Principles of Judo, Kenji Tomiki

Kenji Tomiki was born March 15, 1900. In 1956 when the following was first published, Kenji Tomiki was 7th dan Judo, 8th dan Aikido, Professor of Judo at Waseda University, a member of the Kodokan's Special Direction Committee, and an official of the All Japan Judo Federation. In 1971 he was awarded the 8th dan in Kodokan Judo. Kenji Tomiki died December 25, 1979.

          

Table of Contents

1. Physical Training
2. Shizentai (natural posture)
3. Courtesy
4. Sen (initiative)
5. Kuzushi (breaking balance)
6. Stability
7. Ju-no-ri (principle of gentleness)

1. Judo as Physical Training

It is a fundamental principle of sports to carry on exercises in proportion to the bodily strength. Judo as a game belongs to the fighting games and so often assumes all the aspects of an intensive feat of strength requiring strenuous exertions. In the practice of Judo, however, this evil can be averted by means of Kata (forms). That is, the kata enables the Judo student to adjust the amount of exercise according to his bodily strength and age, and yet is fully effectual both in respect to interest and benefit.

Judo includes the following three points in its objective on the physical side:

• Toughness (giving steadiness, elasticity and staying power to the muscles)
• Flexibility (giving mobility to the spinal column and other joints together with full elasticity of the muscles)
• Adroitness (quickening the function of the motor nerves and making movements both nimble and steady)

From the standpoint of athletic physiology these qualities are correlated with one another, and the bodily activities in Judo exercises are best adapted to those requirements.

2. Natural Posture (Shizentai)

The shizentai, or natural posture, is the posture of a person standing quietly with his head and upper body kept upright, arms hanging without constraint and legs not so firm and widely apart. This is the description of the proper posture as regards its form, but it has a deeper, wider significance. When this posture is maintained, it may be considered that 1) the body keeps stability and does not fall and 2)as the limbs are kept soft they can shift to any action at any moment.

In the preceding paragraph the natural posture is explained as a standing posture. If, however, outward form or posture is left out of consideration, and the natural posture is an attitude of the body which is capable of repelling the opponent's attack, and moreover of assuming the offensive whenever there is an opening in the opponent's guard, the natural posture may be said to be possible not only when standing, but also when sitting or lying. In fact, in a Judo contest, the contestant who has fallen is not nedessarily beaten. On the contrary, he may make an attack against his opponent while lying on the mats. In fact, the natural posture is an attitude of the body which is always capable of taking the lead.

There is an old expression, "Motion in rest." It means that rest is pregnant with motion as infinite activity, so it indicates the principle of natural posture. Functioning like this, the natural posture must necessarily be studied from a mental point of view, and from olden times the ultimate secrets of jujutsu have lain here.

3. Courtesy

Courtesy is the formal manifestation of the spirit of respect. With the spirit of respect we recognize the dignity of another's personality. In other words, it is the spirit of living in harmony with one another in social life. In a Judo contest the contestants should face each other in the proper posture, looking properly at each other and using moderation in their actions. Thus they are in a state of harmony in which they never set each other at defiance, and maintain the dignity of personality. Hence it is taught that exercises in Judo should begin with courtesy and end with courtesy.

4. Initiative (Sen)

In all athletic sports one must, in order to gain the victory, surpass the opponent in mental power, technical skill, and physical strength. These three factors must be united in gaining the mastery over an opponent. The mastery is brought into play in the form of various techniques, and although there are a large number of them, they may be summed up and resolved into one word sen (initiative or lead).

In the old densho (books of secret principles) the way of taking the initiative is explained in three stages.

• Sen-sen-no-sen (superior initiative). Superior initiative is given play in a delicate situation where one confronts an opponent who intends to attack, and gains mastery over him by subtly guessing his mentality and forestalling his actions. This is the highest reach of the mental cultivation in any military art and is regarded as not easily attainable. But if you consider it more deeply, you will find it too late to try to gain command over anything when it has taken a concrete form, and you must have the mental preparedness to hold it down beforehand. For this purpose it is necessary to learn to maintain the openness and serenity of mind as signified by the old expression, "Clear as a stainless mirror and calm as still water." Lao-tse teaches this almost divine state of mind in the following words: "It is the way of heaven to prevail without contention."
• Sen (initiative). This is to forestall your opponent by starting an action before he begins attack on you.
• Ato-no-sen (initiative in defense). This is not to guess the mentality of your opponent and check his action before it is done, but to start action in defense the moment you have an inkling of the offensive of your opponent. It is to avoid the opponent's attack the instant it is about to be launched upon you, and to make a counter-attack taking advantage of a pause in your opponent's movement and a disturbance in his posture. A man who takes the initiative in defense rises in opposition to his opponent's attack, and parries or averts it. Seemingly it is a defensive move. In order to stave off the opponent's attack at the last moment and restore one's position one must keep the moral attitude of initiative so as not to get worsted by the adversary.

