Friday, August 29, 2014

That Ju Do that You Do so Well

Sometimes I get the feeling (and it is an excellent feeling) that I am in the right place at the right time, doing what the universe intended for me to do.  Things that I've been working on / towards (struggling with) for years start falling into place.

This installment of the Budo Blog is one of those times.

I've been working on an idea...

All the recent media attention on incidents in Missouri and the outrage that attention has caused has cast a  spot light on a perception that community relations with Law Enforcement is at a low.

I want to create an opportunity for the public (especially the youth of the community) to interact with Law Enforcement in a positive manner.

Some of the best success I have had with the DARE program and National Night Out was due to the simple opportunity to talk to people outside of regular Law Enforcement duties, and let them see that cops are just people too.

I feel that a Police Activity League would be an excellent opportunity to establish a community outreach program.

My Police Department already does something along those lines with the DNR gun safety course each fall.

However, another perception stemming from recent events is how under trained Law Enforcement is.



Clearly that is a fake laugh because the filmer wanted the Officers to be embarrassed



Yet another issue I've discussed on this blog is how "soft" the youth of America is and how hard it is to train up coming generations of Law Enforcement Officers.
http://practicalbudo.blogspot.com/2014/01/outside-box-thinking-and-addressing.html

To address all of these concerns I decided to start a Police Activity League Judo program.



To me Judo and Jujutsu are interchangable trems.
Jujutsu is the techniques and or skills
Judo is how you chose to use those skills.  How you chose to live your life.

The Judo that I enjoy the most, and will be teaching is old (pre WWII) Judo.  Including elements of Aikido and Karate like the SAC combative measures program.

The purpose of the PAL Judo program is to provide a safe, positive and energetic environment for youth and adults to enjoy the art of Judo.

Judo, which means "The Gentle Way", is a Japanese martial art based upon the ancient techniques of Jujutsu.  Dr. Jigoro Kano, incorporated the best of these ancient techniques into the new art of Judo. 
Judo is mostly known for its spectacular throwing techniques but it also includes numerous techniques for safely controlling an opponent while on the ground. 

The goal of mutual welfare and benefit was an extension of Dr. Kano's belief that Judo could help the individual become a better member of society.  Dr. Kano felt that the personal discipline that Judo taught would extend beyond the dojo into daily life and could allow the Judoka to become a more productive member of society.
In 1964, Judo became the first martial art to be sanctioned as a medal sport in the Olympic Games.  Judo is now the second most popular sport in the world. 
People practice Judo for many different reasons such as exercise, sport, self-defense, a social activity and for many practitioners Judo becomes a way of life.  But if you ask most Judoka why they train Judo, they will say that the practice Judo because it is fun!!

Citizens getting to know Officers outside of their regular duties and having fun with them has a profound effect on public perceptions of Law Enforcement.

Program Logistics:
15 week course
Ages 14-21 (any one over 14 is welcome)

Monday & Wednesday Nights from 6:30 – 8:30pm (9 for adults)
Allegiance Fitness
2240 Woodale Dr Mounds View MN 5512
http://www.allegiancefitness.com/

Tuesday & Thursday Nights 7:00 - 9:00pm
Elk River American Legion
525 Railroad Dr, Elk River, MN 55330

Class Fees
1 Semester (15 weeks) $100 - Includes club T-shirt
1 month $40

Yearly registration and insurance fee $15
*This is a not for profit organization.  All funds raised are used for the running of the program

Classes start in October
Sign Up Today!

