Alan Armstrong

Well said Spartacus Maximus, this explains me to a T, without the biography.

Myomoto Musashi documentary, depicting the story of his life. As for me he is an inspirational figure from martial art history; still relevant today. I hope you find the time to watch this depiction of Miyamoto and draw knowledge, wisdom and skill from his journey as a warrior. https://youtu.be/oi4GB7XEcVg As for understanding Japanese martial arts, without Miyamoto in the mix, would be like always eating Japanese food without ever tasting soya sauce.

"Huen" literally means "To roll something up inside something" Starting from the Tai Chi Chuan form/kata, for example, it is used in self defence from a wrist grab. Namely "picking up a needle from the bottom of the sea" as illustrated from this video link. Advancing to Aikido it is called "Nikyo" wrist control, a variation there of. Therefore Huen Sao is also about wrist control against the opponent to get the upper hand or position and also involves counter joint locking techniques, not just wrist exercises and navigating the hand from one position to another. Combined with striking, Karate basic lock flow As we have advanced with the lock flow idea standing up, now on the ground. https://youtu.be/eSzbyJZDqEU Principles that are done standing should also be considered when on the ground. Huen and the rolling principle, how clearer can it get other than with jujitsu? I do like to say that Wing Chun is profound and deep, here is something of an understatement right here regarding the Huen Sao. As all of the movements in the Sil lum Tao; kata/form "The little idea" are seeds to something that will grow with time patience, practice and most importantly, with a little imagination and understanding. Wing Chun locks perspective. Wing Chun, Huen Sao two man drill. Wing Chun, chanel your Huen Sao Wing Chun, sensitivity, touch, sticking, slipping, speed, pressure, also striking with the Huen Sao. Wing Chun, single, double and triple Huen Sao/s and the importance of changing. Huen Sao from Master Wong, use it high use it low, or any way you want. Figure eight Huen Sao two man drill. How to bridge with Huen Sao in Wing Chun. https://youtu.be/lmNh0DiuuUs Huen Sao swimming from Wing Chun, used in standing grappling; which also illustrates Wing Chun techniques commonly used in MMA. https://youtu.be/ZOkmEskejww Using the Huen Sao to change gates and strike/hit. https://youtu.be/WSDoQqU2fD0 Bruce Lee JKD Huen Sao two man sensitivity drill. https://youtu.be/k83_0d3cHjs Wing Chun small Huen Sao platform two man drill. https://youtu.be/2Y0JNdz2GFU Small circle Huen Sao is a very important ingredient in Vietnam Wing Chun training, which is taken to the extreme there! https://youtu.be/G7U17Nbkm-s

There are governing principles that those that practice Wing Chun agree on, no matter what lineage or background they belong to. However these principles when in combat competitions, become hopelessly lost due to not practising "long range" Wing Chun. Where in long range Wing Chun, stances need to be wider and lower, head bobbin n' weavin need to be utilised for evasive manovers. Above all the use of fluidity and not to freeze frame Wing Chun postures as in the reality of combat there are none. Wing Chun traditional clothing needs to change when in the modern arenas, as it is counterproductive for the wearer and is advantageous for everyone else. As for wearing gloves, Wing Chun practitioners are not geared towards being power strikers, as practing hitting with bear hands, as they lean more towards speed and acculmative hitting and not at full potential, as it is different for many other systems; therefore the wearing of gloves diminishes the effectiveness of Wing Chun strikes even further.

Bruce Lee Height: 170 cm · 5'7". Weight: 60 kg · 132 lbs.

You are absolutely right bushido_man96 regarding your statement; however which weight training programs, for martial artists would you advise instead of what Bruce Lee was doing? As Bruce Lee is my main inspiration for martial arts, starting sadly in the same year he died, then I must admit being bias towards accepting most of his principles, philosophy including training.

