Principles of Martial Effectiveness

I often wonder, recently, why we don't focus on the fundamental principles of martial systems as the core to any martial arts training. When I first found the book of martial power by Stephen J. Pearlman I thought it to possibly be just what the title alluded to, development of martial power but then found that all the martial power I thought of was actually the master of the underlying principles. This was one huge paradigm shift for my practice and for me personally.

Don't get me wrong, I had a good somewhat instinctive knowledge of some of the principles. I also had studied enough other aspects of the principles not directly related to the physical or physiokinetic and technique principles - as a category, etc. I just never had them explained to me and never had a name to put on them for easy practice, training and more important teaching of martial arts. 

A good example outside of this discussion on principles is the hard-soft maxim where I had been exposed to it in training by my sensei but never heard the phrase nor had someone explain why I did it that way, i.e. where one uses a fist to the softer targets and an open hand to the hard targets, etc. When I had first read about this maxim I thought it was about certain physiokinetic principles, i.e. relaxation, wave energy, body-mind and in particular the sequential locking and sequential relaxation. In particular the relaxed fist that hardens at contact to a target into penetration of the body then the sudden relaxation, etc. that produces speed and power (a simplistic and some what incomplete relational explanation to principles, etc.). 

These principles do speak to power in martial arts but also to the effectiveness of martial arts. Since I discovered that this provided explanations to how this all works it also spoke to me about what is truly important when first learning martial arts. There is a distinction in how things are taught by the terms, phrases and explanations that help a practitioner fully and completely understand why they do things a certain way in training and practice. It also supports and validates why certain things must be done, practiced and trained diligently, repetitively and must be mastered, somewhat, before going on to other things that feel, seem and sometimes are more exciting. It makes the exciting things more valuable and exciting. 

Principles are the foundation to many disciplines both physical and cerebral in nature. This is especially true as the principles address this yin-yang aspect of mind and body, i.e. the physical and spiritual. 

Often you read in my posts references to the fundamental principles of martial systems. In a nutshell they are:

PRINCIPLES OF THEORY

Universality, Control, Efficiency, Lengthen Our Line, Percentage Principle, Std of Infinite Measure, Power Paradox, Ratio, Simplicity, Natural Action, Michelangelo Principle, Reciprocity, Opponents as Illusions, Reflexive Action, Training Truth, Imperception and Deception.

PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOKINETIC

Breathing, Posture, Triangle Guard, Centerline, Primary Gate, Spinal Alignment, Axis, Minor Axis, Structure, Heaviness, Relaxation, Wave Energy, Convergence, Centeredness, Triangulation Point, The Dynamic Sphere, Body-Mind, Void, Centripetal Force, Centrifugal Force, Sequential Locking & Sequential Relaxation, Peripheral Vision, Tactile Sensitivity, Rooting.

PRINCIPLES OF TECHNIQUE

Techniques vs. Technique, Equal Rights, Compliment, Kobo Ichi, Economical Motion, Active Movement, Positioning, Angling, Leading Control, Complex Forces, Indirect Pressure, Live Energy & Dead Energy, Torsion & Pinning, Speed, Timing, Rhythm, Balance, Reactive Control, Natural & Unnatural Motion, Weak Link, Non-Telegraphing, Extension and Penetration.

PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY

Mind, Mushin, Kime, Non-intention, Yin-Yang, Oneness, Zanshin & Being, Non-action, Character, The Empty Cup.

These principles bring about a philosophy that transcends those created within any specific system or style. This philosophy was derived from the work of Stephen J. Pearlman, i.e. his bai liu ha yi or one hundred styles flow into one. The philosophy applied to Okinawan and all martial systems is "Hitotsu ni oku no nagare." This philosophy means, "The flow of many into one." It is redacted from Pearlman Sensei's philosophy into one that relates to the philosophy taught through Tatsuo-san of Isshinryu's ken-po goku-i. His was formulated from his studies of the Ancient Chinese Classics such as the I-Ching and the Tao-te-ching, etc. 

Bibliography:

Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.