Alan Armstrong

Very good points Spartacus! Breaking away from wrists holds is very easy and effect to do. A good place to start from giving confidence to the student. Building a foundation with self-defense techniques is beneficial for everyone! Physically and physiologically. As a young teen I was caught in a difficult situation. I told the man that had me cornered that " The man over there is my dad, so I've got to go now OK!" Should have seen how quick he ran away. Of course the man I pointed out wasn't my dad, but he didn't know that. I've been shot, stabbed and beaten. So I'm all for self defence. People first need to know their abilities and build upon them. Class room (dojo) self defence, is different than what happens on the street. But it needs to be practiced somewhere safe in the beginning. Learning how to shake one's entire body (aggressively) to break away or to add momentum to self defence techniques is very useful to learn and practice. I highly recommend this tip to all of those that teach self defence to others.

Another way I get a feel for fulcrums other than link, chain connecting and twisting, is in the playground. Seesaws. The swings. Roundabouts. All have axis's and fulcrums. Around the home: Door hinges; door and window handles. Bottle openers, can openers, water facets, knobs and dials. Electric fans, Martial art theory and body mechanics is all around us. Many garden tools use fulcrum ideas (for cutting and leverage) to make us stronger than we really are.

The World has opened up. Martial art knowledge is open to everyone nowadays. This was not so in the past. Secret ways of doing martial arts could save one's life and preserve one's way of life. Look at the 'Long bow' it was a secret weapon at one time because it could pierce armor. Same with the Samurai sword, that could cut through almost anything. The stirrup for the French horsemen. In our day stealth technology and spy satellites... Style and doctrine were more valuable than gold in the past, they were survival tools. They protected emperors and kings; villages and countries. Today we have more efficient ways of killing each other. That doesn't need a person to practice riding a horse standing up and to fire an arrow with a bow in to another moving target. Now days we do martial arts mostly as a hobby or a pass time. Our survival is not dependant on learning martial art skills anymore.

It was my right not to bow to a ma teacher outside of the dojo, he told me that I was wrong not to bow to him. I told him that I was not wearing a GI. He told me that I should bow to him inside or outside of a dojo, wearing a Gi or not. I disagreed with him. Our relationship went down hill from there on.

Shaolin monks have their head banged in to a sand bag for hours at a time, to harden their skull. It is supposed to make the skull four times harder. In London UK, people that specialize in delivering head-butts to others are called 'Nutter's' the same name given to crazy people. Nutters are usually good at heading a soccer ball. In Africa, young males dive off high towers with their ankles tied to a rope and they bang their forhead on to the ground.

Math or physiques is not my thing. My understanding of things is more visual or sculptural. Manual manipulation or body feel works better for me personally. Having gotten past all that. My take on using fulcrum techniques is like viewing the human body like links in a chain. They are all linked together at junctions. Just like they are at each joint of the human body. The Chinese use this "link" method of understanding joint manipulation also. Each finger has three links, they are attached to a larger link, that being the hand/wrist. That is attached to a long link that is attached to the elbow. Which is attached to another longer link, that being the shoulder. Mapping and connecting the entire body using different sizes and shapes of links. I make drawings of these connections on paper and connecting links using washers, keychains and chains. As the head represents the largest washer with two smaller connecting washers below, representing the neck. Amazingly by twisting the head it only turns as far as the human head cam turn. Having a working model (nothing elaborate) helps me get a better feel for the body mechanics involved. Realizing the limitations that this (chain link) representational perspective holds, it works well in theory and in practice for me. Each twist of the chain effects the next chain and so on. Just the same way joints and muscle limitations have on each other also.

Learned this from my father. He would joke with my friends that he could kill them with one finger. Those that didn't believe him... he would do this. I have used the "index finger up the nostril technique". Pinning one of them to the the wall while he was seated then he ended up on his tip toes. It worked very well while his buddy looked on with disbelief. I asked him "the buddy" if he would like some of this too, he just looked away. They were both tripping girls up on there way to the ladies toilets, in a bar. I wasn't working in the bar. I was just dating one of the girls they tripped up.

