I am so lucky to have such great teachers/trainers. They often talk about counter attacks, movement, and also how best to get your strikes in. One of the things we hear often and it is very true. If you want to hit the face hit the belly, and vice versa. Changing levels allows you to control the fight. Often times when you hit low people will instinctively cover that area, then the face is open. If you hit the face or even go for the face they will keep their hands up and leave their torso open.
Tuesday 12/10/2019 – 2 hours… Muay Thaiand Kali
Today begins my martial arts training for the week. It was a great day of class.
Lots of elbows in class, and conditioning training for Muay Thai.
lead #1/horizontal elbow, rear #3/downward diagonal elbow, rear #7/inside out elbow
Lead #1/horizontal elbow, rear #2/upward diagonal elbow, rear #7/inside out elbow
Lead #1/horizontal elbow, rear #2/upward diagonal elbow, to lead #9/spinning back elbow
In Kali we worked on several different combos. They were all flowing very well, then of course changing just one thing made my brain melt again like Kali does. We did all 48 combos, and then asymmetrically trained with one person doing two sticks, and one drilling partner doing dos manos hold (two hand hold like a Japanese sword).
I felt so tethered keeping both hands on the blade. It feels like I don’t have as much reach, and you have to move your body in a completely different way to meet your partners blows, and avoid getting hit. You have to execute a lot of abaniko moves when holding a sword to keep from getting hit.
Abaniko – means fan
It was a fun class, but it really did melt my brain. Just when I think I am getting everything. I am learning the moves and flowing well. We change one thing, and my brain melts. That is one of the things I love about Kali.
Thursday 12/12/2019 – 2 hours… Muay Thaiand Kali
Thai Elbows, clenches and knees oh my!
We worked on elbows to clench, and knee transitions today.
Lead #1/horizontal elbow, rear #6/side in elbow, rear #7/side out elbow, rear roll to clench, full plumb, and run 3 knees, spin out opponent, and kick
Lead #1/horizontal elbow, lead #7/side out elbow, rear #8/tach malak or lady putting flower in her hair elbow, clench to full plumb, spin out opponent, and double kick
Kali 48 strike drill Dos Manos Brain melting asymmetrical sparring.
Friday 12/13/2019 – 1 hours… Muay Thaiand Kali
Today Tony kicked my booty. But that was a great thing. I want to get stronger and stronger.
Jumping Rope for 3 minutes
conditioning: 3 x 3 minutes of foot shuffle, and hopping hurdles
mountain climber with a punch on bag and skip knee number 2 x 1 minute 3 minutes alternating between
lead teep, shuffle into lead body hook, rear upper cut, lead head hook, immediately double kick wi
thout taking a step.
rear torso kick, to rear hop double kick
Then I did 200 kicks to the bag, and 200 teeps to the bag.
I am exhausted. But the good kind of exhausted… you know? I am about to go pass out in my bed. I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for reading.
Yup back in the saddle again. We had a holiday here. It is called Thanksgiving over here in the U.S. of A.
What this meant is decreased classes due to gym being closed, and trainers wanting to spend time with family. Sheesh… *I am kidding, I kid*.
Also my daughter brought home some lovely germs. We all seemed to have caught during the holiday week a small version of the flu.
So due to all of that above, I attended a total of 1 count it one day of martial arts training this last week. I did do a weight lifting workout on Sunday, but its not the same.
Well we are back after the holiday shenanigans and starting a new week of martial arts training. To be perfectly honest, I really needed the break. Not only did I feel like death for a few days, due to the cold/flu. My body needed a break.
Tuesday 12/03/2019 – 2 hours… Muay Thaiand Kali
Tony kicked our butts again today. He had us doing 5 minutes of ladder drills, and 5 minutes of jumping rope. Then 3 minutes of shadow boxing jab and cross.
Today we worked on jab, foot movement, and keeping our hands up for blocking,
We worked on jab, cross, again focusing on extension and foot movement.
Then we worked on a lead side teep to, lead kick, followed by rear kick.
It was a great day of class. I also got to help two new people in class. I hope they come back.
Kali- Lock Flow Drill 1-12
Ok so I have been taking Kali for 2 years. I have known about this drill for just about that long. It has taken me all this time for it to finally sink in. I understand the drill. I know it is not how you were disarm, and or use all of this in a fight, however, I understand the drill.
