A Black Belts, White Belt...

I am a black belt, who is a white belt, who wears a black belt. That may seam a little confusing and you may thing that the math doesn't add up. well actually it does... No really, the math does add up. It is the equation of one plus zero. 

Black Belt + White Belt = Black Belt

        1        +          0       =          1

Its kinda the same... But a little different.

After a few years of figuring out my life, I decided to FINALLY start back training in the martial arts in April. I had been trained primarily in the Shotokan discipline through my entire martial arts career (with a few ). I knew I could not afford a $100 a month membership at a Dojo. So I started looking for a club. I found one in Clarksville known by OBC (Okinawa Bujutsu Club), and went to investigate. My primary goal was to observe the style that was being taught (Hakutsuru Kenpo), and the instructors (Sensei Fivecoat) Method of teaching. With in 5 minutes of me introducing myself and being their, Sensei Fivecoat coaxed me on to the floor to play. As we went through many of the moves I began to realize that this style was a more in depth system of the martial arts than than the Shotokan system I had been trained in. My heart melted and I joined the club. On my way home I had many questions going through my mind.

Will I be able to make time to keep going?

Do I still have my uniform?

If I do still have my uniform, where would it be?

Did I really just start a different style?

Am I abandoning my roots?

I was able to answer all of these on my own. However, there was a question that plagued my mind for a couple of weeks as I continued to attend the club. The question that weighed so heavily on my mind was "do I wear a white belt, or my black belt?"

I had picked up this mind set from my uncle who was a painter. He once told me, "I go in to every job acting like I don't know anything. That way I can learn what I need to know to do the job the way the employer wants." So I had always gone by this in every aspect of my life. It wasn't until this instance did I have a contradict that principle I had picked up.

I was beginning a different martial arts style, which qualified me to be a white belt. However, I had worked so hard for my Shotokan black belt. It pained me to have it put away (I didn't know when I would be wearing it again, I was no longer doing focusing on Shotokan, though I still practice it on my own). I finally emailed Sensei Fivecoat about it. I had to order a new uniform anyway because my old one didn't fit. 

When Sensei Fivecoat emailed me back, he told me that he preferred me to wear my black belt. He gave me 3 reasons for that answer. The first reason he said to wear my black belt was "... because the hakutsuru Kenpo system was designed by Sensei [George] Alexander to be a graduate program for Black Belts only." That makes sense as to why it is more in depth than just my Shotokan training, and why I should still wear my black belt. He went on to say "And I know you earned it and we will leverage that experience as we go along." Made sense to me. But what really stuck out to me and impacted my martial arts training was what he said next. "... wearing your black belt to class will unconsciously force you to do better, since non of us like to look stupid while wearing a black belt." Wow!!! I mean, I was excited to continue to wear my black belt, but all of the sudden, I have the weight of a black belt expectancy in another style. And he had a point, I didn't want to look stupid wearing my black belt. I decided though to put it to the test.

The next week I showed up for the club meeting, I wore my black belt, it changed my entire performance! All of the sudden people are watching me, and looking up to me. It literally forced me to rise above my excuse of "I'm a white belt, I don't know what is going on." to "I need to know what is going on so I can help everyone else." 

I began to grow at a more raped pace in the style, and my excuses no longer had any weight. Everyone knew I was a black belt, and expected me to be a black belt, including myself.

Later, in August I started going back to school at NSCC (Nashville State Community College). As I was picking classes to take I saw a Karate class. I thought "I should be able to just test out of it easy enough and just get the credit for the class." assuming that it was Shotokan style. When I emailed the instructor (Sensei Altstatt) and asked her about testing out she wrote back and said "What style of karate did you take? I have [never] done a clep test for karate, which does not mean it is not possible What belt rank do you hold?" I emailed her back and told her I had a black belt in Shotokan karate. Much to my surprise she wrote back and said that they taught a different style of karate called Isshinryu. Not what I was expecting. But she told me "... wear the black belt that you earned in Shotokan...". 

I thought to myself, I'm going to be a white belt, in the style, wearing a black belt. It was still a new concept for me, But I saw how much it pushed me and made me grow in the Hakutsuru Kenpo style that I was defiantly going to do it again.

