Saturday, October 30, 2010

techniques that can be used to help those who train alone

Hi guys. I am getting in this a little late, but if you teach the striking points form the begining, it is not hard for a bigner to begin visiaulizing them. As far as training, I teach my students to firstuse their brain in any situation. Some teachers hold back on teaching stiking poitns and visualization to beginers, but I have found they pick it up very easily, however, I probably teach more points then you might, I usually do more than others, fon't know.  But bob would be better. then to use just a punching bag markie warie board ect. while they have a place. using something like bob is better for a beginner. if they are practising alone 

Actaully I do not belive in Bob myself..I usually use other students LOL, however, I also came up through the ranks without Bob..  That is how they learn the fastest.  If they have a teacher who knows how to teach the points without getting them hurt.  Not talking aobut you, just saying some teachers don't know how to do that, or won't take the time.
"Those who are afraid of death, never truly live. Living life to the fullest means taking a chance". Yes i perfer live pepole too. but we are talking about training a lone. and thats why i like bob. because it is so close to a real person. when no one is around and my point is it helps them to visulazie better then from merory alone

The closer you get to reality the better: IMO a human shaped target gives both psychological and target oriented advantages to the person practicing full contact strikes. Yes rick and for the bigner it is better. in my oppinon. now as you move on with your training. it may not be as important.

I am not saying it is not good(I guess), I am only saying that if a student is taught correctly about bunkai, then they have no problems imagining the target.  and you have to remember NOT everyone can afford Bob.  So people need to learn to use everything.  Again though I didn't have one to use, and I did just fine.
 
Then again, it seems using the mindfor anything including imagination has gone the way of the DoDo bird at times.    Again, if you can afford one that is great,  but keep in mind we all have to use what we can.  So, in light of not having a "Bob", makiwara boards and imagination will do.

Having a "Bob" is good for those who can afford it. In light of the fact though that most people may not be able to, there are other ways to teach and learn the stiking points. Use a mirror. You don't have to have much imagination to see the points in front of you. When you teach the points from the begining, and have the studetns use a mirror to see the points and where they are at, then that can help them when they are alone. Like teaching kicks and punches.

The "Bob" and this is the best to work alone thing, I think is like telling someone that if the lock the arm out, then the shoulder becomes one of the weakest points in the body, and can be a good DEFENSIVE move. If is hard for some folks to understand that unless you actually show it to them.

There are many techniques that can be used to help those who train alone. Especailly if you don't have alot of money. Again, I am not saying "bob" is a bad thing, just that it is NOT the only thing.

Going back to some of the really old ways of training will help anyone.
Just my thoughts though. :^)

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Best weapon combo for all round use

Question time. :-)

What would be the best combination of three (ancient or medieval) weapons to have to take on all comers? I've been thinking the warhammer may be a great all rounder when used with a shield. But what do you guys think?

I am partial to axes, big, small, just about any size. From a hand axe to a sparth axe. Great stopping power plus intimidation...something very scary about an axe whirling overhead. Maybe I have just seen too many movies.

A lot depends on what you are facing. Are your oppents in full plate or simple mail or no armor at all? What weapons are they using and how well are they trained?

I'm presuming for purposes of this discussion no missle weapons or firearms are included in the mix. It depends, of course, on a number of factors, including the anticipated threat, e.g., armored or not, multiple assailants or not, etc.

I know this choice reflects my own (Fiore-based) background, but I'd probably want to go with a spear (roughly 7 feet), a longsword and an arming sword. And of course a dagger should be assumed, and thus not counted as one of the three. A halberd would be a good substitute for the spear if one were skilled in it (I'm not).

It would be interesting (I don't know why you're asking in the first place) to look at some of the historical examples. Polish hussars carried a lance, an estoc/koncerz and a saber, which is a pretty versatile combo. And some of the Byzantine heavy cavalry seemed to carry at least one of everything.

I can totally see you as a, um, uh, what's the singular of streltsi? Arquebus, bardiche and saber. It's you, dude.

Okay off the top of my head:

Short hafted- long-bladed spear and a shield. Shorter type arming sword as back-up weapon. A Kinda "mash-up" of Zulu Warrior and Roman Legionnaire. I'd consider axe with shield, certainly. I'm not fast really so with an axe some extra cover would be urgent. 

