It seems my Intel group is quickly becoming a black belt club! New people aren't joining and the regulars have been advancing nicely into dan ranks, so that now I am faced with having an almost all black belt group. I don't mind at all, since it means we can let go and play without having to constantly revisit basic material. I do constantly cover basics, since those need constant development, but I don't have to spend time having to explain the same things over and over. Having a regular revolving door of new people all the time means having to re-explain those things, too.
The downside is that I do see a number of new faces peeking in on us, obviously enjoying what they see, but I wonder how many are too intimidated to come in or think the class is only for advanced students. Oh well, I guess maybe the right person will take that chance and step in regardless. The first test is the door, apparently.
Last night I covered more yoroi (armor) principles, keeping in the current theme of our Kukishinden Ryu. We drilled some high and low blocking strikes using the kote, which is the armor that covers the forearm and back of the hand. We explored the posture of Kosei no Kamae, which is similar to the upward forearm block from karate. But, there are many small differences which play significantly in the real battlefield application of the posture.
Survival on the battlefield was the primary concept I focused on, which included always moving your position, having awareness of surroundings, keeping good balance and being able to move in such a way to allow for deliverance of power without giving up balance and strategic positioning. The techniques were less important as was control of the space and balance.
Most of the techniques centered around Kumi Uchi, which is a classic jujutsu starting hold. You hold your partner's right elbow with your left hand and, with your right hand, grasp your partner's right shoulder. Your partner mirrors your hold on you as well and both of you have the intent of push/pull to take balance, using footwork to adjust the angle of your body.
When in armor, you cannot grasp the lapel because the breastplate will not allow it. So, you grasp the strapping or edge of the breastplate up at the point between their outer pectoral muscle and shoulder, in that 'dip' above the arm pit area. No matter how tight they pull back their shoulders to flatten their shirt, this area of their shirt will always be loose enough to secure a hold. In armor, this point is always open enough to get your fingers in to hold. But, you also have to be careful not to trap your fingers, too!
We practiced doing some basic off balancing and takedowns from this position. We didn't do throws, as in judo, but more of simple balance taking and toppling. This involved controlling the two points grabbed and finding the unsupported angles to push and pull the upper torso, while moving in different angles with the legs, to produce an almost effortless technique to topple the person. Then, I showed a counter where you do the same thing in response to their action and you topple them instead.
Next, we looked at using Kumi Uchi as a base while another person did a straight punch to the held person's head. First we did this from the right side, then the left side. Using the same principles of finding the unsupported angles to move around the grabbing attacker, I showed how you could easily use the person as a shield while evading the punch. I threw in some extra goodies which involved snuffing out the grabbing attacker by using chokes, neck breaks and even some killing techniques with concealed knives. This was a side lesson I normally wouldn't show, but because I had all my senior guys there, I decided to give them some of that training.
To amp things up a bit, I had the punching attacker wear a boxing glove and attempt to really nail the held person in the side of the head. This added a nice dynamic to the training, each person really moving out of the way out of fear of getting punched hard. The grabbing partner was instructed to really try and hold them so they couldn't easily slip by. They had to have good angles and use correct technique to break the balance of their grabbing attacker in order to have the space to avoid the punch. It was a good experiment that paid off well.
We continued along this same line of techniques, all with an emphasis on feeling and realism. They enjoyed it very much and the higher level required to find the effortlessness to the techniques was a good growth curve.
Finally, I decided to show some techniques involving the same kind of two person attack, but ended with both attackers in arm locks and being leveraged to the ground. This was a good stretch for these guys, both in learning and in their arms! Again, they had to really know how to slip out of the danger space and move into safe spaces while controlling the balance of both attackers with as little effort as possible. Resistance was used and the significance of the strategic and technical concepts became abundantly clear. Any error meant one of the attackers easly slipped out of the hold and could continue the attack. It was a good lesson.
We ended class tired and satisfied.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Catching up a bit...
Well, I have been so incredibly busy that I totally forgot to update my blog after last week's class! I have purchased my tickets to Japan, so now I'm committed! I am both excited and nervous about it. I am going with 3 others, one of whom has been there a few times already. But, they are going there a few days ahead of me, so I will be going over by myself. I am sure I will be ok, but it makes me nervous to think about how I will be alone in a country where I do not speak or read the language. I do have maps and some basic directions. I know someone will probably meet me at the airport when I arrive. But, I am such a planner that the vagueness of it all concerns me.
I did a lot of domestic flights while serving in the military, plus I've flown back and forth from the east coast to the west coast. But, going out of country is a different matter. In addition, the military did all the itinerary for me - all I had to do was be at the right place at the right time and I would be taken care of. I guess I am too used to that! Oh well, I'm a big boy and can take care of myself. Besides, many others make the journey alone and, if they can do it, so can I.
Anyway, the last class went very well. I finished up the Torite Goho waza, which involve several elbow/shoulder locks and leverages. In keeping with current themes, I showed how armor modified these techniques and the spaces required needed to be controlled at all times. The tendency for new people (and how the original techniques are taught) is to gain limb control and maintain it all the way until the opponent falls or rolls on the ground, then finish with some kind of ground hold.