I showed up on the first day of class as one of the only ones in uniform, Sensei Altstatt addressed us and found that a few of the other students had previous martial arts training in various styles also. She permitted them also to wear the belt they had earned, even though they would be white belts in the style. None of the others wanted to wear their rank. They all wanted to start back a white belt. This made me second guess my decisions to wear my black belt, but I persisted. I noticed though as I continued to wear my black belt, the same results came about as I received in the OBC in Clakrsville. Other students started looking up to me, and the instructor was expecting more of me. I've accelerated faster than I everyone else also. I also joined the NSCC Karate Club with the same results. With higher expectations, I see higher results. 

I have deiced to apply this to my life. instead of always starting fresh as if I don't know anything. I have started going in to things using the knowledge that I already have, and improving upon that. I never go in acting cocky because I really don't know a lot about the specifics of the new style or system when I start something new. But I don't act like I know nothing. Which before I thought was the best way.

And so, I choose to be a white belt, who wears a black belt. Should you just go to a Dojo having no experience in any martial art and wear a black belt? I would strongly discourage that. 

Go a head and earn your first black belt, then go from there. I think you do need to know something before you can show something. 

But as for me, I wear my first black belt. and I'm content with knowing I am a white belt, and having higher expectations for wearing a black belt. And after all, a black belt is a grand masters white belt.

Fill free to comment and ask questions. Please be respectful of others and yourself as you post though.

My Martial Arts Lineage Project.

Genealogy, 

I am doing it, 

My genealogy...

Okay, so, I'm not talking about my Family History (which I am also doing by the way). What I am talking about it my Martial Arts Lineage! I've learned a lot since the time I started this project, I've seen how I connect to some of the founders! for example, my Shotokan lineage is really short and It looks kinda like this, directly.

 Adam Farley --- David Baize Sr. --- Hidetaka Nishiyama --- Gichin Funakoshi.

As you may or may not know, Gichin Funakoshi is the founder of what is know as Shotokan. I've always learned a lot about him, and I know a lot about my Sensei, David Baize Sr. But I never knew who his Sensei was. and there is no way to ask him now seeing as he is dead. So, I began to search.

I found a collaboration website where a group of people are working to bring a lineage of all martial arts and martial artists together. it's kind of like the Ancestry.com of martial arts. I decided to check it out.

I found that a lot of the work for Sensei Baize had already been done. I also saw a bigger picture than I had though I would find. I was able to see who Sensei Funakoshi trained under, and who their Sensei were etc... I found a lot of other historical information on some of these other martial artist who have gone on before.

I decided to again trace my lineage back with Isshinryu, (a style I am studying now). I had to ask my Sensei for a little help on this one because I have not really learned a lot about my Isshinryu history yet. I got enough information from her to make some connections, and got a direct line from me to the founder.

Adam Farley --- Jeanne Altstatt --- Dennis Lockwood --- Tom Lewis --- Tatsuo Shimabuku.

Tatsuo Shimabuku is the founder of Isshinryu. I also found who his Sensei were and from what sources his pulled to establish Isshinryu

It has been a really cool experience, I am still learning more and more about my martial arts lineage as I work on this project.

Not only do I get to work on mine lineage information, but I can help out with others! I know a thing or two about other lineages, and have been able to contribute to them as well! For example, I looked up many of the other famous martial artists like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, etc... (Yes, I'm kinda a geek about martial arts... I know... But don't tell me you wouldn't have done the same!) When I was looking at Chuck Norris I noticed that in his list of students, he was missing some students that I knew of! These students where the Osmonds (Yes I'm talking about Donny and his siblings)! So I was able to contribute that information to his lineage.

It has been a fun and educational experience for me to see this unfolding of history! I look forward to continued learning, not only in and about the martial arts, but also my martial arts heritage!

If you are interested and would like to look up your style, your lineage or you would like to get involved, you can go to this website: www.malineage.com

If you would like to see my lineage you may find it at this link: http://www.malineage.com/martial-artists/M-Adam-Farley

Feel free to comment or ask any questions. please be courteous and respectful though.

Seminar Testing.

