I took the YMCA Martial Arts Exercise Instructor course recently. It was an 8 hour course offered on Saturday. It was a lot of work, but very rewarding. I learned a lot that will enhance my martial arts training and instruction. A new YMCA is being built in Mt. Juliet that I may start teaching at a couple of times a week. Before I do that though, I need the last prerequisite course for the YMCA MAEI certification. The last course is now being offered only one time in February in Columbia. I keep checking the calender (http://www.ymca-le.org/), but so far that is the only time/place it is being offered.
The MAEI course focused on the following:
- Effective leadership qualities.
- Physiological and scientific principles of martial arts exercise programs.
- Structure and components of properly designed martial arts exercise classes.
- Skills required to teach martial arts exercise.
- Safety and injury prevention factors.
- Practical experience.
There were five of us in the class plus the instructor and I was the only one with actual martial arts training (beside the instructor). A couple of the others had been taking some form of Martial Arts exercise (aka BoxAerobics, Cardio Kick Boxing, Tao Bo) and the others were proficient in other cardio exercise programs (specifically dance) and their goal was to round out their YMCA certifications. I think the practical exercise portion of the class, which was about an hour and a half, was hardest on me since my normal training only consists of about 20 minutes of cardio twice a week. It was very intense interval training and followed a work/rest duty cycle that increased in intensity as the work out went on. I thought I was going to have to bow out a couple of times but just as I thought I couldn't go any more the rest cycle would kick in and I would build up enough energy to make it through the next set. I don't want to give the wrong impression about the rest cycles though. During the most intense sections of the work out the rest cycles consisted of Jumping Rope, Jumping Jacks and Boxer Shuffling.
The course materials consisted of about 40 pages. They did a good job of distilling the most important aspects of the martial arts and utilizing them in a cardio program that, if done properly, can only enhance your martial arts abilities. The main moves utilized are Front Punch, Reverse Punch, Hook, Upper Cut, Front Kick, Side Kick, and the Round House Kick. The course also gains my respect in that it spends a significant amount of time talking about the Kinetic Chain (the motor pattern for production of force during a strike) and the various energy systems of the body (Creatine Phosphate, Anaerobic Glycolysis, and Aerobic Glycolysis).
I learned of a good website for workout patterns called TurnStep (http://www.turnstep.com/). MAE patterns are listed under BoxAerobics. They have several hundred to choose from. If you know of any other good pattern sites, please let me know. There are so many to choose from that I don't even know where to start.
Lastly, I finally learned the importance of music in a workout routine. Up until now I had dismissed music during workouts as somewhat silly and unnecessary. But, after having taken this class I now understand music's place in the dojo and will utilize it where appropriate. I also found some good websites to order music from. When choosing workout music, it is important to choose based on Beats Per Minute (BPM). The following websites specialize in music to work out to and list the BPM for each of the songs in a given collection.
- http://www.johnsines.com/
- http://www.dynamixmusic.com/
- http://www.powermixmusic.com/index2.html
- http://www.musicflex.com/
- http://getfitmixes.com/
- http://cardiomixes.com/index1.html
General Information
Title: Ninja: Shadowhand
Author: Dr. Haha Lung &
Christopher Prowant
Format: Large format (5.5"x8.5")
Paperback
Publisher: Citadel Press Kensington
Publication
Date: 2000
Pages: 149
ISBN: 0-8065-2607-6
Price:
$13
Summary
Ninjas, pirates, robots, and monkeys. Of these the book only covers the former and the later briefly. When I have thought of ninjas I have usually thought of the mystical term used to describe ancient warriors who had super human abilities. This book gives a brief history of the ninja and an overview of what brought them into being. It broadens the term ninja to also include their counterparts from around the world in both historic and modern times. The book includes a very brief overview of the nine training halls of ninjutsu that includes unarmed combat, combat with wooden weapons, combat with blade weapons, combat with flexible weapons, specialized combat training, the art of disguise, the art of espionage, the art of escape and evasion, and the art of mysticism. It also covers the basics of human sight and how the ninja can use that knowledge towards the quest for invisibility. The book also covers some fighting techniques of ninjutsu, the basic philosophies and credo of the ninja. One interesting thing that the book pointed out was that the ninja would often work as a team, with each individual offering some specialty to the group. Now after reading the book, one of the closest counterparts that I think of is the Navy Seals and the Survival Escape Resistance and Evasion (SERE) program.
