I have been doing a lot more active workouts lately. Trying to improve my form and also putting together an instructional video series. My body has been responding in kind. A specific manifestation of this has been the formation of blisters on existing calluses on my hands. Just from noting the location of the calluses it is easy to see where I have been holding my weapons and how my hand has been generating power. Fortunately they confirm my intended hand work and finger form. (I may include a photo, but who wants to look at callused wounded hands anyway?)
I am happy to point out that I only get blisters in two spots on my hand. One on the bottom right side of my thumb from what is called "ring grip", and another at the inside base of my pinky finger. This puts into a concrete view the importance of where you hold your weapon and how you combine closing your grip with your strike to maximize power while remaining energy efficient.
When you are familiar with your weapon you can develop the strength and dexterity to keep it balanced in your had while only having those two points of contact, while also having the ability to open and close the grip, generating power and maintaining control. Many swordsman scholars suggest that the most important finger for weapon fighting is the pinky. (Check out the history of 'Yubitsume') So always remember to keep your smallest finger strong and agile.
I will be making a video about this and linking it up here, but in the mean time I just wanted to put the thought in your head. Let me know if you agree or if you think I am crazy. Keep practicing.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Videos to come.
Just a quick update:
I have spent this past weekend filming myself when I workout. I am excited about the groundwork toward my workout video series. It is nice to see the work taking shape and even though it is still in it's infancy I am excited about where this looks like it is headed. With any luck I should be putting up videos before July is over. Looking forward to that.
I have spent this past weekend filming myself when I workout. I am excited about the groundwork toward my workout video series. It is nice to see the work taking shape and even though it is still in it's infancy I am excited about where this looks like it is headed. With any luck I should be putting up videos before July is over. Looking forward to that.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Location Update
In order that there would be less hazards in the workout area, and also that it would be a little more appealing to the eye in videos, I set forth to clean up the area where I have been working out. Enrique and I spent the better part of six straight hours working on the whole space and made some improvements.
After cleaning all the crud off the floor and moving the extra furniture out (two pianos and a bunch of shelves) we decided to pull up the carpet which revealed a nice tile floor. Not only did we kick major butt on the building itself, but as you can see we rewrapped the bag. It almost looks brand new. Due to the shape it took on we are affectionately referring to it as the "Big Black Banana."
Now, with a nice clean area I can begin making and posting workout videos. I just have to get over the paralyzing fear of being on camera for the entire world to see....
Friday, May 13, 2016
S.I.A.P. Philosophy
Any attempt to accurately explain the complete philosophy of SIAP would fall embarrassingly short in a blog post. I have plans to write about it more in depth in a book in the future but for the immediate history that plan remains on the back burner. However, in this article I will give a brief explanation of it's core, what it stands for, and how it stands in opposition to typical SCA training.
The Abbreviation S.I.A.P. stands for Strength In All Positions and I typically pronounce it *sigh-op. I chose these particular words as they best describe the core reasoning behind, and development of, the system. While training set movements and structured katas is helpful, in real fights you often find yourself in many positions that you can't train for. By this I mean situations that rigid forms don't teach you. Real fighting is messy and unpredictable and the only way to prepare for any situation is to have an infinitely inclusive training. In a way you need the "formless form" of martial arts lore.
The most common SIAP exercise is as simple as muscle flexing. This is a practice which I engage in all throughout the day in some way or another. Whether it is at my desk while working, laying in bed before I sleep, or while doing the dishes. I came to call this practice "Stationary Strengthening." It had meager beginnings and now it is something of a challenge to myself to see if I can flex every one of my muscles all at once for long amounts of time no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Over time an impracticality of Stationary Strengthening reared it's head to me: most of my day I am moving and cannot stand still for long time periods just to flex my muscles. It was because of this that I developed a method to practice muscle flexing while in motion. I began by walking in a straight line and, starting with my toes, systematically flexed all of my muscles while continuing to walk. At first this proved difficult but has become very beneficial. Also, it made the way I walk appear rather humorous. After a period of time I switched from walking in straight predictable lines to moving in random directions and manipulating my body into unpredictable and even awkward shapes while maintaining my muscle flexing. This exercise would grow to be the cornerstone for a system that eventually came to be known as "Strength In All Positions"
There is a mindset prevalent in the SCA, the thought that there is a set number of valid/useful targets and 5 throws/mechanics with which to deliver them. To practice these shots practitioners face off against a stationary pell. A pell that is either a simple pole or a rough humanoid shape. A fighter, especially one guided by an experienced member, learns a ridged system handed down for generations. This is typically a small number of shots in a pre-determined order, constructed to deliver damage to standard target zones.
