Questions & Answers
Does “Courage” mean to be without fear?
Absolutely NOT!!! In fact, Courage is to be afraid, but to act in spite of that fear. Courage is one of the building blocks to personal growth and development. Not to be confused with foolhardiness.
What is the real difference between Martial Art and Martial Sport?
Martial Art (also called Bugei, Bujutsu, and Quan Shu) is the pursuit of personal excellence through the balance of combat and healing artisanship. This means going beyond punching and kicking.
Martial Sport is an athletic endeavor for the purpose of trophies, prestige, physical fitness and even entertainment. Examples of Martial Sports are boxing, kickboxing, Pro Wrestling, and tournament karate.
What is the importance of the uniform?
There are many who follow the absurd premise that you can’t learn types of Martial Arts unless you speak the language, train on the right floor, and wear the right uniform. The truth is that the uniform puts all students in an equal perspective of training. No matter what the background … white collar, blue collar, farmer, wealthy, low income … all persons are equal in the training hall. A good uniform also allows the student to train hard without damaging their regular clothing.
At the Academy an all black uniform is worn until after Green Belt recognition. Afterward, the student may opt to wear white pants. After Brown Belt recognition the student may opt to wear a white jacket and colored pants. A Certified Instructor may opt to wear a blue jacket.
Why do you say that Tournament Fighting won’t prepare you for the street?
You will fight the way you train. Your mind doesn’t get you out of trouble, your reflexes do. If your reflexes are trained for surface contact, then when you get into an altercation you will immediately respond with fast, but low impact punches.
Often people who train for Points, never train on the bag. It is amazing at how many modern point fighters start hitting a bag, and find themselves bouncing off and/or falling down. They become despondent and decide “… well, I just don’t like this” and quit the bag. Yet it takes a completely different kind of balance to hit a bag correctly. Furthermore, people who don’t do bag work don’t know how to correctly land a blow. When the time comes to actually land one, more often than not bones are broken because they have not been Trained to make contact.
But … What about my “Roundhouse Kick” … it hits the bag hard?
Those super fast roundhouse kicks so many use in point fighting, might make a focus mitt snap, but the hips aren’t angled correctly to channel true power. Yes, the kick is fast … fast enough to land point after point. But used on the street, it is just a slap with the top of the foot. You are more likely to tick someone off unless you know just where and when to place it. Contrary to popular opinion and movie choreography … it is NOT a Knock Out move.
The Roundhouse Kick is not intended to win fights. It’s a Set – up move for more effective techniques. Taught correctly the Roundhouse Kick is a Dragon Tail technique that blends proper hip alignment with frontal thigh muscles. It is great for breaking noses or mashing lips. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying, is a point fighter who has never been in a real fight, or who simply doesn’t know their facts.
Want proof? Find someone not Conditioned to believe that point fighting works, someone like a high school wrestler, football player, or a common brawler. Ask them to see if they can tackle or hit you before you knock them over with your Roundhouse Kick. When they pick you up you will realize you have been lied to by your instructor.
What is the youngest age allowable for enrollment and testing?
If an individual is old enough to know they want to study Martial Arts, and they are able to pay attention for one hour at a time, then there is no age minimum. Furthermore, if a student can explain and demonstrate material then they qualify for testing. The Academy does not believe in penalizing students for their lack of age.
How does Shihan Nelson get along with other local Instructors?
Shihan Nelson gets along very well with Instructors and Practitioners everywhere. Shihan Nelson’s only criteria for association with other Instructors is that they maintain a proper sense of Honor & Integrity. He has either practiced with, visited the schools of, held in – depth discussions with, or hosted several of the region’s Instructors from various styles. He also endorses several other Schools and Instructors including Steven Riggs, Don McCluney, Charles Burris, Joshua Page, and Curtis Allen to name a few.
He also gets along well with and endorses Instructors of other art forms. Some of which are Coaches Scott Malouin & Mike Cinquanto of Cheer Tumbling (www.cheertumbling.com), Ann Brittain & Amy Klappert of Ann & Amy’s School of Dance (www.annandamy.com).
What is “Honor” … really?
