I was at a karate demo, and saw what contemporary martial arts looks like. Mmmm. At times, the demonstrators would use weapons. Their weapons sure were sparkly.

As I watched, I found myself thinking, What is that? Their movements occasionally mimicked traditional actions, but more often than not, didn't look like anything. For these players, weapons are fun props for their performances, and nothing more.

Just like empty hand practice, I find that most people who train with weapons have no idea how to hold them, much less, use them. So, it seems as if I am adopting another mission – to introduce the correct usage of traditional weapons to people who think they are "fun" rather than scary.

So, I will be conducted a Master Class on the correct use of sai on the last Friday of June, in Madison, WI. Just click on the image to download the flier. Hope to see you then. In the meantime

Go train!

CT

I'm offering a special and very limited bargain – my new Self-defense Rescripted DVD & the book Effortless Self-Defense for Women (co-authored with Kimberly Dillman Foreman). This is a $69.90 value for only 49.95. But, I have only 25 sets to sell (limited bargain). This should appear in the store shortly.

CT

I will be teaching a Friday evening seminar in the Milwaukee area. Just click on the image to download the flier.

Self-Defense Rescripted

Imagine this scenario: you are in fifth grade, and the annoying bully who sits near you likes to pounce when you are trying to write something. His method is to grab the end of your pencil as you are writing and move the pen around to make a mess on your paper. Of course, you have done all the usual, told him to "Cut it out," tried to pull your pencil away. But, nothing changes. So, one day, you do none of the usual things. Instead you place your free hand over his hand as he grabs your pencil and hold his hand to your pencil. Rather than trying to pull away, you pin his hand in place. Now, he is trying to pull away, because the situation has taken a completely unexpected turn, and he has somehow become stuck.

Imagine this scenario: you are playing with your favorite stuffed animal, and your older brother tries to take it from you. Your usual response is to hug your toy tightly to your chest, while saying, "It's mine! You can't have it!" However, this time, instead of pulling the toy to your chest, you grab your brother's arm (which is holding the stuffed animal) and pull it to your chest, saying "It's mine, you can't have it!" Now, being your brother, you feel justified in adjusting the balance of power somewhat. So, you sink your baby teeth into his wrist. Now, he is yelping and struggling to get free of the death grip you have on his arm. What started as struggle over your toy has been transformed into a struggle over your brother's arm. What started as you trying to escape him has been transformed into him desperate to escape you. This is what I call "rescripting."

When an assailant attacks he has a scenario planned out. He has already determined the time and place for action. He has tried to reduce the number of variables to basically two possible outcomes. Either his potential victim will play out the role of compliant victim, or the role of struggling prey. Rescripting means to change the plot, to take the encounter down an unexpected path, to alter the storyline. Change the narrative, change the outcome.

In a previous blog, I introduced the concept of "Single Scenario Tactical Solutions," which is an approach to teaching self defense by teaching one simple movement concept which can be applied to handle a wide variety of tactical problems. The core movement I teach is based on natural biomechanics and chosen for it's value as a method of rescripting. It is an amazingly powerful approach to self defense, and has become central to my teaching.

Of course, I can only introduce the concept in a blog, but I am happy to say that my new Self-Defense Rescripted DVD is completed and now available. I am really pleased with how it turned out, and even more pleased to see how my approach to self-defense has matured over the years. I'm sure you will find it a very helpful resource both personally and professionally. But remember, knowledge alone is not enough – there's no substitute for training. So…

Thanks for reading,

Now, go train.

CT

The Importance of a Strong Foundation

Me teaching in Switzerland.

A couple of DKI-Germany guys practicing application to the tai chi chuan movement called "boxing the ears." As my student's students had corrected me on my double-weighting of this move, I used this teaching moment to show the principle of "not double-weighting" and to show how even "grandmasters" continue to be students even of beginners. Everyone is my sensei.

This is Gabby Roloff working with Ralph Hodl. Ralph was my host, a great guy and now, a good friend. Gabby Roloff is one of the 7 people to whom Professor Remy Presas designated as inheriters of Modern Arnis with the designation "Master of Tapi Tapi. I was deeply honored to have Gabby at my seminar.

