Just wanted to pass on the news of Ron Bennett Sensei’s passing.

Bennett Sensei was the last of the founding generation of Australian Kendoka and had been central to the development, promotion and spread of Kendo in Australia and New Zealand since the 1960s.

A link to the AKR notification is at http://www.kendoaustralia.asn.au/content/?p=1752

Condolences to the Bennett family and the many kendoka that benefited directly from his instruction and input over the years.

However, I thought that it is a case of better late than never

May is the month that we have a teaching focus on nage or methods for throwing, tripping and taking down someone. Historically, this group of techniques are present in almost every known fighting system across all cultures. However, few (if any) have focused on and refined these to quite the extent of Japanese arts, particularly the modern art of judo. Judo is the child of the collection of earlier jujutsu schools, particularly Tenjin Shin’yō-ryū, and Kitō-ryū. What Kano Sensei did in distilling and refining the practices of the earlier schools was to create a common vocabulary around how to describe both the techniques and the key principles that underpinned them. This vocabulary has been highly influential in many contemporary jujutsu schools, and we use it here in the BBRD.

At the heart of Judo’s approach to training is seiryoku zen’yō (精力善用) or maximum efficiency, minimum effort. We too attempt to pursue this. However, there needs to be a recognition that in a real setting an individual requires a strategy for sub-optimal conditions in order to survive. It is the desired end-point that lies on a continuum of both efficiency and effort.

Another conceptual framework that we borrow from Judo are the three phases of nage:

• Kuzushi (崩し), the initial break in balance (whether that is created by tori directly or by taking advantage of uke’s movement)
• Tsukuri (作り), the act of turning in and “fitting” into the throw
• Kake (掛け), the execution and completion of the throw
  

In your practices this month, to take time to reflect on each of these phases. In particular, what is it that creates the kuzushi in any particular circumstance? Where do you need to be in order to take advantage of the opportunity? And how do you need to coordinate the whole of your body in order to execute the throw? — a “hip” throw involved much more than just the hips!

So I look forward to seeing you on the mat this month, where we can explore these principles together.

Just a couple of things. First, Don will be coming up the Hill tomorrow evening to train both Jujutsu and Systema. It is always a good opportunity to train with Don in jujutsu, and we will be doing a fair bit of revision for the upcoming grading. I encourage you to make it if you can (knowing that a number of you are hellishly busy at the moment with work/study commitments). Don is also sticking around to have a look/feel/taste of Systema (he’s been looking at the Kevin Secours Clinch DVDs recently and expressed an interest in seeing how it fits together).

Because we have much to cover in class tomorrow, could you please be prompt as you can to the MEAC so that we can set up from 6pm as quickly as possible.

Second, we are wanting to organise Club equipment orders in the next few weeks. Specifically:

• Jujutsu/aikido uniforms from the www.grapplingstore.com The Club recommendation is for either the Fuji single ($65) or double weave ($105) judo gi. If you want any other gear from the grapplingstore, let me know and I can get a price for you as we receive a wholesale discount from them (so for instance rash guards, 4 oz gloves etc.)
• A new BBRD Systema training long-sleeved t-shirt. Sian and I are currently working on a design and we are looking to get them done at a Brisbane based print company. They will probably come in at around $40 for what is a good quality t-shirt (150GSM 100% cobed cotton).

Could you let me know ASAP if you are interested in purchasing something so that we can put things in train towards the end of next week.

Hope to see you there tomorrow night!

Cheers

M.

All current 2012 BBRD members, particularly, are welcome, requested to attend and are the only ones permitted to cast votes at the AGM or nominate for Executive positions. Membership renewals (for members of good standing) will be accepted on the night as will new memberships. Forms will be available.

If you have renewed or joined BBRD so far during 2012, thank you and we look forward to seeing you at Sofra on Thursday.

There will be people driving to and from USQ for the AGM, so if you require transport, please contact me (Sian).

April is kansetsu month, where we have a teaching focus on methods that manipulate joints. In many respect this is my favourite syllabus element in jujutsu as it has at its core all of the critical elements for effectiveness — presence of mind to react to a situation, the use of unbalancing to effect the technique; scalability to go from simple defense/escape to positional dominance; applicability in standing, clinch and groundwork engagements; and the ability to follow on with throws and take downs.