As traveling abroad is commonly done today, no matter where you are from. Mindfulness and thoughtfulness are two other words that should accompany awareness. I hear it all the time from friends and family, losing passports. Mobiles getting lost or stolen. Forgetting luggage on the train. Seems as if we can be our worst enemy at times. Falling victim to our own lack of awareness more often than to what others may do to us. Let's say you have awerness, what next? Self defence? The saying goes 'If you are looking for trouble you will usually find it' Same holds true the other way also. Avoiding trouble is just using common sense. Some locations contain more potential risks and problems than others. Locations that people use alcohol or drugs mixed with immaturity spells trouble. Beyond all that and dealing with the self defense aspects of being physically attacked. It is getting past the freezing up to conflict, to naturally react that is quicker than stopping and thinking. As martial artists it is our ability to react and move in an instant as opposed to just standing there in a daze feeling the full brunt of incoming force. With my experience with people in the (physical) self-defense aspects, I am always amazed at one thing. Even with having 100% awareness. The one thing people do wrong is that they don't move out of the way of things. On the high-street a heavy set girl was carrying a large heavy package. She just walked through anyone or anything in her way. Knocking people over or just bumping them to the side. People were just not getting out of her way quick or fast enough. She barged through every one and anything. No one knew what hit them till it was too late. (The too late syndrome strikes again) No matter what it is heading straight towards you, get out of it's way. Dodge it! Side step it! Duck it! Be it a puch, knife, stick or a speeding car; move out of it's way. This has to be the #1 principle of self defence for potentially being physically attacked or harmed. Forget about having the right of way or being first, being a lady and expecting priority. Avoid contact, avoid danger. As martial artists this moving out of the way of incoming objects is or should be second nature to us. The general public doesn't usually train to have this mindset; they have (lumbering awareness). I practice (consciously) moving out of the way of people and shopping carts, any and all obstacles, in crowded shopping centers or streets. This is having or developing kinetic awareness as opposed to just settling for static awareness. Awareness should be accompanied with movement, other wise what good is it!

Be yourself because everyone is taken. I don't teach a style or follow a doctrine. The individual is more important than the style and the doctrines for me are limitations and not goals. If you want to eat in the same fast food restaurant twice a week; good for you. While wearing a uniform that makes you feel special; go right ahead. There are those however that take a different path or like your founders, create new paths... some without stopping to name it or to carve a doctrine in to stone.

I enjoy all of the different aspects and facets of martial arts. I know everywhere I go my martial arts will be there also; for the rest of my life. Two hours training passes by too quickly, just getting warmed up. Also enjoy it when my techniques fall exactly in to place, almost with in an instant. I don't like losing but it does make me smarter to rethink my techniques to improve upon them. I enjoy reading the expressions on peoples faces, when a technique they have never seen before happens before their eyes; priceless! Very positive reading about every one else's enthusiasm for martial arts. Great post!

While planing life happens. Much of martial arts has it's theory sides or wisdom aspects. Folklores and traditions, all very interesting. Ma is not just 100% physical training. Working and training is very much a balancing act. When not able to spend the time for training, reflect! Some studying on how muscles and bones operates (body mechanics) is interesting also. Much about martial arts is about quality not quantity. Doing a technique 1000 times the wrong way will do you no good at all. Doing a technique a few times perfectly is what you should be aiming for; takes less of your valuable time also. All the best on your training

