Yesterday's Warrior~Todays Warrior
What is a warrior? A fighting man or woman, willing to defend themselves, family country or beliefs. A warrior in the 21st century has many things to learn. Some can be learned from past warriors, others must be modified or created new.
Some men today,as yesterday may not wish to follow the warriors path. For those that do, a good start is with a qualified instructor in unarmed combat.
Below is a partial list of some of the training of past warriors, listed next to them are todays equavilents. Some are still the same or use similar principles and techniques.
YESTERDAY TODAY
1. Horsemanship(on land/in water) Auto/Boating Skills
2.Swordsmanship Firearms Training
3.Unarmed Combat Unarmed Combat
4. Stratedgies and Tactics Stratedgies and Tactics
5.Culture and Etiquette Culture and Etiquette
6. Calligraphy/Writing Writing/Computer/Texting/Phone
7. Knife Skills/Defense Knife Skills/Defense
8. Social Skills Social Skills
9. Laws/Legality Laws/Legality
10.Swimming Swimming
11.Music/Arts Music/Arts
12.Mathematics/Astronomy Mathematics/Astronomy
13. First Aid First Aid
14. Food/Water Food/Water
While no one would dispute the power of a sword, it is not a weapon that is used to any great extent today.It has been largely replaced by firearms. Iado is still practiced, though mainly for its similarity to unarmed combat , for discipline and beauty as an artform.
Combat stratedgies have been adapted to urban/suburban settings as well as the age old battlefields of open terrain.
New techniques have been developed to fight/defend in cars ,on trains and planes. Horsemanship, while an interesting pastime, has no real use for most of todays warriors.
Yesterday's warriors had knowledge of herbs and other methods to treat their wounds and illnesses. Modern medicine has been added to the kit of the 21st century fighter.
Today's warrior should be a blend of past and present. Herbs and
modern medicine, knife and firearms training,writing and computer skills.
Of course, specialized areas of expertise such as sword or horse skills are by no means a hinderance to a modern warrior. A warrior must be ready for anything.
The above list is nowhere near the vast amount of knowledge/skills a warrior needs. It should,though, give a starting point to anyone wanting to walk the warrior's path. Good Luck.
MANTIS
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Sept. 09 ,09
Weapons of a Warrior
Todays laws in th U.S. limit what weapon a person may carry today.Although they vary from state to state, some weapons are almost universally banned here. The switchblade or gravity knife, for example, brass knuckles and nunchuku .For centuries men carried a sword, knife and/or staff. Due to the lack of police or army protection, a man often had to protect himself and his family. Wild animals were also a reason for a person to be armed with a weapon. Up until recently, men taught their sons the art of self defense with a gun, sword , knife or fist. I cannot speak for the rest of the country,but in my area of New York, I know of few dads teaching their children self defense.
Without the option of a weapon and the lack of training in a Martial discipline such as Karate, boxing, Jiu Jitsu or others, it must be difficult, if not frightening for someone to get into an altercation or physical confrontation.
Weapons are just tools. Each tool has a purpose. The more tools a person knows how to use, the better they can deal with problems. I am not suggesting that everyone should learn to wield a sword or knife but I am of the opinion that they should have a basic knowledge of self defense.A little knowledge goes a long way.
Knowing how to defend oneself against a knife or club are useful skills to know.
Most people will never have to use those skills, but, if needed, they would surely be grateful that they took the time to learn them. Give yourself every edge you can, your life may depend on it one day. Many other countries and cultures still train their young adults in fighting, your ancestors certainly did,why not you? Mantis
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Sept. 11 2009
God Bless are Soldiers,Sailors, Airmen and all armed forces personel.
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Sept. 26, 2009
Choosing a Knife
It is my opinion that everyone should carry a knife. A knife is just a tool, like a nail file, brush or set of keys. Now, what type of knife should you buy? Here are some factors to consider.
1. Decide the Intended Use.
Self Defense, Hunting, Outdoor/Survival, or Everyday Work Use.
2. Fixed Blade or Folding Lock Blade
Anyone can carry a small folding knife in pocket or bag.
Some folding knives have nail files ,scissors and screwdrivers.
Fixed blades are usually longer that folders and are used for
bigger jobs such as cutting small branches,punching holes
through some materials and hunting related uses.
3. Handle Type
Leather,wood,rubber, plastic/composite,metal(skeleton)
Rubber and leather offer slip resistance,plastic and composites offer durability.
Skeleton or no handles are lightweight and have a stylish ,high tech look , but aren't comfortable.
4. Blade Shape
Clip point, drop point, tanto and double edged are a few choices.
Double edge blades are meant for slashing and thrusting, making them ideal for self
defense, but not good for other uses. The drop point has a very strong tip, making it
ideal for outdoor/survival use. Hunting knives have their own unique design, dependent on
its purpose.
Serrated or smooth. I recommend a combination of the two.
5. Carrying Method
A folding knife can be carried in pocket or purse, although many have a clip for attaching to a
belt, boot top or inside of clothing.
Fixed blades are carried in a sheath, attached by clip, through a belt loop, or strapped to the
leg.
These are just some of the factors that should help you decide what type of knife to choose. Personally, I carry more than one knife. Knives can be lost and it is better to be prepared for any situation. At the very least, a small pocket folder can handle most everyday uses. Remember,always keep your knife sharp, and buy good quality. A well made knife will last many lifetimes.