High Points
The Basics of Seeing
Disguising Weapons
The Dancing Hand Blind
The Bibliography
Low Points
The entire chapter on the quest for invisibility
No index.
The Scores
Presentation (2.8 out of 4.2): The presentation
is so so. The book is a nice size but the white/red/black cover makes
it look a bit cheep. I actually had trouble when I first picked it up
determining if it was a serious martial arts book or not. The back
cover has very descriptive text of the contents of the book but parts
of it are difficult to read due to the text on background color
schemes, there are no less than 4 different schemes (white on black,
black on red, white on black, and red on black).
Clarity
(3.2 out of 4.2): The text is comprehensible and clear. The
author writes in a very straight forward manner but gets bogged down
at times. The chapter on invisibility is an example of this where a
point never seems to be made and any real facts are left by the
wayside.
Structure (4 out of 4.2): The structure of the book is very good. The book is broken out into 2 parts with a total of seven chapters plus an introduction, conclusion and bibliography. The book is short enough that I will not dock it for lacking an index and chapter summaries, but I would like to see more books offer these.
Examples (3.8 out of 4.2): There are many examples throughout the book which are shown through pictorials along with footnotes. These include Taisavaki-jutsu (Art of Avoidance/camoflage), Ukemi (methods of movement), Daikentaijutsu (striking), Jutaijutsu (grappling), and Kobudo-Jutsu (weapons use). The only draw back I saw was in the methods of movement section where the author chose the use of a direction diamond to show and describe movement. "To help students visualize the methods/directions of movement, shadowhand instructors use a numbered nine-sectioned diamond shape consisting of nine approximately 1-foot squares drawn on the dojo floor." Although the author attempts to explain this diamond in detail, I still had trouble picturing the correct flow of movement using this method.
Exercises (2 out of 4.2): This book is geared towards the history, philosophy and techniques of the ninja and does not contain any significant information on exercises that would help one perfect ninjutsu techniques. A chapter on how ninja practitioners trained and exercises they did may have been helpful.
Completeness (2 out of 4.2): This book is just a bare introduction to the ninja. There is so much more information that could have been included. I could see the author separating out the information in this book and combining it with some of his other books (he has published more than a dozen books on the martial arts) and creating a set of nine books... one for each of the Nine Training Halls. This book focuses mostly on unarmed combat, the art of disguise, and the art of mysticism. But it is not long enough to give even one of these halls justice.
Editing (4.1 out of 4.2): The editing was well done. I found only one minor flaw in the book on first reading.
Entertainment (3.2 out of 4.2): Unlike other books on the martial arts, this book was quite enjoyable in places. The imagery dispersed throughout the book made for an enjoyable diversion to the text and helped make the book a very quick read.
Value (2.9 out of 4.2): At $13 this book is fairly inexpensive but it doesn't contain a lot of information that I will ever need to go back and reference. I would suggest skipping this book in favor of some of Dr. Lungs other books on the subject. If you enjoy them then you may want to come back a revisit this book.
Overall (2.8 out of 4.2): Overall this was a decent book despite first impressions. It gave me a little more respect for the ninja and helped demystify them just a bit. It highlighted their interaction with the Samurai of their time and their ability to work in teams.
"Ninja: Shadowhand" receives a very respectable 29.8 out of a possible 42.
Additional Notes and Comments
"Avoid being seen... Seen, avoid capture... Captured, avoid being held." - Not only was this the credo of the shinobi ninja of medieval Japan, it is also what the modern day SERE program teaches.
"Life is only 10 percent what happens to us. The other 90 percent is how we respond to what happens to us." - Dr. Haha Lung
"How we respond to the curve balls life hurls at us depends in great part on how much 'sweat equity' we've invested into prior study - into acquiring those skills and mastering those arts necessary for turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones and, when necessary, sticks into swords." - Dr. Haha Lung upon elaboration of the saying ki kara saru mo ochiru (even monkeys fall out of trees).
I took a Lifeguard class somewhat recently from the YMCA which included full CPR/First Aid/AED certification. I passed the written and physical tests but never received my certification cards. I can't remember how long ago the class was, but to keep the certification up you have to recertify every couple of years. So I got online to see what classes were being offered by the Y and to my surprise I came across their Learning Experiences site (http://www.ymca-le.org/) where they have listed a YMCA Martial Arts Exercise Instructor course. The course is designed to teach instructors how to develop group exercise classes with athletic movements adapted from boxing, kickboxing, karate and Kung Fu. Best of all, the course is only $25! So I looked into signing up.
