There is an old proverb that goes....."As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another".
While your fellow martial artists may be your friends, they are also valuable tools to keep your technique sharp and your strikes on target.
I have seldom, if ever, participated in a class where I did not pair off with another instructor or student and work on a two-person form, or the yahk soak deta, or simply strikes and blocks (those are SO fun!). Forms that are seemingly simple, such as Il Soo or Chil Bo, require hundreds of repeats with another person in order to develop the necessary flow of movement, shifting of balance and targeting. You can learn the forms alone and even practice those attributes mentioned above, but you can only achieve the subtle and not-so-subtle nuances of the form by having a physical opponent(as opposed to an imaginary one).
Pick a large opponent, a small opponent, a tall one, a short one, the most intimidating one, the most humble, PICK THEM ALL, develop, develop, develop, sharpen, sharpen, sharpen... You get the picture.
You may be 'using' these fellow students, but hopefully, they are there to reform and refine themselves as well.
I started with a proverb, I'll end with a Psalm..
Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle."
P.S. Remember, technically all forms are two-person (or more) forms.
TCB
Sun Martial Arts Blog With Hosts: Master Tim Baker, Master Dave Pryga, and Mr. Matt Dowds
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Cosi Cosa
When it comes to demonstrating a form, Master Rhee has always stressed the importance of contrasting dynamics: soft/hard, fast/slow, strong/gentle,...a dynamics dichotomy if you will.
It not only makes the form more fun to perform but it is also more pleasing to watch. And since most forms are simply assorted combinations linked together into some cohesive whole, this dynamics dichotomy also makes practical sense.
A combination is generally a set of techniques designed to take your opponent to a non-functional state. Often, but not always, the end of one combination and the beginning of another is signaled by a change of direction and/or a 'kee hop'. While instructing, endeavor to point out these combinations to the students (age appropriate, of course). Once a combination is identified have the students execute it several times, a dozen times even, until they know what it is for and what the targets are. I recommend having them pair up and experience what that combo will accomplish against a real person. SLOW IS THE WAY TO GO here.
The brain develops muscle memory (a sequential firing of the muscles) through repetition, not speed. If you perform a new technique too quickly then you are more apt to be off target and lack penetration. In fact, you cannot perform at combat speed and achieve the full penetration necessary without damaging your partner.
Going slow however, allows you to penetrate (step through) and displace your partner. Your partner will be able to give you the proper reaction to your attacks, i.e. a groin attack will cause them to stoop over, hands to the groin and chin up. An eye gouge will immediately bring their hands to their eyes and face down.
Granted, it may take 1/2 of your class time to adequately cover one form but I guarantee that you and your students will have a firmer grasp of the form and your enjoyment level will skyrocket.
It not only makes the form more fun to perform but it is also more pleasing to watch. And since most forms are simply assorted combinations linked together into some cohesive whole, this dynamics dichotomy also makes practical sense.
A combination is generally a set of techniques designed to take your opponent to a non-functional state. Often, but not always, the end of one combination and the beginning of another is signaled by a change of direction and/or a 'kee hop'. While instructing, endeavor to point out these combinations to the students (age appropriate, of course). Once a combination is identified have the students execute it several times, a dozen times even, until they know what it is for and what the targets are. I recommend having them pair up and experience what that combo will accomplish against a real person. SLOW IS THE WAY TO GO here.
The brain develops muscle memory (a sequential firing of the muscles) through repetition, not speed. If you perform a new technique too quickly then you are more apt to be off target and lack penetration. In fact, you cannot perform at combat speed and achieve the full penetration necessary without damaging your partner.
Going slow however, allows you to penetrate (step through) and displace your partner. Your partner will be able to give you the proper reaction to your attacks, i.e. a groin attack will cause them to stoop over, hands to the groin and chin up. An eye gouge will immediately bring their hands to their eyes and face down.
Granted, it may take 1/2 of your class time to adequately cover one form but I guarantee that you and your students will have a firmer grasp of the form and your enjoyment level will skyrocket.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
SUN! Why do we say it...
Why do we say SUN!. Good question. To someone outside the system (or even inside) it can seem strange, even cultish. A quick look in our handbook will dispel that notion. I won't go through the four Oriental Characters or the meanings attached to them here since we have all memorized them as white belts. But I would ask you to consider the deeper implications of the term the next time you are at class.
