Seiza

[roninja]

Hello,
I have one big problem that I just recently found out about. Sitting in Seiza kills my legs. does anyone have any advice? Do I just need to sit there until I get comfortable? any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Webmaster]

Hi Joseph!

Yeah seiza can be a bit rough on the legs, especially the knees. My best advice would be to do it everyday and work up to it. You don't have to start at 30 minutes, start at 2 minutes and give it a while to build up. Your knees and legs will loosed up and it will be at least more tolerable!

BTW, where in Oklahoma are you from? I grew up in OKC.

[roninja]

Robert sir,
I am from The great little suburbia of okc, edmond. Lived here for the whole nineteen years of my life, minus three months spent in nm/co. I'm currently studying under Dr. Cunliff and others with the UCO Budo society. Though I have plans, in the next semester to, beging studying, consequtively (is that how that's spelled?) under Nick Lowry at the Wondsong Dojo. Oh yes, and I must thank you for you help with seiza. I was hoping that it was just a time and duration kind of thing, so that I wouldn't have to admit my stupidity for not being able to figure out sitting on my knees. but with the advice yielded, I am now going to spend just a little more time of my day to turning japanese (I thought that was funny. once again, thank you. peace love and blessings. namaste.

[Posiview]

I saw a great band recently "The Flaming Lips" who are from Oklahoma City. You seen them?

[johenora]

Dear Roninja:
The advise offered to you by Mr. Robert Carver is right on for you.
If I may be permitted to add three small things to improve your Seiza/ZaZen skill.
1. Start with the knees two to three fists apart and sit tall concentrate on your breathing,ie, from the Hara-lower tan tien --diaphram area.
2.When the ankles start to hurt, pull in the knees together to about one fist or totally together. This will take the pressure off the ankles and it goes to the knees. When the knees start to hurt reverse the process(Gyaku).
3. There is a muscle and tendon on the outside of the lower leg that tightens due to prolonged standing or prolonged sitting doing ZaZen , So if you massage this muscle deeply until it feels better you will be able to progresively sit longer periods. At first the massage of this muscle will hurt but this too in time finally goes away.If you sit too long and you cut off circulation--take very short steps and push your right fist into the cup of the palm of the left hand. Later you can do Shikko walk forwards and backwards and with turns.
It takes time. So, time ,patience and perserverance will accomplish all things.
Cheers and happy sitting.

[roninja]

as usual, I can't remembe the name of the person i'm replying to, but you know who you are, when i say thank you. "thank you". Peace love and blessings

[johenora]

Joseph Dunkin:
My name is not relevant. I am who I am and was most fortunate to help in a small way. The things I mentioned came from many years of sitting and I must truthfully admit the credit goes to my great departed Aiki-no-Jutsu teacher the dearly beloved Kasumi Yonezawa ,Sensei of Hokkaido. Japan who patiently showed me the PROPER WAY to sit in Seiza and Zazen.
An oversight on my part--I forgot to mention DO NOT cross the feet or toes or you will unbalance your legs and may injure youself for many reasons related to the meridians in the legs and feet.
You may also use a Jo--staff in the nape of your knees to stretch the outer and inner leg muscles and sinews as you sit. At first there is discomfort, but it soon goes away.
With time you learn to transcend the discomforts.
Also use a soft surface at first. When you can sit on a wood floor for a protracted time with out discomfort you will have discovered the callouses on your knees. In Japan when I first did lots of Shikko walking on my knees on course Tatami Mats ---my knees and the bottom of my toes would bleed.
If you find your knees or toes bleed --disinfect them and put bactrin vasoline and a soft bandage with tape theron.
Proper Shikko (Samurai walking on knees)as was said by the Daito Ryu expert Tanamo Saigo is better than doing countless Waza.This also helps you to do efficient NeWaza and grappling.
After three years when you have achieved the ability to sit for hours--you will have developed extra blood paths in your legs according to my teacher. Also he noted and I find it true you develop a back like a Tiger and a belly like a Bear.The back looks squareish. My chiropractor in Detroit, MI who is also my student-Dr. Jerry Aiello said he was amazed by my back.
Zazen and Seiza and Idori --is good for the back.
Do you do Koryu arts or Gendai?