Contact 763 360 7200
Or check us out at judomn.org


Benefits of this program
•             Civilian
•             Law Enforcement

Civilian Benefits
Besides all the inherent benefits that come from Judo training, this unique PAL Judo program allows citizens to see just how difficult safely controlling someone can be.  An informed public is a safer public
In a free and peaceful society where so many have been taught that all violence is always wrong, citizens are often confused and dismayed when officers use force, even when the force is perfectly lawful and justified.
Some highlights of training alongside with Law Enforcement include:
•             Explanation of policy and laws that officers are taught.
•             An examination of use of force
o             How to define a threat
o             The difference between excessive force and unnecessary force.
•             Who is the “bad guy” and who is not?
o             How to make that call (in actuality, and in perception).
•             Understanding of how an officer’s decisions are examined.
•             Exploration of how officers see the world that they live in.
o             Sometimes decisions will be made in a fraction of a second and on partial information.
o             Sometimes a decision will change the lives of everyone involved—forever.

•             Information on how to safely interact when faced by an officer.

Verbal Judo
Participants in the PAL Judo Program will also receive training in Conflict Communications
Conflict Communications presents a functional taxonomy to see, understand and manipulate the roots of conflict. If you have ever wondered why your boss ignored a suggestion that could save millions of dollars, or why you have the same argument again and again with your spouse, the answers are here. As well as the tools to do something about it.

Law Enforcement Benefits
To be effective for law enforcement, martial art training must include empty-hand techniques as well as weapons techniques. It must rely upon sound principles that allow a smaller individual to control a larger, stronger opponent. Also, it must provide the Officer with the skills needed to control a suspect while minimizing injuries.

Judo has been taught to Law Enforcement around the world since 1886.  In fact Judo contains Renkoho Waza and Taiho Jutsu designed especially for Law Enforcement and is the foundation of many modern defensive tactics systems.
I feel that if Law Enforcement can get paid to train or are allowed to on duty that will greatly increase the likely hood of their receiving more and better training.

In order to accomplish this all licensed Law Enforcement Officers participating in the PAL Judo program will be able to receive MN POST credit for their training.

Concurrent with the Judo program Law Enforcement Officers will be trained in One On One Control Tactics

One-On-One Control focuses on gross motor skill, high percentage techniques that are effective for all Law Enforcement Personnel regardless of their size or gender. 
This program is not meant to replace the defensive tactics system you have, but will enhance and supplement your program, increasing officer’s competence in hand to hand confrontations both standing and on the ground.
One-On-One Control Tactics protect LEOs physically, legally and they also project a positive public perception. 
Over the last 30 years One-On-One Control Tactics have been proven effective in application on the street and 100% defendable in court. 
Use of these techniques have resulted in:
•             0 – LEO injuries
•             0 – Suspect injuries
•             0 – Use of Force complaints
With the courts looking at every contact police officers have with the public, this integrated One-On-One Control Tactics system has been found to be non-obtrusive to the public, while at the same time maintaining officer safety and giving the officer maximum control without causing injury to the suspect or to the officer.

To further encourage to seek out and create training opportunities Law Enforcement Officers that complete two 15 week semesters of this program are eligible to become One On One Control Tactics Instructors for their departments.

In addition to physical skills Law Enforcement Officers will also receive training in Conflict Communications.

http://www.chirontraining.com/Site/Seminar_Information.html

Conflict Communication Improves your understanding of violence, and interpersonal communications.
Increases verbal skills and helps to reduce the number of use of force incidents.
If you're emotional and caught up in the default human conflict behaviors, the best de-escalation training in the world (Verbal Judo, C.I.T., etc) is of no use to you. You're not going to be able to do it.
The essential message of Conflict Communications is -De-escalation starts with you
The goal of Conflict Communications is to teach you how to prevent conflict whenever possible and to minimize its impact when it is unavoidable.
Most conflicts can be successfully controlled by using the principles of this system. This is not specialized education only a select few can master. The program is designed so anyone can use it to prevent a conflict. We do this by teaching you to de-escalate yourself first.
Originally designed for law enforcement to be used when confronting violent felons, the principles of this program also work in business, social and casual situations

By understanding how and why confrontation occurs, Conflict Communications will show you conflict management, de-escalation, situation resolution and, if necessary, articulation of why action was both necessary and reasonable

Another public perception that has recently come to light are that Law Enforcement Officers are generally in poor physical condition.