For example:
{Sword and shield (sword and board) is the most common style. Therefore, most pells resemble that of a right handed opponent with a shield and short sword. A new fighter is shown the few available shots against an opponent with such a setup. (opponent's left side just above the shield, leg shot just below the shield, straight drop shot to the opponent's right of the shield to the chest etc.) For a time they practice throwing those few shots.
The next phase is to teach what I call the "If This Then That" style of fighting. In this style a fighter is instructed to throw a shot (fake) which causes the opponent to block a specific way. This opens the opponent in another specific way leaving them vulnerable to another specific and planned target. With this teaching method new fighters learn set combos.
From this point forward fighters are, more or less, on their own to make those shots quicker and stronger while adding footwork and other slight mechanical augments to their shot memory. With the occasional trick shots or situation specific shots that may get salt-and-peppered in throughout their training. Their duty is to program those shots into their muscle like a fighting robot and, when fight time comes, are encouraged to "let your muscle memory steer for you" and "Don't think, your body knows where to throw the shot."}
The fact is that, unlike pells, opponents do not stand still and wait to be hit. Also, living people will block; a place that stays open on a dummy will not remain open on a living person. This is the reality that forced "If This Than That" to develop. The "throw at what you see open" style of practice makes it incredibly easy to lure a fighter (amateur or experienced) to throw for a seemingly open shot. Thus allowing you to "baby seal them" as it is called amongst many reputable mercenary clans.
- Pell work is supplemented with "practice" fighting against a live opponent which, for the bulk of what I have seen, any new fighter might as well wear a sign that says "I don't know what I'm doing, please beat the ever-loving crap out of me" because, as a way to instill their own superiority, most "experienced" fighters can't seem to pass an opportunity to exploit the weakness of a noob.
Another shortcoming is the teaching of numbered targets and ordered strike patterns. The problem being that you can run out of shots quickly when facing an opponent with a decent ability to block. And, all it takes to defeat a fighting robot is to know what shots they throw and the timing they use to throw them. (Any boss fight in any video game)
Now, I do not want to seem callus or like I am writing this training off completely. This style of fighting is beneficial and helps develop a system by which many fighters have been successful. It may be valuable to have a set combo that you use to win every time, and it is tempting to learn a 1-2-3 pattern that beats any defense. However, it is my opinion that this type of thinking not only handicaps each fighter from their potential, but that it also retards the overall skill level of the SCA at large. It has become a game of "who hits the target shots quicker and harder" instead of a contest between genuinely skilled athletic fighters. The SCA is a world where generally the same people are fighting the same people week after week so repetition of combos will not last long against astute fighters.
- I have often mentally mused if the originators of this sport knew this and, wanting to dominate the field, taught this fighting style so that they would remain triumphant over poorly trained fighting robots. Now, years later, those robots have gone on to teach new fighters these habits; not knowing any better. But this is a digression smacking of paranoid delusional conspiracy theory.
The Base of S.I.A.P.
The Abbreviation S.I.A.P. stands for Strength In All Positions and I typically pronounce it *sigh-op. I chose these particular words as they best describe the core reasoning behind, and development of, the system. While training set movements and structured katas is helpful, in real fights you often find yourself in many positions that you can't train for. By this I mean situations that rigid forms don't teach you. Real fighting is messy and unpredictable and the only way to prepare for any situation is to have an infinitely inclusive training. In a way you need the "formless form" of martial arts lore.
The most common SIAP exercise is as simple as muscle flexing. This is a practice which I engage in all throughout the day in some way or another. Whether it is at my desk while working, laying in bed before I sleep, or while doing the dishes. I came to call this practice "Stationary Strengthening." It had meager beginnings and now it is something of a challenge to myself to see if I can flex every one of my muscles all at once for long amounts of time no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Over time an impracticality of Stationary Strengthening reared it's head to me: most of my day I am moving and cannot stand still for long time periods just to flex my muscles. It was because of this that I developed a method to practice muscle flexing while in motion. I began by walking in a straight line and, starting with my toes, systematically flexed all of my muscles while continuing to walk. At first this proved difficult but has become very beneficial. Also, it made the way I walk appear rather humorous. After a period of time I switched from walking in straight predictable lines to moving in random directions and manipulating my body into unpredictable and even awkward shapes while maintaining my muscle flexing. This exercise would grow to be the cornerstone for a system that eventually came to be known as "Strength In All Positions"
The Weakness of Typical SCA Styles
There is a mindset prevalent in the SCA, the thought that there is a set number of valid/useful targets and 5 throws/mechanics with which to deliver them. To practice these shots practitioners face off against a stationary pell. A pell that is either a simple pole or a rough humanoid shape. A fighter, especially one guided by an experienced member, learns a ridged system handed down for generations. This is typically a small number of shots in a pre-determined order, constructed to deliver damage to standard target zones.