The modern word Character can be used often in place of the ancient word Honor. A good definition is: “Honor is who and what you are in the dark.” In other words, if you could do whatever you wanted to do knowing you would never be caught … what would you do? It is the essence of your inner being. Not what you do when everyone can see you. Not opening the doors for elderly because someone is watching. Not going to church and giving large sums of money so people think well of you. It is the reason you say you are sorry. Did you apologize because you were caught?
Ultimately, your degree of Honor is the measure of Why you do what you do. To often among modern martial instructors, honor is misinterpreted as “I won’t talk about your police record, infidelity, or drinking/drug problem if you don’t talk about mine …” It is sad, but true.
What does “Sensei” mean?
In it’s proper context, a Sensei is the Head Instructor, Counselor, and Guide of a given martial art school. Usually of 3rd Level Black Belt or higher. Unfortunately it is becoming more, and more common for anyone with a black strap to start teaching anything and calling themselves a Sensei.
What is the difference between “Sensei” and “Shihan”?
Where Sensei is an Head Instructor, Shihan (translated “Master Instructor”) is the equivalent to having a Doctorate in Martial Education. In Japanese & Okinawan systems an Instructor must be at least a Rokudan (6th Level Black Belt) for consideration of this title. Not all receive this title, however.
What is the difference between Karate – Jutsu and Karate – Do?
Karate – Jutsu is best translated as China Hand Discipline. This is the approach taught in Old World Okinawan Te and represents a true Defensive Art study in Combat Technique. The movements are not meant for beauty, but for effectiveness. The student isn’t looking for beauty or spiritual unity. The student would go to the temple for such.
Karate – Do is best translated as Empty Hand Way. This represents the modern 20th Century, Japanese take on trying to imbue spirituality into Okinawan Combat Arts. The art is much prettier, but more emphasis is given to aesthetics and sport performance than street effectiveness.
Why doesn’t American Nine Lotus Academy have public testing like other schools?
Shihan Nelson has observed several, been invited to participate in others, and officiated in two such Public Test programs of other Karate Schools. In only one of these programs, a Black Belt Revue in which he was a Panel Member, has the Candidate actually been examined. 100% of all others have been little more than demonstrations of groups of so – called Candidates. All Candidates performed their Kata together … all performed their so – called Self Defense applications together … all performed their Breaking Techniques together … and on the pattern goes.
In no case did the Instructor actually check a Candidate’s technique, nor was a Panel Tester allowed to make such a check or ask a question. At one such Public Test in which Shihan Nelson was asked to Sit at Panel, he was informed that his position was to take notes and observe. He took several notes and found several Candidates to be unqualified to demonstrate their techniques, much less to be testing for a new rank. These notes were presented to the officiating Instructor and discarded into a waste receptacle.
Public Testing, as a general rule, is viewed as a Publicity Draw to advertise to the public. This is why the Instructor always makes sure there is a group to make this demonstration … and failing a Candidate in a Public Testing is ALWAYS bad publicity. Therefore these so – called Candidates automatically pass. This also often accompanies a practice to promote Candidates who aren’t quite ready, so as to make sure there is a show to perform. Schools that practice Public Testing often revue Black Belts once per year, not unlike a WWE Pro - Wrestling hype which builds up for the big event of the year … a popular promotion for Tournament Schools.
The Academy’s Policy to testing and revues are that it is a personal achievement. ALL classes are open to the public, which is often not the case of schools who offer Public Testing. Test/Revue Candidates are more than welcome to invite anyone they wish to witness, whether the Test/Revue is Private or in regular class. All who pass their Test/Revue in Private may opt to be awarded their Dan/Kyu in regular class before their classmates. Also the Academy’s Policy is that a test is just that, a test … and is should be addressed as such. When students in the Public School System take their End – of – Year finals they do not line up before a public viewing and answer their questions together, absolutely no representation that the individual knows their material without prompting ………
Is it true that Shihan Nelson is down on people who drink alcohol?
Not at all. His problem is with those Instructor’s, Athletes, and Public Roll Models who use their influence to find drinking partners, who wear their uniforms to bars while “Tying on a Drunk” and acting obnoxious, and who do this in the presence of minors let alone their own students.
Shihan Nelson himself occasionally enjoys a Margarita, glass of wine, or hot mug of Honey Mead. But he does it at HOME!!! he acts RESPONSIBLY!!! and he definitely DOES NOT!!! endorse or encourage underage drinking.