When I first started out, trying to remember all 12 moves was daunting. I could only get 1 or 2 down. Over the years it seems to have been building up. I got it today. I got it and I remember all 12. Now do I do it perfectly. NOPE! But can I repeat the drill at home… YESSSS! I am so excited. When I finally realize I can do something, I have been working on. It seems to sneak up on me. I don’t go into class going… yup been here done that… I know it. No I go into class, and when we start moving, and drilling I seem to understand the flow.
Here is a video of me doing just that. I start and stop, and I chopped up this video so that you did not have to see such a repetitive process.
I got a really nice compliment from my teacher today. He said my control was great. I was controlling the assailants knife, and his actions and using his force/momentum to turn it back around onto him.
Today was a great day. I was able to get a run in, I did the weight lifting workout that my trainer sent me and that I did before on Sunday.
BJJ: I got a chance to go to my BJJ class. That is the class that suffers the most to my time crunch, and juggling our life. But today was great we worked on:
Taking the back
What to do if you lose control or your choke, you move to mount
Choking/choke hold from the back, under hooks, and seat belt grip
Arm bar from behind
Taking the back, control with choke, flipping opponent, and forcing their face into the mat/ground, while choking them.
It was a lot of fun. But so hard to do well. BJJ is an art that takes time and patience to do.
Muay Thai:
Today was great… I got to do a bunch of cool things. One of which was the alligator crawls. Whew that was a whole body burner. I am going to do more of those.
This is what an alligator crawl is:
Tony my trainer had us doing:
we did a full body conditioning warm up
jab, cross, leg kicks
jab, cross, body hook, face hook, leg kick, face hook, cross
shield kick then kick round house
shield kick then double round house
we worked on hooks on the bag
we worked on lead shield then double lead kick, then rear kick
Then we did abs
I made a video of me doing some of the bag work.
Tuesday 12/05/2019 – 1 hours… Muay Thai
Today was a great day in Muay Thai training. I learned and grew some.
It started out frustrating so I took a negative and made it a positive.
I really dislike when some of the new guys, I say guys cause I have never run into a girl doing this. I am sure it can happen but from my experience it’s young new guys. They have something to prove. So they hit way to hard in drills, and sometimes don’t take feedback/pointers from me. This one did not know how to hold Thai pads to boot. I was frustrated and annoyed. But I took a second to steel myself and turned it around, I got to know him a bit and tried to make it a teaching platform. I kept reminding him on how to hold the pads and let him know if he did not hold well he could get hurt and I could get hurt. He says he is having a good time and likes Muay Thai class.
It will take a while for him to get our gyms culture. He has been with us for a few months already. He says he came from a Krav back round.
I am going to continue to try to come at working with this individual this way. Here’s hoping he gets it.
Friday 12/06/2019 – 1 hour… Muay Thai
We did conditioning training again today. We worked the ladder, and hurdles. Tony my trainer wants us to focus on fast feet. I know I need to work on my footwork and getting it faster. The faster my footwork the faster I will get in and out of the pocket. The faster I will be able to dodge incoming strikes. Etc.
It was super fun. I had a great time, and I am pooped.
This week was a great week of training, and I am so glad to be back after a holiday break. I do really miss training when I don’t get a chance to do it. Or when I am restricted from doing it cause work gets in the way.
I got 7 hours in, and other extra curricular training. =)
Have a great night. Thank you for reading, and let me know if you have any questions.
This particular picture popped up in my FB feed today. I felt it was appropriate. This is a core belief of mine. Even on the days I don’t feel like getting in there. I do it because it is good for me.
This week we have a shorter training time. Our gym is running a seminar weekend and so we don’t have class on Friday and Saturday.
The extra rest may be a blessing. We will see. I may just train on my own just to keep working on things.
Tuesday 11/19/2019 – 2.5 hours… Muay Thaiand Kali
It was so much fun tonight. I got to work with a brand new student who is 6 feet tall and named Steve. In Muay Thai we worked on distance management. And in Kali we worked on sword and shield, high box, full box, and Saint Chameel. Thank you Khun Kru Krysta for the great class.
After class snack/meal. Yup I am weird but it tastes so good. I egg and 3 egg whites, radishes, and a baby cucumber!
