[actordaddy]

Thanks Michael,
that is very clear – I like them.

[actordaddy]

Choci, I began Zazen 33 years ago and began systematic training in mindfulness 25 years ago. They have run alongside my martial arts and informed my attitude.

Webbeyes, if someone grabbed my shoulder then I would consider that an attack and act accordingly. I think that we should train to notice the intention to attack and this is a big part of what we should be doing in the Dojo.

Also I have noticed that often if there is too much competition training and not enough power training then the tendency to pull strikes gets trained in – which can have tragic consequences in the real situation. The safest option in any fight is to go for a clean knockout before you get to grappling range or into a square off. In the latter two instances there is more likelihood of injury to both parties.

[actordaddy]

Thanks for clarifying this Michael. I have been including everything up to now but will adapt from here on.

[actordaddy]

My background includes Wado Ryu Karate; which was heavily influenced by Jujitsu and Aikido. I also studied Aikido for 7 years. My work on the street has shown mw how different situations require a different response. Controlling an upset drunken friend is not going to go well if all you know is strikes to vital points. Punching is not much good when grappling on the floor. What I have found, though, is that the most important thing is to train in reading the behaviour of potential aggressors and trusting your instinct about if and when they will attack.
I think that often not enough attention is paid to this in the dojo.
I agree that society seems to be becoming less honourable than I remember it to have been.

[actordaddy]

That’s good news. I am enjoying the current program immensely and it would be good to keep on with it. It is interesting learning different versions of familiar Kata.
Heian Shodan is Pinan Nidan in the Wado Ryu system and they are very different both in detail and in feel.
I have found the style you teach has improved my Wado version of the Kata.
I am now doing a subtle hybrid version.
I am curious about the applications you teach for the various parts of the Kata – some are self evident in the Ippon Kumite section of course.

[actordaddy]

Thanks Jon,
this is a good description of the Shu Ha Ri training concept. I am just at the beginning of Ri. Incidentally do you have plans for a program beyond first Dan in the Shotokan program?

[actordaddy]

I was taught a Kiai system by one of my Aikido teachers which relates specific sounds to specific directions;
Ey! – straight forward e.g. punch
U! – inward e.g. pulling in whilst striking like at the beginning of Jon’s Heian Nidan – this would be a compound Kiai; UEy!
Ee! – downward e.g. when throwing or groin strikes.
Ah! – expanding outward e.g. knife hand/soto uke.
Oh! – upward e.g. rising block.
I have worked with theses for years and it is second nature now.
I don’t know if the matching of the sounds to the movement really makes a difference in terms of strength or wether it seems to now simply because of psychological association.
However, it might be interesting to experiment with different Kiai sounds and see if it seems to make a difference to the feel of your movement.

[actordaddy]

I recommend it too. Very refreshing and expansive of technique even after many years of Bo and Jo practice.

[actordaddy]

Hi, my bottom lines are;
1. Train every day.
2. Kata every day.
3. Train left and right even if you only demonstrate right for grading.
4. Test the effectiveness of strikes on a bag or hand held shield if training with a partner.
5. Stretch every day.
6. I also use Hojo Undo or ‘Martial arts based weight training’.
I use traditional tools like the Chishi but also Kettlebells, Clubbells and Dumbells.
I have found that this method of training in conjunction with Jon and Michael’s courses is highly enjoyable and productive oaf great improvement.
I have been moving and have had no Dojo for quite a few months and won’t until I set one up here.
I feel that far from loosing out on training time I have been taking time to work on neglected parts of my technique and to be a beginner again after more than 30 years of Martial Arts training.
I feel like an old Yamabushi!
I am sure I will come out of this a better teacher too.

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