Alan Armstrong

TJ-Jitsu you are very right on all your comments on why slapping is allowed in jujitsu. Challenge matches that involve grapplers and stand up fighters usually favor those that can do body slams, choke holds and joint locks. Ironically many stand up styles use takedown techniques but are not practiced or emphasized enough or never at all. Perhaps this stand up shortfall is due to the uniforms that would not hold up to the wear and tear of grappling, as well as teaching choke holds to young children might upset the parents. Many times martial arts try to compare apples with oranges, for many it is about fighting and others it is traditions, health and spirituality, or a leisure pastime. If martial arts is viewed as a family, that are related to each other, then it is easy to forgive baby brothers or younger sisters for their naiveties; big brothers are always a very good thing to have around!

Thanks DWx for the link adjustments; they worked on my end...(A few of my past styles were also TKD and Tai Chi like yours are DWx. I agree with your comments that at a higher level contribution is more important than skill level. As GK Lee fell down after breaking the first boards, wasn't very smooth but hey they broke after all. I like how the board holders were very well protected just in case of a mistake or an accident due to flying splinters, with head gear and body armor. The Jackie Chan with a fan scenario was entertaining but Mmm, it was a laugh after all. For grapplers, the question is "Where was the resistance in the testing?"

Chief Master GK Lee 9th degree testing. How did you like the test?

Scoop of vanilla, scoop of chocolate, I get it know and the instructor is a knockout, thanks for sharing.

How to Twirl Your Escrima Stickhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18xz7LZnxPg Hope you find the video helpful.

Our insructor has annouced a lesson on improvisational weapons next thursday... I think it is going to br fun! Let us all know how your lesson went, I'm curious and so will everyone else here also.

Here are a few videos that might be worth looking at regarding hip flexors.The Ultimate Hip Stretch and Mobility drill Dangers of stretching the hip flexors DON'T DO IT If you like these I now of a few more worth looking at also. Let me know what you think of these?

If you are going to workout with the wife, then suggest investing in some extra insurance to protect the jewel's, such as a reinforced heavy duty groin cup protector. I would ask my wife to "please don't spar with me while wearing my steel toe capped work boots!"

Fighting at senior level is "Open water territory" As in things could turn out fine or could turn out bad. As a senior martial artists I don't have a need to prove anything to anyone; my glory days are gone. Wearing protective gear would be a bonus however, something I wish I was wearing a couple of years ago, when I upset a youth gang; Opppsss! Point being, fighting in the streets or in tournaments is for the youths of today; senior martial artists should know better; personally I haven't learned this lesson yet. "Live by the sword die by the sword"

Footwork was very important to Bruce Lee. As he was making money from his voyage from Hong Kong to the USA with dance lessons. I'm sure if the martial arts didn't work out for him, then look out Fred Astaire, Bruce Lee dance schools would be still buzzing with his insights till this day.

I'm a visual (Life long) artist. Art/visually works well in understanding two and three dimensional thinking. Geometry and perspective's knowledge, helps in understanding angles and distances relating to many aspects of fighting. Including transitions concerning Yin/Yang are easier and understandably gives visual artists a deep understanding of the finer points of contrasts and harmonies. Haven't linked my art websites here or any where, as not wanting to seem like a money making marketing plan. Prefer to separate my artwork from my martial art.

So with drunken boxer styles Western and Eastern, there is something to be said about the both of them, that they have in common, using unpredictable movements and broken rhythm. Practicing staggering footwork is supposedly a good exercise in learning to stay balanced. Balancing aloft posts and walking on the edge of planks isn't easy for most people this is why martial artists train on them. Drunks loose their balance very easily, due to the effectiveness of alcohol poisoning. It has often been said to attack the balance in a fight. As it is difficult to throw a punch while simultaneously falling down. Balance as we should be well aware of is situated in the ear. Conor McGregor (In the UFC) must be very aware of this, as his opponents are not (As they turn their head to avoid being hit in the chin) as they seem to believe he is trying to knock them out via the chin, not so; actually they by turning their head expose the ear perfectly! Conor aims for the ear and hits it full force with a punch then to proceed to punch the chin, continued with hammer fists pounding while the opponent is on the ground. In self defense situations or occasions a good solid slap to the ear will destroy an opponents balance also could be enough to knockout the person as the brain slams against the inside of the skull. Yes attack the balance, but also include the ears in this equation.

Warfare Combat System "DK Yoo Korean Systema" Body mechanics, more ways of using of applying natural movement all round will be helpful no matter your chosen style. Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne_IZeX4N0s

How fast could you be? As fast as DK Yoo perhaps? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne_IZeX4N0s

Another thing or two that can be done at home for conditioning for MT is shin tapping.Start of lightly tapping the shines with wood; worth looking in to. As the shins are used extensively to kick and defend with they need special care and attention to develop them accordingly. Body fat; is another aspect to look in to, as being lean is an advantage in MT. Body fat around internal organs and muscles both need to be managed with (In the kitchen) diet and exercise. Stretching combined with massage can be done in the home to improve flexibility; set specific goals for yourself, your goals will be reached but remember it takes time to achieve them and last but not least, don't never give-up improving or believing in yourself.