Oh, about categories, I think by all round I did mean generally, don't know what the opponent is wearing but I do have what could be called transitional plate reinforced maille, steel cuisses, greaves, vaumbraces and gauntlets, shoulders, spangen...best to take a look maybe...easier than describing it...http://sites.google.com/site/idahosentinelsswordclub/members (me in the first picture).

What I'm fooling with at the moment is: Bastardsword (for use with shield or buckler one handed) or as longsword two handed Warhammer (Use with shield, one handed, to cope with the possibility of an armoured opponent) Spear (about 6ft) for 2 handed use...  Xiphos (Greek Shortsword) nice slasher with a really nasty point for getting through armour chinks... Any good as a combo?

I like a 40 watt phased plasma rifle  a lot. "The essence of balance is detachment. To embrace a cause, to grow fond or spiteful, is to lose one's balance, after which, no action can be trusted. Our burden is not for the dependent of spirit."
 
Since the time of ancient Greeks and Romans, the effective use of shields has been the unique feature of the western way of war.So using gladiator type large rectangular shields with lances or hasta and roman type short swords and if required a mace is enough to take on all comers.But you have to know how to fight and maneuver with a large shield.

Without shields a quarterstaff is enough to handle both single and multiple opponents. Forrest Bill is effective against armored opponents as it can trip the opponent. But you should be well versed in flourishing.

Monday, October 25, 2010

A True Warrior Knight Passes Away

Hi everyone.If I had your phone numbers,I would call you all personally.It is with the greatest sadness that I must inform you that Mark Hodel passed away yesterday while undergoing a triple bypass surgery.Jack informed me he got the call from Mark's sister Page this morning.Please pray for Andrew(Mark's son) and his sister's Page and Anne at this difficult time.I am at a loss for words in losing such a dear friend like Mark.
This is a sad shock. Sometimes you think some people will be around forever. I my prayers. Mark was a wonderful Buyu to everyone!
 
Mark's impact for good on so many people's lives, my own included, has been incalculable. Mark was THE guy who got organized training started in northern California; facilitated inter-group communication through creation of the (pre-Internet) Warrior Information Network; and created training opportunities far beyond his own dojo by organizing Tai Kai events with Hatsumi sensei and creating the Buyu Camps. He truly was, as Dave puts it, a Warrior Knight.

So sorry to hear about Mark's passing.  We will keep Mark and his family in our prayers.  He will be sorely missed. That is so sad. Mark and his family is in my prayers. I met him only a few times in person but the fruit of his work i am meeting all the time in the Byyu community. People survive for a long time in the things they did for others, for the community.

A great man has passed, but his legend will live on. We all owe much to Mark. We was a pioneer and a true "Buyu". We only got to meet Mark once, at the Stockton grand re-opening last year. He was a great teacher, and the things he said still resonate with us. As Mariusz said, he lives on in all of the buyu he has trained. We are both very grateful to have gotten to meet him. Our recent Musha Shugyo was only possible because of the strong community Mark helped forge here in Northern California. Our thoughts are with his immediate and extended family.

Thanks so much for your words of kindness. Mark was truly a one of a kind friend and Buyu.He will be missed.Take care!

Mark was THE guy who brought Bujinkan to northern California and beyond.His life's work is truly a legacy beyond words.We,in the Buyu have been positively impacted with his presence,wisdom and good nature.Mark was a one of a kind warrior and he will be missed.Thanks for your kind words.Take care!


Sunday, October 24, 2010

Cops jailed for assaulting Indonesian karate referee

L/Kpl Abdul Aziz Shamsudin, 42, L/Kpl Adi Sebi, 35, and Kons Helmi Hussanie Sukri, 22, and Kons Mohd Dzulhaffiz Che Zainal, 23, were found guilty of voluntarily injuring Donald Peter Luther Kolopitha along the road outside a Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia hostel in Nilai at about 2am on Aug 24, 2007.

Magistrate Noralis Mat said the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against the four.

"The court finds that you used excessive force on the victim, which resulted in him suffering serious injuries to several parts of his body," she said in her judgment.

