Meeting of minds (Chris and Gabo)

Hi all,

After much discussion and organising Neil and I were able to meet with Chris Irons and Gabo Weiss (20th December 2019) in London. Thanks to Chris for hosting and to Gabo for travelling in from Israel!

We've been looking forward to meeting for some time now, once Chris told us of Gabo's interest in the martial arts and CFT (so right up FCMA's street).

We talked about a host of topics including intrapersonal conflict and fears blocks and resistances, in the sense that traditional martial arts aren't really about violence, more about its resolution/management. This can be a tricky concept for non-martial artists to grasp initially but is well worth grappling with.

We talked about varying elements of the CFT Threat system (both external and internal) that can be enacted in the face of conflict, before exploring an embodied experience of static stances from Traditional Karate (Gabo), Wing Chun (Syd) and Taekwondo (Neil).

Chris mentioned some research he's interested in conducting around therapist preparation for clinical sessions, which we related to assuming a 'ready' pre-stance attitude in martial arts. We discussed how this also relates to empathic bridging (see the second Chum Kui form in Wing Chun) and that once 'in touch' we are able to try and stay with distress/movement from a position of relational safeness (and physical safety).

Chris highlighted how many elite sportspeople prepare for each training session, in a way that is much less focused upon in therapy. We can likely learn much from this and the Traditional martial arts have a lot to offer here too.

Following on from this we discussed the idea of warming-down or ending an encounter, which again is formalised within most martial arts (bow, salute etc) but is typically not given much consideration in therapy.

We ended the day with a trip to a local pub (see picture) for well-earned beer.

Overall then, what a fantastic opportunity to meet a fellow martial artist with a long and rich history in his art. We hope to meet up again soon and are very much looking forward to the English translation of Gabo's book, which should be out early to mid 2020 (watch this space for more).

Here's wishing you all a peaceful holiday season.

Syd

Gabo Chris and Syd no beer 20th Dec 2019 pic.jpg

FCMA online interview with Deirdre Fay

Hey everyone,

We had the honour recently of being interviewed by the amazing Deirdre Fay about the philosophy of FCMA. Deirdre is renowned for her work in using yoga to help people become more safely embodied and heal from trauma, and trains many therapists in these embodied approaches.

During our conversation, we explored the concept of Radically Embodied Compassion as experienced and cultivated through the martial arts, the importance of fierce compassion, and how martial arts can help therapists/clinicians resolve conflicts affiliatively.

You can check out the interview on YouTube here:

https://youtu.be/NzNCG6TnqeU

We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

Peace,

Neil and Syd

On Combat: Peaceful Warriors

Hi there,

I'm just re-reading 'On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace' (fourth edition) by Dave Grossman and Loren Christensen.

What a book! It takes a comprehensive look at physiological changes due to battle conditions, including the impact on the nervous system, heart, breathing, visual and auditory perception and also memory. As such, it's a good reminder of how we're affected in times of acute (and sometimes chronic) stress.

It also features some research findings on what combatants can do to reduce such effects and stay functional, which is clearly relevant to encounters beyond the battlefield and, I would argue, especially in therapy.

It also features a brief look the evolution of combat and Grossman's concept of the "Bulletproof mind" (including post-battle emotions and thinking style, such as relief and self-blame). Again, I think this is directly relevant to therapy and speaks to the value of good, ongoing, clinical supervision for therapists (and more broadly clinical colleagues of any kind).

Overall, I'm finding it a very sobering and thoughtful read. It has lots of quotes from military minds across the ages and provides much needed food for thought when it comes to considering the overall impact of threatening situations upon the self and how we can work with this. Unsurprisingly, from a CFT perspective, it's very much about self to self relating as a primary vehicle for negotiating distress tolerance.

In particular I like the authors focus on the 'Peaceful Warrior' and how their attempt is not to glorify combat but, instead, remind the reader that most of us who find ourselves in threatening situations are typically there to try and help others and often, in one form or another, 'keep the peace'.

There's so much great reading out there, I'll keep you updated on anything else I think might be of interest but in the meantime…….

Peace out.

