Enter the Dragon!

Things got rowdy at my son's sixth birthday party.  Young boys, balloon swords, and way too much sugar!  But it wasn't until the birthday cake came out that I resorted to  kung fu: More conventionally executed as a double-strike to the lower part of an assailant's rib-cage, this hand formation proved effective when shielding birthday candles from the wind. Happy birthday, Jake!

Yesterday afternoon was the Australian Federation of Instructors 2009 Presentation Day.  There was a BBQ, black belt kata displays, "Santa Sensei" Kris Kringle, a raffle, awarding of grading certificates, and Kancho's class. The trun-out from Monash Caulfield was pleasining: Left to right: Anthony, Lizzie, Robin, Damian,  yours truly, Lejoe, Lisa, Ashley Holding their new certificates are: Lizzie: purple I, jiu-jitsu Damian: purple I & II, jiu-jitsu Lejoe: purple I judo; purple II & yellow I, jiu-jitsu Ashley: purple I & II judo; purple II, jiu-jitsu Congratulations to all, and also to Steve (purple I, jiu-jitsu) in absentia .  Thanks to Anthony, Lisa, and Robin for coming along anyway, even though they didn't grade (this time). Disappointingly, club kata presentations were bumped because of a tight schedule.  However, we should be very well practiced for next year! There were numerous black-belt promotions across the organization.  Of particular no...

Karate instructor Michele asked  Do black belts have to teach?  on her blog and lively discussion ensued.  I suspect that those who like teaching gravitated to the affirmative camp, while those who do not tended to the negative. All I'd add to that discussion is that in our organization -- The Australian Jiu-jitsu, Judo, and Chinese Boxing Federation of Instructors -- I don't think you can make it to black belt without an affinity for teaching.  As the name indicates, there's a lot of teaching in our system, and by developing everyone into teachers as well as martial artists there's a lot more hands-on instruction available than if teacher status is reserved for a select few. Anyway, there's another dimension I'd like to explore.  The next step after doing some occasional class teaching -- typically stepping in occasionally for the full-time instructor -- is to start your own regular class.  In our organization this means that either you inherit and existi...

Superficial teaching can sound good, but it's really by the numbers.  In The Anatomy of Change (page 121) Aikido teacher Richard Strozzi-Heckler writes: Learning to ski last winter, I took a lesson from an accomplished skier and certified instructor.   He initially amazed me, as his instructions were very similar to the ones I use with my students.  He spoke of the importance of relaxation, going with the contours of the slopes, and trusting my body to feel weight, balance, and flexibility.  His images were creative and useful.  I  was inspired and immediately put to use what he was telling me.  But after a point, I got stuck.  The instructor came over, reeled off the terrific aphorisms, and I again tried to put them to use.  But there was no use.  Something was missing. I realized that he wasn't making contact with me. He wasn't seeing me and what I needed to learn in order to move ahead. His wonderful information lacked a conn...

I can't imagine watching this and not being inspired:

Via Patrick Parker : The truth is that there is nothing noble in being superior to somebody else. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former self. -- Whitney Young Aim to improve.  Draw inspiration -- not envy -- from the achievements of others.

For the last couple of classes I have been working with my class to create an original kata for part of the kata display on Presentation Day, later this month. Last year we invented an original kata, The Kata of Possibility .  It proved to be a very rewarding experience, an opportunity for the class to work together as a group to show some of what they have learned to an appreciative audience. We've still got one more class to finalize and polish up our new kata, especially the formalities, but after last night we have the outline. Part I: Defences against Grabs Attack 1a : Double lapel grab (with optional knee to groin) Some defences : Side wrist throw, 2nd hip throw, 2nd leg throw (knee variation) Attack 1b : Single lapel grab and punch to the face Some defences : Double-strike turning throw, 1st leg throw, elbow roll submission, 2nd hip throw (after crossing uke up) Attack 1c: Front hair grab Defence: Retreating wrist-lock Part II: Defences against Chokes Attack 2a : ...

This southern Summer, beginning 24 January 2010,  I will be teaching a four-session course, The higher goals of Judo , open to all members of our Federation .  This subject matter will not seem surprising to regular readers of this blog: The Higher Goals of Judo: Course Aims Definition and history : To introduce participants to the higher goals of Judo practice, beyond self-defence and competitive skills, and to their historical basis Dojo / real life connection : To inspire participants to seek to apply what they learn in the dojo in the rest of their lives, and, conversely, to use the opportunities afforded by martial arts training to deliberately further their personal and social development Practice : To provide a venue in which participants can identify and explore areas ripe for their own personal and social development, in a practical fashion But wait, there's much more! Several other Federation instructors will also be presenting four week courses on a variety of aspec...