Secrets Of Ju-Jitsu

Secrets of Ju-Jitsu

Jujitsu 'Secret' Revealed...... “Discover The Lost Secret of Jujitsu! “American Infantry Captain Allan Corstorphin Smith - One of the first 'Westerners' to be awarded a Black Belt in Japan in 1916 reveals the Jujitsu secret of the 'Stahara' “Captain Smith wrote this series of seven books comprising of over 60 individual lessons during his time as hand to hand combat instructor at The Infantry School, Camp Benning, Georgia 1917-1918..... Revealing the secret the Japanese had guarded for centuries!”

THE SECRET OF JUJITSU IS THE STAHARA

The throws of jujitsu are achieved by the mechanical force of your center of gravity playing against opponent's center of gravity. The center of gravity is contained in the lower abdomen; therefore the proper disposition of your lower abdomen is the most important factor in any given trick. Conversely the object of your exertions against an opponent is to out-think his center of gravity, by maneuvering him into a position where his lower abdomen is off balance. An old Japanese master, mentioned in the chapter on "A demonstration in Pain-bearing" (which will follow in due course), told me once when I was very much discouraged at the progress was making, that Hyaku ii-yasushi Ichi ii-gatashi. Which, being interpreted, means: The hundred tricks are easy to learn But the one principle is difficult to learn. On asking him to be kind enough to impart this one principle to me, he informed me that that could only be acquired after years of practice. This elusive principle, which the Japanese professors make you search out for yourself, this course imparts from the start by means of Stahara training.

HOW THE WORD "STAHARA" ORIGINATED

When I commenced to teach jujitsu in Yokohama, Japan, in every trick I showed how to use the lower abdomen, and how to maneuver opponent's balance. My first pupils were Japanese friends, and lower abdomen to them was shita hara. Shita (pronounced sh'ta) and hara are two Japanese words meaning under or lower abdomen. The words shita hara mean to a Japanese what the words lower abdomen mean to us -- and nothing more. This word hara is the same word we meet in hara kiri -- abdomen cutting -- the Japanese method of suicide. Gradually as I evolved the idea of balance-control and abdominal power, I adopted the word shita-hara as a technical term for a new principle for which there was no name. When teaching the Doughboys, they called it "Stahara" and that is how it was finally written. It is an American word for an American idea. STA-HA-RA Sta -- pronounced as in star. ha -- pronounced as in harp. ra -- a has the same sound as in the first two syllables. Japanese teachers of jujitsu do not mention the Stahara when explaining a throw or trick to their disciples. They teach the use of the arms and legs, of the hips and shoulders, but do not show the principle of balance, which is the basis of the whole system. It is therefore an average of ten years before a student of jujitsu in Japan masters these throws. It takes that length of time to acquire the scientific way, in common parlance, to "get the knack" of doing the trick. Jujitsu is not done with strength of arm or leg and this inability to grasp the underlying principle is why it takes so long to master it. You must realize the importance of the Stahara. It is here the center of gravity lies. It is here the seat of the emotions lies. It is the most important part of the human body, and the most neglected

THE TRUE SECRET TO JUJITSU AND ALL MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING

Every student and instructor of the martial arts must realize and truly understand that “you reap what you sow”. This means whatever you strive to attain, that is what you will attain. The goal you set for yourself will determine your achievement. Therefore, strive to be the best! Strive for the ultimate! Train hard, and train constantly.

The Keys to Success Everywhere, in every age, at every time, training, preparation, and determination have been the keys to success. Success in jujitsu means mastery. It means accomplishing all of the goals that you have set for yourself in training, health, fitness, self-defense, self-confidence, and growth. It means a mastery of Budo. Learn To Flow When you are faced with a self-defense situation, you will more than likely be paralyzed by fear if you are not prepared. Fear is your mind’s reaction to and a withdrawal from the unknown. Fear causes us to remain separated from that unknown and prevents us from the natural flow of using your technique to take control of the situation. How do you overcome fear? YOU TRAIN. You focus on smooth, flowing, and constant movement. You train your body and your mind to prepare for the eventuality of an aggressive attack against you or your loved ones. There is no easy way. There is no shortcut. You train hard and you train constantly. You train to be ready so that you will react properly with a powerful, reflexive, and instinctive response to an attack. When you train yourself in this manner, you will respond instantly should the need arise. Repetition How do you achieve this unthinkable effortless flow? Repetition. Repetition is the key to retention in martial arts training. Dr. Mark Girshov, a great instructor of both Judo and Sambo at the University of St. Petersburg in Russia, determined that 5000 repetitions, as an average, would make a technique reflexive. This type of training will change your character. Use your training logs to track your progress. The secret is to focus your training and your techniques so that you flow freely with each and every technique. Own Your Technique After practicing a technique 1000 times (100 times a day for 10 days) it is yours. You are no longer just copying or imitating your instructor. You are feeling that technique in your body and in your mind. It becomes a part of you. At that point it will begin to become instinctive. It is a technique that you will have created with direction from your instructor and constant practice. Make jujitsu and all martial arts yours.