Quote of the week – Joe Hyams

Posted on by

I was in Santa Cruz yesterday surveying the area before our show and came across a book store a couple doors down.  Since I stopped drinking my appetite for reading has increased dramatically, and I’m starting to read a book a week on average.  I walked into this bookstore and felt kind of overwhelmed because there was so much I wanted to read.  If I would’ve had more money to spend and more space to carry books on tour I would’ve gotten more, but I ended up settling on a book called “Zen in the Martial Arts” by Joe Hyams.  The very first section had a quote in it that stood out to me, and I wanted to share.  It’s a quote from one of the authors teachers Ed Parker:

“I am not going to show you my art.  I am going to share it with you.  If i show it to you it becomes an exhibition, and in time it will be pushed so far into the back of your mind that it will be lost.  But by sharing it with you, you will not only retain it forever, but I, too, will improve” – Ed Parker

The book only cost me $1 but as far as I’m concerned that quote is priceless.

Word is Blog


 Powered by Max Banner Ads 
Be Sociable, Share!

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention A great quote | PRINTMATIC.NET -- Topsy.com

  • http://blog.donnfelker.com Donn Felker

    Definitely a great quote.

  • printmatic

    just finished the book, and it's full of them. it's a short book but it's good read.

  • bjg

    I studied Kenpo Karate (which Mr. Parker founded) for many years. Was fortunate enough to study under an instructor who learned directly from Mr. Parker. He was full of insight like that, it's part of what made him a great instructor, and Kenpo a great form – he took parts from all different styles of karate and merged them into one.

  • printmatic

    that's really dope. lately i've been really intrigued by martial arts. if i get some time soon, i might try to study one of the artforms.

  • bjg

    Didn't have time to type it before, but Mr. Parker used to record his trainings and forms and techniques and play them back on a reel-to-reel. One day he got bored of rewinding, so he simply flipped it around and played the reel backwards – and discovered how strikes could be blocks and vice versa. In essence, this doubled the number of techniques in Kenpo.

    As a side note, it was only by interactively teaching Kenpo that I really improved and brought me to the next level, as it helped me to gain an understanding and appreciation of the physical and mental concepts behind Kenpo.

    Don't have any recommendations on good books by him though…

  • Redsangria

    it’s a great book, I have read it several times throughout my life, at each turn in my life, it has shown me something new. A valuable and unsuspecting book to say the least. Probably my favourite.

  • Anonymous

    that’s so fresh

  • Lisa Hyams

    So glad you enjoyed Joe’s little book. His legacy lives on through you and the people that learn something from it. With Respect, Lisa Hyams