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Setting up my own martial arts system has had its challenges and it certainly attracted a lot of attention. Word quickly got that there was a new and interesting way to learn martial arts. I made many new friends and met many great like minded martial artists, but there was also a negative. I had to make sure that I was at the top of my game as I was constantly having to prove the system was effective and worthy to take its place as a new and modern martial art.
Challenges would float in weekly and if you were training with me back then, you would know that it was common for me to stop the class and accept the challenge. There were many times when I also accepted challenges outside of the dojo that most did not know about. It was a great time to be training, exciting but very scary. It definitely paved the way and laid down the foundation for our great Northstar Dojo. I am thankful for those times and am proud to say that Shinbudo held up to every challenge and was never defeated. It proved it self against many Australian and World Martial Arts Champions and also was taken to the edge by many unknowns that had incredible heart.
One challenge stands out above all others….
One evening I received a phone call from another martial arts instructor to let me know that there is a member of one of Sydney’s bikie gangs that is going around and testing himself against at many of the local martial arts schools. By the time I received the phone call this bikie had managed to impress many of the local martial arts teachers and was looking for his next challenge. This martial arts instructor that called me had just been visited by the bikie and managed to talk his way out of a confrontation by kindly giving my details. So he was calling me to warn me!
Sure enough, the following Saturday, we had just commenced training when this man mountain appeared at the dojo door in full bikie colours. He stood there and demanded to see Andrew Dickinson. He looked me squarely in the eye and said “are you fighting today?” “I am now,” said. As he walked into the dojo, I discreetly locked the door behind him, ensuring that only the winner would walk out.
This was often the one thing that separated myself from the various challengers. I was always deadly serious and willing to put it all on the line.
“Junior” was the sergeant at arms for one of the larger bike clubs at the time. A massive lump of muscle well over 190cm and weighing in at over 120kg. He had a red goatee beard and a plat of red hair that extended to his waist. He had a fierce reputation and was well respected by other bikie gangs, not to mention that he had already mixed it with several other top martial arts instructors. Seeing him standing there, of coarse I was scared. I could feel the mix of fear and adrenalin surge through my body. On the outside I was calm and relaxed but on the inside I was screaming and wanted to run in the opposite direction as fast as possible.
I simply said, “you are welcome to join us”, to which he took off his jacket, shoes and socks and walked onto the mat wearing jeans and a t-shirt. As it was our regular sparring session there was a range of belts. Junior joined the end of the line and make short work of several brown belts, literally picking them up and slamming them into the mats. I knew I had to put a stop to this and I had to do it fast.
We stood in front of each other and I could feel his fear. I knew that he was unpredictably dangerous and this would be a dirty scrap if I let it go on.
I bowed, he stood and glared. As he took one step towards me I launched a front leg turning kick that landed square on his jaw. The sound of my foot smashing into his face stopped the entire room. His eyes dimmed as he dropped to both knees. I quickly followed up by rushing him onto the ground and drawing his long plat around his neck continued to choke him with his own hair. I clearly remember him trying to find my eyes with his thumbs as he slowly became limp, when I finally let go of him, he was sound asleep! A minute or so later as he was trying to crawl on all fours back to the door, my younger brother, also a black belt, said “oh no you don’t, we have not finished with you yet”. Junior took a terrible pounding that day! He was very quiet by the end of it, politely excused himself as we unlocked the door and let him out.
The following Monday, he was back at the dojo. I thought, here we go again! But to my surprise he was dressed in normal gear and looked completely different from the first time I met him. He extended his hand and requested to become my student. Junior had been looking for a teacher that could tame him, and he found that in our school. He was humble and respectful so I allowed him to join as a white belt. Junior trained with us for 5 years, almost gaining a black belt. Though our worlds were different, we respected each other. I did not really understand what it meant to be a Hells Angel, and the only condition he could train was if you left that world behind when he came to train. I also made it very clear that he was not allowed to use any martial arts that I taught him…which did become quite difficult to control.
Junior became my close friend. He was respected and loved by many in the dojo. Years later Junior and I would often laugh as we would re live the first time we met. He would say he knew that he was in trouble the moment he laid eyes on me, funny as I thought the same thing. He never saw the kick, so he never knew what hit him, all he would say is that he had never been hit so hard.
One winter morning in 1998 as I was arriving back from Japan, I got the terrible news that Junior had been murdered. It was a huge blow to all that knew him. A seemingly unprovoked attack by a gunman that was intent on killing him. Junior kept us all well protected from his other world, so I never knew the depth of his darker side, though I had a healthy respect for his love of his Bikie life. I loved him like a brother and accepted him for his humanness.
