Onra:July30,2009

Hafa Adai,

 

In world MixedMartial Arts  news, the MMA event “Affliction:Banned” (that many considered to be the event rival to the UFC) calls it quits, just 2 weeks before their 3^rd big event, leaving hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe disappointed and at least 20 fighter- athletes-in-hard-training hanging without matches.

 

Locally, AJ Aguon lost his title shot in the Philippines but is in demand with Philippine fans for a rematch against their Undisputed 155lb.champion., Ed Folayang. BJJ practitioners and Submission Grapplersof all ages, male and female, around Guam are sharpening their blades for the Marianas Open on August 8^th at The Phoenix Center while its mixed martial arts action again with Guam vs. Saipan this Friday in TrenchWarz10:Collision at the Saipan World Resort.

 

And in the distance, the fight card is building for PXC18 in early September.

 

First an applause for the consistent developments of Saipan Combatives; In the field of competitive martial arts, its evolution of sport in the recent years has, to this point, unfolded an industry that is as responsible and organized as it is talented and athletic.

 

Taking a step back and looking at Guam and Saipan’s developing picture in local and international combatives,  in observation of the ups and downs and twists and turns in the evolution of our industry and its impact with our people, while in this reflection a personal respect for martial arts—it brings to mind the principle of Zanshin.

 

You ever watch a Bruce Lee movie and see him knockout a guy and hold that famous pose where he look slike hes in total flex?

 

A former Aikido instructor explained to me that, though this might not have been intentional, it was a principle in execution known as Zanshin.

 

 Wikipedia defines the term Zanshin as “a state of awareness- of relaxed alertness”

In aikido Zanshin is practiced as remaining posture and of remainding mind,  of continued focus and of the intention that remains in the aftermath of combat or confrontation.

 

Many moons ago(haha)In aikido training, I questioned this principle and used to often wonder why we had to maintain form even after a throw, a takedown, or submission hold. It seemed rigid, impractical, and in the end pointless. Thanks to good instructors however,it was explained that Zanshin was the absolute commitment to the technique and to the resolution of conflict. It was an exercise in extended self control, Not necessarily rigid, but in its continuing mind—ever ready.

 

In an attempt to transcend our efforts into a more positive and (but not necessarily in total focus of) bigger picture, may we move forward in our ventures in athletics and industry not only for self improvement and good technique, but also to better provide and develop the fusable links that can attach more seamlessly martial art to sport, red corner to blue corner, and ultimately to cultivate  the oxygen for a better balance of individual and mass-collective body, mind, and spirit.

 

For the glory and honor of our islands, for the respect among others, and hopefully in its entirety—intentions for progress and positive purpose.

 Thanks for dropping by.