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| | PRACTICE GROUNDFIGHTING NOT JUST FOR GROUNDFIGHTING
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| by Ari Kandel, GC 4th degree
[editor's note: You can read this great article as well as other terrific pieces and blog posts on Ari's brand new website!]
Internalselfdefense.com.
Go check it out and please post your comments!
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| I've found that many GC students do not practice groundfighting as much as they should. I suspect the reasons for this include:
1. Especially in the beginning, groundfighting is not easy. The basic exercises challenge you to use the muscles of your body in ways you don't normally use them to achieve balance in positions and movements you don't normally find yourself in. We walk around on our legs all day (well, when we're not sitting on our asses), so the standing exercises are more familiar and easier to adapt to. The groundfighting exercises, however, put some folks into a world they haven't visited seriously since they were infants, and it's uncomfortable and straining at first for many.
2. They believe that either they'll never need it ("I don't want to go to the ground!"), or they'll never get good enough at it ("Look at how Masters Michael and Al move on the ground--I could never do that, I'm not agile enough").
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Not only do I think the above excuses are erroneous, but they prevent
the student from making great strides in their self-defense capability
and internal development, both on the ground AND standing up.
Consider this:
If
you think about it, groundfighting was actually the first element of GC
that Grandmaster John Perkins developed. As he has related, his
official training began at five years old when his father and uncles
would punt him across the linoleum floor of the kitchen and challenge
him to not allow them to catch him. Over time they taught him some
"Injun wrasslin'" and other tricks, but mostly his training was
experiential, figuring out how to avoid and counter the attacks of much
larger, older men after being knocked down (sometimes "armed" with a
rubber knife and sink plunger "tomahawk"). Also, after an older boy
viciously stomped John while John was wrestling with friends for fun,
John made the decision to never be taken down. This is what led to his
discovery that staying loose and uncooperative and balanced made it
impossible for even top level Judoka and wrestlers to take him down--and
enabled him to strike them effectively during the process. So you can
see that groundfighting and countering grappling with looseness have
always been integral parts of GC and key factors in its development.
Regarding
the difficulty of the exercises, the key, as with all the exercises, is
to practice them until your muscles adapt and the exercises become less
physically taxing, allowing you to relax with the movement and improve
your proprioception, balance and body unity in all positions. For a
fairly healthy adult, it's actually a fairly quick process as you're
really "waking up" dormant movement and muscle use, not necessarily
introducing something brand new.
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Regarding the erroneous beliefs,
ANYONE can end up on the ground or in a "grounded" position in a
self-defense situation. One of John's first major fights as a cop began
when he entered an establishment where a huge fight had broken out,
slipped on blood and fell flat on his back, with a huge bruiser jumping
on top of him. We have had students who went to the ground in
self-defense situations, either by accident or intentionally to get
their heads and vital organs away from multiple weapons, and to get to
cover and escape. Way back when (before I started GC), I was attacked
with a baseball bat while I was lying on a bed (long story--fortunately
no injuries). You never know what's going to happen and you never know
whom you'll have to deal with or in what position. So practice your
groundfighting so that you have a chance.
Note that the crazy,
fast, wide, continuous breakdancing moves you see Al and Mike perform in
demonstrations, while cool and desirable if you can do them, are in
most cases NOT necessary for self-defense. Given the confined spaces
where attacks typically occur, and given the actual effects of well
executed GC groundfighting, you are quite UNLIKELY to have to flip, roll
and helicopter kick all over the place to protect yourself. Being able
to stay loose and free mid-fall and on the ground will usually enable
you to end things or at least turn the tables within seconds, and with
far less movement. Even the most basic "roll down and kick like a crazed
mule" skills can create a lot of damage quickly, enabling you to roll
away, get up and escape. When John demonstrates groundfighting, the
simplest, smallest, laziest movements create devastating results--not
because of his agility or athletic prowess, but because of the Balance,
Looseness, Sensitivity, Body Unity and Freedom of Action (and
experience) he possesses both on his feet and on the ground. So don't
let lack of athleticism or a perceived inability to emulate the more
athletic masters discourage you. Efficient movement on the ground is all
about the five principles and getting comfortable with making them work
on the ground as well as on your feet.