Reference points is a huge topic for martial artists to understand fully, it needs to be broken down for simple comprehension in to different types, that will improve the ideas in a practical way. Everything we do well will need references of one kind or another. Plotting a course of one kind or another needs reference points. Mapping needs reference points, the human body could be the landscape. A kata is a prearranged plan of movements that is mapped out with reference points to guide us.

Recently gave a pop test of perserverance to a student, as the weather was not looking very cooperative, therefore, it was appropriate for some indoor martial art theory and principles in Starbucks. He past the test, while talking for almost three hours none stop, he was cornered, all he could really do was listen and persever. LOL He put up a good fight in trying to stay alert and interested, as not all lessons are physical. At times it is refreshing to train outside in the rain and wind, being one with nature, which was not appropriate for this student, not yet, give it time!

Most effective karate move, is the one that is appropriate for the situation.

Having trouble understanding your question Nidan Melbourne, can you explain what you mean with an example?Reference points are important: Secret power of reference points Silat reference points Structure through reference points What's a reference point? Reference points knife defence Reference points knife drill Reference points defence offence Reference points offence options

Head bands/sweat bands work, using them and constantly changing them is important for hygiene reasons. Stinging in the eyes could be due to sweat salt and grim mix, getting in to the eyes, this is why the soft wet towel idea works, could help also to start with and end your workout with a shower.

In Wado Ryu and japanese kenjutsu this jarring stop and start of movements is an aspect of itsuki. Itsuki is rendering yourself immobile. Wado shares many principles with koryu jujutsu and kenjutsu where an opening for your sword wielding opponent is often catastrophic. To be proficient at empty hand combat also study the way of the sword.Could just as well be, "The way of the machete" just doesn't sound as good. LOL In public I use the way of a broom handle, so as not to get shot by the local swat team. Big LOL

Why learn martial arts?

I was doing some parkour a few years back, as a senior. Ended up twisting my ankle, a youngster advised me that it was due to wearing the wrong training shoes. As for me personally, training shoes seem to be something similar, Wrong!!! So my advice for the senior parkours out there, get the right gear on feet first, as knowing from first hand experienced and advised by one of the latest parkour expert's. Gotta luv it when the shoe is on the other foot, as a senior getting a life lesson from a youngster.

Most effective karate move? All of them! Only to remember one principle. When moving, for instance, defensively and then offensively, ebb and flow them together in to one unified motion; as in not to treat them as two or more separate things. This synchronicity of combining motions, flowing together seamlessly, will make for the most effective karate move. The apparent stopping and starting of techniques breaks the energy connection, however continuing with the momentum makes for a build up of energy that can facilitate more power and speed for the end result. "The pauses you make during a technique, is what the opponent uses against you"

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles" "If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat" "If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle" - Sun Tzu

Suggest if possible, to have a soft warm damp towel nearby, to sink your face into.As this is not only refreshing it is also hygienic.

Incorporating another type of weight, using a 12 kilo kettle bell, towards improving the middle straddle split. Start the routine slowly, with the idea that this is also a limbering up warm up. Pt1) While in a narrow horse stance squatting as low as possible while holding it (kettle bell) in front of me (with my forearms resting on top of my quads) this is done for counter balance, which helps to squat lower. Pt 2) Also while bent forward, pulling the kettle bell towards my chest, stretching the hamstrings, this part is geared towards warming up muscles and creating some tension, as the initial part is to relax. Pt 3) While standing leaning forward with my backside against a wal for balance, with legs in a wide arched horse stance, with elbows pressing against knees, this is done in an isometric tension way, gaining strength, stability and flexibility all in one. Pt 4) Final part, going for the stretch, slowly sinking lower inch by inch, releasing tention bit by bit, holding on to the kettle bell sitting in front, for balance, but at the last moment, it is just using the palms of the hands for balance. Repeating Pt 1) to Pt 4) for about 10 tries or till satisfied with your achievement. I mark the wall behind me at different stages, to see the progress from past attempts at going lower in a straddle middle split. As this method of stretching only requires a wall and a kettle bell or a weight of some kind, a rock or brick could also be used. Patience and repetition is the key, if you have never done the full straddle split, give yourself a year to get there. You are unlocking your hips, stretching muscles, lubricating joints, this takes time. You are also training your subconscious to be accustomed to being pulled apart, without causing oneself harm, that will eventually allow you to relax in a split. As progress is slow and hardly noticeable for much of the time, repetitive stretching, consciously and eventually unconsciously makes perfect sense, in all directions when possible. Different martial art systems have their own unique characteristics of stretching and becoming loose and flexible, that also include massage; from karate, TKD, Muay Thai, Aikido, Tai Chi... Investigating how other martial art systems than your own, gain flexibility might be of interest to you, as some are more relaxed based, whereas others are completely different from the next.