The secrets of victory thus lie in taking the initiative, and in getting the start of one's adversary there are included the following factors:

• The first is the eyes. From old times it is said that the important things in a bout are "first the eyes, second the feet, third grit, and fourth strength." The eyes are said to be the window for the mind. They are an index to your mind. Where the eyes are fixed, there the mind is concentrated, and naturally the will is attracted.
• The second in importance is the posture. In a wider sense, it is the bodily attitude. It is a preparatory posture either for attack or for defense. Therefore, unless a proper posture is well maintained, not only is it impossible to take advantage of any opening for attack in the adversary, but you get your posture broken and are given a blow.
• The third is the movement. Even though you maintain the proper posture or bodily attitude, you cannot attain your object unless your movement and action conform to the rules.
• The fourth is the space condition. It consists of your distance, direction, and position as against your opponent. It is essential to study the principles of space condition, for from this study you will realize the secret principle of "fighting after getting the better of the opponent first."

5. Breaking Balance (Kuzushi)

Kenji Tomiki performing ude garami

In the preceding section on the principle of natural posture, explanation was given regarding how to make oneself invulnerable to all possible attacks and how victory is gained. In this section on the principle of kuzushi (breaking the posture) it will he shown how it is that one is defeated. For in order to make clear the theory of victory one must at the same time know the theory of defeat. The Kodokan Judo found that the principle of the techniques (either with naked fists, or using a weapon like the sword, spear, club, etc.) of the old-school jujutsuconsists in breaking the condition of the body which has lost equilibrium. It is called kuzure-no-jotai (state of broken balance). Sometimes the opponent himself loses the balance, and at other times you positively destroy the opponent's balance, leading him to a vulnerable posture. In Judo each technique is analyzed into tsukuri (preparatory action) and kake (attack). Preparatory action is further divided into aite-no-tsukuri (preparing of the opponent) and jibun-no-tsukuri (preparing of self). Preparing of the opponent consists in destroying the opponent's balance before performing a technique and putting him in a posture where it will be easy to apply it. At the same instant the contestant himself must be in a posture and position in which it is easy to apply a technique. This is the preparing of self.

The nicety of judo techniques lies not in the action of performing techniques, but rather in the skill with which the preparing is done as a preliminary. It was the clear-sighted and original idea of the founder of the Kodokan Judo that analyzed the technique which is applied in an instant, and attached importance to the study and practice of preparatory action. In the case of the preparing of the opponent, the theory and practice of the principle of breaking the balance must be studied, while as regards preparing of self it is necessary to study the natural posture and also the theory and practice of ma-ai (space condition).

6. Stability

The center of gravity of a standing man's body is nearly in the hypogastric region. When the perpendicular line drawn from the center of gravity passes through the fulcrum or the middle of the base formed by the two feet, the posture of the man is stabilized.

A man is ready to fall when his body swings forward and backward or from side to side, and the perpendicular line drawn from the center of gravity departs from the fulcrum. However, when a living person's body loses its balance, he tries to regain it. Though the center of gravity wavers, he is able to maintain his erect posture. In case the center of gravity of a standing person wavers sharply and he is unable to maintain stability he supports his body by putting his foot forward in the direction in which the center of gravity tends. In short, the posture of a standing man appears unstable at first sight, but the equilibrium is cleverly kept by taking steps properly. If some external force acts upon the man the moment he loses balance, he falls at once, as is described below

• The body falls easily, when something impedes the foot which is set in the direction in which the center of gravity tends, e. g., when the foot put out stumbles on a pebble.
• When the equilibrium of the body is lost, the time when the center of gravity is lost is shorter than the time required for the peripheral sensory organ to communicate the loss of the body equilibrium to the nerve center and the latter to order the foot muscles through the foot nerve to put the foot forward; for instance, when the body inclines forward and falls forward because a sudden force is applied from the back, giving the person no time to put the foot forward.

7. Principle of Gentleness (Ju-no-ri)

In the previous sections it was asserted that we are never defeated if we keep our proper posture and presence of mind, and in carrying on movements and actions we use the body in a natural and reasonable manner. It was also shown how easily we are defeated when the balance of the body is lost. Next we must learn how these two principles should be put into practice in the judo contest, namely how to deal with the opponent's power when applied upon us, and to gain the final victory. The rules of this activity are called ju-no-ri, or the principle of gentleness.

a. The Principle of Gentleness as Viewed from the Relation of Force

When meeting an opponent, there are various ways that the principle of gentleness can be applied against the force that is used upon us. The bout may be performed in a standing position or sometimes in a lying posture. There are also various kinds of techniques such as standing position techniques, lying posture techniques, holding techniques, strangle-hold techniques, and the bending and twisting of joints. In order to give the techniques full play in their respective situations it is necessary to apply the principle of gentleness.

