I often find myself in a discussion with somebody about martial arts in general, Aikido specifically, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) by default. Since I’m primarily an Aikido instructor, most of my martial arts conversations are spent trying to explain to people what the differences are between Tae Kwon Do and Aikido or Karate and Aikido, since thats what the average person asks when I tell them that I teach Aikido.

Of course, one of the easiest ways to give some kind of visual reference is to mention (I’m already cringing a bit!) Steven Seagal and his movies and then try to explain, “Yes, thats Aikido, sorta, but not as violent and we don’t generally twist peoples arms until they break off of somebody’s torso”.

Nevertheless, the struggle in more recent years has been the questions about how Aikido is different from the UFC or from MMA, or “how would an Aikido guy fair in the Octagon?”. While all fairly legit questions, I guess, any Aikido practitioner whose trained for more than a week or two under a good instructor will do as I did when mentioning Seagal, cringe a bit at the question since very few, if any, students come to an Aikido dojo to learn how to best another in the ring, or worse…the dreaded Octagon!

While all Martial Arts are worthy pursuits and tend to fill something the student is needing at the time they are studying their art, I’m going to do my best to dispel one of the myths that has been created by “mixing” martial arts, building a cage out of chain link fence, and then throwing two willing warriors at each other to see which one emerges to be named “Toughest Man on the Planet” or “Best Fighter in the  World”, or something like that.

When MMA students and budding UFC fighters are training, they’re training for something specific: to win against another similarly trained opponent who is, most likely, of fairly similar size, weight, and who has a similar intent. There is no surprise about what may occur. There is a set time when the fight will take place, there is well defined terrain (the Octagon), there are well defined rules, there is a referee, there are cameras, spectators, hot dogs and beer.

The myth that these fighters are somehow better suited for a “real” fight or that they are better “street” fighters or that, since they study grappling and most “real” fights end up on the ground, they are better equipped and more likely to win is just that, a myth.

You see, real violence is a totally different animal from anything that any of us study in the sterile environment of the dojo. Although a well taught Self Defense workshop led by someone with “real violence” experience may be much closer to developing a “realistic” training scenario, the elements of surprise, pain, blood, and shock are ultimately still missing.

Goals differ in different situations. What is considered a “win” in one scenario, like the Octagon, may be totally different in another scenario. If the goal changes, so does everything else! If you have only ever trained for one goal (ie; the submission, the pin, the tap out), you will be hampered when the goal changes or when the other is not following the same rules.

Stay tuned for more on Violence, Self Defense, and Martial Arts myths…

About the author-Blaine A. Feyen is the founder and Chief Aikido Instructor of the Toyoda Center. The Toyoda Center Grand Rapids is West Michigan’s premiere academy for training in the Martial Arts of Aikido, Kendo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and Shinkendo. Aikido in Grand Rapids has been defined by the instructional insights taught at the Toyoda Center. Mr. Feyen has, since the mid 1990’s, been leading one of the most successful uchideshi programs in the art of Aikido and has built a very prominent program for developing professional Aikido instructors and leaders. http:/www.ToyodaCenter.com

Life of an Uchideshi, part 1

An Uchideshi is a traditional Japanese term for a live-in student who trains under and assists a sensei, or teacher, on a full-time basis. (From uchi for “inside” and deshi for “student” or “disciple”). The system has existed in many societies over a long period of time, including those of Aikido, Judo, kabuki, sumo, Kendo, and other budo arts, and even non-budo arts like the game of Go, and still partially remains in them.

The precise definition of uchi-deshi might be difficult to pinpoint; according to some definitions an uchi-deshi of the budo arts lives in the dojo where he trains or in the home of the teacher. In other words, he serves the teacher all day, every day. In contrast, students who live outside are referred to as soto-deshi (“soto” for outside). However, there are many people who are often referred to as uchi-deshi who did not live in the very dojo. In this case the distinction is between the full-time apprentice and regular students.

In many uchideshi programs today, the focus of the program is as varied as are the different styles and techniques. What was once a program of mentorship focusing primarily on developing the best, and most motivated, into full-time instructors has become a valuable program for students from all backgrounds to take part in a lifestyle that most will never have the opportunity to experience (or ever desire to experience).

