Alan Armstrong

Ouch! Didn't see that one coming!

Learning takes the driving seat and in teaching I also learn from the experience. First and foremost I am a life time student of the martial arts. With it comes a lifetime of experience to share with those that are truly interested to know, what I know, they which for a better word I call them students, but in reality living and learning is on going, just some know more than others, that end up for lack of a better word are called teacher. Training daily keeps me in the present and in doing so, not having to be reliant upon my past accolades, as my abilities in the now are relevant for many reasons which are based on staying fit and healthy.

Whoah! thank you for these links I watched it and enjoyed somehow. I will look for full length of this movie. In hero, Donnie Yen and Jet Li fighting on their minds. I thought I would just see it on anime though Donnie Yen seems lost to Jet Li. What martial arts do Donnie Yen practice? It would be so nice if Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Donnie Yen in a movie vs Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee vs Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen, fight scene.https://youtu.be/irlXEj4MFcs Bruce Lee vs Donnie Yen UFC Bruce Lee vs Jackie Chan UFC Bruce Lee vs Jet Li UFC Bruce Lee vs Ip Man UFC All of this is for fun doing nothing to get seriously worked up about LOL

Wing Chun, one hand independent similar to a swiss army knife with multiple uses, without a helping hand. Also as two hands working independently, as the left side of the brain is working the right hand and the right side of the brain is working the left hand. Developing this type of coordination can with practice become very effective towards misleading the opponent with "deceptive hands" or what in Wing Chun is also called 3 hands, as this is how it will appear to the opponent. The point I am trying to make is that be it Wing Chun, Karate, or Silat, there is more to techniques than what is seen, that can be very useful indeed, if one wants to delve deeper in to there uses. So what might seem like a lot of odd kata, block and punch should be further investigated, as what seems like a block could be like the swiss army knife, with many applications than just one, contained in one hand movement or the intent has changed from a strike to a breaking technique of one kind or another, taken further movements could represent an idea or something seemingly unrelated or abstract. As a strike might be a pressure point strike and simultaneously be a block or a deflection and part of un-balancing and controlling the opponent. With this in mind a simple grabbing technique holds more to it that what it appears. Moving in a kata or not, is for the most part not just moving but positioning oneself to be at an advantage and silmutaniosly putting the opponent at a disadvantage, as moving for the sake of moving, then just as well, one might stay put! "Empty hand" Martial arts movements are intended towards looking harmless, pretty or something similar to exercises, don't be fooled as to how much self defence potential they contain. Yes learn the form in days like reading a short story off by heart, then spend decades perfecting and discovering the volumes of information contained within. Try and imagine that a kata is similar to a machine for a moment, with lots of cogs and gears made of metal, and someone puts their neck tie in to it, well the machines will pull it in, and everything else available till finally coming out on the other side damaged and rearranged. Yes there is a direct route LastKing: Called "The road to destruction" The kata machine doesn't discriminate against being fed a neck tie or a punch/kick or anything else for that matter, as it is intended for crushing, breaking, tearing, pulverising, ripping, squeezing, ramming, dislocating... Old school vs New school, a reflection of reality. https://youtu.be/6e5HOyKQB0E

Really interesting, thanks Thank you RW.Isometrics works perfectly with the ABC principle "Always Be Conditioning"

Solo training from a senior perspective needs to be tweaked as too much of one thing seems to be neglecting another. Therefore my solo training will never be the same from one week to another, being creative and innovative seems to keep me motivated, being open minded, finding other martial art styles and systems fascinating works also. As my solo training starting a new week will be based on a theme, dividing my time on dry land/gym and dojo and water/swimming pool and water spa. As doing kicks and techniques/katas, stretching in water gives a whole new perspective to training methods usually done on dry surfaces/land. With my usual 7 hrs a day, divided in to 2 training sessions, it will be interesting for me personally to see how if any improvements are made by training wet and dry on a daily basis.

