This is a humorous follow-up to the Karate and Driving lessons post here.
:)
(By the way, if anyone can find a clip of a car advert which looked like a wing chun class doing a kung fu form that mimicked driving movements - let me know. I *think* it was a Volkswagen advert, but I can't be sure. It aired on UK TV a couple of years ago. The class finishes its "form" then the instructor gets into his car and does the same movements as the form - putting on seat belt, turning ignition key and so on).
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Karate and Driving Lessons
Karate and driving lessons - is there a link?
Imagine you take driving lessons and you do your test to get a licence. Let's say you took your lessons in a Ford and tested in a Ford. How silly would it be if you could then only drive Ford cars? What if you bought a Chrysler, Renault, or Honda. You would have to resit your test for each make of car.
That doesn't happen of course because although there are many different makes and models, the basic idea of driving is the same. Brakes, indicators, steering wheel, gear changes, etc etc.
Now in karate.... What if you only learned techniques against a set number of attacks. You would have to learn techniques to use in all possible situations to become effective. You'd have to learn millions of different combinations, situations, strategies etc etc.
Or you could boil it down to basic principles. It doesn't matter how the attacker holds his fist or whether it's an open hand, a push, grab or punch. Movement is movement, the human forms doesn't change much (we still have, on the whole, two arms and two legs). In martial arts there is simply no need to learn millions of mechanical responses.
Even if the basic idea is flawed anyway, because that's now how the human brain, or our survival instinct works. If you train like that you'd be KO'd before you could think of which move "to do".
Quite often in training, especially during basic pairs work I am asked "What if he attacks like this, or uses the left hand?"
It doesn't matter, because basics-with-a-partner (i.e. pairs work) isn't the same as fighting or self defence or whatever. It's learning about things. Get the basic idea and apply it universally. There's no need for all those "moves". This against that, the do this, blah blah blah.
Too much kata bunkai is like that. It's just ippon kumite with the "clever" twist of being interpretations of kata moves. Unless you know why you're training in such a way nothing will come of it.
So all training must have some intent, some goal, behind it.
(To experience spontinaety we have freestyle drills, push hands, grappling, sparring and so on to try it out. But there's no point going there without some kind of basics behind you. Even in MMA you need to have basics.)
Let's take the driving analogy a bit further. There are more types of vehicles. Bikes, trucks, artics ("semi's"!), trains, plains, space shuttles, even the Tardis. In the martial arts world they are like the differences between striking arts, grappling arts, weapon forms, stick forms, sports karate, MMA events, judo competition, real fighting, health and "just training".
Regardless of the vehicle driving is driving. Regardless of the art fighting is still just fighting. The presentation of driving/fighting skills might vary, but the underlying principles are the same regardless.
How do I get from A to Z?
Imagine you take driving lessons and you do your test to get a licence. Let's say you took your lessons in a Ford and tested in a Ford. How silly would it be if you could then only drive Ford cars? What if you bought a Chrysler, Renault, or Honda. You would have to resit your test for each make of car.
That doesn't happen of course because although there are many different makes and models, the basic idea of driving is the same. Brakes, indicators, steering wheel, gear changes, etc etc.
Now in karate.... What if you only learned techniques against a set number of attacks. You would have to learn techniques to use in all possible situations to become effective. You'd have to learn millions of different combinations, situations, strategies etc etc.
Or you could boil it down to basic principles. It doesn't matter how the attacker holds his fist or whether it's an open hand, a push, grab or punch. Movement is movement, the human forms doesn't change much (we still have, on the whole, two arms and two legs). In martial arts there is simply no need to learn millions of mechanical responses.
Even if the basic idea is flawed anyway, because that's now how the human brain, or our survival instinct works. If you train like that you'd be KO'd before you could think of which move "to do".
Quite often in training, especially during basic pairs work I am asked "What if he attacks like this, or uses the left hand?"
It doesn't matter, because basics-with-a-partner (i.e. pairs work) isn't the same as fighting or self defence or whatever. It's learning about things. Get the basic idea and apply it universally. There's no need for all those "moves". This against that, the do this, blah blah blah.
Too much kata bunkai is like that. It's just ippon kumite with the "clever" twist of being interpretations of kata moves. Unless you know why you're training in such a way nothing will come of it.
So all training must have some intent, some goal, behind it.
(To experience spontinaety we have freestyle drills, push hands, grappling, sparring and so on to try it out. But there's no point going there without some kind of basics behind you. Even in MMA you need to have basics.)
Let's take the driving analogy a bit further. There are more types of vehicles. Bikes, trucks, artics ("semi's"!), trains, plains, space shuttles, even the Tardis. In the martial arts world they are like the differences between striking arts, grappling arts, weapon forms, stick forms, sports karate, MMA events, judo competition, real fighting, health and "just training".
