Aliveness!

[delta1]

There has been some discussion on the Korean Martial Arts forum, TKD in particular, about training to use your skills. These guys do a fair job of assesing training methods:

 

http://cruciblegym.tripod.com/philosophy.htm

 

They use the term 'aliveness' to describe training for reality. Go down the page and select Aliveness Video Clip -- The Foundational Principle. It's interesting.

 

Here's the link to the thread I was particularly referencing:

 

http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=12741

 

I want to re-emphasize that I'm not putting down anybodies school, style, or reason for taking martial arts. But I do think we do ourselves a disservice if we don't train realistically then expect what we do to work under the fast, brutal, and downright scary conditions of a real assault.

[Red J]

Good clip.

 

He makes a good point using the chess analogy.

 

I can see the value of training in isolation, ie learning a proper side kick, but to be effective, you have to be able to work it in a reality situation with the footwork, timing, and unpredictability of a real opponent.

 

One of the drills we do at an advanced level is what we call "Kempo Sparring." It is basically using your skills to end a conflict with any means possible. You can punch, kick, take-down and grapple. You also get the chance to work your skills against people who have an advantage in one of the areas and you learn how to take those factors into account.

 

This should prove to be an interesting thread. Thanks Delta1.

[Ironberg]

I agree wholeheartedly with everything stated in the video. My school is a traditional MA curriculum: American Karate (Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and kickboxing). My instructor is a bit strong on kata, but he knows good sparring when he sees it. The truth of the matter is, I have very few equals at my gym who appreciate sparring as much as I do. I don't appreciate the fact that my MA isn't as alive as it should be, but I can't do much about it other than train hard and condition myself the best I can. The gym I train at is the best in my town, and is the best I can do given my location. I have no chance if being alive if no one will else will teach it, or accept it.

[John G]

The concept it great and should be encouraged however, “Aliveness” training capitalises on the obvious, and is only as good as the diverse range of skill opponents you train with.

 

It’s a concept, a way of training not a system.

 

The chess analogy is poor, as chess is bound by rules, in the real world this may not be the case.

[AndrewGreen]

The chess analogy is poor, as chess is bound by rules, in the real world this may not be the case.

 

There are always rules, even when there are none.

 

I am not capable of shooting a fireball.

 

A Pawn is not capable of moving backwards.

 

There are always rules.

[delta1]

John G, yes, aliveness is a concept. Their 'system' is a mixed venue, aliveness is how they train it. And of course you need to train with opponents who will challenge you. These guys have just given a term to what I call practicing your skills under force.

 

His point with the chess analogy was that you have to practice taking your moves through to a logical conclusion, another point I've talked about before. He just illustrates it. You need to learn to do opening moves, but you'll never win at chess unless you practice playing the game through to checkmate against someone who's trying to beat you. Same with fighting. You may learn the moves in isolation (a point he didn't develope- he assumes we knew that since that is how most people train, according to him) but unless you learn to put them together to defeat a resisting opponent, you've lost.

 

For those who want their skills to work in real life assaults, I think he makes some good points.

[John G]

I am not capable of shooting a fireball.

 

LOL, And why not?

These guys have just given a term to what I call practicing your skills under force.

 

This makes sence to me.

 

Peoples, I have no problems with the concept of “Aliveness", only with its implementation, consistency and practicality at the local level.

 

That is to say, if I was to start up a gym consisting of men with no previous fighting abilities and told them to go for it., their skill set would be limited to the methods that work best within the group. The level would be different again if the group consisted of skilled martial artists from different arts. And what relevance to fighting ability would the preceding groups have against the infamous, undefined “street fighter”.

 

I feel it all comes down to your instructor(s), and his or her ability to teach defensive / offensive techniques that will work for you given the level of risk in your community.

 

Maybe I’ve got the wrong end of the stick (not unusual for me).

 

Respectfully,

[delta1]

For JG, who's skepticism inspired this tome.

 

THE THREE BARES, a Grimmy Fairy Tale by someone called delta1.

 

Once upon a time, there were three bares- that is to say three ladies that liked to sunbathe in the raw. They weren't weird or anything, they just wanted to be able to wear evening gowns and such without tan lines. One of them had some property where they could go and bake in seclusion, and most people respected their privacy. But there was also a notoriouse wolf in their town, and this guy had no respect for anyone. One day, he charged in and attacked the three bares. They got away, but just barely, which was a little embarrassing for them. It did provide the townsfolk with a lot to talk about, and many jokes were made at their expense.