Physical Fitness benefits
Judo is great exercise.  It promotes flexibility, develops speed and co-ordination, strengthens the cardiovascular system, and promotes balanced muscular development. 
Judo not only works out the body, but it also works out the mind. Judo will help you build self-confidence, trust, self-discipline and respect for yourself and others.
Judo has also been known to positively affect the lives of special needs individuals and build confidence in others who have been bullied or picked on.
When you combine physical activity, self-defense skills, spiritual development and peace of mind together, you’ve got the makings of a great activity that will not only keep you fit but that will also keep you motivated.

Benefits The Martial Art of Judo Can Make In a Child’s Life
Violence in our country and around the world seems out of control. There is countless news stories, thousands of victims suffer at the hands of bad people.  You see and may have been a victim of violence yourself; violence is in many video games, our music and television shows. 
Many of our children suffer the mental and physical violence bullies inflict on them on a daily basis. So, what can you do as a parent?
Improved physical fitness 
Kids will experience physical and mental enjoyment through sport recreation. Teen age obesity is a problem in our and many countries. Through the physical activity of judo practice your child will lose and maintain a healthy weight.  
Courage
 Your child will be able to withstand pain, failure and difficulties.
Discipline
 Develop strict obedience while striving for a goal.
Humility
Boys and girls will find freedom from pride and arrogance.
Non-Violence
Rage and violence extinguished through consistent discipline of regular judo practice. Students will learn why they go through a range of feelings and how to control their emotions.
Respect  
Your child will learn that they are important and what they do matters.  They will learn to be courteous to you and others and that means that you are important to them.  Respect is demonstrated by good manners and behavior.
Honesty
Your child will learn always to tell the truth.  Would society be better if everyone were more honest in our daily lives?  Honesty is feeling good about who you are and not feeling the need to lie.

Maximum Efficiency/Minimum Effort and Mutual Welfare Benefit
Every student will learn and perform the 2 principles of judo.
Your child will learn basic techniques to help them efficiently solve problems and to empathize or understand the limitations of others and help them achieve their goals.
Martial arts have proven to help your child perform better in school and to become a better citizen contributing to our society.  

Sportsmanship
Develop the spirit of fair play and teamwork.
Develop the vision for a positive outlook on life

We have a great foundation to start from with two solid training locations generously donated by Allegiance Fitness and the Elk River American Legion

Long Term Goals

I would also like to use this as a Teacher Development Program and expand the times and locations training is available.

I work a pretty cake day shift.  So it is easy for me to train weeknights after dinner.  There are plenty of other Law Enforcement Officers that work different shifts that may want to train at different times of the day, or live far enough away that it is a hassle to come up and train.

One of the goals I have for this program is to make training as convenient and excuse free as possible.

So if you are an Officer or Instructor willing to work with Officers as part of the PAL clubs and you can train, for the sake of argument lets say on Tuesdays at 2pm in Minneapolis -
If you can, and you want to train then and there, you just volunteered to be responsible for the Minneapolis PAL Judo Club.

In order for this to meet the community outreach mandates of the program, the alternate training times have to work for the community too.

So maybe overnight guys want to train before they go to bed day guys that want to train before their shift can train before school say like 7am.

Night guys that want to train in the afternoon after they sleep could train after school say like at 3pm.
Or before they start shift like at 5pm

To start you don't need to be an Instructor, just responsible for holding that class and a safety officer for that training so no one gets hurt.

A teaching guide will be provided for you.

I would like to build these "Coaches" up into Instructors.

I would like to get up to around 10 clubs with 10 guys each.

I would also like to make it so club members could train at any other club house.

Then when we have a big event like Violence Dynamics or Steve Jimerfield coming to town we can get all 100 guys to train together.

Some reading this might be thinking, that sounds cool but I don't do Judo I do (insert what ever here)

Awesome!  My goal is training opportunities for cops, and positive interaction with the community.
I am using a Judo model because there is already a PAL Judo frame work, and because I love Japanese martial arts.