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I find that one big
benefit of consistent groundfighting training is that it helps me
discover new levels of looseness and efficient movement. On the ground,
your available space for movement is cut down a lot by the presence of
the planet right up against you. It forces you to do what you need to do
in less space and with less resistance. If you resist on the ground you
can effectively freeze and even injure yourself very easily as you end
up fighting directly against the enemy's full weight and strength. This
forces your body to find another way. If you train on uneven and
unforgiving surfaces, you quickly learn to keep your body soft and
adaptable, otherwise you'll be going home with LOTS of bruises or worse!
Once you get more comfy and relaxed on the ground, you can
begin to fine tune your sensitivity and precision. Some exercises I have
done at home include slowly "rolling over Legos" (anyone with kids will
understand this one) and "blind ground navigation". (Hey I can make up
silly names for exercises too!) In your home, set out some furniture
(chairs, tables, etc.) randomly, then close your eyes and slowly roll
around the room, feeling your way around and past the furniture without
impact or pressure. Put debris (including those deadly Legos) on the
ground for more challenge. Do it all slowly, rolling and contorting as
needed. Remember to keep breathing deeply. This will improve not only
your looseness, sensitivity and balance on the ground, but also hone
what John calls your "internal gyroscope," giving you better awareness
of where you are in space at all times, no matter how crazy things get.
Training like this, in addition of course to various groundfighting
contact flow variations and other exercises (see Attack Proof, Second
Edition), has improved my basic attributes on the ground as well as
standing.
Practice your groundfighting!!! Here's how: The GC Groundfighting DVD or Download
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| | | | MISSED THE SAN FRAN SEMINAR?
NO WORRIES--KANSAS CITY'S NEXT! (Spring 2015...)
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| SHOULD YOU GO? ASK SOMEONE WHO WENT TO THE SF SEMINAR: |
| "...F#ck yeah!!!"
"I really appreciated the absence
of ego and macho BS I've seen in so many other Martial Art venues...Amazing to learn how little I actually know! "
--Jesse Lewis, 2014 SF Seminar participant
"What a seminar!"
"The amount of knowledge and updates to my ability that was experienced
is truly appreciated.
You know I’m a full convert anyway, but I’m really blown away by what I
learned and the depth of subtlety and skill that is shared.
Just the idea of moving in such a way that does not set off or ’tricks'
the other person's flight and fight response is a concept that I will enjoy
for years…
So many extraordinary distinctions around movement and body dynamics.
I’ve spent my working life around so called ‘models of excellence’ in
brain and body and the only ‘frustrating’ thing I find with Guided Chaos is that the genius, thinking, time and application put into it’s
development is not appreciated on a far larger scale."
--Alistair Horscroft, Optimal Human Performance and Behavior
"Amazing..."
"It's amazing
how Al, Joe & Kevin managed to get all levels of students, even the few
newcomers, to improve their defense skills."
--Hristo Genev, 2014 SF Seminar participant
"Awesome...Brilliant...GC meets all my
criteria, and much more…"
"Many thanks for your continued support…. and for setting up this awesome
GC workshop with Al, Joe, and Kevin. Going into this workshop not knowing
anything about GC, or any other martial art for that matter, was an eye
opener. Like I explained during the workshop I was turned on to GC by my
friend who lives in New Jersey. He is currently taking private lessons
with John Perkins, and is very impressed with John and the entire GC
system…. and this guy has been taking martial arts, of various styles, for
forty years. I did preview most of the GC YouTube videos before the
weekend course, but that’s like reading about flying an airplane and
actually flying an airplane.
