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He looks stiff, like he was not really prepared for this demo.
One of the things that makes him look bad is that his ukes are short, skinny, and very agile. It seems surprising to me that in Russia he could not find a couple of guys much bigger than him.
Dojo: Sakumeikan N.E. Aikkai .Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Re: YouTube: Steven Seagal in Saratov, Russia
Quote:
Mary Eastland wrote:
He looks bored.
Dear Mary,
I do not know whether Mr Seagal is bored .One thing I do know however that as an 'Action Hero"
he sure bores me.Do we the readers have to watch this stuff?i dont suppose so , but the fascination of watching this video is akin to watching a train crash.You know its awful , but you look anyway.I think the good life has taken its toll on his overerall condition.He is not too old is he? As somebody else says he looks burnt out. Its a pity really .Cheers, Joe.
I suppose being 6' 4" and wearing all black tends to convey a sort of brooding vibe. Perhaps, if he were a smaller Japanese shihan it would come across as more -humble? Not sure? I also am not sure or not if he is bored. However, I have seen a similar face on the current Doshu during some demonstrations. Perhaps that is the face one eventually takes on after giving a lot of demonstrations over and over and over again?
The techniques that he demonstrated certainly don't change but then why would they? After all they are his signature moves and he is giving a demonstration. I doubt the audience at a Sambo competition were looking for him to do a "No Touch " throw. The link posted to the opening scene of Above the Law was a real treat! It certainly takes me back! As for the ukes tapping, well if one if putting someone in a compliance position, that can be the signal of the threshold of the application, but nage may not simply let go at that point if there is another technique flowing off that particular technique. Just watch some Yoshinkan (among others) aikido videos for that. Train hard.
Dojo: Sakumeikan N.E. Aikkai .Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Re: YouTube: Steven Seagal in Saratov, Russia
Quote:
Richard Campbell wrote:
Was that Irimi Nage or a Clothes line?
Dear Richard,
Irimi nage or clothes line?i think you could have pinned up the entire washing of a Chinese Laundry on the waza of Mr Seagal. and still have room for the smalls [ie under pants etc ]Cheers, Joe.
Indeed, I don't recall Saito sensei (for example) being subjected to such a low blow regarding his weight as he grew older. Seems like low hanging fruit really. There are certainly legitimate criticisms of Seagal sensei that can be made, but then again, one could probably find legitimate criticisms of many Shihan if one digs deep enough and that probably goes for the rest of us too.
I still don't see the lack of respect towards uke issue. I have watched plenty of other interactions of other Shihan throwing ukes around like ragdolls. It seemed that if there were no injuries (which there weren't) then it was like thank you for letting me use your body....next. Not unusual. Perhaps, it is more of an issue of his style of using more break falls (which are more impressive in the context of a demo anyway IMO) than a softer applications especially with more than one uke. That may also speak to his professed practical "street" approach which may not be the focus of some others practicing aikido? Pondering.
Perhaps if he took ukemi it might be more respectful.
Perhaps, but one doesn't usually see too many 7th dans who take ukemi, especially at a demonstrations (when they are the presenters anyway) and particularly, when they are in their 60's or older.
I don't disagree with you. Its just that I never ever see that outside of a dojo setting and certainly not at a demonstration. When is the last time you heard of Saotome sensei, Yamada sensei, Chiba sensei, Ikeda sensei, etc. taking ukemi in such a format?? Why would he be held to a different standard?
Dear Richard,
Irimi nage or clothes line?i think you could have pinned up the entire washing of a Chinese Laundry on the waza of Mr Seagal. and still have room for the smalls [ie under pants etc ]Cheers, Joe.
Dojo: Sakumeikan N.E. Aikkai .Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Re: YouTube: Steven Seagal in Saratov, Russia
Quote:
Jason Rudolph wrote:
Mary,
I don't disagree with you. Its just that I never ever see that outside of a dojo setting and certainly not at a demonstration. When is the last time you heard of Saotome sensei, Yamada sensei, Chiba sensei, Ikeda sensei, etc. taking ukemi in such a format?? Why would he be held to a different standard?
Train Hard,
Jason
Dear Jason, It should be self evident why the Senseis you mention do not take ukemi at demos. They are normally Tori not Uke. Would you expect them to act otherwise?In a non demo environment I have witnessed on many occasion Ukemi by the late Chiba Sensei.He took ukemi for rank beginners. Cheers ,Joe
Dear Jason, It should be self evident why the Senseis you mention do not take ukemi at demos. They are normally Tori not Uke. Would you expect them to act otherwise?In a non demo environment I have witnessed on many occasion Ukemi by the late Chiba Sensei.He took ukemi for rank beginners. Cheers ,Joe
Joe
That was what I was attempting to explain to Mary. Not outside of a dojo environment. Sorry you missed my point
Who do these types practice with ? Im guessing seagal has all but quit aikido anyway..........sad to say but.......he reminds me of Gary Moore shortly before he died..........just looks tired of life. gm ballooned up too......its not a good sign generally.