Alan Armstrong

Not easy to always keep the balance, while life happens around you, so switching to the flow can help keep the momentum going for a while, giving time to re-balance and making improvements, for when the time is right again. Sometimes regaining the balance takes longer than we want; sometimes we don't have a choice in the matter; sometimes it is better to do what is right, things change; you can depend on it, balance like everything else takes practice to get good at it; better to look after it than to keep trying to regain it.

The gymnastics rings for upper body strength by Ido Portal.

It's apparent, that the "Martial Art Wedge Principles" are a viable option for all methods of combat with or without weapons. The wedge; what more can be said about this remarkable shape, but to make it available whenever you want or need it. Yes, I've attached many links to this subject and there are many more out there; remember there are numerous ways to attack and defend with wedges, also just as important, is to learn how to defend against them if you can A good place to look on how to defend against wedge principles is understanding "Triangle Theory"

The Wedge Stance; Russian style https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AfIjJ9g5ml4 The Wedge Stance Two; Russian Style Punch defence and the wedge https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Shbej_tQH8U Combat Physics The Wedge Wedge Punching https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5gaHhVFghQY Core Motion Concepts "The Wedge"

None of these question are related to my current life style; semi retired. I can happily spend up to 2 to 6 hours a day training; anything over 36 hours a week is over training, anything under 10 hours a week is undertraining. The older a person is more time should be devoted to being physically active spread out over time and less intense the opposite for the younger crowd, being more intense with activities with less time needed to practice them IMHO

Movement, have you given it enough thought lately? Ido Portal -Just Move New Documentary Film https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qJDz7qHBGQg Are you moved by this film?

Maybe this looks familiar to you. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-MZ01Rba7HQ

The word "Intent" needs to be used more often in martial arts. Learning martial arts with the intent for self defence. ... intent for sport... intent for combat...intent for fitness...intent for art and recreation... If the CI is teaching MA for sport, then having live combat experience isn't necessary. But if a CI is teaching live combat and only has a sports background then the students will suffer the consequences. I've learned knife attacking and defence techniques, from a historical and reference perspective, not for live military use but just for the understanding of what it feels like, but to not actually do it for real. The CI explained that, even though what he was teaching is reality based, it isn't even close to the real thing, as those that do use knives for real in the military, are far more skilled than himself. It is too easy to sell virtual for reality or sports fighting for street self defense, when they might look similar, better to know their limitations beforehand; something your CI should explain the difference to you, otherwise it will be a learning experience the hard way. Be clear to teach what you know and know what you teach, without misrepresentation.

While having conversational English with none native speakers, one useful role playing subject is job interviews. As these students are in their mid twenties, ambitious and educated, being fluid in a second language, is very important for them, to have an edge over other candidates, looking to fulfill the same job role. While being job interviewed, I allow them to talk about themselves, also why they would be a good candidate for the job. As the job interview continues, they realize that they are not very good at being interviewed; as they start to fully realize that they are more interested in what they can get, than what they can offer. Eventually after about six tries, in to the interview, they catch on to the "Me Me" image they are portraying, or hiding behind. I like it when the student opens up and starts talking realistically, instead of narcissistically. Restarting the interviews, allowing them another chance to do better, pointing out where there could be improvements, is very helpful for them. As being fluent in English, also needs to be fluent in being oneself and not trying to tell the interviewer things, that one might think they want to hear.

Here are some appetizers for becoming better acquainted with "The Wedge Principles" Are they helpful to you or not? Self Defence "The Wedge Technique" The basic wedge shape Pavel Tsatsouline's Martial Power Vol 6 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2D5Tf-t1hMc Karate wedge throw options Emin Boztepe seminar Wing Tsun Wedge and Mindset

Due to marketing and networking abilities and not having real fighting skills or abilities there are many martial art organizations that sell virtual martial arts to the unsuspecting public, as they think what they are buying in to is real. This is why the trophies for loosing and certificates awarded, just for showing up is a real concern. With virtual taught black belts teaching others the same vitual nonsense, makes a joke of martial arts in general, which is also putting students in very real danger. This again is due to helping students to pass grades that they have never learned and earned adequately, as it doesn't matter how you get there, as long as you have the cash to get it, it's your attitude. I talked to a guy that is certified in a few martial art styles that he paid for through the mail, as he justifies it as, good for marketing.

Before marrying my wife, when dating, she told me that a guy at work kept touching her butt. I told her to tell this butt head, and she did "If you touch my butt, my boyfriend is going to touch your's" He stopped and that was that.

Could be asked, what is to be learned by all these simultaneous connections? Personally I'm getting older, considered to becoming more stiff, weaker and prone to diseases, yet as I practice with flexibility, healthy eating and strength exercises, on the contrary, I'm becoming more flexible, youthful and healthier instead.

Thanks Kusotare you are very right.Perhaps multitasking would be an acceptable modern equivalent. While attempting to land an airplane as it touches down might be a better visual description, as it is moving forward, leaning to the left and right and also sinking/landing, touching down, all at the same time.

The more that these wedge principles are understood the more your body will react accordingly. Knowing many martial art movements, techniques including bunki, will still make a person a martial artist but wouldn't it be nice, to be also able to use the many hidden principles behind them, making them even more effective, than they already are? The way I view a principle is something that contains many hidden truths. Principles can also improve a martial art student's abilities too rapidly, which can be just as harmful as knowing none at all. Principles in martial arts, can easily be forgotten due to pursuing short term results, training an army or a fighting force (rebels) on short notice, is usually the reason why. From a hand to hand combat standpoint, principles are the important ingredients that are consciously and unconsciously improving the quality of the martial artist.