What then is the principle of gentleness? In the standing position techniques the contestant does not act against the force applied by the opponent, but, while following it, he makes use of the force and tries to break the opponent's posture. For instance, when you and your opponent confront each other at some interval, and he takes a step forward and pushes your chest with his hand, you too take a step backward instead of acting against him, and you will not feel the resistance of the opponent's force. If at that time your step backward is longer than the opponent's step forward, his balance is broken forward by his own force, and you can throw him down forward by pulling the arm which he thrust forward. If, again, the opponent pulls your front lapel, then you can throw him down in the same way by moving forward following the pull. In short, the principle is to pull in response to the opponent's push and to push in response to his pull. In other words, while yielding to the force of the opponent's action upon you, you break his balance by striking at the weak point in his posture. In this case it will be more effective to dodge the opponent's push and pull him by seizing that opportunity than to retreat in the direction of your opponent's push and pull him. The direction of the opponent's movement shifts around you and the opponent not only has to make more movement than you, but he is apt to lose his balance partly owing to the action of centrifugal force. The saying goes among judo experts, “ Move round in response to push." While following your opponent's action, you must always make your movement so as to lead your opponent around you and destroy the balance of his posture.

This principle of gentleness means in a wide sense action to maintain your initiative against the resistance and obstruction arising from the surroundings. The manners of taking your posture, taking your steps and moving your body as taught according to the principle of natural posture indicates that the action against all resistance should follow the principle of gentleness. In regard to the case where your body loses its balance and you fall at last, breaking falls are devised as a means to protect your own body from the impact on the ground. This is also an application of the principle of gentleness. As was explained elsewhere in detail, when your own body is about to fall you should round yourself up and fall instead of resisting the impetus, while you use your arms to protect the body from the impact on the ground. In short, you avert the resistance of the ground while yielding cleverly to the terrestrial gravitation (which acts on you before you come under the opponent's force), and thus endeavor to exercise the initiative.

b. The Principle of Gentleness as Viewed from the Relation of Movement

In the foregoing passage explanation was given concerning the relations of the force between oneself and the opponent. It must further be given from the relation of movement. In a bout your opponent develops a feverish bodily activity; so it does not turn out as you want it to. For instance, it would be difficult for you to deliver a blow on your opponent's face, forearm, or side, or to sweep his foot or waist, because the opponent does not stand still a moment, either. Still more difficult is it to grasp the opponent's wrist or arm. An old book of secrets in martial arts mentions the three following opportunities to land a blow on the opponent:

• Giving a blow at the beginning.
• Giving a blow at the finish.
• Giving a blow on the receipt.

"Giving a blow at the beginning" is effected when the opponent is beginning an action in which he shifts from a stationary state. Close observation reveals that a man's movement is a succession of rest and motion, resting followed by motion and motion by rest. You land a blow on the opponent at the turn of his action. For instance, when the opponent strikes with his fist, he must first raise it. The moment he begins to raise his fist and the moment he begins to deal a blow with his raised fist are called the "beginning." In "giving a blow at the finish," "finish" means the moment the opponent has dealt a blow with raised fist and forearm fully stretched. "Giving a blow on the receipt" is effected when the opponent has received the blow you gave him and, intent only on parrying it, has ceased all other action.

In all these cases you avail yourself of the pause at the change of one action to another. By taking advantage of the three above-mentioned cases you give a blow, grasp, or parry. But as a matter of fact, you must be more careful. The pause at the turn of one action to another means the instant the opponent comes to rest. The instant may perhaps be a minute fraction of a second and so it is difficult to give a blow or a grasp just that instant. When, for instance, you chase a fly or dragonfly, you often fail if you try to catch it the moment it settles on something. You will succeed if you catch it by adjusting the motion of your hand to the speed and direction of the insect before it alights. Thus one realizes that in order to seize the three opportunities giving a blow successfully, it is necessary to have practice in adjusting the rhythm of your action to that of the opponent's motion. One cannot understand the principle of gentleness unless one learns this relation of rhythm. As with the way of movement in the natural posture, it is possible to adjust the rhythm of the motion of your body to that of the motion of the opponent's body. It is only when the rhythm of the body movement is thus in accord that you can make the rhythm of your foot and hand movements in accord with that of your opponent and seize the opportunity of applying various techniques.

The application of the principle of gentleness is well manifested in the techniques and five kata (forms) of the (ito school ofjujutsu which are preserved as the koshiki-no-kata (forms antique) of the Kodokan Judo. The application of force and the movement of the body are effected quite naturally without causing any strain, and enable the contestant to bring the opponent under control without acting against his force. The movement makes a magnificent and beautiful rhythm. From olden times the principle of gentleness has been symbolized by a willow branch or a bamboo, which is pliant and not easily broken. It was also likened to the movement of billows rolling in and receding on the beach. Many of the old schools of jujutsutook their names from these symbols. The term aiki as used in the aikijujutsu or aikido signifies after all "gentleness." The Orientals sought the source of all human actions in ki (spirit). Force is derived from spirit, and movement of the body is effected by spirit. So they held it of primary importance to foster spirit. Mencius says: "Will leads spirit; spirit permeates the body." Issai-Chozan, ancient swordsman, writes, "Spirit carries the mind and controls the body." To adjust one's own spirit to the opponent's is to adjust one's own power to the opponent's, and this is an internal explanation of the principle of gentleness.

Kenji Tomiki, author of "Judo, with Aikido", published in 1956

Jujutsu (art of gentleness) was also formerly called wa-jutsu (art of accord). This shows that ju(gentleness) has also the meaning of wa (accord). In the Ryuko-no-maki (lit. Book of Dragon and Tiger) which is regarded as one of the oldest volumes expounding the secrets of the martial arts, there is a passage, "If the enemy turns upon us we meet him; if he leaves we let him leave. Facing the enemy, we stand in accord with him. Five and five are ten. Two and eight are ten. One and nine are ten. All this shows accord."