Remember Judo was a blanket term cops back in the day used for any combative training.  If you have expertise in something else you are willing to share that is fantastic!  Do that.  Just also add the technique or principle of the week from the training guide into your lesson plan.

So anyone reading this that would like to volunteer their time effort and expertise to help me with this project it would be greatly appreciated.

Help me, to help others

Train hard, Train smart, Train safe



















Monday, August 11, 2014

2014 Violence Dynamics Information

It is getting to be that time of year again.
Several people have e-mailed me or contacted me via social media asking for the details of this year's clinic.

I usually reply with something like stay tuned  - details to follow

Recently I was advised if I want to generate new clients and keep ones I have, I should actually keep track of and return calls / emails to people asking how to train with me.

Hmm, go figure.  There is a reason Batman has Lucius Fox run the business for him.

So this is me putting all the information that has been confirmed in one place to send any inquires to.

First, what is the Violence Dynamics Clinic?  Why should I attend?

The VD Clinic (hmm maybe I should re-phrase that) takes principles and concepts that usually take professional users of force years to comprehend and provides a common language / lexicon for dealing with violence.

More than any other skills understanding how violence happens, and how your body deals with violence is what separates professionals from hobbyists.

Real violence happens faster and harder than most people's training takes into account. 

Come and learn from three amazing trainers that know about and have lived through the ugly side of life.
If you want realistic training that answers the problems of today, than this is the seminar for you!




2014 Violence Dynamics Information

Total Seminar                   $699 
Monday – Friday              $599
Weekend only                  $399
Per Day                            $199
Per Class                          $99
* 25% off for Military and 1st Responders

Classes:
Monday October 13th 2014
Session 1             Efficient Movement       0900 – 1030
Session 2             Context                        1100 – 1230
Session 3             Power Generation         1330 - 1500
Session 4             Self Defense Law          1530 – 1700

Tuesday October 14th 2014
Session 1             Ground Movement        0900 – 1030
Session 2             Violence Dynamics        1100 – 1230
Session 3             Plastic Mind                  1330 – 1500
Session 4             Self Defense Law          1530 – 1700

Wednesday October 15th 2014
Session 1             Infighting Striking             0900 – 1030
Session 2             Threat Assessment           1100 – 1230
Session 3             Blind Fighting                   1330 – 1500
Session 4             Wall and Dynamic            1530 – 1700

 Thursday October 16th 2014 
Session 1             Environmental Fighting      0900 – 1030
Session 2             Weapon Retention            1100 – 1230
Session 3             Neck Manipulation            1330 – 1500       
Session 4             Edged Weapons Defense   1530 - 1700    
     
Friday October 17th 2014
Session 1             Conflict Communication I             0900 – 1030
Session 2             Striking into takedowns                1100 – 1230
Session 3             Conflict Communication II            1330 – 1500
Session 4             Ground Control                            1530 – 1700

Saturday October 18th 2014
Session 1             How to Run Scenarios I               0900 – 1030
Session 2             Environmental Fighting                    1100 – 1230
                           and Improvised Weapons
Session 3             How to Run Scenarios II              1300 – 1500
Session 4             Talking to Cops                            1530 – 1700

Sunday October 19th
Environmental Awareness Training                          1000 – 1600

Monday - Friday all classes will be held at the Mermaid Convention Center
2200 County Road 10 Mounds View MN 55112

Thursday will be a unique training opportunity that is offered no where else.  However, the very nature of this training day which makes it so uncommon precludes me from divulging any further details until the day of training.

As you can see from the above schedule Saturday's training will focus on successfully running scenario based training.  Saturday's training will take place at the Blaine Police Department Tactical Warehouse 9900 Xylite St NE Blaine MN 55449

Back by popular demand!!!
Sunday's training will take place at the Mall of America and focus on environmental awareness and urban survival
We will meet at 10:00 sharp at Nickelodeon Universe in front of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ride (C'mon, where else did you think we were going to meet?)


