Philosophy

When one looks at the Martial Arts Systems out their today, they see very formal and intricate systems that demand attention, concentration, and arduous training. The little recognized factor of self-empowerment is one of the most significant results. The concepts of discipline can become powerful tools, on our journey through this life. But we must learn to master them, and use them readily. We sometimes fail to notice how much discipline we have in our life. Health, like the martial arts, is based on a balance of personal disciplines. We have to recognize the power of habit. When we learn good habits, our life improves in some way. Just like when we incorporate bad habits, the quality of our life is affected in some negative way.
Most people would agree that personal safety is part of a healthy lifestyle. Learning ways to keep your-self safe, what to look for, and how to react, comes from the practice of simulating the situation on the mat. When you carry with you the knowledge of the mechanics of the human body, human nature, and the predation in this world, you realize that everyone needs to become familiar with the warrior within (Grandmaster Dawn Callan  senior ranking woman in Yen Ching Tao, is author of the book “Awakening the Warrior Within”. We must also remember the concepts that, Exercise, Introspection, and Meditation will help us grow into Warriors that are “Guided by the intellect”.

Martial Arts skills are based on simple body movements. They should be taught in every school in our country. We learn to swim to survive in the water.  Likewise we need to learn self-defense, to survive on land. If we look at it in layman terms, say, we want to build a house. We need many kinds of tools, and the skills to use them. We need to buy the tools, learn how to use them, then, keep them properly maintained, and ready for service.
There are basically two types of Martial Arts schools (dojos): The Military Style, and the Family Style. Yen Ching Tao and the Street Smart System of Self Defense, are Family Style.  

Having studied both types I can say, “NOT all people are suited for the Military Style.”  Whereas, all people including elderly, and handy-capped are capable of being successful with the Family Style.

A Martial Arts system is a very detailed. A Self Defense system is an abbreviated version of the same knowledge. It is designed to teach the student skills they can use immediately. It is an adaptation to the modern way of life and its specialized needs. Adapting and learning new ways to survive is what has gotten the human race to the here-and-now.

Adding self defense knowledge and using it daily, increases your personal safety. We use one of the most important concepts of prevention, common sense.  Now, we need to develop a “Super Common Sense” or what people call being “Street Smart.”

The Street Smart System utilizes your most powerful weapon - your mind. The basic Street Smart System survival skills apply everywhere. But a new environment will have specific things to be aware of such as language, customs, and things like gang territories…etc. Self defense training provides the tools to help learn superior survival skills, control anger and fear.

Many people have very powerful opinions, or outlooks. The real challenge is to develop a powerful in-look. When we become students of life, and establish our personal boundaries, we end up at a door way to the inner self.  In my poem “Habit” I put it as: “Mind, Body, Spirit the trilogy demands, knowledge of the self, and the proper commands”. We have to know the commands, and use them daily, as a part of prevention. It is powerful to know, that life is easier when you tread the path of least resistance. I will close with a quote from my poem “Yen Ching Tao” (“Ever-changing Way”)

“When we look at life it is easy to say, that this journey through space and time, is an Ever-Changing Way”.
                                                   
Sifu Robert James Figg
Aka Robert Realm
Professor of Yen Ching Tao
Kenpo Karate

OTHER LITERATURE:

Becoming Street Smart

Tao Poem

REALM-MISSION:

To teach personal defense and self healing, and through the process, emerge with great strength and a long life.

REALM-VISION:

Sharing martial arts and self healing through visual media, for the common good, I hope to empower future generations with greater possibilities.