Types of Gun Owners

Been watching this guy since sometime back. Not the most subtle but very knowledgeable indeed. Can't really add much of anything since most of what he says hits the mark so to speak.

So which type are you?

Not a gun owner/user? Ok then, think wider, broader and more honest in terms of your lifestyle, training and outlook in life.

Tough answers, eh?

Excellent Training Dummy

This is from a US practitioner and how he addressed a training need with a "can do attitude", a bit of innovation and a lot sweat. He says it's still a work in progress and welcomes comments about its design. I like how anthropomorphic or how closely it resembles the human form and proportions (an important consideration in developing specific attributes) as well as the added feature of mobility.  All padded as well to minimize injury. 

Seagal Training MMA Fighters

Wow! 'Tang Ina! This vid is one of those things that is genuinely short but sweet!

Beyond Hollywood, TV and the occasional controversy, Steven Seagal is an accomplished, high level martial artist who spent 20-years in Japan learning both the culture and the fighting arts. He even became one of the first foreigners to open an dojo (traditional MA school) for aikido there. He's quite the marksman and musician as well.

Here he is apparently training a top MMA fighter; Lyoto Machida. All I can say is I like what I'm seeing from his demo and explanations namely:

- The entering move towards an opponent's shikaku (dead angle or blindspot).

- The hip-driven low kick. This kick is strong, can penetrate and preserves one's stability.

- The forward-driving kick + straight blast punching combo and how he compares it to how kids fight (a natural hominid gross-motor reaction of overhead strikes and swings)

ADDED:

He's also apparently "tutored" another MMA guy, Anderson Silva below -

Out of all the things shown, it's again the irimi ("entering" the dead angle or blindspot) move I find valuable from this vid. As the saying goes, the "simplest things are often the hardest to accomplish."

Crazy Monkey Boxing

Whatever physical combat platform one engages in, whether it's a TMA (traditional martial arts) practitioner polishing his art's techniques to eventually get his "black belt", a SWAT operative or soldier drilling CQB explosive entry or just some ordinary guy focusing on simple gross motor skill moves to better prepare him for the street, the common glue that holds them all together is good grounding on the principles of biomechanics. After all, mastery of these techniques demands a good understanding of how the body moves and how to functionally and efficiently apply it, in this particular context though, for combat or fighting (sports and the performance arts however follow along the same lines).

Unfortunately, there are only a very few instructors who can effectively convey these concepts. The student is often left there floundering on how to do it on his own which effectively slows down his learning curve. HOW the art/style/system is taught can be as important, if not more so, than WHAT it actually is. I suppose this goes universally for all areas and fields as well.

South African Rodney "Chico" King is one of those few exceptions though. He's a boxer who's developed a style he calls Crazy Monkey Boxing. Basically, he taken the so-called "sweet science" and given it a keener edge; it's boxing meant for self-defense and mixed martial arts rather than the conventional form done on the ring.

An efficient style + good teacher = sweetness! Idol talaga! See for yourself -

Jab, Cross and Shovel Hook. Why "shovel" hook? As when shoveling, the power comes from the torquing action of the body. This aids the power of the punch. Brilliant execution below -



My favorite, the Elevation Drive -



Another good one, the Clinch/Hook combo -

UPDATE: More CMB goodness showing concepts on stance and structure

Yama Arashi: The Man, the Technique, the Sticky Point

(Judo's version of yama arashi taken from http://judo-mirambeau.fr/)

I found a somewhat contentious article that I thought about posting strictly for academic purposes only. I'm not really inclined to favor one art over the other since IMHO techniques, by themselves, are the last determinants for a successful outcome of a fight.

The subject centers on a technique that figured prominently during the days when Professor Jigoro Kano was trying to establish his new martial art (and later a combat sport) called judo which was based on the older jujitsu styles and traditions. This culminated in a match where the newer judo style was pitted against the other established schools of jujitsu and it seemed to have come out on top.

Inevitably there have been discussions and analyses as to how it managed to beat those older schools. One pervading thought coming from the jujitsu side was that Professor Kano engaged his top student at that time, Shiro Saigo who was a talented practitioner with a strong jujitsu background even before taking up Kano’s judo. His signature technique to dispatch his opponents was yama arashi ("mountain storm") was said to be so effective and efficiently used by him, it became his moniker. Unfortunately it was said to have been "lost" from the development of the martial curriculum of the later arts.