Wa, or accord, is the fundamental principle of the Japanese martial arts. Expressed in modern terms and made easy of practice to anyone, it became the principle of gentleness. The principle of gentleness teaches that one should go, not against, but with, the the opponent's force, and yet maintain one's proper position so as not lose one's balance. This corresponds to the spirit set forth in Confucius' remark in his Analects, "The superior man is compliant but not blindly yielding." Jujutsuoriginated as a method of fighting between men. But through practice by experts for many years it has been refined as an art, with its principles more and more closely studied and invested with moral significance, until it has developed into Judo as we learn and practice it today. Judo is neither a mere manifestation of violence nor a means of fighting, but can be studied and followed as a doctrine of life.

The True Meaning of Aiki in Aikido and Aikijujutsu, Part 2

I am posting Part 2 of an article that has been running in BB magazine online.  Read to the bottom then go to
Part 1.

http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/traditional-martial-arts-training/aikijujutsu/the-true-meaning-of-aiki-in-aikido-and-aikijujutsu-part-2

The True Meaning of Aiki in Aikido and Aikijujutsu, Part 2

Posted By Robert W. Young On January 26, 2015 @ 5:50 pm In Aikijujutsu | No Comments

When comparing aikijujutsu ^[1] and aikido ^[2], some generalization is necessary because several styles of aikido and branches of daito-ryu aikijujutsu exist.
Although the technical influence of daito-ryu on aikido is still clear, according to Antonino Certa, a daito-ryu teacher in Milan, Italy, the two are now separate arts with different outlooks. Certa, a longtime student of aikido prior to taking up daito-ryu, stresses that genuine aikijujutsu is not simply “hard aikido” or “aikido plus strikes and weapons.”
For one thing, Certa found that the number of techniques in aikido is far fewer than in daito-ryu. Morihei Ueshiba distilled a core of about 20 main techniques — including shiho-nage, irimi-nage, kote-gaeshi, ikkyo and nikyo— as the basis for aikido. United Kingdom-based aikido instructor Dave Humm agrees but points out that aikidoka can use those core techniques to generate an infinite number of variations based on circumstances, situations and methods of attack. The ethos, he says, is to be able to make any one of those applications fit any given situation.
In daito-ryu, however, the approach is very different. The techniques number several hundred, and each is performed only in a small number of situations for which it’s deemed most suitable — for instance, when kneeling, when standing, when attacked from behind, when attacked by a taller person and so forth. No attempt is made to fit a technique to all situations.
 ^[3]
Sogaku Takeda’s son and successor, Tokimune Takeda, sits with students in their dojo in Hokkaido, Japan.
Certa found that aikido practice is generally conducted in a more “free” way than aikijujutsu, with a continuous flow and the use of circles to bind movements and applications together. In contrast, daito-ryu uses mostly formal, two-person kata practice. The techniques are short and direct, and tend to be more linear and angular than circular.
Daito-ryu also tends to favor throwing with a dropping motion, rather than an outward projection as in aikido. The objective in daito-ryu is to keep the thrown ^[4] enemy close so he can be finished off, if need be. Also, where aikido often favors controlling (osae) the opponent without causing excessive pain or injury, daito-ryu leans toward breaking (kansetsu).
Relative Lethality
Another important point is that daito-ryu doesn’t claim to be a purely defensive system: There are several formal techniques in which one makes a pre-emptive attack rather than waiting for the enemy to strike first.
Although much of aikido seems to be practiced as a defensive form, Humm believes that it can be employed proactively in real situations simply by changing the mind-set. His experience as a prison officer serving in high-security establishments has shown that while the application looks nothing like the techniques in the dojo, the principles behind the techniques (distancing, blending and unbalancing) are definitely valid and have served him well when he’s had to initiate encounters.
The martial and often brutal spirit of daito-ryu is illustrated by the explanations of Takeda’s son and successor Tokimune Takeda. In an interview in Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu ^[5], by Stanley Pranin, Tokimune states, “The essence of daito-ryu is to keep alert until you have cut the enemy’s throat.” In modern times, health and safety regulations and the hassle of lawsuits make it a little impractical to actually cut the throats of partners in training. Therefore, the essence of the final kill has been preserved in a symbolic way: The practitioner delivers a sword-hand strike to the downed opponent, accompanying it with a sharp kiai.
Daito-ryu features more use of atemi waza (striking ^[6] techniques) than do most aikido styles. In the early days, aikido training did include a large amount of striking — Ueshiba is famously quoted as saying, “Atemi is 99 percent of aikido” — but this seems to have been de-emphasized in many styles as the years progressed. The atemi in daito-ryu use the fist, the edge of the hand, the elbow and the feet, and are crucial parts of many techniques.
There’s also a difference in the use of weapons. Some daito-ryu branches incorporate the classical sword style of ono-ha itto-ryu and consider kenjutsu ^[7] important for understanding the daito-ryu system. In addition to the sword, some techniques involving the tessen (iron fan), jutte (truncheon), tanto ^[8] (knife), shuriken ^[9] (throwing stars) and other weapons are taught at the higher levels in some branches. A few substyles of daito-ryu are alleged to contain aiki nito (two-sword) and spear techniques, but they’re rarely seen today. Aikido, on the other hand, is largely an unarmed art, although some styles, notably the iwama style, do include somesword ^[10] and jo ^[11] (staff) training.
The advanced teachings of daito-ryu also include aiki no jutsu, which are throwing techniques that appear to have been one of Ueshiba’s specialties, forming the basis for the kokyu nage (breath throw) of aikido.
Certa regards aiki as an important part of daito-ryu but eschews the kind of fantastical interpretations described earlier. In the above-mentioned interview, Tokimune Takeda remarked that, “Aiki is to pull when you are pushed, and to push when you are pulled.” Certa met and studied under Tokimune prior to the latter’s death in 1993 and seems to share this pragmatic view. In his opinion, aiki is but one of the tactics a skilled fighter can use. At a mechanical level, it’s a particular way of meeting force that differs from simply opposing or yielding. He offers this illustration: The opponent attacks and projects his force against the defender, who momentarily resists. That makes the attacker react in the opposite direction, and the defender yields in that new direction using the force of both people to execute a throw.
Rather than being a secret “no contact” power, it’s an application of physics, physiology and psychology.
Conclusions
Daito-ryu aikijujutsu and aikido are very different arts, despite their technical and historical links. Neither can be called better than the other, as they have quite different objectives. It would be wrong to assume that aikijujutsu practitioners are automatically better at fighting.
A good way to summarize things is to say that aikido is a modern philosophy and way of life that can also be an effective defense system, while aikijujutsu is a classical combat system that can also lead to self-improvement.
As for the exact meaning of aiki, it has proved difficult to pin down with a single definition. In fact, interpretations vary enormously from art to art and even from teacher to teacher. But returning to the question posed at the beginning of this article — namely, What’s so aiki about peace, love and understanding? — the true answer must be: Originally, nothing!
Read Part 1 of this article here. ^[12]
About the author: Dr. Nick Hallale has practiced the Chinese and Japanese martial arts since 1988. He has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and taught for several years at the University of Manchester in England. He has written freelance articles about the martial arts for the past 10 years. The author is grateful to Antonino Certa and Giacomo Merello of Milan, Italy, for providing much of the technical information about daito-ryu. He also wishes to thank Dave Humm of the Higashi Kaigan Aikido Dojo in England.
(Photos courtesy of Antonino Certa)