You are most welcomed---
Matta Ai Masho and Cheers,

[Panda]

Are you all sure that Seiza isn't a damaging practice?? Just wondering if I am damaging myself in it. If not...wonderful.

Danke

[johenora]

Dear Matt Morgan:
I have been doing Sieza since 1979 and I have been very careful.
You need to proceed at it gradually like Mr. Carver said above.
I was told not to cross the ankles because of causing some imbalance in our posture.
I try not to sit longer than 15 minutes. When my ankles tire I bring in my knees. When my knees tire I spread my legs no more that 3 fists in width.
See the Aikido Books on KI Development by Tohei Sensei of the KI Society and also one of the best books on Seiza is a book on Hakko Ryu JuJutsu by a Sensei Palumbo. Or contact him in that I have been following his advise since my teacher Professor Katsumi Yonezawa died . You may wish to do a google search for Dennis G. Palumbo Sensei.Also after a while you will be able to do IDORI and /or Shikko Walk (Samurai Walk).
Proceed slowly at first at your own pace and follow your body.
If there is an Aikido School nearby they will help you.
I hope this helps you.
Bitte,
Cheers.

[johenora]

Hi Matt:
Sensei Dennis G. Palumbo's two books Secret's of Hakko Ryu etc. having items on this area of Seiza etc. are available from Palladin Press. Hakko Ryu is an offshoot of Daito Ryu. Many schools have started or broke away from mainline Daito Ryu for many reasons too many to mention and not relevant on this thread.
The two books may also be in your local library or a large bookstore like Amazon.com-on internet. Happy siting. Also if there is a Buddhist or Zen Hall or Temple near you ,they can help.
BITTE UND AUF WIEDERSEHEN,
Cheers.

[Panda]

Hi johenora,

It was a relief to hear of the benefits of seiza to the back and blood vessels in the legs. But after about 15-20 mins I get some slight pain in my knees and ankles. And I think the creator gave us pain receptors to warn of incoming damage. All I would need is a quick testomonial from those who have sat in seiza a long time to convince me. For me seiza is the most comfortable posture (untill the pain sets in).

[johenora]

Matt:
When does the discomfort start? Please try to avoid the use of the word "pain". Call it discomfort. Ha!HA!HA! "Discomfort" is a better word than "Pain". I am not trying to be officious or mean. I find saying discomfort helps for "it" to go away.
Please it is important to do some NLP and and ask the mind to send the discomfort out of the toes. Sounds far fetched but it will work like Iron Vest and Self Hypnosis. For at least several months do not exceed 15 minutes.Keep your eyes half closed and listen to the sounds about you and let your mind not think about the legs.
Again if the knees hurt spread the knees and send the pressure to the ankles. Takes time. Keep the room very warm . A warm room is best for stretches. This is important. Be patient and go slow.
While in seiza kneed the muscles and tendons on each side of the lower legs with your knuckles. There will be an excruciating discomfort, but it soon goes away.Sit in Seiza in front of your TV--this helps.
If you do protracted standing and walking and runnung there will be more discomfort in the beginning of the sit.
Use a bathtub with hot water and epsom salts or Juccuzi to give warmth and circulation.
I guarantee you if you sit with a passion by the time this summer is gone you will be doing Seiza with ease.
At my computer I have a Seiza chair for my back and kness. After I am on the computer for an hour I have to circulate the blood. Same in doing seiza on the mats.
Later do seiza on a wood floor and there will be more discomfort but eventually you will have massive callouses on your knees. In Japan my knees used to bleed. This no longer occurs. I do knee-walk practically every day for warm-ups etc. I am not bragging --Time Patience and Perseverance will accomplish all things. When you get good at this--your grappling skills in doing combinations will sky-rocket. My top fighters National and World Champions sit for hours in Seiza to include full Lotus. I am so proud of them.
If you are ever in San Diego,CA come and see for yourself.
I observe you live in N.C.I used to live at Jacksonville--on Base at Camp Lejeune,N.C. Then I was in the 2dBn., 2d Marines,2d Marine Division,FMF.We all called Camp Lejeune--the Swamp Lagoon.Lots of snakes etc HA!HA!HA!
My wife who passed away in her sleep 2 years ago. Bless her soul.She was from Salisbury,N.C. She went to Catawba College.
All our students have tremendous flexibility and agility--so leg wraps -Sankaku Jime etc. can be done with ease.
Please take care of yourself. I am sorry I can not be there to help you but you will achieve your goal. Set short goals for yourself each day for Seiza. Soon you will be an expert on Seiza. When I pass away you will be around and be able to pass this Seiza information to others by mouth to ear. This is what is so good about our community bulletin boards for Budo.
Kindest personal regards my dear friend.

