International Shou Shu Association

Any shou shu students in Orange County? shifuruzylo@yahoo.com

ISSAThe year of the Dragon is on it's way and I predict it's going to be a spectacular year for the ISSA. As a matter of fact it's far more than a prediction, its a certainty.

It's been one decade since we lost Sijo Da' Shifu. It was a tough one to say the least. But now the dues have been paid and it's time to move forward. It's time to honor him and all of those who came before him even though we may not know their names. And the best way to do that is to improve your own Shou' Shu' and to help others improve theirs.

So here we go.

Much will happen this year. I have things to announce very soon. But for us to operate efficiently the first thing we need is a really good communication system.

We've had one amazing seminar. Da' Shifu Clark taught in October and we had many attendees.

Thirty Black Belts and a whole bunch of students (I didn't count but the place was packed) - that's not a bad start.

But what many don't realize is the tremendous communication effort that is needed to pull off an event like that. Hats off to Shifu Liz for doing the work to make it happen. Shifu Liz was on the phone, answering questions, tracking down people, making arrangements, etc every day for two months. She spent hours and hours. She did it happily and that was necessary for the first time

But

IT'S A DIGITAL WORLD NOW!

Communication should be easy and effortless. If communication becomes easy and effortless we can do a lot more and we can do it faster. If all we have to do is post the info and send an email we can schedule seminars and other events without so much advance planning. That means more seminars, more events, more training, and more fun for everyone.

So follow at least one of these steps (more is better) and you are sure to get the info you need.
If there is someone who is not on this site that you know of that should be. Help get them on. Which brings me to a tangent. We need someone who can help those that are not as computer saavy. Who wants to be a go to person to assist those that need a little help?

Communication Step #1 - If you are reading this and you do not have an account on this site. Get one. Sign up and tell us who you are and someone will authorize your account. Accounts with user names we can recognize as a real name get authorized. If we cannot recognize your username it doesn't get authorized. We're not incredibly picky about who can join. The only thing required is a desire to learn Shou' Shu'

Communication Step #2 - Make sure you are enrolled in the right groups. Click that groups link at the top and register for the appropriate groups. Some messages will be sent only to some groups. So if you are a black belt make sure you are a member of the Shifu group. If you are not you will not be notified of Shifu things. Register for all groups below your ranking also (I.E. Shifus register for brown belt groups and student groups)

Communication Step #3 - Shifus check the Shifu listing on the front page. Are you in the list? If not tell us. We'll get it fixed. Your "role" on the site will give you more permissions. These permissions will evolve as time goes on. (I.E. Shifus will be able to do more things on the site. ISSA members will be able to do more things on the site)

Sidenote- I'm still having some technical difficulties getting the online ISSA registration setup. It (sort of) works. It's on my list of things to get fixed. For now we'd really appreciate it if you simply mail your dues to ISSA 139 Main St Valley Springs CA 95525. I'll send a notice when the online system is up to par.

Communication Step #4- Text messages. All you have to do is text shoushu to 40404 and you will receive text messages about Shou Shu events. This works through twitter and you can also follow us at http://twitter.com/shoushu

Note- we will not send all messages through this channel.

Communication Step #5 Facebook. Follow us on facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/shoushukungfu

While you are at it follow these pages also

http://www.facebook.com/northernshoushu
http://www.facebook.com/shengchikungfu
http://www.facebook.com/pages/7-Beasts-Martial-Arts/108779175873772
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheng-Chi-Foundation/302972913081122
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kung-Fu-Aerobics/112022642184420
http://www.facebook.com/breakpal

Do us a favor. When you see a post from these pages on facebook do something with it. Share it, comment to it, like it. This all helps us a lot. Facebook has an algorithm called Edgerank™ and every time someone interacts with a post it raises the Edgerank™. It's a simple thing but it help a lot.

Getting everyone on board with this will help a lot. Let's set a goal. Next big event we plan we'd like to be able to do it without picking up the phone. It's a big goal but easy if you do your part.

And yes I will be posting in the black belt group in the next few days. Shifus don't miss that message.

P.S. The image in this post is an ISSA logo I'm working on. It is not yet approved by the board and as yet is not official. Any artists out there want to help with logos and such just let me know

P.P.S. Leave us a comment below and let us know you setup your communication methods.