Kolopitha, who was in Malaysia with the Indonesian karate team, was to referee at the Eighth Asian Karate Championship held at the Nilai Indoor Stadium.

The Indonesian team withdrew from the tournament to protest against the assault. The incident also sparked anti-Malaysian demonstrations in several cities in the republic.

Noralis said testimony by witnesses supported the victim's claim that he was beaten while handcuffed. A medical report also showed that Kolopitha suffered injuries to his face, abdomen, left testicle and ankles.

"The victim could not have possibly recognised the four of you as you were in plainclothes and came in an unmarked van," she said.

The victim was also not drunk when the incident happened.

They were charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same code. Offenders can be jailed up to a year and fined up to RM2,000.

In mitigation, counsel for the four Cheong Koon Kah said the policemen had been suspended from work since the incident and were only earning between RM300 and RM1,000 a month each.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shahruddin Wan Ladin urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence.

Citing an example, Wan Shahruddin said even former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor was sentenced to jail after having pleaded guilty to assaulting former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Noralis then allowed a stay order but increased bail from RM500 each to RM3,000.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Old and new aikido

Perspective is everything:

Overall Aikido perspective - Yoshinkan Aikido is Old Aikido. we use old terms, People call it the hard style (no way I agree with that though), and our teacher left O' Sensei decades before he past away.

Aikikai is new Aikido - new terms for techniques, less straight lines and more circular techniques, some of their top instructors were with O' Sensei until he past away.

Yoshinkan perspective:

Their is no old and new just the same and we need to just look at each sensei not for what is different but what is the same and take those learning's and make the aikido that fits you.

My perspective:
 
Old - very straight lines and more "jitsu" then "do" much more hard style and extremely effective martial art if done exactly correct. Not for everyone. lacks the smooth polish of new style
 
New style - more dynamic and fluid.  change in posture and form from old style.  most techniques have been modified completely or "refined" for effectiveness allowing the use of less force.

In an earlier post I implied that their are some instructors that are old style or new style Yoshinkan.  I still believe that.
 
What makes an instructor either or?  simple - the ability to adapt and steal new ideas.

Aikido is an evolving martial art and so must instructors evolve with change and new ideas.  Sticking to "the way we have always done it" or saying "look for what is similar and use that" are not viable options for the evolution of Aikido.  For me at least I follow one of my favorite instructors advice - look for what is better and make it your own.

We have great full time instructors in NA so we are lucky.  Go visit Mustard Sensei, Kemida Sensei, Blok Sensei, etc and train with them for a week and steal everything you can and what you get is New Aikido.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

down attendance problem

We are getting 6 members one session, 0 another, 1 the next, 5 the next, and it's busting the group training plan to small chunks. I end up going over the basics continually instead of getting some training done myself. Might there be a way of organising lesson content to cope with this up and down attendance problem?

One thing I will say, if you are the leader/teacher you have to accept that you can't plan on the group time as your training time. Although you cansegment sessions into an "all levels" part and then an "advanced levels"
extension of the class time.

This is one of the hardest things for any martial arts school to deal with. One reason EMA schools demand cash up front and then require a certain number of training hours before a student can test for belt rank. Charging even a small sum may get folks more interested in turning up on time and on a regualr basis. If you feel uncomfortable charging for lessons then use the money to buy equipment or otherwise use it fo the group such as refreshments during/after the class.

Perhaps I could keep a register of attendance and hours, topics covered by individuals rather than the group as a whole. That would end up leading to personal training plans...
 
We are doing a mix of sword & buckler, some do longsword. Perhaps sword & larger shield in the future.

Trying to get people to buy their own equipment seems futile too LOL. I don't get this at all. When I started up, it was my first mission to get a mask, jacket and some gloves, arm protection. Getting those things made my life so much easier. Can't figure people out these days. Personal training plans rather than group plan?

If they don't have the right equipment they can't play. One more reason to ask each student to pay "dues" so you can buy equipment to share out. Once they get a mask somebody else has worn once too often they will want to buy their own.

A common approach in various groups, AFAIK. That is, the loaner gear is safe and serviceable, but if it gets a bit, well, funky from time to time, that's an incentive for people to get their own.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Make NINJA Impact Smoke Bombs!!!

