Tag: Martial arts seminar

Moving Beyond Techniques

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Life Lessons, Martial Arts

Rick is on a never-ending quest; for many years he sought out Martial Arts masters to acquire an extensive repertoire of training methods and techniques. His insatiable thirst has also always continued to draw him into the deeper aspects of the Martial Arts beyond the physical. A quest not just for knowledge but, for wisdom and an understanding on deeper levels, not just for himself, but to share with his students.  As a teacher and guide he has always felt that his purpose was to contribute and raise the level of skill as well as consciousness. At a time where society is overwhelmed and bombarded by information he now sees even more clearly his role as emphasizing Martial Arts as a transformative process.  The most recent weekend immersion emphasized the importance of wisdom and understanding above additional information and physical drills.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

“Knowledge without wisdom is a load of books on the back an ass”  – Japanese Proverb

People entering the space on the first day seemed to not know what to expect.  Upon arriving they were handed a sheet of questions.  The purpose being to place them in a position to examine their own thoughts and reasoning’s behind their training as well as their perspectives on Martial Arts and its purpose.  The stage was set for reflection and then growth.

Rick emphasized his belief in the importance of the Martial Arts trained and taught the correct way.  True Martial Art’s training can bring about self–knowledge and then wisdom.  This wisdom has a particular emphasis in Martial Arts beyond other forms of yoga/meditation because it comes from interaction with others, not only stillness.  Interactions become not only enhanced in the training arena but also in life with all those that we come in contact with.

Rick's Crest

Speaking about the transformative process and the focus on truth Rick emphasized truth as not only the spoken word but also, being truthful with one’s self.  Exploring those deep corners of the soul that many are reluctant to venture into because of fear.  A true warrior has the strength to take off the mask he/she wears not only for others but also for themselves, to change the story we created and perpetuate in our mind.  Emphasis being that a true artist seeks truth because they can live no other way but in the ever-changing truth.  Attendees were shocked and dismayed when Rick requested not to be called Sifu anymore – “Call me Rick”.  Wow, talk about stripping away the past.  The pretense and ego of the simple title no longer serve him – TRUTH!

“To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”   – Buddha

The physical drills throughout the training focused on opening up the senses individually and holistically to become more in tuned with oneself.  Bringing the once simple movements into a whole other level of understanding in tune with one’s self is key to heightening ones response to interactions with others.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Several times throughout the weekend attendees broke into small groups to initiate more intimate conversations regarding their own journeys.  This created opportunities for those to allow themselves introspection as well as expose their own perceived vulnerability.  Rick constructed many well-placed situations and opportunities for each individual to arrive at an “Ah ha” moment.

The participants throughout the seminar asked many questions and in return Rick asked many open-ended questions to the group.  Questions to ponder and take away in contributing and encouraging an everlasting quest for truth.  Martial Arts after all, as Rick emphasized, is an ongoing transformative process.

“Walk On.” – Bruce Lee

Some Seminar Attendees
Day 2 Attendees

Love and Knife Disarms

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Martial Arts

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Current and past students came from far and wide to reunite and live the experience one last time as a master, Guro Rick taught his last seminar as owner of Princeton Academy of Martial Arts.  It was an excellent seminar, as all of us have become accustomed to as students of Rick.   Taking advantage of the unseasonably beautiful weather, the attendees worked through various knife work drills outside in the sunshine.  Later in the afternoon things progressed inside the Academy with knife disarms, tie-ups, and Rick guiding people to brainstorm their disarms issues, using it as learning experience for the students.  The last elements covered were Kali/Silat entries and takedowns.  There was much information shared but Rick’s intention, which he made clear, was to give the attendees something that they could take home, practice, and progress with.

The mood of the day was uplifting and high energy, one could feel the electricity about the room.  The mood was blithe with over 50 attendees, many of which could not help reminisce throughout the day.   And yes, at the closing there were some eyes welling.  As I perused the group, watched Rick teach during the seminar, and spoke at closing to the group, it was difficult not to get teary and get choked up.

I believe that many others feel just as I do.  It has been nothing more than magical.  For almost 27 years Rick has made PAMA a place of solitude.  Within a group one is truly alone with oneself while training.  Uniting the mind and body daily, because no one can help, as you are getting punched and kicked or the weapon being wielded towards you.  You must be in that moment with yourself, feeling the life surge through the physical body as your human instincts kick in.  Not that of maiming or harming another but, that of self-preservation and preservation of life.  More and more in this world there are very few places where we can truly feel, understand being alive and in control of that life right down to our core.  And sometime even shaking within that core from the sheer bliss, release, and relief.

Living and breathing the warrior’s path even till his departure; Guro Rick over the years has shared not just the physical parts of the arts but analyzing and discussing the details of the human psyche.   Altering students not just in the flesh, but also in the dark corners that most people do not want to explore.   No one is truly losing Rick as an instructor, every time people train they will be able to hear his voice and visualize the motions and hopefully, more importantly, live through his guidance as courageous warriors.

He is not leaving martial arts completely nor will he be leaving his students floundering.  They will be taken care of carefully by the new Sifu Mike Lee and Lao Si Mike Wolhfert and the rest of the assistant instructors.  This blog was created as a meeting point for us to all to remain together on this journey.  I imagine that Rick and I will continue to talk about Martial Arts daily as we do now and continue to train but, I do look forward to what genius may come out of this transformative process.