lafnjack
05-11-2005, 04:19 PM
I know there's been a LOT of people who have extolled the virtues of the RMAX curriculum before. I won't.
The fact is if I throw a punch, it can represent whatever I want:
1) A strike
2) A nerve strike
3) A means of accessing leverage by hitting one of your opponent's "gates" to off-set their balance and prepare them for an easy sweep
4) A block that intersects the line of your opponent's punch
5) A bridge of protection which affords opportunity to crash in and work in another range of combat
6) Bait
7) A trap
8 ) A distraction
9) A shock to cause fear reactivity and offset positional stability or causing the opponent to amass tension chains to make them prone to the Vortex
etc. etc. Heck, this doesn't even delve into the varying mechanics that can be used in just punching.
In and of itself, any movement is like that. Just a movement. It takes someone to be able to explain the possibilities of movement, to really make things cohesive, functional, and give you those "Dude, no way!" moments.
There are fighters and teachers. A fighter can kick serious butt. They've honed their physical assets, and devote their time to it. But when it comes to explanations and methods of inspiration...well, they're sorely lacking. They show, but can't explain.
Teachers are great. They can explain, and maybe even motivate. They've put their efforts into the scholarly explanation of martial science. But at a certain point, you realize your limited abilities could supercede the stuff the teacher is showing...so you must wonder if what they're teaching is worth the time investment. They can explain, but not show.
The true praise goes to Coach Sonnon. I've never met the man, but his videos show someone who's a fighter, a teacher, and definitely a motivator (and obviously a master of time management, to reach pinnacles in all of these areas)...and brother, that's rare. I think the RMAX curriculum is pretty darned good, but honestly without his explanations, research, and personification of its principles, I'm not sure I would have realized all it had to offer. He's responsible for showing the true potential of these methods.
The fact is, he's generous in the amount of information he shares in his videos. He's not holding out. He's not saving the good stuff for his heir successor. He's not thinking "Well it took me 20 years to figure this out, why should I give it to you immediately?".
Martial arts is kinda like an Xbox. Teachers show you the box and show you all the things you can do with the box... "You can club someone with it", "You can set drinks on it", "You can play catch with it"...it kinda misses the original intent. And after several years, maybe you learn to open the box and discover what the original intent is...maybe you never figure it out. Coach Sonnon opens the box, right with each video/seminar/post. He tells us to quit being infatuated with the piece of cardboard, and let's get started playing the games.
The few RMAX videos I've picked up have done what ALL videos should, but few succeed in doing... They've inspired me, engaged me intellectually, and caused me to work on its concepts physically.
His multi-level and principle-based approach is like a microscope that brings to focus all the other stuff I've done...and added a few more things on top just for good measure.
Coach's methods are pretty much all-encompassing. There's a lot to investigate...too much. And how wonderful is that? A journey that lasts just long enough for your needs...a lifetime.
Props to you Coach Sonnon,
John Simons
PS: For those who think I'm brown-nosing or whatever... Sure, why not? The fact is, I'm quick to gripe about garbage. But when something is this good, its rare. It deserves to be praised.
The fact is if I throw a punch, it can represent whatever I want:
1) A strike
2) A nerve strike
3) A means of accessing leverage by hitting one of your opponent's "gates" to off-set their balance and prepare them for an easy sweep
4) A block that intersects the line of your opponent's punch
5) A bridge of protection which affords opportunity to crash in and work in another range of combat
6) Bait
7) A trap
8 ) A distraction
9) A shock to cause fear reactivity and offset positional stability or causing the opponent to amass tension chains to make them prone to the Vortex
etc. etc. Heck, this doesn't even delve into the varying mechanics that can be used in just punching.
In and of itself, any movement is like that. Just a movement. It takes someone to be able to explain the possibilities of movement, to really make things cohesive, functional, and give you those "Dude, no way!" moments.
There are fighters and teachers. A fighter can kick serious butt. They've honed their physical assets, and devote their time to it. But when it comes to explanations and methods of inspiration...well, they're sorely lacking. They show, but can't explain.
Teachers are great. They can explain, and maybe even motivate. They've put their efforts into the scholarly explanation of martial science. But at a certain point, you realize your limited abilities could supercede the stuff the teacher is showing...so you must wonder if what they're teaching is worth the time investment. They can explain, but not show.
The true praise goes to Coach Sonnon. I've never met the man, but his videos show someone who's a fighter, a teacher, and definitely a motivator (and obviously a master of time management, to reach pinnacles in all of these areas)...and brother, that's rare. I think the RMAX curriculum is pretty darned good, but honestly without his explanations, research, and personification of its principles, I'm not sure I would have realized all it had to offer. He's responsible for showing the true potential of these methods.
The fact is, he's generous in the amount of information he shares in his videos. He's not holding out. He's not saving the good stuff for his heir successor. He's not thinking "Well it took me 20 years to figure this out, why should I give it to you immediately?".
Martial arts is kinda like an Xbox. Teachers show you the box and show you all the things you can do with the box... "You can club someone with it", "You can set drinks on it", "You can play catch with it"...it kinda misses the original intent. And after several years, maybe you learn to open the box and discover what the original intent is...maybe you never figure it out. Coach Sonnon opens the box, right with each video/seminar/post. He tells us to quit being infatuated with the piece of cardboard, and let's get started playing the games.
The few RMAX videos I've picked up have done what ALL videos should, but few succeed in doing... They've inspired me, engaged me intellectually, and caused me to work on its concepts physically.
His multi-level and principle-based approach is like a microscope that brings to focus all the other stuff I've done...and added a few more things on top just for good measure.
Coach's methods are pretty much all-encompassing. There's a lot to investigate...too much. And how wonderful is that? A journey that lasts just long enough for your needs...a lifetime.
Props to you Coach Sonnon,
John Simons
PS: For those who think I'm brown-nosing or whatever... Sure, why not? The fact is, I'm quick to gripe about garbage. But when something is this good, its rare. It deserves to be praised.