The Kageboushi ninja have researched and done all the homework for you in this tell all guide. See the techniques on smoke bomb making from the most proficient ninja clans today, the Kageboushi Clan! If you are serious about learning this craft, then you will have to view the never before seen information about the subject. Once constructed, these smoke devices can serve for a variety of uses such as attacks or evasions, and also diversionary tactics. Use a smoke screen to infiltrate a strong hold, or simply use a contact smoke bomb to disappear from the enemy's eyes in an instant! Other uses might be to signal, or it can even be used in the local paintball field. These smoke bombs are constructed 100% out of household products and other around the house materials. Why go to the local fireworks store and pay for the overpriced smoke bombs when one could build them from scratch! It is a must read for ninjutsu practitioners everywhere.

You will learn:
•Seven different smoke compositions
•Smoke Canister (Smoke screens)
•Four methods to construct impact smoke bombs
•Regular Smoke Bombs (With Fuse)
•Metsubishi (Blinding Powders)
•And Much More!

Please look us up @ Ebay (Kageboshibooks) or follow the link bellow. Make NINJA Impact Smoke Bombs!!!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

MARTIAL ARTS CONGRESS IN AUSTRALIA !

I just comeback from my trip to Australia. The Martial Arts Congress was a big success !
I would like to thank Soke Dave Franklin for the warm hospitality and the very good organized Congress and Seminar. We had many special guests and Legendary Martial Arts Masters including:





Hanshi Matthew Komp, 10 Dan Jiu-Jitsu, who was a Pioneer of Ju-Jitsu in Australia. He was the first Sensei who brought Jiu-Jitsu to Australia from Germany in 1953. Soke Tony Jackson, 10 Dan Karate Do, who received "The Medal of the Order of Australia" by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.



Hanshi Bruce Haynes, 10 Dan Australian Combat Karate Do International, Inducted into the Guinness World Book of Records Hall of Fame ( World Record Holder in Breaking ). Hanshi Dante Roccisano, 10 Dan Aiki Jutsu, Inducted into the Australian Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2007. And many more...


09 - 11 OCTOBER, 2010 / MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
1st Martial Arts Congress in Australia!

The Largest organized Martial Arts Seminar and Congress in the history of Australia with the Highest ranking Australian Martial Arts Legends and Masters gather together. With the President of AJJIF O-Sensei Alexey Kunin ( USA ) - Yokoyori Gunshi, Headmaster / Head Family of Katabami Ju-Jitsu Clan, Soke Dave Franklin, 10 Dan Ju-Jitsu. Vice President of AJJIF. Official Australian Representative of AJJIF, Soke Tony Jackson 10 Dan Karate Do, Received "The Medal of the Order of Australia" by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Hanshi Matthew Komp 10 Dan Jiu-Jitsu, Pioneer of Jiu-Jitsu in Australia, Hanshi Bruce Haynes 10 Dan Australian Combat Karate Do International, Inducted into the Guinness World Book of Records Hall of Fame ( World Record Holder in Breaking ), Hanshi Dante Roccisano 10 Dan Aiki Jutsu, Inducted into the Australian Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2007, Soke Trevor Smith 9 Dan Ju-Jitsu, Soke Joe Varvello 8 Dan Ju-Jitsu, Hanshi Ron Ramadge 8 Dan Ju-Jitsu, Shihan Emmanuel Zahra 7 Dan Ju-Jitsu, and many more...

Organized by Dave Franklin Martial Arts Organization. With the support of the Australian Government, City Officials and Japanese Consulate. Sanctioned by AJJIF - ALL JAPAN JU-JITSU INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION.


p.s. we are already planning a 2nd Martial Arts Congress in Australia next year !

Sunday, October 10, 2010

How many times per week do you teach?

So I am taking TurboKick instructor training on December 5th and am reaching out to local gyms to see if they want to hire me to teach there starting in January. My question is:


how many times per week do you teach? what is too much? I was thinking I could do Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat. is that too much? I usually work out everyday and take a "day off" every 7th or 8th day. Just curious how you all do it. Thank you in advance. Oh and what shoes do you find you like best for TurboKick.


