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Complete Martial Art Training Body for Mind and Spirit

* Complete Martial Art Training

Complete Martial Art Training: I have been training in the martial arts world for a very long time. It is going on 40 years now. And while I no longer run a commercial Dojo I have never taken a break from training and learning.

I did burn out on teaching in a Dojo setting, but that was from teaching children. My days of teaching kids is LONG GONE.

Not long ago I wrote an article on my Kyusho Jitsu World Blog called Martial Arts needs a New Paradigm. I have had some very interesting feedback on that one. Some agree, some think I am dead wrong. Many of those who have given feedback I know personally. And it is funny. Their position is based on their years of experience

And experience tells me this is all normal. But as time goes by, if you continue training you begin to realize there is so much more to learn. You want Complete Martial Art Training, training of not just the body, but the mind and spirit.

My Journey

I was with my first teacher, and he was a great martial artist and teacher, for 18 years. But I was in a study of Hapkido, a great martial art, but one I knew was not complete. My heart told me I was missing a lot, I had a hungry heart.

So I gave notice to my teacher in January of 2000 and opened my own Dojo, Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors Martial Arts Institute in March 2000. I began search for what else I could learn, how to expand my training. Hence I ended up in contact with a Dave Degrouchie, the Founder of the World Budo Alliance. I joined immediately, and it opened more doors for me than I could ever have imagined. 

I met so many very important and influential martial artist, well they are too numerous to mention. Adn when I do the politics comes out, and I am just not interested.

But I discovered a martial art that was complete. That is Kosho Shorie Ryu.

Kosho Shorie Ryu

* Kosho Shorei Ryu

I first jumped on the Kosho path in 2001. And I trained intensely for about a year, and I was shocked at home much there as to learn. But while I never stopped the Kosho path I did leave my teacher. We wanted different things. He wanted to create a Kosho empire. I was building a Dojo.

After this I stopped using the term Kosho and jut talked about Octagon and Natural Laws

I focused on the art I was developing with my sons, Hon Sang Mu Sa Hapkido. But my root art is so heavily focused on Octagon I have circled back to Kosho, and containing my study and training in it. 

Now I am not going to be opening a Dojo and teaching Kosho. I am creating a course, ONE course to get people started. This is the Kosho Shorie Ryu. This is a beginning, but far from the complete picture.

What is Complete Martial Art Training?

Martial Arts has never been just kicking and punching, or winning a FIGHT. It is a path, a journey to a better life, better health, better everything. Here are some of the things covered in Complete Martial Art Training.

1) Martial Arts Foundational Movement
2) Kata training
3) Pressure Points Training
4) Bunkai
5) Aspects of Self Defense (36 Kumite)
6) Theories
7) Philosophies
8) Meditation
9) Massage
10 Herbal medicines
11) Health
12 Calligraphy
13) Weapons
14) Meditation
15) Chi Development

And there is NO end to it! 

In Conclusion

Complete Martial Art Training  in Conclusion

This path is not for everyone. And there is nothing wrong with that. For me it is the path I have followed a very long time. I make a living teaching Kyusho Jitsu. I am also setting up a Dog Rescue and network to support this. Plus I have added the World Budo Alliance to this.

I hope you will join me on this exciting journey.

Questions?


Join the World Budo Alliance Free

Plus you get a FREE Digital Certificate of Membership. And also an exclusive Gift from Lee Milteer on "Dealing with Adversity."

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Thank you for you time and attention!

I am looking forward to working with you as we expand the World Budo Alliance together.

More to come.

Yours in the arts,
Grand Master Art Mason

Grand Master Art Mason

The Importance of the History of Martial Arts

* History of Martial Arts

History of Martial Arts is no different than any other form of history.

When I as young, in high school, I hated history class. But then the school system was pretty useless because in Canada little of real world use was taught.

They focused on the war of 1812, when it should have been WWI and WWII. But I digress. 

Today as an old man in the mountains I love history. Most importantly for the sake of this article the History of Martial Arts. "If we do not now where we come from, then we will not know where we are going." 

