Renovating TMA

[Van Canna]

"Renovating TMA": http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/43/

Scott,

I think this is a wonderful article which should be received by the TMA organizations with open arms.

But let's say, in the practice of our Uechi Ryu system, I am not able to visualize the 'Performance enhancement modalities' that could be incorporated in a class which basically consists of kata, kumite, body conditioning, and bunkai defensive applications.

Perhaps I misunderstand the concept, and would like some input.

Thank you, :)

[Coach Jones]

Well...you're not necessarilly supposed to.

What I mean is, are you an athlete? Are you an instructor? Are you teaching a "traditional" art or are you training athletes?

Depending on how you answer those questions (especially the last two) will determine what path you need to follow to better understand the nuts and bolts of the CST system.

How to use CST as performance enhancement is the realm of the CST instructor. If you really want to grasp it, you have to get to a seminar. There's no way around this.

If you can't get to a seminar or you can't devote the time and effort necessary, then my advice would be to bring in a certified CST instructor. Performance enhancement is their specialty. It's what they worked their butt off to learn, understand and apply.

[Scott Sonnon]

Van,

If you could offer a specific example of a problem area you've encountered, and then we could perhaps attempt a specific suggestion?

[Van Canna]

Hi Scott,

As a teacher of a traditional art, Uechi Ryu, I don't necessarily see or experience particular problems_ was just wondering if there might be certain approaches I could use in class to accelerate student's progress in the street defensive component.

Thank you. :)

[Coach Jones]

Van,

If you're planning on teaching RMAX material in your class, you need to be certified.

There's a world of difference between seeing a thing and teaching it. Imagine if someone watched a Uechi Ryu video and then started teaching a class.

Get to a seminar and all your questions will be answered, and you'll have the opportunity to get qualified and be certified to teach.

If you can, get to a Flowfighting seminar. Sounds like that would be right up your alley.

[Van Canna]

Thanks for the reply, Brandon.

I understand what you are saying, but the only reason why I started the thread was on suggestion by Scott to do so, in order to generate a discussion about the concepts.

Regards to all.

[Ryan Murdock]

Van,

My upcoming RMAX Training Group manual will present a how-to type approach to using these concepts. My soon to be released RMAX Powered Bujinkan vid series will be a visual example of applying these modalities to a particular TMA.

Not trying to sell ya :lol: , I just wanted to say that we hear your questions, and are hard at work coming up with comprehensive resources to try to answer them.

I'm just heading out of town for the weekend, but I will get a couple examples up here for you as soon as I'm able. Please remind me if you don't see it by early next week.

:) Ryan

[Van Canna]

Thanks Ryan. Not a problem. I was just curious and also wanted to abide by Scott's suggestion. :)

Regards,

[Coach Jones]

Van,

I definitely see what you're saying and it's an excellent idea to start this thread. It's just that an important distinction should be understood by people when it comes to using RMAX materials for personal improvement, study group training, and teaching RMAX materials for money. I just wanted to make sure that everyone understands that unless they are certified and have been through the process, and really understand RMAX and CST, they shouldn't be trying to teach RMAX for money, misrepresenting themselves as instructors, or incorporating RMAX into their for profit classes while professing that their "system" had it all along. This is a problem that creeps up more and more.

I'm using the oppurtunity more as general information and a reminder to folks rather than talking about you in particular and your situation.

[Van Canna]

Absolutely correct, Brandon. :D

[Tim Haws]

Mr. Van Canna, greetings, as it happens, Sean Flanagin(CST Instructor) will be hosting just the seminar you are looking for , to be led by Coach Murdock, in Framingham. Ialso come from a traditional Okinawan background, have attended a seminar , thru the limited experience in RMAX that I have rcognize a small portion of what it has to offer in improving my martial mart. I hope to see you there and meet you in person.

Mr. Van Canna is a former World Champion in kumite(back before they invented pads folks.)

Tim

[Ryan Murdock]

Are you coming, Tim? Would be great to see you again!

[Coach Flanagan]

Thanks for the plug, Tim :) Some would say that the seminar in Framingham MA on May 27th is THE seminar of the century on the topic of Renovating TMA, thats the speculation at least :wink:. I hope to see you there. I'll give you a call early next week, hope everythings going alright with you, man.

[Van Canna]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the kind words. But 'world champion' _ NO :wink:

If I can I will make the Framingham seminar_ not sure of my schedule.

But I will post the link to the seminar on my forum.

Thank you,

[Coach Flanagan]

Van Canna,


But I will post the link to the seminar on my forum.

Thank you very much for this gesture, I appreciate it. I hope to see you there, if you can make it.

[JasonE]

Van -

Do you have a copy of the "Three Dimensional Performance Pyramid" manual?