For example:
{Sword and shield (sword and board) is the most common style. Therefore, most pells resemble that of a right handed opponent with a shield and short sword. A new fighter is shown the few available shots against an opponent with such a setup. (opponent's left side just above the shield, leg shot just below the shield, straight drop shot to the opponent's right of the shield to the chest etc.) For a time they practice throwing those few shots.
The next phase is to teach what I call the "If This Then That" style of fighting. In this style a fighter is instructed to throw a shot (fake) which causes the opponent to block a specific way. This opens the opponent in another specific way leaving them vulnerable to another specific and planned target. With this teaching method new fighters learn set combos.
From this point forward fighters are, more or less, on their own to make those shots quicker and stronger while adding footwork and other slight mechanical augments to their shot memory. With the occasional trick shots or situation specific shots that may get salt-and-peppered in throughout their training. Their duty is to program those shots into their muscle like a fighting robot and, when fight time comes, are encouraged to "let your muscle memory steer for you" and "Don't think, your body knows where to throw the shot."}
The fact is that, unlike pells, opponents do not stand still and wait to be hit. Also, living people will block; a place that stays open on a dummy will not remain open on a living person. This is the reality that forced "If This Than That" to develop. The "throw at what you see open" style of practice makes it incredibly easy to lure a fighter (amateur or experienced) to throw for a seemingly open shot. Thus allowing you to "baby seal them" as it is called amongst many reputable mercenary clans.
- Pell work is supplemented with "practice" fighting against a live opponent which, for the bulk of what I have seen, any new fighter might as well wear a sign that says "I don't know what I'm doing, please beat the ever-loving crap out of me" because, as a way to instill their own superiority, most "experienced" fighters can't seem to pass an opportunity to exploit the weakness of a noob.
Another shortcoming is the teaching of numbered targets and ordered strike patterns. The problem being that you can run out of shots quickly when facing an opponent with a decent ability to block. And, all it takes to defeat a fighting robot is to know what shots they throw and the timing they use to throw them. (Any boss fight in any video game)
Now, I do not want to seem callus or like I am writing this training off completely. This style of fighting is beneficial and helps develop a system by which many fighters have been successful. It may be valuable to have a set combo that you use to win every time, and it is tempting to learn a 1-2-3 pattern that beats any defense. However, it is my opinion that this type of thinking not only handicaps each fighter from their potential, but that it also retards the overall skill level of the SCA at large. It has become a game of "who hits the target shots quicker and harder" instead of a contest between genuinely skilled athletic fighters. The SCA is a world where generally the same people are fighting the same people week after week so repetition of combos will not last long against astute fighters.
- I have often mentally mused if the originators of this sport knew this and, wanting to dominate the field, taught this fighting style so that they would remain triumphant over poorly trained fighting robots. Now, years later, those robots have gone on to teach new fighters these habits; not knowing any better. But this is a digression smacking of paranoid delusional conspiracy theory.
The Strength of S.I.A.P.
Where SIAP is different from that basic structure is first in its targeting system. Yes, there is a numbered system of strikes in the S.I.A.P. System, but they are significantly different in their application. The strikes are a loose representation of all of the possibly angles you can attack with whatever weapon you have and then that structure is overlaid on any desired target.
To get the detailed explanation please watch the video on the S.I.A.P. Targeting System (yet to be uploaded, sorry) but for the purpose of this document: imagine the face of a clock, then imagine each line representing minutes to be, instead, representing the angle of attack (the center of the clock being the target) next, imagine applying this 360 degree image of angular attack options to any target on your opponent. (right bicep, left hip etc.)
You will begin to see that, once in the habit of practicing this type of targeting system, you will have an unending supply of options in any battle. When combined with the strength training you will not only be able to deliver the shot required at any give moment, but it will also be strong enough to be a shot that is considered "good" by even the rhinoest of hyders.