Get Motivated!

We change as we get older.  Our bodies tend to ache at times, we gain weight often and even our minds tend to lose a step or two in regards to memory.  Does it have to be this way?

Not according to this guy!

  Sure we will change with age but can we reverse the aging process?  I am working on that problem as are many more folks like me.  Once I approached 50, I started thinking in terms of what my life would be like for the next 20 or 30 years, if I'm blessed to live that long.  I decided I wanted to make the best of it and I started training in Aikido, then Combat Hapkido.  My job is also very physical so I had to get into much better condition just to keep up with all I had going.  Not to mention the fact that I have seen too many people eat themselves into oblivion in these later years and become so out of shape that they can't even walk up a small flight of steps without needing oxygen.  I knew I did not want to be like that.

My workouts were OK for a few years then I stepped it up.  With the help of a personal trainer I learned new techniques to help me reach some goals.  Now, with a body-weight workout of my own design, I am reaching goals and going beyond!

You can too!  As I have said many times all you need to do is get your mind right.  Once you find the proper motivation it is ON!  I still remember one evening several years ago I was having a cold beer with a friend and I told him when I reached 50 I wanted to be in the best shape of my life.  His response?  He laughed...

Now, at 53 I can honestly say I am in the best shape of my life and intend to keep pushing until I see just how fit I can be.


What's your motivation?

The mystery of "Aikido & Hapkido"

Many people have never heard of Aikido. 

 Even some in the martial arts world who have heard of it do not know or understand how it works.  At the dojo last night we were talking with a student who is about to earn her 2nd Kyu and she told us when she decided to learn Aikido, she did not really understand the art even though she had read about the blending with energy from your attacker.  She of course had no idea of the many drills for hand and foot movements that we do over and over again. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar Aikdo is a Japanese art founded by Morihei Ueshiba, December 14, 1883 - April 26, 1969. The founder also known as "O'Sensei",  (pictured above) was a man of small stature, it is said he was just under 5 feet tall but was of a strong muscular build after he left the Japanese army.  He understood that smaller people needed something extra when confronted by larger and stronger attackers.

In my humble opinion, this is the essence of Aikido. 

 My Sensei has taught me that I do not need to use my strength when applying these techniques, especially the joint locks.  I am one who has built my upper body for many years to be stronger and capable of using my strength to my advantage, so I have had to train myself NOT to be strong when using these techniques.  It is still a struggle at times for me but I am moving in that direction.  In fact, this concept of applying Aikido techniques softly is probably the hardest part of my training.  Now don't misunderstand,  Aikido can be used very forcefully!  When it is applied this way it is no less than devastating.   Bones will be broken and opponents can be maimed.  No doubt Aikido can be very dangerous when applied with violence of action.  Yet we are trained to be able to control our use of force and treat our training partners and even our opponents with respect and not injure them if the situation calls for that.

