WAY

OF

SYMMETRY

BY

TODD DAVID OLSEN

Edited

By

Todd David Olsen

Copyright © 2014

By

Todd David Olsen

All Rights Reserved.

The adoption and application of the material offered in this book is at the readers’ discretion and sole responsibility.

DEDICATED

TO

MASTER

ERIC BREUER

PREFACE:

You’ve heard that in order to build a house you must start with a strong foundation. I started writing this book with a strong foundation. I took Karate for 20 years. Not just in one style but in various different styles and at different schools and with different teachers. Some teachers were good and some teachers were bad. After 20 years I wrote that TAO is symmetrical. This book explains what TAO is and why it is symmetrical. It also defines symmetry and explains the difference between when Yin and Yang are balanced and unbalanced. Way of Symmetry is not a fighting art. The objective of Way of Symmetry is to balance Yin and Yang. When we balance Yin and Yang we achieve symmetry. This could take 20 years of training but in doing so you can learn to lead a way of life without drugs and violence. It can help you to find yourself. There is no enlightenment beyond the self. I founded this art to teach you the same techniques that worked for me. Way of Symmetry has 3 forms which I modified to being my own. There are Martial Arts with more forms than mine but remember its quality not quantity. I know more than what is printed in this book but I can’t copyright it because it is already copyrighted. I hope I can be a good teacher. Please, use this book as a teaching guide. That is the foundation upon which I wrote this book.

BASICS:

BLOCKS:

right/left inside blockright/left outside blockright/left high blockright/left low block

right/left knife hand/open hand defenseright/left inward palm blockright/left windmill block

STANCES:

right/left back stanceright/left front stanceright/left cat stanceright/left cross stanceright/left fighting stancehorse stance

SRIKES:

right/left reverse punchright/left jabright/left elbow strikeright/left vertical fistright/left spear handright/left palm strikeright/left bottom fist/hammer fist

KICKS:

right/left inside/outside crescent kickright/left outside/inside crescent kickright/left front kickright/left side kickright/left back kickright/left heel kick/hook kickright/left inside/outside axe kickright/left outside/inside axe kickright/left stepping/spinning kicks

FORM 1

snap head to leftleft low block left front stancestepping forward with right footright center punch right front stance180 degree turn over right shoulderright low block right front stancestepping forward with left footleft center punch left front stancesnap head to leftdown the centerright low block right front stanceleft front kick left fighting stanceright side kick right fighting stance left round kick left fighting stance “ki-hap"270 degree turn over right shoulderleft high block left front stance stepping forward with right footright high punch right front stance 180 degree turn over right shoulderright high block right front stancestepping forward with left footleft high punch in left front stancesnap head to leftdown the centerleft low block left front stanceright front kick right fighting stanceleft side kick left fighting stanceright round kick right fighting stance “ki-hap”270 degree turn over left shoulderleft low block left front stancestepping forward with right footright center punch right front stance180 degree turn over right shoulderright low block right front stance stepping forward with left footleft center punch left front stancesnap head to leftreturn to ready position

FORM 2

snap head to leftlunging back left knife hand defense left back stance right reverse punch left front stanceslide up with right foot left lead jabball of the foot left round kick left back stanceright reverse punch left front stancestepping through with right foot left reverse punch right front stancestepping through with left foot left knife hand defense left back stanceright reverse punch left front stanceslide up with right foot left lead jabball of the foot left round kick left back stanceright reverse punch punch left front stancestepping through with right left reverse punch right front stancesnap head to rightlunge back right low block right back stanceleft reverse punch right front stanceslide up with left foot right lead jabstepping with right foot right front kick right back stanceright knife hand defenseleft reverse punch right front stance stepping with left foot left front kick left back stanceleft high block right reverse punch left front stancestepping right right ball of the foot round kick landing right back stanceright back knuckleleft reverse punch right front stanceright forearm strike right back stanceright hand lunging chopleft reverse punch right front stance with kiaiturning right cat stancedouble forearm foldstepping out right back stancedouble forearm defense left palm strike right front stanceright forearm strike right back stanceright kneeright bottom fistleft reverse punch right front stancelooking to the rightdouble forearm fold right cat stancestepping out right back stancedouble forearm defenseleft palm strike right front stanceright forearm strike right back stance