Sorry Melau: I am in my 60's that has to take it easy on the younger guys and not the other way around.As it should be. Be the inspiration for the younger generation! Having a good understanding of distance for seniors than the younger maist, to my mind, is a big contributing factor as to how the older generation keeps them young ones confidently under control. As being older means not as strong and not as fast as the younger person, therefore under estimated oldies are considerably at a disadvantage through the eyes of the young. Perhaps neglecting to realise that seniors being kicked around the block on more than one occasion has definitely helped to toughen a person over the years. As senior maists are not living in a comfort zone on the contrary this is what keeps them going and staying youthful by continuing with being able to use their experience against those that have not fully developed theirs as yet confidently. As a senior will use strategies and strategic stepping to be in an advantage position whilst the younger inexperienced opponent just moves around not knowing what is going to happen next. Aa a senior maist has taken all of the guess work out and has replaced it with time tested experience, something which can help younger maists to become more successful than they could ever do by going it alone.

Wing Chun, it is called helping hand, to illustrate the point to students, I ask them to untie their shoe laces and try to tie them up again using one hand; this soon gets the point across towards understanding the benefits of cooperative and coordinated hand movements. Hikite, pulling hand on the hip represents, for me that it is ready for anything where as for some it can become forgotten and therefore lazy. Moving off line from the line of fire from the opponent, parring/block and striking is good practice, progressing with a foot sweep, joint lock or throw, finishing with another strike, only adds to the richness of being effective with movements. Suggest throughout the kata to exaggerate the movements, this will make them look and feel more defined, as well as adding power to all of the techniques. Also in regards to movement habits in the kata, is to practice as if the Dantian is a glass of water (as not to spill anything) as this will make the techniques look and feel balanced and maintain the equilibrium (centre of balance) needed throughout the form.

Donnie Yen vs Jet Li Movie Fight scenes: Hero https://youtu.be/INKPXZbaZaA Once upon a time in China

Isometric exercise for martial artists is something to keep in mind, especially for creating strength in techniques. This is part of training to win methodology.

Attacking and or controlling the opponent's balance while simultaneously maintaining one's own. Sinking one's own body is called "song" and sensing the opponent's "ting" tension" are both worth investigating and practicing for any martial artist, which can be found in Tai Chi Chuan. Song/releasing is similar to when a young child refuses to be held and relaxes, which can be very difficult for the parent to hold on to. Ting/tension, is sensing the opponent's tension and if possible to increase it in them, making for a more tenser opponent, in doing so makes for a less effective combatant, by using set up actions, feints and misleading movement or strikes usually works best. Further tips about training for this close combat fighting include using a type of "propreoceptive training" wobble board which can help with increasing one's e owns balance. Grabbing pulling and jerking the opponent and palm pushing is very effective setbups, for making striking and locking techniques work. Pushing and pulling a boat with the tide, is a term used in describing how to understand and unbalance your opponent, as depending which way they're leaning towards is your best option to propel them, also if your enemy is falling down a water well, then give him a rock. Many martial art disciplines practice joint locking flow techniques and drills for gaining the upper hand for positions against opponent's, therefore becoming an effective maists, it would be wise to familiarise oneself with some of the basics of these effective methods of controlling the opponent effectively. As this topic is about becoming an effective maist in the trapping range, then practicing and understanding trapping principles would be helpful and encouraged to be better informed on how useful it can work for you. This topic is about becoming more aware, active and confident in the "close combat" trapping and clinching range, by using combinations of techniques, movements, concepts and principles that will improve your maist skills in an area that is not often discussed or practiced, due to the difficulty of systemizing its effectiveness as a style. As there is the 1. Kicking/ foot range, 2. Punching/ hand range, 3. Trapping/clinching range. 4. Wrestling/grappling range, with many combat sports the trapping and clinching range is where the referee, ironically breaks up the fight! Longer version