Now let's move on to Hapkido which is a Korean martial art developed by Choi Yong-Sool, it is said the Hapkido was heavily influenced by "Daito ryu aiki jujutsu" as was Aikido. Much like Aikido, Hapkido has many joint locks, throws and pins.  Yet it is different in that there are many more strikes and even kicks which are not taught in Aikido.  That leads me to Combat Hapkido.  This system is heavliy influenced by the Korean form of Hapkido but is not a traditional martial art.

Combat Hapkido

My training in Combat Hapkido has also been useful in applying this concept as we learn to use our entire body to manipulate our attacker with many techniques to injure, control or throw our attackers.  Combat Hapkido is a blending if you will of many arts, including Korean Hapkido, Aikido, Judo, JuJutsu/JuJitsu, Taekwondo, Jeet Kune Do and others.  Grand Master John Pellegrini, (pictured above) took what he felt was useful from each art and combined it all to make a form of Close Combat Self Defense.  He calls it the Science of Self-Defense.  I am trained to use it at 10%, 50% or 100% depending on what technique I am doing and what the situation calls for.  Always remember there are legal and moral ramifications to an encounter.  You must be wise when defending yourself or wind up in court.  Of course if your life is in danger you have to do what it takes to survive and Combat Hapkido will teach you those lethal skills.  So it is obvious that this is an art that when applied with full violence of action is devastating and can maim or kill an attacker.

Yet I digress.

My original intent here is to explain the kido arts in a way to make it more approachable and understandable to those who have never experienced it.  There are universal principles involved that span many martial arts.

1. Balance Disruption
2. Circular Movement
3. Non Resistance (Harmony)
4. Water Principle

These are critical!  In order to take control of an attacker you must gain control of his/her balance.  Once you have this you can manipulate the opportunity, often by using circular movement. If you use the energy coming at you and do not resist it, it makes taking the balance easier.  You see, all principles at play here, working together in harmony to allow you to gain control over your attacker and find a suitable outcome.  As you work, you flow in, around, over and under, like water. How it ends is up to you!

Now before I conclude this essay let me explain the OODA loop!

Observe, Orient, Decide and Act!  I must explain that I was taught this by Master Doyle a 4th Dan in Combat Hapkido who is a Special Forces Veteran. This is a simple decision cycle our minds use every moment as we live.  When it comes to martial arts these are critical seconds that tick by as we determine how dangerous the situation is (Situational Awareness) and decide how to respond.  Here's what I found online:

The phrase OODA loop refers to the decision cycle of observe, orient, decide, and act, developed by military strategist and USAFColonel John Boyd. Boyd applied the concept to the combat operations process, often at the strategic level in military operations. It is now also often applied to understand commercial operations and learning processes.


Be Safe!


Peace

JD

FYI ~ Focusing on Martial Arts this month.

Just a brief note to say I have a new post coming soon getting into detail about Aikido and Hapkido.  Also explaining the OODA LOOP!  This one is taking me a while to write and I have limited time these days.

Until then continue to practice Situational Awareness and be safe!

Don't forget if you want to look like this!  

You have to stop eating this!

Peace

JD

Prepared, Educated, Awake, Controlled and Engaged

Self Defense 2014 - Are you Aware?

I left off in the last blog post talking about self defense and how the most important element is Situational Awareness.  You must always be on the lookout when you are in a public place.  Trouble can be only a footstep away...




I have a video to share that will illuminate this..

Notice how in the very beginning of the video the couple seems to be totally unaware of what's coming.  Are they ignoring them or just oblivious?  Also notice that once the attack ensues, the man and woman fight back forcefully and it seems to help some, as a few of the bad guys decide to run instead of hanging around to keep fighting. 

OK, now imagine the guy, girl or both were trained to deal with multiple attackers and they managed to take out one or two of the thugs before the rest could get their licks in.  How many of them would have run away from the get go once they realized these people were gonna kick their asses?

Here's another video to explain how this could be accomplished...

This is why we train folks!  

Now let's look at where they are and why.  Could they have avoided being alone in a part of town that obviously is less than safe?  Certainly, always consider this in an area where these types of criminals prey on folks just like these two.  DON'T walk down deserted alleys or streets.  Take a longer route if you have to in a more public area where many people are around.  Perhaps this could have been avoided altogether had they planned their route more carefully...

Next blog I will talk about the OODA - LOOP.  This is a very important concept in a self defense situation....

OODA - LOOP

Peace

JD

Prepared, Educated, Awake, Controlled and Engaged

A good night's sleep...

It makes a HUGE difference in your day.

Yes, we all need a good night's sleep.  I have trouble in this area as I have a dog who loves to wake me up early but today she slept until 5:00 AM which is my normal wake up time.  I am feeling great this morning, my back pain is almost nil today and my first set of the morning workout routine was a breeze!  Heading off to do the second set, be back in about 10 to 12 minutes...