[Panda]

Thank you,

But I don't think I was very clear. I have no trouble tolerating the pain or the discomfort of seiza. I just was wondering if anyone had gotten any damage from it. Because pain usually means damage.

I suppose I have my answer. Nither you or anyone else has mentioned any damage coming from seiza. Guess it is harmless.

Could you be a little more detailed about the circulation benefits in the legs?

Thanks

[johenora]

Originally posted by Panda
Thank you,

-----------
I suppose I have my answer. Nither you or anyone else has mentioned any damage coming from seiza. Guess it is harmless.

Could you be a little more detailed about the circulation benefits in the legs?

Thanks
------------
Dear Matt:
I am not a Medical Doctor. So my opinion may be wrong because it is only my theory.
One could get damage I think if he/she IMMEDIATELY sat in seiza over 20 minutes and cut the circulation in the legs. Especially if they had poor circulation , heart problems, knee problems,miniscus knee or ligament damage at the knees,injured ankles,artheritis or some pertinent relevant malady etc in the first place from diabetes etc.
One can not do Seiza/Zazen with a grimace. He/she must breath properly and open the third eye.The breathing must be controlled so that all the body's energies (Ki) can achieve equillibrium and function in harmony/accord (Ai) of Aiki.
Zazen/Seiza relies on proper breathing. This is called Kokyu Ho (breathing method/s) and should perhaps be the subject of another thread.
Some "couch potatoes" have not stretched their lower legs for years due to lack of exercise etc
My Japanese partner can not sit in seiza at all because he has circulatory problems in the first place.His problem stems from surgery to both his legs.
At first I would only sit up to 10 minutes every day for one month. In a few weeks I noticed broken blood vessels at and in the vicinity of my ankles. That is when I started doing the the opening and closing of the legs. In three months I was up to 15 minutes. My Daito Ryu teacher told me I was building new and bigger blood paths, helping the leg veins that have valves to bring the blood up against gravity.
One should not tourniquet for more than 20 minutes.In the military we marked the guy in ink the time the tourniquet was put on so we knew when to loosen it . This is no longer the policy I think because I ws told by my first aid teacher that the cord will cause tissue damage etc.The preferred method is pressure--manually etc. Namely, till a medic arrives.
I noticed no more broken blood vessels after being able to sit 15 or 20 minutes. So I presumed I was building extra blood paths. In two years I could go about 50 minutes. My friend Dr.Koichi Nakamura was amazed that a GaiJin could sit fifty minutes. This was his maximum also. The legs get so stiff you have to massage them when you sit for hours. A redness occurs at the knees at first,but no problem.The discomfort is coming from tight sinews. Remember when we were young we could sit for ever in Seiza because we did not have stressed muscles or tight sinews.
Have you done Idori/Seiza with the toes flexed against the floor-- flexed rather than unflexed as in seiza?This is the Daito Ryu safety position. It stretches the toes,ankles,shins. Warms the feet by improving circulation to them.
If interested on how to do this let me know.

