There is a buffer between real violence and training and there has to be one to allow progress both mental and physical. Many martial arts today rely on padded surfaces and body padding. This allows for higher throws in practice and greater force exerted in contact in striking and impact. There is however also negative… Read More Hard contact
Learn to roll safely and freely. Work the progressions and focus on quality. The quantity will come with consistency of working the basics.
All the power in our bodies come out once punctured well. It is well illustrated in a crowd where we cannot pay attention to all individuals and must swim in streams of perceptions and assumptions. We can grow as people from accepting and moving from this feeling of a small fish in the ocean. Step… Read More Swim with the sharks
Solo and partner work complement each other. Here is a coupling of those drills that come to bring the rolling thunder of freedom of movement. SOLOish Have two partners hold onto your wrists (or keep your arms in the air…) and roll you forward and backwards from standing to the ground and back. Repeat the work… Read More Notes from Class: Rolling thunder
Here are three drills for better striking. Remember it is better to avoid getting struck than developing a thick hide. There is always a blade somewhere. Lean with your fists on the wall or the ground depending on your current energy level. Start moving your head from side to side with the tempo of… Read More Three drills for better striking
Drawing the blade can be a martial art like Japanese 居合 or a simple task we perform while preparing a meal for the family. Lets play with drawing in particular so we can better integrate it into the work. Place the knife in front of you and close your eyes. Take it in one hand… Read More The draw
It is evident that as we use our muscles and nervous system well, they get better and we move and work in better efficiency and effectiveness. Let us use the same simple but not easy mechanism to improve our awareness to making choices (lead the chariot instead of being one of the horses) and making… Read More Notes from class: Making choices
There are countless holds levers and ways to manipulate the joints. There are however a few ways to play with the body to bring our innate knowledge into awareness. That way we are able to create those on the move and without trying to force one way over the other. Principles for the play: Our… Read More Notes from Class: levers holds And joint manipulation
Take a sturdy stick and ten paces of clear ground. Crawl back and forth using these variations to clear tension and build good movement all over. Guidelines: Keep breathing. Let the breath make the pace of movement Relax your eyes. Let yourself see what your body is showing you. Avoid making noise. Noise is garbage… Read More The stick crawl
Here are eight partner drills to build and hone your efficient and effective movement patterns. Don’t search for the key. Be the key maker. walk and breathe continuously. Have a partner throw a ball at you as you walk. Your job is to move out of the way and intercept the ball in flight. Do… Read More building smoothness
