protectivearts

ARTIFACTS OF TRAINING

I have used the phrase ‘artifacts of training’ sporadically to refer to conditioned responses that result from improper training assumptions and methods. One of the most notable is the ‘sensei effect.’ The sensei effect works on both teacher and student – the student ‘over-reacts’ to the instructor’s input (making any given technique look more effective)Continue reading “ARTIFACTS OF TRAINING”

July 4th 2017

The iconic picture of Washington crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze. While fraught with inaccuracies, the image is a powerful reminder of the total commitment the rebels had, pledging their fortunes, lives and sacred honor to the cause. Now used as a parody of saccharine inspirational posters. It translates the 18th century ideology to currentContinue reading “July 4th 2017”

IKKYO – SOLVING FOR THE INFINITE

There was a time when students paid their teachers for each technique. At first glance that may seem expensive – especially if you believe the hyperbole that Aikido’s techniques are infinite – but that would be to confuse naming conventions for patterns of movement. Ikkyo. The first technique. The first teachings form the pedagogical foundation but to drawContinue reading “IKKYO – SOLVING FOR THE INFINITE”