Alan Armstrong

Remember hearing a news report from France. That the teenagers were afraid to go out at night due to the adults. How ironic the way things change.

The human body is very good at creating wedge shapes; such as from the wrist, bent elbow to shoulder, also ankle bent knee and hip. The hand and foot can become easily wedge shapes. Stances and footwork can flow from one wedge stance to another, likewise the arms also can work together or separately as wedges. As the wedge shape is primarily a triangle, the human body can adapt to this very easily with multiple amounts of wedge shapes simultaneously; aslo while in motion. From the waist down or from the waist up, both ends of the body can work together or separately making wedge shapes for defensive and attacking purposes. The human body creates triangular shapes, making structures more stable, that can hold objects easier, that gives us more strength; all in all many aspects, creating structural integrity. Wedges implies; holding presence, squeezing in to, pushing towards, crushing through, compressing pressure, persistent stress, forcing influence... Wedges also have splitting and leverage advantages. This is why Japanese houses can be constructed without nails and only use wedging principles; as the wedge idea can be expanded far beyond than just for fighting purposes.

We often have the discussion of size differences between opponents and this sets off an endless amount of debates that lead nowhere. Please let me try to explain. A door and a door stopper. Doors are big and doorstops are small. Doorstops work against doors due to their wedge shape. The wedge shape doorstop is pressing against the door and the ground. If the floor is wet or slippery, the doorstep has difficultly holding the door from moving (let's say on a windy day) due to the lack of friction or traction of the ground. The idea of the MA Wedge principles is to use them to defeat opponents no matter how big or strong they are. Remember the door is big and the doorstop is small. Remember Bruce Lee's words of "Be water..." so as to adapt your shape, one shape that applies is the different possibilities of human wedges. The door shuts quickly then suddenly you put your foot in-between the door and door frame, your foot becomes a wedge. Another way of looking at this idea. There is the opponent, the flooor and you, three things. Using yourself and the floor, outnumbers the opponent 2 to 1. Wedges need movement, as we are the wedge we need to move in-between the opponent and the ground; could also be a wall. Our little doorstop works well against the big door but hasn't any limbs, but people do. As a human doorstop, we want to jam up the opponent's movements completely, while simultaneously being able to move freely, controlling the fight. A stick thrown in to the front wheel of a bicycle while in motion, is the best metaphor here. Forward momentum, with Jamming/wedging techniques needs movement/pressure (Insertion, penetration and friction) to make them work correctly, your neutralizing wedge principles, instantly slows down the opponent's intents, for you to capitalize upone. The brow of a ship that cuts through ice, is another example of the ploughing in effect, this time the wedge shape is now vertical instead of the doorstop being horizontal. Judo throws are accomplished by using the wedge idea, ground plus Judoka vs opponent. Muay Thai in clinches (locking and controlling) ground plus insertion of the knee traveling in a upwards momentum, while pulling the opponent's neck downwards, using gravity and leverage. TKD breaking boards, momentum using the ground, using both legs one down in to the ground while the other outward hitting the target, an expanding wedge principle. A Karate punch is also part of the wedge principle; how effective would it be, if let's say tried while treading water? This is just a primer on the martial art wedge principles; yes there is more...alot more

Sensei8 you have an incredible amount of knowledge and understanding on the subject of martial arts; you are most definitely, worth your weight in gold. You weight issues have given you empathy for others... The same for me on the opposite end, I was nicknamed "Legweak" as a kid, due to my last name being Armstrong and of course for being a very skinny kid. People with a great physique, might be hiding behind their muscles due to their lack of intelligence. No matter how you look at it, none of us are perfect and never will be, because we know that perfection is just an illusion. We are bombarded with impossible images of perfect looking people, as an artist, I know that advertising is based on selling products through peoples insecurities; it's a multibillion dollar industry. To sell products, you the consumer need to compare yourself with an illusion of perfection. Then sell you products to make you believe you are becoming more attractive or appealing or successful if you use them. Body makup is a way nature helps mammals survive in the wilderness with fat to stay warm, this is reality and not illusionary paid advertising hype. As a skinny kid growing up, I hated the cold weather months, at times I thought I would die from hypothermia and have suffered occasionally from frost bite. We are all different, nature gave us many ways to battle and survive, making intelligent choices is one of them, tall, small, fat or skinny, no matter what you look like, making healthy choices improves your chances for survival over those that throw their choices to the wind.