Unfortunately there were a few prerequisites. First of all, I had to renew my CPR certification. That was no problem as they offer several recertification classes for just $5 (though I found an even easier, if a bit more expensive, way to recert online). The next prerequisite I need is a Healthy Lifestyle Principles class. Fortunately this class is being taught on Monday and I am all signed up! It too is a $25 class with a $30 book. The class is a pre-requisite for all other YMCA Health and Fitness certifications. It provides practical and theoretical information for instructors of all YMCA programs, this includes information on leadership, physical activity, healthy living principles, and safety guidelines.
The last prerequisite that you must have... and there is no way for me to get it in time for the MA Exercise Instructor course (which is being offered only once) is a group exercise instructor course. There are several different courses I could take to get the Group Exercise Instructor certification I need, but none are currently being offered for the rest of the year! I was able to go ahead and sign up for the MA course even without the prerequisite and I will keep my eyes open for any course that would meet this requirement before the date of the MA course, but I doubt one will come available. I hope that I will still be able to take the class even without this prerequisite. Even if I don't get the certification it will be worth the time and money and I can always take the group exercise class the next time it is offered.
By the way, for those that are interested to know, I played Felipe Rose's part
in my elementary school talent show band contest.
General Information
Title: In The DojoAuthor: Dave Lowry
Format: Large format (5.5"x8.5") Paperback
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 207
ISBN: 0-8348-0572-3
Price: $17
Summary
In The Dojo places the dojo at the center of this narrative on
architectural elements, rituals, training, and personal philosophies of
the Japanese martial arts. The author covers what to expect on
visiting a dojo for the first time, what to expect and what will be
expected of you when you begin training and what your teacher-student
relationship might consist of. Lowry also covers the traditional and
modern dress found in the dojo as well as the religious and spiritual
aspects contained in the dojo itself.
High Point
- The short chapter on the Martial Language and how it differs from language used outside of the dojo.
- The confrontation between Araki Murashige and his shogun Oda Nobunaga.
- The chapter on The Dojo Year which speaks about observed holidays throughout the year traditionally by the dojo.
- The Glossary
Low Point
- I believe the book gets a week start. I did not find the beginning introductory or first chapter gripping or inspiring.
- I would have liked to have seen summaries of what was covered at the end of each chapter.
- No index.
The Scores
Presentation (4.2 out of 4.2): The presentation is very
well done. The book is a nice size with an earthy cover tone
incorporating a vertically split Japanese and English theme. The back
cover is well laid out, easy to read, and very descriptive of the
contents of the book. The text is large and very readable.Clarity (4.2 out of 4.2): The text is comprehensible and clear. The author spends ample time explaining Japanese terms and writes in a very straight forward manner.
Structure (3 out of 4.2): The structure of the book is very good. The book is broken out into 13 chapters of nicely sized chunks plus an introduction and glossary. I will dock it some for lacking an index and chapter summaries.
Examples (3 out of 4.2): The intention of this book was never
to convey examples of physical training, however it does give good
motivational examples and one historical example in the confrontation
between Araki Murashige and his shogun Oda Nobunaga. That being said,
examples of traditional training techniques one would find in the dojo
could have been included.
Completeness (1 out of 4.2): On completion of the book I did not feel that everything about the dojo had been covered.
I felt that comparisons should have been made between the modern day
dojo and a more traditional (i.e. classic) dojo. I would
have liked to have been presented with details on what
distinguishes a Japanese dojo from a gym, dojang, McDojo, etc. I would
have also liked to have seen chapters on architecture and even a
chapter on duplicating the atmosphere of the dojo on your own using
western methods and supplies. As an example of what is missing, the
traditional tatami mat was not mentioned at all in the book. For a
book entitled "In The Dojo," these are the first chapters that should
have been written.
Editing (4.2 out of 4.2): The editing was well done as I found no memorable flaws in the book on first reading.
Value (4.2 out of 4.2): This book will look good on my shelf (as I mentioned before, it has a beautifully crafted cover) and has lots of good historical information which I may have use for in the future. For around $17 this is a good buy but not a must have.
Overall (3 out of 4.2): Overall this was a well done book. I am a little biased since I picked up the book with the desire to learn more about how to make my training area feel more like a traditional dojo. I can see this book being used by instructors as supplemental material for their students. I can also see this book as being useful to the instructor. It would teach them how to enhance the teacher-student relationship, define and explain traditions found in the dojo such as the act of bowing, and how to maintain a more traditional dojo environment. If instructors could learn one thing from this book, it would be for them to insist that their students contribute to the maintenance and cleaning of the dojo that they spend so much time in.