"Versatile martial arts"might be the best description for this topic and how to train or practice it this way. Pre set drills can be helpful but also a hinderance as it can create a habit of not following through with a technique. Knowing this aspect, mind set must be correct when practicing and when for real; otherwise the patty cake effect if not careful in both training and for real would both lead to ineffectiveness all round. Another concept beside doing a continuous cycling drill is called "walking the bridge" this idea is practiced by attacking the nearest target usually the hand and continually attacking further forward in to the opponent along the arm eventually targeting the face or body, using the opponent's arms like a railway line and yourself is the train, driving through destroying anything in its way. There is a natural body flow of moving without hesitation from one move to another, when efficiency and the right speed work together, as there is no fast or slow, but only appropriate response to hitting the target. In training with an opponent-student and if the situation becomes unrealistic, I switch to pressure and penetration of their defence and realistically control and seize them confidently without hesitation or delay. Hopefully the opponent feels the essence of the idea and I give the other person the chance to do likewise to me, usually my responses after, is to tell them to be more forceful and more controlling, and yes I do get cuts and bruises from it due to practicing on concrete, as I always allow them to be more harder on me, than I with them; seems only fair, plus it instills confidence towards becoming effective maists in the process and hopefully in the future, if the need arises. Patty cake vs Wing Chun. Patty cake drill for martial artists, try not to laugh!

Values differ depending upon one person's appreciation than another. I like the party cake analogy, using a resistant partner in practice soon discourages people from playing a second time, this is why the partner is compliant for learning and safety purposes.Imho!!

With a little further information about this aspect of combat, it might seem apparently clear that this is a very important part of self defence and also in becoming more of an all round fighter. We as martial artists can devide up combat and sell them in neat little packages with labels that seem prestigious and important, but reality doesn't care on the contrary it can work against us if not careful. Combining systems and not dividing is preferable for this purpose of practicing self preservation and protection. For example. Practising in a way that is utilising everything you know against another person in the same way, is not perfect by all means, however it is on the right road to self discovery and of knowing others also. While practicing with this training method, suggest pointing out weakness to each other that could have been exploited or pointing out a more effective move than what was just used, also missed opportunities are important, for example to strike should be noted and improved upon, usually these factors are overlooked due to not using the closer weapon to the target. Controlling the opponent using pulling and pushing disruptive grabbing, to upset the opponent's balance simultaneously with strikes, limb destruction and or joint locking techniques, is often very difficult to defend against and is very effective, using knee pads is recommended as these motions done quickly, can bring a person crashing down on to their knees very hard, without much warning behind them. This is a very useful method of practicing self defence scenarios starting from any angle or point and testing oneself on responses to them, as in what would you do in one situation or another. Practing at half speed or quarter speed is good enough for beginners, as this is a way to think and move creating muscle memory and also becoming more aware and accustomed to the mechanics of movements used. No two practice sessions can be repeated neither should they be, as on the spot creative problem solving is the way towards getting good at dealing with the unexpected opponents attacks and of course yours will develop with time and practice before long. Here is something as close as I can find towards understanding this concept. Any questions?

Training solo is mostly conditioning based, that perhaps is not so solo as like to involve some trees from time to time. (None ma conditioning, swim, sprint and row for cardio endurance purposes) Includes some type of way of improving myself, to be stronger to give and take blows. To be as flexible as possible to be able to kick and move unexpectedly. Practising as my types of punches as possible to be able to strike from many angles if need be. Elbows and knees practiced to make use of them in close range combinations with striking and takedowns. With this in mind using bags and focus mits are too one dimensional for my liking as hitting should also include getting hit, therefore I reserve using them to a minimum most of the time. I train grabbing sand bags for Chin Na techniques, that are also effective for grabbing opponent's, skin, muscles and tendons or whichever else grabs my fancy, such as the throat, fingers, ears... I train to win which includes conditioning my martial art movements to be as fast, strong, accurate and effective as possible, any way possible, usually with weights, pullies or resistance bands, just to name a few. Here is a martial artist who is on the same track as myself, sure train seriously hard but have some fun with it also, gotta have a belly laugh now and then, as it is just as helpful to stay loose and playful along the way. https://youtu.be/wWJmkxJ4PJM