My three questions to you now and please answer it if you can.
1.Are you kneading with your knuckles the muscles,sinews,and tendons on the right side to loosen them?If you do you will get discomfort but it will go away. Now you can sit for a protracted period of time.
2.Have you started Seiza on a wood or hard floor?
Please let me know your views.
3. Have you perused the books of Sensei Dennis G. Palumbo? When you do please let me know what your views are.
You can always contact me at:
daitoryuaiki@hotmail.com
Next time I will look in GRAY'S ANATOMY Book and get the names of these muscles etc in the right lower legs.
Notice no one has come on this thread and said Seiza and Zazen is bad for you in any way. Could it be not many do these simple things? What do you think on this?
Saigo Tanamo a famous Aizu Han -minister and clan chief said: Doing Zazen and Seisei was of more benefit than doing countless techniques.
Sensei Dennis G. Palumbo says that there is a danger if you cross one foot over the other. He says it will weaken the kidneys. My guess it causes a Yin Kidney. In the Shinto Ryu JuJitsu they cross the ankles for combat reasons.
I know a Japanese Daito Ryu teacher who has lots of back problems and he always crosses his feet.Most persons do not last long in Daito Ryu because of the pain. If they are not doing all the requirements and say there is no pain they are not doing real (honto) Daito Ryu. The trend today is to make Daito Ryu more like Aikido which is OK,but it is not Daito Ryu. "No pain no gain" means without discomfort there is no gain. Pain says something is wrong so masasage out the tightness and stretch those muscles/knees.
I leave about one inch between my toes when I sit.
Last in my archives is a book on all the benefits of Seiza and Zazen.It is a thin book about the countless benefits in the martial arts for Zazen and Seiza. I think Seiza means "proper sitting." Do you know? Me I am begining to love Yoga which has had benefits for me.My favorite pose is the DANCER POSE (Natarajasana).It strenghtens muscles in the legs,feet,lower back,improves balance for Judo and JuJitsu,stretches and opens the hips and pelvis and strengthens the psosas muscles(the muscles that connect the torso to the lower body). I repeat the pose at least two or three times. I grab the ankle and not the foot.
How do you rise from Seiza?
It is preferred to keep the right leg at less then a 90 degree angle (about 80 degrees) as to not put a lot of pressure on the knee and lift up backwards. It is like an optical illusion and gets you up--FAST in the event you are attacked while sitting in Seiza.
How do you sit in Seiza?
I put my left foot back one half step and go down on my left knee first, then I bring my right leg down and go down straight body fashion looking straight ahead and not head down Iaito Style to get on my right knee. At all times I am prepared to rise even when half way down.This is preferred because in ancient Japan the Katana (sword) was on the left side.So you could draw your sword swiftly in Shohatsuto at anytime.
Well I must be going.Sorry for the long thread. Long explanations is not Zen ,but a book.In Zen some teachers say just sit you will figure it out. But I say to myself will I die or hurt myself. I guess this is fear of the unknown or self preseravation. Who knows? Hope this helps you. God bless you my friend and Happy Holidays.

[Panda]

I enter seiza left foot first. Once both knees are on the ground I I change foot position from being on the toes to being on the ankles. I don't worry much about being vulerable in seiza since at any time one can roll in any direction, in fact, I usuall roll out of seiza for practice. I don't experience any discomfort untill about 10 mins. I can go about 25-30 mins before I need/want to get up. I have to go to work now.


Danke

[johenora]

Originally posted by Panda
I enter seiza left foot first. Once both knees are on the ground I I change foot position from being on the toes to being on the ankles. I don't worry much about being vulerable in seiza since at any time one can roll in any direction, in fact, I usuall roll out of seiza for practice. I don't experience any discomfort untill about 10 mins. I can go about 25-30 mins before I need/want to get up. I have to go to work now.


Danke WROTE-----
---------
Dear Matt:
That is great. You have done it.The roll out is tremendous. You can also lay straight back as noted in Ki Development Book of K. Tohei Sensei. This will help your stomach. When the legs feel warm and numb you will be able to sit forever like the Shaolin Monk---"Bodi Dharma". To roll and fall seven times and get up is the WAY.
Banzai! (1000 cheers)

[Panda]

I'm back from work now. ^_^

I have never read a book on seiza, didn't even know their was such a thing. But my sensei spent some time in Japan under some very skilled masters, so I've had a fairly decent and somewhat traditional martial life. By the way, I am not an Aikidoka. I train Jiu-Jitsu (Nihon-no.....NOT Brazilian), Tuite and Kyusho Jutsu.