For Law Enforcement Officers attending, all classes are MN POST approved

Lodging and accommodations.
Americinn Hotel and Suits 2200 County Road 10 Mounds View MN 55112
For reservations please call 763 786 2000

Social activities
I have found from these clinics that a lot is learned over a meal or a drink with the instructors (sometimes even more than from the class).
So we have built in some social time Tuesday and Friday evenings after training.
(More details to follow - I promise)
*There is no charge for awesomeness or attractiveness

Physical Training
There will also be supplementary physical training opportunities at Allegiance Fitness
Discounted day passes for the gym will be available to any attendees that want to try the "Gotham City Challenge"

Sounds Great!!! How do I sign up?

Email us today to reserve your spot, space is limited.

samurai2717@hotmail.com

Once your reservation is confirmed you will be sent a pay pal link.
Also check out Rory's page


There will be pay pal options there soon as well.

I hope to see you all there

Train hard, Train smart, Be safe!











Monday, August 4, 2014

Effort required for effortlessness

Effort required for effortlessness


Wow!  It has been a great couple of weeks.  80's action movie level awesome
Starting with the events chronicled in the last Budo Blog I recently turned 40.  Coming off the gratifying high of achieving my Batman by 40 goals I vowed not to rest on my laurels and to push on further.  Project Beyond Batman (more on that to come).  In mid July I was forced to put my money were my mouth (and or blog) was by entering the Minneapolis / St. Paul Tough Mudder.

If you have never heard of the Tough Mudder, it is an endurance event series in which participants attempt 10–12-mile-long (16–19 km) military-style obstacle courses. Designed and created by British Special Forces to test mental as well as physical strength, obstacles often play on common human fears, such as fire, water, electricity and heights.[1] The main principle of the Tough Mudder revolves around teamwork. The Tough Mudder organization values camaraderie throughout the course, designing obstacles that encourage group participation. Participants must commit to helping others complete the course, putting teammates before themselves, and overcoming fears.  The events are untimed, and an average 78% of entrants successfully complete the course.[4]
The first Tough Mudder challenge was held in the United States in 2010.[5] To date, more than 1.3 million people worldwide have participated in Tough Mudder events.[6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tough_Mudder
My sister Kay had running the Mudder with her son Kelly (a Mudder Legionnaire) as a bucket item list.  She invited me, our brother Kent and his son Ben to join them.  the K-Team.
If I am going beyond Batman how could I possibly back down form my sister.








































I achieve more when I compete so running the mudder wasn't enough.  I asked Kelly what a good time was.  He said under 3 hours was a good time.  So that is the goal I set for us.  Just completing the course is easy in comparison to completing the course in a competitive time (not completing stops being an option).

K-Team finished in under 2 hours.  That is how we roll!
All obstacles completed, no walking, helping each other, helping other mudders.

Not just because of her kick ass shirt, Kay was defiantly the Captain America of our team.  She brought us together and she kicked the courses ass.  I'm proud of all of us but especially her.

Only a week after the Tough Mudder I was off to St. Louis for the USMAA National Training Camp.
I always enjoy training with those guys and was happy to be invited back to teach.

Also, I may have forgotten to mention this but I was the reigning Barny Fife Top Cop Award for excellence in the field of greatness trophy winner.  I had to return to defend my title.

Here is some video of what I taught



A new twist this year

My senior students are getting to the point where I can no longer promote them .
I haven't tested or been promoted in several years
Embracing the roots of the combatives I teach, I have recently re-kindled my my love for martial arts
To help me achieve more through my school I decided to join forces with the Katamedo JuJutsu Organization.
Part of that process was a demonstration / skills testing for the grade of 6th Dan in Judo, JuJutsu and Aikido



It was a tough test.  The review board was comprised of men I respect.  Many of whom have been training longer than I have been alive.  Even more, some of these men have written the hand book or testing protocols still used by major Judo organizations to this day.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog things have been hectic lately.  I was scheduled to test Friday evening.  I figured Dillon and I could use the down time on Thursday to review the demonstration portion.
We hadn't had time to go over it yet.
Before lunch Thursday Omar Ahmad advised me that things have changed and I was up tonight.

