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About
Ancient Ways Martial Arts Academy
Master Brown has always
felt that the best martial art is the one that works for you,
at the time when you need it. Since everyone is different,
there can be no one single martial art that is better than
all others. This is not an uncommon thought process among
martial art instructors, but Master Brown takes it one step
further; instead of teaching people to perform every technique
exactly the way he does it, he helps them to find the best
techniques for themselves and to build on those skills. In
the end, the martial art you practice may look very different
than his, but it will be yours. Some examples of how this
is implemented comes from his style of teaching and testing.
Every art requires some
science. In painting there must be some knowledge of chemistry
to mix the paints. In sculpture there must be some knowledge
of how to use the tools as well as the sculpture material.
In Martial Arts, there are certain things that are done exactly
the same from person to person because of the anatomy of the
human body, and physics. A Martial Science so to speak. However,
some people are going to be more naturally capable to perform
certain techniques better than others, whether due to flexibility,
strength, size or desire. During the course of study at Ancient
Ways Martial Arts Academy, people are encouraged to change
the pre-set forms (Kata in Karate or Poomse in Tae Kwon Do)
and to use a choice of techniques in particular areas. This
allows the student to develop those skills they are best at,
or those they want to improve upon.
In our Belt Requirements
there are also elective studies to allow students to develop
in the direction they so choose. For instance, to earn a Yellow
Belt, a new student must attend a minimum number of classes,
complete a take home written exam, display the ability to
perform the basic punches and two of our basic kicks as well
as perform the first Form, the Flame Form. They also must
complete at least two of the elective skills. For Yellow Belt
those skills include defenses against grabs, beginner block
and check drills, basic tumbling and grappling techniques.
For each student the choices can be different and in the end,
the student's martial art is their own.
Master Brown earned his college degree in
Education so he would be a better instructor. When people
ask him what he teaches, his response is "I teach people."
The Martial Arts that Ancient Ways is based
upon are varied.
The Celtic Martial
Arts that Master Brown teaches doesn't really have
a name, but he often refers to it as Fianna, after a famous
group of warriors of ancient Ireland. These heroic warriors
were trained in the use of many weapons as well as empty handed
techniques. The ancient Celts were a part of the much larger
Indo-European peoples that have left their mark across Europe
to Asia, and (according to the Vikings) may even have preceded
the Vikings to North America. There are some that compare
the Indian religion of Brahmanism to the belief system of
the ancient Celts, pointing out that these two cultures may
have had a common ancestor. There is also some speculation
arising that the path to the first organized martial art rests
with these phenomenal people, moving with them to the Greeks
and Romans, where it became Pankration and then traveling
from there to India where it was then taken to China by Bodhidharma
and became Kung Fu. Kung Fu is the oldest traditional martial
art in Asia.
The Celts lived throughout
most areas of Europe and although they fought against and
masterfully crushed Rome in 397 BC, they were respected and
even hired as tutors and trainers by the Romans and Greeks.
Their ability as warriors was legendary as man and woman fought
side by side. Their code of ethics was one of honor and eventually
developed into the code of chivalry used by the knights of
medieval Europe. The Celtic people had a method of writing
called Ogham, but chose not to write down their beliefs, habits
and customs. It is speculated by some historians that they
believed that a balanced existence needed flexibility and
that writing things down created rules and dogmas that stripped
them of flexibility and natural flow. Even their law givers,
the Druids were required to memorize everything as opposed
to writing it down. What they did document was destroyed by
the Roman invasions and later Christian conversions of Gaul
and the British Isles. Because of this, we know little of
their laws, practices, fighting style, beliefs or customs.
However, just as we know that many of our modern customs descended
from theirs, and many of our linguistic nuances are derived
from their language, and much of our artistic styles are similar
to theirs, we can see the same thing in the martial arts.
The Celtic Martial Art
that Master Brown teaches is not an ancient martial art, but
a modern one that he and others have designed based on theories
of ancient techniques, ancient customs and on the ancient
principle of Battle Field Logic, as well as what has been
handed down to him from his forefathers. He can trace his
lineage back to 650 AD in Strom Scotland. In the way that
Tae Kwon Do is similar to what was practiced by the Hwarang
Warriors, in the way that modern Jujitsu is similar to the
empty hand practices of the Japanese Samurai, in the way that
modern fencing is similar to the sword fighting of the Elizabethan
period, Fianna is akin to what was practiced by the Ancient
Celts. They are all loose associations, but still valid and
respected.
What is Battle Field Logic?
Your body learns what you teach it and in a real combat situation
will perform techniques as it is trained, with or without
your voluntary interaction. Many schools today award belts
without dealing with their techniques in a realistic manner.
Some are even dangerous or wrong, their instructors may even
know it, but continue to teach them due to "Tradition."