Good one sensei8! Never such truer words spoken than yours.

As much as I like katas, the lack of agility in the footwork Dept. does need to be questioned. My personal preference when sparring is to always have at least one foot pointing at the opponent and when letting loose, finishing off with hand combinations, both feet are pointing towards the opponent. My footwork pointing method, is a part my overall mind and intent posture, including knees, elbows, hands and forehead for head-butting with, all for one and one for all; pointing like missiles towards the target. If my weapon (a knee for instance) isn't being used offensively pointed then it is used as a defensive deflecting device, that can quickly change in to a weapon within the same movement, this can save time and is effective. Point being, my footwork is synchronized with all of my striking abilities. This is why in Muay Thai, legs are major targets, to cut down the opponent's mobility, which weakens all the other options connected with them.

Thank you sensei8 I like your perspective very much.Must admit, in the documentary, there were moments that where difficult for me to not cry. The children show alot of tenacity and courage for such a young age. While in many/all schools in the West weapons are not allowed, in this school however at playtime children (36.000 of them) are wielding a sword. What would happen in a Western school, if they would all be allowed to bring knives and swords to play with during recess? This is why the discipline and respect level needs to be set ultimately very high in this MA school. Perhaps martial artists in the west, children and adults for that matter would benefit from watching this documentary, for its motivating and appreciation (of the differences concerning hardships) qualities. The discipline and respect doesn't stop for these children, as when they go to work in a factory or join the military, for them, nothing much has changed.

A small investment with big results, using a pull-up-bar that sits on a door frame. Heavy ankle weights. Heavy duty Resistance bands. All can be used separately or in conjunction with each other.

Great job Nidan Melbourne! Keep up the good work!

As the girl in the documentary said; she wanted to eventually travel and see the world.Comparing East with Western standards is easy to do but as a girl in China being given away, any hope to have any chance of a life, an opportunity in a martial art school was it, for many of them. To see how poor the relatives are, they had nothing much to offer their children, but a slim piece of hope as a marital art champion, could open a doorway to success in later life. Poverty exists for many martial artists, just something not usually seen or talked about around the dinner table. Idk. There was a part in the film where she legit said she seriously thought about jumping off a building. I think it's probably somewhere in the middle. It may be better than what they're coming from, but I wouldn't call it good if the children want to commit suicide. The suicide rate for children in Japan (none martial artist) is very high due to the pressure of obtaining high grades.Intense continued stress of anything isn't healthy. These children in the documentary are primed for military use. Let us not forget that China was once ruled and occupied by the Japnese; they are not going to allow that to happen again so easily. The alternative for many of these children would be to get caught up in organized crime; punishment in Chinese prisions is very harsh. Some of the children were born in the factor where the mother was working, abortions are also performed there if the one child per couple rule is not adhered to; unless the mother to be is ethnic Chinese. Might consider, things are far to easy for western civilizations, we need to appreciate more on many levels and understand the importance of the little things such as having clean water for instance.

As the girl in the documentary said; she wanted to eventually travel and see the world.Comparing East with Western standards is easy to do but as a girl in China being given away, any hope to have any chance of a life, an opportunity in a martial art school was it, for many of them. To see how poor the relatives are, they had nothing much to offer their children, but a slim piece of hope as a marital art champion, could open a doorway to success in later life. Poverty exists for many martial artists, just something not usually seen or talked about around the dinner table.

It is all very text book stuff but for someone not knowing this technique it is a painful lesson to learn.Used it alot in TKD classes. Stepping a little to the side with the lead foot (flanking) striking with the same side punch and pivoting on the lead foot bringing the rear leg around, nicely targeting the opponent's right side of chin (then quickly if need be, mirroring the technique on the right side) now in a more dangerous position for the opponent and safer for oneself for many follow up strikes. Caperera uses it in their Jingas and it is used alot in Wing Chun for off line angle strikes also. It is an effective technique due to its efficiency to quickly get off line defensively and making a new line off attack at a moment's notice, combined with the element of surprise and with precision striking speed can end a fight quicker than it started.

There is no opponent? "And why is that?" Because he ran away! "Where did he run to?" He ran as far as I can see "How far can you see?" I see no further than what is needed! "Where is the opponent now?" There is no opponent and never was, if everything is as it should be and nature takes its course to decide all outcomes. "Then nature is your opponent?" Nature only decides how and when things die, we decide how to live and why!

Many police and security agencies use Tonfa in many countries. Maybe a modern version is acceptable by your sensei. After all, if you did need a Tofa for work related purposes, showing up with a wooden Tonfa would look a tad out of place. Makes sense to use a modern Tonfa version or does tradition rule over all? The traditional Tonfa was a farming tool whereas the contemporary Tonfa version is used as a highly functional offensive and defensive weapon.