For instance, when I enter the training area and I bow and say SUN!, (and hopefully everyone responds with a good attitude as they should), I am announcing to the class that I have come with Honorable Goals. I am affirming that I will endeavor to IMPROVE MYSELF through REFORM (dropping old ways that don't work) and REFINEMENT (more on refinement later...)
And, of course, I am stating that I APPRECIATE the opportunity to train there, with them, and I will not COMPLAIN about ANYTHING.
When an instructor is explaining technique or form and we acknowledge what they are saying with a loud SUN!, we are affirming that we will do what they are saying to the BEST OF OUR ABILITY for our continued REFINEMENT.
When we square off with someone in Promise Sparring or one of the Two Person forms we always precede with SUN!, affirming to our partner that we have SELF-DISCIPLINE.
Imagine, all of that packed into one little word.
SUN!
TCB
For instance, when I enter the training area and I bow and say SUN!, (and hopefully everyone responds with a good attitude as they should), I am announcing to the class that I have come with Honorable Goals. I am affirming that I will endeavor to IMPROVE MYSELF through REFORM (dropping old ways that don't work) and REFINEMENT (more on refinement later...)
And, of course, I am stating that I APPRECIATE the opportunity to train there, with them, and I will not COMPLAIN about ANYTHING.
When an instructor is explaining technique or form and we acknowledge what they are saying with a loud SUN!, we are affirming that we will do what they are saying to the BEST OF OUR ABILITY for our continued REFINEMENT.
When we square off with someone in Promise Sparring or one of the Two Person forms we always precede with SUN!, affirming to our partner that we have SELF-DISCIPLINE.
Imagine, all of that packed into one little word.
SUN!
TCB
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Getting Serious
Last week a couple of us were talking after class about conditioning, strength training, supplements etc. A day or two later, Mr. Falcon made the following comment to me: "I figure I have only another 40-50 years left to get into the best shape of my life, time to get serious." Even though he was kidding around a little bit, he nailed it...right on the head! Now is the time to get serious. About getting in better condition, taking better care of yourself, having more fun, doing the things you always wanted to do, telling people the things you always wanted to tell them, spending quality time with your family and friends. I think these are the types of things we should all get serious about.
SUN! Hello to my Wisconsin friends and others whom I've yet to meet.
Thank you, Master Pryga, for your continued support and advancement of PaSaRyu.
As usual, you get things done in a big way. I look forward to posting some of the things that I have learned on my martial arts journey and hopefully through discussion and input we will all grow in the Way of Honor.
TCB
Thank you, Master Pryga, for your continued support and advancement of PaSaRyu.
As usual, you get things done in a big way. I look forward to posting some of the things that I have learned on my martial arts journey and hopefully through discussion and input we will all grow in the Way of Honor.
TCB
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Sunday, June 7, 2009
Open Mind
One of the biggest lessons I have learned from my training (so far) is the importance of keeping an open mind. I have found over time that people that refuse to consider others ideas and concepts end up frustrated and unable to grow, even becoming bitter.
I'll never forget the time at one of our seminars one of the guest Instructors was unfamiliar with our customs and proceded to tell me what we were doing was "wrong". I felt bad for him because he didn't know any better.
Over the years we've had quite a few people with prior training come in who sincerely wanted to learn what we were doing, but when they got into class, they just could not think out of the box or open up to new ideas and end up quitting before they have a clue as to what we're trying to accomplish. You can usually identify these types pretty easy. They are the guys running around saying "XYZ style is the best" or "123 style is crap", etc.
I'll never forget the time at one of our seminars one of the guest Instructors was unfamiliar with our customs and proceded to tell me what we were doing was "wrong". I felt bad for him because he didn't know any better.
Over the years we've had quite a few people with prior training come in who sincerely wanted to learn what we were doing, but when they got into class, they just could not think out of the box or open up to new ideas and end up quitting before they have a clue as to what we're trying to accomplish. You can usually identify these types pretty easy. They are the guys running around saying "XYZ style is the best" or "123 style is crap", etc.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Welcome to the CWMAI PaSaRyu Blog
Hello and welcome to the CWMAI PSR blog.
This is a joint effort between myself and Master Crane, Tim Baker to discuss and share ideas regarding our Martial Art. We hope to get input from other practitioners as time goes by.
This is a joint effort between myself and Master Crane, Tim Baker to discuss and share ideas regarding our Martial Art. We hope to get input from other practitioners as time goes by.
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