Comments for Formosa Neijia

Comment on Why do more aikido people “get it”? by Scott

Scott — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:30:52 +0000

Why indeed.
Because many Aikido folk are into spiritual transcendence and end up transcending the ability to actually fight.
Because many ICMA are actual afraid and are looking for an advantage which will give them a “leg up,” –but since that mind-set doesn’t achieve good results, they end up reverting to natural aggression.

Comment on Why do more aikido people “get it”? by CReidS

CReidS — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:02:55 +0000

One of my push hands partners described my Wing Chun cross training as “force against force” . . . which isn’t entirely true, when you think about it. More like, “force against you head.”

I think most people think of “force against force” as simply “aggression.”

Comment on Why do more aikido people “get it”? by Brennan Cleveland

Brennan Cleveland — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:03:13 +0000

I would like to see people’s definitions of the these two phrases:

1. “force against force”
2. “use the opponents force against them”

Here are mine:
1. Responding to a sustained force against your body by directly opposing it using sustained force, with the intent of overpowering the incoming force.
2. Responding to an opponents force or momentum vector (with or without contact) by moving or attacking directly into the line of attack (i.e. letting him/her walk into your attack, causing a multiplication of force vectors), or redirecting the opponents force or momentum such that he/she cannot prevent being put into a poor position (i.e. bad structure, lack of balance, getting thrown, falling down).

In my definition of force against force, sustained contact is required. In other words, this is muscular strength pushing or pulling in opposite directions. In other words, a prolonged struggle.

I think one of the reason why Chinese IMA people might not “get it”, is these two terms are used without being precisely defined, and without showing what they really mean in practice. Thus, they end up being sort of mysterious. They aren’t at all mysterious, and they aren’t unique to internal martial arts styles. They are basic principles of a countering (counter-punching, counter-attacking) style of fighting.

Comment on Why do more aikido people “get it”? by Jim

Jim — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:30:54 +0000

Aikido has been my primary training, and I’d second Graham’s point. There’s great emphasis on “blending,” which can lead to better understanding of and practice of the concept. But it is all too common for it to devolve into simple avoidance of the force, rather than blending with it in a useful way.

The over-reliance on choreography is something that is used early-on working with beginners, and is useful at that stage, but too often those training wheels are still leaned on much farther down the line…

Comment on Why do more aikido people “get it”? by GrahamB

GrahamB — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:52:28 +0000

In Aikido I’ve done, if you don’t fall over when they tell you to they stop, explain the point at which you were meant to fall over then do it again, until you throw yourself on the floor at the right moment.

There are advantages and disadvantages to that method.

Comment on Why do more aikido people “get it”? by CReidS

CReidS — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:09:48 +0000

I think MarkC has got it — Aikido (most brands, at least) simply don’t teach attacks. Most of what you use in practice is either a grab, an attempted grab, or some sort of stylized punch or chop. The fact that every single time you use these, you get punished, may also have something to do with the aikidoka reluctance to attack.

That Aikido doesn’t teach “real attacks,” and thus doesn’t train against real attacks, is one of the most common criticisms leveled against it.

Comment on Why do more aikido people “get it”? by transit

transit — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:52:53 +0000

imho, used correctly and at the right time, there is nothing wrong with using force against force.

if you use your force before his force has come out (for example he is at 0-1%), your force is effective and being used correctly.

use 4oz to defeat 1000lbs could be interpreted this way in fact… 0% of his 1000lbs has been delivered, allowing you to use 40z to defeat him.

Comment on Why do more aikido people “get it”? by MarkC

MarkC — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:13:12 +0000

CMA are much more balanced and include punches and kicks.
Aikido is defensive so of course it is easier to focus on blending with the opponents attack.

Comment on Origin of Yang family jian by Dave Chesser

Dave Chesser — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:56:50 +0000

Ugh….tassels. I hate them. Leroy, when is your book on the Yang family sword coming out?

Comment on Origin of Yang family jian by LeRoy Clark

LeRoy Clark — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:36:10 +0000

Unfortunately for formal researchers, much of the martial art of previous generations is out of reach. A teacher whose credentials are impeccably connected to the earliest Yang family orally advised me that indeed Luchan & his sons did have a sword practice.

A well known professor emeritus at a well known Chinese U also has some interesting research documents on the early practice. When Luchan & his 2nd & 3rd sons arrived in Beijing, they did do a practice a sword. Though it is probably not recognized today. Somewhere after the death of Chengfu, those who emphasized form started tying tassels to swords for competition. Therein marked a major change in the practice.

Comment on Sumi-otoshi — the aikido/judo/taiji connection by neijia

neijia — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:02:42 +0000

Unexpectedly, I got to practice osoto gari at bjj. I couldn’t try sumi otoshi. That wouldn’t have really been appropriate. However, I see what you mean, Dave. We practiced the kuzushi very overtly. Done well enough, I see how it could complete the throw without any reaping. Nice.