In today's modern martial art environment, with the focus on sport, this history is being lost. And that is very sad.

We now risk losing a lot of great traditions and teachings. We have already lost so many.

The history of the martial arts is essential for survival!

History of Martial Arts - Masters of Old

My first "Grand Master" never talked with us about the history of Hapkido. I wrote an article on this called the Essence of Hapkido to discuss some of this history. And the reasons I created my own art form. I did not dishonor history by doing this. In fact I kept history by growing and developing

The martial arts world is full of egos, and ego makes someone unteachable. In today's world people are more focused on being "right" than knowing the truth. 

And this is a vast majority of the population in the western cultures. In martial arts it is terrible.

No master of old created anything. Martial arts is simply movement. However they developed ideas of understanding movement and understanding why people do the things they do. And I laugh when I see the in fighting within systems, saying "no professor did it this way" somehow thinking that the great grand master never learned and evolved himself. Then you look at the fact that each person arguing trained during a different period with "professor."

History of Martial Arts

The death of these legendary masters left a huge hole to be filled. And aside from a few great martial artist this void has been filled with ego and self serving actions. An example is the teaching of Oyata.

I one night about 11 years ago got a phone call while driving home from the Dojo. It was someone claiming to be a direct decedent of Oyata. He went on and on about Dillman. I politely ended the conversation. You are such an egotistical loser you worry about what someone else is doing? If someone is a liar it always comes out. But liars always try to hide the truth.

And very sadly today in the western cultures lying has become virtue.

Without the study of the history of the martial arts I am afraid many of the current systems will be gone within a few years. I am not going to name them, but I think many of you see this.

History of Martial Arts

And this is not the fault of commercialization of the arts. You can commercialize and not sell out. It is an egotistical teacher trying to look important. Fact is on the grand scheme of things none of us are.

Today in my old Dojo in Canada, which I have no direct involvement in, my picture hangs. To me this is an honor for me. Because the teachers want their students to know where they come from. This way they can see where they are going.

Back in fall 2020 while I was in Canada a former student came to see me at the Dojo. He then preceded to point out everything the current teachers were doing wrong. I told him that I was not concerned and he did not need to be either.

But often he would try to correct me on the floor having no idea where I was going with the teaching. This is all just ego. And it means learning has stopped. 

I hope you see the importance of teaching and learning the History of Martial Arts.

History of Martial Arts in Conclusion

History of Martial Arts Conclusion

Learn the History of Martial Arts, about your styles or styles. Do some research. But do not do it to create and "way." And prepare to learn that much of what you believe is wrong.

Most of all if this is true embrace this learning opportunity.

I love being wrong! Thank you for reading this article on the History of Martial Arts. And please visit our History Page

Remember Your Perception equals your Reality


Questions?


Join the WBA Free!

Plus you get a FREE Digital Certificate of Membership. And also an exclusive Gift from Lee Milteer on "Dealing with Adversity."


Form Bulider

I hop you enjoyed reading this article called History of Martial Arts!

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!

Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

* Grand Master Art Mason

Becoming a Good Steward of Martial Arts

* Becoming a Good Steward of Martial Arts

Becoming a Good Steward of Martial Arts: The World Budo Alliance is about bringing the martial arts community together, uniting it. It is about bringing back the values of old into our Dojo's and our teaching. 

Becoming a Good Steward of Martial Arts means that the students in your world come first. Not the politics of self promotion and ego. Teaching without prejudice to those who truly do want to learn. 

Now myself I am very particular as to who I would teach my root art of Hon Sang Mu Sa Hapkido too, as well as Kosho Ryu in the real world. And there is nothing wrong with that. But there needs to always be an honesty about this.

What is the WBA

The WBA is not a place for "martial sport."  There are enough organizations to support them.  And I also do NOT consider MMA to be martial arts. Just as some consider boxing to be a martial art I disagree. It does not meet the criteria for the term.