We are sure that the warriors of ancient times had a clear
understanding of what worked and what didn't, and we take
that approach too. This means that many traditional Asian
style techniques are discarded because our knowledge of anatomy,
physics and combat strategy dictate that many of these techniques
are counter indicated, meaning they are detrimental to real
self defense abilities. The kicking techniques of the Celtic
Martial Arts are all low and below the waist, the hands are
kept high and protective, punches use the power of the whole
body and blocks use the most durable parts of the body. Grappling
would have obviously been an integrated part of their combat
strategy, but due to the fact that they typically had multiple
opponents, grappling had to be dealt with carefully and quickly.
The weapons of the Celtic warrior include the sword, the staff,
the stick, the spear and the sling.
Many of the these techniques
have been passed down through families and are now re-emerging
as Irish Stick Fighting, Scottish Long Sword styles and even
some Welsh Wrestling. Most notably the Bata, or fighting stick
from Ireland has some of the most powerful, useful and pragmatic
applications of any weapon taught today. Master Brown is one
of very few people publicly teaching martial arts based on
Celtic traditions and can trace his heritage to the Pedans
in Ireland in the early 1700's and to the McFaydens in Strom,
Scotland in 650 AD.
Master Brown does use
a belt system for promotions, which has it's history in Asian
martial arts practices. He believes strongly in awarding rank
and there is no better way at this time to do so in a martial
arts studio. When he devises a better form of promotion that
does not overburden the pupil, Master Brown will implement
it.
References
Berresford-Ellis, Peter "Celt
and Greek: Celts in the Hellenic World", Trans-Atlantic
Publications, Inc. 1996.
Nora K. Chadwick, Barry Cunliffe (Introduction), "The
Celts", Penguin USA, 1998
Cunliffe, B. "The World of the Celts", London (Penguin)
1997.
Cunliffe, B. "The Ancient Celts", London (Penguin)
1997.
Hope, M. "The Ancient Wisdom of the Celts", Thorsons
Pub, Lon, 1987.
W. Dinan, London, "Monumenta Historica Celtica:
Notices of the Celts in the writings of Greek and Latin Authors
from the 10th Century B.c.e. to the Fifth Century A.d. Volume
1 and 2", 1911
James, Simon: "The World of the Celts", Thames &
Hudson, 1993.
Rolleston, T.W.: "Celtic Myths and Legends" Dover
Publications, 1990.
Wayland-Barber, Elizabeth. "The Mummies of Urumchi",
W. W. Norton & Company, 1999.
Tae Kwon Do is
a relatively young martial art based on ancient fighting techniques
of the warriors of Korea. Much of Tae Kwon Do's techniques
have been influenced by their interaction with the Japanese
martial arts during the Japanese occupation of Korea prior
to World War II. Tae means literally "to kick,"
Kwon means "to punch" and Do is "the way."
It doesn't actually translate to "the way of punching
and kicking," instead the word Do is used to refer to
a path of affective growth, or enlightenment. So it really
means, "The Kicking and Punching Way to Enlightenment."
Hapkido too
is a relatively young martial art based on techniques taught
in Korea. Hapkido was also influenced by the Japanese and
is similar, although more pragmatic, to Aikido. Hapkido includes
some kicks and punches but is an art based more in grappling
and throwing techniques.
HapKiDo can be translated as either,
-
The way of coordinated power, or
-
The way of strength and Harmony.
Again the Do is really related to the affective
growth that occurs within students of many martial arts.
Four
Winds Classes Warriors with advanced agility are at
a definite advantage and the warriors of the Ancient World
were no different. This program will teach, step by step how
to perform beginner and advanced gymnastic martial skills.
Cart wheeling kicks, kip ups off the ground, aerials, front
and back handsprings as well as back and front flips. These
are not just for show, we will teach the students how to add
the skills from this class to their individual combat style.
No one is doing anything like it.
Weapons Classes
We rotate through a different weapon every month! Our Wolf
Pack Members can train in 6 different weapons in a single
year, we cycle through Irish Bata (stick), Celtic Searr (sickle),
Nunchukas, Jo Staff, Sword Intro, and Sais. Although we know
most ancient weapons are not that practical for modern day,
the training in them is still great for building Eye-Hand
Coordination and reaction time.
Sword Classes
include several styles and are limited to adults and young
adults. Kum Do is a sport martial art of Korea that traces
it's roots to Ken Do from Japan, although it has a definite
Korean flair for pragmatism and energy. The training is exciting
as well as great fun. Master Brown has also designed some
techniques and Forms based on the use of the sword techniques
of the ancient Celts. Cutting techniques are also taught using
several different sword types in a safe and disciplined environment.
Students of the Sword Class are required to purchase their
own armor and maintain their own practice swords. They are
also encouraged to purchase their own real sword for cutting
classes.
Wee Warriors
The preschool child is a treasure to be nurtured and cared
for, and few things can prepare them for the challenges ahead
better than the discipline and respect they can learn in our
Wee Warriors Class. Designed by Master Brown himself to with
focus on balance and spatial awareness, self discipline and
impulse control, valid self defense, as well as goal setting
and self determination. It is a wonder to watch as the kids
show themselves to be capable of much more than anyone expected.
Click here to see a
schedule of Upcoming Special Events & Seminars.
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