Also, I have excersize I am fond of: While in seiza, raise yourself off of your ankles using just the strength of your legs (try about 5 mins), this is an exellent type of isometric for the legs.

Must go now,

Thanks

[johenora]

Matt:
Love the Seiza exercise you allude to and do.Full lotus is good too.You could start that in the New Year.
Who is your Sensei and what fine Japanese masters did he train under?
I would like to meet him and you both.We most certainly could learn from each other.
Training in Japan is great. Nowadays it is expensive.
Did he train with Sensei Tempu Nakamura, ,Katsumi Yonezawa,J. Yamamoto,Ken Kiyama,Jin IIzumi, , K.Tohei, Tokimune Takeda, old man Otani of Jigen Ryu, "the mean" Ichikawa and also Kempo of Sapporo.
Some of my students have websites and they are fine people now teaching Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu etc throughout the USA and they all can do Seiza without any injury if that will help put your heart and mind at ease. Some still are affiliated to Japan.
I fortunately was lucky as I was in the USMC and trained with several Americans but I swear they thought like they were Japanese.---Marine Officer Donn Draeger is one. He is one of the several Sensei that drove me close to insanity with his magic tricks and corny Marine Corps jokes if you have not guessed already.
Have you ever trained with Don Angier of Yanagi Ryu--the weeping willow style? He is a real perfectionist at Seiza etc
Also have you trained with Sensei Mike Cobb, NSJ of Florida?He is a master of chokes and arm bars. My "uncle' Judo Gene Lebell also is great with chokes and Professor Wally Jay who is one of the best teachers of JuJitsu and Judo I know.Prof.Skip Koepke is the best on reversals and counters. Prof. Jay has torqued my fingers so I now have thick nuckles.
Have fun performing Seiza and Zazen-it is the key.Many books have been written on these in Japan along with many VHS and DVD's.Japanese Zen and Buddhism and Shinto is of heavy emphasis on Seiza, Full Lotus and Zazen along with the sutras --The diamond and such as the Holy Lotus Sutra done in Nicheren et.al.
I suspected you did some kind of Nihon JuJitsu from the way you described things.
I am studying and learning JuJitsu and Yoga also.
God bless you,
Cheers.

[moksha]

reply,

Johenora, is Gene Lebell really your uncle? if so I heard that he choked out Steven Seagal on a movie set, and put a picture of it on the internet."namaste"

[The Opal Dragon]

I used to practice sitting in seiza at home and used to sit in it longer but I don't do that anymore. I have a non-lethal but very annoying blood circulation disease that makes my hands and feet (and sometimes legs) very sensitive to this sort of thing and they go through a varitiy of interesting colors. I always sit in seiza at the beginning and end of class during the breathing and bowing in but once the blood starts leaving my feets (after a minute or two) I have to get out it pretty quick otherwise I'd have a hard time standing up. Everyone is the class (I think) knows about my circulation problem so they don't care how I sit but every now and then one or two of the guys might glance over at me to watch my feet go from white to blue to purple to red to my normal skin color. I wish I could sit in seiza longer though. :(

Robyn :bow:

[johenora]

