Email Martial Arts

It's been interesting this week, I have been talking via email to a martial artist in Sweden that is highly ranked in a number of traditional Japanese styles. It is always great to discuss the martial arts with people that are open minded and have dedicated years to the arts. Probably the most amusing thing is that I "met" him because he purchased an item from my wife through ebay. Yah ebay.

Stretching Tip

Based on current research, it is recommended that you don't do slow static stretching at the beginning of your class or training session. Instead warm-up then do some light active stretching.

Leave the slow static stretching to the end of the session or do a separate stretching session at another time.

Improving your targeting

If you are training in one of the stick arts e.g. Kali and want to improve your targeting - try making this simple device.

Thread some light rope through an old tennis ball, tie it off and hang it from the ceiling at head height - its great way to sharpen your targeting skills especially for snap strikes (witiks etc.)

Folding The Hakama

If you are starting your training in one of the Japanese arts that require you to wear a hakama (Iaido, Kendo, Kyudo, many of the Koryu arts etc.) this video could be very useful.

Kendo In Kyoto

Golden Week in Japan bring with it a huge budo festival in Kyoto.

I was lucky enough to spend the day in Kyoto on Thursday and saw Yabusame (Japanese mounted archery) for the first time and saw some 7th dan Kendo matches at the Butokuden in the Heian Shrine area.

Also on the day was an 8th dan Iaido grading and a Kyudo competition.

Wow!!!

Iaido - me in action

I did my first Iaido grading in January of this year. My wife caught it on video, so here's your chance to see me in action.

Please forgive the errors on my part (^_^)

Training In Japan

One thing that is truly amazing about training in Japan is the quality and quantity of the sensei (teachers).

When I was first training at my Iaido dojo, I had a 6th dan with about 30 years of experience giving me one on one instruction for the whole class. Now I train with the normal class with a 7th dan, who has been training Iaido for about 40 years, as the primary instructor. It is amazing!

Training under this quality of instruction is fantastic, although it does make you realise how little you know.(^_^)

Changing Focus

I have found that what I want from my martial arts training is changing as I get older.

In my teens and early twenties, my training was focused on being strong and being able to hit hard.

The next stage was based on becoming a more well rounded martial artist. This included incorporating grappling and weapon training into the mix.

Now my training is focused my health and fitness and improving my existing skill set.

I must admit however, this focus is not stopping me from the Iaido and Shinkage Ryu that I am doing while I am in Japan. (^_^)

Do You Need To Speak The Language?

One of my concerns when I first started training in Japan, was how I would cope with training, given my limited Japanese language skills.

I need not have worried. Although the classes are in Japanese, the instruction has been excellent. Admittedly my instructors sometimes use gestures to get a point across.

The best thing about my slowly increasing language skills, (thanks to private tuition and JapanesePod 101) has been the fact that I can socialise more with the people at training. (^_^)

Training Tip

When is the last time you trained away from your normal dojo/kwoon?

If it's been a while or never, try some training at the beach, in a park or on some sloping ground etc.

The change is usually fun, good for your motivation and you can learn a lot about you and your art.

Enjoy!!!

Martial Arts Quote

"He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position"

A very cool quote attributed to Ed Parker - American Kenpo

Kukishin Ryu - Day of the Bo

I was very fortunate to be a participant on the first day of the 5th Kukishin Ryu Denshukai. Kukishin Ryu is a Koryu/traditional martial art dating from the 14th century, which incorporates a full array of weapon and unarmed techniques.

On the day I attended, the training was based around Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu - the combative use of the bo. Prior to this event I had no experience with the use of the bo, so the day was an eye opener for me.

It did not take me long to gain great respect for both the weapon and the art. The instructors were excellent both technically and as teachers of the style, and the technique, speed and power demonstrated by the the instructors and the advanced practitioners was of the very highest level.

Martial Arts in Japan

Living in Japan has given me the opportunity to see a great number of arts that are not commonly seen in the West.

I recently attended an martial arts demonstration at a shrine that was truly amazing. Arts demonstrated in the 5 hour extravaganza included Hozoin Ryu, Owari Kan Ryu, Ryukyu Kobujutsu, Shinto Muso Ryu, Tendo Ryu and Yagyu Shinkage Ryu.

In future posts I will explain more about some of these arts and include some more photos of the demonstrations.