I teach Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30pm and Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9am. For me it's not too much, but I think that the days you're thinking about teaching would give you more time to rest in between classes. I hope that helps. :)

I teach Turbo on Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 PM and Saturday at 10 AM - I also teach a Kettle Bell class Tuesday at 5:30 PM. I have been teaching that schedule for years and it works great for me.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Yoshinkan Politics

I have been staying as far away from the yoshinkan politics as much as possible over the last 3 years however I would like an update.Does anyone have perspective on what the differences is between the hombu dojo from say 1994 when I was there to today.feel free to be verbose I would like to know the status of the federation I belong to :)

Politics? What Politics? There are no politics in Yoshinkan Aikido. Only political people who also practice politics. :)

Bwaaaa hahahahahaha.
Oh sorry. I'm not being very politic. :)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Tai Chi and Ba Gua as Moving Meditation at Brookline

Hey all-

Craig Barnes was in town this past weekend to do a review of Bruce's June workshop. Once people got over their disappointment that Craig wasn't going to buzz, hum, or make other funny sounds for them, they settled in to a pretty cool experience ;-)

Without trying to be Bruce, Craig faithfully reviewed the material in spirit and in a way that was accessible to the group in front of him.

The core work of the weekend was trying to get the mind to land inside the body in a stable, smooth way. Craig emphasized that the Taoist tradition starts with physical practices, not only for their health benefit, but because, if you learn to experience the various different neigong at play in the body all at once, you are inevitably also learning how to relax the mind itself. This is where meditation begins.

He mentioned that all of the high-level Buddhist teachers he has had the good fortune to study with also have smooth, connected physical energy, even if their main training has been "through the mind".

What was cool to see from a teaching point of view, was that Craig still stuck to a clear structure for the material --- mainly we worked on the Tai Chi form, and he always started with a simple sitting or standing exercise, then something like Commencement, and finally, an attempt at integrating into the whole form. We worked on the lower body "posture" as he always says (alignment, continuity, awareness), then the upper.

He managed to work in lots of technical information about tai chi, but it was always presented in the context of honing your meditation practice. For me, and many others in the room, this re-orientation towards a meditation practice is very nourishing.

Craig is the prime example of what I mean when I say there is a difference between and Instructor and a true Teacher. Craig is a true Teacher, and really knows his stuff...and has a wonderful spirit.


To those lucky people that attended this true Workshop count yourself extremely fortunate !



I recommend Craig to all my Students and anyone else if they are anywhere's near where Craig will be. He is a gift, and as time is so precious to me, it is time well invested !


Deepest Peace

Monday, October 4, 2010

attending TurboKick instructor training

Hi All


So I did Turbo Jam for years, then P90X, then Insanity and now im addicted to Turbo Fire. I have been thinking about becoming a turbokick instructor but have several questions.



1) Is turbokick more like turbojam or turbofire?
2) Do you get as good of a workout when teaching as you would if you were taking the class or doing it at home?
3) aside from the all day training fee, what other expenses should I plan for during the 2 yrs while im certified to teach?



I think thats it for now, Im so excited I found a group of turbo lovers like me!


Answer's : 

I think that Turbokick is more like Turbo Jam. There's isnlt any band work etc in Turbokick. With regards to getting a good workout........i burn about 400 calories when I a participating in a class and around 600 when teaching!!!! I can not tell you how much harder it is to teach than just taking the class. I give 101% to every class I teach even if I am feeling tired. It;s your job to motivate the class so you have to give it your all however your feeling!

Yes you will have the training fee but you will also have to buy the Turbokick rounds. These come out about every 3 months (sometimes sooner) and cost around $55. You may also like to buy previous rounds when you first start out so you have plenty of material to swap things around prior to a new round coming out. When you do your training you buy what they call Elite 11. This is a box set of previous rounds at a discounted price.

So when I do the training and I buy what they call Elite 11 - How many workouts is that? You said its a set of previous rounds? so is each Round music to a class that I could teach? does it come with choreography too? Im just not familiar with how the rounds work? Im wondering after the training with I have a few routines to teach - or only one? Also, im glad to hear that you get a good workout or better, i was thinking that maybe you would as you are talking and cueing!



