Sometime around 1980: Rick was sweeping the floor of the Wing Chun Academy hall. He lived in the Academy in the role of what the Japanese call an Uchi-deshi. He trained, ate, slept and lived in and for the Academy and Wing Chun. Sifu entered the hall. He took up a position where Rick could…
Year: 2017
Internal Kung Fu and Invisible Jiu Jitsu
As an avid student of Kung Fu (Wing Chun since 1989, other styles since 1977) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (since 1998), I have sought out the higher level subtleties as well as the fundamentals. An ongoing quest. Travelling such a path, one continually comes across claims of “Internal” Kung Fu, and “Invisible” Jiu Jitsu, and…
Jordan Peterson and the Self Authoring Program
Dr Jordan B. Peterson is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, Canada, and a practicing clinical psychologist. I first came across him on a Joe Rogan podcast. He is embroiled in a number of academic and political controversies in Canada, mainly to do with his strong opposition to a proposed Canadian law…
Transformation; a Personal Odyssey
Many people say how martial arts has changed their lives. I’ve heard people say the same about attending a Barbara Streisand concert. I didn’t go, they may be right. I do feel that my martial arts training was a driving force behind, not just a series of mental transformations and attitude adjustments, but an actual…
Living the Dream
Wednesdays and Fridays I take a lunchtime Jiu Jitsu class at Lange’s MMA, at North Manly. Wednesday is no gi, Friday gi. Jiu Jitsu always resets my mood. If it’s a warm day, or sometimes even when it isn’t, the beach is a short drive away, and that makes the day even better. Most times…
Creativity and Martial Arts Training IV
This is part IV, the last of a four part article. Part I Part II Part III Limitations and Constraints Unlimited freedom paralyses creativity. You need somewhere to go. You need a problem to solve. I was rebuked as a black belt by a highly ranked instructor for not being able to immediately think of a…
John Will Seminar 11 Nov 2017 – Pirate Grip, Russian Tie
The seminar was held at Universal Combat Arts, Castle Hill. Thanks to Kirk Sicard and Simon Farnsworth for their hospitality. Russian Tie (2 on 1) Stand facing your partner, feet parallel, so your four feet form a square. Your partner gets a neck tie on you with his R hand. Grab his R wrist with…
Product Review: Joe Rogan Utility Belt by Datsusara
The Joe Rogan Utility Belt is the Crown Prince of bum bags (what we call them in Australia) or fanny packs (the term used by our American friends). Fashionable? Maybe not. However notable fanny pack antifashionistas are legion. I include only wrestling and MMA celebrities here. The wider circle includes Kardashians and Jenners … you’ll…
Creativity and Martial Arts Training III
The third article in a series of four. SCAMPER In Part I and Part II of this series, we looked at how rearranging or reversing the sequence in which the movements within a technique are performed can sometimes lead to superior results, specifically referencing the kimura from under half guard, and the front kick. We…
Chrome Dome HOWTO
For those so good looking their face is taking over the rest of their head. I’ve been shaving my head for about ten years. With my father and grandfather both slapheads before their fifties, it was pretty much preordained at a cellular level. I knew what was coming and prepared myself well ahead of time….