OK, I finished my second set and went back and did an abbreviated third set this morning.  I'm trying to work up to three full sets.  Hope to be there in a week or two.  Also, I am going to change things up and instead of two days on, one off for cross training. I think I would rather do three days on one off.  As I said I will be tweaking as I go until I find the right formula for this workout.

I want to begin focusing on Martial Arts again here on this blog.  I have taken some time off from Combat Hapkido since I went to the seminar a few weeks ago.  It is time to resume training in a couple of days and I have a class to teach at Church in a couple of weeks so let's explore what I will be teaching.

It will be a 45 minute class so I will not have allot of time for warm ups and stretching but I want to at least get 5 minutes of that in before we begin.


It is a Self Defense class so my focus will be defining self defense in it's many forms including combat.  The first and most important aspect of self defense is:

1.  Situational, Awareness!

This cannot be stressed enough!  We have to be aware of our surroundings when we are out and about.  Get your face out of your phone or whatever gadget you are carrying around, that goes for when you are driving too!!!

I will follow up with a new blog post on this later.


Until then..


Peace

JD

Another Day, Another workout...

Just finished my 2 sets this morning.  For those of you just happening across this blog, I started a 30 day challenge over 5 weeks ago.  When I was half way through I had an idea, make it a 1 Year Quest!  So that's where we are, I am doing a 1 year workout quest to see how fit a 53 year old man can get.  When I started you might say I was in good condition.  For a man my age who stays active I would say good but not great.

  So I want Great, is that too much to ask?

It seemed the old routine of working out for a few weeks and slipping back into the same old grind of gaining and losing 20 lbs just was not getting me to where I want to be in regards to my over all fitness, so here we are.

Here's what I did today so far:

Jumping Jacks (50) 
Squats (30) 
calf raises (50) 
leg scissors (30) 
crunches (60) 
oblique crunches (30) each side 
push ups (35) 
planking (45 sec) 
man makers (10) 

I also stretch both upper and lower body before each workout.

I have lost well over 10 lbs in the past 5 weeks as I have been eating properly.  NO fast food, NO bread is the main thing but I like lettuce wraps and protein shakes so that helps allot!


Good luck on your quest, whatever it may be!

PS ~ Next week I am going to start focusing on Martial Arts and Fitness!!!!




Peace

JD

What a Week!

WOW!  I'm glad that's over, well almost, I've still got to work today but it will not be nearly as crazy as last week.  My main contractor was on vacation so I was crazy busy all week.  Had a few 12 and 13 hours days.  Wednesday was the only day I had time to breath at all.  Looks like I may have set a new record, at least since coming back from the recession of 08/09...

I have managed to maintain my workout schedule for the most part.  Although I did not work out yesterday. It was a cross train day and I did so much loading and unloading at work I will allow it to qualify as a bona- fide workout!  I will resume my regular 2 sets this morning and tomorrow with Monday as a cross train day.

I am down to 161 even as of yesterday.  I'm not sure how much more weight I will lose but I could drop another 5 or 10 lbs if things continue to go as they have been lately.  Since I stopped eating bread and fast food I am taking my lunch on the road with me and the bananas, apples, oranges and breakfast bars just don't give me enough calories to make up for what I lose in a day even if I eat a good meal when I get home.

I may need to start forcing myself to drink and additional protein shake before bed if I continue to drop weight like this.  Of course with the fall coming on I will not lose as much weight as the heat will finally be gone.

I have dabbled in the health and fitness business with my short stint with Visalus.  Although I decided to get out of the MLM business, I like the protein shakes they sell, in fact I still use them.  However it leads me to a question that I'm sure every sales person in the health and fitness business has asked themselves.  How do you motivate overweight people to lose weight.  I know how not to.  I learned pretty quickly that you cannot even give products away to  the people who need it the most.  They will find an excuse to not use it.  You certainly can't go up to people and tell them they are too fat and need to use your product or service so how do you convince those who need it the most to take advantage of your products or expertise in the fitness business?  I am convinced that it has to me a more subtle approach.  Perhaps some marketers have done focus groups to learn the secret but I am still try to solve this puzzle.

By the way, I posted an article on my FB page by a Dr. Scott Suanders about Obeseity and weight lose.  This is one item out of a list of ten.

 8. Myth, fasting is bad for you.

The single healthiest thing people can do, especially if they are overweight, is fasting. Multiple studies on every species of animals, including worms, spiders, yeast, cats, rats and monkeys, have shown a longer and healthier life in those who fast. Monkeys who fast every other day live longer, healthier lives than their counterparts who are fed daily. There is no nutrient, food, pill or juice that can boast the invigorating power of fasting.

For weight loss, the benefits are tremendous. The weight comes off — about a pound per day — the hunger and cravings disappear, the stomach shrinks, the digestive system is more effective and the weight doesn’t come back easily. Fasting is the “reset button” for your metabolism.

One man in Scotland who weighed more than 470 pounds went to his doctor and said he wanted to weigh 180 pounds. The doctor said, “Quit eating,” so the man did. He started drinking only water and taking a vitamin and electrolyte (salt, potassium, minerals) pill. After a year and 18 days without food, he weighed 180 pounds. He began eating sensibly, and nine years later he still weighed 180 pounds.