Originally posted by moksha
reply,

Johenora, is Gene Lebell really your uncle? if so I heard that he choked out Steven Seagal on a movie set, and put a picture of it on the internet."namaste"
-----------
He is worse than that. A real "clown", joker, dude I know was there.So some of this is hearsay.Several of our friends were there. I was not.It was on set. Sooner or later it was bound to happen. There are many sides to the event.Is the picture still on internet.I bet he is flat on his back. Any sign of water etc.
It was a fast turn around and bango no need to do Kappo. If you come to San Diego or Los Angeles or Alameda,California we can demonstrate for you. It really doesn't hurt.All my newly made blackbelts now go through it and also get throw by each and every student at the promotion..
At a BudoShin Seminar at the LAPD dojo when Judo Gene got his pink Judo suit out of the wash,he choked out several Marines and also one of his Lady Students choked out this real big dude.
Gene choked another guy and I saw it with my green eyes it was something to behold ---the dude was shivering asleep and Gene took the Dude's wallet and with the help of lipstick painted the guys' lips ruby red. When the guy awoke no one would say anything. I went over to a massage table and got a good massage. Benny the Jet sees the guy with the lipstick and sez what happened. I said the guy got choked. Benny sez that figures. Benny had come in just after the incident.He drove in his MZB with his wonderful, spiritual wife.
Well for one year Gene got blackballed from the stunt sets and his loyal students backed him as to the stunt jobs. Like your Zen saying goes I may be telling only half of it because I am in public writing and children have been reading this so I have left out all the foul language that followed the LeBell-Seagal event when Seagal woke up and grabbed a sword.Gene left while Steven slept off the slumber.. It is about this time that Segal went to Tibetan Buddhism.
Gene is expert in Daito JuJitsu--his waza and stuff is immaculate.His JuJitsu is awesome and he is a great teacher etc.
So you do Hapkido which I love. It should be called in my humble opinion Korean Daito Ryu. The Soke-founder was a direct student of Takeda and a Buddhist Priest when a child. Some of the Japanese will not admit it. But he was a Daito Ryu expert and the photos prove it. Some World War II waza and movement is plainly visible.
Please see our embryo website--www.daitoryuusa.com
No complaints please. It is not done to impress the world with flash like in the old website. Merely photos and a brief DR description.
What does "Namaste" mean? Catfish hand?
Adios Amigo.

[moksha]

reply,

Johenora, thanks for the reply. Gene Lebell sounds like a real character, but also not one to be messed with. I personally have never met him, but I believe my Kwanjangnim, master Allen has. That sounds like a funny story about Segal. I have never seen the pic. I guess it has been taken off the internet, but Master Allen told me about it. Again your correct. The art should be called that. Unfortunately some of GM Choi's students decided to change all that. Thats why I respect my Kuksanim, GM Jang Young-Shil. Not only for his dedication to the teachings of GM Choi for the past 50 years, but also because he kept the name traditional. I think I told you before that our HQ in Korea is listed as Dae Dong Ryu Hapkiyusul, this is the exact translation of Daito Ryu Aiki Ju-Jutsu. As far as the meaning of "namaste" well there are a couple. It is Hindi, or what is refered to as sanskrit as hello, and goodbye. But also it is a deeper meaning. In the eastern religions they believe god to be the total existance. And if ppl also are a part of that existance, we are also a part of god. So when you say "namaste" to someone , you are speeking to god, or existance whatever you like to call it. "namste"

[johenora]

Originally posted by moksha
reply,

Johenora, thanks for the reply. Gene Lebell sounds like a real character, but also not one to be messed with. I personally have never met him, but I believe my Kwanjangnim, master Allen has. That sounds like a funny story about Segal. I have never seen the pic. I guess it has been taken off the internet, but Master Allen told me about it. Again your correct. The art should be called that. Unfortunately some of GM Choi's students decided to change all that. Thats why I respect my Kuksanim, GM Jang Young-Shil. Not only for his dedication to the teachings of GM Choi for the past 50 years, but also because he kept the name traditional. I think I told you before that our HQ in Korea is listed as Dae Dong Ryu Hapkiyusul, this is the exact translation of Daito Ryu Aiki Ju-Jutsu. As far as the meaning of "namaste" well there are a couple. It is Hindi, or what is refered to as sanskrit as hello, and goodbye. But also it is a deeper meaning. In the eastern religions they believe god to be the total existance. And if ppl also are a part of that existance, we are also a part of god. So when you say "namaste" to someone , you are speeking to god, or existance whatever you like to call it. "namste"
-----
Wow.
Goes to show one there is a lot to learn. That world of our is great and vast.
Although boundless it is at times small indeed.
Have you checked out our new web site under constuction?Tell your GM and Msr about it please.
I will be seeing Gene some Monday night soon and will mention what you said. He would appreciate that.You should meet his brother.Tough as nails.Also Gene's wife Midge is a great Lady. At times she looks at me like I am nuts. Gene's Mom is Eileen Eaton--one of the finest Ladies in the world .She passed away.Benny the Jet's mom was a grappler and would go on between fights when I used to fight back East at Hinchcliff Stadium.Paterson, NJ. It is small world.Eileen was a fight promoter and the finest.Benny the Jet is also with Gene.
Do you know Soke Skip Koepke?--He and Gene go back a long time when they did Judo together. Skip now is head of Seki Ryu and is a great massage technician with Sensei Gill Adams of Hakko Ryu.On April 3,2004 they will have a big seminar in Pasadena,Ca --you and your friends will be our guests. Lunch is on you though. HA!HA! No Kidding you all are invited. It soon will be announced.You can meet Gene and the Hollywood Marines etc.Do not say you want to be a stuntman because you will be sent to stuntman school. He is always looking for new blood.He will have you jumping off buildings or get you run in new poured concrete. I think I will give a 20 minute session on Seiza.
I would like to meet and get on the mats with your GM Jang Young-Sil and your teacher Master Allen and you. It would be great .Please tell your GM and Msr Allen I served in Korea with the 1st Marine Division and my best friend is Col. Kang TKD. Col Kang is Korean Marine Corps --both he and I were in Taiwan on Special Operations duty.
When is the GM Jang Young-sil coming to the US again? I now recall that you mentioned this to me. Remember now I have had several concussions and been in a lot of fights and firefights. You have to bear with me and sometimes I have meltdowns. Not as bad as in the past because you still never know. I am not certifiable YET. No more war stories. You are probably getting seasick from my reminising.
Namaste.

