Month: June 2018

Location-Angle-Focus

We tend to over complicate things. Memorize a thousand techniques,  Practice the technique ten thousand times and so on.

Here is a simple formula to practice and widen your awareness to what is happening.

1. Location – Simply choose not to be where the attack happens – work with your entire body so you do not end up in a weird stance and choose where you want to be instead of being moved by touch or fear.

2. Angle – Every movement should have some change of angle – It will allow you to maintain freedom of thought by not being stuck to the attack in your mind and allow you to see the entire picture which will allow you to stay within yourself so you do not get sucked into the others intent. Further more – angles allow for less impact or no impact when the body and mind are free.

3. Focus – If you see just the attack – your focus is on it solely. If you see the entire attacker – you are stick stuck though less – If you see yourself and the attacker in the free space – you can make choices that are not just bound by what is happening and shift the outcome without being overly affected by it.

Example – Michael is attacking Ryan with a stick. He is swinging from right to left (common directive) Ryan moves forward to be offset sweet spot of the stick swing and turns his body so he sees the scene instead of being sucked into a part of it. Michael is shifting his swing downward to strike at the feet and Ryan chooses to move into Michael’s body and turn so his elbows augment the stick hold.

In this example there is no technique, only principles at play.

Enjoy the work and keep it free.

Success is not just winning – It is freedom from technique and getting better at being yourself.

Wheelbarrow walks – old-school tech

Walking on your fists is great. Walking on your first with a friend is even better.

Enjoy both rolls in this movement and note how the body learns to move as one, once tension is healthily distributed throughout the body. Let the breath lead the motion and relax your arms on contacting the ground to avoid excess tension.

Please resist the urge to push your friend too fast 🙂

Place your fists on the ground and let a friend hold onto your ankles.

Walk forward and back on your fists for 40 breaths

Walk sideways left and right on your fists for 40 breaths

Walk forward and back on your forearms for 40 breaths

Walk sideways left and right on your forearms for 40 breaths

Walk toward your feet and back by moving on your fists and bending the hips for 40 breaths

Jump with both fists forward and back for 40 breaths and mind to let the breath distribute and continue the motion instead of holding onto the impact

Reverse rolls and enjoy the work and how funny we look when we work honestly.

 

Awareness makes us graceful

I like power. We all do, but power is not the answer against a blade or a verbal attack. One must work consistently on control and thus create a measure of awareness which guides the power and creates the final outcome. Power in impact can reach a point of diminishing return, Grace does not.

Here is a challenge (people like challenges)

Do this straight for 30 days

  1. Hold a cup of water in your hand with water filling it and almost overflowing. Sit down on your behind and get up 10 times with no contact of arms to the ground and with no spilling of water.
  2. find a stout round roll like a metal bottle or an actual wood log and stand on it. Teach yourself to walk on the log and take 10 steps forward and 1o back.  Make sure you have a way to dis-log safely before you start walking. Falling hard is hard.
  3. Reach a handstand with your legs resting lightly on a wall. Breathe and move to free stand and note how your body balances and overbalances itself. Focus on your breathing and maintain the hold for 120 breaths. (If this is hard physically, divide it to smaller parts)

The simple stuff is key to reaching grace.

Do this and reap the benefits or better yet, enjoy the work.

The hunter GATHERER

Looking back in history and looking at roles in the tribe and family of old we usually focus on the warriors and leaders, the hunters and not the gatherers.

It is a focus which takes a lot from your abilities and what can be had and evolved to aid in any work you take on today. Even office work today can be aided by the mindset and skills of the gatherer.

The same as Yin and Yang which need each other to complete the existence so do the different roles complement and add to each other in overview, ability and value to the community.

Here are simple tasks to do regularly as a team. The seasons and human events each add their own uniqueness to the tasks.

 

  1. Gather and make useful water carrying devices. – for example, water bottles from recycling, sponges to collect dew, old buckets and so on.
  2. Gather and make useful fire starting devices – for example, a not dead battery and some iron wool, discarded optical glasses as magnifying glasses, a broken Bic lighter and some kitchen leftovers.
  3.  Gather and make uselful cover sheets of plastic and fabric – for example, industrial plastic sheets that can form a roof cover and thermal barrier, a greenhouse and fashion waterproofing for small boats and so on. Discarded fabric wraps and bags and straps that can create load carrying and other devices of much use.
  4. Gather and make usuful tools – gather  discarded nails and screws. Gather sticks of differerent uses from walking to hammer and axe heads. Gather discarded cutlery and cans. Gather heating material for a basic forge and metals and wires from discarded vehicles and electric devices. With time and a bit of thought you can fashion and gather a basic toolbox.
  5. Look around you and watch for the available spaces. See the rooftops and the drains. The gaps between walls and the hidden lanes in the gardens and rural places. The unnoticed spaces in your surroundings hold a treasure of opportunities within them and will open your eyes to see the whole instead of being blind to anything you do not seek.
  6. Look around you and watch for free skill building. Volunteer to help at a hospital or in building and repairing for those in need. Check and help in search and rescue and learn tracking and outdoorman skills. Learn by investing just your time and heart in something that connects you to your people.