Classically, the “scientist” seeks to reveal and understand relationships that exist within the natural world and the “artist” forms and expresses new relationships from previously existing ones. It is rare that you find a person who demonstrates both and is capable of transcending beyond conventional labeling within contemporary martial arts training – especially in transmitting that insight to others. And yet, what appears to be so effortlessly presented by Thong Nguyen within the recently released “KaizenTao – Private Lesson with Professor Steve Kardian,” is the emergence of mastery through a return to a natural state.
What I love about Thong Nguyen’s style & manner of instruction is that it is not merely “cerebral” (pre-frontal cortex) through theory, memorization and analysis, but goes directly to the basil ganglia – through increased physical awareness and personal experience during a guided process of self-discovery, resulting in a dynamic shift of perspective. This is usually accompanied by the exclamation of “Wow!” resulting from the participant’s naturally occurring kinesthetic feedback. We comprehend this change through a process of actually FEELing, of re-learning structural linkages, balance, alignment, relaxation, breath control – as prior conditioning (training & experience), expectations and misunderstanding/application of fundamental principles are clarified or entirely removed. Proper, holistic instruction does that – it does not confine, limit, confuse or obstruct – it liberates, transcending that which would otherwise hinder through resistance, tension, ineffectiveness and inefficiency. In place of contention and competition with an opponent, a collaborative relationship is formed that yields an ever increasing capacity for options, while maintaining and advancing tactical initiative, as if by “magic.”
This video presentation is invaluable for the insights it provides and something much more… a reaffirmation of commitment to the process of continuous and never-ending learning, as both martial scientist and artist, championed by Professor Steve Kardian and his experience of KaizenTao firsthand. Regardless of our level of experience or training, we are always the lifelong student in the quest for truth, personal expression and the realization of our potential within the world… on the “Path to Continual Growth.”
Mitch Boudrot
Law Enforcement Training Program (LETP) Director and Tactical Operations Coordinator/Instructor, Division of Public Safety Training Center, Franklin, North Carolina; State, County, Municipal LEO Supervisor; Academy field instructor, investigator, SWAT operations & command; Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer. Associate Member Police Survival and Defense Institute (PSDI) National Training Center. North Carolina Certified Specialized Instructor Subject Control/Arrest Techniques (SC/AT), specialty certifications; Member of North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training SC/AT Revision Committee. Martial arts training: Sifu rank in Chinese Martial arts ie. Pa Lung Pai (Republic of China Martial Arts Association (RCMAA)), Kuo Su Shaolin (Sil Lum), T’ai Ch’i Ch’uan (Yang Family), Northern Shaolin Ch’ang Ch’uan/Southern Sil Lum systems, Taoist Tai Chi Society. 1982 Kung Fu Instructor nominee (Inside Kung Fu), Vladimir Vasiliev Systema, Hochheim Combatives, SPEAR System, pioneering Defensive Tactics of Robert K. Koga.