It seems to me, that to ask the question, of if it is possible to gain flexibility at 47 is more of a question of gaining confidence towards becoming more flexible than is it really possible to. Those that stretch regularly with little gains aren't likely to keep trying as with all things there are better ways of doing things correctly. The subject of stretching and flexibility can be subjective as opinions differ from one person's perspective to another. My opinion of is it possible to become more flexible at 47 is a big yes. Becoming more flexible for martial artists is different than for those that do yoga, dance, gymnastics and contortionists, as we aim to strike moving objects with power and speed, therefore our intentions aren't the same as everyone else, this is something to keep in mind. By focusing on stretching for martial art betterment alone without mixing it with none kicking disciplines, you will gain more of what you need towards becoming an effective kicker, as this is the real reason to gain flexibility, is it not? Recommended video for you.

Being versatile and spontaneous in using many techniques, unrehearsed effectively against an opponent, is in my mind to be something very useful indeed for any and all martial artists. As with Chin Na practice, every technique has a counter movement which creates a good sense and feeling for the idea to adapt and change, using counterattack joint control flow. With a wider scope than solely using locking techniques, by adding effective strikes and takedowns, the concept of close range combination while in motion, becomes with practice an increasingly effective and powerful approach to have and use. This refinemen of combat in the clinch or trapping range does take time to put theories in to practice, that includes all types of martial art movements based on, simply, if it works use it. My personal approach to convey this idea is similar to a game with some simple guide lines to use, such as: 1.) use the closer weapon to the target, which could all be possible within one movement of the same arm, such as fist, elbow, shoulder combination. 2.) don't wind up your strikes, be direct and to the point without telegraphing your intent in an instant. 3.) treat the entire body of the opponent as possible targets, as well as all of your own body as possible weapon. 4.) direct your opponent in to dead space with the intent to control the situation, using leverage, off balancing movement and gravity. 5.) when doing any type of technique, follow up immediately with another and another in a natural flow and manner, continually without hesitation. 6.) all offensive movements, should be made with confidence, conviction and resolve directly at the opponent, while simultaneously considering one's own defence. 7.) using feints, misleading hand movements and any other type of misinformation techniques should be kept to a minimum as directness and effectiveness could be compromised. 8.) be ahead of your opponent's reactions with your directness and quickness by processing information faster than it is possible to counter. 9.) use anything that is advantageous to gain the advantage, such as the clothing or hair of the opponent. 10.) pressure points, skin grabbing, throat, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, are all valid areas to attack including the groin area. While practicing, there needs to be an understanding that this is cooperative based, instead of competitive, as each person is being attacked and countering for the purpose of learning the skills, so that they will eventually become second nature to each individual. There is no set pattern for practing, only use the opponent's weakness to your advantage is the key to success.

I train to win!

Martial arts is more interesting when older, as in it becomes more multidimensional. If need to turn the heat up, being very aggressive it is possible or just to be deflecting and defending with good humour for the experienced, it is also possible. Yet the younger ones just seem to have an on and off switch with their tempers, that haven't managed to control their own thermostat dials; bless'em!