This is Omar dressed as Wolverine and Bane breaking my back




  1.  Death does not wait for you to be ready! Death is not considerate, or fair! And make no mistake: here, you face Death.
  2. Ra's Al Ghul (and Omar Ahmad)

So Dillon and I reviewed my plan a couple of times.  Then David Bleeker was nice enough to allow me to bounce some ideas of of his head.  Which was really cool because not only is Dave an excellent martial artists, he was also going to be on the review panel.  An excellent opportunity I wasn't going to squander. (More on Dave later)

The demonstration and test went well, I was promoted and accepted into the organization.

After the test, I was told that during the review panel discussion it was said:
Many martial artists come before the review board and ask for a promotion
Clearly, I did not come here to ask
I came here to take my promotion from them

All false modesty aside, it felt pretty good to hear that.  10 year old ninja movie loving Kasey that still lives inside my head was really stoked.  It took a lot of effort not to smile in front of the review board before I was dismissed.


 Michael Abels, David Bleeker, Omar Ahmad,Steven Jimerfield, Michael Makoid, Larry Hamby, Gary Rudenick 


Before I go on bragging on myself I have to say that none of that would have been possible with out the help of family and friends.



After putting me through the Tough Mudder my sister Kay and her husband Jim hosted us in the St. Louis area and were very generous.  Dillon took off time from work to be my Uke only a week before his own rank testing at the Kyokushin Karate Gashku.  Alex Bleeker also helped me as Uke.  Rudenick Sensei, made the trip all the way from Minnesota listening to Dillon and I talk like Batman and Bane.  Omar helped me through the process, and I am also very grateful to the entire Board for the opportunity.

Thank you all, sincerely.

As rewarding as successfully completing a difficult task is (Batman by 40/Mudder / Promotions Test) that wasn't even the best part of these last couple week.

The best part was getting my ass kicked by three guys pushing 70, and a couple of heavy weights that excel in addition to their size and strength, not because of it.

Why was that the best?

After turning 40 part of me feared that that the best of journey may be behind me.
Rolling with Mike Makoid, Steve Jimmerfield, and Gary Rudenick (all in their late 60's / early 70's) I realized how much more I have left to learn.  I was also happy to come to the conclusion that if I take care of myself I still have at least a solid 30 years of training (doing something I love) in front of me.  Not too many people can say that.

It reminded me of my youngest daughter.  She is this unique amazing little person.  Neither my wife or I ever used "baby talk" with the kids.  I always talked to them like adults.  Now that the youngest can talk, it is cool getting to know her as a person.  It is also interesting seeing how speech allows her to interact with people and learn about the world around her.

Rolling with the older Judoka at training camp I started to touch the magic. (that sounded way straighter in my head)
I felt like a child that has just become conversational.  I am hopeful that my learning can become exponential, like my daughter's

Makoid Sensei said:
We are martial artists, not street thugs.  We are thinkers always learning, ever adapting never stagnant.  As such we are doing things our teachers never dreamed of.  We have an obligation to our students to find ways to get them to where we are now faster than we did it our selves.

For me, the magic that I am chasing, what I want to understand so well I can pass it on to others, is what Makoid Sensei called "Old Man Judo"

You don't have to be old to do it.  Nor does it necessarily need to be Judo.

The best word I can use to describe that magic is effortlessness.

Effort required for effortlessness -

Every Aikidoka wants the magic that Ueshiba did towards the end of his life.


They try to copy his movement at that stage.  However, I feel that effortlessness was only possible because of all the hard work from his youth.  Ueshiba was a bad ass.  You can't mimic effortlessness you have to earn it.