Regardless of the vehicle driving is driving. Regardless of the art fighting is still just fighting. The presentation of driving/fighting skills might vary, but the underlying principles are the same regardless.
How do I get from A to Z?
Martial Arts Miss World??!!!
Oh dear me....
http://www.wtkainternational.com/WTKArelated/Miss.html
Nothing wrong with looking at pretty ladies, but is this the kind of thing the martial arts world needs?
http://www.wtkainternational.com/WTKArelated/Miss.html
Nothing wrong with looking at pretty ladies, but is this the kind of thing the martial arts world needs?
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Restraint methods
We were playing with arm locks/joint manipulation techniques last week. Basic stuff that any aikido beginner will know. Here's some video footage of restraint techniques in action.
The original purpose of such techniques was to damage joints, not to restrain or break arms. See how difficult it is trying to restrain someone who doesn't want to be?
The original purpose of such techniques was to damage joints, not to restrain or break arms. See how difficult it is trying to restrain someone who doesn't want to be?
More street violence footage
Some more street violence video clips. The purpose of showing these clips is to help put your training in context. "This is how it is..."
Drop Kick!
Drop Kick!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Fighter or Warrior?
Hello, it's been a while... I've been busy, plus I've been reconfiguring my computer (to make some improvements for musical purposes).
An interesting question in a TV show popped up tonight. "Are you a fighter or a warrior?" Is there a difference? The conclusions....
A fighter:
A warrior:
Stereotypes, perhaps? But even in this brief list it is clear to see that, in terms of energy, a fighter is Yang (masculine) while a warrior represents Yin (feminine).
Masculine and feminine are just labels to describe two states of energy. I'm not suggesting that warriors are gay! Or all women! I could have mentioned yang as being light, or representing the sun and yin as being darkness or representing the moon.
So... what other differences are there between fighters and warriors, if any? Look at the world around you... is it full of Yang energy (aggression, competition) or Yin energy (yielding, harmony). Or a balance of both?
Is the fighter "better" than the warrior, or is it the other way round? Which category would you place yourself in (if any?)
An interesting question in a TV show popped up tonight. "Are you a fighter or a warrior?" Is there a difference? The conclusions....
A fighter:
- Knows how to fight (right!)
- Enjoys the fight
- Is always up for a challenge and seeks more challenges
- A fighter is a competitor, and will do what it takes to win
- A fighter will go down in style rather than quit and run away
- A fighter is tough and has a reputation for being a hard man
- A fighter relies on aggression and fear
A warrior:
- Knows how to fight (right!)
- Knows when to fight
- Is Humble and forgiving
- Keeps the peace
- Uses strategy and skill
- Is a leader and inspiration to others
- A warrior will fight to the finish if that is necessary, or retreat if that is necessary
- A warrior is gracious in victory
Stereotypes, perhaps? But even in this brief list it is clear to see that, in terms of energy, a fighter is Yang (masculine) while a warrior represents Yin (feminine).
Masculine and feminine are just labels to describe two states of energy. I'm not suggesting that warriors are gay! Or all women! I could have mentioned yang as being light, or representing the sun and yin as being darkness or representing the moon.
So... what other differences are there between fighters and warriors, if any? Look at the world around you... is it full of Yang energy (aggression, competition) or Yin energy (yielding, harmony). Or a balance of both?
Is the fighter "better" than the warrior, or is it the other way round? Which category would you place yourself in (if any?)
Friday, June 06, 2008
So you think failing a grading is bad enough...
This is hilarious.
Look out for some of the MMA clips, also the would-be attacker in the lift (elevator) who gets more than he bargained for....
Look out for some of the MMA clips, also the would-be attacker in the lift (elevator) who gets more than he bargained for....
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Furness Fight Factory Presents....
The first MMA event to be hosted in our part of the world is coming soon. Here's the details.
This is a new event hosted by Bob Cassidy of the Furness Fight Factory and Pride & Glory. It is a small event with a capacity of only 150 people. The event is aimed at amateur and Semi-Pro fighters and will be held in a Cage. This is the first event to be held in Barrow.
| Start Time: | Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 6:30pm |
| End Time: | Sunday, July 13, 2008 at 1:00am |
| Location: | Railwaymens Club |
| Street: | The Strand |
| City/Town: | Barrow in Furness, United Kingdom |
This is a new event hosted by Bob Cassidy of the Furness Fight Factory and Pride & Glory. It is a small event with a capacity of only 150 people. The event is aimed at amateur and Semi-Pro fighters and will be held in a Cage. This is the first event to be held in Barrow.
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