GO onto www.turbokick.com and you'll be able to see the local training sessions. You will get a current round free with your training. It's an all day event and you can buy the elite 11 there. The Elite 11 has 10 rounds and a dvd called going for gold which is all about form etc. The 10 rounds range from #28-37. We are currently on round 42 and 43 is due very soon.

Each round consists of an hour and is set to music. You get a dvd showing you the chromatography, notes and music cd. I would strongly suggest buying the elite11 and there's nothing worse than going to a class and doing the same routine for 3 months!!!!!!!

Thanks. There is a training on December 5th in MA that I am thinking about attending. So if I buy Elite 11 at training, i will have 10 rounds/workouts that i can teach. Im on turbokick now reading about the rounds. Do you remember how much it was to buy the Elite 11, or all 10 rounds?



So glad you have a training near you!!!

Yes if you get Elite 11 you will have 10 rounds. If your starting a brand new class you can do whatever round you like. If your going to be teaching/subbing an existing round they will probably be doing the most up to date round.

I'm thinking its about $170 but it was a while ago that I bought mine so I'm not completely sure! Whatever it is it is worth it's weight in gold!

I really can't thank you enough for this info! I think I may do it. Im glad you said i'll get a good workout doing it as well? Have you done turbofire?

What about the pay? is it different everywhere? im not really doing it for the money, just as a way to workout and share my love of turbo with others. but i am curious what i should expect or ask for?

Yes I have Turbofire but I am teaching so much I just don't need to do that as well! I can see you have a lot of the workout dvd.s, are you a Beachbody coach? I work for 24 hour and get $18.50. I'm like you, I don't do it for money. If you set up your own class you could earn alot more than this but I just don't want the extra hassle.

No I'm not a coach, Im just addicted to working out! I was 210lbs in my teens and now I'm a size 4 at 34yrs old. I'm so glad I found this group and got to talk to someone. 

Im so close to signing up for the Dec 5th training! ahhhhh :)

I know Andi has given you a bunch of information I just want to bring up a couple things that I've discovered since I got certify in June. Fitness Instructor insurance: Depending on where you teach you may or may not need this. I bought mine (with advice from the great ladies here) thru K&K Insurance for about $175. It was the cheapest I could find. Advertising-If you are walking into a gym/studio that already has a Turbo Kick following GREAT, if not you may want to have some money set aside to do some marketing.


Elite 11-BEST INVESTMENT EVER! I bought mine for 139 at our training. I knew that I was gonna need some rounds to get started and I didn't know when I'd be able to afford to buy more so this was a great starter tool.



I burn about 700 to 750 cals teaching, so yes it's still a great workout because you are over emphasizing everything and making it big and bringing all your energy to the class.



As far as pay, I've been offer $8 per class all the way up to $18. It all depends on other certifications you have (first aid/cpr, group fit ect) and the facility.



The trainings are amazing. Our presenter was so great. They teach you everything you need to know and give you the energy and encouragement to get out there and spread the Turbo Love!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Benefit Ba Gua Zhang

Ba Gua's energy is both complex and simple, in my experience.

When I touch your arm, whatever you give me I suck into my system, move my feet and send it spinning, and spiraling back out. I think of Ba Gua as ricochet, deflecting, careening, zinging and zipping off of one surface, deflecting and ripping into my opponent from any angle.

If my opponents strength is coming into me, my arm circles to suck it in and change the angle into an arc. As I step that arc circles back and cuts into my opponent

It's like a sabre, slicing and dicing in arcs and curves, if it misses going out, you cut on the way back in. Add the walking and those arcs and curves become orbits that hit at unexpected and unpredictable angles.
If my opponent is soft, my arm bites into his space and arcs inward toward him. Hopefully he will resist, which causes my arc to change yet again, going from high to low and then to high again. The stepping is the key, because it makes the angle totally unexpected, both to me and my opponent.

When we touch, I step. This is the primary philosophy.

When I get hit I step, when I strike I step. Always taking a new angle, no matter how small. Even if I stand in place, my feet pick up and set down. Tai Chi has a much more rooted way of moving.

