Wow... if only I was 18 again... martial arts

I was browsing youtube when I stumbled upon this:

YouTube - The real modern's ninjas

EDIT: I know this is not just martial arts, but many of the techniques and workouts are similar.

Ah... I've watched it several time already. Clips like this make me yearn for the days when this still seemed attainable, and motivate me to not give up my workouts. This year I plan to pick up my martial arts training again. Not in a club at first. I just want to practise the basic techniques. One of my goals of this year is to be back in the same physical shape as when I was doing martial arts.

When I have that back again, and my rolling, fall-breaking and kicking technique is at least passable, I am thinking about visiting my old sensei for a couple of refresher workouts.
I haven't practised any of the moves at all, the past 7 years or so. But when I went throught the basic forms it all came back instantly. I never thought muscle memory would be so accurate. I could still do most of the forms without having to think about them.

When I showed this clip to my oldest daughter, she must have said 'wow' at least 20 or 30 times, and she told me that she want to learn to do those things when she is a couple years older. :D That's my girl. I'd be delighted if she picks up a martial art. My wife didn't even mind :)

EDIT: The reason I did martial arts, want to pick it up again and would like my daughters to do the same has nothing to do wth fighting, but everything with developing the mind and body.

Though she did tell me that I was never to show Kato clips like this until she is old enough to understand just how dangerous this is:

YouTube - REAL LIFE NINJAS!!!!

First video, sure, it's pretty cool. But, with all due respect to the people in the video (though perhaps more respect to the martial arts community), I would categorize what is done in the video as acrobatics and/or dancing, not martial arts.

Certainly. That's why I mention it explicitly. Some of these guys are into martial arts, but a lot of it is more acrobatics. Although I've understood that ninjutsu incroporates a lot of acrobatics.

I read somewhere that fighting was the least valuable skill of a ninja. If you had to fight you had failed partially already. Ninja were supposed to be unheard and unseen. Get into guarded places, do the job and get out.

And we sometimes trained on these acrobatics as well (though not like that) because although it looks 'showy' fall breaking and rolling are crucial aspects of e.g. jujitsu, which is what I did.

Not all of the guys in the first video are martial artists perhaps, but I am willing to bet that any of them would pick it up very rapidaly, and be very good at it too. They've already got a perfect foundation to build on.

EDIT: And I certainly don't respect the non-marial artists less than the martial artists. What they do takes a tremendous amount of training, pain and perseverance as well.

The guy at 1min30s into the first vid, hopping around on 1 hand while kicking with his legs and maintaining his balance... about the most impressive thing I've ever seen.
I used to be able to do 1 handed pushups so I have some idea of how difficult that one handed hopping should be. The amount of training to achive that level of pure strength, balance and limberness is huuuuge.

Bruno I can't load these at home today but I will check them out at work in the mornning...

Wanna see some really nice vid??? search out "Chloe Bruce" on yer search engine and check out some of her Kata competition vids simply AMAZING !!!!! yer daughter will freak....

Hi Glen, I'd already hoped you'd check in here :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Bruno I can't load these at home today but I will check them out at work in the mornning...

---

Please do. I'd be very interested in your opinion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Wanna see some really nice vid??? search out "Chloe Bruce" on yer search engine and check out some of her Kata competition vids simply AMAZING !!!!! yer daughter will freak....

---

Thanks. Will most certainly do.

I love that parkour. :rock:

X

Hey Bruno,


Check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbMkx5LhBEs

I'm finally getting back into passable shape, and am actually contacting my old Sifu today about some private lessons again.. I'm really excited to get back into it. Thanks for posting this Bruno.

dw

You're welcome Dave. Great minds think alike (or so I am told ;))

I was into martial arts for the better part of a decade and I never could come close to doing any of that stuff. Of course the martial art I was in was the one these guys where fighting against, we specialized in chopping guys like this into sushi:)

My more modest goals are to get in the best shape of my life this year (using more traditional methods). Martial arts wise, someday I would like to learn the practice of Tai Chi in all its martial aspects.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I was into martial arts for the better part of a decade and I never could come close to doing any of that stuff. Of course the martial art I was in was the one these guys where fighting against, we specialized in chopping guys like this into sushi:)

My more modest goals are to get in the best shape of my life this year (using more traditional methods). Martial arts wise, someday I would like to learn the practice of Tai Chi in all its martial aspects.

---

If I can get my old sifu to agree, I think I'm going to focus on Pakua this year.. He's pretty particular about teaching that one.. But if I get him good and drunk first :)

YouTube - Snake Pa Kua

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xman

I love that parkour. :rock:

X

---

If you liked that one, then you'll love this:

YouTube - Urban Ninjas!!!

Those are the EMC Monkeys, MAYBE NOT THE BEST. DEFINITELY NOT THE FIRST. BUT FOR SURE THE COOLEST. ... they do "tricking" its basically acrobats with a twist (like running and flipping off a wall) if i remember correctly (havent been to their site in forever) their goal was to be stunt guys in martial arts movies.