Kyuzo Mifune, was known as the empty jacket.  Even though he was very small he was all but impossible to throw.  Like trying to wrestle an "empty jacket".  He had the magic.  Effortlessness, sometimes called Ju, sometimes called Aiki.



Mas Oyama is not known for Ju, or Aiki.  Even though he was trained in Judo and Aikijujutsu.  He may be best known for fighting bulls.  Or for fighting a 100 man kumite.  On the surface that seems like a lot of effort, extreme effort, and clearly it is.  My point being if Oyama did not have an understanding of this effortlessness I doubt he would have lasted through all 100, much less dominated like he did.  What may appear hard comes from soft. (Don't get cute with that)

Recently I have been working Kyukoshin Karate with Dillon.  Somewhere in my mind was the idea the Karate had to be stiff and rigid.  A point I have been working on, is breaking that idea.  Staying relaxed (soft), subtle power generation + structure = Old man Karate

In doing so I now hit much harder than I ever have before.  Getting closer to our shared goal of being able to hit someone so hard they shit out their own skeleton




Like Mifune, and Ueshiba, Oyama didn't just wake up one day with the magic.  He trained like a maniac. He lived alone, training in the mountains for years.

Everyone would like to be the small guy who tosses the huge Marine across the room.
Very few are willing to put in the work and time to be able to do that, much less do it effortlessly

You can't mimic effortlessness you have to earn it.  Lots of people are envious of Omar's size and strength.  They forget that for a better part of a decade he spent 5-7 hours a day 7 days a week training Judo.  That effort allows him to capitalize on his size and strength, not rely on it.
Also one of the reason Dave is so impressive.  He is a large powerful man.  He looks like a Grizzly Bear.  But he is smooth, almost gentle.  That allows him to keep his mass in reserve.  He can be gentle until he decides to not be gentle.  He is skilled in addition to his size not because of it.

These men put in extraordinary amounts of work to obtain effortlessness.  Obtaining this magic is what I am most excited about on my own martial arts journey.  Also, as Makoid Sensei said - we have an obligation to our students to find ways to get them to where we are now faster than we did it our selves.

How?

One way I see is by focusing on principles.  Makoid Sensei gave the example of a young teacher and an old teacher.  A young teacher wants to show the world all the things he knows so he teaches 300 techniques at a a seminar, and the students maybe remember one.  An old teacher shows one or two principles.  The students can remember one or two principles.  Once they know the principles the students can do 300 techniques.  I would add also that because they know the principle they can create their own technique spontaneously as circumstances dictate.

Tearing down barriers we create
Principles are universal and work across the spectrum.  Just as I mentioned with Karate.  If relaxation and natural movement improve Judo and Aikido performance, for the principle to be sound it must also improve Karate performance.  Building barriers between the different aspects serves only to diminish them.

For me to surpass my teachers I must break down those separations and focus on universal principles.

Case in point.  Makoid Sensei was teaching the principles of a throw (I learned a lot from Makoid Sensei in case you couldn't tell already)

All throws require 5 things:

  • Grab / Contact - Kumikata
  • Move - Sabaki
  • Offbalance - Kuzushi
  • Fit in  - Uchikomi  (and or entry - Tsukuri)
  • Exicute - Kake 

Where things got really interesting for me is when he started talking about..
Stuff them in the hole



Makoid Sensei suggested thinking about if you were in a mystery novel - where would you put the body?

When you are throwing you and your opponent have a shared center of gravity and a combined base.

Every combined base has an inherent hole.  If you move the opponent to the hole, where they can not resist you with out changing the base you throw them without effort.

If they are able to change the base you simply take them to the new inherent hole they created.
If you get to know this instinctively you can adapt as necessary and can effectively throw anyone - effortlessly.

This is the first time I heard this applied to throws but it sounded so familiar.

Duh, it is the exact same concept I train for ground escapes.  Rory Miller has an entire ground movement class based on this concept.

Again, things I knew from one aspect that somehow I created walls in my mind separating  / isolating the principles from other aspects.