"In The Dojo" receives a very respectable 33.8 out of a possible 42.
Additional Notes and Comments
"During your day outside the dojo, you had one opportunity to approach the tasks that needed tending. One opportunity to interact with others. In the dojo, it is the same. This practice session came only once in your life. Next time, even if it is the next evening, you will be different; the lesson will be different." - Dave Lowry
Being back in school after being out for several years and having some real world experience under my belt has really paid off. My study and organization habits are probably better now than they have ever been, even if my memory hasn't improved. My observation skills are much more attuned and I feel I can focus on the important tidbits at hand. Being interested in the subject also helps. For the past few years I have been dedicating at least one hour 3 nights a week to practicing the Martial Arts. I also spend a few hours each week just reading on the subject (weblogs, magazines, and books) and an hour or two watching videos (DVDs, TV shows, and online material). Last night while preparing for next weeks inevitable test that will begin class, I realized that I have not taken one very important study technique that I use for the classroom and applied it to my Martial Arts studies.
The Martial Arts are very much a physical activity. But they also posses a long history, complicated nomenclatures, and more than enough physics of body movement. The nomenclature doesn't just limit itself to basic movement terms in the art's native language, it extends to physics concepts and translated terms. Typically the more common terms that accompany the physical movements are easily learned. However, few students even at the black belt level ever dig deeply into the history of their art form, say more than would fill an article in a magazine or encyclopedia entry. Fewer still will ever encounter the raw physics of the art, laid open with all its scientific terminology.
These aspects of the art interest me now much more than the native language terms for the basic movements of the art form(1). I routinely pick up books that delve deeply into the history and physics of the martial arts. I read them in hopes that some of the knowledge I gain can be passed along to others. I realized last night that what I have been doing may have been futile. In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a brilliant but misguided king who sometimes used trickery to get what he wanted. Sisyphus seduced his niece, took his brother's throne and betrayed Zeus's secrets to name just a few. For a short time he was even able to come back from Tartarus, effectively avoiding death through the use of his wit and trickery. Once the gods had had enough, they condemned him to eternal hard labor. His punishment was rolling a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down to the bottom each time he neared the top. This was the feeling that started to sink into me, a feeling of unrewarded labor. My goal has simply been to read as much on the Martial Arts as I could. Each book I read was another feather in my cap, a weapon in my arsenal of knowledge... I was stocking weapons, but I didn't stop to realize that I hadn't stocked any ammunition. Although I was receiving entertainment value out of what I was reading, I wasn't retaining the knowledge. A few bits of trivia here and there to be sure, but a large amount is simply buried somewhere deep in the brain to never be seen again.
What I've been missing is that I have been reading the material in the same way that I read science-fiction and fantasy novels for entertainment purposes. I should have been reading them more like I read books for a class where I will be taking a test on the material that I cover. Granted, not all of the knowledge will stay around permanently, but more of it will and what will fade will take longer to disperse. How is the way I read for memorization different than for entertainment? When reading material in preparation for a test I take the following steps:
- I check to see if the book is in audio format. If it is I get it and listen to the entire book all the way through at least once.
- If Cliff Notes are available I will pick these up as well for additional coverage.
- A week before the exam I read the material that the exam will
cover, I will also locate and listen to the audio portion if available.
During this reading I do not take notes.
- I then go back over the material and locate the main topics. I
filter out any topics that I know are not pertinent to the course.
Pertinent ideas I write down in outline form (though Concept Mapping(2)
may work better for some), trying to keep entire ideas in a compressed
and paraphrased notation. After each entry I make sure to write down
the page where the idea is expressed for quick reference. I also make
sure to label each section with the title and number of the chapter.
This helps when reviewing the material in class. If the material wasn't
dictated by the class I make sure to record bibliographic information
as well.
- I type these up into a very readable document that I can print out if needed or keep on my PDA.
- I review these notes once per day before the exam, this is just a quick read through for repetition (similar to the way I maintain Karate techniques).
- If time permits I read through the material one last time.
So, will I change my reading habits? I don't know, reading in this manner requires taking detailed notes and reviewing those notes on a regular basis. It extends the amount of time required by a significant factor. I will certainly attempt it in the near future and report my findings, although I think I know what the outcome will be. At the very least I have realized that not all work is noble. What is noble is to strive toward the best we can be(3), not toward just any accomplishment for its own sake.