Tuesday 11/19/2019 – 1 hour and 45 minutes… Kettle Bell and Muay Thai
I did it again. I made a kettle bell workout for myself, friend, and husband again. You can read about it here.
Conditioning: 45 seconds to do the exercise 15 seconds rest between them
Coach Tony gave us a fantastic conditioning class. Thank you! Lots of explosive movements and functional movements. Whew I am exhausted. Did I say that yet? I will probably say it a few more times.
bear crawls x 45 seconds
half burpees
side to side bear crawl
step ups
crab walk
ninja jumps
sit through
side to side burpees
After my workout, and then three rounds of this.
We worked on double kick to knees and then elbows.
Tony then had us working on our core muscles. Whew… At this point in the night while I am writing this. I am exhausted. I may not remember all the exercises he had us do but you get the picture. My husband does not remember and is about to pass out. So that is of no help to me. =) I guess I am on my own, and with my own recollection.
crunch up to touch ankles
pike crunches
bicycles
???
knee to elbow in plank position
plank elbow to hand raises
???
30 second planks with a weight on our back. I ended up doing 4 30 second planks, while everyone else did 2. Cause coach told me to, so I did.
But you get the gist of what happened to us. I am exhausted. I am in need of a shower, and I have to get up really early… I commonly say “at the ass crack of dawn”, but I digress. 4 am is coming soon, so that is it for this day.
We intended on going to the gym and training on Thursday, but life got in the way. Husband had a work emergency and had to take the car to deal with it. So this week I only did 4 hours 15 minutes of training. That is a huge deviation from our usual 8 to 10 hour training weeks. But When I first started my fitness journey I would have been so happy with that amount. It is amazing to think about how things have changed.
I can say my body has needed the break. And while I would have liked to train more. It is nice to have a break. As I said any time in the gym is good time. Try to stay positive and do what you can. Life will rear it ugly head sometimes, so just roll with it.
Thanks for reading. Have a great day. Keep working to be the best you that you can be. Like, comment, and share if you feel inspired to.
This week starts with a really cool experience. I got to work with a girl whose first time in Muay Thai class was this day. I hope she comes back. She is shorter than I am which is amazing, because I am 5 foot nothing, and easily the shortest in the class. She had the same look on her face as I am sure I had on mine when I first started. The look of amazement, fear, and determination. I really hope she comes back.
I have mentioned it before, but working with brand new people, or just people that are not as far along as you can really highlight just how much you know compared to the average bear… Sorry that is an American colloquialism. The phrase is, “smarter than the average bear” A cartoon character called Yogi Bear claimed he was, smarter than your average bear. He would say this when he did something smart. I digress because I know I have some international readers, and some of my turns of phrase may not be universally understood. =)
Back to the topic at hand… yes working with new people is not only good for the community/Muay Thai family, but it is great to help you see maybe just how far you have come. Little did I know that Thursday was going to hold a surprise for me.
Tuesday 11/05/2019 – 2.5 hours… Muay Thai, and Kali
H and I worked on sword and shield all by ourselves for 30 minutes. We wanted to work it more cause we just learned it. And practice makes us a little better than we were before. =)
I am tired so I just wrote down what we did. Here it is.
Muay Thai-
Elbows 1 -3
lead horizontal, rear downward diagonal, rear knee, lead teep
lead upward diagonal, rear downward diagonal, rear knee, rear kick
lead horizontal, rear horizontal, spinning left elbow, knee, kick, teep
plus sign foot work, horizontal elbow, horizontal elbow, your opponent keeps up pillar block
Kali –
Sword and shield, high box Strikes 15, 1, 2
Sword and shield, full box Strikes 15, 1, 4, 3, 2
Thursday 11/07/2019 – 2 hours… Muay Thai, and Kali – Surprise Test
Today started out like most other Thursdays. I am extremely exhausted cause I had to get up at the crack of dawn, hell before the crack of dawn to get H to the metro and my butt into the bakery to work. I was up at 4:20 am and have been up ever since.
Needless to say by the time Muay Thai and Kali class rolled around at 7 pm. I am tired. I could take a nap that would turn in to a sleep all night. That is about 14 hours non stop.