right kneeright bottom fistleft reverse punch right front stancelooking to centerrestrain in right cat stancestanding right front kick right back stanceleft reverse punch with kiai right front stanceslide up with left foot right lead jabright side kick right back stanceright eye gougestepping with left foot into a left center punch left front stancelooking leftleft outside block left back stanceright spinning back kickright fighting stancelooking rightright outside block right back stanceleft spinning back kickleft fighting stancelooking leftlunging backleft low block left back stancelunging back left knife hand defense left back stanceslide up with right foot left lead jabright reverse punch left front stanceright stepping side kick left spinning back kickleft fighting stancelooking rightlunging back left low block now in a left back stancelunge back left knife hand defense left back stanceslide up with right foot left lead jabright reverse punch left front stanceright stepping sidekickleft spinning back kickleft fighting stancelooking leftleft side straddle punchspinning right bottom fist right spinning back kickright fighting stancelooking rightright side straddle punchspinning left bottom fistleft spinning back kickleft fighting stance

looking leftlunge backleft low block left back stanceslide back with leftleft knife hand defense left back stancestepping back with leftleft reverse punch with kiai right front stancereturn to ready position

FORM 3

right vertical fist right front stancesnap head to leftlunge back left low block left back stanceright reverse punch left front stanceright inward palm block right back stanceleft spear hand right front stancestepping left front kick recoillunging right back knuckle left cross stanceleft reverse punch right front stanceright jab in a right back stanceleft reverse punch right front stancestepping through with leftleft low block left back stanceright reverse punch left front stanceright inward palm block left back stanceleft spear hand left front stancestepping with right right front kick right back stancelunge right back knuckleleft reverse punch right front stanceright jab right back stanceleft reverse punch right front stanceas if you've been grabbed from behindyour arms will fold together making an 'x'open hand sliding up breaking the hold right elbow strike left back stancegrab imaginary armstepping back with leftthrowingdown on right kneelooking at the groundhead snapping uplunge back right back stanceright knife hand defenseleft reverse punch right front stance stepping inside crescent kick with left left back stanceleft inside crescent kick left back stancelanding in a right forearm strike left front stancesnapping head to right

left cross stanceright back knuckle to the bridge of the nosegrab, head butt right back stancepushing the opponent awaystepping left inside crescent kick left back stanceright reverse punch kiai left front stancelooking left 45 degreesleft fighting stanceleft round kick lowleft sidekick centerright spinning heel kick highlanding in a left fighting stancelooking to the right in a left fighting stanceleft round kick lowleft side kick centerright spinning heel kick highlanding in a left fighting stancelooking over left shoulderlunge back left knife hand defenseright reverse punch left front stance stepping with right right inside crescent right back stance right inside crescentright forearm strike right front stanceleft hand turning to grasp opponentfoot sweep with right legthrowing the opponent to the groundright reverse punch kiai looking upreturn to ready position

PHILOSOPHY:

TAO is symmetrical because when you put a Line of Symmetry through it and fold it in half it is the same thing. This philosophy describes TAO without a Line of Symmetry through it and Taiji with a Line of Symmetry through it. It also defines symmetry and explains the difference between when Yin and Yang is balanced and unbalanced. Way of Symmetry is a Martial Art with 3 forms from different styles of Karate which I modified to being my own. This philosophy describes a Martial Art based on the philosophy that TAO is Symmetrical. In this sequence the Taiji symbol is also Symmetrical because it is Equal and Opposite and it comes from TAO. It also incorporates other philosophies about Taiji and expands on them in this context. The objective of Way of Symmetry is to balance Yin and Yang. When Yin and Yang are balanced there is symmetry. When Yin and Yang are unbalanced one dominates the other and there is duality.

SYMMETRY:

Symmetry is to be equal and opposite.

Because the complementary opposites Yin and Yang are equal there is symmetry.

There is no Line of Symmetry.

First there was one.

TAO is the undifferentiated unity out of which all existence arises.

TAO means Way.

Jesus Christ is the eternal TAO.

TAO is formless.It has no form.

Patterns are predictable.

All events are independent of each other.

You can plan an event.You can’t plan the outcome of an event.

Practice Martial Art the way you were taught it.When it comes time for you to do itYou will do it the way you practiced it.

Because Yin and Yang are equal neither one dominates the other.

Its all about having the right attitude.

Yin and Yang are complementary opposites. To be complementary means to be equal. Therefore, Yin and Yang are equal and opposite and the Yin and Yang symbol is a symbol of symmetry because symmetry means equal and opposite.

The Yin and Yang symbol (Taiji symbol) just is…infinity.

