lockhart and Darrel Charlery we’re gonna lodge with me for company and Lori my wife or Peggy were gonna act out my 3 points proposal ,Lori Stockinger on January 3, 2014 at 8:02 pm
Hi Al,
Please add me to newsletter list. I am certain I will enjoy reading it.
Thank you kindly ,
Lori Stockinger and this Al case it is a lot we not allowed friends everybody writing it gets lonely 😞 he won’t let Paul Lockhart and Darrel Charlery and lori smith lodge and stay with me because he threatened my mental stability this is my so called adoptive Dad simple thing let friends stay over like the woman bus driver to help aid my mental recovery without the refusal of plastic surgery Nana Osei kojo speak Sensei Ade and Sensei Menouar and give you a true reflection of my karate because I do orthodox in my approach he has to tweak a little and do hybrid style because if watch me I am chubby shit lack athlestism and basic technique and karate Iq so I am wondering if you can be assistance I being doing karate with Sensei Ade for 2 years due to covid we it on and a long lay off in periods and Sensei Menouar for 11 months on off in mosque 🕌 on off because I got frustrated with myself with not being able to perform the moves adequately, I want to give up and refuse to go lessons then I have a talk to myself and end going , he says I am doing well I am my own self critical and just don’t see , further assistance is definitely needed me someone to move in and be my flatmate so I m getting a regular source training hopefully to excel but cruel mum and dad have stopped my uncle Prempeh who has Martial arts background that can fulfil my dream from happening, I came and saw your video and it seemed straightforward with true karate blocks
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25 Jan
A short video on how karate blocks work, (and strikes and kicks). It is very different from what most people think. The author studied karate back in the 60s and has trained for over 50 years. Interesting stuff.People interested in finding out more about how real karate works should go to MonsterMartialArts.com by you Al case and see if could garner your teachings and info
Hi Al,
Please add me to newsletter list. I am certain I will enjoy reading it.
Thank you kindly ,
Lori Stockinger
Hey I was wondering if you have any books on the 8 immortals technique… I’m so desperately wanting to learn “drunking fist boxing”
Hey Al …
If I buy one of your books and toss it in the bookcase along with 30 minute Abs, will I be an MMA heavyweight?
Heck, if you can benchpress a bookshelf filled with my books you’ll be the heavyweight champion of the world…even if you only weigh 130 pounds!
IF I MAY REQUEST AS TO THE. EXPECTED COMPLETION OF ” THE SECRET OF THE SWORD”. Or is it in blinding steel……THANK YOU RESPECTFULLY YOURS AJMC…….
Hi Arthur, not sure when I will complete. Started the research, then got sidetracked on several projects: putting matrixing and other arts in real books, making a matrix for kenpo, and so on. Still, I’m fast, so I’m hoping within six months. If it doesn’t show up in the newsletter, nudge me. Al
Shifu Al, I just wanted to say thanks to you and to let everyone know your Matrix Teachings really work! I’ve been out of touch for the last 3 years because I’ve been living in Zhengzhou, Henan China studying Baguazhang and Taijiquan, and well my internet sucked. The lessons I learned from you helped me to advance much quicker than the other students that my Shifu taught. I’ve just moved backed to the states and am now living and teaching kung fu in Minneapolis MN. If anyone has any questions or concerns about your program, they can shoot me a message and I’ll be glad to tell them how Matrix can benefit them. One of your proud Master Instructors and 7th Generation Lineage Holder in Liang Shi Baguazhang, Robert Pettit.
I am INTERESTED! ..have studied, attended & been a member of Yoshinkan Aikido & Pukalan Cimande Pukasa Silat….have studied up on the Grandfather arts of Aikido ,namely …Pa kua / Tai chi /Chin na …etc.
I eally like looking through an article that can make men and
women think. Also, tthanks for permitting me to comment!
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it was really a gud lesson
Hello:
What exactly is Matrixing ?
What is it? How is it done? And how can it be a useful, helpful tool to learn and teach a MA ? Which of your publications can teach me how to do it for myself?
Thanx,
Padraic
i would love to prescribe to your news letter
Wonderful web site. Plenty of helpful info here.
I’m sending it to a few pals ans also sharing in delicious.
And naturally, thanks for your effort!
I am amazed, as I have spent 13 years in Kyokushin. Understanding the truth behind the blocks from your videos to then practice in square Form. It was like a light bulb had been turned on this is true Karate. I have seen the light now I shall walk the way.. looking forward to starting matrix Karate and working my way through the concepts. “Thankyou Al case
I would like to know a costa of Family package.