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The Path to Black Belt
A student on the path of obtaining the rank of Shodan (1st Black Belt) must have many attributes. First and foremost is Humility. The bigger the ego, the longer the road to Shodan. Resolve, will, endurance, and courage all are needed. Great physical ability, mental acuity, awareness of all that surrounds, the list is long. Many students feel that they are too weak or too old or too busy, a million excuses. The only reason for failure is not trying hard enough. If the student wants to attain the Shodan rank, they must decide to go after it fully. The teacher is there to help, as well as fellow students. Strength can always be increased, courage gained, endurance built but without that first step, the decision to do it, the path is not clear. Clear your path and take that first step.
Mantis
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What's the Rush? The Key to Mastery
As a teacher, I get to see many students practice the 1,000's of techniques in our art.One of the things I see most often is students rushing through their practice. They go from one technique to the next with such rapidity that they cannot possibly be gaining anything from it. Speed is a part of any art and it has its place here, but care must be taken to practice techniques thoroughly and properly.There is a natural progression to the learning and practicing of techniques. As the student masters the basic form of the technique he/she tends to do it with more speed. The key to fully mastering the technique is ,once you have the basics down, change some of the parameters of the situation. For example, try it with different size oppponents (or Ukes), wearing different clothing and footwear, in different locations(inside,outside, tight quarters, even in water), use your IMAGINATION. Have your teacher ,(if he or she doesn't already do this) analyze your methods of execution. They will point out the subleties of the techniques that they have spent years perfecting. Stopping in mid technique can help you understand it better by checking for balance, vulnerability to counterattack and other variables. Do Not Rush. Although the techniques may look simple and easy, take the time to learn it well. There is no point in cramming many poorly learned skills into your head, this will only lead to failure, boredom or perhaps worse. No one wants to discover that what they rely on for defense doesn't work. You cannot blame the technique, it works if properly used. Slow down and do it right.
Mantis
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The Tap Out
A student of mine told me a story recently. He was having a discussion with a student at the school where he works. The student was telling of a fight he recently had. He used a "shoot in" style takedown and had the opponent in a chokehold. The other guy tapped out, signalling a surrender.He said that tapping out is the "accepted" way today. He let the opponent up and the guy proceeded to give him a bad beating.
What a great lesson here. Unfortunately for the guy that got beat up, the opponent didn't think he was in a cage match where tapping out is recognized. He was in the real world. In a self defense situation, a fighter must be certain that his opponent cannot retaliate. His life or the life of family/friends are at risk the moment the fight starts. Simply pinning an opponent on the floor and letting him tap out or listening to the opponent saying he/she will stop fighting is not enough. The opponent can be secured in a hold or pin until police arrive or the opponent must be incapacitated in a way that he won't harm the fighter or others. Of course, lethal force should only be used in life or death situations, and area laws are to be followed.
Another danger of the "tap out" mentality is that if you are pinned , choked or otherwise under the control of your opponent, and you are relying on tapping out to end the fight, you may be in for a surprise if he doesn't follow the same rules as you.
A fight is not a sport or play. A fight is about survival. Do what is necessary to survive. That doesn't include "tapping out".
Mantis
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June 21,2010
Are you a martial artist or a person who does martial arts?
What is the difference you may ask? While it may seem to be a matter of semantics, I will give you my opinion/definition.
A person who practices martial arts can go to his/her dojo, school or class and when they leave it, they leave their martial art behind. Some of their training may stay with them, but overall, life continues as usual once class ends. A martial artist tries to applies his/her art to everything that they do. There is a "martial" way to walk, talk, drive , just about anything that you do( in my classes,I cannot speak for other teachers or arts). To me , it is important to live the martial way. That is how I was trained and that is how I continue to live my life.
I understand that not everyone can live like that, but a teacher always tries to get his students to do the maximum. By applying your art to all that you do, you practice more, you apply what you learn to other things, not just fighting. You use your imagination, you are more concious and aware of things. Others will respect you more. There are many benefits from living a martial lifestyle. Give it a chance, you may just learn to love it.
Mantis
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Aug 22,2010
We all complain or whine now and then about our problems. It is human nature. If the whining and complaining continue though , you have to ask yourself, "Why am I not doing something about it?"
Complaining is easy, trying to fix a problem is not. As an instructor ,I get to see and hear all sorts of problems and complaints. My advice to students is, if you don't like something ,try to change it, or your involvement with it. Some problems may seem so overwhelming or big that no amount of effort will change anything. While this may be true, without attempting anything, you learn nothing and change nothing, or... the problem may get worse. Whether it is the economy, your weight/fitness, politics or romance, don't complain... Do Something About It. Talk to friends ,family, co workers or fellow students. Like the old saying "many hands make light the work"...many minds make light the problem.
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Mar 12,2011
In two days I will have been studying martial arts for 25 years continuously.
I have seen fads, trends and styles come and go. It seems that every few years a new craze starts, not unlike clothes fashions, hairstyles or music. A new movie comes out and suddenly, Ninjitsu is the rage. Or is it Kung Fu, or Aikido, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. No matter the style or art, the important thing is,martial arts are still needed and used. Whether for self defense, sport,discipline or confidence building, people find that the arts form an important part of their lives. .
Unless mankind dramatically changes its nature, there will always be physical and verbal conflict. Unless scientists develop a way for us to stay healthy and fit by some new means, we will have to exercise and stay active.
Aside from those two reasons, adopting a martial arts lifestyle has other benefits. A student gets a great feeling of accomplishment with each advance in rank and every technique mastered. The support a student receives from his/her classmates. The admiration and respect from family and friends. All of these and more are experienced by martial artists.
When you sweat, bleed, laugh and cry with your classmates and teacher/s, a special bond develops. You will not forget your training, even if you stop
and return to your former lifestyle. Martial arts teachings will remain in your heart and mind. That is a powerful tool to have.
To those of you that haven't started practicing an art, now is the time. For those that started and stopped, begin again. All those still training, keep going. The road ahead gets smoother.
Mantis