This is Enrico Gassmann, who served as translator. Enrico spent part of his childhood in upstate New York, so his English is great. One interesting thing is that the Swiss speak a very specific dialect called "Swiss-German." As a result, the German students present (a couple of them spoke great English as well) would offer a different translation – one more German-proper. It was like dueling-translators. Very cool and impressive to a mono-glot such as myself.

Gabby Roloff and me. I was so glad to have her at the seminar, that I had this picture taken first thing Saturday morning.

I just returned from Europe. In my last post, I told you a bit about the training in Germany. I then trained people in Switzerland. I was sponsored by Ralph Hodl. Ralph did this as a last-minute favor. Originally, I had been invited by DKI Germany's Gebhard Lamme. But, about a month ago, Gebhard was diagnosed with cancer and had to begin immediate treatments. So, he had to cancel all the seminars he was hosting till fall. Unfortunately, I already had my tickets, etc., and a seminar confirmed in Hanover with Kurt Steube. So, I contacted Ralph to see if we could cobble something together really quickly in Zurich. Ralph did a great job of setting things up, and even served as tour guide, so that we (my wife and I) got to see lots of interesting and beautiful places in Switzerland.

The European karateka seem very good. They are very traditional, and in that sense have solid basics. As a result, many of them easily understood and could do the concepts I was explaining. And here, I don't mean just the pressure points.

People who love martial arts, but who received very poor instruction, will gravitate toward kyusho-jitsu in the hopes of finding something which will cancel out the useless crap they learned. These martial artists often see Kyusho as a kind of stand-alone strategy. But, anyone who has ever trained with me knows that I see kyusho-jitsu as part of an integrated strategy. Fundamentally, I believe in breaking down the opponent's structure and immobilizing him by striking pressure points, dominating the combative space, claiming the advantageous position, trapping the arms and controlling the legs. I try to build redundant elements into my technique so I am not dependent on any one aspect to insure success. This means my approach does not depend on pressure points, or position, or trapping, but uses all these to win. So, as I often say to people who train with me expecting nothing but a pure pressure point lecture, "I also use pressure points!"

Good solid basics – proper stances, a clear understanding of movement, good body alignment – make everything easier and more effective. Whenever someone's stance is wrong, they have trouble doing what I teach. When their body is out of alignment they have trouble doing what I teach. But, when the basic foundation is there, everything comes so much easier.

As I taught in Germany and Switzerland, I was impressed by how many had good form and were able to understand and do what I was teaching. I wish I saw a similar commitment to, and understanding of, basics in the U.S.

I guess what I'm trying to say is,

Thanks for reading,

Now, Go Train (your basics)!

CT

Greetings from Switzerland! I had a nice seminar in Hanover, Germany, hosted by Kurt Steube. There were 60 people present, some very fine martial artists. I really appreciate the kindness of Kurt, and his wife, Andje. I also appreciate the help of Bern, the translator (who reminds me of Travis P). Bern's training is Anti-terror Kampf (defensive tactics), so at times my karate technical language was too unfamiliar. At those times, a fine Wado-ryu practitioner named Frank Carmichael (a German of Scottish decent, who spoke great English with a Scottish/German accent) would step in to translate. So, thanks Bern and Frank.

Right now we are enjoying Switzerland under the kind guidance of our host Ralph Hodl. Ralph is a very fine Shit0-ryu practitioner. He has arranged for me to teach at a Kyokushin dojo Thursday evening, a Shito-ryu dojo Firday, and a two-day seminar (full to capacity with 30 students) at Ralph's dojo Saturday and Sunday.

Interesting note, here in Europe kyusho training seems to be regarded as 'for seniors only.' In Hanover, it appeared to be only brown and black belts (and a couple of senior kung fu practitioners), and I understand the same will be true here in Switzerland.

Above, I've attached a few photo. Center one is (L-R) translator Bern, Me, Kurt Steube.

Thanks for reading.

Now, go train!

CT

A change in plans for my teaching schedule in Europe. I will be teaching as originally planned in Hannover, Germany, March 13-14. But, the following weekend, March 20-21, I will be teaching in Zurich. Attached are the fliers for these seminars. Just click on the above or below image to view full-size. – CT