Ancient Traditions * Modern Combatives
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 Absorption, Projection, and Deflection.....as one
The methods we employ include:
  • Solo stationary training
We begin with each student learning to reorganize the body to move from center (Dantian) through a series of stationary exercises or drills. This includes an understanding of the tendon/ fascia chaining that exists in the human body-and the mental state to control and manipulate them. This akin to the muscle meridian theory in the Chinese arts, and the material and energetic body in the original yogic practices (not to be confused with the mess that is modern Yoga). This allows the student the opportunity to explore the internal landscape within and organize and focus his mind/breath/ body as a unified precursor to all movement by utilizing the perfect harmony of Yin and Yang in all movement. Once this is understood whole or unified body movement can be realized. This unification is known as Aiki-in-yo-ho in Daito Ryu  
  • Slow movement drills
Once the student embraces this unification of opposites (Yin /Yang) his body begins to function as a single unit and a dynamic, stability is created. There are several solo drills the student is brought through to enable them to acquire and practice intent driven movement. They learn to maintain their stability with internally held connections against gravity, and weight shifts in both fixed, and free movement.
  • Paired stress training
We bring each student into one-on-one low level stress testing to gain the ability to sustain loads and remain neutral with loads going into and pulling out of their established centers. While this is very beneficial in every day living and moving in any environment, it is particularly useful and practical in sport grappling or martial engagements. 
  • Management of force under stress
The secondary aspects of unification and resolving of forces is to develop a sophisticated management system within your body to sustain equilibrium through space and motion. Here we introduce a method of using the body connections in a way that establishes  Absorption, Projection, and Deflection.....as one by utilizing a *no-force* approach to free movement.  The type of movement we employ creates a type of soft power to better neutralize and deflect power, and manage your own body as a system without the need for techniques to handle every engagement. This is the goal of all higher level martial movement. All forces are neutralized, leaving the adept the ability to freely move and apply their will.  
  • Free martial movement
We gradually introduce martial movement drills, based on a variety of standard attacks and defenses. The student is brought through a process of seeing techniques they knew and learning to recognize their prior management of those attacks and defense movements and then they learn to operate with a new understanding of how to remain free while absorbing, deflecting or projecting and penetrating. 
Secondary aspects of training are power development and speed for kicking, punching and takedowns.
  • Health and well being
For advanced students interested in the esoteric portions of our training we can offer breath and meditation training to move energy within the body. We prefer to offer these as separate training opportunities to the standard seminars we offer. It has been noted for generations that this type of work has significant healing properties. While we offer no claims; reports of asthma relief,  migraines,  improvements to the immune system, healing of damage on the body's myofascial and nervous systems have been noted by those who engage in such practices. Our students continue to offer feedback to us that our work has relieved all manner of back and neck issues associated with sedentary lifestyles and decades of damage from the normal muscular approach to combatives. 





BodyWork home: Shugyo Dojo  Spencer, Ma. 01562 *email: dojoseminars@gmail.com