Growing up in a concrete jungle (inner city) one soon finds out about how important respect is. Oriental martial art societys of the past seem no different. Oriental Martial art knowledge in the past, was usually passed to those that have respect, because it isn't natural to want to share with a person that doesn't give it (some mutual respect) Martial arts was only taught to none family students that have respect and patience. Now days, money can override this virtuous way. Now in Dojos and the like, respect is taught when in the past respect was already there. Now martial art teachers today have become a type of teacher of respect, when in the past this was not needed. Bowing and nodding, touching gloves before and after sparring was the normal Dojo etiquette. Respect on the street is far more complicated than bowing and nodding; it is an attitude that continually needs adjusting depending where you are. As there is office etiquette there is also street etiquette. Street etiquette isn't learned in the suburbs; it is learned on the street with what is called (Solid Respect) Suburban's that need self defense usually learn a type ma combate and learn about respect and concrete junglers become street fighters learning from the school of hard knocks boxing club. Both eventually learn how to fight and may obtain a belt ranking, but the respect differences are miles apart. Boxing is all about heart and respect. Martial artsist still need to catch up with the boxers in this respect. The main issue I aiming for, is that I never needed to learn respect from a Sensei in a dojo. My street respect was far more profound than what was taught in a dojo and I didn't need to pay a Sensei for something I new very well. As growing up, respect is earned and not demanded it was an issue for me with one of my instructors of martial arts. I was fine with the dojo etiquette but to be bowing in the street; No Way! Also to call him Sensei while in the street. This is fake suburbia respect, for me it was totally unreal. If my Sensei was Japanese or the same scenario had taken place in Japan, I'm fine with it. Also having a Chinese martial art teacher, I called him Sifu all the time everywhere and bow to him everywhere, normal right! Imgine for a moment (wearing street clothing) depending on the color of your skin and you start bowing to another person in public, could have it's consequences and it could be mistaken by onlookers as something other than respect. With my instructors/teachers that were street wise, there was never an issue with respect. In the street it was a greeting with a, light knuckle tap, a genuine mutual smile and a shaking of hands.

How important are the fulcrums in your martial art style? Where are they located? Will your fulcrum knowledge always help you defeat stronger opponent? Have you found limitations when applying your fulcrum techniques or are there no limitations? As fulcrums are a Greek mathematical concept and most martial art styles are oriental in nature, how do you cross reference the differences or similarities? Personally I don't use the Greek methods consciously. I use the oriental way; do you know about this other way?

If the person you are teaching self defense, (man or woman) doesn't have the right attitude or aptitude, it doesn't matter what technique you show or practice with them. They need to tap in to their own self preservation or the protective part of their nature first. A woman will run in to a burning building to save a child. This is the self sacrificing aspect I'm trying to convey.

Self defence is not difficult to learn. It just takes a teacher willing to teach a student self defense principles that work in the every day world. How to physically and mentally react to threatening situations. How to recognize the danger signs. How to move out of harms way and in to an advantageous position. How to disarm an attacker without getting hurt doing it. Martial arts combined with self defense needs an urgent overhaul. Martial arts and self defense is about knowing how to move one's body correctly as not to get hurt. Everything else is tuition fees.

Self defence starts with awareness. If you are being looked at beyond just being looked at. Your movements are being mirrored. You are flashing something that could be of value to someone else, such as a camera or jewelry. Beware! Being aware or having awareness at all times is like having your radar switched on when out at sea. It will a least give you a chance or some time to react if a situation occurs. Parties, clubs and pubs are places that need your extra attention. These are the most (statistically) more dangerous places to be harmed or robbed, by others than anywhere else. Shopping is another activity that needs your awareness. Vacation spots are full of desperate people looking for unaware holiday makers. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people, spells trouble. Time to get out. If you are targeted for robbery for instance and you are aware of it, chances are you will not be robbed. Because you can visually identifie them. If you are aware that you are being followed, then walk in to a shop and tell a member of staff what you think is happening. It is the none aware people that fall victim to crimes first. Be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of your belongings Be aware of your safety

I agree head-butting has it's dangers. Yes fists work also. Just pointing out that head-butting is an option generally overlooked by martial artists. Probably would not use this technique if the person is smaller and more muscular than me. Reason being that the angle and height is not to my advantage and his neck being stronger than mine could also be a factor. I'm not hard up for techniques to use on the contrary, I'm spoilt for choice. As self defence is my specialty. I try to avoid as much as possible not to fight people that are uglier or smaller than me. As this hasn't happened yet, still the bigger better looking types beware! Head-butting is not for everyone. I don't palm strike the nose or head-butt to the temple. Both are far too dangerous, in my opinion. Killing or causing grievous bodily harm is not my intent in any situation. Ending or disarming and de-escalating a potential dangerous situation quickly is. What I like about head-butts are that they end a situation very quickly in my favor. Leave a lasting impression. Difficult for the recipient to continue the confrontation. As I allow the other person to walk away without more injuries, there is a sense of relief on their part and a (hopefully) closure on mine. Keep in mind that I didn't start the incident; they did! Some people carry a knife around to scare any potential attacker. Then end up using the knife because the situation escalates. My head-butt advantage, because it is an advantage, allows me not to have the need to carry a concealed weapon. My weapon is already pointing at my adversary and they never see it coming till it's too late! You cannot stop what you cannot see.