Andy Dickinson
David “junior” Newham.
Northstar Champion
Powerful Women Who Inspire…
Cynthia Parr
Cynthia stars in a documentary about her life called “By your side” due to be screened soon.
What is it that you do?
I work as a Palliative Care Physician at Royal North Shore and Greenwich Hospitals. My job is to improve the quality of life of people with terminal illnesses and relieve them of distressing physical, psychosocial or spiritual symptoms. I work with a team of doctors, nurses and allied health staff to achieve this and we also provide a support system for our patients’ families.
How long have you been doing this work?
I’ve been caring for the dying, predominantly cancer patients, for the last eleven years and before this a lot of my medical training was in cancer wards.
Who has been your inspiration?
Most people ask me if I get depressed at watching the people around me die on a daily basis. I would have to say that in spite of some very sad moments, there is so much that is positive in the way my patients and colleagues deal with adversity. I may see grief and sadness but I also see altruism, humour, bravery, stoicism, resilience, forgiveness, hope and love in the face of death and this restores my faith in all that is good about people. I would have to say that my patients are my driving force and my inspiration.
How do you relax?
It is very important to make sure that I recognize when I am burning out or need a break. I relax by debriefing with other colleagues about difficult cases, taking decent long holidays regularly and balancing work (which I do part-time) with play. I also foster friendships and make it a point to see my family regularly. Exercise is great for unwinding, especially at Northstar where I learnt how to detach myself from emotions, focus and live in the moment. Punching and kicking the pads helped too! Above all, I have the support of my husband to help me through trying times.
What does not change?
Happiness is a base line that we all would like to have as a constant in our lives. Yet it can be here one minute and gone the next. Why is that so?
Change is inevitable in all aspects of life, seasons come and go, life is constantly moving. Identification and attachment to all that exists can be a major source of suffering.
How do we overcome suffering?
Is it normal to suffer?
What does not change?
These are “thinking” questions, so test the ole grey matter this Friday morning and see what you can share…..look forward to hearing from you…
Andy
8 ways to improve and take control of your life
As we get close to our first Super Session Grading on 28th March, I thought that I would check in with you to see how your preparation is going. Have you registered yet? Have you made the commitment? Gradings are great for self improvement. As Northstar develops lifestyles and not fighters, use your grading preparation to hone all aspects of your life.
Between now and grading as well as getting physically fit, lets also overlay some of the mental and emotional qualities we practice at Northstar.
1. When some one pushes, move a side and let them pass. This takes strength of mind as your previous action would be to resist, make a point, or have a compulsive need to give your opinion. Just try to be still and quiet every now and then and see what happens.
2. Become aware of the space between you and others. An awareness of that space means that you can control it. Once you know about this space, you instantly become aware of how you move in others space. For the next couple of weeks, when the overpowering need to get your stuff done arises, just take time to think about how you may be intruding on others space.
3. Smile in conflict.
Quite often when we are training, pushing, shoving, sparring and practicing self defence, there is a real buzz in the dojo. There is talking, laughing and people are really connecting. Strange isn’t it really! Connect with the same lightness when you are going about your daily routines. Give life a lighter, simpler touch and try not to take yourself too seriously.
4. Practice Determination
The ability to go beyond your perceived barriers. The belief that you can succeed regardless of your current situation. Use the small wins in life to prepare you for the big challenges. Sometimes from the depths of despair and depression a tiny flicker of hope is enough to help you put one foot in front of the other. Challenge yourself constantly by facing your fears.
5. Acknowledge the support and caring of others by offering gratitude. Generosity of spirit strengthens your ability to forgive and opens your heart to receive. “What’s in it for me”, has no place here.
6. Keep your own counsel.
Own your thoughts, actions, plans and dreams. Only you know what they mean to you. If you are constantly swayed by the crowd, surprise yourself and others by starting to believe that your own uniqueness is special and worthy. This is how leadership is developed.
7. Accept change.
In fighting you have to adapt and move very quickly. The instant you get set in your ways you get hit. This is a great metaphor for living. If you are too set into believing your reality will never change, when it does change, there is incredible suffering.
8. Be fluid and supple and friendly with life. Make a decision from this day moment on, you will never be less than friendly towards yourself
* No more treating yourself like a slave.
* No more putting yourself down – ever.
* No more negative assumptions
* No more torment over past events that you cannot change.
* No more putting up with other peoples abuse or unkindness
* No more postponing doing what you love doing most.
Practice these simple life skills and see what happens. Your gift to me is to pass them on.
