any Wing Chun or Aikido guys doing SoftWork?

[BRYANT]

Hello all
I've been lurking on this forum for a while now
and you all seem like a very positive group of people
I have yet to attend a SoftWork seminar or order a video
so I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage when it comes to understanding
some of the discussions on the forum

my background is in Wing Chun & Aikido

is there anyone with a similar background who would
care to share how SoftWork has helped them

also Coach Sonnon
If you are reading this
do you have any more east coast seminar dates scheduled
besides that weekend in July

thanks
-Bryant

[Scott Sonnon]

Bryant,

Just get the DVD.

I don't have any more room in my schedule until next Summer. I already hover dangerously close to overtraining with the schedule I keep.

[lafnjack]

If you haven't found it, there's a download on http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/images/softworktrailer.mov

Its a trailer to the DVD (and a very well put together one).

Perhaps if you check that, it might give you a better idea, and how that sort of movement can be married to Aikido and Wing Chun.

All my best,
John Simons

[rolandbeauregard]

I have a Black Belt in Aikido and have been teaching classes since 2001. I have been doing the Warrior Wellness and Body-Flow since November of 2004. I purchased the Softwork DVD when it came out (January?). I have found that the way I move has changed profoundly since I have been doing this training. There is a fluidity in my movement that did not exist before. I now use the beginner Warrior Wellness as the warmup for my classes and a Body-Flow exercise in every class. I incorporate the Softwork into the Aikido teaching and find that it enhances the training.

I would recommend that any martial artist examine and train in these courses. It will change the way you approach your training and will add new dimensions to it. I feel I have a long way to go to get the full advantage of incorporating this system into my training.

[Ryan Murdock]

Hey Bryant,

If you haven't seen it, you may want to check out my comprehensive Softwork DVD Review (http://circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5089/url)

It should be apparent from that review that Softwork presents a "meta-system" that you can apply to accelerate your performance in any style or venue. See also the 3DPP (http://www.rmax.tv/3dpp.html/url) manual for how all this comes together. It'll teach you how to craft Static, Fluid and Dynamic drills using your Aikido work as a base. Or you can go beyond that even, to a response-based approach that starts from your own idiosyncratic movements...

Hope that's helpful.


Cheers,
Ryan

[Scott Sonnon]

And soon, Ryan's manual on how to create your own RMAX Training Group. :D :wink:

[vyapada]

Wow, that trailer is incredible. Wish is a good soundtrack choice too ;) (First day of the last day.. of TMA practice, hopefully!)
Coach, I reckon you could give any Actor/MA a run for their money in movie fight scene awe inspiring ability! I dare say you don't script yours though ;)

From a Wing Chun background, look for the similarities in your 'sticky hands' and 'sticky legs' drills. I also can see numerous hand movements that are similar to what is covered in WC forms: vertical punch, fook sao, pak sao, huen sao etc. However, Coach Sonnon is flowing with his entire body and not rigidly conforming or transitioning into a stance as Wing Chun teaches. (Or at least that's how I was taught - then again from my understanding of its history Wing Chun is an abbreviated martial art.)

Seeing this sort of thing is what keeps me motivated in my training, thanks for all your hard work Coach!

[Scott Sonnon]

Chris,

It is my privilege to do the work with all of you.

[BRYANT]

thanks to everyone for sharing your insight
I'll order the softwork dvd as soon as I can

I'm also intrigued by the fisticufs video series