Kali - Silat Day Two

Today at the park I met Larry, a 14 yr old kid, who wanted to learn Kali Silat. Since instructor Ed hadn't shown up yet we did some simple self defense moves. We grabbed each other's wrist and didn't let go until the technique worked. I showed Larry a self defense concept I learned from Janet Gee called "Open / Close." If an attack grabs you, he only has that part of your body and nothing else. While playing around Mike came to join us. Mike is a big guy and has been training with Ed for 2 years. He showed us some simple Aikido release techniques to get out of wrist holds where the attacker attempts to control you through joint manipulation pain. Mike also demonstrated an attack to the throat which reminds me of the 3D Kenpo strikes.

When Ed came to the park we went over the basic stick and empty hand drills (fists, elbows, and hammerfists).

I learned to push my sticks back to my waist after the intial C cut in the two stick drill. Also to use my sticks in a cutting motion. Mike informed me to block the stick close to my body and to lead with the punyo as I generate a spin going counter clockwise to knock his stick away. He wanted me to make the movements tighter and smaller.

I really need to work on my reverse redunde.

When doing the hands drill I still have a tendency to tighten up. I need to learn to relax.

The instructor Ed Martin keeps saying that the mind learns better when relaxed. We do these drills to instill muscle memory. If you want to learn to go fast you must slow down.

Doing the empty hand drills
*I need to practice shifting my weight toward the opponent.
*Move AFTER my partner parries.
*Switch my stance AFTER my hands start the parry.
*keep my weight forward as I change my stance.

So much stuff to remember. I'm looking forward when all this becomes natural (unconscious competent).