1) As an asside, I really no longer care if I learn and pass on the Japanese terms for high block,
punch, kick, etc. There is too much material to learn as it is and
learning the native language terms does not add to the final results. At best it makes for a slightly more mystic experience for
visitors and new students.
2) Concept Mapping - http://www.studygs.net/mapping/mapping.htm
3) Self-actualization - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_actualization
I've been meaning to post on this video(1&2) for a while. Essentially, 7 men in DaVinci's Pizza in Akron, Ohio witness one man relentlessly attack another man without interfering. The prosecutor, Sherri Bevan Walsh, was able to use video captured on the pizza parlor's security cameras to convict the attacker, Mark Jones on a felony assault charge and Christine Simms as his accomplice. They received a 4 year jail term and 2 years of probation respectively.
The same video footage that Walsh used to convict Jones can give us a bit of insight into what went on that night. I've watched the video several times now and I can honestly say that no one, NO ONE, did anything right. The scene begins to unfold with Christine Simms entering the pizza place and proceeding to the counter, next to the front of a long line. Now I don't know what she was thinking. Perhaps she had just walked out with her pizza and came back for condiments, maybe she wanted a job application, maybe her sister worked there and she wanted to ask the cashier if she was working that shift, maybe she was cutting line. I honestly don't know what she was doing or thinking, and neither did Joseph Sarpino, a man in the middle of the line talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone.
Talking on a cell phone while standing in line is acceptable only if it is a short conversation. Anything longer than a quick question/answer session is just rude to those around you. Using it to comment on the rude behavior of others around you is just poor etiquette and in this case stupid to boot. If he had a problem with someone cutting line, he should have quietly brought it to the manager's attention. Instead he complains loudly about it to his girlfriend on the phone. Christine, the women who had apparently cut line, overheard this. When confronted by Christine, Joseph should have put down the phone and attempted to carry on a civil conversation with her. But he didn't.
Christine may have felt a desire to confront Joseph, but there really was no need to confront him. Furthermore, if she did have a valid reason for cutting to the front of the line, she only needed to explain that to Joseph in a calm and collected manner. There was no need for the matter to escalate any further. But it did.
Step in the manager. This is his place of business and he is responsible for what goes on in it. He should have immediately intervened and either brought the tension down, or asked the customers to accompany him to his office where they could work things out. Once there it would have been easy enough to offer them both a free pizza to smooth things out or, alternatively, offer to call the local constable to help sort matters through. If this wasn't possible, then the police should have been called immediately and the irate customers informed of the fact that they were on their way and would handle the situation from there. But he didn't.
Enter the boy friend, Mark. Christine makes physical contact with Joseph. Two pokes to his face none the less. This should not have happened. Now of course Joseph gets angry and finally hangs up his cell phone. Better late than never I suppose, but now he is upset and advances on Christine with a full blown shouting match. What Mark should have done was told Christine to calm down and escorted her out of the establishment. What he did instead was inexcusable. He stepped between Christine and Joseph, which in and of itself is understandable, but he didn't do it so much as to protect his girl friend, but rather to prepare for a fight with Joseph. A guy he easily could have bench pressed. Mark then sucker punches Joseph. During the entire confrontation Joseph had not laid a hand on anyone and was clearly no threat to either Christine or Mark. Mark had put himself in a bad situation and was in a bad position to defend himself when the punch came. He should have been prepared. But he wasn't.
The fight was over before it had really begun. The first two punches were all it took to buckle Joseph's knees. Mark could have turned and walked out at that point. Instead he continues to punch and beat on Joseph. At least 5 more times, Mark has to go so far as to hold Joseph up to hit him. I can't imagine what type of person would find the need to attack someone in this situation. I can't imagine why Christine would have allowed Mark to continue beating on Joseph, why neither of them realized that what was transpiring was not a good thing and would result in very bad things for them I do not know. What I do know though is that for what seems like an eternity, 7 other men in the room watch as Mark throws four years of his life away for half a dozen punches. Let me rephrase that, not only are the 7 men that are watching not helping Joseph, they are not helping Mark by stopping him. They should have done something. But they didn't.
