Frequently asked questions
"One who understands others has knowledge;
One who understands himself has wisdom.
Mastering others requires force;
Mastering the self needs strength."
Lao Tsu – Tao Te Ching
Budo
Bu – technical practice of the martial arts
Do – way
The cultivation of the human being through intensive training, affecting the spirit, the mind, the emotion and the soul. The cultivation of the self.
The activity of combat leads to a process of introspection and fundamental questioning that takes you in the direction of the reorganisation of the personality… that aims at making you more penetrating in your judgement, capable of not allowing yourself to be perturbed, capable of acting spontaneously… and being able to draw on your greatest capabilities. The process of this reorganisation is the training that contains the striving towards self development that constitutes Budo.
Five Element theory
Five Element Theory is central to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and sees the body as a microcosm of the universe and subject to the same universal laws and seasonal changes as the natural world.
The Five Elements are more correctly viewed as five phases of process; forces of dynamic change rather than fixed elements. The Five Elements are Wood, Fire Earth, Metal, Water and relate to each other through the Cosmological, Creation and Control cycles.
- Water nourishes wood
- Water extinguishes fire
- Wood burns to make fire
- Wood penetrates earth
- Fire ash becomes earth
- Fire melts metal
- Earth contains the ore of metal
- Earth channels water
- Metals dissolve in water as minerals
- Metal cuts wood.
WOOD |
FIRE |
EARTH |
METAL |
WATER |
Spring |
Summer |
Late Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
Wind |
Heat |
Damp |
Dryness |
Cold |
East |
South |
Centre |
West |
North |
Initiating |
Peak |
Balance |
Decline |
Rest |
Morning |
Noon |
Late afternoon |
Evening |
Night |
Gallbladder |
Small Intestine |
Stomach |
Large. Intestine |
Bladder |
Liver |
Heart |
Spleen |
Lung |
Kidney |
Eyes |
Tongue |
Mouth |
Nose |
Ears |
Tendons/ |
Blood Vessels |
Muscles |
Skin |
Bone |
Anger |
Joy/Shock |
Worry |
Sadness |
Fear |
Green |
Red |
Yellow |
White |
Black |
Sour |
Bitter |
Sweet |
Pungent |
Salty |
Planning/ |
Love |
Concentration |
Taking in |
Endurance |
Etheral Soul |
Consciousness |
Intellect |
Corporeal Soul |
Willpower |
Ki
Ki (Qi, Prana) is the vital, energising life force of the universe. It animates all living things and runs through our bodies in a series of pathways called Meridians. Blockages of Ki, agitated Ki or lack of Ki in the meridians create different physical and emotional symptoms.
"That which cannot be seen is called invisible.
That which cannot be heard is called inaudible.
That which cannot be held is called intangible.
These three cannot be defined;
Therefore, they are merged as one.
Each of these three is subtle for description.
By intuition you can see it,
Hear it,
And feel it.
Then the unseen,
Unheard
And untouched
Are present as one."
Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching
Qi gong
Qi gong means ‘Ki or energy work’ and is an ancient Taoist practice for enhancing health and vitality. Qi gong exercises open up the body’s meridians to absorb Universal Ki (Qi) from outside into one’s own body.
Qi gong exercises are simple to learn and offer a great means to make one more aware of the body and self. Regular practice helps you attain a peacefulness that enables you to maintain a healthy body and mind.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a form of therapeutic bodywork, originating from Japan, which relaxes mind and body; restores and balances energy (Ki); eases tension and stiffness; improves breathing, posture, circulation and enhances overall wellbeing.
If you would like to find out more about shiatsu, or would like to book an appointment visit www.shiatsuhands.co.uk.
Five Rings Training offers on-site shiatsu services for companies and events.
Meditation
Or Zazen (sitting meditation). By focusing the attention on the breath, we are able to be in the present moment.
"Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is a wonderful moment – calming, smiling Present moment, Wonderful moment."
Thich Nhat Hahn – Being Peace
Ma
"The essence of combat is ma" – Ito Ihosai
Ma is the space into which human beings project their activity, their interactions, their intentions, their ki.
Meridians
Ki flows through the body in a series of channels called Meridians. Blockages of Ki, agitated Ki or lack of Ki in the meridians create different physical and emotional symptoms. Most meridians relate to internal organs and have a range of physical, emotional and spiritual functions. Ki in the meridians can be accessed through acupressure points along the channels or through Qi gong exercises and visualisation.
Let the lungs make Ki from the air.
Let the kidneys anchor it, so it can be stored for all the organs.
Let the Liver control the smooth flow of Ki in the emotions.
Let the Heart rule the body with compassion.
Let the Spleen nourish and support the body.
Draw up Earth Ki through your feet into your body."
Hara
Hara (abdomen) is the power house of energy in the body and martial artists and shiatsu practitioners both place great importance on developing the Hara. The concept of Hara is central to Japanese culture.
Centering in the Hara allows you to contact your inner power and heightens perception, so that just about any task is done better from the Hara, whether it be fighting, healing, cooking, painting, music etc.
Sports Nutrition
To ask for the body to perform well, we must feed and water it well and nurture its growth. A simple change to diet can improve vitality, help and often heal common ailments, improve sleep, increase you physical strength, flexibility and mental focus.
Kirsty Henderson has been creating diet programmes for top athletes and members of the Great Britain Shidokan Squad to improve performance and support demanding work and training schedules. If we work hard and train hard we can damage the body and the metabolism without realising it.
Training, knowledge of healing and smart nutrition come together as a complete support system to benefit and maintain YOU.
Energy medicine
The body, when understood as an energy system, can be calmed, healed, protected and vitalised through simple techniques.
At Five Rings we are dedicated to studying the eastern body of meridians, acupressure points, chakras, and ki, employing and working with only the best Therapists of the highest standard. All our martial artists also study these healing systems to provide to you informed holistic training.
Reiki
The use of ki for healing.
Often referred to as hands on healing, reiki can also be given remotely or closely but without touching. Universal life force is directed to the body’s energy system to heal.
The Five principles of reiki are:
Just for today:
Do not be angry
Do not worry
Be grateful
Work with integrity
Be kind to others.
"The secret method of inviting good fortune.
The marvelous medicine for all sickness
Every morning and every night, sit in the Gassho position [hands held palm-to-palm] and speak these words out loud in your heart.
For the evolution of body and soul, Usui Reiki Ryoho"
- Mikao Usui
Kirsty Henderson
Kirsty Henderson, Director of Five Rings Training is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Shidokan Karate Kickboxing, a Japan Qualified Instructor for the World Shidokan Organisation, an Internationally Qualified Instructor in the Israeli Self Defence system Krav Maga and a fully qualified Chartered Architect. She was ranked in 2007 as the top female Shidokan fighter in the World, member of the British Squad, Coach to the British Men’s Team, Chief Instructor at The London Women’s Unit: School of Fight Training & Self Defence, Chief Instructor at Personal Safety London and Managing Director of Five Rings Training.