Syd

Memory Lane 2

Further to Syd’s recent post Memory Lane, I found this picture from 1994 (when I was 10!) of me and my brother with the great Kim Stones. The picture was also taken by my father (we all ended up becoming 1st Degree Black Belts in Taekwondo).

This evokes so many memories and feelings…of the joy of training together, of being surrounded and inspired by other great martial artists…like Syd said, it’s amazing how rediscovering such images makes you realise how time passes and reminds you of important experiences on your journey in life.

Peace,

Neil

IMG-20190727-WA0011.jpg

Martial Arts and Compassion Cultivation

Hi all,

We have just written and published a short online blog that gives a nice overview of how martial arts can help therapists develop and enhance compassion. Check it out here:

https://365daysofcompassion.wordpress.com/2019/07/23/martial-arts-and-compassion-the-new-way-for-therapists-syd-hiskey-and-neil-clapton/

This piece briefly highlights the relevance and importance of marital arts in developing radically embodied compassion. It also gives you a further taste of what we're all about here at FCMA and what you can expect to get out of our workshops.

Thanks to the lovely Chris Winson for posting this on his #365daysofcompassion blog. Happy reading!

Warmest Wishes,

Neil

Memory lane

Hi,

Isn’t funny how you come across old pictures that both capture an important moment in your life and remind you that time flies.

Here’s a shot of Dan Inosanto (one of Bruce Lee’s original students and inspirational martial artist in his own right), Dave Coulson (my current martial arts mentor) and me.

It’s from July 2005 in London and was taken at the end of a weekend long training Seminar with Dan (and his fellow Instructor Joel Clark).

It was a full-on whirlwind of Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Dan’s own blend of Fillipino arts and wisdom.

Given the feelings rediscovering this picture have reminded me of, why not spend a few minutes going through your own albums and see what comes up.

Better still, perhaps spend a few minutes also thinking about inspirational figures you’d like to meet/train with and see if you can make this happen.

Well discuss much more on this when we explore Role Models as part of our Introductory x1 day FCMA workshop. Hope to see you there.

Peace,

Syd

Dan Inosanto Syd and Spanish 2005.jpg

Miyamoto Musashi

Hi there.

Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, c. 1584 – June 13, 1645), was a Japanese samurai, philosopher, strategist and writer. He was renowned for his two-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record of 61 duels. He is the Kensei or sword-saint of Japan.

He was the founder of the Niten-Ichi-Ryū-School or Nito-Ichi-ryū style of swordsmanship, and authored The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書 Go Rin No Sho), and Dokkōdō (The Path of Aloneness).

The Book of Five Rings deals primarily with the character of his Niten-Ichi-Ryū-School in a concrete sense e.g. his own practical martial art and its significance; The Path of Aloneness on the other hand, deals with the ideas that lie behind it, as well as his life's philosophy in a few sentences.

One of my favourite quotes, attributed to Musashi, is “The truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is, and you must bend to its power or live a lie.”

In keeping with this, our aim is to make Fierce Compassion as ‘true’ as we can. If not we’re surely wasting our time? As such, our techniques must be trained with purpose and focus.

Peace,

Syd

Two types of anger

Hi all,

I’ve just seen a great quote from the Dalai Lama that seems to capture what we at Fierce Compassion Martial Arts are all about.

“There are two types of anger. One type arises out of compassion; that kind of anger is useful. Anger that is motivated by compassion or a desire to correct social injustice, and does not seek to harm the other person, is a good anger that is worth having.”

I think this speaks centrally to why I became fascinated by the martial arts and centrally to why Neil and I developed FCMA over the last few years.

There’s a lot of wisdom out there in terms of how we turn our most potentially harmful urges into something halting and ultimately helpful.

Train wisely.

Syd

Training, training, training

Hi all,

Just a quick post to say I’m hoping to train with Rick Young (Jeet Kune Do), Bob Breen (4D) and Phil Norman (Ghost) over the Summer (2019).

We’re still in the process of sorting out specific dates but it looks like Dave Coulson (Hybrid Defence) and I will be attending, to soak up further knowledge from these masters of their respective arts.

Watch this space for more in the coming months.

Syd