Yesterday I spent 10 hours in the car travelling back and forth to Windsor to meet with Master Art Mason of the Peaceful Warriors Martial Art Institute. Master Mason is an 8th degree Hapkido and 5th degree Kyusho practitioner with over 30 years in the arts.

Master Mason had generously agreed to spend some time with me on the mat so that we could compare notes, strategies and techniques within the realm of kyusho.

Master Mason has spent well over a decade training within the DKI system and has since branched out on his own. His approach to kyusho is based in the TCM and meridian realm using the theoretical approach that in order to enhance a technique we should manipulate the opponents energy system via one of the cycles found within the five element theory. (usually the destructive cycle)

This approach can seem daunting if one tries to learn five element theory and apply it to your techniques but we both agreed that all we are trying to do is enhance a techinique buy manipulating the opponent's mind or energy before applying the strike that is meant to do the damage. One piece of advice that Master Art seemed to try to reinforce was to make use of the alarm points. Although not often practical, I will play with this to see to what degree a technique is enhanced when preceded by an alarm point activation.   

Master Art talked about angles and sense of distance, opening and closing an opponent and I just had to nod in agreement as he was going over exactly what we do in class all the time. His approach to the three ring theory was based the same as most external arts. He used 12ft, 6ft, 3ft as his rings where we use leg, arm, elbow for our tighter circles. 

We talked lots about energy, the world and subtleties as well. In fact the first thing I asked him was "what's up with Windsor?" as I could literally feel an ominous energy as I made my way toward the center of town to the institute. Master Art looked at me ernestly before commenting that "the city of Windsor is dying". This acknowledgement that I was in tune to energetic subtleties allowed us to approach lots of usually "off the table" conversation and I think we quickly developed an appreciation for one another.

All said, it was a long day, but an enjoyable one and I hope to stay in touch with another truly dedicated and knowledgeable martial artist.

R