Yes the, the forehead connecting with another person's nose. Actually my dad was from Glasgow. I have seen him head-butt a very big man in the chest while he was being bear hugged. I was eleven at the time. Using the head works in many close range situation. Like a haircut, front, back and sides. They can be used if attacked from behind or even when ground fighting. Head-butts can be utilized in many situations. They are highly underated, which is a good thing because all the more of a surprise for the recipient. It is possible to head-butt two people or even three people sequentially if you have the knack for it. The twist and butt technique that sets you up for another butt. Multiple head-butts to the same person are possible but the second one will not work as good as the first because their head usally falls forward or backward. Then you are going head to head which defeats the purpose.

A Scotch Kiss is a head-butt. Some forty-five years ago I discoverd the head-butt. I practiced using it on a frying pan hanging from a piece of string. Being bullied in my younger pre-teens and fighting in the streets was just the way it was growing up. As I was smaller than most of my piers, my forehead lined up perfectly with my opponents noses. Being close enough to head-butt was beneficial because it was difficult for my opponents to punch me. As their reach was further/longer/better than mine, I would get punched out regularly. The Scotch Kiss changed all that. No more getting punched out, in fact, I could end a fight very quickly. Giving my opponents an instant bloody nose and two black eyes later, it was the perfect self-defense weapon. No one ever retaliated later or ever wanted a re-match.

Shiatsu is beneficial for Aikido because of the prevention of spine injuries. Doing safety rolls is also an aspect that needs consideration. Shiatsu has a wider scope of benefits than just massages. Joint exercises done solo are essential for all martial artists. To have the skill to do Shiatsu for others is a bonus for the simple reason to know how to manipulate manually other people's joints.

I've always looked up to Bruce Lee. He keeps me grounded as a martial artist. I do however deviate from his ideologies as it is normal for each of us to find our own way. Shannon Lee is great. She also has a gift like her father. I have read about her other opinions and she definitely knows how to stretch another person's intellect.

Space "Negative or Positive" is always important when sparring or fighting. Here are a few idioms and one liners about (hopefully) using it to one's advantage. Add some of your own favorites! Creating space. In the opponents space. Closing the gap. Cutting off the ring. Creating an opening. Expanding when opponent contracts. Contract when opponent expands. Sinking and floating. Bobing and weaving. Sticking and folding. Direct and circular. Standing one's ground. Keeping one's distance. Cutting the ring in half. Attack the blind side. Tire'm out.

Yoga and Belly dance movements for the abdomen are similar for men and women. It is the hip control of the belly dancer that women do that men can't do very well, because women need the extra hip structure to grow and carry a baby inside them and give birth as men do not. This is why women have the hour glass shape and men do not. Women martial artists find it easier to stack their hips than men do, for kicking. Women are more flexible than men in general also. This is due to slender muscles due to not carring heavy weights. The up side is that, us martial art men are more flexible than the general population of men because we work on hip rotations more than other sports. Male dancers on the other hand win the prize for flexibility. The reason for this is that they don't need to tense muscles for hitting things, unlike martial artists. This is why flowery martial art movements are considered ineffective. Any type of extra hip control exercises will help your martial art. All of the joints need extra consideration to be good at martial arts. Joint rotations is a major part of Chi Kung exercises; it is sad that many martial artists miss this point...

Great advice! "Don't criticize, learn!" Easier said than done, always room for more practice on this topic.

Boxers that take up kickboxing, would most likely not feel comfortable fighting barehanded. As Jujitsu fighters would not feel comfortable wearing head protection and foot gear. What is good for one inhibits another. A conundrum for the mma.