I come to find out that we are doing a surprise testing in Muay Thai. What? I would normally know its coming and make sure I know my stuff. I would also be slightly worried I would not be ready, so I would go over terms, and moves, and anything I could. Because that is how a Tanya like me do.
Nope I did not have that time to prepare/worry. It was a testing day today and I had to not think but do.
So we tested:
technique demo – where we all line up in lines and show our instructors what a #1 elbow is (by the way that is a horizontal elbow), what a number two skip knee is (that is a one foot on the ground only skip knee), etc.
Boxing 20
4 counts, and advanced 4 counts
Muay Thai 15 count
I did it all. I passed my test. I was promoted three ranks, because we had our last test months ago.
I went from blue to purple white! That is being promoted past two whole ranks!!! It’s been a while since we had a test. Squee!!! I can’t believe it yet. When I started Muay Thai the level 1 test was so far away. I just wanted to try to remember how to kick right. Now the level 1 test is right around the corner.
Thank you Khun Kru Krysta for the test and class. Respects 🙏
I added our rank progression so you can see where blue is and where purple white is. Red we call Rank 1 but on the chart it is Rank 2. I believe after Rank one you can fight in the ring.
Kali – we did sword and shield again.
With sword and shield it is learning how to use the shield to deflect the blows, using the stick/sword to return blows, and the shield is completely different than a stick or other weapon. I have to move my body in a way that will make it possible for me to move the shield up in time. This movement is different than the other weapons we use.
In all it is super awesome to practice sword and shield. I have only done it 3 times so far and it is one of my favorite Kali forms. Also Kabri Kabrong the precursor to Muay Thai used sword and shield.
Friday 11/08/2019 – 1.5 hours… Muay Thai
Tony is a fantastic teacher, and he knows that some of us are going to go to a Ajarn Chai seminar tomorrow. That is a 5 hours of training. So he wanted to do a lighter training day. Well let me tell you it was not as light as he might think. But it was fantastic. He had us work on hit then respond right away.
3 x 2 minute rounds of Jump rope
1 x 3 minute round knees on bag
1 x 3 minute round of lead kick on bag
1 x 3 minute round of rear kick on bag
3 x 3 minute round shadowboxing with jumping jacks in the middle
4 x 3 minute rounds Hit for hit drill … (you hit one, opponent hits one/you hit 2 opponent hits 2/ you hit 3 opponent hits 3/ up to 5) The object was to respond right away, hit back after being hit. Because in Muay Thai the person that get the last hit in get the point.
2 x 3 minute round Thai slide in side teep, with a hop knee
5 minute round where ever 30 seconds we switched form rapid jab cross, to skip knees
It was fantastic. I am tired though now.
Saturday 11/09/2019 – 5 hours… Muay Thai Seminar
OSMA Muay Thai group with Ajarn Chai
Kevin and I photo credit Kevin
First time in a ring.
photo credit Khun Kru Krysta
Today was an exciting day. I got the wonderful opportunity to go to a Muay Thai seminar with the legend Ajarn Chai himself. I am home now. Husband has fed me and I am exhausted. I am over the moon I got to see him again. He remembered me from Thai Camp and gave me hugs. I am shocked and honored that he remembered me. Not because he could not remember me, but because I don’t think I am all that memorable, or there is anything to remember about me. =)
We worked on the basics. Khun Kru Caro said, “if you don’t have a solid base/stance you don’t have anything, and you will lose your balance.”
We went through the elbows 1 -8. We worked on left and right kicks. It was fantastic.
Combo #1:
right cross
left hook
right overhand
Combo #2:
Opponent does a Thai lean, you scoop the lean out
#3 elbow/Downward Diagonal
Opponent throws a overhand punch
You block the bicep and tie up with other hand
You cock the shoulder and deliver a #6 elbow/ side in
Tie up, #3 knee/side in knee
Then skip knee #2
We worked on a counter to an elbow. A way to stop an elbow coming in hard, and basically shut that elbow down.
Combo #3:
Opponent throws a cross you scoop it inside out
You throw elbow #4
Tie up
Run skip knee #2
Thai lean to teep
Today was an awesome day! I am so lucky to have been able to make it to this seminar. I got to see familiar faces, people I love and love to train with. People from the Thai Camp I got to see again.