 

Now, our three young protagonists decided to do something about this situation. They were going to learn to fight, so that in the future they would not have to run away, exposing themselves to ridicule and derision. They bought some protective gear and started fighting each other on a regular basis. Of course, they weren't going to win Pride or UFC (the local Lions tourney or the Unicorn Fencing Challenge), but they were certainly getting better. Even amatures can improve with realistic practice.

 

But these were smart gals- they realized there was still a large gap between what they were doing and what they would face in another attack. Experience, even bad experience, is a wonderful teacher. So, they hired a street ruffian to attack them repeatedly, with realism but control. At first, they were woefully inept. But they kept at it and improved. Their awareness increased, and they learned not to panic or freeze under force. But, still they thought there must be more they could do.

 

The three went to the only McMartial Master of Mayhem and Money Matters in their town and signed up for class. They were taught many wonderful looking techniques to deal with a wide variety of attacks. But something didn't ring true. They had experienced an assault, and it did not go down with the attacker walking up, gently wraping his arms around you and standing there waiting for you to do something about it. So, they kept their street friend on the payroll.

 

Furthermore, the word had spread so that several street types were assisting with their training. Street 1 (a close relative of the author, so I have all this first hand) was more a coordinator now than a Personal Palladin. As they were attacked by different people with ever increasing force they noted several things. First, some of what they were being taught did not work outside the class. Second, what did work had to be changed and adjusted, sometimes radically, to work even in a controled situation. And some things would work for one of them, but not so well for another. Also, just because it workrd on one attacker was no guarantee it would work on another, and often more adjustments had to be made with different attackers. But, they kept at it, and they actually were getting pretty good.

 

One class, when the Grand Poo-Butt of their system was visiting, one of them asked about this phenominon. Well, the GPB was a little incensed, to say the least! Immagine- these junior nobodies were questioning the system, handed down by generations of successful money grubbers (two generations is still plural, right?)! They were disloyal, actually practicing with other people and doing things they were not taught. So, he decided to teach everyone a lesson.

 

The young heroine who had questioned him was ordered to step onto the mat and take a fighting stance. With much trepidation, she did as instructed. She was told to defend herself, and the GPB attacked. Hard! The GPB first demonstrated his flying feet and tail defense against a hip throw. Next, he demonstrated his turn purple and look pannicked counter to a choke hold. After tapping furiously, a well known street defense to these assaults, he escaped and proceeded to chew the young lady out for useing those moves in his purely striking class in the first place.

 

Having clearly established the superiority of his striking only system, he brought up the next young Amazon and ordered her to take a fighting stance. But, before she even had time to set, he attacked. Hard! Her blocking punch was so quick, that when he came to someone had to explain what had happened to him. Needless to say, she was severely chastised for doing that! The nerve! Did not all students know that the proper method was to Block- then punch? She was sent back to her seat in disgrace.

 

Now, with much trepidation, the GPB summoned the third frail young thing to the mat to be disciplined. She was told to take a fighting stance- "AND STOP GRINNING LIKE AN IDIOT, DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN TO YOU?"! She was instructed in the proper etiquite, no more silly throws, chokes, or moves that combined functions. As she shook her head in agreement, he attacked. Hard! She sidestepped and nailed the GPB. As he continued to attack, she continued to use footwork to evade and gain position. Finally, wheezing and trying to catch his breath, the GPB said he thought she'd had enough. And, if she could not stand like she was posing for BB Mag and fight with honor, she did not belong in his class. In fact, all three were expelled in shame, and told never to return.

 

Well, this being a fairy tale, we have to have a happy ending, right? So, let's look in on our three wonderful women and see what happened.

 

One started her own school, and eventually took over the old school after the scandals (which are beyond the scope of this tale; suffice to say there were truly scandalous doings going on there). She teaches self defense classes that make the whole town safer.

 

The first bare (they still don't like looking like zebras) donates space to the second bare. She runs an outreach program for street kids, teaching them martial arts, discipline, and citizenship. She gets a lot of kids in the program because they recognize the real deal when they see it. Also, her rep proceeds her as the original assault group gets a lot of free beers telling about the old days.

 

Bare three became a real bare, that is, she joined the police force and uses her skills to make the streets safer for everyone.

 

Now for the moral of the story (you did know this was comeing, right?):

 

There is actually a lot to be learned here, but, YOU HAVE TO BE ALIVE TO LEARN IT! (Pittiful, I know, but YOU try writing this kind of drivel )

Edited April 7, 2004 by delta1

[John G]

It’s sometimes difficult to communicate ideas and concepts to the convict scum from down under (me ) but you managed to do it in a non-threatening entertaining manner, well done Delta1.

 

Respectfully,

 

The ubiquitous sceptic

[Red J]

Delta1, when does the movie come out and who will play the three bares? I can't wait. Great imagination!