Thanks,
Ernesto.
Woh I like your posts, saved to bookmarks!
Thanks for finally writing about > – < Liked it!
There is obviously a lot to realize about this. I feel you made various nice points in features also.
I saw where you had written about Kenpo. Most people are unaware that Professor Chow’s best friend was Bill Chun Sr. Mister Chun is the only person who carried on Professor Chow’s legacy. His son, Bill Chun Jr. is currently carrying on the tradition. Check out his website. You may even want to contact him for an interview.
Dear Sir,
I recently read an article from Academia.edu , written by Al Case, that spoke of you and your concepts/approach and philosophy. I applaud your approach redirecting the mysticism of martial arts, and seeing the perfection and dedication to motion as the ultimate challenge. I would ask one simple question and I am very interested in your response so I may learn. Is not the ultimate purpose an any martial art recognition and avoidance of all evil which often involves physical conflict? My Masters Thesis Paper entitled: “The Perceived Positive Effects of Traditional Martial Arts Instruction” approaches many areas of education and may offer an interesting read for you. You may find my paper on Academia.edu
Sincerely,
Randy Miskech
A Humble student of Martial Arts.
Hi Randy, the ultimate purpose of the martial arts is to avoid a force or flow while delivering a force or flow. That is the game entire.
I’ll check out your paper, thanks for the heads up.
Have a great work out!
Al Case
Relian manufacture supplies the Boxing gloves and Martial arts accessories more then 20 Gyms in USA,
we would love to develop some products for your brand,
will you allow us to present a samples proposals ?
respectfully
salman Raza
from lat. manus – “hand” and scribo – “I write”) [1]
XVII century was Nicholas Jarry [fr].
Hi, looking for a way to pay with my bank card rather than PayPal? Thanks.
Have you followed the recent events in Henderson Nevada?
Some months ago Renzo Gracie apparently posted a video of a BJJ black belt named Trevor Cooper dismantling a much larger attacker right in front of a 10th Planet dojo (possibly in Las Vegas). Then a few days ago Trevor Cooper
barricaded himself in a building in Henderson Nevada (near Las Vegas) – unclear so far why he picked that building. After a standoff the police brought in an excavator and partially demolished to building. It is asserted that Trevor had died of a drug overdose several hours earlier. Relatibe to your latest email Good Guy Bad Guy evaluation here is tough.
Sir are still offering Dan levels in Outlaw Karate ? I Purached it several years back and have been teaching it.
Thank you
William Donnell 9th Dan
US Combatives TaeKwonDo
Student of Outlaw Karate
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P.S. By the way, if the suggested topic doesn’t resonate with you, feel free to contact me with a topic that aligns better with your website.
Hi again,
I recently shared a pitch about a potential article for your site, aimed at helping people become champions of their own health. I’m eager to provide some practical tips and insights on this topic. Have you had a chance to review the pitch?
I’d really appreciate your input on whether this could be a good fit for your readers!
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P.S. If you don’t want me to email you anymore, please reply and let me know. On the other hand, if you’re interested in an article on a topic other than what I pitched, be sure to let me know and I’ll come up with something more fitting for your site.
Hi there,
Incorporating mindfulness into your everyday routine can have a profound impact on your well-being. Simple practices like starting a gratitude journal, slowing down to eat without distractions, or dedicating a few minutes each day to focus on your breath can help you feel more grounded and present. Activities like yoga or tai chi, as well as consciously listening to others without planning your response, also encourage mindfulness. And regularly stepping away from electronic devices can give your mind the break it needs.
Would this be something your readers might find valuable? I’d love to create an article for your site to help inspire others to integrate mindfulness into their daily lives!
I look forward to hearing what you think.
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Hey there,
I noticed you recently picked up a backlink from newsblaze. Just wanted to flag it because that site is a known link farm. Google’s getting sharper at spotting these patterns, and links like that can quietly poison your backlink profile.
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If an agency placed it, you might want to ask them to disavow it. If not, no stress.
Want me to point out where that link was placed?
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Tech SEO Analyst
The Blueprints
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I’m a martial arts instructor in Indiana I do Chinese Kenpo karate I’m interested in your courses
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I wanted to follow up on my previous email about sharing an article on holistic health strategies for managing diabetes. The insights are designed to support both mental and physical wellness, offering a rounded approach to care.
If you already responded, thanks for that, and sorry for the repeat.