The Western Canon

It all started with an apple. Overlooked and uninvited to the wedding, Eris hand-grenaded a golden apple labeled “For the fairest” among the goddesses, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Each thought it was intended for her and, ever-competitive, they all demanded a judgement for the apple to be awarded.[1] Zeus, in his wisdom, was not aboutContinue reading “The Western Canon”

BREATHING

Restricted airways and ventilators are all too much in the public discourse because of Covid, and “I can’t breathe” is a sad social commentary on restraint techniques. Not being able to breathe is a frightening experience. As a child I had a bout of croup. I still remember that feeling of suffocation, the abject fearContinue reading “BREATHING”

IKKYO’S BUNKAI

This article is a revisit and amplification of an earlier post: Ikkyo is Makiotoshi. Makiotoshi is a capture followed with an oblique downward return along the line of attack to uke’s centerline. Essentially, the mechanics of the movement is a two-handed intercept while closing the gap to capture the attack, then the use of superiorContinue reading “IKKYO’S BUNKAI”