On the battlefield, this isn't important. The same techniques, instead of being focused on taking someone down, are meant more as methods to open up and disrupt the opponent. This creates the right timing and space to either finish them with a strike, use their body as cover or move on to the next opponent (or escape). We played with several ideas, deploying well timed punches and kicks during the space of time the oppenent was opened up and floundering from the arm twist and leveraging techniques.
We also put on our wooden bokken training swords and practiced using this timing and space to be able to draw and cut the opponent. We even did some half techniques, where the space and timing allowed for a cut to a second incoming opponent.
In the end, it was a physically tiring class. I came to class already tired from the day's work and I could sense others felt the same. We ended class on time and enjoyed some usual after class chit chat before heading to our homes.
I did a lot of domestic flights while serving in the military, plus I've flown back and forth from the east coast to the west coast. But, going out of country is a different matter. In addition, the military did all the itinerary for me - all I had to do was be at the right place at the right time and I would be taken care of. I guess I am too used to that! Oh well, I'm a big boy and can take care of myself. Besides, many others make the journey alone and, if they can do it, so can I.
Anyway, the last class went very well. I finished up the Torite Goho waza, which involve several elbow/shoulder locks and leverages. In keeping with current themes, I showed how armor modified these techniques and the spaces required needed to be controlled at all times. The tendency for new people (and how the original techniques are taught) is to gain limb control and maintain it all the way until the opponent falls or rolls on the ground, then finish with some kind of ground hold.
On the battlefield, this isn't important. The same techniques, instead of being focused on taking someone down, are meant more as methods to open up and disrupt the opponent. This creates the right timing and space to either finish them with a strike, use their body as cover or move on to the next opponent (or escape). We played with several ideas, deploying well timed punches and kicks during the space of time the oppenent was opened up and floundering from the arm twist and leveraging techniques.
We also put on our wooden bokken training swords and practiced using this timing and space to be able to draw and cut the opponent. We even did some half techniques, where the space and timing allowed for a cut to a second incoming opponent.
In the end, it was a physically tiring class. I came to class already tired from the day's work and I could sense others felt the same. We ended class on time and enjoyed some usual after class chit chat before heading to our homes.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Class update!
Hello friends! I didn't hold class last week in light of the Easter/Spring Break holiday week. The family and I took a much needed vacation and spent several days camping at the coast. *sigh* That was nice...
Last night's class was the first class since before the break. I was told some of my guys got together last week anyway and practiced together without me. I like it when they take responsibility for their training like that and keep things going even when I'm not there. This is part of my own philosophy, but I believe the martial path is a personal journey - even though we need to have partners to practice with. At times, it can be lonely and other times you can really feel the connection to the greater family of fellow budoka. But, in the end, it's all about our individual selves and only we are accountable to our own success and failure. So, you can never expect to have another person lead you, or hold your hand, or spoon feed you. You have to take the initiative, get out and do it for yourself. Ok, off my soapbox!
Last night was a great class! I decided to look at the Omote and Ura Gyaku Waza from the Torite Goho portion of our Kihon Happo, which is one of the foundational parts of our whole taijutsu training. Beginners understand the Omote and Ura Gyaku Waza to be the basic outside and inside wrist twists/throws, but they really are much more than that.
I used the Kukishinden Ryu feeling of wearing yoroi (armor) and showed how this affects these kinds of grappling techniques. Because the wrists and hands are hard to hold when wearing armor, the main emphasis then becomes controlling the elbow and spine of the opponent. Once control of the uke's spine and kukan (space) is achieved, then the appropriate 'taking' of the motion to either outside or inside (omote or ura) can be done. Throws are difficult in armor, so the finality actually is more of a takedown, often with a well placed foot behind the uke's extended leg or kick to their knee. Also, since it is normal to have weapons, special considerations are taken in regards to controlling the uke's ability to draw theirs (or even yours).
Another important factor in last night's class was getting the uke to move their own body, then using that movement to provide the energy to complete the technique. This is important because armor is heavy and, when properly postured, can create a solid foundation. However, if that foundation is broken, then the weight of armor becomes a liability, since the off balanced distribution of the weight can be difficult to correct. In addition, having to move a weighted opponent requires energy, which will wear you out. But, if you do certain things which cause the armored uke to move himself, then you've caused the necessary movement needed without expending your own energy to do it. I demonstrated several examples of how to make this happen, showing that it is all about the timing and capturing that critical moment in the flow of motions to capitalize on the shift in the uke's balance.
Once they 'got it', then the gyaku waza took on a life of its own. Uke were flying around, crumpling in a pile of moans and cringes as the pain of extended elbows and twisted wrist joints caused pain and broke balance. They were happy with how easy it was to accomplish this effect once the movement and timing concepts were utilized.
