Comparing the Hardwork & Softwork Seminar experiences

[Coach Billew]

I had the privilege of attending both the Hardwork seminar a few years ago and the Softwork seminar last month. I would like to offer a few reflections on the similarities and differences of the two events.

In terms of my personal learning, during the Hardwork seminar I found myself constantly dropping back to the level of my previous training. The idea of incremental progression was there, but as the intensity increased I did not have the foundation in movement to really learn under the stress of the work. On the other hand, the Softwork Seminar created an experience of progressive development. In each segment as the intensity level built I was able to continue to use the learning from the earlier part of the segment, and the rest of the seminar. The progression of the work and the clarity of the presentation were such that learning kind of snuck up on you.

The intellectual foundation of the Hardwork Seminar was a coaching model of incremental progression by the gradual addition of combat multipliers. This was a revolutionary idea for me, but the presentation of how to progress to a higher level of integration of breathing, movement and structure through the drills did not connect for me. The intellectual foundation for the Softwork Seminar was so clearly presented that you could always see how the concepts were connected to what we were doing physically. The depth of concept exploration at the Softwork Seminar was revolutionary. The Hardwork seminar made me look closer at the way I train in martial arts while the Softwork seminar opened up the way I look at the world. I plan to address this impact of the Softwork seminar in another post after I have done a little more research.

There was a marked difference in the demonstrations at the two seminars. Both were impressive examples of spontaneous martial art. The demonstrations at the Hardwork seminar were fast and hard. One of my clearest visual images from that seminar all these years later is of Coach Sonnon lifting Shawn Menard from the ground straight onto his shoulders. I was amazed; however I was not able to see how I could do what they had just done. The demonstrations at the Softwork seminar were much more light-hearted. The movement was smooth and articulated. And the progressions of the demonstrations helped each of us to see where we were going as the seminar continued. The quality of these demonstrations was one of partnership and developing together through competition. In retrospect I see the Hardwork seminar was about that as well, but it was not as clear at the time.

The people who made up the two seminars were very similar. They all had extensive Martial Arts backgrounds and came to the work with energy and enthusiasm. The difference of the impact has been clearly felt on the forum. There was very little discussion of the Hardwork seminar after it happened, whereas the Softwork seminar has prompted a variety of posts and articles.

The Hardwork seminar challenged a small group of martial artists to explore incremental progression and to pressure check our training. The Softwork Seminar was a revolution of which the full impact has not yet been felt, and which has the potential to transform martial arts in this country.

In summary both seminars were powerful examples of the RMAX learning process and I think the Hardwork seminar environment could be very beneficial to people who are already well versed in RMAX technology. The Softwork seminar on the other hand was an environment that worked for all level of development from people new to RMAX right up to experienced practitioners.

[Coach Gostnell]

Very good to read your words, Slade, from your perspective of having done others besides the Softwork Seminar. I knew it was good at the time, and different from any other training I've ever done, but hadn't attended any other of Scott's Seminars to compare things with.


And the progressions of the demonstrations helped each of us to see where we were going as the seminar continued. The quality of these demonstrations was one of partnership and developing together through competition.

It's a little hard for me to see right now where I'm going with it because the person I hoped to partner with for continuing practice is still dealing with infant-induced sleep deprivation, and we haven't been able to get together as we planned.

Nonetheless, the Softwork Seminar changed my life and I think it will change it more as time passes - especially if I can find someone to work with. I'm convinced there have been a couple things that happened which would not have, or would not have happened the way they did, if I hadn't gone to Bellingham.
while the Softwork seminar opened up the way I look at the world.

Yep, what Slade said..... :D

[Scott Sonnon]

Slade,

Well said my friend. Thank you for posting this. I do appreciate people being able to see the evolution from the eyes of those who have been along this journey.