Reference points, how much emphasis do you put on them? Abilities and knowledge in martial arts are usually marked by belt levels, these are reference points. Reference points in martial arts doesn't stop at belt levels, but in everything we do, as what is a low standard of quality for one is high for another, as it has been often said "Not all black belts are created equal" Levels of difficulty need to be something useful in the reference points game, as this leads to progress. The CI could also be a reference point or a role model. As a martial artist, having a lifelong interest in self improvement towards helping others, is an admirable point of reference to work towards "What seems like an intensive class for one is not for another" which exemplifies the theory of relativity; which could utilise the idea of the stronger helping the weaker in many ways, not only physically. The human body is full of reference points, as in points of contact to strike, also using other parts as weapons. Manipulating techniques, on an opponent, in martial arts need reference points, using leverage, to be able to make throws and sweeps happen with ease. Gaining strength, flexibility, speed and endurance, need to be plotted in such a way to become improved, without reference points we would never know precisely. Skill levels and proficiency, knowledge and understanding, all are important factors for improving, starting from scratch as a reference point. Not everything is additive, such as reducing stress, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, body fat/ weight, things to maintain at the proper reference point level. Looking at reference points as a principle, it has many advantages for martial artists in training and performance, how are you using them to your advantage?

If I faced a grappler and could only throw a punch or kick, then I would kick myself for not using my Superman punch first.

I here what you are saying and I like the little nuggets idea. Silat has many little nuggets but when smelting them together with Wing Chun, the student unknowingly absorb it naturally without knowing the differences between them. Which makes me question if Wing Chun is a descendent of Silat; as Silat is considered to be the oldest martial art in the world! Silat is also principle based as is Wing Chun, they harmonize perfectly with each other, whilst watching Silat at times, that looks on the surface as being Wing Chun. I can honestly say that, if I am good at Wing Chun, then it is due to incorporating Silat principles. There are those that blend Kali, Wing Chun, JKD Muay Thai and so on, I find this to be an open minded approach, nothing wrong with it, for those that have the capacity and ability to understand what they are all about; there is a danger however to be a Jack of all trades and master of none, if not careful.

Of course body balance is a fad, but if it keeps the blood circulating and the heart ticking, till the next latest trend arrives, it will definitely do for now.

Healthy people live longer than fit people, therefore you are living on the right side of the fence. Fitness mean nothing without health. Being a skilful healthy martial artist has a very good ring to it.

Part of the Preparation for tournament, which goes without saying, yet needs to be said is "Know the rules of the tournament" Tournament rules, surprisingly very much over looked, yet this is a very important ingredient that can be helpful towards winning. Knowing the rules will help with the mental preparation, as it will help to focus on what is useful for scoring opportunities and what judges are looking for, it will also help towards gaining confidence in knowing exactly what to do and more importantly not to do. As it is a well known fact, that knowing the rules in any sport can make the difference between winning and losing, by two equally matched players. That the one that is better acquainted with the rules is at an advantage over those who that don't know them confidently or unclear of what they contain.

WWBLD? What would Bruce Lee do? After all Bruce Lee was a pioneer for his time, using weights for martial art purposes and betterment. Speed lifting and isometric weight training are things I incorporate most when conditioning oneself with ma movements for increasing strength and speed.