Now, I don't think for a moment that any of those men wanted to be the target of Mark's rage (I actually believe it was Pluralistic Ignorance(3) that caused them to not act rather than fear of personal harm). But at the same time I know they needed to do something. If just one of those men had looked at one of the other men in the room and said "You and I need to do something now!" that would have been enough to have gotten a movement of some sort. I don't think a physical confrontation with Mark was even necessary. If someone had just tried to *reason* with him in a forceful manner it might have been enough for him to come to his senses. "Look, this guy Joseph is a stupid jerk, I don't think he will make the same mistake again! Mark, let him apologize!" This may have calmed Mark down enough to stop or slow down the fight until the police arrived.
So many things went wrong and nothing went right in this situation. If just one of the participants had used a little fore thought the entire situation could have been avoided. The key lesson here is if you find yourself in an awkward situation, think first! If you find yourself witnessing such a situation, think first, but then act! Remember though that your actions, as well as those around you, will be guided by the Bystander Effect(4), a phenomenon in which someone is less likely to intervene in an emergency situation when other people are present and able to help. But also remember that in a group situation, the individuals in the group will tend to follow each other with a type of Herd Mentality(5). If you can think your way through the situation enough to act (overcoming the Bystander Effect), and pull others into your action plan by making direct eye contact, pointing and using addressing terms such as a name or "you" rather than "someone" or "anyone", others will follow your instructions.
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMIuG3HvV0Y&mode=related&search=
2. http://www.frikid.com/showVideo.php?lid=896
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluralistic_ignorance
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_mentality
I've been trying to catch up on some missed episodes of the History Channel's Human Weapon. Human Weapon is hosted by Jason Chambers and Bill Duff. Jason Chambers is a former MMA fighter and holds the rank of "Phase 1 Instructor" in Jeet Kune Do and presumably has his Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Bill Duff is no slouch either, at 6'4 and 280 pounds he has earned his brown belt in Toa So Dou and is a former wrestler with two state championships.
It wasn't too long ago that I was contemplating such a show as this. I originally had the idea while watching Kung-Fu: The Animal Within. I thought Discovery or TLC would be the best place for such a show, but the History channel is almost as good a choice, in some areas it is an even better choice. The difference in this show and the show I had in mind are subtle but important...
I don't think you can do justice to a martial art form in less than a two hour block. There is just too much history to cover and if you are going to convey historical facts through a TV show then you must simultaneously provide entertainment, hence the need for a two hour block instead of a one hour block.
Although I like both of the hosts I would have considered a female to take the place of one of the hosts. Most likely Bill since his size and strength makes him more than a match for most other martial artists of equal caliber. Maybe adding a third host who was female would work nicely. This would help enhance the shows female demographics by attracting women who are interested in self defense.
The end match, I'm torn on if I would keep the challenge at the end. It is entertaining to watch but it is also a no win situation. If Jason or Bill defeat their opponent (it is possible since they are both professionally trained and will continue to get better) then in a sense they dis-honor the school. If they loose, then what does that say about all of the previous training they have been exposed to, do they dis-honor their instructors every time they loose. I understand it is just an exhibition match, some fights will be all out while during others the opponents may be holding back.
The format of the show is good and may get better. What I want to see though is consistency from show to show in how it presents material to the viewer. I would like it to lay out the history of the art form up front and always include the information I have listed below. The show does a good job of showing some of the items I list, but it really glosses over some parts and doesn't address others at all:
- Origins and branches
- Why a practitioner might choose this branch of the art form over similar branches
- How the art is significantly different from art forms that have previously been visited
- Number of people practicing the art
- Number of schools and concentrations around the world
- Number of federated organizations
- Ranking system in detail (i.e. number of belts, with colors, name, dan, etc)
- Learning requirements (i.e. 10 techniques for first belt, 24 for second belt, 155 total Kata/Tul/Tao, must be able to perform 1000 kicks for black belt, etc.)
- Special training equipment utilized
- Discuss and explain the spiritual aspects, if any, of the art form
I noticed on the web site that the DVD for each episode is available for $25. For that amount of money per episode, they really need to pack it with a lot more information. In fact, I would go so far as to say they need to include several more hours of detailed training footage that they surely recorded while on location. This would make the DVDs a very attractive purchase. As it is, the DVDs are only around 50 minutes and don't even include closed captioning. It is naive to think that these DVDs will have high sales as they are currently being packaged.
I also noticed some parts of one particular episode where MTV editing was being used. By this I mean that they were averaging around 4 seconds per camera cut! It doesn't really bother me until I notice it, but once I do I find it most nauseating. I don't know if it holds true for all of the shown episodes or not as so far I have only noticed it in one episode, but once you notice something like that it becomes hard to ignore.
