The Spirit Forge

Kia ora and welcome to the Spirit Forge! We are a small group located in New Zealand/Aotearoa, and we enjoy training in martial arts and find great value and benefit from the pursuit. The Spirit Forge podcast is all about sharing ideas related to this theme of development of the mind, body, and spirit. We are grass roots, self funded, and independent. I hope you enjoy yourself as you follow along! In this episode we speak with Peter Monk to learn about the Japanese martial art of Shorinji Kempo. Peter Monk, 6th Dan Black Belt, Junhanshi, is the Branch Master of New Plymouth Central Branch. Peter has been training since 1972 and has trained under several high ranking teachers in Japan, having lived there for several years before establishing his branch back in New Zealand. We also welcomed back Tony Shuttleworth for this episode, who trains in Shorinji Kempo having attained 3rd Dan Black Belt, Chukenshi. For anyone interested in learning more about Shorinji Kempo in New Zealand please visit thier webiste. http://www.shorinjikempo.co.nz/ A reminder that we have a page on Instagram, which you can find by searching for spirit_forge. Please follow us there to keep up to date with whats happening in our space. Thanks for watching, and if you enjoyed the episode please share it with a friend. Remember... there is great potential in all of us for development and growth. Stay on the path, and keep fighting the good fight! And in closing... get back to training!

In this second episode I'm joined by my friend Antony Shuttleworth where we take some time to explore some of the history of martial arts in New Zealand, Shorinji Kempo and his experiences training in that martial art, the long term benefits of training, fatherhood, the nature of violence, and much much more!  As a side note... thanks for listening along and apologies for some of the noise in the beginning of the podcast. We are always recording in different spaces and learning about the challenges associated with that! 

Kia ora and welcome to the Spirit Forge! We are a small group located in New Zealand/Aotearoa, and we enjoy training in martial arts and find great value and benefit from the pursuit. The Spirit Forge podcast is all about sharing ideas related to this theme of development of the mind, body, and spirit. We are grass roots, self funded, and independent. I hope you enjoy yourself as you follow along! In this episode we speak with Systema Instructor Loren Clements with a focus on how we can become a better training partner in our martial arts work. We talk about concepts such as "the dial", the neccessity to learn about yourself, and the importance of training on a regular basis. I learned a great deal from this conversation, and theres an abundance of ideas here to explore for any person who follows the martial path. A reminder that we have a page on Instagram, which you can find by searching for spirit_forge. Thanks for watching, and if you enjoyed the episode please share it with a friend. Remember... there is great potential in all of us for development and growth! Keep fighting the good fight! And in closing... get back to training!

Kia ora and welcome to the Spirit Forge! We are a small group located in New Zealand/Aotearoa, and we enjoy training in martial arts and find great value and benefit from the pursuit. The Spirit Forge podcast is all about sharing ideas related to this theme of development of the mind, body, and spirit. We are grass roots, self funded, and independent. I hope you enjoy yourself as you follow along! In this episode I warmly welcome my friend and training parter in the Russian martial art of Systema Rob Hunter. Rob works professionally in New Zealand as a Psychotherapist, and shares some of his insights on Systema and how it has great potential for developing people who pursue the training both long and short term. We further dive into topics such as training in Tai ji, internal training, martial integrity, equine (horse) assisted therapy, Systema as an avenue for somatic therapy and treatment of trauma, and a host of other interesting topics! I hope you enjoy listening along, as I certainly enjoyed spending time with Rob and learning more about these subjects. A reminder that we have a page on Instagram, which you can find by searching for spirit_forge. Feel free to join our community there! Thanks for watching, and if you enjoyed the episode please share it with a friend. Remember... there is great potential in all of us for development and growth! Keep fighting the good fight! And in closing... get back to training!

On this fifth episode I welcome my friend and training partner Anna Cruse where we dive deep into her experiences training in Systema, and how she has taken its ideas to navigate her life and recent diagnosis with cancer.

In this fourth episode I welcome back my friend Pranay Sundarji where we take some time to talk about the first chapter in Jordan B Peterson's book 12 Rules for Life titled "Stand up straight with your shoulders back". We hope that for those of you who are listening along with us on this podcast that you are enjoying the journey. If you would like to ask any questions, or offer suggestions please connect with us on Instagram at "spirit_forge". Some talking points from this episode include: 2:00: Starting to explain the premise of the chapter around how and why social animals engage in hierarchies. 5:00: Talking about the difference between survival and the search for meaning in human existence. 9:00: Considering the conscious engagement in hierarchies so that you are playing your own game. 13:00: How our past experiences shape us, and how we perceive ourselves as we enter into different environments. 15:30: Talking a little about the equipment we are using to record the podcast. (Rodecaster Pro, Rode Podmic, and Triton Audio FetHead) 19:00: How our biology contributes to our psychology. 21:00: Its better to be strong... 24:00: You don't need to be the strongest, just strong enough to take care of yourself. 28:30: The lone wolf VS the wolf pack. 29:00: Do you know your own capabilities? Its better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war. 31:00: The value of verbal de-escalation and using your intellect. 35:00: Getting stronger by inviting feedback, and being aware of your blind spot. 38:00: Talking about biological drivers of behaviour, and the release of serotonin. 39:30: Be careful of chasing hedonistic pleasures... 41:00: Be conscious and autonomous in the pursuit of your goals, and play your own game. 44:00: Stand up straight... build yourself to respect yourself. 46:00: Be aware of your goals, and plan out the steps to achieve them. You always know a step you could take in the right direction. 48:00: Inviting feedback and questions... please get in touch! 51:00: Calling out my Dad and Brother to make an intro for the Podcast!

Welcome to this third episode of the Spirit Forge podcast! In this episode we welcome Loren Clements who is the founder and Instructor of Systema Auckland. We take some time to discuss Systema in more depth for listeners who may be wondering what Systema is all about. If you are interested to connect with Loren or come train at Systema Auckland please check out https://www.systemaauckland.com/ to learn more. Heres a run down of some of the talking points in this podcast... 1:00: Introduction to Loren, his professional work within the New Zealand Police, his early introduction to Systema, and how it influenced his policing practice. 12:15: Systema and how it contributes to a calm psyche. 19:15: Reflections on breath, and how its used in different ways. Healing and tactics focused. 42:00: Thoughts on how Systema starts to integrate into life. 60:00: What you can expect in a Systema class. 1:09:00: Considerations for students starting in a martial art or general training. 1:24:00: Growth mindset and helping others. Use of reflection in Systema, and being thankful for adversity.