You can start with just one day of drinking only water. Sometimes it takes as long as a week to begin your fat-burning metabolism. Be careful of hypoglycemia, or low sugar. You may want to have some carrots handy in case you get headaches, weakness or cold sweats. There are many good books on fasting. I would recommend getting information if you don’t have any experience with this most healthy dietary change.

 Here's the link:

Dr. Scott Saunders: 10 Myths That Obese People Believe


What do you think???

Begin, again...

Started the workout again today after taking a day off.  I had to blast out this morning to do an early job so had no time for a proper workout.  I just completed my 2 sets a few minutes ago, it's now 6:20 PM.  Had a manageable day at work so had enough energy left to push through this routine.

Looking forward to mixing it up a bit this month with the workouts.  Plan to get my health rider out and dust it off for the cross training days.  Want to fix my flat on the bike too and work a ride in early some mornings.

My diet is still under control, most days I am well under my calorie requirements.  I'm forcing myself to eat sometimes to try and get close to what I should have.  Looks like I will be kicking up the eggs, tuna, sardines and salmon this month to get the protein and calcium I need.

I ordered a 6 month supply of Bee Caps this past week, should (bee) here any day now!  :)

I have placed an order for the required DVD's and other gear to get started on my 2nd dan training in Combat Hapkido.  Will meet with Sensei Flagg on the first Saturday in Sept. and make arrangements to have my partner in crime come over to the dojo here at the house twice a month to train.  I also will be teaching a self defense class at Church this month and again in October.

http://www.personaldefenseclub.com/

Well, got to run and get ready for choir practice!  Singing is one of my passions along with martial arts and fitness!  Got to keep the vocal chords in shape too!



Peace

JD

30 days in the Hole!

Yes, 30 days!

I have reached the end of the initial challenge, of what has now become a quest!  The end game here is to see how fit I can get!  It has been tough, many days I have not wanted to work out but pushed myself to do it anyway.  I have only missed the full 2 set routine once and that was the Sunday after my 35th HS reunion. Had a late night and had to leave for Church at 7:00 AM.  I did an abbreviated workout that morning but I did 2 sets of 4 exercises to keep the streak alive...

OK, the title of the blog today was a song from the 70's, although the lyrics of the song really don't really fit the subject matter the title kinda does and that leads me to another subject:

Do you listen to music when you work out?  I like to and I have a wide variety so I listen to different stuff each day.  Today it was Fleetwood Mac, Rumors.

I hope some of you will join me as time goes by on this journey.  I have challenged a few folks to do so but none of them seem to want to jump on board.  If you reconsider try and give me at least 30 days.  If I can go a year you should be able to do a month...



Peace

JD

I love Saturday's!

Happy Saturday!

Even though I am working today I usually have time to relax a bit and not rush through my workout on Saturday..  During the week it seems I am always in a hurry!

Just completed day 28 of the new workout and am about to enjoy my first cup of coffee of the day.  I have been using honey in my coffee for over twenty years.  I read a study yesterday that says using honey on a regular basis can slow down the aging process in our cells!  Looks like I have a head start on living a long healthy life.  :)

I also read this morning that Arnold Swharzenneger works out twice a day.  Cardio in the morning and weights in the evening.  Now that he's making movies again he has to be in better shape.  He's a good 10 years older than I am so I think my 20 minute workout each morning is not too much for a 53 year old. I also read that a NEW Conan movie is forthcoming!  I am ready for that!

Let me take a moment to thank GOD for all his many blessings.  My amazing wife and son, my loving family, mother and sister.  My life long friends, John, Ray, Mike, Doug, Randy, Jeff, Jeff, Jeff, (I know allot of Jeff's) and some of my more recent friends, Tony, Maryann, Yuka, Noah, April and my entire extended martial arts family both in Aikido and the ICHF.  Also, I want to mention how blessed I am to be a part of the "Morning Song" team at Sharon Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, where we sing each Sunday morning at 8:30.  (Come join us)!  My Church family is very important to me, all of them!  So many I can't mention them all here.  

It's great to be alive and have this gift we call life!

Peace

JD

New Day!

Life is a gift, each day a new beginning.  That's what I like about life is, each day is a new start.  If we had a bad day we can start fresh the next day.  Go out and watch the sunrise, it will inspire you to begin anew!

27 days and counting up to 30!  My original goal was to make this new work out routine a 30 day challenge to get me prepared for a martial arts seminar and a 35th High School Reunion.  Once I reached my goal of 165 lbs well before my challenge was up I had an Epiphany!  Why not turn this challenge into a 1 year fitness quest?  So, I did.



I hope you will follow me on this journey into the unknown.  I have never taken on a challenge quite this demanding.  Sure I have achieved great things in the martial arts world I live in but this is new.  To get into the kind of condition that only top athletes ever achieve is my ultimate goal. At the age I am it will be even tougher!  Where I go from there, who knows.  I have dreams of pursuing a third black belt so perhaps this will lead me to a new dojo.  I have Judo in my long sights...

Peace

JD