Tag: George Mattson

Resilient Wellness Qigong Featured in New Book

Resilient Wellness Qigong Featured in New Book

kvanness01

My Uechi-Ryu instructor, Grandmaster George Mattson, known as “The Father of Uechi-Ryu Karate in America”, just published his fifth major book, titled “The Dynamic World of Martial Arts: Unleashing the Power Within”.

I’ve immensely enjoyed reading the book. It’s a mix of Mattson Sensei’s experiences over the years as one of the leading proponents of traditional martial arts in the U.S.; his perspectives on the changes we’ve seen over the decades in how martial arts are viewed, practiced, and taught; and a deeper view into his own training and mindset practices that have helped him achieve such longevity as a martial artist, instructor, and leader.

Mattson Sensei asked me and a few other instructors to provide some sections for the book. I was honored to be asked AND I’m thrilled that Resilient Wellness Qigong is featured in its own small chapter within the book.

Why Uechi?

I first trained in Uechi Ryu Karate back in the early 1990s. (Yes, I am dating myself). I was already a Second Degree Black Belt in a traditional style of Tae Kwon Do and was interested in studying a martial art that would be a good complement to the medium to long range strategies of my primary art. Uechi is an infighting style with roots in Southern China. It’s also a “fighting style” with a focus on developing actual fighting skills and reactions with many open hand techniques, low kicks, and simplified stances and footwork.

My first Uechi instructor was Sensei John Carria who is one of the leaders within the Uechi community. John was (and is) an excellent instructor and continues to learn, develop, and share those learnings through teaching and his own book that came out last year. (Click the book cover to the right for a link to John’s book.)

When I first started learning Uechi, I truly felt like a fish out of water. It was so different from what I was used to. But it also intrigued me. I trained hard and eventually earned a First Degree Black Belt under Carria Sensei’s instruction. I knew I still had a lot to learn and sensed a depth to the art that would take some years to fully understand and appreciate. And it has not disappointed.

When I became a mom, I took some years off from formal training. I would train on my own and hit the bags, and sometimes work out with my son. But it was years before I got the bug to train formally again as a student. As I searched for and considered options for training, I happened upon Mattson Sensei’s virtual dojo, AtHomeKarate.com. I saw that he had pioneered virtual instruction years prior, long before advancements in remote communications technology via the internet made virtual communications easy and inexpensive. Through his early experimentation, George developed a highly effective approach for teaching and coaching long-distance, helping students and black belts from all over the world either commence their martial arts study, OR continue their Uechi-Ryu development.

“Call Me George”

One of the things I love most about Mattson Sensei is how down-to-earth he is. The first time we spoke on a coaching call, I addressed him as Sensei. He immediately said, “Call me George”. He has no need for the “Grand Poobah”, “Super Mega Grandmaster” titles that seem to have proliferated in the martial arts. Given his stature within the Uechi world, and martial arts world in general, this was so refreshing – and a testament to the quiet confidence he enjoys after many decades of contribution.

He is also super supportive and uplifting. I came back to Uechi as an out-of-shape mom and businesswoman who wanted to train in a meaningful way but did not have a good dojo or training opportunity close by. Would I be able to train martial arts again without injuring myself or looking like an idiot? George assuaged my concerns. His approach is to get going and start training and, as he says, “Train Smart. Train Often”. His key lesson is consistency. Do something every day, even if it’s just your three Sanchins and some pushups. And build from there.

I also appreciate that George calls you on your bullshit. He lets me know if he thinks I have not trained as hard as I should have or progressed on something like I should have. We all respond better to someone providing clarity and honesty in their feedback, because we want to know where we stand and how we are doing.

And George models everything he pushes his students and instructors to do. He’s 86 years young, still trains every day, still loves to teach, and continued to inspire and empower so many of us through his instruction and example.

Anyways, I highly recommend the book for any and all martial artists. And if you’ve never trained, I still recommend it. Who knows: the stories, advice, and perspectives George provides through the book may inspire you to learn more or even begin training.