In some ways you can say it is the axis on which the rest of the jujutsu syllabus revolves.

This month we will be specifically looking at technique acquisition for the nyumon portion of the curriculum, and renzoku/renraku (follow ups and counters) that flow from the core techniques.

For all students, what I would ask you focus on is footwork and body movement (ashisabaki and taisabaki). Are you having to struggle to apply the kansetsu, or is it “falling into place”?

It should be a fun month of training, and I for one am certainly looking forward to the AGM and dinner at the Sofra Turkish restaurant next Thursday

See you on the mat!

I recently asked him to provide some ideas for us to focus on in our training sessions. He responded with:

___________________

In my opinion the areas that are most important to study in order to start to “get” Systema are movement, spontaneity and flow:

 Movement:

• Use whole body movement drills in which the defender has to move off the line of attack forwards, backwards and sideways (e.g. 45 degree forward step as attack comes in). Emphasise the value of the forwards movements as they enable the defender to get close to the attacker and take control of the altercation more readily.

  Demonstrate this by doing all the moves to FEEL the difference between a linear retreat (for example) to the 45 degree forward step. It is useful to illustrate the value of “entering” by blocking an incoming punch, entering (open or blind side) and executing a take-down to control move.

• Also consider rolling around to assist with the feel of moving, specifically:
• forwards (over spine and same side),
• backwards,
• sideways,
• Cossack roll; and
• combinations.
• A good drill is to roll around a static opponent and come out of the roll with an attack. So start with rolling at the static opponent and use the momentum of the roll to launch a kick (axe style kicks with the heal are good). Then do the same but roll and punch, then again with a roll and a take-down from the ground. Then have the standing person move around slowly and the ground based person (GBP) rolls around and launches attacks, because everyone is moving the GBP has to adapt to range and will launch a combination of different attacks (kick->punch->take-down) all out of the roll, while still on the ground. Try and achieve more than one single attack per roll, e.g. punch to a take down, or kick to a punch etc.

Spontaneity

• For me spontaneity is best represented in the idea of not using preconceived combinations. The core thing to consider is the principle of “imminence” and how to chain a sequence of strikes together without needing to re-chamber the fist. Once you get it with one hand, move on to adding the second fist in a back and forth flow and finally add knees and kicks.
• Express the value of good technique in locks and throws, but teach them not to seek these techniques.

Flow:

• Flow is the ability to keep moving continuously and effectively. A range of drills cover this sort of thing. The main point is to get creative, and do not pause half way through a move and say “oops can I try that again”, once you are past technique development stage. For example,. while doing knife defence the other night, I was defending and was “cut” across my stomach, I did not pause and put the attacker down and took the weapon away. it is important to teach students to keep going  even when they muck up a bit, as a fight can’t be paused and is rarely perfect.
• Beyond that, just focus on eliminating pauses out of the movement”: block, strike, take-down and escape as a continuous flow.

I hope this gives you a few ideas. and remember the four pillars: breathing, relaxation, form and constant movement.

Training will be Tuesday and Thursday 7.30 till 9.00pm at the Mort Estate Activity Centre. Tonight we will be re-examining some of the principles contained in Martin Wheeler’s Systema Striking DVD.

Look forward to seeing you on the floor!

We will be looking at the core principles of footwork, proper cutting and an introduction to kata.

Look forward to seeing all the new faces for a second week!

Just wanting a note of remembrance for the victims of last years events.

In my thoughts are all those affected by the disasters (both natural and man made).

tomorrow (7 March) is the kick off of this year’s first Martial Arts Taste Tester. This is run as a USQ Student Guild Recreation Program and is being held in the GX Room of the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre for the next seven Wednesday nights at 7.30pm

We will be (as always) showcasing the disciplines that the Cub offers, starting this week with jujutsu. Cost is $65 USQ Students/Staff/Works Members and $75 Community Members. For that you get complimentary membership of the BBRD for the year and the ability to train in any of the other evening classes on offer at the MEAC while the course is on for free!