[moksha]

reply,

Johenora, thank you for your reply. I would like to also thank you for your invitation to that seminar, but hopefully I might be able to get a rain check on that. Our GM Jang Young-Shil will be making his trip to the U.S in april. I believe it's going to be the 19th- 23rd, you are definetely invited. I wish I could ask GM Jang about your friend that you served with in Korea, but do to him not speaking too much english, and my very limited Korean it's probably impossible. Also in our federation, or family it's considered kind of rude for student of Master Allen's to go directly to GM Jang for anything. Not that GM Jang is a mean person, but he is just very traditional. If i was a direct student of GM Jang and was studying in Korea it's a little different. But since I am a student of one of his instructors and the only instructor with a school in the U.S it would be rude for me to try and go above his head. I hope I have explained this o.k. I will be taking off in about 5 hours to go to V.A to see my family for christmas, so if you reply it will be a while before I will be able to answer. It was good talking to you, and will talk to you again after the christmas break. Hope you and your family have a good christmas. "namaste"

[johenora]

Hi Michael:
I fully understand. I was in the USMC and understand the concept of chain of command. The traditional Japanese and Koreans etc follow a similar concept.
Happy holidays.
Namaste

[Becky_Sheetz]

If in Seiza for an extended period, when you stand up, lift your toes (not heals) up and down to help circulate the blood. It's not unheard for those who don't do this to wind up flat on their faces when they take their first step.

[Lee82mark4]

Well for one year Gene got blackballed from the stunt sets and his loyal students backed him as to the stunt jobs. Like your Zen saying goes I may be telling only half of it because I am in public writing and children have been reading this so I have left out all the foul language that followed the LeBell-Seagal event when Seagal woke up and grabbed a sword.Gene left while Steven slept off the slumber..

Mr. Denora,

Most of your stories can be taken for what their worth. This one is just plain wrong.

Mr. LeBell was not "blackballed" he was sued by Mr. Seagal. A settlement was reached in which Gene agreed not to talk about the incident, and he hasn't since. Those who were, however, were not enjoined in the same manner so it quickly got out of hand. Why would Gene leave, he still had work to do on set as he was waiting when Mr. Seagal made the comments which led to the incident. Mr. Seagal was awake and on his feet in a few seconds as are most who are choked out in such a manner. You, of all people, should know that.


Mark

[Ewok85]

Seiza isn't damaging as long as you wiggle your toes whilst sitting and after standing to keep the blood flowing. Its been common practice in japan for i dont know how long and it also gives some flexibility.

Just feel lucky that you get to do it on the nice soft mats not on hard wooden floors like I constantly have to :(