A Featured martial-arts-tournaments Article
Nana Korobi Ya Oki - '7 Times Down 8 Times Up': Success Secrets from the Martial Art of Ninjutsu

On the left lapel of every adult student here at Warrior Concepts, there is a patch bearing the Japanese kanji character 'NIN.' Although the kanji itself has two pronunciations in Japanese, it is the original Chinese meaning of "perseverance," "to endure," or "to put up with" that we focus on heavily in the Warrior Concepts Life Mastery Program. And, even though our youth students do not wear the same patch, this concept is imbedded deeply into their programs as well.

When we talk about the concept of perseverance, everyone seems to be in agreement. "Yes," they agree, "one should have the ability and willingness to stay the course."

But, when we look around us, why are their so few examples of this quality?

In Japan, there is a saying, Nana Korobi Ya Oki, which means, "seven times down, 8 times up." It can be seen displayed in the WCI main dojo ("training hall") on the noren banner hanging in the front training room surrounded by several Daruma Dolls - themselves symbols of goal-setting and success.

This phrase, like the kanji character NIN, is a reminder that not everything in life is (or should be) easy. If it were, there would be no need for grading in school - or school itself for that matter - social services and the like. The fact is: life has difficulties.

But, it's not about whether or not something is difficult or easy, but in how we deal with that thing, that makes the difference and brings with it the equivalent success or failure.

In Today's culture, it seems that the drive-up-window mentality rules the day. It is this very "I want it now or I'll go somewhere else" thinking that is destroying careers, families, and society in general. When no one is willing to "stay the course" and work through difficulties and challenges, nothing gets better and we are perpetually stuck in a "start-over" cycle.

Can you imagine how disastrous this could be in a self-defense situation? Where everything we do, we do with either...

1) the mindset of "If this doesn't work the first time, I'll just quit," or...

2) the inability to take the attacker down and lock him up, causing a situation where the fight is continually being reset to zero.

In the first scenario, the all-or-nothing mentality will cause us to simply lie-down-and-die at the first sign of trouble. In the second, we will run ragged trying to maintain enough energy for a sustained assault.

The truth is that, sometimes, we will have to endure, to persevere, to put up with things that are uncomfortable. Because, if we take action now, we will be in greater danger.

So, with the greatest of ninja skill...

...we wait.

We wait for the opportunity when something can be done that will effect a victory for us.

This is the core lesson of nana korobi ya oki. It is what allows a ninja warrior to go beyond what most others see as possible. It is the ability to - no matter how many times we're knocked down, attacked, restrained or threatened - get back up and take that next important step toward the fulfillment of our vision.

This is one of the most important traits of a winner - a survivor - the ability to 'go on.' That's why Hatsumi-Sensei, our grand master has said for years, "Keep going!" He says that you have to give everything a good effort and not give up too soon. This includes your martial arts training.

But, to him - a ninja master - a good effort is at least ten years. He says that, if after that time you're still not getting it - you're still not making progress - then, and only then, should you consider trying something else.

Because in the end, it will not be those who sought mastery who will find it, but those who sought to master themselves with the spirit that "I will find it, no matter how how many times I have to go at it or start over."

It is they who will have set their minds and hearts firmly on their vision, and with firm resolve and disciplined action, moved confidently into their future to attain their goal.

Life is challenging and difficult sometimes but, you are stronger. And, the next time it knocks you down - get up and keep going. And remember the Ninja Warrior's motto:

..."Never give up!"

About the Author

Read more like this by subscribing to the author's newsletter here For seminar & media requests, call (570) 988-2228 or go to his website at www.warrior-concepts-online.com

martial-arts-tournaments Items For Viewing
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Hong Kong wuxia films, or martial arts fantasies, traditionally squeeze poor acting, slapstick humor, and silly story lines between elaborate fight scenes in which characters can literally fly. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has no shortage of breathtaking battles, but it also has the dramatic soul of a Greek tragedy and the sweep of an epic romance. This is the work of director Ang Lee, who fell in love with movies while watching wuxia films as a youngster and made Crouching Tiger as a tribute to the form. To elevate the genre above its B-movie roots and broaden its appeal, Lee did two important things. First, he assembled an all-star lineup of talent, joining the famous Asian actors Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh with the striking, charismatic newcomer Zhang Ziyi. Behind the scenes, Lee called upon cinematographer Peter Pau (The Killer, The Bride with White Hair) and legendary fight choreographer Yuen Wo-ping, best known outside Asia for his work on The Matrix. Second, in adapting the story from a Chinese pulp-fiction novel written by Wang Du Lu, Lee focused not on the pursuit of a legendary sword known as "The Green Destiny," but instead on the struggles of his female leads against social obligation. In his hands, the requisite fight scenes become another means of expressing the individual spirits of his characters and their conflicts with society and each other.

