Canemaster program?

[supercat1]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had experience with this program, and could share some info.

Thanks

[UseoForce]

It is a component of the Combat Hapkido curriculum, but I have only used canes 4-5 times. Good stuff, IMO, for the most part.

[Brandon Fisher]

If you are referring to GM Mark Shuey I have seen him demonstrate some of his techniques and I thought they looked pretty good.

[ps1]

I've only seen some of the videos. So, admittedly, my experience with the tradmarked program is limited. I wasn't impressed when they spun the cane around their back just to bring it up to a block.

I have trained with the cane however, not in that program, and found it quite use less. 99% of what was taught required some pretty strong use of both legs. I could be wrong, but most people who carry a cane don't have great balance or terrific use of their legs.

It's fun stuff to perform, but not practical for someone who needs a cane.

[cathal]

Yes if you don't really need a cane I suppose learning that could help. But if you really need it for support, I'm not too sure how effective it would be. Then again, I've never practiced those techniques or watch them performed. So take my opinion with a grain of salt.

[UseoForce]

One cool thing about the cane is, by law, it cannot be taken away from you. So you can carry it anywhere, even on a plane.

[bat in a birdless village]

I have the whole Canemaster series and highly recommend them. As someone said earlier, there are some movies you may not like in the style, but the Canemaster style is so large, that you can throw away anything you don't like and still have a very large style.

Mark Schuey has created a full stand alone style for the cane, so that means that the videos show a large set of basic strikes, blocks, and hooks, also they show self-defense, and kata.

I did not like the kata that he teaches in the kata tape, but that is my opinion. I built an entirely different kata using the moves introduced from the Basic Foundations video.

Here is a big hint: do not buy the "Introduction to the Cane: stretching, resistance, and basic techniques." It is kind of a fluff video maybe geared towards people who want a general intro to the cane without buying the other videos. Everything in it is covered in the other videos in better detail. Go ahead and skip to the "Basic Foundations of the Cane" video. That will get you started properly.

He sells about 9 or 10 videos now, but you really only need 3 or 4 of them: "Basic Foundations of the Cane", "Intermediate Techniqes and Drills", "Advanced Tecnhniques and Takedown", and "Winning Katas" (although I am not really sure if that one is worth getting).

The problem with Canemaster is they are expensive, but in July, they are running their VHS tapes for $25 (instead of $39), so you may want to hit them in July.

Also, Century is running these two Cane videos for $9 each:

http://www.centuryfitness.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&productId=79297&langId=-1&crumb=13501-13753&categoryId=15075&parent_category_rn=15070

They are by a guy named Fariborz Azhakh. I don't know if they are any good, but since they are only $9, they may be worth buying.

Here is a quick story from me: when I first became interested in the cane, I bought a video off of eBay for $5 from a Kenpo organization off of eBay. In the video, the very out of shape guy in his karate gi and high top sneakers shows cane moves on a 9 year old orange belt. In the background is his pool, his un-mowed grass, and a garden hose that is unrolled and laying behind him everywhere. During his solo moves, a small dog comes up and sniffs him a few times. At first I was mad that I wasted five dollars, but realized that the laughs I got from the video were worth far more. Ah, the unintional comic genius. I started hoping he would trip on the garden hose (he came close enough to do so).

Anyway, Canemaster is overall very good. You should give them a try.

bat

[Jiffy]

The cane master system is quite comprehensive. As someone mentioned previously, the main advantage to a cain is it is perfectly legal. If you think of it as a legal weapon as opposed to using a stability aid as a weapong, then it can be a very effective system.

And to those who don't think it is effective for those with leg issues, I do recall one of their black belts has a lot of mobility issues. Got a video of it somewhere. Not perfect, but I guess you have to work with what you have been given.

[IcemanSK]

I've only seen some of the videos. So, admittedly, my experience with the tradmarked program is limited. I wasn't impressed when they spun the cane around their back just to bring it up to a block.

I have trained with the cane however, not in that program, and found it quite use less. 99% of what was taught required some pretty strong use of both legs. I could be wrong, but most people who carry a cane don't have great balance or terrific use of their legs.

It's fun stuff to perform, but not practical for someone who needs a cane.

That is the only down side (& ironic, I thought) to the program. I inquired about Seniors & others who need canes being able to use the program. And gentleman who teaches it told me that it was really for able-bodied folks. I told my mother-in-law she'd need to buy a gun instead.

[bat in a birdless village]

That is the only down side (& ironic, I thought) to the program. I inquired about Seniors & others who need canes being able to use the program. And gentleman who teaches it told me that it was really for able-bodied folks. I told my mother-in-law she'd need to buy a gun instead.

To a point I will agree, but as I stated before, the Canemaster system is so large, that someone with physical limitations could pick and choose what he or she is able to do and still end up with a large set of self-defense moves, strikes, or blocks.

bat