I got to see Ajarn Chai’s famous paper trick. His whole point for this paper trick, is relax and you will hit better, and don’t think about getting hit or stabbed because that will make you tighten up. If you are relaxed you are faster. Your muscles are not taut and your reflexes are far faster than you think they are. If you employ this thinking in your fighting you will loosen up, and you will hit faster.
I was able to get it on video. Part 1 and Part 2. Ajarn Chai wanted my phone to be in the middle so that you could see what he was doing for part 2. This was a great video, and an honor to see this demonstration. I have heard about it from my instructors, but never gotten a chance to see it.
Part 1:
This is the first part of the Paper demonstration with Ajarn Chai.
Part 2:
This is Ajarn Chai doing the paper demonstration, with 6 guys with training knives. His object is to take the paper before they can touch his hand with a knife. These are training knives. Do not try this at home with real knives.
I may have missed a combo in there. If I did and I get it from my friends. I will edit and post it to this blog post.
It was a fantastic day. I am happily coming down off the excitement. I am tired, and going to go pass out soon. I learned so much. I worked on my form, an when form is great, your power an speed will come as Ajarn Chai says. I was complimented on my form and I was honored.
Thank you for reading my blog. I had an amazing week for martial arts training. I completed 10 hours of training. Getting to see the great legend Ajarn Chai, and having the honor to train with him. I had a surprise test and was awarded the purple white Pra Jiad/armband.
I am amazed you all read my blog. Let me know if you have any questions. As always keep working to be the best you that you can be. My respects to you and yours.
What a quote to start the week on. “Don’t focus on kicking hard, you will just waste your energy.” Tony… This is such a Muay Thai mentality. In Muay Thai you are told that power comes later. It comes when you are throwing your strikes correctly. It comes when you are moving correctly. It especially comes when you are tired. Why does this happen? Its because your body is tired, so when you throw your kicks for instance, you will throw it in such a way that you don’t have the power to put it in hard. Hrm… Here let me see if I can explain it better.
What does not focusing on kicking hard do? Why does this matter? This seems so counter intuitive. I want to kick hard, shouldn’t I just kick hard? The reason is, this form of martial art is all about the mechanics of the body and how it moves. Instead of just using the strength in your muscles you use physics, and body mechanics. Anyone can put power in to a kick by trying to kick hard with your quads, glutes, and hamstrings. But how much harder can you kick when you use your leg like a bat on the end of a chain? You whip the leg with your torso like you would whip a flail with your arm. This lets not only the momentum that you can create with your muscles, but the huge amounts of force created since a small acceleration that happens at the center helps create a large velocity at the end of your leg.
The more tired you get, the harder you kick. Why? Because you are not forcing the kick. Your body is moving like you taught it, and your leg is going along for the ride.
Tuesday 10/29/2019 – 2 hours… Muay Thai, and Kali
There are some days after class that I sit here in front of the computer and have a hard time of thinking of much to say. Most of the time it is cause I am so exhausted I just don’t have the faculties to put to words what I am feeling. Sometimes I am so tired, I just don’t have much to say other than I just want to shower, and sleep. Tonight is the latter kind of night. So here is an overview of what we did.
In Muay Thai we were working on isolating jabs and kicks. We worked on traveling, distance management, and Thank you Tony for a great class.
In Kali we worked on panastas (cut and cover), funnel tapping and sticky hands, and Paula soot. Then we did a circle drill. It is hard to fend off a gang of five people. Thank you Paul for a great class!
Well I have been trying to listen to my body. I have been fighting congestion a small cold that my husband brought home so I stayed home last night and rested. Today I went in and only did Muay Thai for training. Returning home early so I can rest.
2 years ago I would never have thought to go and train, or work out at the gym on Halloween. I am so happy I did. I love Muay Thai. I love the people. I love my Thai family. I am so happy I went.
My husband and I went int costume and Khun Kru Krysta went in costume as well. I trained the entire time in costume and it was awesome. I should wear wings when training all the time. =)
Here are some pictures I was able to get. I was a Muay Thaicorn!
Enough of that frivolity. =) On to the training. Today we worked on the Inosanto 18 count.
Khun Kru Krysta broke it down into three digestible parts. Where we worked them working on our form.
Striking drill part 1
burn out, lead knee, lead kick done all the way down the mat and back as fast as you can.
