Mind the Gap - A discussion on the disconnect between the reality of violence and martial arts teachings - Part I

There is a growing gap between reality, the nature of violence, and martial arts training.  This gap is not exclusive to traditional martial arts (TMA), reality based systems (RBS) or mixed martial arts (MMA).  

Why is this happening?  What's wrong with the martial arts? 

Is it the techniques?  

Is it the application? 

Is it a matter of understanding?

Is it a matter of motivation?

Is it the teachers?

Is it the students?

Techniques:

The least serious offender are the techniques themselves.  A punch hurts, joints only bend so many ways, the body follows pain etc.  Most techniques will work, at least somewhat, if used in the right circumstances.

Application and Understanding:

These next two are part a big part of the problem.  Techniques only work if they are applied correctly, and if you understand how and when they will be effective.  If you don't take into account movement, momentum, desire, skill and action vs. reaction, then attempts at applying techniques are unlikely to be successful.  If you don't understand what happens after you apply a technique or as you apply it, you'll also be in a tough spot.

Motivation:

This may be the biggest issue forcing a gap between truly effective realistic training and what is being passed off as 'real stuff'.  This sounds very critical but I'll explain this more in depth later on.  This is the mind part, the 'why you're doing what you're doing' and your desired outcome.

Teachers:

Teachers can definitely be part of the problem, but from what I've seen, it's rarely a lack of physical skill that is to blame, any shortcomings come back to application, understanding and motivation.

Students:

Normally we think of students as being hapless participants in the process.  If they are lucky enough to find a great teacher, they benefit, if they find a poor teacher, they didn't know better.  Now, it can often be challenging to find a good teacher if you have no real experience or understanding of the nature of violence, but the student needs to take an active role in being responsible for the type and quality of their training.  They need to focus on figuring out their motivation.  Why are they taking martial arts in the first place?

Does this mean everything is flawed?  No.  What it does mean is that we need a deeper examination of what we are doing and more importantly, why we are doing it.

The next part will discuss some of the things that I've been seeing in the world of martial arts and why they are of concern.  I'll also delve more deeply into the points I've just raised and discuss strategies for closing the gap.

Train smart.

Busy times

I haven't been posting quite as often lately.  I'm going through a particularly busy and exhausting time in my life.  There's simply not enough hours in the day.  I've got lots of topics in the 'hopper' and anticipate having some more time freed up in the near future to post a bit more regularly.

So thanks for all your support and stay tuned!

Congratulations!!!

Sue C from My Journey to Black Belt is the proud new owner of a black belt. She and her husband tested this last weekend and they were both successful.

It's a fantastic accomplishment and I couldn't be happier for her.  I encourage you all to congratulate her (and hubby) and to read her blog if you haven't visited before.

Way to go Sue!  I look forward to the next leg in your journey.

Be a Baby, a Ninja Baby - The Feldenkrais Method

Michele had a interesting post over on Just a Thought about roll falls.  I made a brief comment that I wanted to expand upon.

Babies and toddlers know how to fall.  The know how to move, reach, roll, lift. and move around (after the hilarious awkward stage).  Their movements and their breathing are natural and relaxed.  They 'belly breathe', from their diaphragm, a much more efficient and effective manner of breathing.  When a toddler falls, they manage to relax and get real low to the ground before the impact.  They also don't shoot their hands out like adults tend to do (and break their wrists in the process).  When they lift, their spines stay aligned, back straight, eyes up, bending at the knees...perfect form.

There's a lot to learn from observing young ones and their movements.

Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984), who created the Feldenkrais Method was an avid martial artist who studied Judo and Jiu Jitsu. He studied movement, health, and taught an integrated method of re-learning how to move naturally and easily as an adult.  Much of his work was influenced by studying the natural effortless movement of children.  He developed an integrated approach, bringing together body, mind and overall awareness.

Here's a link with some information from wikipedia.  There is so much out there on the man and the method that you may want to plug the Feldenkrais method into your computer.

The method was not designed solely for the martial artist, but a point of interest is that several high ranking Ninjutsu practitioners have incorporated this method of awareness of movement into their training.

Taijutsu, most often associated as the martial portion of Ninjutsu, is most accurately translated to mean:

"Taijutsu - , literally meaning "body skill" or "body art", is a term for Japanese martial arts techniques that rely on a set of body movements. Historically, the word taijutsu was often used interchangeably with jujutsu (as well as many other terms) to refer to a range of grappling skills." - wikipedia.


Since the Japanese martial arts rely heavily on body movements, the Feldenkrais method fits in very well.