Wing Chun concepts and principles are intended for training the nervous system to react instinctively and not in building up an arsenal of techniques. Sensitivity training is a part of developing the nervous system to recognize movements, pressure and energy, practiced in Chi sau, between two partners. Alone this can be practed using a ball, about half the size of a soccer ball, squeezed lightly between the forearms making half circle movements and for the outside a rattan ring is usually used separately for developing the outside. Developing the sensitivity of inner and out forearms can be achieved by using the ball for the inner connection and a tube of material used simultaneously for the outer connection, which can be made very easily, by using a worn out gym pant leg cut to size. With practice, using the ball and tube material rolling the hands simultaneously, will develop the awareness of the inner and outer layers of both arms. Also while rolling or practicing the Poon Sau motion, it is possible to switch intent from inner to out, just by thought, as practicing to react instinctively and as quickly as possible within a thought. As developing this sense of touch and speed is important for developing quick reactions, useful in attacking and defending strategies. Another aspect of Wing Chun is towards developing the awareness and similarities between feet with hands, ankles with wrists, knees with elbows, also hips with shoulders. As with a bong sau (wing hand/arm) there is also a bong gerk (wing foot/leg) and so on, therefore it is possible to do the first form of Wing Chun "Sil Lum Tao" only this time using the feet while laying on one's back, as it is a form without stepping stances, it is possible to perform it this way. In doing so developing more awareness of both the upper and lower body. As a slap block or parrying with the hand can be used the same way with the foot and so on for the other hand techniques. This is also true for when using elbows that can be performed with corresponding knees. Similar to using a knife hand strike that can be matched with a knife edged kick, or a hammer fist with an axe kick, also an upper palm strike can be paired with an upward heel kick and so on...

Sorry Melau: I am in my 60's that has to take it easy on the younger guys and not the other way around.

To the inexperienced holding a hammer everything looks like a nail. Yet to those that are experienced hammer users want things in it that the novice will not notice, such as balance, strength and endurance just to name a few qualities that hammers and martial arts share. If all App look like a plastic toy hammers, then practicing with them will surely be a waste of time for martial artists that are truly looking for quality instruction. I use Apps with different intentions other than with just martial arts such as with languages and art. My intent in starting this post was not towards persuading others to use Apps but to hopefully, that those that do use them, to recommend those Apps, that have been proven, tried and tested to be something useful to martial artists in general.

One might consider or contemplate the difference between chronological age and biological age as they are very different. To stop doing what once did when younger, is in many cases not due to getting older but stopping to do them on a regular basis and therefore losing that what once could do. Nothing wrong or sinful in getting older, not playing and staying youthful in the process is. I personally dislike seeing stereotypes of retired couples dancing slowly on a cruise ship, looking like they are enjoying themselves in their later years but why not having these same couples kicking boxing each other instead. I have known retired couples that skydive together, also as my grandmother was cliff diving while at retirement age, point being, that older isn't a reasonable answer to stop doing anything if still in good enough shape and health to do it.

I share your curiosity and enthusiasm for similarities and differences in same MA systems. My interest is mostly in Wing Chun where some do away with kicking while others have many forms, while others just a practice a few, some with others without weapons. For me I get a better understanding of Wing Chun by understanding the wider picture of associations out there. This for me is always interesting and surprising to learn about new ways of doing Wing Chun from masters from very different countries that have migrated and continued to develope independently from their ancestors. Where some adopt the animal crane and snake concept, where others draw from roof top and narrow alleyways way of fighting, while there are those that practice with the similarities of geometry and coastal navigation, close combat fighting while on boats. Of course there are harsh realities of life stories that has popularised Wing Chun in today's pop culture and having been developed by a woman monk does make it interesting to see how it can work in practice, for people of all ages and different genders. Of course Bruce Lee has had a part to play in this story, he being another contributing factor that has made Wing Chun so interesting for many people.

If wondering if I have broken in two this far, the answer is no. My flexibility using machines and weights has been improving considerably. In the way that my warm up time to hit full extensions are becoming shorter. With the use of weights for gaining flexibility is causing a lot of surprised faces due to the effectiveness of training this way, not that it really matters but it is a type of encouragement. While others in the gym that are also trying to gain flexibility without the use of weights seem to me to be stuck in their efforts. Had overall a variety of reactions to using weights such as those telling me that this it what they should be doing, a personal trainer told me that she is going to steal my ideas and another asked if doing flexibility exercises this way causes cramps. So at this point, the use of weights for gaining flexibility is still on the rise. Still recommend weights, as not only becoming more flexible but also stronger as well.