The filming required an immense effort from all involved. Chow and Yeoh had to learn to speak Mandarin, which Lee insisted on using instead of Cantonese to achieve a more classic, lyrical feel. The astonishing battles between Jen (Zhang) and Yu Shu Lien (Yeoh) on the rooftops and Jen and Li Mu Bai (Chow) atop the branches of bamboo trees required weeks of excruciating wire and harness work (which in turn required meticulous "digital wire removal"). But the result is a seamless blend of action, romance, and social commentary in a populist film that, like its young star Zhang, soars with balletic grace and dignity. --Eugene Wei

Martial Arts Robin

Goku & Tenkaichi Budokai - Dragonball Twin Figure Keychain (Japanese Imported)

Goku & Tenkaichi Budokai - Dragonball Twin Figure Keychain (Japanese Imported)
This DragonBall twin figure/building keychain features Goku & Tenkaichi Budokai. Each keychain is attached to 2 mini-figures/buildings. There are 10 different keychains in the series (EACH SOLD SEPARATELY): (A) Goku & Tenkaichi Budokai, (B) Master Roshi & Kame house, (C) Piccolo Daimao & tower, (D) Goku & tower, (E) Korin & Korin's Tower, (F) Angel Goku & Krillin, (G) Vegeta & Trunk, (H) Vegito & Picolo, (I) Hercule & Gotenks, (J) Picolo & Gohan. This product contains very small figures and is recommended for age 7 or up only. DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN PUT IT INTO THEIR MOUTH! This is a Japanese imported products. Just like many US products, it's made in China. To buy the whole set of 10 keychains, search for: T9899999996200

Martial Arts Champ Child - S

Ultra Kick

Ultra Kick
Ultra Kick is pure adrenaline! Designed to help today's busy parents motivate their kids to be more active, it's non-stop martial arts action for kids.

Cover karate basics and go step by step through warm-ups all the way to explosive power kick lessons. Ultra Kick covers the fastest, easiest ways to perform: flying kicks, capoeira kicks, spins, jumps, tornado kicks, formation 12, hurricane kicks, 360º reverse and more!

Shaolin Soccer [IMPORT]

Shaolin Soccer [IMPORT]
Computer generated special effects have seldom been so giddy as in Shaolin Soccer, a gleeful fusion of kung fu and a classic Bad News Bears sports story. A former soccer star--whose "golden leg" was broken by a hired mob--assembles a team of former students of Shaolin martial arts, whose assorted skills (indicated by their nicknames, like Mighty Steel Leg and Iron Head) lend themselves to the swift interplay of the world's most popular game. Along the way, the team's leader (Hong Kong comic superstar Stephen Chow) meets a sticky bun baker (Vicki Zhao) whose kung fu is the equal of any of his teammates. Shaolin Soccer is supremely silly--in the final match, their opponents are called Team Evil--but that's part of the fun. American movies rarely achieve this perfect balance of the absurd and the sincere. A delight. --Bret Fetzer

Martial Arts Weekend

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
This enjoyable and touching biography of martial-arts film star Bruce Lee stars Jason Scott Lee (no relation), an actor with a lively face and natural intensity, who makes every moment of this film compelling. Directed by Rob Cohen, Dragon traces Bruce Lee's slow rise over myriad obstacles--most of them race-based--to become an international superstar in films. Lee's origins are oddly set in San Francisco instead of his real home in Seattle, but then again there is plenty of artistic license going on as Cohen explores the actor's psyche through some powerful fantasy sequences. Lauren Holly is good as Lee's wife, Linda (whose book about her late husband inspired this movie). A scene involving Bruce's rescue of son Brandon (who died in a filmmaking accident in 1993) from a murderous spirit is plain spooky. The special-edition DVD release has a widescreen presentation, director interview, featurette, screen tests, closed captioning, optional French soundtrack, and optional Spanish subtitles. --Tom Keogh

martial-arts-tournaments in the news
Martial arts: Athletes get their kicks - Rapid City Journal

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:22:30 GMT

Martial arts: Athletes get their kicks
Rapid City Journal, SD - 18 hours ago
Martial arts tournaments are nothing new to the area, but added this year is a points system for a three-event series hosted by Dynamic Martial Arts of ...

Labels: martial-arts-history | universal-martial-arts | history-of-martial-arts