I have been looking for some type of ‘martial art’ training, for
self-defense, for some time, and could not find anything that fit my
specific criteria...And, then along came GC… I was never interested in the “stylized”
forms of martial arts whether it be Chinese, Japanese, Philippine, etc...
Just too formalized and in my mind not ’street’ practical. GC meets all my
criteria, and much more…
As for the workshop itself…. it was brilliant! Al is a fantastic
’teacher’, and Joe and Kevin were very helpful, knowledgeable, and
supportive. The material was well explained and demonstrated. I left that
two day workshop feeling like I had a much better chance of defending
myself from an unprovoked attack. For me it was the perfect introduction
to GC. Of course, I realize there is a lot to learn… and I am looking
forward to the learning process.
I have purchased the Attack Proof book and accompanying On-Demand videos,
#’s 1,2,& 3, and the ebook “How to Fight for Your Life”. I have also
signed up for the GC Forum …. so I am officially on the path."
--Gerald Alves, 2014 SF Seminar participant
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| NEXT GUIDED CHAOS SEMINAR WILL BE AT
KANSAS CITY CHAOS COMBATIVES
SPRING 2015................
The only LEVEL ONE Guided Chaos Training Center in the Midwest - Certified Instructor – Brent Ames
Mission: To provide stunningly effective self-defense instruction and training for all levels of ability and fitness.
We only train in a proven self defense system for your protection and survival not for sport.
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| Brent Ames – Certified Guided Chaos Combatives Instructor
Brent started his training as a student of Jim Hartley in 1986.
He has studied and taught American Karate, Kickboxing and Jim Harrison’s Bushidokan
self-defense combatives. As one of the few people who has earned an American Karate black belt,
Brent is in a unique position to enhance your current external style skills with Guided Chaos
principles and help you make the full transition to the Guided Chaos system if you choose.
Please call for your free introductory lesson with no pressure to sign a contract.
Fees are by Seminars, class, month or year. Proceeds support CHAMPS.
Kids can train in American Karate while Adults train GCC Combatives.
Our class exercises enhance core strength, body unity, balance, looseness and sensitivity and are all applicable
to enhancing your ability to Defend yourself.
This system will benefit students of all levels.
I started this system as a Black Belt in American Karate and it enhanced my Karate skills as well.
This system is only available to Adults. People age 12 to 17 will need approval from parents.
Class Schedule:
Guided Chaos Combatives: Monday and Wednesday at 7:10
Guided Chaos training group: Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30. Saturdays 11:00AM
Fees:
$70.00 a month individual or family. Includes up to 5 classes per
week. Family plan can include kids taking American Karate classes.
Per class: $15.
Location:
13936 W. 108th Street
Lenexa, KS 66215
WEBSITE: http://www.kcchaoscombatives.com/#
ATTACKPROOF.COM PAGE |
| MASTER AND GRANDMASTER PARTY DEC. 7TH--OPEN TO ALL
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| Come celebrate Tim Carron's promotion to 10th degree and Joe Martarano and Kevin Harrell's promotions to Master (5th degree)!
Location:
Ichi Rikki restaurant, 1 E Main St, Elmsford, NY 10523
http://www.ichirikisushi.com/location.asp
1PM, $35 per person. Please add $10 for a fund for GM Tim.
Please pay Matt Kovsky, Patrick Jones or Wayne Geriak asap, cash only, OR--you can pay in advance online here:
Thanks! Payment must be received by Wednesday Dec. 3rd.
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| YOU'RE BIG AND YOU'RE COLD! GET A GUIDED CHAOS HOODIE FOR $10!
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Size XXL ONLY. Our lowest price ever, while they last.
Black Guided
Chaos pull over hoodies with the unique, trademarked Guided Chaos logo
(designed by Master John Perkins and Bob Alexander in 1987). 50%
cotton/poly blend (minimal shrinkage).
PRICE: $10 U.S. plus shipping and handling. International shipping
costs vary widely--contact us for rates. New York State residents must
pay additional sales tax. BUY NOW
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