I added some variations to the techniques by implimenting a kubotan (small stick) into the techniques, using pressure points under the armpit to make the uke raise up.
I decided to end class with a little 'aliveness', by having each uke put on a boxing glove on their right hand. They did a left lapel grab and right punch, either as a cross punch or step through. The tori would do an Omote Gyaku in the fashion previously explored, but would switch halfway and do an Ura Gyaku. As they switched, the uke would have opportunity to launch a second punch, which they did. Since they were wearing gloves, I encouraged them to actually attempt to hit their tori with reasonable force. This was a good exercise, since it gave the tori something more realistic to worry about, plus it gave them more energy in the technique to work with. That really had a great effect in the intensity, which added all the more to the taking of balance and eventual throw or takedown.
By the end, everybody was exhausted and well pleased with the progress of the evening. After some final words, we bowed out and left for home.
In reflection, this class was one of those where I had only a small idea of what I was going to teach, but found myself on a virtual explosion of concepts and high intensity techniques. It seemed I was moving well, capturing timing almost effortlessly and just being in the right spots at every point. Maybe it was luck or maybe I was just feeding on my enthusiasm for my Japan trip in June. Maybe it was one of those times when I just 'got it' and was in the moment. Whatever the reason, I needed to feel that again. I needed to feel my own inner budo express itself well.
Last night's class was the first class since before the break. I was told some of my guys got together last week anyway and practiced together without me. I like it when they take responsibility for their training like that and keep things going even when I'm not there. This is part of my own philosophy, but I believe the martial path is a personal journey - even though we need to have partners to practice with. At times, it can be lonely and other times you can really feel the connection to the greater family of fellow budoka. But, in the end, it's all about our individual selves and only we are accountable to our own success and failure. So, you can never expect to have another person lead you, or hold your hand, or spoon feed you. You have to take the initiative, get out and do it for yourself. Ok, off my soapbox!
Last night was a great class! I decided to look at the Omote and Ura Gyaku Waza from the Torite Goho portion of our Kihon Happo, which is one of the foundational parts of our whole taijutsu training. Beginners understand the Omote and Ura Gyaku Waza to be the basic outside and inside wrist twists/throws, but they really are much more than that.
I used the Kukishinden Ryu feeling of wearing yoroi (armor) and showed how this affects these kinds of grappling techniques. Because the wrists and hands are hard to hold when wearing armor, the main emphasis then becomes controlling the elbow and spine of the opponent. Once control of the uke's spine and kukan (space) is achieved, then the appropriate 'taking' of the motion to either outside or inside (omote or ura) can be done. Throws are difficult in armor, so the finality actually is more of a takedown, often with a well placed foot behind the uke's extended leg or kick to their knee. Also, since it is normal to have weapons, special considerations are taken in regards to controlling the uke's ability to draw theirs (or even yours).
Another important factor in last night's class was getting the uke to move their own body, then using that movement to provide the energy to complete the technique. This is important because armor is heavy and, when properly postured, can create a solid foundation. However, if that foundation is broken, then the weight of armor becomes a liability, since the off balanced distribution of the weight can be difficult to correct. In addition, having to move a weighted opponent requires energy, which will wear you out. But, if you do certain things which cause the armored uke to move himself, then you've caused the necessary movement needed without expending your own energy to do it. I demonstrated several examples of how to make this happen, showing that it is all about the timing and capturing that critical moment in the flow of motions to capitalize on the shift in the uke's balance.
Once they 'got it', then the gyaku waza took on a life of its own. Uke were flying around, crumpling in a pile of moans and cringes as the pain of extended elbows and twisted wrist joints caused pain and broke balance. They were happy with how easy it was to accomplish this effect once the movement and timing concepts were utilized.
I added some variations to the techniques by implimenting a kubotan (small stick) into the techniques, using pressure points under the armpit to make the uke raise up.
I decided to end class with a little 'aliveness', by having each uke put on a boxing glove on their right hand. They did a left lapel grab and right punch, either as a cross punch or step through. The tori would do an Omote Gyaku in the fashion previously explored, but would switch halfway and do an Ura Gyaku. As they switched, the uke would have opportunity to launch a second punch, which they did. Since they were wearing gloves, I encouraged them to actually attempt to hit their tori with reasonable force. This was a good exercise, since it gave the tori something more realistic to worry about, plus it gave them more energy in the technique to work with. That really had a great effect in the intensity, which added all the more to the taking of balance and eventual throw or takedown.
By the end, everybody was exhausted and well pleased with the progress of the evening. After some final words, we bowed out and left for home.
In reflection, this class was one of those where I had only a small idea of what I was going to teach, but found myself on a virtual explosion of concepts and high intensity techniques. It seemed I was moving well, capturing timing almost effortlessly and just being in the right spots at every point. Maybe it was luck or maybe I was just feeding on my enthusiasm for my Japan trip in June. Maybe it was one of those times when I just 'got it' and was in the moment. Whatever the reason, I needed to feel that again. I needed to feel my own inner budo express itself well.
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