Sounds as if your Afib has been a blessing in disguise, weighing in at 350 lbs in 2016. Loosing about 70 Ibs so far is an incredible achievement for 2017; you must be doing something right.

Many people have weight issues. We all eventually, if we live long enough will however have health issues. These health issues, hopefully, will convince us to be steering our motivations in the right directions. I've know many athletic fit people, die due to misadventures, perhaps I learned from them on what not to do. Was told today, that my nephew died of a drug overdose, how sad, what a waste for the sake of getting high. As martial artists let's all get high on life and living healthier. We all have our crosses to bear, God willing they become lighter every day, especially for you sensei8, my thoughts are with you.

The martial art wedge principles, have you heard about them? Many martial art techniques, no matter the discipline, need the wedge principle to make them work effectively. Learning and using the wedge principles, will elevate any martial artist's skills considerably. Actually teaching wedge principles to none martial artists could benefit them against martial artists that don't practice them. How do you use martial art wedge principles? Or perhaps they have not been taught to you and perhaps they never will. If I was a deviant martial art master, centuries ago, my wedge secrets would never be passed down to my students, as if they knew about them as well as I do, and one decided to challenge me, he would be fighting me at a great disadvantage, just because of not knowing the martial art wedge principles.

There was a serious martial art style developed by martial art experts. It failed to catch on for one reason alone, due to its name. DEFENDO

Watching the McGregor vs Mayweather fight, reminded me of this topic about using the right tools. McGregor run out of energy to win the fight, couldn't defend himself near the end, as his tools were to heavy to use. My perspective on tools hasn't been the same as everyone else here. My fault as explaining something sometimes isn't easy. At the end of the fight, Mayweather still had plenty of energy to use his tools. Mayweather beat McGregor by using his energy wisely. Whereas McGregor used up his energy too early in the game. In Horse racing they use this strategy also, to pace themselves in the beginning and let loose nearer the final stretch. Tools don't work without energy to move them, perhaps it is the same idea as guns don't kill people, people do.

Had a little reunion just lately, a friend there was a runner, so we were sharing a few athletic stories. He was telling me about a running coach from Jamaica and his personality regarding coaching. As he would tell all his runners "You are too fat man, eat less and train harder" that's all he ever told them, nothing more and nothing less. Now I'm training like a Jamaican athlete, eating less and training harder. Reminded me of self defense 101; A punch to the nose and a kick to the groin. Sometimes the simplistic approaches work the best.

Every generation is the "me me generation." Each generation has its idiosyncrasies, and each generation has its positive traits. Just because they're different, doesn't mean they're less than the others. I'm in total agreement with you singularity6.

I'm wondering if you have ever tried D-toxing and fasting techniques. There are also liquid diets that can help to remove excess weight and at the same time to stay healthy.

The "me me generation" are the self centered narcissists in society, that over value themselves and their abilities, expecting to be treated as if being famous or special but in reality are just very conceited people. "MA lux" is just a made up name, to describe very shallow fighting priciples in Martial Arts, that do it for luxury things or just for the attention of being noticed; winning or losing isn't important for them but being on TV is.

MA Lux for the me me generation. Watching some late night MMA the other night and there, she a fighter, is on national TV thrilled to bits blowing kisses to the audience in and of site of the building. First thought, you gonna get hurt. Yes she lost; without too much thought. If she had been focused more on fighting than posing she could have had a chance of winning. Point being it was a fighting contest and not a popularity contest. Even after the fight she was all smiles and just happy to be there; not knowing any better, it looked like she was the winner. I hope her trainers told her a few words to the wise. Look mum I'm on TV, getting knockout out!!! Are you in to or a part of this generation?

We always have a choice but more often than not realize that there are others out there. Here are five, that learning them isn't going to hurt to understand. Thanks for all your comments sensei8.

