Brazilian Jiu-jitsu from the 1950's looks like ...

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu from the 1950's looks awfully like classical judo, from which it descends. A nice old clip, featuring Carlos and Helio Gracie (Skip to the 2 minute mark if you find the introduction a bit slow):



Good stuff!

Captain Kirk teaches Judo

For fans of the original Star Trek, here's William Shatner as captain Kirk showing young Charlie X a thing or two about judo*:



Gotta love those Federation gis!

Although Shatner does a reasonably good roll, the rest of his judo leaves quite a bit to be desired, in my view.  I'd certainly back legendary tough guy actor and judo black belt James Cagney against him (click the link for an awesome clip), and similarly British judoka and Bond Girl Honor Blackman:



Unfortunately I couldn't find the clip from Goldfinger of Blackman as the fabulously named "Pussy Galore" throwing Bond (Sean Connery) all over the shop.  Maybe someone can help me out?

*Spotted on Sensei Strange's aikido blog.

Tans' Unite and Fight Cancer 2010

Last year Tans martial arts supplies organized a charity dinner / martial arts display that raised over $15,000 which was donated to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.  Highlights:



From 0:50 to 1:12 you can see my Federation colleagues in action, first doing the hung kuen chopper set, then a selection of throws.  I was confined to watching, applauding, and eating.

It's on again this year:

When: 7 pm Friday 26 March, 2010
Where: Happy Receptions, 199-203 Union Road, Ascot Vale
Cost: $70 per person (includes banquet meal), tables of 10 available
Attire: Neat casual
RSVP: Catherine 9870 0813, 0413 006 028

Get along to support a good cause.

Class is back for 2010

First class back for 2010.  Nine keen students turned up on a hot night, including one newcomer.

We had a good time with a mix of throws, self-defence applications, restraint and control, and groundwork.  A bit of everything to kick off the year.

With several regulars to return and the start of the Uni. year still a month away it looks like it's going to be a big, dynamic class.  I'm looking forward to it.

A solid foundation

Neal Martin at Urban Samurai has triggered a flurry of posts by various martial arts bloggers about the importance of continuing to train "the basics".

My take:

• The basics are not just for beginners.  They are foundational.  Perhaps "fundamentals" is a better term than "basics", but I'll stick with the shorter term.
• Since we practice them every class, we log more "flying hours" in the basics than anything else.  Why?
• Hopefully because they contain the essence of the style.

But just going through the motions, however regularly, while necessary, is insufficient.  Like the difference between 20 years of experience and one year of experience - 20 times, we need to keep peeling away layers and getting more and more out of our basic practice, both in terms of performance and in understanding.

So I absolutely agree that continual training in "the basics" is not just for beginners, but it has to be more than routine.  For example:

1. Every time you learn something new: How does it relate to the basics?
2. Got a question?  Look to the basics.
3. Want to focus on something: Find it in the basics and work on it there.
4. See someone doing a different variation from what you're used to.  Learn the other way and see what lessons it has to offer.
5. Bored by the basics?  Think you have a thorough understanding of a particular exercise or technique?  Time to look again.

It's part of learning to hit the occasional plateau (bored!), or be stuck at the bottom of a cliff (can't do it!), but by training the basics continually and intelligently these obstacles will in time be cleared, and you will have also built yourself a solid foundation for further learning.