I wouldn't actually call them martial artist, more acrobats.

Here is one of the Chloe Bruce vids


YouTube - Irish Open 2007 Chloe Bruce


A little more toward the Martial Arts side of things, the control factor she has is incredible...

The other vids are showing a lot of acrobatics but it is also obvious from many of their body movements that most of these guys have a base in actual Martial Arts...

This is my response...

YouTube - Ninja casting?
:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:g th

i dont know how you link videos here but

Fpess this is my response to you

YouTube - Redneck Ninja

Bruno -

I am glad to hear that someone understands that a being a ninja was not about fighting. Most of the what the world knows as "Ninjutsu" or Ninja is horribly inaccurate. A ninja's first and foremost role was as reconnaissance, functioning as the eyes and ears of his master. The fighting was very secondary.

The mental and physical training of ancient Ninjutsu would put to shame the training of Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and British SAS. Consequently, in today's lawsuit happy world, the art has all but disappeared.

If you'd like some reading on the history, Stephen K. Hayes has written some good books. However, I wouldn't look to him or his school for training. His style is said to be quite watered down.

- Matt

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fpessanha

This is my response...

YouTube - Ninja casting?
:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:g th

---

I think I could do that!!!!

You don't have to be 18.

Here is ME at age 50!

YouTube - Busy Sexy Woman in motion!

YouTube - Bruce Lee- Ping Pong (Full Version)

As of today, I weigh 75 kg (165 lbs), I can do 30 controlled pushups, and I can kick the crap out of tigger :D(stuffed animal) at 4,75 feet height.

The kicking height has already improved significantly, and I am slowly getting more flexible in the inner thigh area. I remember from earlier days that the key to good leg flexibility is doing short daily execercises to train the muscles that you normally don't use.

I should really find a good place to hang my thai bag. :thinking:

I could never kick high.. After 4 years of my Sifu trying to increase my flexibilty, I'm convinced it's not going to happen. Even tried Yoga, hoping for something.. I think my tendons/ligaments are made of cement.. Good think I like the forms that require less kicking, and more fast striking anyway :)

Low kicks are a lot harder to block too. I was trained that high kicks are good for show but thats about it. Although, a good crescent kick can surprise someone.Win chun is a good system that uses a lot of low kicks. I never trained in that though, except from books.

My sensei used to say 'when you are both standing up, you don't strike at the knee with your fist. So why should you kick to the head?'.

But it's one more weapon in your arsenal if you can do it.
Also, the flexibility is of great value in other areas. I have won many submission wrestling fights because I could use my legs almost like a second pair of arms.

Yes, but kicking high does make you more vulnerable against someone that knows what they are doing.I used to get caught by my instructors all the time when I would try and throw a jump spinning crescent kick. They would wait for me to turn and then hit me.If you are fighting an inexperienced fighter then showy kicks are more apt to work.

I've been researching info to start a Krav Maga course . I like it because it's a no nonsense fighting style, based on nothing but the bare necessities. No points for style or flamboyant moves... avoid the attack, strike back, and get the hell out.

IMHO, there are two places that are effective enough as a target for kicks, but still attainable without opening yourself up to unnecessary risk:

*Please note that these are for a real fight. They don't really apply in sparring or competition, as the effects would be be appreciated by your opponent.

1) Groin - A straight or inside crescent to the groin is devastating. It's central enough on the body to be difficult to avoid or block, and it's a low enough target for the strike to be extremely quick. The effects are obvious enough against a man, and landing the same kick into the pelvis of a woman has a fairly devastating result.

2) Knee - This strike is more avoidable than a groin strike, but it is lower still, and thus should be an even quicker attack. The knee is a very vulnerable point of attack, and landing a powerful blow will turn the course of a fight.


There are other places to land kicks that will work, but they are not nearly as effective, and there is usually a more worthwhile alternative.

Just my $.02 :)

[Bas Rutten]“Everybody Underestimates The Kick In The Groin” [/Bas Rutten]
YouTube - Bas Rutten Street Defense - The Better Version

Bas Rutten is da Man!

I've been a fan of him since 1997. My sensei once had him over for a visit. He filled the doorway :D
I once trained in the same Muay Thai gym (during the summer, when my dojo was closed) as his then-sparring partner: Leon van Dijk.
Bas was nr one in the world ranking. Leon was no 4.

We were doing an excercise where someone held a cushion, and then the other one had to kick it.
Leon was working out with a guy that must've weighed 100 kilo.
When he side kicked, the other guy was lifted an inch from the floor. :eek:

I was fairly positive that he would have been able to break my ribs + spine with one sidekick.
And Bas kicks even harder...

YouTube - Fight Science MMA - Bas Rutten Kicks a Crash Test Dummy

Bas' big advantage is that apart from being the worlds best free fighter, he has good looks, charisma and a sense of humor, so he has become an mma celeb.