I encourage you to research the Feldenkrais method a bit.  And to observe the effortless way that toddlers can move.  I have only scratched the surface on the method and am in no way an authority on the topic but since it is all about movement and integration of the mind and body, it is impossible not to see the direct connection to martial arts study.

And just for fun:



Train well.  And welcome Mohammad.

Rest in Peace Wally Jay...and thanks

From http://www.smallcirclejujitsu.com/home/:

"Our Great Grandmaster and Founder Professor Wally Jay, one of the last great martial artists, has passed on peacefully at 2:20 am California time in Redwood City Kaiser Hospital.  Prof Jay experienced a stroke on Tuesday May 24th  and on Saturday as per his previous wishes was removed from life support.  He survived another 12 hours and had family and friends with him.  The Jay Family extends their gratitude to those that were there to lend support and to those that had him in their prayers."


The martial arts world is mourning the loss of a great martial artist and teacher.  Wally Jay has had a major impact on martial arts the world over.  Any who have seen, or experienced the 'dance of pain', can attest to this fact.  Wally Jay was a visionary.  Few martial artists today can legitimately claim that they created or developed a new style or way of thinking and teaching. Wally Jay can and did.


I was never lucky enough to meet the man (my Sensei has on several occasions) but in many ways he and his small circle Jiu Jitsu continue to touch me on my journey.  My Jiu Jitsu style is rooted in the small circle theory.  


Any one who met the man can proudly say they met a legend.  May his unique style and gifted teaching methods survive the test of time.  His family is proudly continuing his vision, his teachings and his way of life.


All my best to the Jay family.

Tunnel Vision

There's been several interesting blogs debating the value and timing of cross-training in the martial arts.  I, for one, am a fan, but feel one martial art should be your 'main' style or system.  This way, you can benefit without too much confusion over different methods of movements, or concepts.  Cross training then complements your study, and is not at odds with it.

Keeping an open mind is one of the most important things you can learn in the study of any martial art.  Once you stop having an open mind, your progress stops as well.

Having dabbled in this art and that over the years, I've seen too many people fall into the trap of thinking that their style is the best style out there.  All systems have their strengths and weaknesses.  You just need to find what works, makes sense, and can be applied by you.  And the teacher to teach it.

One thing I've noticed is that many styles out there are extremely good at defending against themselves.  This can lead it's practitioners being over confident in their abilities and having an unrealistic view of how transferable their skill set is to a variety of attacks.

To illustrate.  I am a big fan of Kali and Escrima.  I've had an opportunity to cross-train in them and have benefited immensely from it, especially in my development and research into effective knife survival skills.  What did I take away?  I would never knife fight with a knife fighter.  I would never stand face to face with a dedicated Kali practitioner.  He or she would likely carve me up. Same as I would never fence against a fencer.  Or straight up box with a boxer.  The list goes on.  They are too good at defending against what they do, because they practice both sides of the equation in their chosen art.

It is easy to develop tunnel vision if you fail to recognize that your opponent may not attack you in the style or method to which you are accustomed.  I'm not saying for one second that Kali, boxing, fencing, BJJ, etc. can't defend from a variety of attacks, but what I am asking is does your stance, plan, or confidence go out the window if your opponent 'changes the rules?'

How good is a Kali knife fighter if you run away, dart in from time to time, throw a chair...?  If they really wanted to get you, they'd have to run after you.  What happens to their stance then or their ability to defend from an erratic form of attack?

I've used Kali as an example because I don't want this to turn into a what style is the best type of scenario.  I have the utmost respect for Kali and Escrima and do and will continue to cross train in it.  I could have easily used Japanese Jiu Jitsu as an example as well.

The study of any martial art where combat effectiveness is the priority, must take into account a variety of different methods of teaching, methods of attack and principles of movement.  You need to determine if what you are learning is based on the most likely form of attack that you might receive, in the real world.  If you don't, you might find yourself in a difficult position when you attacker doesn't attack you 'right'.  This is why principles are more important than specific techniques and an awareness of real world violence and your own likelihood of being attacked, by who, when, where and how, are just as important as any other part of your training.

Be safe.

Seagal and Randori

I'm on a bit of a Seagal kick of late.  I'll get back to my knife survival series soon.

This is a great video of Steven Seagal in his earlier years and of his teaching style.  Seagal Sensei believes that randori (free, or spontaneous practice) is an essential part of truly testing your skills.  I agree and have posted on the lessons and the importance of randori here.

Of particular note is the absence of a mimicked sword in the attacker's hands. It's there occasionally, which references the style's time, history, and concepts of movement, but more realistic forms of attack are more prevalent, which I think is important.  Aikido can be used effectively in real world attacks, as if often evidenced here.

Enjoy.