Principles are universal, they 
apply across the spectrum

Endeavoring to persevere


So how does one balance  / justify physciality with effortlessness
How do you, why would you embrace physical culture if you are pursuing the magic of old man judo?

1- I feel you can't own the principles required for effortlessness with out learning the lessons taught by hard physical training.

2  - It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

3 - To ensure I am still functional, and mobile at 70

Endeavor to preserve.
As a Police Officer I respond to a lot of medical calls.  I've seen what 70 can look like.  Scary, something I never want to see in the mirror.  I have also seen pushing 70 as represented by Makoid, Rudenick, and Jimerfield Sensei (Sensei is the plural of Sensei)

I must continue to embrace physical culture to maintain a body able to continue training that long.  I want to rock my 70's.
Beyond Batman - 70 is the new 30

Here are some pictures of Frank Miller's Batman from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
I include them here because in the book Batman returns from retirement at around 65 and looks like this..



So clearly, I want to look like that at 65.
Speaking of, here is a video of Rudenick Sensei knocking out a few easy "old man" push ups



Here is a clip from Batman Beyond with Bruce at 75 or so


In summary train your body like a young man so that you live long enough to learn to fight like an old man.

Great trip.  I accomplished what I set out to do.  Learned a lot, and grew closer to friends and family.

When I returned to Minnesota I learned that a local area Police Officer was murdered in the line of duty.






The Mendota Heights (MN) Police Department lost Officer Scott Patrick in the line of duty while on a traffic stop. 











So how does one balance  / justify physciality with effortlessness?
How do you, why would you embrace physical culture if you are pursuing the magic of old man judo?

I need to be able to sprint to cover.  I need to be able to drag my partner to safety.  I need to be able to respond in a crisis.  I need to be fit to do my job.

On those days I feel I have done enough, that I deserve a break I just need to remember....


These guys are always training.

The only way to defeat evil violent men, is with good men who are better at violence.
I am a Cop.  I am also a Martial Artist.  I am not street thug.  I am a thinker always learning, ever adapting never stagnant.  I am capable of things my teachers never dreamed of.  I have an obligation to pass on what I have taken to those who need these skills the most.

I had breakfast with a friend (also a Cop and trainer).  He asked me how this death has effected me.

I told him about a question I was asked during the promotions test.  The question went along the lines of ...A Shodan (Black Belt) is an advanced student, 3rd-5th Dan are usually teachers, but they are still taking more from the art than they give.  At 6th Dan you are expected to give back more than you have taken.  How do you plan to give back?

That is a tough question, and a difficult task to accomplish as I have taken quite a bit.

My answer went along the lines of striving to get this information, these skills out, not just to people who come and find me to train but to seek out those who do not train, but are the most likely to need what this training has to offer.

I mention this here so there is record of it and those of you that read my blog can keep me to my task.

Cops don't train.  Military don't train.  Women who are on most victim profiles don't train.
I will always enjoy training with all who come to the Dojo, but I will actively seek out the above mentioned groups and make training opportunities for them as convenient as possible.  Remove all their excuses not to train.

Back to Cabot's question, how does it effect me?  It hardens my resolve.  Trying to get cops to train can be like smashing your head on a wall.  It sure would feel good to stop.  To just say fuck it I will take care of myself.

More is expected of me, I expect more of myself.  I will not quit.

When an Officer dies it is sad but puts things in perspective for me.  I will not quit.

Cops can't quit in a fight.  Submission is death.  I will not quit.

It is weird after a cop dies.  There might be 5 minutes where the fuck the police posts on face book go away.  You don't here much about the militarization of Law Enforcement for awhile.  Less questions on why cops would possibly need armor or armored vehicles in social media, and people coming up and thanking me, shaking my hand.

That is nice, I'd prefer you just remember this feeling next time you see the media painting Law Enforcement in the worst possible light to make a sexy story.


You will never have to thank me.



Train hard, train smart, be safe