Comment on Review: Peter Ralston’s Fight/Play DVD by Cheng Hsin — Peter Ralston in Tokyo

Cheng Hsin — Peter Ralston in Tokyo — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:44:15 +0000

[…] Peter Ralston will be in Tokyo in February 2009. He doesn’t come to Asia very often so this is your big chance to see him if you live in the area. I will try to attend at least the boxing session held on the last weekend, so if you go then we could meet up. An added bonus. […]

Comment on Flexibility training for taiji by Roger

Roger — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:50:31 +0000

Mr. Chesser.
Wow. That’s pretty sad. Guo was in his late 70’s went he taught in SF. I was hoping that a core of Guang Ping tai chi people would still exist from his earlier years. I wasn’t an indoor student or anything and I never saw him display/teach application. However, he demonstrated a lot of spirit in this teachings and forms and was pretty much unpredictable and fearless. It took me a year and 1/2 to get chin to toe and I was in my late 20’s. I remember being really impatience about it and really pushing it and something in my neck snapped/released and I got the extra space to be able to do it. Note that I’m pretty short. 5′ 6′

Comment on Donn Draeger on ills of competition by Joseph T. Oliva Arriola

Joseph T. Oliva Arriola — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:47:59 +0000

A few comments on Draeger:

1. First, we all owe Draeger for documenting his observations and opening the door.

2. From readings, it has been asserted that Draeger was a military officer who oversaw whether or not “certain” martial arts post war Japan would be allowed license to continue.

3. It seems that Japanese martial arts took on a “peaceful/passive” demeanor during these times. Ju-do, Aiki-do, karate-do IMO became “Ways” of spreading the ways of peace and inner moral development.

4. As such, Draeger in 1958-1968 (while a practitioner of judo) was seeing the transitions from warrior practice to bu-do to sport. I suspect the Olympics and the introduction of Judo at said Olympics had much to do with the changing of the guard.

5. I as an old guy was quite interested in his comments regarding aging and keeping up with the young guys. He seemed to talk about the “details and refinement” of “higher judo” vs. the excitement of gross motor movement.

6. I enjoy beating up on any guy young, strong and from whatever martial art. My “higher” movements allow me to continue to compete with them. Though I am quite aware of my limitations in the “sport arena”. But then, I know when to play by the rules and when not too. I’m sure Draeger thought about these things as he explored and eventually made it to CMA and Southeast asian MA.

Comment on Donn Draeger on ills of competition by William

William — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:39:01 +0000

If one’s interest is in enligthment, better do Zen editation or something on that note. Martial arts to be martial need sparring and the understanding on applications with and without a cooperative partner, otherwise is just arts/dancing.

Comment on Flexibility training for taiji by Dave Chesser

Dave Chesser — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:28:32 +0000

Roger,
I know Guo was the teacher at TaiDa university, the top in Taiwan, for a while before he went to the States but I haven’t run across any info on him here. Nor have I seen anyone that does his taiji. My guess is that his teachings have died out here.

But I’ll keep my eyes open.

Comment on Flexibility training for taiji by Roger

Roger — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:26:07 +0000

Great website. The info is excellent. Thanks.
I studied with Kuo Lien Ying in the late 70’s. Can still do chin to toe. Just curious if you have any info on Kuo in regards to his teaching in Taiwan. Anything you could pass on would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Chessman.

Comment on Donn Draeger on ills of competition by neijia

neijia — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:22:02 +0000

It’s funny how it’s tempting to think shiai is more important than randori which is more important than kata yet the balance is key just like the founder stressed. In my judo class we tend to do ne waza as randori only. No kata. In my bjj class we tend to do mostly kata, limited rolling. Randori/rolling is way more fun, but without the kata I always feel stuck. It’s not that I need to memorize 10,000 techniques. It’s more that doing 10,000 math problems even with assistance builds a lot of intuition for novel problems without assistance. They say it takes people like professional bond traders 10 years to build up the intuition they need for good instant decisions. Probably the same with martial arts. I’ll report back on my foray into grappling sports in 10 years, lol.

Comment on Donn Draeger on ills of competition by Joseph T. Oliva Arriola

Joseph T. Oliva Arriola — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:37:59 +0000

In Evolution it’s all about Competition

The best hunter gets to eat. He also gets the girl. He presents himself as a hero.

That said, I have no difficulty with the “sportsmen” who use steroids. They eat well. They get the prettiest girls and they drive the nicest cars.

Unfortunately, for me, I am too short to play basketball, to fat to play futbol and too old to compete in UFC. However, given my parameters for “competing” I am quite prosperous.

What are my parameters?

1. Train for Health
2. Train to Compete
3. Compete
4. Compete to Win
5. Win to get the “Rewards”
6. Win the Grand Rewards
7. Play only those Games where I am the Best
8. Win at all Costs
9. Know why I Compete: My family, my tribe, my values and my beliefs

Comment on Donn Draeger on ills of competition by wayne hansen

wayne hansen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:23:48 +0000

several olympic level sports people here in australia have been recently been arrested for drugs both using and selling,not only steroids but also ice.
several others have been on assult charges,assulting both male and females alike.
is this the enevitable outcome of excess wealth,celebrity and competition.