The 4 elements of STMA are:
Feng Wei
Kickboxing
Grappling
Weapons
Those familiar with the Godai concept of 5 elements in Oriental philosophy will know how they relate to the chakra system of consciousness.
Some of you will have read my previous work on this subject and how they relate to the psychological and physical aspects of combat.
We are now able to relate each of the 4 elements of STMA to the 4 elements of earth, water, fire and wind.
EARTH - GRAPPLING
The Earth element stands for strength and stability. It is the mountain that does not move, the tree standing firm. In the body it stands for the bones and muscles, the physical structure of the body.
In STMA, earth is the grappling element. You stand firm, pull your enemy in and pull him to the ground. You keep him there, even after you walk away. You feel confident. There is no need to run away from the enemy or even "defend" as such. You invite him in and take him down.
WATER - FENG WEI
The Water element stands for adaptability. It is the rivers moving over the land, running to the ocean, the rain that falls from the sky.
Water cannot be broken, snapped or grabbed.
In STMA, water is the Feng Wei element.
Based on Kempo, Karate, Wing Chun, Jun Fan, and a large part of Kali, it is adaptive, defensive, evasive, yet powerful when it crashes in.
Water can arode a mountain and a flood can clear a village or knock down the strongest tree.
"Be like water" Bruce Lee advised his students.
In the body water refers to the blood and the liquids that make life possible.
FIRE - KICKBOXING
The Fire element stands for Power, energy, attack. Fire is all consuming, it burns up everything in it's path.
In STMA Fire is the Kickboxing element. It is the forward driving power of the boxer or Thai boxer. The powerful punches on the focus pads, the mighty kicks, knees and elbows on the Thai pads. It is the power of karate as it breaks through wood boards.
The opponent has no option to retreat into the corner. If he tries to hit back we cover, evade, take his bows on our gloves or shins, and hit him back even harder.
In the body Fire refers to metabolism, the use of energy.
WIND - WEAPONS
The wind element in STMA is weapons.
Just as the wind moves over the land, moving objects with it's unseen power, so you move across the floor with your footwork, wielding your stick in your hand.
The sticks cut the air like wind, the crack of wood on wood is like thunder, the stick moves fast as lightning and when it strikes the enemy it lights up his nervous system with a flash of pain.
In the body the Wind refers to the breath.
The VOID
The 5th element in the Godai system is the Void.
Void is nothingness - the space that must exist for the other elements to manifest in.
It is the space between the stars, the space between the atoms.
In the body, it is thought, the creativity that is the manifestation of all action.
If the other 4 elements are the gears of the car, Void is the neutral position, the space you shift through that makes gear changes possible.
In STMA, the Void state is when you are no longer manifesting one art, and are liberated from all structure, moving freely. It is what Bruce Lee called "Jeet Kune Do". The state of Mushin or Wu Wei. The place we all want to be.
