Martial Arts Principles

The big concepts in martial arts come down to a couple of things when put together can either ensure I am safe in a fight and not get (gravely) injured, ensuring survival or they can spell disaster, meaning irrecoverable injuries and even death. In no particular order, here some notes on the essentials that most martial arts are based on and then apply their own particular style.

Positions/ Positioning (Kamae)

·      A strong Kamae is one from which I can generate power

·    Use Kamae to go from one position to the next - in a safe way/ staying safe (can be tested to better understand it/ discover openings/ flaws)

·      Anticipating my opponents next move and positioning myself in such a way that I can deal with it (not get knocked down/ get injured), ideally using my Kamae in such a way that anticipates his next move and guards against that.

·      Can be used to shut his initial attack down/ staying out of harm’s way (e.g. a strong Kamae). Equally, I can assume an apparently weak Kamae to confuse my opponent

Shutting the attacker down/ stopping next move

A strong, safe position to attack/ defend from

Distance

·      The best (correct) distance is one from which I am safe and cannot easily be attacked, whilst being able to attack my opponent

·      The (correct) distance can be checked/ measured 

Timing 
     ·      Generally refers to the choice, judgement, or control of when something should be done

·      Is there such a thing as the “right time”?

·    For practice, maybe its better too late than too early, then work backwards to a better, safer timing

·     I don’t always have to attack/ defend the thing that comes at me, it’s often just as effective to attack something else (perception)

Movement

·      Controlling my opponent through movement and small steps as opposed to “doing techniques” (pulling/ pushing)

·      Be in between movements (do things half), allow for things to go wrong; being able to change my response (analogy of elements Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, Ku)

·    Bounce from one movement onto the next one (shimmy stones over water), when the movement stops, the stone sinks. Resulting from that, always be moving, never stand still (death, analogy of the willow that got old and got broken by the wind)

·      Don’t resist, go with the flow. At the same time, don’t “put things on” as in don’t force things (use force), instead use movement (feet / spine / hands)

Done at the right time, the opponent commits and can be 'captured'

Environment/ Surroundings

·      Be aware of my surroundings, how can they aid / hinder my progress. Are there tools around me I can use? Are there features in the surroundings I can use?

·      Be in tune with surrounding, don’t try and stand out...

Gachiten Points (don't ask for correct spelling)

·      Gachiten Points are the points on my body where one body part is attached to the next, e.g.:

o   forearm, wrist

o   upper arm, elbow

o   elbow, forearm

·      Use these points to latch onto/ control the opponent in a safe way

·      Possibility to use my Gachiten points on his, to achieve a superior position (e.g. better control)

Gachiten (ball of the foot & behind the heel)

Controlling (behind the elbow)