The book “Samurai Aikijutsu” by Toshishiro Obata which I happen to have, gives some historical perspective and information as to how this technique could have been executed. It is important to note though that certain techniques might have been named differently or had variations when executed depending on the particular style of jujitsu. Soke Obata’s reference was from the well-known Daito-Ryu school which was the prime source of another recently-evolved art, Aikido.

FWIW, the article below comes from the voice of a judo practitioner. However it does have very strong points to consider. The above animation is what judo recognizes as yama arashi, yet as the article shows (the technique from Soke Obata's book is featured and one from the Tenjin Myoshin Ryu style) jujitsu’s version is markedly different.

The article below -

http://www.bestjudo.com/article/1233/shiro-saigo-judos-secret-weapon

Baguazhang/Pa Kua Chang

Similar in principle to Aikido, this Chinese martial art is known for its circular energy and the redirection of force. It's technique flows continually transitioning, twisting, spiraling to bewilder and overwhelm the opponent. In the Jet Li film The One, the final battle between the "good" vs. "bad" versions of the lead character, the bida uses the snaking, circular attack of Bagua to throw and disrupt the attacks of the contra-bida.

It even has a reputation as a bodyguard art as well, since it was used by skilled practitioners who were hired to protect the nobility and the wealthy of China long ago. That certainly got my attention since when lives were on the line, this was the art that was relied upon (there were apparently other arts that were used as well though depending on who was employed).

The trade-off is that like Aikido and Tai Chi Chuan, the learning curve of these "internal arts" are steeper than the the more familiar and physically-oriented "external" arts (i.e. - Karate and Tae Kwon Do). Patience and dedication are indeed key virtues!

Given time and the opportunity to train under a competent instructor though, I would love to take it up.

The video below is an example of its practical applications -

UPDATE: New vid added, a short clip from an elderly master and his top students.

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The Three R’s of Training

Let’s begin with this revealing video from Matt Thornton of Straight Blast Gym in the US –

First off, I agree with the thrust of what he’s trying to demonstrate. For any serious student of martial arts, the concept of “aliveness” should be an integral part of one’s training program. You could probably train all your life and not really be getting to the meat-and-potatoes of the art/style/system that you're doing. It would be just be a series of empty physical movements devoid of its intended function; that of preparing you to defend yourself if and when that time comes. Otherwise, you might as well do something else like badminton or swimming.

That being said however, it’s HOW you introduce it in your training program that makes the difference. As I've mentioned before, HOW something is taught and learned can be far more relevant than WHAT is being taught. I've heard of horror stories of a martial arts instructor who had newbie students with very little training time spar outright. The results aren't surprising: serious injuries of unprepared and undeveloped students.

Any decent and knowledgeable instructor will know how to gradually introduce “aliveness” to those ready for it since it is as much the end result of one’s dedication and exposure as an attribute of the training program. Simply, it’s a matter of progression to those who can already give and take it.

Whether solo training or with a group, allow me to introduce these three elements of FSD training:

Regimented – That is, it should be structured or have some degree of formal set-up so as to produce tangible results in one’s performance. Your program should allow you to schedule it regularly, have a place or resources set-up for it, and have levels of progression. Be consistent, both in practice and effort. Your security and life deserve more effort than just a passing, half-hearted, hanky panky activity.

Resistance – Semantics aside, this is the core of what the video above tries to present. Adding resistance, which is the element of force and aggression keeps you on your toes and forces you to actually feel and adapt to what might potentially happen out there should you meet trouble. Is it a 100% assurance? No, but it would be better than nothing. The bad guys out there won’t be as polite or as friendly as your sparring or training partner.

Realism – Goes hand in hand with the above. Get acquainted with the environment and settings. The “comfort” and "ease" afforded by a nice, clean mat floor with you dressed in your gi uniform or exercise clothes won’t be the same as out there in the mean streets. The street itself is out to get you, will all its dirt, debris, structures and potential hazards. The more you mimic the conditions you may encounter outside with all its various daily scenarios, the better.

Be safe/Ingat!

Chen Taijiquan Compact Cannon Fist Form

Taijiquan (also known popularly as Tai Chi Chuan) is one of the most misunderstood martial arts. It is known more as a form of exercise for the elderly with its slow and silk-like movements as practiced by millions worldwide. Often, it is baffling for the untrained or uninformed as to its more martial roots.

Having been a student (Yang style) and learning from a talented group, I can tell you with confidence that its applications in how to efficiently move your body, whether in exercise or self-defense is valid, especially for your later years.

Here's a short Youtube link of a recognized master in the US of the Chen style, known to be the oldest and a source of the other major styles of taiji. It is known for its strong, low stances and the projecting of internal, penetrating force (fa jing in Chinese).