This last weekend, I attended a martial arts seminar with the Okinawa Bujutsu Club in Clarksville, Tennessee. The seminar entailed some bunkai (interpretation) of different katas (forms). I was very excited about this seminar and had been looking forward to attending. I even talked my little sister AnnaLee (a brown belt in Shotokan) into attending it with me!

AnnaLee and Me!

After we arrived and filled out all the registration information and liability waver, we lined up and introduced ourselves. The seminar was open, so there were many different ranks present from a few different styles including: Shotokan, Kami Bushi Do, Isshin-ryu, Hakutsuru Kenpo and Ryukyu Hon Kenpo.

Sensei Fivecoat went over what we would be covering during the seminar. He also explained that two participants would be testing during the seminar. The testers had done a portion of their testing the previous night, but this was to be the remainder of their testing period. During this portion of their test, they were to be our instructors for various katas, which katas they knew, but were not aware of which katas would be selected for them to instruct us on. This this made it so they have to study and practice all of their katas in the style before their test in. Can you imagine preparing for this test?

"Now this an interesting way of testing... having the testers preform and instruct at a seminar." Needless to say, I was excited to see the results.

During the seminar one of the testers, Marlene, was to go through a kata and explain the bunkai of it. She was given the task to go through Shima Igiri Bo Ichi (a kata that utilized a traditional 6' bo staff) and  to demonstrate the kata. After her demonstration Marlene proceeded to interpret the application of the kata in segments. Between the segments, we would practice the application provided. Afterward, there was a question and answer time.

At the conclusion of this session of the seminar, Marlene was instructed to demonstrate the kata again, and we were instructed to observe the movements and to recall the segments we had practice, I recognized the kata and understood the movements better, including new concepts of movement for the kata.

The next participant testing, Zach, went over a different kata, Miyazato No Tekko Ich (A kata that utilizes a traditional Okinawan style of Knuckle Dusters or Brass Knuckles). Zach's portion of the seminar followed the same pattern as Marlene's. Demonstration, application, practice, re-demonstration.

They went over a couple of other empty hand katas during the seminar some of which the testers would teach, and some of which the instructors would teach.

At the end of the seminar, it was announced that those participants who had been testing had passed their examination. We had a short award ceremony in which they were given their rank advancement certificates.

Congratulations to my martial arts friends, Marlene on her second degree, and Zach on his first degree.

From left to right

Sensei Jeremy, Zach, Marlene, Sensei Dave.

I love going to seminars, they provide in depth study and give you a lot of time to practice! I also enjoy meeting other martial artists from other styles and learning with and from them. 

The path to black belt is elementary, and the road after black belt is educational. I feel like I have been learning so much more since I became a black belt than ever before. The rank doesn't matter at all, but the understanding does. 

I hope you enjoyed this short and simple post. I just wanted to share a quick little bit about my experience last weekend, and congratulate my friends on their accomplishments!

Feel free to comment or ask questions below. Please be respectful and considerate.

An Introduction: The Karateka

The Karateka

Introduction.

Hello, My name is Adam Farley, I have been studying various martial arts for about 15 years now. I began my martial arts training under David Baize Sr. at his Dojo (martial arts school), Baize Martial Arts in Clarksville, TN. It has bee closed since his suicide, however, both of his sons have started Dojos in the Clarksville area. I primarily focused on a style of karate know as Shotokan. I also undertook training in Aikido, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and a few weapon style systems. 

On December 13th 2006, I received my first two black belts from Baize Martial Arts in the styles of Shotokan and Kami Bushi Kai. A few months later, I submitted my paperwork to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I received my mission call in early 2007 and was assigned to Anchorage, Alaska. 

While I was serving my mission, I was transferred all over the state of Alaska. While serving in Wasilla, AK, I met a guy named Ronald Knuppel who had a martial arts school called Chung's Tae Kwon Do Institute. We taught his family the gospel and he in turn taught me Tae Kwon Do. 

In 2009 I returned home to Tennessee, where I found myself completely broke and responsible for my own income. Up until that time, my parents had been paying for everything I did. So I got a job and began to plan my future. 