I ask because it does a great job of discussing core RMAX concepts and ways to create/modify your own drills. It is not "how to teach RMAX concepts", but rather how to evaluate what you are already doing to find new ways of exploring your art. It will also provide you with a solid conceptual framework prior to attending a seminar.

That said, I am curious about what you have been doing to analyze and enhance your students' performance of "street defensive components." In discussing what has been done, we may see what else MAY be done, if you get my drift. :)

[Van Canna]

> Do you have a copy of the "Three Dimensional Performance Pyramid" manual? <

No I don't. Sounds interesting.

Haven't done much in the way of 'improving' defense capabilities other than mostly traditional methods, thus the interest in 'modalities' _

Thanks,

[JasonE]

Van -

Can you describe the particular "traditional" structure and/or progression that you employ?

In other words, would you provide an example of a desired training outcome, plus some of the traditional skills and drills you use? Do you have any specific examples of ways in areas where it seems to take longer than desired to bring your students up to the desired level?

[Van Canna]

Hi Jason,

The Uechi ‘standard’ we all follow is warm up exercises, katas, prearranged kumite, free kumite, defensive bunkai applications from kata, and body conditioning.

Many of us do cross training into grappling arts and defensive scenario training as well.

 Do you have any specific examples of ways in areas where it seems to take longer than desired to bring your students up to the desired level? <

Not really because it is difficult, as you know, to recreate real street fights in the dojo.

I enjoy the work of Tony Blauer who seems to embed very useful defensive concepts into a student.

Regards,

[JasonE]

Van -

Here's an example from a training session I recently had with a Southern Praying Mantis guy:

The goal: Find a way to safely explore the joint locks and takedowns of his art, outside of the rote drills he'd been trained with.

Nature of the Problem: He had a lot of skill, but had always practiced via static drills or limited-application "traditional" drills or limited-contact sparring rules specific to his art. He had little or no practice working against a resisting partner from another background, and felt it unsafe to "go live."

We started with a CST-style "warmup": Intu-Flow Basic. He had great overall ROM and coordination, with a few notable exceptions he hadn't been aware of. It highlighted areas in which his traditional warmups and conditioning were falling short of being truly comprehensive. We also found some areas in which his traditional practices had ingrained dysfunctional coordination patterns that warranted counterconditioning. I helped him find some movements to assist with these issues before we went on.

Feeling loose, we started by having him show me a couple of the rote joint lock and takedown drills particular to his art. On the 3DPP, these rated as Static Drills.

With those drills as models, I introduced him to basic Softwork concepts. Allowing him to start with whatever lock he wanted, I introduced him to a drill in which the aggressor continuously tries to apply a lock to achieve a tapout while the defender simply moves to zero out the pressure and negate the lock. Though we were moving slowly, the addition of free movement on the defender's part made his job much harder. Once he got into the groove, he was thrilled to find himself moving from lock to lock and continuously moving with me. While he didn't achieve a tapout, he rapidly felt his movements becoming more fluid and "alive."

We then mixed it up, taking turns. At first, it was easy for me to tap him. But as he continued the drilling, he suddenly stopped thinking so hard and simply began to move with the force I was applying. It became much more difficult for me to get the tapout as his movements became more spontaneous and confident. Though he had *very* little experience on the ground, he began to move pretty well when it was necessary to move on or across the floor.

After switching off a few times, we began to add variables, one at a time. At every step, we got comfy with it before moving on. Sometimes we added speed instead of new variables. The drills began to move from Dynamic towards Fluid... but we didn't have enough time to go fully into that stage.

While the stage we got to falls FAR short of a "street fight", the gentleman I was working with became very excited. It far exceeded his expectations, and I received a standing invitation to work with him (and his students) whenever I can make it to his class. I feel that the greatest success of the experience is that he realized that there was no need to change WHAT he teaches or practices, but only to explore new ways of teaching and practicing. :)

Hope that helps!

[Doc]

Excellent description Jason! Thanks for that!

[HereBeADragon]

this is exactly why I came to RMax! I love Limalama and Ninjutsu and I love escrima but I hate a large portion of the methods used to teach them. Mindless and exhausting "warm-ups" rote techniques repeated over and over again that will magically make you good in the street. Its important to learn the tools of your chosen art but it always seemed like after that there wasnt anything to add and I constantly saw students that while they enjoyed training and made great progress never felt secure in their abilites. This is a perfect example of what every martial art needs to rediscover. Good work Jason I hope you keep us up to date with your friends progress. What a unique art to introduce RMax to as well.

[Van Canna]

Excellent, thank you. :)

[Jarlo Ilano]

Thanks for sharing that session here Jason. I really liked it!