[Coach Wilson]

I could not agree with Slade more. I was honored to be present at both seminars as well. I felt that the hardwork seminar was a great training day that presented a lot of ideas to be explored. I really liked the contact, as well as the demos. The "hardwork" between Coach Sonnon and Coach Menard was a sight to see. It went all over the room, slamming into walls and on to the floor and back up to the feet again. It was awesome. I have had to be in many real-life encounters, and as an observer, this "demo" felt very real. It was a hard day and a great workout. I agree with Slade though. I did feel like, as the pace quickened, I reverted back to old game plans ignoring previous drills and concepts presented that day. I found myself starting to compete, which did not have the same training benefit. The constant in doth was the static-fluid-dynamic protocol, but Softwork was different. I believe the Softwork drills were progressive in a way that I was able to stay in the drill as I went towards flow. There was no "competition” between me and my partners. Yes we were being competitive, but we were working together the entire time as well. On Friday night Coach summed up a lot of Softwork for me when he said something to the effect of, "I cannot master myself by merely beating someone else." To me that was a big part of Softwork. Both seminars were AWESOME. I think the softwork seminar was just a little more evolved. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Jarlo Ilano]

I would love to see a seminar which combined the material. A session in which we can see the Softwork-Hardwork continuum in entirety based upon what arises during the seminar. By that I mean, the personalization of what softwork can be done to improve the difficulties an individual demonstrates during Hardwork.

Example: During hard sparring, you notice a person "falling back" to a particular tendency (which is not necessarily effective)... A personal example is I tend to be either too loose and lose structure in the clinch. Or I try to force certain sweeps and positioning. This would be my dysfunction in the clinch. There would then be a particular softwork drill which I can do to help this right? Then we would go back to hardwork, and see if that dysfunction is rectified.

Is this reasonable?

I ask this, because I consider myself very pragmatic. I had great fun at Softwork, and I saw the changes myself in specific situations. But I could definitely see how others may view the Softwork as not transferrable to hard sparring. Personally, I am having immediate success with grappling from what I have garnered from the seminar. However, my standup and clinch performance is not as obviously changed. And I will need to further explore this to see how it works for me.

My opinion definitely, but actually I think very valid, as I perform medium to hard sparring very regularly.

The transferability is a genuine point of contention.

To see it within yourself would alleviate the concerns yes?

[Scott Sonnon]

Joe, thanks for the good words, bro.

Great suggestions, Jarlo. Let's put this on the chalkboard... actually, I'm thinking even a little larger than that, towards RMAX camps of the 'whole picture' composed of 'workshops' in various directions. Let's look at 05-06.

[Jarlo Ilano]

Coach,

That would be sweet!

Personally, I think a primary reason why there are poor judgements about your work is because they can only see snippets of the whole of your material.

For example the Softwork trailer. If I had seen it without being there (especially if this was a year or so ago), I would be thinking much the same things. It is one thing to "slow roll", that I am (and everyone else is I think) familiar with, but it's another to see all the rest and not think "What the hell is this stuff?!" But I was there, and also I know how much value you place on Hardwork as well.

But, if I saw Hardwork and the Softwork combined. It would be much easier to understand, if it was my first look at your methods.

[Scott Sonnon]

Jarlo,

The way that would be done would be choking back on the breadth of the technical content, and focusing in several specific environment (i.e. the detail such as I offered Bob_stra in the "Skill is not a Technique" thread would require an hour+ block and involved very 'little' breadth, if you follow me.)

Very challenging in seminar format without a solid week. Hmmm... a week. Let me think about it. Maybe a THU-TUE long weekend may be feasible.

[Scott Sonnon]

And, yes, I don't have any emotional attachment to people's judgement of RMAX from afar. People come to RMAX on their own terms, time and process. We're here to help whoever requests it, without even prejudice against prior detraction. It's just sad and strange it often comes from the same groups who cry - you must actually experience the training to know it.

[Jarlo Ilano]

And, yes, I don't have any emotional attachment to people's judgement of RMAX from afar. People come to RMAX on their own terms, time and process. We're here to help whoever requests it, without even prejudice against prior detraction. It's just sad and strange it often comes from the same groups who cry - you must actually experience the training to know it.

Absolutely. A damn shame. Why do they not realize that their reaction is akin to the emotional outcries that occurred when their group denounced the previous traditional methods.

In general, I do not like organizations, the "Us vs. Them" mentality irks me. But your reaction and responses tells very greatly on your character.

And it also tells much of others too, there were quite a few reasoned responses out there within the SBG group (and without as well). It is very great to see. Especially in contrast to other individuals' knee jerk reactions.

Thanks again Scott.

[Benjiefari]

Slade ,
Great Post make me feel like I missed out by not having attended the Hardwork Seminar .( Eee gad the misery , the pain ...)