I would like to think that the History Channel had higher production values than what this show demonstrates. I like the hosts, I like the locations they travel to and the teachers they train with, I even like the main battle at the end of each episode. What I don't like is that this show could just as easily be on any of the other lesser channels. I just want and expect more from the History Channel. I want to feel like I have been educated about something when I am done watching a show on the History Channel. I think to some degree it should make me feel like I have just walked out of a really good classroom lecture! I have heard it said that TV as a medium cannot convey such information. I think it can and I think that there are a few shows out there that prove it. Instead of looking toward Spike, Vs, and MTV for guidance, the History Channel should be looking closer at its own programming and at programming found on the Food Network, FitTv, and the Learning Channel. In fact, perhaps some opportunistic martial artist should be looking closer at FitTvs's show lineup... not a single martial arts program to be seen.
For more information on Human Weapon, visit http://www.history.com/minisites/humanweapon
My background is mostly in Japanese Karate but I do enjoy learning about other martial art forms and over the years have come to the conclusion that any good martial art will evolve over time and include the best practices from other art forms. When I formed this conclusion though I was thinking more along the lines of martial art forms that are primarily self defense focused.
Take this into consideration, Judo and Tae Kwon Do are events in the Summer Olympic Games, Chinese Wushu recently failed in its bid to be included but will surely try again. Practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and most Japanese Karate art forms host sporting events all over the world (I'm not even including MMA, UFC, Kickboxing or other purse oriented events). There are a few art forms such as Aikido, Wing Chun, and Krav Maga that generally spurn such competitions but these are few in number.
Most martial art styles have a side to them that focus on sport competition. In this they formalize rules for one-on-one confrontation, typically a point system of some sort, and eliminate a large amount of moves that would leave the opponent blinded, crippled, or otherwise injured. I believe that the rules under which competition takes place have diminished the combat effectiveness of martial artists. Sport oriented martial arts now focus on winning in a ring rather than in the street and to some degree are no longer cultivating a particular moral character (but that would be a whole other argument). Some schools may now be going so far as to only concentrate on the competitive nature of the sport.
Sport oriented martial arts may be a good thing for some students but not necessarily practical for real self defense. Some would argue that it trains the practitioner to not use certain moves that would quickly end a real fight in favor of a move that was learned and practiced for sport fighting that would simply leave the opponent momentarily dazed. Remember here that the key to training is repetition, what you practice in the dojo will be what you perform in the street. Many instructors feel that it is difficult to train for both the sporting aspect of the martial arts and the self defense aspects. If one trains enough to be effective on the street, then when rules are imposed on them they will be physically and mentally challenged to confine their responses to the rule system. If one trains enough to be effective in sport competition, then when no rules are imposed in a life or death situation they may find themselves not using the best move for the situation, or worse yet, not anticipating a deadly move from their attacker.
Some would argue that the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) leagues are the answer to this conundrum. I say that they both still have rules and a competitor has a particular focus while training for such an event. I also think that the MMA (and to a lesser extent the UFC) is less of a sport and more of a meat market for spectators. I find that these type of leagues reduce even further the moral and peaceful aspects that are taught in the martial arts.
Please keep in mind that here I am only criticizing one-on-one type sport competition. Many martial arts also sponsor non-sparring competitions such as breaking or choreographed techniques such as poomse, kata or aka. I find that these type of events don't necessarily detract from a martial artist's effectiveness and a well balanced training regiment will allow a practitioner to be both competitive in such events and effective on the street.
In a recent post, pwrmacjedi (http://pwrmacjedi.livejournal.com) brought up a point that he felt Flight crews are HELPLESS and CLUELESS about defending themselves or anyone else. This was specifically in regards to the events that occurred on 9/11.
I tend to agree with this, but as a martial artist I understand why this is so. Martial arts training takes discipline. It takes constant training and a physical and mental component that makes it unsuited for many. While it is true that many airlines are now required to offer basic security training for their flight and cabin crewmembers in order to prepare them for potential threat conditions, these classes are typically only one day and once a year. Effective training would need to be conducted at least two days a week for the first four years of a crew members career, and ongoing training, practice, and evaluation would be required after that. To learn how to deliver a self defense move effectively takes thousands of repetitions, it can't be learned in one day or even one year.
