Martial Secrets

The true history of sanchin kata is lost to time. Many will claim they know the true and correct history of sanchin kata, but factors such as where one chooses to begin and end can create one of many versions of the same history. The goal of this book is to achieve a better understanding of sanchin kata through the mechanics, history, and applications of the kata. It is only possible to touch upon a handful of points on the timeline with reasonable assurance when looking at the history of sanchin kata. According to the history of the Goju Ryu lineage, Kanryo Higashionna (1853-1915) brought sanchin kata back to Okinawa. That is not to say that sanchin kata had not been introduced to Okinawa before. It simply means the version that Higashionna brought back was taught by him to students who propagated the form by teaching it to others. Around 1918, Kanbun Uechi brought another version of sanchin kata to Okinawa and began teaching what would later be known as Uechi Ryu. As the reader can see, many paths for martial arts, as well as many paths for sanchin kata can be identified. Tracing that history involves a great deal of sifting through a rich mix of history, mythology, legend, and cultural prejudices often indistinguishable from one another. That is why nobody knows for sure about the origins of sanchin kata.

Read more here: http://ymaa.com/articles/sanchin-kata-ancient-wisdom

“Once a criminal selects a victim, he must move into a position from which an attack is possible. Always remember that to assault, rob, or rape you, he must be close enough to talk to you. He will attempt to maneuver into this position by stealth (which is defeated by being alert), or by ruse… Positioning prior to the assault is vital to him, as he relies almost totally on surprise for success. If you avoid his attempts to properly position himself, you forestall the attack.” ~Tom Givens, author and firearms instructor who has trained law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal level; foreign government agents; and military personnel including members of the 20th Special Forces Group.

There are no absolutes in self-defense. Every situation will be different and unique. The closest thing to an absolute, however, is that it is critical to maintain sufficient distance between yourself and a potential assailant to give yourself time to react. You may be in imminent danger from an unarmed attacker within about 10 feet. For an armed attacker this range is extended to a bare minimum of 21 feet. The Tueller Drill established a minimum distance of about 21 feet for armed attackers since most adversaries can close that gap and fatally assault you with a knife, sword, or blunt instrument in about 1.5 seconds, as fast as most trained practitioners can react. One and a half seconds seems like an awfully long time until you try it for yourself.

Tueller Drill Example

At a handgun retention class I took several years ago (continue reading)

I was reading one of my student’s comments that he wrote for the book, “The Way to Black Belt.” and John’s words hit a cord with me that had not been struck before.

There is an old saying, who knows where it came from, but it reads that you learn more in a loss than in a victory. I came that idea in high school while wrestling and playing football, but John’s comments reshaped something for me. John wrote, and I paraphrase; that he “Learned more from bad days in the dojo than good days.” I have to say that hit me in the sternum like a major league baseball coming off Jose Consaco’s bat circa 1992. I have to admit something – I always considered bad days, throw away days, days to get through or over and reset for the next day. Now I have to work through those days, and learn from them just like I learn from a defeat. We always say that you never stop learning in the martial arts, well I guess it just take some of us who are thicker a little longer.

Is it wrong to be looking forward to the next bad day so I can ply my new intent? Mmmm, maybe not in this instance.