There is, I admit, a weakness to the S.I.A.P. System of training. Because it focuses on the equal strength of every possible shot and flexibility of the entire body, it takes a great amount of time and a fair portion of "Learning by Defeat" for a practitioner to develop the functional use of it's power and intricacy of it's skill. Of course, the time it takes is directly tied to the practitioner's dedication and drive, but even the most dedicated fighter will take a longer time learning the complete S.I.A.P. System then they would take to learn how to use only 6 shots efficiently.
- So, that being said, the question comes out; "Why bother to learn something this complicated and time consuming when more efficient systems exist and are prevalent?"
The Philosophy of S.I.A.P.
The core mentality of a true practitioner of SIAP is that the only real opponent is one's self. Never is the goal to be the best as compared to other fighters. The measure of a fighter's strength is not determined against external battles but by the development and drive and heart of the practitioner. Despite the fact that it might be a side effect, 'winning' is not something that you train for in SIAP and for that reason it is not something that appeals to the bulk of SCA members.
There was a time in humanity's history when sword fighting was a literal way of life. When a sword master's skill determined if they would live or die each day. In those times it would likely be a bad idea to train the way that I do. SIAP takes time to understand and requires defeat to grow. Fortunately, we live in a time where we make sport of murder and play at war with little repercussion. This affords us the leisure to focus on myriad other facets of swordsmanship and the martial arts extant.
In this environment, where our lives do not depend on our fighting skill, it surprises me how many people take this 'game' so seriously. Grown adults that will throw fits over such simple things. I always have treated the SCA as an escape from what is called the "mundane" world; in the real world there are plenty of pissing contests, muscle flexing, gnashing of teeth, and adults acting as children over toys for the sake of pride. It has always been a shame that there is so little fun in sport. But, the actions of others should not effect my experience nor influence my choices.
SIAP is a system that is structured to make you the best fighter you can be while recognizing that there is no destination in that journey.
Ceaseless personal improvement is the only goal.
If you judge your worth on winning a fight against an opponent, sometimes you will succeed, and often you will fail. However, if your goal is to work hard, do your best and make incremental improvement over the course of your life; you will never fail.
SIAP practitioners need to be mentally awake, morally straight, and have objective honesty about themselves and others. The battles we face against living opponents pale in comparison to the battles in one's own mind and it is that battleground that SIAP encourages it's practitioners to focus on foremost. Even if you beat a physical opponent but do it in a way that feels cheep to you morally, you have lost to yourself. Whereas, if you lose to an opponent though you fought your best and with integrity then you have won the larger battle. The goal, of all of this, is to have fun; to enjoy yourself no matter what is thrown your way, and to recognize that every other person is engaged in the same struggle and we are all allied in that cause.
Ceaseless personal improvement is the only goal.
If you judge your worth on winning a fight against an opponent, sometimes you will succeed, and often you will fail. However, if your goal is to work hard, do your best and make incremental improvement over the course of your life; you will never fail.
SIAP practitioners need to be mentally awake, morally straight, and have objective honesty about themselves and others. The battles we face against living opponents pale in comparison to the battles in one's own mind and it is that battleground that SIAP encourages it's practitioners to focus on foremost. Even if you beat a physical opponent but do it in a way that feels cheep to you morally, you have lost to yourself. Whereas, if you lose to an opponent though you fought your best and with integrity then you have won the larger battle. The goal, of all of this, is to have fun; to enjoy yourself no matter what is thrown your way, and to recognize that every other person is engaged in the same struggle and we are all allied in that cause.
If we lived in a world where all who engage in this sport did so with this congenial and affable mentality, imagine the advancement we would make as individuals. Imagine the way the sport would grow. But as I've said many times, we live in the real world, and opposition is unavoidable in all things. The best we can do is strengthen all of our faculties and prepare for every conceivable outcome. We alone are responsible for our lives and our choices.
Monday, May 9, 2016
Location Secured!
Great News! A friend who lives near by has given me permission to use an abandoned building on his property as a space to practice. This allows me to start making the videos that I have been planning for many years. I just hung up my top of the line - state of the art - practice bag...
After clearing the floor of some spider domiciles I was ready to go. I am really excited to start posting videos for everyone since the SCA world is in need of more tutorials. I am really looking forward to getting up and running.
After clearing the floor of some spider domiciles I was ready to go. I am really excited to start posting videos for everyone since the SCA world is in need of more tutorials. I am really looking forward to getting up and running.
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