Drill part 2
Burn out, rear knee, rear kick done all the way down the mat and back again as fast as you can.
Drill part 3
Burn out, jab, cross, lead elbow, rear elbow done all the way down to the end of the mat and back as fast as you can.
Put part 1, part 2, and part 3 together and do the whole 18 count.
I don’t have permission to publish the entire 18 count here. I would never want to disrespect my teachers and the great Innosanto, whom I have had the pleasure to meet. So until I do. I will only mention part of one of the drills we did.
There was a small part where it seems my Khun Kru was watching and she said I had perfect form. She mentioned that it was really just great, and that it was not because of the wings. I was over the moon about it. The part I am talking about is a cross, a rear elbow, a knee, and a kick.
You know what was even better. I took the compliment as it was intended. I did not second guess her, or doubt my abilities. Yay… that is progress for me.
I had a great time today. I am glad we went home after though. I needed to just rest.
Friday 11/1/2019 – 1 hour… Muay Thai – Everyone starts out with the same tools
Today we worked on something called Hanuman climbing up the temple a.k.a. flying knees. We also worked on hop double kicks.
I have some… a form of a mental block. I often think I can’t jump or do some of these more acrobatic moves. I am working on it. I see it and think wow how in the heckity heck am I going to do that. Mental blocks are the worst some times. However, I still keep trying. Today was a day filled with those things that my brain says ohh heck no we are not able to do that. So it is a great learning time for me. Pushing me beyond what I think my limits are.
Tony mentioned that all people start with the same tools. What he meant by this is that, everyone has a teep, is taught kicks, knees, elbows, and punches. But not everyone processes it the same way. They may morph it to what works for them. The basic is still there, but they may get to it in a different way. He does not want me to get down on myself about not being able to do a move just yet. He says, “you will get there.”
Training:
Warm up
Skip knees on bag 30 seconds as fast as you can
Jab, cross on bag 30 seconds as fast as you can
Skip knees on bag 30 seconds as fast as you can
Jab, cross on bag 30 seconds as fast as you can
Skip knees on bag 30 seconds as fast as you can
Jab, cross on bag 30 seconds as fast as you can
Skip knees on bag 30 seconds as fast as you can
Jab, cross on bag 30 seconds as fast as you can
Jump rope for what felt like 10 minutes but was probably more like 5 minutes.
Rear knee, to lead teep, to walking lead knee
10 kicks right side burn out
Parry the cross, to jumping knee
10 kicks left side burn out
Lead teep, to rear flying knee (Hanuman climbing the temple), to hop double kick
10 kicks left side, 10 kicks right side.
sparring
In training when he demonstrated the hop kick he said something that just clicked for me. Now this is not the first time we have been taught the hop kick, however, this is the first time that a light bulb went off and I understood the mechanics of it. He mention that at the beginning of the hop kick, to just pull the leg up like you are shielding, then put it down, and do the kicks. This may seem silly, like well of course… but for some reason my brain and my body did not understand each other. Today when he explained it like that, it felt like a puzzle piece just slipping into place.
At the end of the class not only was I doing the hop kicks, but I was also doing the Hanuman climbing the temple. I was doing it! Yay!
In sparring I had one of my class mates compliment me on my kicks. I am placing them well, and I am actually getting them in. We talked afterward and he mentioned that he did not know if I was just more relaxed in sparring or what but it was showing.
So yay today was a good day. I seem to have something to say today. One more day of training tomorrow and then I get a much needed. break.
Saturday 11/2/2019 – 2.5 hours… Muay Thai, Kali, and Silat -Asymmetrical Sparring, and Lead With the Heel
Woot today was a great day to train. H and I started on working the flying knees I am trying to get down. So we did that, and moved on to parry the cross to a jumping knee. We did this so I could get the leaping, pushing, movement down. Similar to the flying knee. The pictures above are of that training. I wanted to take pictures to see if my feet were leaving the ground and how far.
We worked on Kali, and Silat the rest of the time. Its getting cold upper 30 F, or lower 40 F. So we worked on Kali inside instead of staff class.
Kali –
Today we in Kali we work an asymmetrical heaven and full box with sword and shield. That was awesome. The main thing we had to work on was figuring out how to hold the shield to keep from getting hit. You might think ah whats the difference. However, there is a big difference in the way you angle your shield so that you can stop the incoming blow.