The Equal and Opposite symbol (Taiji symbol) shows the two complementary opposites (Yin and Yang) as one at the same time.

What is its purpose? It is for justice.

The balance is always changing.

TAO OF SYMMETRY:

In traditional Martial Arts philosophies you choose between extreme Yin or extreme Yang. When you choose one of them you also sacrifice the other. Symmetry is extreme center which is free of extreme Yin and extreme Yang and also includes both extreme Yin and extreme Yang at the same time, therefore, it is equal and opposite just as there are two sides to every coin. Remember, it is not the Yin or Yang symbol…it is the Yin and Yang symbol.

Symmetry is like saying it is in stereo instead of being in mono because it is a balance of opposites which includes both right and left at the same time. It is neither all of the way right nor all of the way left.

Symmetry is a choiceless choice which causes you to see the whole coin (picture).

You either have Harmony which is extreme Yin or extreme Yang or you have Symmetry which is extreme center.

DUALITY:

When the complementary opposites Yin and Yang are not equal there is duality.

TAO is divided into two equal and opposite halves.One white (Yang) and one black (Yin). Within each half is contained a smaller circle of the opposite color.

From the one came two perfect circles.They are Equal and Opposite. The possibilities of combinations and techniques of the Taiji symbol are infinite.

The only constant is change.

Yin and Yang represent you and your opponent.

You and your opponent are equal and opposite a Line of Symmetry.

Way of Harmony is the harmony of opposites.Way of Symmetry is the equality (balance) of opposites.

Yin and Yang are complementary opposites such as Male/Female, Good/Evil, Black/White, etc.

There is a black energy (Yin) and there is a white energy (Yang).The two energies are Equal and Opposite.

Because the two energies Yin and Yang are Equal and Opposite, they create an alternating current of energy called Qi which flows.

Equal and Opposite is both Yin and Yang at the same time.Equal and Opposite is not extreme opposites it is a balance between the extreme opposites.

Be flexible and have strong roots.Bend and you won’t break.Know when to be strong and know when to be flexible.This can be an Art from within itself.

Never go straight in on your opponent.Always flow around him/her avoiding harm.

Make your opponent extend past the point of no return by keeping his/her energy going.So he/she can’t pull back then strike.

For every Yin there is a Yang and for every Yang there is a Yin.For everything there is a contradiction and a trade off.

Symmetry is one whole cycle of energy.Yin and Yang alternate from peak to peak creating an alternating current (AC).

When sparring never fight according to a system of preset moves.Always go with the flow.Never go against the flow.

You and your opponent should be equal.Is it fair to give him/her more?

Nothing goes as planned.We can’t expect things to go as planned but we can be prepared.Be prepared for the plan to fail and always have a backup plan.That is always have a plan ‘B’.Always be prepared.

Never let your opponent go in on you.One method of doing this is to circle him/her.

Way of Symmetry is not the first way or the last way or the only way.“There’s always more than one way to skin a cat.”

GRASSHOPPER

TAO

ONE(ALWAYS CONTINUOUS)

SYMMETRY

EQUAL AND OPPOSITE(TAIJI SYMBOL)

(ALWAYS CHANGING)

Left Low Block Chamber

Left Low Block

Right High Block Chamber

Right High Block

Left Inside Block Chamber

Left Inside Block

Right Inside Block Chamber

Right Inside Block

Left Outside Block Chamber

Left Outside Block

Right Outside Block Chamber

Right Outside Block

Left Low Block Chamber

Left Low Block

Right Low Block Chamber

Right Low Block

Horse Back Stance

Right Front Stance

Left Front Stance

Right Back Stance

Left Back Stance

Right Fighting Stance

Left Fighting Stance

Right Cat Stance

Left Cat Stance

Right Cross Stance

Left Cross Stance

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Todd David Olsen, “Grasshopper” holds a First Degree Black Belt in Rossi Kun Tao International and a Second Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do under Master Eric

Breuer.He is a 1988 graduate of Cheshire High School and lives in Plantsville, CT. His email

address is k1tdo@icloud.com. He is also on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZEPWGBBIj41jjCSDFRiixA.

PICTURES:

This book includes pictures. The pictures are on basic techniques but some techniques require motion to be taught. The techniques that require motion to be taught will be

included in a video which I plan to include as part of a series on my YouTube channel.

All pictures except for the picture on the ABOUT THE AUTHOR page were taken by Robert William Carruthers.