One must also take into account that in a real terrorist situation, flight crews will not be up against untrained, unskilled, uncoordinated and unexpecting individuals. I would be very surprised if the 9/11 terrorist were not highly trained in self defense and expecting a passenger or two to attempt an attack on them. A box cutter can be a very brutal weapon when wielded expertly. As far as a single passenger being able to perform a successful attack, take into consideration your typical martial art taught in the United States. Many of the schools put emphasis on punches, kicks, stances and other techniques that are not very well suited to an enclosed place such as an airplane. The terrorist on the other hand, has probably practiced extensively for just that sort of setting.
Furthermore, as a society our police and military has trained us to step aside and let them handle these types of situations. And to be honest, the passengers of the 9/11 flights probably didn't realize just how much danger they really were in. As far as the training of the flight crews in martial arts, I think it is a good idea, but I also think it would have made little difference in this situation. Even a fairly well trained weekend warrior would not have been able to confront an armed individual who had been training just for that situation for years. I doubt very seriously that a petite stewardess who only trained because she was required to would fair much better.
One final note, access to the cockpit should have been cut off long ago. I think arming the cockpit crew and reinforcing the door to the cockpit was the best response to prevent another 9/11.
General Information
Title: Fit To Defend
Presenter: Jean Jacques Machado, Roger Lacombe, hosted by Rita Sever
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, NTSC, 2 Disc DVD Set
Studio: Garri Productions
Release Date: March 17, 2004
Run Time: 235 minutes
UPC: 883757000017
Price: $20
Summary
Fit to Defend is an introductory Martial Arts self improvement/self defense set. The material presented is from both a Japanese Karate and Jiu-Jitsu background. The instructional is aimed somewhat towards women but could better be utilized by a man. Forms, kata, and traditions of the martial arts are not covered. Focus is on self defense situations where it is imperative to strike unexpectedly and retreat at the first opportunity.
High Point
"Nuts, for lack of a better term."
Low Point
Instructors acting as if they are in more pain than they would be while on the receiving end of some technique. Young/small children performing moves that they physically would not be able to pull off.
The Scores
Clarity & Presentation (3 out of 4.2): The presentation is very well done. The instructors are, for the most part, well spoken and easily understood. The video and audio are very clear. The settings were very well chosen and lit. Contrast between the participants and the background is very high making it easy to make out the intricacies of the movements.
Structure (4 out of 4.2): The structure of the DVD is very good. The two DVD set is broken out into four chapters and each of these chapters is further broken down into individual attacks with counters followed by an overview and finally a workout section. Each chapter is well described in the menus and short enough to fast forward through to find a specific technique.
Examples (3 out of 4.2): The DVD is full of examples where the instructor is describing and demonstrating a specific real world use of a given technique. The technique is then demonstrated multiple times with multiple partners.
Exercises (3 out of 4.2): Each of the four sections has a workout section. The exercises chapter in these sections is typical but should give a good workout.
Completeness (2 out of 4.2): To the uninitiated the DVDs would probably feel fairly complete. Many types of real world situations are covered and the techniques shown are, more or less, calibrated for a smaller defender. However, I do not believe that enough stress is placed on repetition of moves, history of the martial arts, the possibility that the attacker may continue his attack through some amount of serious pain, or that the attacker may be a competent fighter.
Editing (4 out of 4.2): The editing was well done with shots being cut from far out encompassing both combatants to close in showing specific gestures. Color balance and contrast were spot on. Background music is present throughout the DVD, however, it is at a low enough volume so as to not interfere with the learning process.
Production (3 out of 4.2): The production of the DVD set looked very high. This was due in large part to the use of multiple and well chosen locations. The format of one untrained host and two high caliber instructors also helped increase production value. This combined with good editing, music, and the DVD authoring elevate this set. above many others I have seen.
Entertainment (2.5 out of 4.2): Like most martial arts instructional videos, the entertainment value was limited for this set. Although not dry like some sets. The hostess is very easy on the eyes and I am sure the two instructors could woo any lady as well. For the most part the instructors are all business, with the hostess interjecting a small bit of humor here or there. The chapters are kept short enough to keep your attention throughout.
Value (4.2 out of 4.2): For around $20 this can't be beat.
Overall (3 out of 4.2): Overall this was a well done DVD set. I can see this set being used by a novice or beginner as a primary introductory to the martial arts and possibly as a supliment by intermediaries in styles outside of Karate and Jiu-Jitsu as a broadening of skills. I can also see it being used by instructors as suplimental materials for their students. As with many martial arts training videos though, a partner is required for a large proportion of techniques demonstrated by the instructors. Without a partner to train with, this set would be ineffective.
"Fit To Defend" receives a very respectable 31.7 out of a possible 42.