Today that is what we were working on and puzzling out.
Here is a video of us puzzling it out. We are not good at it yet, but we will keep working on it. It was fun trying to puzzle out the correct angles so that we don’t get hurt or hit.
Silat – Lead with your heels
We focused on the Puta Kepala, Biset Dolem, Sieko Kinjet (elbow compress), and then we learned a new very vicious or brutal way to end a fight. Put your heel on their chin, and walk through to break their arm.
Puta Kepala – you are redirecting your opponents head, you are facing them and using their moment put them on the ground.
Biset Dolem – you are facing away from your opponent, you control the body of your opponent taking moving their balance, weight and structure out from under them to put them on the ground.
Sieko Kinjet (elbow compress) – you are facing away from your opponent, and connecting hip to hip, you off balance them, and drive/compress your elbow in to their hip. This pushes them down onto the ground.
Once they are on the ground there are many things you can do to a person. You can knee on belly and arm bar them, or knee on belly and punch them. You can knee on belly and then drop knees into belly or face. When you drop the knee on belly, we started calling it knee on soul. You can return their knife to them or in them if they are attacking you with a knife. But the last one most vicious move we did was a… walk through to break the arm. You have their attacking hand or hand with weapon, you stomp their chin with your heel, keeping their shoulder up, then you hook your rear foot on their arm and walk through. This is not a compliance this is a break. This is a person is attacking you, and does not stop, you successfully got them on the ground and you still fear for your life, so you break their arm in hopes that they will stop trying to stab you. Here is a picture of me learning to do this in a very slow careful way.
It was a great day of training. I learned a lot. I worked on things I know. I was able to puzzle out things. Some days it is great to do that. Some days it is great to just move through the motions/strikes you know, and change it up. See how it feels to do it a different way.
Thank you for reading my blog. I am so amazed that you all read it. I started this blog to catalog my thoughts, and things I learned. This is a place I can look back and see how far I have come. I can see how much I have to work on still. I hope you all have a great weekend, and had a great week. I know I did. My respects to you and your family.
Today starts a new week of martial arts training. Its cold here and its only going to get colder. Its always a good idea to make sure to avoid the pointy bits, or keep your opponents weapons away from you. Whether it is knives or it is fists/feet/elbows.
Tuesday 10/22/2019 – 2 hours… Running, Muay Thai, and Kali
Today we started with a 1.5 mile run. The weather was a little cold and wet, but over all was a nice run. Now if you have been reading my blog you already know I have scoliosis, and because of it I have problems with my back, neck and hips. Today is one of those days where my hip was hurting and in turn it made my knee hurt. So to start off the run, I did not push it hard, I just concentrated on running straight and focusing on making sure my stride stayed straight. Toward the end of the run, the last half mile, my hip was feeling better, and I felt my stride was longer. So I am going to keep focusing on starting slowly in the future even if everything is feeling ok.
Muay Thai – Focus on the move, break it down
In Muay Thai today, Tony had us working on focusing on what we were doing. We so often focus on flow. Work this four count. Flow from shield into kick, or into a punch. Move from left to right. Rear kick, hook, cross, lead kick. I could tell you these in my sleep. That is good we need to learn the flow. But he had us break it down this time.
Shield a kick, then place the foot down and get back into your stance.
Throw a snapping cross. Step into it and and bring your hand back fast.
Switch kick and get back into your stance.
Don’t worry about flow worry about feeling where you body is. Work with your body.
Shield twice, throw a light kick, then feel where your foot comes down, then pushing off with your toes throw a heavy kick.
He wanted us to focus on the moves. Not trying to move everywhere in the ring, or make sure it looks pretty. I am sure he did this cause he knows we do that kind of training and drilling all the time. This was great training… for me at least. Placing the light kick was like dipping your toe in the water to see how cold it was, also to see how far you were from the water. Landing the heavier kick was like stopping in to the water. You know were the pad was and how it felt. Ok, ok so that analogy may need some work but you get the picture. This type of training helped me, because it is easy to keep throwing kicks in there. But to modulate, to slow a kick down focus on it, and then kick hard for the second one… really made me hone in and focus on what I was doing. Also it is hard to throw a slow kick, then a fast one. You should try it. Do something you are learning, make yourself slow down the first one, then quickly do it again.