Living in a dojo and committing oneself to his or her chosen art, as well as to the service of others, can be a very rewarding and life altering experience. I took part in an uchideshi program under a renowned Aikido master more than 15 years ago and have found, as I look back over the years, that the training and lessons I received have affected almost every decision I have made since leaving the program.

Of course, when my uchideshi term was completed I embarked on a journey of opening a full-time martial arts center offering martial arts like Aikido, Kendo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and aesthetic arts like Zen Meditation, Yoga, and Japanese Language. So I have chosen to immerse myself in the training and culture that an uchideshi program and lifestyle entail.

However, the real benefits of a true live-in style program are the personal insights gained from intense training, the shedding of personal comfort requirements, service to the dojo, the Sensei, and the other students, and, if the main instructors are properly qualified in this area; the leadership lessons gleaned from the direct and personalized training from the Chief Instructors.

An uchideshi, upon entering a live-in student program, will typically go through a “shock” period where time seems to be altered a bit. Due primarily to the abrupt change in schedule, the increased amount of time spent in physical training, and the change in living conditions one may have been used to, the new uchideshi finds him or herself in a confusing world where values and personal comforts become deep initial reflections.

After acclimating to the new schedule of an uchideshi lifestyle (usually about 1 to 2 months) and falling into a routine, the new uchideshi finds her world, once again, turned somewhat upside down as the instructor team sets out to strip away any newfound comforts and routines to keep the student on her toes. The focus of a good uchideshi program will always be on stripping away the layers of weakness and comfort seeking to ultimately rebuild the deshi into a completely new, and much stronger, individual.

Keep your eyes out for part 2…

About the author-Blaine A. Feyen is the founder and Chief Aikido Instructor of the Toyoda Center. The Toyoda Center Grand Rapids is West Michigan’s premiere academy for training in the Martial Arts of Aikido, Kendo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and Shinkendo. Aikido in Grand Rapids has been defined by the instructional insights taught at the Toyoda Center. Mr. Feyen has, since the mid 1990’s, been leading one of the most successful uchideshi programs in the art of Aikido and has built a very prominent program for developing professional Aikido instructors and leaders.    http:/www.ToyodaCenter.com

While its fun to be controversial at times, the title of this post is not an attempt to be deliberately provocative simply for the sake of controversy. The title speaks to an absolute truth, as well as a prolific myth, about the benefits and dangers of traditional self defense training.

What I’m speaking of, for clarification sake, are those classes promoted by little pink or yellow flyers with a martial arts guy or woman on the front smashing the stereotypical mugger profile in the face as he attempts a purse snatching or worse, a rape or other violent assault. They’re typically taught by a well meaning Karate or Tae Kwon Do instructor who has spent almost a lifetime learning how to kick, punch and break boards as well as egos.

There’s no doubt in my mind that each one of these individuals is capable of adequately defending him or herself in the face of a benign, semi-violent, or maybe even really violent assault. However, many a great leader has failed in an important mission based on the simple fallacy of believing they have the correct answer to the problem when, in fact, they have asked the wrong question. Many a great martial artist has deluded himself into believing he is a master of self defense only to find out that all of his initial premises about life, attacks, and self defense are wrong!

Self defense training, at its core, starts from the premise that there is an “evil” element lurking out there that wants to rob you of everything that may be precious to you: money, safety, security, faith, family, and life. The secondary premise is that you may, by chance, find yourself in an ugly situation that you simply have to fight your way out of or die. While these situations do occur in the real world on a daily basis, making this the premise with which one sets out to learn a particular set of moves, screams, kicks, grabs and eye gouges may, in fact, be the wrong premise to begin with.

If you’ve never heard of Dr. Pareto; please allow me to introduce you to him. In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal distribution of wealth in his country, observing that twenty percent of the people owned eighty percent of the wealth. It later became knows as the 80/20 principle. The 80/20 Rule basically means that in anything a few (20 percent) are vital and many (80 percent) are trivial.

