Peace, Corvo... I apologize for the length of time it took to respond to you. It's been awhile since I've logged on. But, I would be honored and glad to correspond with you on the Afrakan warrior arts. By the way, there is an Elder Sistah who I've had the honor and pleasure to make contact with on Myspace. Check out these videos of her: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1494440107 http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1497380105
I've seen that lady before and have actually had somewhat of a conversation with her concerning her viewpoint on training and some of the things she does. Honestly I don't have too high an opinion of her as far as Martial Arts go but do appreciate the things she does concerning the youth in her area. Just to clarify as I left this kind of vague. My issues with her Martial skill and instruction center around training with completely compliant partners, using more theory than application in instruction and practice, no pressure testing, i.e. hard continuous sparring and competition. My main issue is also that some of the things she teaches could get someone hurt or killed, it looks good on video and in class but she doesn't train with any aliveness . On one of the knife defenses she has on there where the guy stabs, she sidesteps while dude leaves his arm completely extended she then grabs his arm and does a takedown and rollover using only one hand holding his face. That could get somebody hurt, there are many reasons it wouldn't work one of which being the attacker is moving and fighting not with a single arm but 2 arms (one of which has a knife) and 2 legs. Notice in all her videos when she attempts a hold of anykind the training partner does nothing he doesn't even attempt to bring his other hand in play and moves compliantely wherever she wants him to go. In real life it don't happen like that. I'm all for African Martial Arts but be honest about what you are doing. If you practice for somesort of spiritual journey or enlightenment or exercise and don't want to fight or compete or have a pretty good suspicion your stuff won't work then just admit it to your students upfront. Don't tell folks you're teaching them how to fight when you're not.Let them take an effective art that's being trained the right way. MississippiRed Tap or Snap your choice.
Peace Brotha... Having not yet met her face to face, there is no real way for me to comment on her ability to actually defend herself in a real-life combat situation. I do know that when demonstrating defense scenarios, it's often useful to slow things down in such a way, that the minutiae of each movement is seen by the observer. This can help a student see exactly the focus of the techniques. As far as one-handed joint locks, I can say that I have used them myself in defense situation where the aggressor was fighting with both hands and feet. It often depends on the movements of the aggressor and timing and such. Sometimes, the more subtle techniques are most effective, and sometimes other more overt techniques necessary. I have studied some ninjutsu (Togakure Ryu) and there are alot of techniques that are subtle,using one hand to subdue an aggressively attacking person. And due to the nature of how the ninpo training is carried out, I can assure you that the techniques work and HURT (lol). But it all comes down to preferences. "Be formless... shapeless like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, and it can crash. Be water, my friend..."
Afrodaze those are cool videos to see. It is very commendable to see one of our sisters make this venture. I too, can't determin if she can apply these techniques in real life. but most seem sound ones. Its always a matter of an individual having the awareness and timing. Capoeira and most African Martial arts that I've seen, don't rely on such fine motor skills. But allot of our counters are geared to counter blade weapons. I just got back from Kauai, was visiting some of my brothers there. I was introduced to some new attacks and counters, very interesting. One of my mentors has a website you will probably be interrested in. Ed. L. Powe, is the leading resercher of Black Martial Arts. http://www.blacfoundation.org/blacjournals.html Hope you like what's being shared! Corvo
Thank you, Corvo. The pics and info are very enjoyable and enlightening. It's refreshing to see Afrakan combatives thriving. Here is another site I've found recently. Tell me what you think. http://www.de-bordesfoundation.com/africanfighting.htm