Synopsis
Internal karate is a mostly forgotten or, at least, little understood component of traditional karate practice. It is however, the very foundation upon which most Asian forms rest. It is also one of the best kept secrets of the Asian arts, and surprisingly, it remains a secret even to many modern instructors currently teaching them!This book reveals the mystifying powers of Qi and howeveryone possess a unique ‘Energy Body’ that imbues us with amazing versatility to triumph over our opponents and bring well-being into our life.This book was written for martial artists of all styles as a primer on how every person organizes and uses subtle energy. The book is divided into five sections: Part 1 revisits why we train in martial arts and address its core nature. Part 2 looks at how the brain/mind is intimately entwined with our physical practices. Part 3 explores ‘Warrior Power’ with a seven-tiered template of the distinct ways in which we all use our personal powers. Part 4 discusses the working fundamentals of the Subtle Energy Body. Part 5 invites readers into a dialog amongst ten senior martial artists and takes a brief, practical look at some of the internal components of three common martial techniques.There is a great mystery surrounding internal martial arts study, particularly within the hard style community. This is due in part to a lack of substantive information available in the mainstream literature along with a general skepticism about the subject matter. What was most amazing to the author was how much of this information was embedded within the traditional forms coming out of Korea, China, Japan, and Okinawan.Hayashi shares his fascination with the unique technical configurations of the Okinawan empty-hand forms as they related to internal principles. He has been decoding traditional forms as conveyors of internal truths for the last 23 years. Most of the nei jia, or internal families/systems in China still convey their teachings non-verbally, that is, by means of calculated and consistent repetitions. Students just ‘did’. They did not talk about doing. Although this methodology led to many fine intuitive internal experts and masters, it left a void for those who lacked such sensitivities. Hayashi differs in his approach to the subject by offering compelling insights and his ability to clearly explain these distinctions to an interested audience.
About the Author
Hayashi Tomio, Shifu, (Christopher J. Goedecke), is a career teacher of Okinawan Karatedo, 8th dan and headmaster of the Wind School with forty-five years of martial experience. He is the author of The Soul Polishers Apprentice: A Martial Kumite About Personal Evolution; The Wind Warrior: Training of a Karate Champion; Smart Moves, A Kid's Guide To Self Defense; and The Unbreakable Board And The Red Dragon Surprise. He founded the Martial Art Directory Association of New Jersey in 1984 and published A Guide To The Martial Arts of New Jersey (1984). He has published many magazine articles and teaching stories. Preferring to use his Buddhist name, Hayashi Tomio, Goedecke was one of twenty-five martial arts professionals selected to express his training philosophy in the book, Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching (Frog Ltd.) He is the inventor of the strategy martial art card game, Grand Master. He has appeared in the third edition of Who's Who in American Karate and Who's Who In The East for his martial contributions. He has appeared on cable television and radio programs demonstrating and discussing martial arts. He has studied numerous other martial styles, including Yang Style Tai Chi, Aikido, Okinawan Kobudo and is an expert in Okinawan Kiko (Chi Kung). Hayashi serves as senior counsel for the Mushindo Kempo Association, (MKA) and is an ordained Buddhist Bodhisattva Warrior Monk in the Chen Yen Shingon Mikkyo sect. Hayashi began formal karate training in 1968 at the International School of Judo and Karate in Summit, New Jersey. In 1973, he became a senior instructor for the Isshin Kempo Association, one of the East Coast's largest karate organizations at that time. Goedecke is also an Adjunct Lecturer in Physical Education at Drew University where he has taught karate since 1984. Hayashi offers students and readers an extensive knowledge of martial technique, principles, psychology, philosophy, and metaphysical insights, which he shares through his intimate, compassionate, and dynamic teaching approach. As well as being a popular New Jersey teacher, Hayashi is a avid proponent of the many benefits of traditional martial arts training
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