Friday Knight News
"Cutting down the enemy is the Way of strategy, and there is no need for many refinements of it" Musashi
Is the ability to transfer power the sole criteria of what makes a style reality based? How many times have we as martial artist heard that a style is too weak, too soft, or has no power. While everyone can understand that speed and power with a punch or kick can make a fighter more formidable, but does it make the style realistic? Some styles use the snap of karate uniform at the execution of a strike to evaluate the power of the blow by the sound it makes. Everyone understands the power of a strike that sounds like a crack of a pistol going off as it makes contact. Even in grappling arts, it is easy to determine power solely based on the impact of body-to-body contact and body-to-ground contact. So is this mindset on power the only factor to consider in reality based martial art training? What is the core of reality based martial arts is having the mindset to do what it takes to deal with the situation at hand. To be reality based your empty hand skill must be at least effective enough to deal with an armed attacker(s) long enough for you to gain access or maintain control of your weapon. While avoiding a fight is best, being able to end a fight instantly is superior to just being able to hold off the attacker.
In weight training there is a concept of utilizing progressively resistant exercises to increase strength and stamina. In most martial art systems the idea of using progressively resistant techniques are utilized to increase a person’s skill and ability in a step-by-step manner. In the beginning they work cooperatively with each other. Students are often introduced to rudimentary movements that are unrealistic for self-defense. These basic movements are then taught through repetition until the mental and physical responses are properly conditioned. As the student progresses from one level to the next, the speed and distance of the techniques shift into a more realistic dynamic. Eventually this period of cooperation distance keeping is gradually phased out. By this time the student has the ability to operate in a more relaxed manner and at a higher rate of speed even against a non-cooperative partner. This works as long as both students are functioning at near identical fitness levels and are utilizing similar techniques and strategy.
The trouble is many individuals seeking to study the art of self-defense do not have physical fortitude to study and apply a system that relies on speed, strength, and the ability to withstand punishment as its prime method of development. This is a flawed point of view when weapons come into play. Very often individuals that attacked us on the street do not have the same catalog of techniques, nor do they utilize the same standard of values as to what is considered fair. In fact, they have a tendency to hold a reverse standard on what should be done. They attack the weak, injured and elderly as a matter of practice. They will utilize weapons and numbers to achieve their goals and they do not mind attacking someone smaller and weaker than themselves.
A style that is progressively resistant does not have to rely on the forceful application of techniques. The only thing that is necessary to making any system hard or soft effective is to utilize progressively resistant concepts to pressure test the effectiveness of your techniques. In this way even people who are not athletes can measure the efficiency of their movements. We still need to work cooperatively with our training partners as we develop our skills, but by judicious application of safety measures we can develop them safely.
Reality continues to force us to change as we grow older too. There comes a time in every martial artists career to evaluate if they need to shift the focus of their training. Those that graduate from the reliance on physical power to principle and subtle weight shifts can continue having a realistic application of the martial arts for self-defense. This is even if they have lost a step or two in their physical capabilities. Sometimes the more rapid jumping and spinning movements are just not as effective as they once were, but it is important to continue sharpening the sword. So this continuing development of using the opponent's strength against them is conducive to the effective application of the martial arts as we age. This is also true when we have to deal with injuries or just being exhausted. At which time we will often find things like a flowing palm slap can often deliver force just as efficiently as a snapping reverse punch.
"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them, that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." Lao Tzu
Is the ability to transfer power the sole criteria of what makes a style reality based? How many times have we as martial artist heard that a style is too weak, too soft, or has no power. While everyone can understand that speed and power with a punch or kick can make a fighter more formidable, but does it make the style realistic? Some styles use the snap of karate uniform at the execution of a strike to evaluate the power of the blow by the sound it makes. Everyone understands the power of a strike that sounds like a crack of a pistol going off as it makes contact. Even in grappling arts, it is easy to determine power solely based on the impact of body-to-body contact and body-to-ground contact. So is this mindset on power the only factor to consider in reality based martial art training? What is the core of reality based martial arts is having the mindset to do what it takes to deal with the situation at hand. To be reality based your empty hand skill must be at least effective enough to deal with an armed attacker(s) long enough for you to gain access or maintain control of your weapon. While avoiding a fight is best, being able to end a fight instantly is superior to just being able to hold off the attacker.
In weight training there is a concept of utilizing progressively resistant exercises to increase strength and stamina. In most martial art systems the idea of using progressively resistant techniques are utilized to increase a person’s skill and ability in a step-by-step manner. In the beginning they work cooperatively with each other. Students are often introduced to rudimentary movements that are unrealistic for self-defense. These basic movements are then taught through repetition until the mental and physical responses are properly conditioned. As the student progresses from one level to the next, the speed and distance of the techniques shift into a more realistic dynamic. Eventually this period of cooperation distance keeping is gradually phased out. By this time the student has the ability to operate in a more relaxed manner and at a higher rate of speed even against a non-cooperative partner. This works as long as both students are functioning at near identical fitness levels and are utilizing similar techniques and strategy.
The trouble is many individuals seeking to study the art of self-defense do not have physical fortitude to study and apply a system that relies on speed, strength, and the ability to withstand punishment as its prime method of development. This is a flawed point of view when weapons come into play. Very often individuals that attacked us on the street do not have the same catalog of techniques, nor do they utilize the same standard of values as to what is considered fair. In fact, they have a tendency to hold a reverse standard on what should be done. They attack the weak, injured and elderly as a matter of practice. They will utilize weapons and numbers to achieve their goals and they do not mind attacking someone smaller and weaker than themselves.
A style that is progressively resistant does not have to rely on the forceful application of techniques. The only thing that is necessary to making any system hard or soft effective is to utilize progressively resistant concepts to pressure test the effectiveness of your techniques. In this way even people who are not athletes can measure the efficiency of their movements. We still need to work cooperatively with our training partners as we develop our skills, but by judicious application of safety measures we can develop them safely.
Reality continues to force us to change as we grow older too. There comes a time in every martial artists career to evaluate if they need to shift the focus of their training. Those that graduate from the reliance on physical power to principle and subtle weight shifts can continue having a realistic application of the martial arts for self-defense. This is even if they have lost a step or two in their physical capabilities. Sometimes the more rapid jumping and spinning movements are just not as effective as they once were, but it is important to continue sharpening the sword. So this continuing development of using the opponent's strength against them is conducive to the effective application of the martial arts as we age. This is also true when we have to deal with injuries or just being exhausted. At which time we will often find things like a flowing palm slap can often deliver force just as efficiently as a snapping reverse punch.
"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them, that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." Lao Tzu
My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.
Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)
Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.
Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)
Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.
Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.
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