I am very saddened to say that Shou' Shu' lost a great man last week. Mr. Merriweather from the Sac studio passed away last week. Services were today so I'm sorry about not getting this posted earlier. I didn't know him for a long time but I know many in Shou' Shu' did. He did leave quite an impression on me though. He was obviously a wonderful person who strongly influenced many lives. He sponsored two students in the Sac school and touched many lives including some of the most pained individuals where he worked in the psych ward at Folsom prison. Even to those individuals he brought some level of comfort. He will be greatly missed.

Our condolences to his wife Diane "The love of his life" and the rest of Richard's family. It was wonderful to get to see the family and work side of him and to know that he was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother as well as being a great teacher and student

But then again maybe he's already getting lessons from Sijo Da' Shifu up there.

Richard Merriweather

Keeping up with Shoú Shú is even easier now. Even for the non techies.

Just text "follow shoushu" to 40404

You'll receive a message anytime a new post is added to www.shoushu.org or www.shoushu.com

Want to schedule a workout (or a seminar if you are qualified) simply post it to the site and everyone gets notified.

Great for getting together workout sessions quickly

Enjoy!

Shun Shifu Weaver

Remember to focus on 3/4 extension and pivoting on the balls of your feet.

I am waiting for a name list so I can make out ISSA certs for those who have them coming.

People want the truth and not a lie.

In most martial arts styles, the truth is often times shrouded in the veil of a legend or hyperbole (I think of the many Shao-Lin legends that are described in the Shao-Lin manuals given to new students). And, when this happens, the skill set found within a style more likely than not will have already been obscured or lost. The main reason why is because the teachers in the art lack integrity.

So what gives a teacher integrity? Consider that a martial arts teacher will have integrity if that person demonstrates in conduct, not words, (1) humility (2) competence, and (3) character. In my last blog, I talked about how "humility is good medicine." So, today I only discuss "competence" and "character."

(1) Competence

You wouldn't go to a doctor, lawyer, dentist, architect, or accountant who is not competent in their skill, right? Then so too a person should never learn martial arts from someone who is not competent. But, competence in the martial arts is truly something that may not be known or understood for some time.

What then makes a martial arts teacher competent? Among other things, competence is (1) where the skill set that is taught is consistent with what previous teachers of the art taught (e.g., Northern Shou Shu teaches what Sijo Da Shifu Sr. taught and does not incorporate other kung fu styles into any of the animals); and (2) where the student develops the particular skill being taught (i.e., the ability to use the fighting art). As the old cliche goes, "the proof is in the pudding" --- ask yourself whether you can truly defend yourself from both the "drunk streetfighter" and a "skilled martial artist, UFC fighter, wrestler, military hand-to-hand expert" using the art you learned?

(2) Character

Finally, the sign of a great warrior is not that the warrior seeks war; instead he does everything he can to avoid a war. This is the sign of a true martial arts master.

The character of a great martial arts teacher is the desire to avoid a fight, or a war. This is because the teacher does not need to prove the greatness of his skill to another (even another martial artist). Second, a teacher's character is also defined by whether he seeks to do harm to another, including a student. Unfortunately, some martial arts teachers will physically discipline a student under the auspices of "I am teaching you" -- clearly this is wrong and frankly might be considered criminal as there is no informed consent. Or, where a teacher promotes and teaches vengence or a vendetta, this of course is contrary to practicing humility. Therefore, any martial arts teacher who promotes gratuitous violence should be avoided even if the martial art that is taught is consistent with paramilitary training. (Any military infantry will tell you that there are rules of engagement). If you don't avoid a teacher like this, then you will inevitably become just like your teacher without knowing it.

...And Finally Some Advice...

Life is short and you know not the day nor the hour when your life may be in jeopardy (or when you must render an accounting for your life). If you are going to learn the martial arts or Shou Shu, then find someone who has integrity.

Da Shifu asks youI started a new series to ask you questions that you need to check you self to see if you are making these mistakes. This is for all ranks and I hope you enjoy my help.

Da Shifu Clark

I will be taking names of those after Oct. fun