In Zen there is no divisions, that is why Karate adopted it. Nature knows no divisions but mankind needs to divide everything for the sake of knowledge to dissect it and not for harmony but for profit, ownership and power. We understand Zen but the people in this world divide it, to understand it, but more often than not forget to reunite it. How silly us humans are, that we cannot appreciate more with less? With 100 toppings for popcorn, then what does popcorn taste like, of course your favorite flavor. Martial arts should have no flavor, only the taste of victory should be your reward.

Here are examples of Bruce Lee's 5 ways of attack. Five very worthwhile lessons. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oTO6abQFs14

Categorizing must have been a way to survive as what is edible and what is poisonous With martial arts in what is sports or fun and what is serious and dangerous, also what is fantasy and entertaining, lets not forget the health and longevity onea as well. Retro/traditional martial arts and contemporary/mma differences for today, what is considered contemporary today will change its category tomorrow as retro. As karate it its day was cutting edge technology; including Samuri, let's not forget this or pass this epic moment so easily and label it as old school.

Training for batlle for all of one's life, why? Training to protect onself and those I care for, is a worthwhile cause. I'm training to protect my life from health diseases, that just happens to include people. Eating right, having a sense of humor, punching 12 times a second, sprinting, stretching, dropping bad eating habits for better ones, I'm fighting for my life for the long run not for profit or sport, or ego. I'm training for the shear joy of moving and feeling healthy, I don't smash my limbs against solid objects anymore. A good enough day training for me, is if I surpass my last training session, could be doing something faster or with more power, kicking more accurately, more flexible, these are all physical things, it's just as important to satisfy my intellectual needs as well. One aspect of my intellectual training is being a part of this forum, with some verbal Judo or perhaps dealing with a little intellectual pier pressure at times. Another aspect of my intellectual traing is to watch and study about 100 or more MA and health related videos on a weekly basis. I meditate also about seemingly unrelated topic to martial arts, just lately, things such as worms and there pliability and how fabric and muscles fibers stretch and contract. Contemplating on moving my body in different ways with coordination, trying them out while training, being creative and inventive. Training in many of the old ways, many new ways, all ways, keeping on moving and pushing the limits for health and happiness, spiritually, intellectually, physically and emotionally, keeping in harmony within oneself and with nature.

There should be no problem passing your next testing. Because you studied and practiced diligently, day after day without fail, no matter the amout of time spent, with only blood, sweat and tears as your companion; overcoming every obstacle that stood in your way, training like a champion, eating pain for breakfast and exhaustion for lunch, fully prepared in every way, to take the test to rise to the next level by pure willpower and determination alone if need be, because of training religiously! If you don't recognize doing any of this, then prey religiously; good luck, because you will probably need it.

Here are a few principles regarding weapons:"Be behind the weapon and never in front of it" "Always keep your weapon pointing at the opponent" Guns fire bullets, they don't slash, stab and the rest of it, therefore they're more predictable in that respect as they are made and designed to kill. Reality dictates which actions and options to use when being attacked with or without weapons. Principles are incredibly important, as training to save your life depends on knowing them, instinctively. I'm not interested in talking rubbish about self defence techniques from guns. Martial artists can easily forget that guns can fire deadly projectiles from a safe distance, that no martial art technique can stop. If a person points a gun at another person but hesitates or doesn't have the intent to shoot, then of course a disarm technique will work. However if a gun is at 0 distance from the target/person then very much depending on the situation, a slim chance might be available to defend against it; the safety latch is on, the gun isn't loaded or the intent to shoot has been delayed. Being held up by gunpoint, that might not be a gun at all, it might be a knife, no matter, it's time to seize the moment. Evasive tactics from; guns, knifes, sticks or stones, should all be understood and practiced, by martial artists, that claim to have self defense knowledge. This is one of those subjects, that the more you know, the more you understand that there is alot more to know.

A few hard roundhouse kicks to the knee is a good starter, but needs to be quickly followed up with some heavy body and head shots ASAP. As many don't know how to defend against a low roundhouse kick to the knee, it is a great way to disrupt the opponent, but by no means is it a show stopper, unless that person has knee issues. If the first low roundhouse kick to the knee seems successful, then let loose another and another... it's a tree chopping technique... or opponent in this case.

Great advice!!!

Congrats!!!