(And be sure to check out the Qigong chapter starting on page 41!)

Qigong and What Else?

kvanness01

Practicing Qigong is a fun, wonderful, fulfilling, and minimal impact way to stretch and strengthen without the potential risk of injury from other exercise modalities.

In addition to moving forms, such as the Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) and Yi Jin Jing (Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic), standing practices also improve our strength and flexibility. In fact, as you progress in your Qigong, you will find that your standing practice, coupled with the internal work (Neigong) that you do while standing, becomes the more important and profound aspect of your practice and development.

Having said that, I also feel it critical to point out the following: Qigong practice alone is not enough!

This may go against the grain of some purists, but it’s true.

You must also include other types of strength and aerobic capacity-building exercise to help ensure you stay fit and strong, as well as help recover from or prevent the common injuries and complaints many people experience as they get older. We’re talking resilience against back problems, knee problems, osteoporosis, diabetes, early aging, etc., etc., etc. We’re talking improving your capacity to adapt. We’re talking quicker, easier recovery if you do become injured or ill.

Dynamic Energy Exercise

This is so important that, years ago, I developed an approach to fitness for myself that included the major components that help develop resilience, capacity, and improved health and energy. I called it “Dynamic Energy Exercise” and it proved so effective for me and my clients and students, that I actually registered it with the US Patent Office.

Dynamic Energy Exercise™ is an approach to exercise and wellbeing that integrates your body, mind, and spirit through the focal point of your breath. It leverages time-tested principles and techniques from Qigong and other energy disciplines, breathing methods and practices, and traditional martial arts. It’s grounded in years of study and teaching, rigorous and ongoing education in Medical Qigong and Classical Chinese Medicine, and continued practice and evolution. It’s extremely effective yet easy to learn and accessible to anyone.

If you’re interested in learning more about it, visit my other website, www.BestBreathingExercises.com.

Anyways, I mention this because I’ve learned from first-hand experience that following a well-rounded program is key to avoiding injuries, getting stronger and fitter, and staying younger and more energetic. Qigong and breathwork are at the heart of this type of program, of course. Then you want to add the other components. AND be efficient in your program so you’re not tasking yourself with having to work out all the time.

An example I am super familiar with is studying martial arts, especially more traditional approaches. For years I have studied Uechi-Ryu Karate (a traditional Okinawan style with roots in Southern China) and a traditional form of Tae Kwon Do. (I took some time off from martial arts when I became a mom but have been back in the saddle the past few years.)

My instructor, Grandmaster George Mattson, is considered the “Father of Uechi-Ryu Karate in America”, because he first brought Uechi to the U.S. back in the late 1950s, and over the years has run dojos, online schools, tournaments, and been a wonderful role model and ambassador of the style. Mattson Sensei continually stresses the importance of supplemental training as a complement and support to our Uechi-Ryu. In Uechi we train for fighting, self-defense capabilities, and self-development. We perform body conditioning and special breathing exercises. AND… we supplement this with exercises such as calisthenics, lifting and manipulating weights and weighted tools, and aerobic exercise to help build up our bodies.

Your Body is a Temple

Centuries ago, a wise sage traveled to a reknowned monastery to teach his version of Buddhism. When he arrived, he found the monks to be so focused on their spiritual practices, which involved copious time spent sitting and meditating, that they had allowed their bodies and health to deteriorate. The wise sage knew they would never reach their spiritual goals unless they also built up their physical and mental health and capacities.

And so (it is said), he developed the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic) to help the monks build their strength and flexibility, begin to flow internal energy, and gain an appreciation for the physical aspect of their being. (This wise sage is also said to have developed a second classic Qigong practice, which we’ll get into at another time.)

The wise sage knew that the physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual are all tied together. In fact, many believe they are all…the same thing.

It would seem to make sense to embrace all three within your own health practice, wouldn’t it?

You Can Do It!

Dr. Karen