The WBA is also not a place of politics and giant egos. We all have egos, but self control and self disciple, tenets of the arts, means we keep them under control. And while we will be dealing with promotion in rank, the rank must be justified. We will not be promoting 10 year veterans to 10th Dan Black Belts. 

Becoming a Good Steward of Martial Arts

Becoming a Good Steward of Martial Arts is about teaching what you know, sharing the knowledge with others. This is the ONLY path to martial art mastery. You learn by teaching. Winning competitions is "cute" but purely based on the ego. And it is a game for the young also. But it is a game. 

Teaching of the martial arts is about not just the teaching of punching and kicking. But the values, morals and tenets that should always lead the teaching. They are arts of peace, a preparation for the possibility of future battles if tyranny should arise. This is one reason today that the tradition martial arts voices like myself are being censored.

Martial Art training is a path of life. Teaching students to become good people, strong people, focused people. Not ideologies spouting out the things they have "heard" stroking their own egos with false self importance.

Martial artists are not victims, they are warriors. Understanding life is a challenge to be met. Not looking for a "save place" to hide from life.

If this sounds like something that is of interest to you then consider joining us. There will be a form below for you to join. Membership is FREE. If you own a Dojo and would like it listed with us please follow this link.

In Conclusion

Conclusion of Becoming a Good Steward of Martial Arts

Right now I am in the process of getting things organized. The World Budo Alliance will offer the martial art teacher and students many benefits. Much of the learning content will be FREE and some paid. Today I will leave some links below to some FREE Kyusho Jitsu and Healing Courses for you.

Thank you for your time and consideration.


Questions?


Join the WBA FREE!

Plus you get a FREE Digital Certificate of Membership. And also an exclusive Gift from Lee Milteer on "Dealing with Adversity."

Form Bulider


Thank you for your time and attention!

Have a great day!

Yours in the arts,
Grand Master Art Mason

* Grand Master Art Mason

Politics in Martial Arts – Survival Depends on Ending Division

* Politics in Martial Arts

Politics in Martial Arts: Welcome to the first article posted on the World Budo Alliance Blog. I was actually not planning on doing a blog with this website.

However I decided I would prefer to write articles on the martial art world in general rather then my Kyusho Jitsu World Alliance blog.

I think it is better to maintain the Kyusho Jitsu / Pressure Point focus there.

Today I want to discuss a BIG problem, Politics in Martial Arts. This was the reason the World Budo Alliance was founded. To provide a politics free environment for the martial artist and school owner alike to flourish.

Politics in Martial Arts

Politics in Martial Arts has been around as long as I have been training. And that is coming up on 40 years now. I must assume it has been around for much longer than this also. I am guessing at this point as long as the arts have been in the western world. 

Today the entire world is obsessed with politics. You go on any Social Media platform and it is nothing but people arguing about their extreme ideologies. Yes at this time in history a discussion needs to be had. The world is on fire.  

But it is time to grow up, and agree to disagree on some points. The body count of this tyranny is now in excess of 250 million in the Western World. 

But on to the point of this article, Politics in Martial Arts. My first real up close observation of the politics was at a tournament shortly after I opened my school in 2000. I had just become a member of the World Budo Alliance which was a non political martial arts alliance rooted in eastern Canada.

It had become very popular and the mandate was the promotion and unification of the arts globally. Not to dictate policy, but to network martial arts instructors and teachers.

Politics in Martial Arts

I was attending a tournament with my students from Belle River where Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors Martial Arts first opened. This was an tournament sponsored by the International Tae Kwon Do Federation. Here i met a man who was very high profile in the ITF. I will not state is name as I have nothing good to say about him. 

At the start of the tournament my oldest son and I were requested to meet in the referee's meeting room. The man came in shook my hand. At the time he was a 6th Dan Black Belt, very personable. During the meeting he told his students, and being an ITF tournament they were all his students because he was the "head" of a certain demographic,  that they were going to see some "old style" movement an never to copy it. 