Of course, we’re not talking about wealth, we’re talking about self defense, so what does the 80/20 principle have to do with protecting yourself in the face of danger? A good question with a simple answer. Dr. Pareto set out to figure out how wealth was distributed throughout the country. He asked the right questions and got an answer. In fact, his 80/20 rule was mislabeled as such in later years. It is more typically accurate calling it the 95/5 rule or even the 99/1 rule. The right questions when it comes to physical self defense training are: what is most likely to occur based on who I am, where I move in my daily routines, and the message I send to a potential attacker? (this is commonly referred to as the “victim profile”) The better questions to ask, however, are: what are the most likely “attacks” or “killers” i face on a daily basis and how can I defend against them?

While a couple hours of good solid kicking, punching, and learning to scream “NO!” can be very empowering, as well as just plain ole’ fun, we must be careful not to believe that this type of training alone will keep us safe in the face of real danger. The real dangers in life are presented to us on a moment to moment basis in the form of stress, health problems, financial problems, limiting beliefs, unhealthy patterns, relationship problems, and our usual lack of awareness of these types of dangers.

Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying traditional self defense training is all BS (although much of it is completely ineffective, false, and actually may get you killed). Simply offering a little advice from Dr. Pareto; look at the 95% of your daily activities and how many of them are done completely mindlessly  and you are on the right path to ferreting out the 5% of things that need to be adjusted and dealt with.

Awareness is the only real self defense that exists. A committed attacker is very unlikely to be swayed or undeterred by your flailing and screaming or your misplaced groin kick, although you should use all of those things and more should you find yourself in that situation. Awareness of your surroundings, awareness of your capabilities, awareness of the things that are MORE LIKELY to rob you of health, wealth and vitality (stress, bad habits, and wrong thinking) and awareness of your options once all of these things become obvious.

About the author-Blaine A. Feyen is the founder and Chief Aikido Instructor of the Toyoda Center. The Toyoda Center, is West Michigan’s premiere academy for training in the Martial Arts of Aikido, Kendo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and Shinkendo. Aikido in Grand Rapids and true self defense training has been defined by the instructional insights taught at the Toyoda Center and Mr. Feyen. http:/www.ToyodaCenter.com

Aikido For Kids-To Be or Not to Be?

The top 10 reasons for children to try out an Aikido class

Adults may practice Aikido for stress reduction, relaxation, self-defense, its many cardio vascular benefits, or a host of other reasons. But these are concepts that most children don’t even think about or care about. So why is Aikido a good idea for kids? What can it contribute to their lives and yours? (assuming you’re a parent)

Below are 10 of the reasons to give Aikido a try if your son or daughter has shown any interest in physical activity and specifically, martial arts training.

1) Aikido is a “non-aggressive” martial art. What does this mean? Basically that the main principles of Aikido don’t encourage self defense at all costs. Generally speaking, Aikido classes aren’t taught with a mindset of kicking and punching your way out of conflict. In essence, you don’t really start a fight with Aikido – but you can certainly finish one. Aikido doesn’t encourage kids to emulate the Power Rangers or Ninja Turtles punching and kicking their friends, siblings, dogs, and cats. Aikido technique starts when someone else “breaks the rules”, i.e. attacks. More importantly, Aikido teaches kids that fighting is a last resort for dealing with conflicts.

2) Aikido emphasizes remaining calm, relaxed balanced. Of course, kids can’t, and shouldn’t, be calm all the time. But Aikido teaches them that they have a choice. If they need to sit still at school or concentrate on homework or focus during sports, Aikido teaches them the fundamentals of “going within” and gives them tools to help when being calm is necessary. This is entirely different from keeping their emotions bottled up. On the contrary, Aikido calmness feels good and, in fact, the study of Aikido is the study of communication.

3) Aikido teaches kids “practical” self-defense. I put quotation marks around “practical” to indicate that practical for a child is completely different from practical for an adult. Striking arts like Karate and Tae Kwon Do, although very good for health and well being, give children one primary tool for dealing with conflict: aggression. If your child only knows how to kick and punch their way out of a conflict they will have a lot of difficulty dealing with the more prevalent “attacks” life deals out: stress, bullying, verbal abuse, and disappointment. You see, if the real attacks in life don’t look like or behave anything the attacker in dojo or dojang, your child will not have the proper tools to identify and then most effectively deal with the situation.

To read the rest of this article, click the link below:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Aikido-a-Good-Martial-Art-For-Kids?&id=3152430