Shihan Nelson makes it a point to inform others that the American Nine Lotus Academy is not a Tournament School. Is he against Tournaments and Competition?
Quite the contrary. Shihan Nelson is, in fact, a highly competitive person by nature. He has set and broken many production records at places of employment, is credited with three World Breaking Records (currently unofficial by Guinness) which he plans to bypass, is planning an Endurance Racing Career (Equestrian), and is known as an intense performer in any form of competition.
His problem is with those Instructors who forgo everything for the sake of Trophies. Not to mention the political groups who either have never been taught, or have forgotten what Martial Arts are for in the first place. It is Shihan Nelson’s biggest gripe to see kids go home with trophies and world titles, yet get whipped in school by the bullies … or worse … to read of some Nationally Ranked contender who has been raped, mugged, and/or killed by some common thug.
There are several Instructors who have successful students in competition whom he has great respect for including Sensei Dewey Earwood, Don McCluney, Charles Burris, Rick Lee, Ray Rice, Fred Riley, Garry Dillingham, and Jerome “Magic” Johnson to highlight a few.
Does Taiji Gong involve the practice of eastern religion?
No. The concepts of Yin and Yang are far older than the religious aspects of Taoism, Buddhism, and such. Yin and Yang is actually a mathematical formulae and represents the Chinese interpretation of the law of physics. It is Taoism which was based on the concept of Yin and Yang.
Taiji is taught at the Academy from a purely scientific approach, albeit science from the Chinese perspective. A perspective which has a far higher cure ratio than Western medical science has even begun to reach.
What are the benefits to practicing Taiji Gong?
Some of the many benefits attributed to the practice of Taiji and Chi Gong include; development of balance, stress reduction, flexibility, immune system enhancement, tumor shrinkage, control of neurological disorders, aid in diabetes, regulation of respiratory and cardio difficulties, physical rehabilitation, and a powerful combatant against many illnesses including cancers.
Is Taiji Gong like a low impact aerobic exercise?
Very much so. Although slow moving looks easy and effortless, as the individual learns to slow their breathing down to match the motion they find that Taiji can actually become very aerobic. In addition, as the legs become stronger and the postures become lower, it becomes clear just how much of a workout the lower body receives. It has been said that performing Taiji slow and low will give the legs a more complete workout than any other exercise.
Don’t you have to be in shape to learn Taiji Gong?
Not at all. In fact, Taiji Gong is a great way to gently get your body back into shape, naturally and without fear of muscle tearing and injuries often associated with so many other forms of exercise.
Is Taiji Gong for everyone?
Often heralded as an Old Person’s Exercise, everyone can benefit from this practice. It will help young folks stay young, older folks regain flexibility and energy. Professionals benefit from the stress reduction, neurological disorders are better controlled, and there is no better warm up for weightlifters and exercise enthusiasts. And then there are those with a variety of health concerns who have benefited from practice of Taiji Gong.
How long does it take to learn Taiji Gong?
If one practices for a few minutes every day, the average person could grasp the fundamentals of 72 Step Jiu Ling Taiji Form in a few months. Taiji Gong is an individual art form. When the student learns to relax and let their movements flow, then the learning of Taiji Gong will come at a much faster rate.
What is the difference between Taiji Gong and T’ai Chi?
See Introduction to Taiji Gong under Internal Arts of the Main Menu.
Is the I – Ching really a book of magical divination?
The I – Ching is traditionally held to have been discovered by the first Chinese Emperor, Fu His. Based on 64 Hexagrams derived from the Bagua, the I – Ching was originally a study of contrasts in human nature. Later it became used as a form of divination which has been interpreted in several different formats over time. The practice has been suggestively dated as early as 1070 B.C.
According to S. J. Marshall in the book “The Mandate of Heaven”, the various writings were collected into book form (circa 221 B.C.) and survived an order for the burning of books (circa 213 B.C.). The I – Ching was later canonized as a classic (Ching). Buried around 168 B.C., the Ma Wang Dui manuscript is virtually the same as the version we have today, albeit the Hexagrams are in a different order.
If you had to quit all practices and focus one just one, which would it be?
Without a doubt it would be San Zhou Gong in general, 11 Section Standing Brocade in particular. For some of these reasons … see Standing Brocade under Internal Arts of the Main Menu.
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