I did have the forunate pleasure of attending the Softwork seminar an a Private Class . During the private we explored Principles of Compressed Range fighting through the exploration of Ground an Jacket grappling.

I am unable to say it was Hard or Soft . I know I left with several burises ( I am Black, dudes I do not bruise ). I was submitted from Knee on Bellie , Bear hugs , Slamming into the mat ....I dont remember some of the stuff , my brain switched off ..I went Knuckledragger by the second day .

I guess I could call it very Hardwork. I have Trained with some really tough guys ( Hard core BJJ & Judo in england an venezuela ... I talkin about really bad dudes ) roll , vomit in the corner , wipe it up an roll some more . This was joy compared to some of the moments I shared while kissing the Mat at the Hands of Grand Pooba Punisher Sonnon & Doug the Meanie..( Tapping an adult male by a Bear huge , no fair )

The truth be told it was like water , the work was appropriate .

Hardwork ( Huge 20 ft Monster swells in the form of Doug smashing into me ) Soft work (rain like Drill progression in leg fencing with scott ) . I remember scotts arms had purple spots , dougs chest red welts .

I want to say that the 2 experiences were hugely different . There were moments during the softwork seminar that were equally taxing ( in a different way like the reverse worm ...it fried my brain ) . I even think I got more brusies in the SWS than in the HWS

Hardwork an Softwork arnt oppsite poles or different methodologies
they are one an the same . They appear differently but their content is the same . A movies content is the same in Fast Forward or in SlowMotion, what differs is the quality of the experience , the context .We allow our selves to be distracted by the variables , we fall in love with the Power of bonescrunching( Hardness ? ) or the seeming grace of slowmotion mulitple opp. combat (Softness ? ). I think for a RMAX praticioner their comes a moment where the quality of context an value of the content merge . Then we are free to respond at any speed , to any stimilus .

H&S work are different sides of the same spectrum of experience, we through attention to daily pratice , travel from both sides of the spectrum ; till we our true self in the middle .

I imagine that their are those through lifes experiences that must spend more time in the Soft region to compensate for their over exposure to the Harder side of life . I suspect that their are those of us though generally fewer in number that must spend more time in the Hard nethier regions of our RMXable universe . Either region in an of it self is a inadquate expression of life . Not the best use of our inner resourses .

Well any way ..I hope the post makes sense( I just reread it , its all Huffy an Puffy its stuff you have to feel ..) . I dont have it clear yet so bear with me .Any how guys an gals let me know what you think I eagerly await your feedback ....

Benjie

[Scott Sonnon]

H&S work are different sides of the same spectrum of experience, we through attention to daily pratice , we travel from both sides of the spectrum ; till we our true self in the middle . I imagine that their are those through lifes experiences that must spend more time in the Soft region to compensate for their over exposure to the Harder side of life . I suspect that their are those of us though generally fewer in number that must spend more time in the Hard nethier regions of our RMXable universe . Either region in an of it self is a inadquate expression of life . Not the best use of our inner resourses . Amazing post, brother. The above was my favorite and truly insightful! :o I have seen this so much in people - it is not a 'static' balance, an equality of Softwork and Hardword, but rather a RELATIVE balance per individual. Everyone enters with a level of imbalance of too much soft or too much hard, which must be equalized through appropriate work emphasis. Again, great insights, my friend!

[Connie Brown]

Well any way ..I hope the post makes sense( I just reread it , its all Huffy an Puffy it stuff you have to feel ..) . I dont have it clear yet so bear with me .Any how guys an gals et me know what you thinkI eagerly await your feedback ....
Well Benji I just loved your post and it was clear to me. how strange is that all huffy and puffy - anyway I really liked how you put this and I also agree about people's experiences and the balancing act that is needed.

[Jarlo Ilano]

Benjie,

Brilliant post! Exactly what I was wondering/had questions about!

Thank you for sharing that.

[Cody Fielding]

I concur with the jist of all posts.

I must admit I found the 'transferability' rather fluid to my own circumstances and those of my clients. We now move back and forth intuitively during training sesions.

I look forward to experiencing the evolution/melding of Hard and Soft work in one seminar/series - I can sense the value well in advance.

Go strongly and quietly,
Cody-