Thursday 2 June 2011
The word “Focus” is often used in the Martial Arts to describe a more “mystical” dimension as we saw in the Karate Kid movie and in David Carradine’s Kung Fu movies set in the 70’s. “Focus Grasshopper” the Master would insist as young Carradine explored the multi faceted dimensions of the ancient Chinese art. Set in the scenes of mountainous terrain where this young devotee sought to reach the enlightened state that the Martial Arts can deliver, his Master’s theme for training was often targetted at his apprentice learning how his body alone could not deliver excellence in his Martial Arts training and that his mind needed to be engaged in every physical endeavour.
One of the highest subscribed Martial Arts Brisbane academies, Factor10 Martial Arts, seeks to explore this ancient practice on a daily basis with the young practitioners of the Korean arts of Taekwondo and Hapkido. Master Damien O’Flaherty and Grand Master Sung Soo Lee believe that the essence of greatness in Martial Arts practice is found in the mind. The mind’s ability to take the body where it has never been before has never been fully understood, other than to say that Martial Artists of their calibre know this to be the case. This Master’s and Grand Master’s training and technical excellence are testimount to this. The basis for this understanding is not a scientific one – its purely based on practice .. experience .. the Martial Art way.
When talking about the power of the mind we speak of “focus” in the Martial Arts and how when practicing to focus on an activity or a thought we can gain greater insights and develop improved physical reactions, coordination and overall excellence in techniques and moves. What then is the difference between “focus” and concentration? After all, are we not just using a fancy Martial Arts word that brings with it some mystical connotations for the sake of it? Are we not just using words for the sake of words? Then why not use the word concentration and why don’t our Masters and Grand Masters of the Martial Arts just do the same?
Where “concentration” is about thought alone, “focus” is about a bringing together of the mind and body in a coordinated, kind of choreographed way. Simply speaking, the mind becomes the conductor of the orchestra with the body being the orchestra itself. The conductor, or mind, interprets otherwise meaningless movements and brings them together as they were intended, with the correct rhythm, tempo and tenacity as required. As the mind seeks higher level of interpretations of the Martial movements and techniques, whether it be though the combinations, purpose, variations in execution and so on, the Martial Arts practitioner reaches what we call the more “enlightened” state. Enlihghtened in sofar as those movements and techniques are concerned.
It is though Martial Arts “Focus” that the practitioner can develop in ways personally that they would never have otherwise developed had they not trained in a Martial Arts Brisbane based school like Factor10. The Master system is so developed at Factor10 that the students and members can explore the higher level understanding that sharp and attuned focus in training brings. Children at the age of 6 will develop academically, physically and socially in ways that no other sports can deliver, simply becaue the way of the Martial Arts through “focus” is not practiced elsewhere. Likewise teenagers and Adults will do the same.
At Factor10 Master O’Flaherty commented recently that a parent spoke to him saying the Year 1 teachers at a school reported that their son, a Little Legends member, had improved in his concentration overall, and that his balance in Physical Education classes and also his reading had improved. “Why is that?”, Master O said, “Is it concentration? We’ll let the teachers think that … but we know it’s Focus – the age old practice of bringing mind and body together”.
As we train our mind to behave a certain way, we achieve synergies not understood by those outside the Martial Arts. While practicing focus in martial arts moves, developing and exploring physical moves and applying them in higher order circumstances and environments, our mind learns to be able to apply this same type of thinking in all of life’s endeavours. We learn to aspire to the notion of excellence and perfection in other areas as we do in our traditional training. We learn to persevere in order to achieve success. Children, Teenagers and Adults find that other aspects of their lives become more meaningful and fruitful, delivering more feelings of satisfaction with daily routines and life challenges.
So … “Focus Grasshopper”
