Re: Freeform Bokken Drills to Develop Aiki Flow
Roman,
You are right. I am not much of a swordsman. My training comes mainly from Escrima with internal principles gleaned from arts like Yanagi. I am pretty hard to hit/cut however. Even approaching 60 with allot of old injuries talking to me.
I train very seldom with padding. In the late 1970's my Escrima teacher used to sponsor competitions in San Diego. No one respected the stick because they had padding on.
I prefer Dog Brother's style because they keep it real. No martial weapons or pugilist style looks the same when you take the padding off.
I look decent doing Men, Do, and Kesa cuts with my Katana and bokken. I also look pretty good at the shooting range in my back yard. But a two way shooting or cutting match is quite different and everyone's plan changes once the get hit or cut.
Many people's plan changes just with the thought of getting hit or cut without protective gear. Closing on a bokken without protection is a real blast and a small enlightenment.
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