No experience or equipment is necessary (this will be provided) and both beginner and experienced martial artists are equally welcome.

The application form can be downloaded from http://www.studentguild.com.au/?MATasteTester

We are at the end of week 1 already, and I just wanted to take the time to welcome everyone for the new academic year — both returning friends and new members.

The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for the end of the month and Sian Carlyon, the Club’s Secretary will be sending out notification of that shortly.

We have a couple of exciting things coming up in the near future. First up is the visit of Graham Morris Sensei (Aiki Kai Aikido 6th dan) to give a day long Aikido seminar at the MEAC on Sunday 4 March.

Next Wednesday (7 March) we will be  locking, throwing and kicking off the Martial Arts Taste Tester with jujutsu.

And Kurt Graham, Sensei will be here for the Labour Day long weekend in May to deliver a general martial arts seminar and conduct jujutsu gradings.

So a big start to the year ahead! Oh and don’t forget as a member to register to the BBRD website so that you can leave your comments on the blog posts

See you all soon

Michael Baczynski
President

March also brings the second theme of the training cycle — shime, or methods of strangulation (blood supply)and choking (airways).

As always we must proceed from the notion of “safety first”. Because the techniques this month deal with reflexes that depress the cardiovascular system, we need to be very mindful of the danger signs.

First off, some myth busting. The biggest myth is what causes unconsciousness in strangulation. While most people intuit that is is because you are cutting off the blood supply to the brain, it is in fact the opposite! the brain is a very hungry organ, and is irrigated by no less than six arteries.. Most methods of strangulation will cut off the carotid arteries, but leave the others unaffected.

This means that the brain still receives blood despite the technique being applied. However, what you do is cut off is the jugular veins, the main drains that return the spent blood to the heart.

Unconsciousness occurs because of an increase in inter-cranial pressure, leading to a depression of the cardiac and respiratory systems in an attempt to “even things out”. What causes real problems is when this spirals to a point where the heart stops.

And remember everyone: CPR and EAR are the most important things to know is such circumstances. Traditional “kappo” or resuscitation techniques simply do not have the evidence to support their efficacy.

As always preparedness is critical, and I cannot emphasise enough how valuable current first aid training is for everyone. And things do change as new evidence comes in. For instance,  currently the Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines recommends 30 compressions to 2 breaths at a rate of approximately 100 compressions per minute.This is a change for anyone who did CPR/EAR training more than two years ago.

But enough of the doom and gloom There is much to cover and master in this month’s theme, and working sensitively and carefully with your parter on the mat will  largely negate any risks.

We will be also continuing to revise other syllabus areas this month in preparation for gradings in May, so do remember to have a look at your “list” and ask question.

So as always, train hard, and I look forward to seeing you on the mat!

I just wanted to quickly express my thanks for all of those who came along and donated their time to run the BBRD Market Day Stall on Wednesday.

Many thanks to Brady Albrand,  Sian Carlyon, Sean McAvoy, Damien Parker and Sean Thompson for their help setting up, “playing” a solid five hours across a range of disciplines, and “bumping out” at the end of a very busy morning.

We had many people take away membership application forms, provide their details as an expression of interest and talking enthusiastically about the demonstrations and the Taste Tester.

So well done everyone, and I for one am looking forward to seeing some new faces on the mat

Damon was the editor of a collection of essays on philosophy and the marital arts entitled Martial Arts and Philosophy: Beating and Nothingness. An excellent thought provoking read (my copy is currently out on what will likely be a permanent loan to a former Club member).

So worth a read/listen and always a worth start for discussion!

________________________________________________________

If you have already responded to this e-mail please don’t be concerned, if not, it is very important that i know who intends to come to Canberra. We are required to submit our Team Entry by the 22nd of February.

The Australian Kendo Championships will be held in Canberra this year. The Easter weekend is as usual the date of the event, and this year it is the 7th and 8th of April. We expect individual events for kyu men, kyu women, dan men, dan women and veterans, and kyu, dan, womens and kata teams.

