Texman

Shall do, although I'm not sure on the quality. They look like they're not designed for hitting things with (like other eku). Will let you know how I go.

Many thanks LordTariel. I need about 6 of them so I'll see if we can bulk them up for delivery across the world....

Hi, Does anyone know where I can get my hands on half a dozen eku in Sydney, Australia? For those that don't know they're Okinawan paddles, similar in length to a bo, but with a carved blade at one end. We're supposed to start training in them next month but we only have one so its going to make it a bit hard. Stupid me said I'd check out sourcing some more. As far as I can tell, there are only two ways to get eku in Sydney: import from Okinawa (VERY expensive) or make your own. So maybe the question could be "does anyone know of a good woodwork craftsman in Sydney"...

I like the wrist band idea because it could actually substitute for a watch which you might be wearing in street cloths. However I'd be interested to know why you think you need grades. It looks like a small enough group that everyone would know where everyone else is in terms of skill and surely part of learning street techniques is getting rid of the trappings because a 'black belt' means nothing when it comes down to defending yourself.

What is????? MA training is a personal thing between you and your master isn't it? How would you feel if someone told you that you didn't deserve your black belt promotion because they have been training years longer than you when you know the truth? You know for a fact that they only turn up to training twice a week. You know this because you go to every training session and they're not there. Furthermore, you have been having private one-on-one sessions with your master. Your 8 training sessions a week compared to their 2 and you're only just a bit ahead of them in terms of grade and they're telling you that you haven't earnt it????? All I'm saying is that you have to know the full story before making assumptions

There is a continuum of confrontation that I think most are unaware of. What are we talking about when we say 'fight'? What are we training for when we do our martial art? Is sparring fighting? Three points along the continuum.... 1) Sparring in the dojo is NOT fighting. This is training and should have the same mental effect as practicing calligraphy. I hope Kempo Tiger that you didn't mean that those that advocate walking away should consider not engaging in this type of training? 2) Square-off fight. Two combatants who can't find another way to resolve their differences other than slugging it out. I think this is what most of you are referring to here and I maintain that I can’t think of a situation where you have to engage in this kind of foolishness. Similar to Aodhan’s story (full marks), I was once ‘sucker’ kicked from behind as I was trying to convince someone to walk away from a drunken argument. I happened to be drinking out of a bottle at the time which smashed on my face, cutting just below my bottom lip. Blood streaming from my face I turned to face my three assailants and asked which one did it. They ran off in a panic. Had I ran at them with all guns blazing, someone would have been hospitalised and three on one isn’t good odds. 3) Real self-defence situation. This is what we train for. We’re not learning MA to try and become the best brawler in town, but to defend ourselves in case someone ever wants to kill/rape/maim us or someone we love. In this situation, deal with the attacker quickly and effectively and then GET OUT OF THE SITUATION. Don’t use your training to kick them in the head when they’re down and definitely don’t hang around waiting to see if any of their mates show up so you can fight them too. Firstly you’ll probably be dead in short order and secondly, if you’re not you’ll probably end up using your MA skills far more than you would want to in gaol. “When two tigers fight, one dies and one is mortally wounded”. Its not worth it.

Jiffy is right. If you're really keen to be sparring without padding, find a teacher who doesn't require padding. This is how it works in our dojo. However, I question your logic here. You risk serious injury without safety equipment and that certainly isn't good for fighting in a real situation - someone tries to mug you and you can't defend yourself because of your dodgy knuckles you smashed in sparring one day. I don't think there are many places too where you are allowed to hit full contact, so even without padding you're not going to get the same feeling as being in a real fight. You're more likely to get this because you're not so scared of hurting anyone BECAUSE you're wearing pads. As far as getting the feeling of hitting something so that you don't break your wrist the first time you defend yourself, train with a makiwara or heavy bag. Pounding into someone is by far the worst way for both of you of conditioning.

Great article ramymensa! I'll just make one point here - I think people actually have more time to spend training than they used to. It is very rare that people today in western society have to live a subsistence existence. It is just that most people have too many things on their plate. However, no one should ever be able to say that they don't have time to do something important. If it were really important to me, I could spend 8 hours a day training and still maintain a career. I just wouldn't have time for a family, friends, XBox, computer games, study, writing, teaching, running or general bludge time.

Agree with the sentiments here on control. Especially as martial artists, we are in control. That is what we learn when we're training when you break it all down. To say that we will always have an ego is OK (although there are many examples where the ego has been suppressed - go talk to the Daiai Lama) but no one has an excuse for giving it control of their body, especially when the consequences are that the body may well be returned in a worse condition. Walk away and wish them luck. Those who will only give you respect for punching someone aren't worthy of you and those that do you wrong will end up losing everything anyway.