Camaraderie in the Tribe

To me one of the biggest reasons I love training in the combat arts is camaraderie.  When I got involved with teaching martial arts years ago I was amazed at the new circles of friends I was being introduced to.  I was meeting other instructors, school owners and students from neighboring schools.  It was an incredible feeling and still is to be able to “Talk shop” with a fellow martial artist.  Sadly I have seen way too much separation in the arts instead of integration.  I strongly believe this is due to fear and greed.

This will sound strange to non-martial artists (or what I would rather refer as Students-to-be) but I never felt closer to a group of guys and gals than when we were beating the heck out of each other.  It’s true as anyone who has had this experience.  There is a strong feeling of camaraderie between people who train at this level.  Once you get rid of the ego element you really develop true compassion and care about the safety of the person you are fighting with.  You also develop an incredible amount of trust.  You are putting your safety in the hands of your class mates.  These are feeling most people never really get to feel or develop.  These are strong bonds and can last a lifetime.  This camaraderie needs to be felt by all.  This is why I created Tribal Combatives.  I want to bring schools together to train, to fight, to learn and grow as martial artists and as people.

As a school owner I have been thinking that we should knock a night of classes off the schedule and take our school to visit another tribal school.  Of course your whole school is not going to go but some students will.  As instructors you need your time to train too.  If your new to teaching or running a school do not spread yourself too thin.  There is no need to be open 6 days a week.  I’m open 2 nights a week and Saturday mornings and its great.  Now I have time to meet with Tribe schools and start Kali Clubs.  Better yet we should all meet at a local park somewhere and have a great night of training and fighting.

Camaraderie to me is the most important aspect to karate.  Take it from me.  Do not take the next decade or 2 trying to become a superschool with a staff of 15 to 20 teens multiple dojos under the same roof.  Take your time and dont ever forget why you got involved in the martial arts.  Forge new relationships and take pride in your fellow school owners as martial artists.  Let’s stop right now trying to be better than the other guy.  And simply be the best we can be as individuals.

Contact me and lets get started.

 

Knife Culture:

Experts are saying that the knife culture is growing, rapidly.  This could be for many reasons.  Gun laws are getting tougher and tougher.  It is easier to carry a knife than a gun.  And if you are caught you will get in considerably less trouble with a knife as opposed to a firearm of any kind.  More and more people carry what are called Tactical Folders, these are knives that fold and clip to a pocket.  You will usually just see the metal clip on the outside of the pocket of the wearer.  Gang related crime statistics show that more gangs are employing the use of knives over guns, again this could be fear of ever-increasing gun laws and penalties for carrying firearms licensed or not.

At AK we embrace the knife.  It is a powerful tool.  Knowing how to defend against it requires knowledge of how it functions in combat.  The knife is the least static of any weapon and is therefore almost constantly in motion.  This constant motion is what makes the knife dangerous.  Therefore it is a large part of our training.  The movements of the knife benefit us by developing fluidity in motion.  Allowing us to create as we go.  Which in combat is an essential skill.  Our reactions are faster more precise.  This is by far our greatest strength.

As “Martial Combatives” ( a term used to differentiate between martial arts and what we do) becomes more popular knowledge of the knife will grow as well.  More and more people will have a working understanding of how knives operate which is essential in order to survive or defend against one in combat.  Knife culture also comprises collectors.  Knives and other bladed weapons have a rich and interesting history.  There are many beautiful intricate knife designs to appreciate.  They are not just viewed as weapons, they are seen as works of art.  Anyone interested in self-defense needs to have proper training in bladed weapons and now is a great time to start such training.

Knives have been a part of humanity since we learned to use tools.  Knives have saved countless lives.  Rescue operations teams utilize them for search and rescue as well as survival tools.  Blades are used in all levels of society from box cutters, and butcher shops, to special operations tactics.  As always be careful and never train with a live blade unless under the supervision of a trained professional.

There are only a handful of qualified teachers that specialize in blade work.  So please do some research, ask the instructor questions.  Because knife culture is  just beginning to become popular it may be difficult to find useful information on people currently teaching.  The best course of action to take is to contact the instructor and see for yourself what their classes are like.

Be safe.  Enjoy your training.

Greetings!

I hope that you will add to the content of this blog.  I invite posts dealing directly with the Combatives form of martial arts, FMA, and especially knife fighting.  Please keep it professional and respectful,  I am not one to censor things out but lets keep the bitching to a minimum.  I want this to be a format in which we can all leave with something new.  If you have any stories about actual street fights that would be great.  I welcome open stories about combat and what was going through your head at the time.  Were you afraid?  Excited? Etc.  I believe we can learn a lot about the psychology of combat.  Also, if you have any teaching tools you want to share I welcome that as well.  Once again I hope you all enjoy this blog space and utilize it well.