Politics in Martial Arts

Later we talked outside during the tournament. He asked me about my lineage and told me I was welcome to join his organization as long as I was willing to change to all of their methods. And he offered to swap certificates and give me a 3rd Dan in place of my 5th Dan. He impressed up me that their certificates were legitimate and mine was not. I asked him why he was not called "master" and he told me that there was only one Master and that was the General. 

I declined his invitation for many reasons. However when the general passed away on June 15th 2002 suddenly this gentleman was "master" and higher in rank. He deserved the title for sure, however is is too much politics for my liking. So what changed? With the General gone the power grab began.

So why was I as a Hapkido guy welcome in the ITF? Because my school was growing fast and it was a profit center. The ITF would get dues from the school and each student. I have no issue with the idea of dues, but I was not going to give up my sovereignty. Also I have left several great instructors over the years because of this issues. Plus I am not willing to work for anyone. 

Politics in Martial Arts can be death for an art. 

Politics in Martial Arts & Politics is Death

One of the most extreme places you see Politics of Martial Arts is when the founder passes on. Actually what has happened in the ITF is a great example. After General Choi passed away it fractioned terribly. 

Why did this happen? Well yes 100 percent egos! Let's look at more examples.

Politics in Martial Arts - American Kenpo

On December 15th 1990 when American Kenpo Founder Ed Parker passed away suddenly and all hell broke loose. American Kenpo fractioned into many different camps. And I can see that is logical from a demographic standpoint. however...

Most of all the division between the groups can be tasted. How did this happen? Yes ego for one, however because Park left much too soon, there was no clear person he designated to inherit the American Kenpo system. From what I read back in the early 90's his son stepped up to take over. But I have heard he was not qualified to do so. Bloodline cannot be the only factor. Kosho is a great example after Mitosi sensei passed away. His son was not qualified which is why Mitosi left the system to Bruce Juchnik, and there is documentation to show this! 

Yesterday I received a HIT piece on Juchnik. Very sad!!

Politics in Martial Arts - Aikido

Aikido is another great example. Every Aikido practitioner I have ever known has commented on the tension between the groups. Each claiming to be the only group following the teaching of O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. From what I have been told by many long time Aikido stylists Ueshiba never taught all he knew to his students.

But it is so sad to see the in fighting and arguments. Such a beautiful martial art of great values. Unlike anything today. I would love to see unification here. Of the 2 main groups from my understanding one learned from O'Sensei and his early teachings, and the other his later teachings. Imagine of they came together?

Politics in Martial Arts - Kyusho Jitsu

Grand Master George Dillman is the undisputed head of Kyusho Jitsu. It has been about 10 years since I last spoke with GM Dillman. I have heard that he is for the most part retired, which I find hard to imagine. Therefore I hope he leaves a clear path for his teaching after he is gone.  Dillman has some great people under him. I would hate to see politics destroy what he has done.

And most of all when it comes to me I came from this system. However I left because I was never going to excel within its confines. Politics was the reason. 

My Root art

As you likely are aware I founded my own system in 2006. A lot of thinking and discussion happened before I moved forward. I have laid a clear path as to what I want for the art when I am gone. Most of all I would hate to see politics come into it, and former students trying to make a claim to the art itself. While my oldest boy has no interest, which is fine, my youngest boys does, and he will have 2 or 3 people to help in with this task. 

And Scott is qualified!

Politics in Martial Arts in Conclusion

Politics in Martial Arts in Conclusion

I have resurrected the World Budo Alliance for those interested in networking and leaving the BS of politics behind. Anyone who starts political issues here will be removed. Right now our membership is growing quickly. And this makes me very happy! 

I am not interested in world fame with this organization, only providing a home for martial artist who wish to preserve the teachings, expand their own knowledge and grow as people. If we have 10 members or 10,000 all is good.

The world is abscessed by politics today, and Politics in Martial Arts is a death sentence for it. 

Questions? Ask Here


Thank you for taking time to read this article on Politics in Martial Arts. Feel free to comment below or use the above form to ask any questions you may have.

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!

Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

* Grand Master Art Mason
World Budo Alliance