I'm never quite balanced as I fight, stumbling this way and that I stagger into the right position and my arm carelessly crashes down on my opponents neck. This momentum continues as my other arm smashes his spine, then the first arm comes back up into his face. Always at an off angle, always with unaimed, unplanned, responsive strikes.

In Ba Gua I never do anything myself, my opponent contributes half. Without your force I cannot spin as a sphere does, I need your input in order to respond. And your input will form my response.

Walking the circle can create a sense of a vortex, rising from your feet, spinning through your body and up to the top of your head. When I touch my opponent I plug into this vortex and let their force get caught in the whirlwind. The key is to never use my own decision making or determination take the lead. Hsing-I teaches you how to impose your will on the world. In Ba Gua I literally don't care, the minute I start giving a damn, that's when my ability to manifest this whirlpool feeling ends.

I think of Ba Gua energy as a ball covered with fish hooks. Everything I touch is pierced by the hooks and pulled by my spinning trajectory. I don't jab like boxing, when I touch I try to stick. When you withdraw my energy is pulled into you on an wild and long arc, creating an elipse where my power grows on the return of the trajectory.

Someone who knows physics like Lee Burkins could speak on the actual terms for all of this, all I know is that when I put out my arms, they do all the work for me. I forget everything and just start up the old spiraling and next think you know stuff starts happening.

Ba Gua is nice because you never need to remember any techniques or think about what to do in a sparring match. Just touch and it does it for you. I'm not too good at memorizing angles or strategies, I'm more tactile and intuitive, so this is my way of doing it. There are other ways to do Ba Gua though, much more precise and focused.

Well, Ba Gua's energy is both complex and simple, in my experience. When I touch your arm, whatever you give me I suck into my system, move my feet and send it spinning, and spiraling back out. I think of Ba Gua as ricochet, deflecting, careening, zinging and zipping off of one surface, deflecting and ripping into my opponent from any angle.


If my opponents strength is coming into me, my arm circles to suck it in and change the angle into an arc. As I step that arc circles back and cuts into my opponent 



It's like a sabre, slicing and dicing in arcs and curves, if it misses going out, you cut on the way back in. Add the walking and those arcs and curves become orbits that hit at unexpected and unpredictable angles.



If my opponent is soft, my arm bites into his space and arcs inward toward him. Hopefully he will resist, which causes my arc to change yet again, going from high to low and then to high again. The stepping is the key, because it makes the angle totally unexpected, both to me and my opponent.


When we touch, I step. This is the primary philosophy.


When I get hit I step, when I strike I step. Always taking a new angle, no matter how small. Even if I stand in place, my feet pick up and set down. Tai Chi has a much more rooted way of moving.



I'm never quite balanced as I fight, stumbling this way and that I stagger into the right position and my arm carelessly crashes down on my opponents neck. This momentum continues as my other arm smashes his spine, then the first arm comes back up into his face. Always at an off angle, always with unaimed, unplanned, responsive strikes.



In Ba Gua I never do anything myself, my opponent contributes half. Without your force I cannot spin as a sphere does, I need your input in order to respond. And your input will form my response.



Walking the circle can create a sense of a vortex, rising from your feet, spinning through your body and up to the top of your head. When I touch my opponent I plug into this vortex and let their force get caught in the whirlwind. The key is to never use my own decision making or determination take the lead. Hsing-I teaches you how to impose your will on the world. In Ba Gua I literally don't care, the minute I start giving a damn, that's when my ability to manifest this whirlpool feeling ends.



I think of Ba Gua energy as a ball covered with fish hooks. Everything I touch is pierced by the hooks and pulled by my spinning trajectory. I don't jab like boxing, when I touch I try to stick. When you withdraw my energy is pulled into you on an wild and long arc, creating an elipse where my power grows on the return of the trajectory.



Someone who knows physics like Lee Burkins could speak on the actual terms for all of this, all I know is that when I put out my arms, they do all the work for me. I forget everything and just start up the old spiraling and next think you know stuff starts happening.



Ba Gua is nice because you never need to remember any techniques or think about what to do in a sparring match. Just touch and it does it for you. I'm not too good at memorizing angles or strategies, I'm more tactile and intuitive, so this is my way of doing it. There are other ways to do Ba Gua though, much more precise and focused.