I had always planned on continuing my martial arts study, but I never had enough money to go around! I started school in 2010 at Nashville State Community College. I had always wanted to learn another language, so, I began the study of ASL (American Sign Language) to become an Interpreter. Still, always nagging at me was my desire for the study of martial arts. I would even drive by the Dojo from time to time and sit there in the parking lot and think about going in. But I always concluded that I could not afford it. 

In 2011 I felt inspired that I needed to transplant myself, so I packed a suitcase, a briefcase and my banjo and began my journey. I eventually found myself  in Provo, Utah, where I would spend a good portion of my time studying ASL and working. I got a job with Domino's Pizza and also the Utah College of Massage Therapy. 

One day, as I was at the Domino's store, a man came in with a flyer. He explained that he was opening a Dojo just down the street, and was offering a discount to new students. I was interested, but extremely busy with working and study. I explained this to him, however, the flame was still burning deep with in, and I think he noticed. He offered a one on one session to entice me in. I took him up on the offer. 

When I went in, we began with basics just as a measuring stick as to what I know and how it fit with their style. We also went over some of the differences in our styles. 

After the session, he began pushing me to join the Dojo. He became upset with me when I told him I couldn't. It turned out that he expected me to join because I had participated in the "free" session. I reminded him that I had already explained to him that I was too busy at the time. He continued to push me. Finally, I told him I would have to go home and think about it. 

I walked out of that Dojo that night a little perturbed at the man. I also walked out with a yearning to begin again the study of martial arts. That flame that burned so deeply had turned in to a fire, and became more manifest. Unfortunately my circumstances made it very difficult for me to do anything about it. So, I continued to go about my life. 

in April 2012 I met a young lady named Laura Evans. After a very short time, I knew I needed to ask her to marry me. I moved back to Tennessee shortly after we met, and she followed me. We were married in December that year, about 8 months after meeting. I began working again at a new place, doing construction work, trying to make ends meet. Marriage made me very poor again. 

In April 2014, I was made aware of the Okinawa Bujutsu Club, a karate club in Clarksville. I went one day with the intent to observe, however the instructor persuaded me to jump in and participate. That fire inside me became a bonfire. I had no choice. In order to satisfy my yearning, I would need to take it up again. I joined the club that night along with my wife, Laura. 

Not much later, a friend of mine, Marlene Livesay, who studied at Baize Martial Arts with me, informed me that one of the new Dojos in town was needing help. This Dojo was started by a student and instructor of a school I had previously attended. She told me that she had been working there and she really enjoyed it. I wasted no time. I modified my resume, printed it off, and headed over to Harris Holt Martial Arts Academy. 

When I walked in, the student I had studied with, Blake Harris, and my old instructor, Ralph Holt, were standing there talking to each other. Blake and Ralph are partners, owners, and head instructors at Harris Holt Martial Arts Academy. Both have studied and received black belts in a number of different styles. They both looked a little surprised to see me. After about a minute of catching up they inquired as to why I had stopped by. I explained that Marlene had mentioned that they were looking for help. Ralph and Blake both looked at each other, then back at me and told me that they weren't looking for anyone at the moment. I was kind of surprised with their response. But regardless of their response, I insisted they take my resume in case they changed their minds. 

About a week later, much to my surprise, I got a message on Facebook from Ralph saying,"Hey if would like to come in the Dojo we will tell you about summer camp and maybe what hours you work." I was thrilled. I replied inquiring about a day and time that would be best to come in. He responded, and we set up a meeting. 

I went in and was basically told that I could help out with the summer camp, and from how well I preformed with the summer camps would determine whether or not I would continue to work with them. 

Well, I made it through the summer camps and now work at the Dojo with the youth. The youth know me as Sensei Adam.

Currently, I am also going to college and studying a new system of Karate (well... new to me), called Isshinryu. 

Much of what I will now be writing will start from this point, however, I will refer and reminisce on some past experiences and stories from time to time.

My goal with this blog is to help anyone who is curious or interested in the martial arts find more insight in the arts, entertain with stories, educate with history and principles, and update on my progress and experiences. You are welcome to comment or ask questions on any of my blog posts. 

Please understand that these will include my views, understandings, and critiques. They will likely include not only principles from the martial arts, but also life, liberty, and Mormon principles. Thank you for your interest, please enjoy your reading.

-The Karateka,
 
Adam Farley.