Andy Dickinson
Spirituality in Martial Arts
I posted a question at the end of last week on where does spirituality sit with Martial Arts. Is it there? Has it ever been there? Is it an important part of the training? Is it necessary ?
Here are some of the contributions so far:
Spirituality – seems to me that in martial arts, now, in 2010, it’s optional. You can do it just for sport or health or fitness or whatever it is in that physical realm that you want to give to and take from it. Or you can surrender to it a bit more and embed it into your internal world and give to and take from it a wealth of inner strength and a way of seeing and feeling those around you
Catherine
I really think it does, I always remember the series in TV (old ones) with john Carradine. He was a peaceful and spiritual man and used Kung FU to defend himself and make right win over evil. I think the martial arts tech control, concentration and this in turn leads to mindfulness and mindfulness lead the mind to higher planes this is a more spiritual plane.
Beatriz
As for the answer. Yes it’s definately there. I think it helps us focus when we enter the dojo, how we do the multiple defense and the rest of the work out. Helps us listen to the instructor and I’d say is linked to other things like respect. All these things are important and I know they are always and always have been there.
Jack
comments
20 Responses to this post
Great tale Andy, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ben. It was these experiences that forged the system of Shinbudo at Northstar.
Andy
Thanks for sharing. It was an honor to train in Shinbudo and under a true warrior. It’s a time I’ll never forget.
Hi Daniel, great to hear from you and thanks for taking the time to contribute.
Andy
I agree with Ben, top read. i have often wondered whether you are challenged to prove yourself. thanks for the further insight.
Hi Scott,
Yes it was a great time, that I remember fondly. Fortunately now we have a system of martial arts that is more wholistic in nature and develops body, mind and spirit.
Thanks for taking the time
Andy
This is a wonderful story. There is nothing to add except i am privileged to be part of this system. Thank you for sharing Andy.
Thanks Rach, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Andy
Andrew
I remember the days of training at Five Dock and particularly remember training with Junior . (talk about opposite worlds colliding) I very clealry remember Dimi breaking the news in class.
We touch about “ego” in trainng , I recall one time being partnered with Junior and practicing a set routine when I accidently punched him in the face. His initial reaction was to ‘blow up’ but quickly internalised it and let it go.
This reminded me of the story you told us the other week at the seminar about being a ‘good black belt”
Hi Mario,
Yes it was always an interesting experience having the police and Hells Angels training on the same mat at the same time. You certainly kept your dignity and handled the situation very well.
Thank you
Andy
Hi Andy,
Thank you for sharing your fascinating story, I think we all face our “Juniors ” on a daily basis and it takes a great deal of courage to turn into the storm and take it on. Thank you for the inspiration to strap on the sou-wester and battle the demons for the day. Your story tells me to not skirt around problems, assess what has to be done then execute swiftly and with conviction.
Hi Gordon,
That is such a great way of putting it; face our juniors on a daily basis. Great to have your input.
Andy
Hi Andrew,
Its Trish Juniors partner, I just come across ur story by chance and enjoyed reading it with David jr. who is now 12 so he can learn a little bit more about what his dad was like when he was alive.
Regards
Trish
Hi Trish,
How lovely to hear from you. I have some of Juniors things, belts, video’s etc and would be happy to share with David Jnr when he is ready.
Kind Regards
Andy
What an excellent story. I’ve stood where he is standing in the photo. Very chilling and exciting tale all the same.
Gday Andy, Iam Davo’s best mate we grew up together and we spent alot of time together.I remember when we picked up his first bike,I also remember him telling me how his instructor choked him with his pony tail. he soon cut it off,He had great respect for you, i miss him and think of him regularly. Cheers Rob
Thanks for making contact Rob. We all miss our great mate.
Andy
Gday Trish,I met you only once because my partner and myself had move from the sydney area. Its good to here you and Dave jnr are doing well. Davo and myself first met at 13 in blacktown, we shared many adventures as anyone who knows dave knows, a day with davo was always an adventure.We went through nearly everything together,I wish you and Dave jnr all the best. Regards Rob
Thanks Andy for the story. I also knew David as a youngster, I went to primary school with him. I only found out about David’s passing very recently when asking after him, and then stumbled across your story. From your story I can see it’s a very familiar tale of how I remember David even back in those days. I remember at school he put me on my arse in no uncertain terms one day after I decided to have a crack at him. (but I asked for it, it wasn’t unprovoked). What I do remember of him was his passion for everything that he loved doing, be it trucks, bikes, collecting lizards whatever. My condolences to Trish and David Jnr.
Wow, it makes me happy to hear how even when other world collide it can still be a positive outcome. Thank you for sharing