I would like to ask for expressions of interest from those who would like to compete for Queensland to be forwarded to me over the next 2 weeks so I can complete the team entry. My aim will be to accommodate the team together, as close to the venue as we can. The majority of us will likely fly down on the morning of Good Friday 6th April. Flights are your own to arrange so if you are firm on coming, start looking for a fare now.

Information is available at
http://www.anukendo.org/ankc2012/index.html

• Competition and seminar fees shall be as follows – note these costs do not include grading fees:
• Competition + Seminar  $190.00
• Competition Only       $170.00
• Seminar Only           $90.00
• Seminar Only (1 X Day) $50.00
• Non Competitor – Competition Only $60.00
• Extra Dinner           $60.00
• Non Competitor + Seminar $150.00

Grading fees are in addition and per the AKR grading form.

This year the registration amount will be payable to the QKR BEFORE the event.

If you are interested in attending, or one of your dojo members is, please let me know.

Shigeoka Sensei has confirmed that he will be accompanying us to Canberra again this year, which is to all our advantage.

Dr Kevin J Humphrey
President Queensland Kendo Renmei
president@qkr.asn.au
0405100598

Good to feel the body falling into a loose flexible way of moving.

Good to feel the physical contact.

Good to have those oft forgotten synapses fire up and enjoy being there in the moment.

Adam, Damien and Dean are keen as I am to see if we can grow the group over the next couple of months. And I’ll be talking with Andrew over the next few days to arrange a training trip for the end of February.

Onwards and upwards!

News from the Australian Kendo Renmei:

___________________________________

The Australian Kendo Renmei is very proud to announce that one of our members has been selected as a member of the International Kendo Federation (FIK) Anti-Doping Hearing Panel.

• Norman Otani (USA): Lawyer, – Chairman of Hearing Panel;
• Christian D’Orangeville (Canada): Veterinarian;
• Shigeki Asahi (Japan):Doctor;
• Nobuyuki Miyasaka (Japan): Doctor;
• Paul-Otto Forstreuter (Germany): Doctor;
• Catherine Hallgath (Australia): Lawyer;
• Péter Sándor (Hungary): Lawyer.

A new six-month training cycle begins in February. First in the the teaching cycle are a set of skills that can be broadly described as Kyusho jutsu … the study of anatomical vulnerability.

There are two important components of this that we will be focussing on. First is the more traditional “martial arts” side of things that can be categorised as “destructive cycle” studies: The two pathways are seizing (tuite) and striking (atemi). Both are pretty self explanatory and recognisable to anyone with even a passing familiarity to the martial arts.

Essentially it comes down to what I have heard described by the Karate exponent Patrick McCarthy as “the five secrets”: Location; Tool; Direction; Angle; Intensity (LTDAI). For maximum efficiency, all five need to be correct, regardless of whether seizing or striking.

More interestingly, perhaps, is what we might categories as “healing cycle” studies. This is often overlooked in martial arts training, particularly by way of a systematic presentation to students who are learning a modern system.

Just as with the weapons work we did last month, it is always important to understand the “other side” of the equation. For instance, weapons defence must be understood through weapons use. Activating anatomically vulnerable zone to deform posture, cause pain or set off reflexive physical responses should be accompanied with an understanding of how to heal, bring relief and care for your training partner (and others).

It is both an expression of the dojo kun statement of compassion, and the technical desire for efficiency.

The same five maxims apply (LTDAI) for healing cycle studies. True there is a fair amount to remember, but fortunately most is fairly logically and intuitively related to the desired outcome.

Can I please remind people training this month to bring along a full sized towel to class. We will be using it as a prop for some of the exercises we do and (given the weather is still hot and humid) keep the mats relatively dry

Any thoughts, comments or concerns are welcome and should be put up on the blog here.

I look forward to seeing you on the mat!

just a bit of poor news training wise. Due to the complete resurface of the Stadium, the surface will not be available till Orientation Week, and hence there is unlikely to be kendo keiko at USQ till the end of February. I’m trying to look for an alternative time/venue so do check in regularly as I will announce any changes here first.

Commencing next week we will have our regular kendo kata sessions (Tuesday and Thursday), and there is always Sunday training at the PCYC !

Hope to see you soon…