Wedging and clamping also locking, all are intended to restrict something from moving (especially related to doors) or to stop and prevent something from continuing. We want to be free and in control, as the "Lock Smith" or the "Car Wheel Clamper" or Houdini the magician, always difficult to restrain or pin down. "The Wedge Principles" have always been there, all I'm doing here, is highlighting them, to be more aware of them, to see the importance of them, to become more efficient when using them... and just as importantly to defend against them... Yes there is more, alot more to be said on this topic...

Quoting Bushido_Man96: "Doors have two options available to them: be open or be closed. Interestingly enough, this wedge of yours can be used to facilitate both: wedge the door open, or jam it closed. Another thing I noticed in your analogy is that the wedge does its best work by not moving. However, we as Martial Artists need to be able to move in order to do our best work." Responding to the bold type: Wedging principles can be used separately in combat, while moving and not moving or together; such as jamming the opponent's kick or stance with your leg or jamming up both of the opponent's arms with one of yours and striking with the other. On the ground wedging works its wonders, pinning/wedged the opponent's arm with your knee, pinning/wedged the other arm with yours, everything is clear for take off, nothing to stop you (to start pounding) but the referee; if there is one; this just one scenario of many. Your wedging techniques can keep doors open (making/creating opportunities for you) just as much closing off the opponent's options. Inserting a doorstop under a door, still needs a certain amount of practice, as simple as it seems but the concept is the same. Many people first practice their dance moves with a swinging door before finding a live partner; once again, because many of the same principles apply.

Very good points to consider JazzKicker; thanks for sharing.

Thanks guys for going along with me on this topic. It's just that "The Wedge Principles" are far too important to not be discussed openly, as it pertains to all disciplines of martial arts and beyond, including love and war and everything in-between. Just look at Princess Di and Prince Charles, the wedge of a woman that came between them and the havoc and turmoil it caused, not just in the UK but also all over the world. The movie "300" As King Leonidas led the wolf back towards a pathway that narrowed, then the Wolf pounced and was wedged between the rocks. "Caught between a rock and a hard place" Also the the Spartans meeting the Persians at the "Hot Gates" for battle, better there than anywhere else, because numbers there (In that narrowing space) mean nothing! "Caught between the edge of a cliff and a sword" Spartan battle formations also in a wedge formation, working together as a strong and effective unified unit. "United we stand devided we fall" For martial art purposes, as we all usually stand alone in a fight, we can all benefit from some insightful wedge tactics to give us a winning edge, not just tactically but also in all martial art techniques... better still, applying the laws of physics and causes and effects... in and for combative purposes...

Yes, good observation bushido_man96!Muay Thai is very much a boxgrappling sport, more than any other; they are also more experienced, efficient and effective with it than any one else.

It seems as if, this is an uncomfortable topic for many martial artists to discuss. But not to be too concerned, I'm not giving up on this topic too quickly; not for at least 12 Rounds. The Wedge Principles works in reverse also; by catching it in its tracks, therefore it is twice as useful; for example. Had a very short friendly bout with a very high TKD maist. As he had a great kicking advantage over me, I strategically, continually trapped/wedged his front foot by stepping on it, preventing him from kicking me; even when he pulled his foot away, my foot was continually clamping it. Boxers subtlety use this same trapping/catching/clamping wedges in boxing also; happens so quickly that it is hardly noticable. For the skeptics out there, the military use martial art wedge principles in their training... to be continued

When fighting or sparring, what type are you, a hunter for targets or a trapper to control? Or perhaps you are a part hunter and trapper or smash and grab?

Everyone is over training and undertraining, due to not finding that middle ground balance 100% of the time. Martial art priorities will change and evolve differently for each of us depending on goals and needs also age and health circumstances. Finding and keeping in that middle training ground to keep growing, is good enough for a hobbyist like me.

This topic "boxgrappling" reminds me of the recent McGregor vs Mayweather fight. Where Conor was holding then hitting, which is illegal in boxing, whereas Floyd was hitting then holding, which is legal. Perhaps these two fighters are on to something here, with the main idea being "Boxgrappling" and everything else would be illegal.

I know why some movements are intended to be practiced slowly. I don't expect to be agreed with, due to it being something energy based and not tool based. Energies vs tools isn't easy to understand from the karate mind set perspective. Martial art energies are a psychological blind spot for many hard style, exterior minded individuals. Calling the slow parts of a kata as grappling, or throws or dynamic tension is missing the point, the esoteric point. Just for a moment not judging it but better to understand the significance first, without guessing it or making up theories. If I seem difficult or impossible right know explaining the significance, please have some patience with me. Now for the explanation. The slow parts of the kata is energy based. It is very very very profound. By practicing certain movements slowly, it is also practicing multiple energy forces, such as forward, downward and outward or inward movement in one slow motion. In this way a punch forward with the fist can also be a deflection with the outside of the forarm and a block with the elbow. The same idea can be practiced with a leg, as the front of the foot is a kick and a deflection with the outside of the thigh and a sweep, all within one movement. A way to understand this idea more clearly, is to think of a cat walking and leaning against a wall with its body on the right and rubbing its head on the left on a chair; three points of contact simultaneously, as the ground is also a point of contact. The question would be, how would a person know if it is being done correctly in a kata and there is a way to know. When done correctly the arm for this instance, while moving slowly, will vibrate. As the person performing the kata, is focusing on three energy directions simultaneously, this will vibrate the arm, which is where the mistake, of thinking it is a dynamic tension excerise comes from.