After the last seminar GGM Al Tracy ever did in our previous studio in the south suburbs of Chicago, in June 2017, he reiterated again, about bringing his Tracy System/Curriculum, Kosho and the Healing Arts together full circle to complete his system. We agreed to do whatever we could to work towards that goal.
What can be included in the Healing Arts?
Al and Will Tracy founded a unique and dynamic concept in 1967. They called it: “Kenpo for Self Defense – Tai Chi for Life.” Their thought at the time, was that Kenpo Karate was excellent for self-defense, however, many seniors did not fit into the tough criteria needed for Kenpo Karate. So, Tai Chi was brought into the Tracy System as a Healing Art to be embraced by seniors for life and health.
The benefits are many, including, but not limited to: Improved balance, inner strength, improved physical strength, improved hand/eye coordination, improved sleep quality, improved cognitive function and memory, decreased risk of high blood pressure, and reduced depression and anxiety.
Among the various avenues for introduction and training of Tai Chi include groups in karate studio classes, seminars/workshops, recreation facilities, senior centers, and private instruction.
One could say that Therapeutic Massage could fit in nicely with the Healing Arts, where knowledge of the structure of the body and inner workings of the body are helpful in most activities, especially martial arts. It helps to understand the medical implications of karate blows/strikes, as well as which massage modality might help resolve specific aches and pains caused by overtraining.
Therapeutic massage is much more than just a Swedish Massage or Deep Tissue Massage. It encompasses a large variety of modalities including but not limited to Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Massage, Lomi Lomi Massage, Sports Massage, Hot/Cold Stone Massage, Polarity, Reflexology, Lymphatic Massage, plus many more.
Many modalities involve manipulation of soft tissue, while others use different techniques such as pressure on certain places in the body to provide therapeutic reactions in other parts of the body in predictable patterns, such as Reflexology. Therapeutic Massage and the many modalities require a certain amount of study and training resulting in certification, degree/license for each modality.
Therapeutic Massage and/or modalities can come to the rescue for the karate practitioner. At some point in time, a karate practitioner will end up with aches, pains in the form of DOMS(Delated Onset Muscle Soreness) and injuries that might need relief.
Another interesting practice that would fit in quite nicely to the Healing Arts is Reiki. What is it and why learn it? It is a technique for relaxation from Japan that also promotes healing, through energy that flows from the Reiki hands to the person in need of the technique. It promotes relaxation and also releases tension.
Reiki is a simple, yet intense system of healing that is hands-on. Even though it is spiritual in nature, it rises above the boundaries of culture and religion. In a gentle yet strong path, it helps to lead to personal and spiritual growth, as well, such as rebalancing of mind and body and serves to be a vessel to renew the energy system. With Reiki practice one can help others, as well as themselves. It can aid in finding solutions to problems, develop compassion and wisdom, or calm yourself or others who find themselves in stressful situations.
The Five Principles of Reiki are:
- Don’t get angry today
- Don’t worry today
- Be grateful today
- Work hard today
- Be kind to others today
Those are gratifying things to remember and helps to clear the mind of unnecessary/negative thoughts so that positive thoughts may be free to permeate your being.
If we learn how to hurt/damage an opponent while in self defense mode, we should know how to heal them. In the reverse, if we find ourselves hurt, we should know how to heal ourselves the best we can.
Many years ago, when I was sixty years old, I decided to pursue the practice of Therapeutic Massage to bring The Healing Arts aspect to our karate studios. GGM Al Tracy encouraged this endeavor wholeheartedly. I completed the program and received my license, then opened up a practice to work in tandem with our studios. Our previous Mokena location in Illinois, had a dedicated Healing Arts room for outside clients, but most importantly, used to benefit our students.
There are a number of practices which can walk hand in hand with the martial arts. One must find the one which speaks to them.
Rebecca Mornar, LMT
