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Dance
Center (School of the Performing Arts) - AIKIDO
J:
How did you start to incorporate martial arts into
the dance center?
K: We
are not a martial arts school (in the traditional
sense) as the focus is more "arts"
than the "martial" aspects. Not-with-standing,
for example if you learn and practice Aikido for ten
years you should reap some benefits. It's the same
with Taiji quan. At Dance Centre we teach and focus
on internal martial arts rather than hard external
ones. Having said this we teach children "longfist"
and "whitecrane" these are external martial
arts styles that are more suitable for children than
the internal styles.
J: Is there anything
special about being in Thailand with regard to martial
arts, alternative health etc?
K: Thai
people, especially in the countryside have always
been open to folk medicine (that is what was available).
Folk and traditional medicine has been the practice
for hundreds of years in Thailand.
In the last few years there has been a big boom in
the spa business many hotels have incorporated spa
services into there existing offer of services. Some
programs I think are good, but some are non-sensical.
Often the programs only offer "pampering"
rather than a professional type program (which is
fine, however the customer must be cautious when making
a selection for them selves). On holidays some people
want to be pampered! There is nothing wrong with that
but sometimes the advertising can be misleading.
J: What martial arts do you
do personally?
K: I
have been a Aikido student for six years. When I was
younger I did Tae kwon do. At my age you can't really
do Tae kwan do so I started to become more interested
in softer styles. I enjoy Aikido and our teacher Fukakusa
Sensei.
J: What about Yoga?
K: I'm
very stiff due to arthritis: Yoga helps a great deal.
I practice because it is physically good for me, and
I join our yoga classes whenever possible. We have
a very good teacher of standard yoga.
J: What are the health
benefits of Aikido and Tai-Chi?
K: The
obvious benefits are physical exercise, but realigning
your breathing, and getting your center or focus is
both mental and physical. In Tai ji and yoga you don't
get an aerobic workout, so it should be complimented
with some type of cardiovascular exercise. But your
strength will certainly improve as well as stamina.
Tai-Chi is very good in regard to building leg strengths.
J: How would you compare the different of effects
on the body with regard to Tai ji, Aikido and Yoga?
K: I
think they compliment each other. If you wanted on
in depth analysis, I think you would have to talk
to the different instructors. In my opinion Aikido
is basically harmony and blending with your partner,
using their strength energy. Yoga, in the beginning
stages focuses on stretching the body, but Hatha yoga
focuses on strength and opening Chakras, and getting
to know your body. Tai-ji on the other hand uses long
forms and focuses on building balance, coordination,
and flexibility. But all have mental as well as physical
benefits. All focus on breathing! In my opinion they
are not opposed to each other, they actually compliment
each other! The way Aikido is taught at Dance Centre
is to harmonize and blend with ones partner, so one
actually controlling the partner rather than trying
to cause damage. This approach is slightly different
than martial arts which often focus on strikes and
breaking a person limbs.
J: Are martial arts violent?
K: The
term (laughing)" martial" implies that they
can be used for violent purposes, however, there is
a clear distinction between training (practice) and
(real) fighting.
J: How did you find
your instructors?
K: We only accept the most qualified
certified instructors (if we don't find suitable candidates
we do not open the courses). Some teachers we have
are on a professional exchange program with UNESCO.
We have affiliation with various international organizations;
UNESCO RAD etc. Some of our teachers have been with
us for many years.
J: Do you feel that
you have been successful in finding the right teachers?
K: Yes,
if we can not find the right teacher for a particular
class then we close the course until we have a qualified
teacher.
J: Do you think that
alternative health centers will increase in popularity
in Thailand?
K: Yes,
I do. In the past, tourists were content with going
on sightseeing holidays, but I think that sort of
thing has passed. People nowadays want to be more
involved in their holidays. They want to follow their
hobbies or learn new things so there is much more
interest in having a hands-on experience.
J: What is the Dance
Centre's plan for the future?
K: We
plan to continue what we are doing and continue making
affiliations with various organizations to promote
health and wellbeing.
J: What sort of diet
do you advocate?
K: I
think it depends on the individual and the age groups.
I think it best to get professional advice and choose
a diet that fits that individual's life style. The
advice I received came from the Indian Aravadic Clinic
"everybody has a different make-up and should
find a diet that suits that particular characteristic
and physical make-up"
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