Instantaneous Adaptation!

This summer has been great for training, both abroad and in the U.S. I have had the chance to raise my fitness level and conditioning during the FightClasses as well as sharpen my fighting skills too. The seminars this summer have been great fun, and have opened my horizons further in regards to my training and seminar material. My participation in Tournaments has added a richness to my training and perspective on training.

Conditioning for me has been important, in the past not that important but in recent years more so, yet not always a priority. This year I have taken my fitness level through combat conditioning further than I have ever gone. The most significant impact is not what I expected however. I have seen a marked improvement on endurance, but I expected that. Power has increased as expected too, naturally. The unexpected benefits of training are always a delight, and from conditioning I recieved two. First is a subtle effortless, this has pervaded my techniques allowing me to relax into each stage or movement. The second benefit is the ability be even more precise in my technique. I noticed these benefits most profoundly with cutting and knife throwing. The ease with which I can cut with single handed sword has become extremely easy. With Knife throwing I can throw more often from further distances with greater accuracy. I look forward to further benefits of conditioning.

The two most memorable seminar experiences this year have been influential in much of my personal exploration. First was my seminar in the East Bay Area where I focused on the use of flexible weapons. Flexible weapon training is a requirement for people studying the Inayan System of Eskrima, a requirement set by Mangisursuro Mike Inay. Flexible weapons is both on one level the use of flexible weapons in realistic street fighting and self defense situations as well as an introduction to a flexible perspective on combative training in general. The second experience during seminars was when I was asked to focus on double knife, I rarely work this aspect of Inayan Kadena De Mano. The opportunity to exclusive focus upon this has opened a new perspective on the effectiveness and efficiency of Inayan Kadena De Mano. When taken from a holistic perspective, one can appreciate the completeness and sense preparedness that Inayan methodology. Double daggers have once again driven this point home for me, pun(s) intended.

I had the great opportunity to participate in two seminars for Stick Fighting and Knife Point Sparring. These combined experiences allowed for me to witness the caliber of fighters and glimpse at their training methods as well as the level of conditioning. In one instance I was pleased when one of my students was competing with no evidence of fatigue. In another tournament I observed a student utilize textbook perfect technique during a first time competitor competition. Still other times I could witness other competitors training with other Inayan instructors compete at a level that filled me with pride. I take away from these experiences both evidence of being on the right path as well as clues for further progress and development.

Recent FightClasses are focusing on full skill integration, stick, knife, hand, foot and ground fighting. The future looks bright.