On many occasions I have seen two practitioners set up for a kata, or drill, one is Uke (uke dashi) one is Tori ( shi achi.) Uke begins his attack and tori defends, or launches his counter-attack and it turns out that uke was not close enough and the kata “falls short.” The look on tori’s face is usually one of annoyance at uke’s failure to ‘”get close enough.” I’ve even seen situations where tori Read more…
In older texts the teachers write of Shu – Ha – Ri. which means ’embracing the kata.’ Further explained the idea is that the student first is concerned with learning the moves of a kata; Shu. At the stage of Shu the student looks at the individual moves, what they mean and how they work and flow. This part is where the practitioner must actually think step by step about what comes next, where to Read more…
How do you choose the martial art, and martial art school that’s right for you? If you don’t live near a major city, you may not have many choices, but if you do there are probably dozens of different schools within driving distance. The one that meets your needs may be very different from the one your neighbors or friends might pick. Do you want to learn punching and kicking? Grappling? Throwing? Weapons? A mixture Read more…
When should you use your martial arts training in an altercation? This is a serious consideration and deserves some deep thought. First, I would say that if your life, or the life of those you are responsible for, is threatened, then there is no thought, only training! But, before that happens it is a good idea to find out what the law is in your community. These laws vary considerably from ‘stand your ground,’ to Read more…
Many years ago Bruce Lee wrote that you should take what is useful and disregard the rest. People have taken that to menan that you should go from one art, or class, to another and another and so on, picking up a technique here and a form there. I have, from time to time met individuals who had a white belt in so many arts they thought they were a black belt… If you haven’t Read more…
The root of the Martial Arts tree is grappling. Learning to be comfortable on the ground and have a clear knowledge of, at least, the basics of the art are essential. If an attacker closes on you and takes you to the ground, and it is unfamiliar territory for you, you are going to be in serious trouble. When I have a new student I will have them learn what a kesa gatame is, and then Read more…
There is always talk about what will work in terms of technique when you are in an actual confrontation. Are you techniques going to be too complicated. Will they require to much precision and fine motor skills? What will you remember? I have heard trainers say that you will only be able to operate at about 80% effectiveness when you are under pressure. I say you will be as good as your training! We use Read more…
Welcome to the River of Life dojo blog. This week I’d like to discuss a drill that James Williams Sensei just added to the ‘on line dojo,’ which you can find at www.vimeo.com. The drill entails simply standing side by side with your practice partner and resting your left hand on their right shoulder. You count off left right left, right and so on so that you are both stepping together. As you both place Read more…
The other day a new student remarked that he was unsure about a part of a kata because he didn’t think someone would use the attack that was implied. It wasn’t the first time I have heard a thought like that, so; I think it would be prudent to discuss just what a kata is, isn’t and why they are used. A kata is not a fight! A kata is a series of moves to Read more…
Between my office and garage I have 24 notebooks that I have filled, over the years, with information regarding different martial arts. I have filled them because I have taken notes. Every once in a while a will have a student ask me how it’s possible to remember so many techniques, kata, exercises, names of different things and so on. For me, the answer is; I can’t. So I take notes. I take notes and Read more…