Nekoashido - "The Way of the Cat's Foot" - in terms of the elements Written by Owen Johnston, Freelance Karate Instr

ctor Nekoashido is the name of the set of technical training drills of Mizuumi ryu Karate. Nekoashido is essentially the 'cat style' sub-system of Mizuumi ryu, which is the hybrid style of martial arts I created, and still acti ely de elo!. "he 'fi e attitudes' below describe the more abstract conce!ts of Nekoashido. "hey can a!!ly not only to combat, but also to freedom of e#!ression in mo ement, as well as li ing life. "hink carefully about the conce!ts below as you train and set goals for your own !ersonal de elo!ment of athletic ability. $kill, grace, and ease in mo ement are highly alued. First element - Wind! Kee! mo ing, ready to change directions and angles at any time. Mo e through the situation with the right timing and distance. %e light and untouchable, yet mo e forward with an all-encom!assing straight blast. &o not let your o!!onent know where you're coming from, or where you're going. "his is like a cat running, !ouncing, climbing, and 'um!ing from many angles. "econd element - Fire! %urn your way through the situation - not in anger, but with a strong decisi eness. ( en the air itself is your fuel. In combat, e erything !ro ides you a !otential combination. In life, e erything !ro ides a way to break free. "his is like a cat, full of ferocity, confidence, and sheer ali eness. Third element - Water! Kee! flowing from one mo ement to the ne#t. &o not e er sto!, yet be still in a rela#ed focus. "ake the !ath of least resistance. )llow thought and action to become one * your training should be second nature * like instinct. +our o!!onent can touch you, but cannot hold. If !ulled, !ush like a tidal wa e. If !ushed, !ulled the o!!onent into your lake of defense. "his is like a cat, who is able to sense disturbance. $he is also able to roll and s,ueeze out of many attacks, with !oise, grace, fighting instinct, and incredible fle#ibility. $he fits the sha!e of the situation, like water. Fo rth element - #arth! %e strong and solid, yet changeable like clay. (arth is your strength, and foundation for !ower. "his is like a cat stalking her !rey. $he mo es low, in a !oised yet calm fashion, looking for the best timing, distance, and angle of attack. $he is also ready at any moment to hide under a large rock or u!on a high branch. )t the same time, she is also always ready to take a solid !osition on the ground where she may attack and defend with e,ual ability. Fifth element - $etal! ) shar!ened tool, a harnessed force of nature. -ut to the truth of all you !ercei e. .nderstanding and action ,uickly follow. ( en one's own senses are not com!letely trusted, but rather re-trained to find the clearest !ath. "his is like a cat ready to use her !aws to control her !rey, as she !ierces with claw and teeth. $he also uses her shar! claws as tools. /utline of Mizuumi ryu Karate - 0ree online 1&0 book In 1ursuit of 1erfection, 1art I - 2eneral 1hiloso!hy and 1rinci!les In 1ursuit of 1erfection, 1art II - /utline of 'Nekoashido' - "he "raining &rills of Mizuumi ryu In 1ursuit of 1erfection, 1art III - 1hysical -onditioning Mizuumi ryu Karate - /fficial 3ome 1age Mizuumi ryu Karate - /fficial 4ogo