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I had a taiji symbol placed in the center of the patch for our dojo or kuen.  It is at the center of the patch surrounded by a representation of the five animals and the kosho symbols in an octogon.  The reason that I have the taiji at the center is because it represents “how” to do our SK.  I mentioned before that one of the noticeable differences btwn SKK ,as I understand it and AK, is our emphasis on grabs and controls and takedowns.  This is the yin aspect, in contrast to the yang aspect as seen in the techniques and combo’s.  Softness is key, as contact without the necessary sensitivty found in softness offers little in the way of developing skill and mastery.  Contact and softness is, for me , the how of pulling off most SKK techniques.  Were I to simply bang against an attacker, I will fight and possibly win…or lose.  However, when engaging an attacker, if I include sensitivity to the contact, I begin to read them and lead them to a place where I can win without getting “in to” the fight.  Empty , center and connect are important keys.  Otherwise, you need to be bigger and faster to have a chance.  Considering that we, as martial artists, avoid violence, then such an engagement foisted on us against our will, most likely will come from someone younger/ faster and bigger than us…so I will choose to practice to win and not to fight thereby increasing the likelihood that should the unexpected happen, my training will express itself with minimal effort.  Have I succeded, hopefully, I will never truly know…but I do like … (am driven) to win.

When teaching we always break the techniques down into smaller ‘bites’ where we can emphasize the important points that make it work and, of course, make it easier for the student to assimilate.  Shihan told me to make it a point, when teaching a new technique or reviewing an old one, to do it at least once the ways it is supposed to happen.  It is a bit flashy, and so,  encourages the students to pay more attention and it can answer many of the “what if’s” that inevitabley come up.  I like to do these demonstrates with the second punch in mind and the timing factor and it becomes one move and not a bunch of steps.  it is like when you finally ‘get’ the form and it feels as though you skipped a part because it ended to soon…  Well you combo 3 or your latest dragon has a different feel when it becomes one move.  So, when this happens what does it mean for your structural alignment and foot work and timing…if it is one move and one breath  what does that mean to your blocking?