Tony also really wanted us to focus on learning our own body. Because, Muay Thai really emphisizes doing what works for you. There are a lot of different moves and strikes. Not every one is going to work for you or me. When some one shields your kick, he said, “if you know your leg is heavier, or you are stronger, instead of putting your foot down, hook their leg and pull them toward you. Learn what works for you, and play with it.” This is great cause I so often take my body for granted, and when I don’t I don’t think about how it moves or what I ask of it. I am going to try to focus on my body and how it moves, and what works for me from now on.
Kali Training – My left side is stupid
Oh boy… when you take a basic move like the gunting and you make me do it on my left side. Woo do I feel stupid. My left side is stiffer, does not move as easy as my right side. This is not a muscular skeletal thing. This is not due to my scoliosis. This is due to the fact that I am a right handed person, and I don’t practice a lot on my left side.
Now when taking Kali we do sometimes practice on the left side, or my weaker side. The side that I apologize to people and say… “I am sorry my left side is stupid, and while I am telling it what I want to do, it is not always cooperating.”
Today we worked on gunting, a basic move. I was called up to the front of the class room to help demonstrate the gunting. However, we were using our left hand today. Our teacher said and I agree with him, “we should practice the side that feels the worst to us. Because that is the side that needs the most work.” So I fumbled through it, forgetting my foot work, and turning red in the process due to embarrassment. The instructor then changed to right hand, my hand, my best hand… and it it felt like I was gliding through water. I ebbed and flowed and avoided getting stabbed with the knife. Don’t worry it is a practice non edged knife. But it still stings my ego when I do get cut. Because in my head I know that if that was a real knife, it would have been a real cut. I did not move out of the way.
Class was great, and I have to say just the 1 hour of training, and my left hand side was going much smother in the end. Not perfect… more like rocky road. Smooth ice cream, then every once in a while you hit a nut, or a marshmallow. That is the part where I mess up. =)
Today was a great day. I got a chance to train in Brazilian Jui Jitsu and Muay Thai.
Brazilian Jui Jitsu – little angles
We learned how to do the cross body. We then learned how to do a leg mount, and a knee mount. How to deal with cross body when the arm is in and out. We learned some tools to use when some one frames with their elbow.
Muay Thai – Flying Knees
So we have been taught flying knees before. We have been taught flying elbows as well. However, there is always some fear holding me back from executing it. So I never get much air, or move very far. But today, today seems to be the day. I did it. I was able to do flying knees, followed by an elbow. But it was fantastic. I did it over and over again. I need to work on them, however, I was moving my partner with my energy. We practiced this in between BJJ and Muay Thai.
Here is a video of part of my training rounds.
We worked on face teeps. Yes I said it teeping the face.
We just started with teeping at the teepers chin level. With a burn out of face level teeps.
Then we did face level teeps, to a walking lead kick, then throw a side in and down elbow
We did face level teeps, to rear face level kicks. I did a face level kick. I was able to do it all. It was great.
Finally we all were doing asymetrical sparring.
Today was a great day. I had a lot of fun. I was doing moves that I was not able to previously do before. Or I just did not let myself do it. Flying knees and head kicks… all in one day. I was able to do them. I need to work on them. But I was able to. What will I be able to do the next day? Woot!
Thursday 10/24/2019 – 2.5 hours… Muay Thai, and Kali
Today was a day of covering basics. Not all training sessions will be shiny and new. Not all training sessions will I learn or be able to execute a newly acquired skill. Like I did yesterday. Some days like today are going to be review of skills and techniques. Some days in some classes I am really going to need it. A majority of classes are honing that skill set, working on old techniques. I needed some refresh on my Kali foot work for sure today. I needed some refresh on my Thai shield today.
Thai training – focusing on the basics
Jab, to front shield, to lead kick
Kick burn outs
Jab, cross, to front shield, to lead kick
Kick burn outs
Jab, cross, to front sheild, to lead kick, cross, hook, rear kick, teep
Jumping squats burn outs
4 count pop the leather
Kali training – paula soot, hubud, cut and cover or panastas, gunting
We worked on gunting first, and realized I needed to work on my footing.
We worked on paula soot, and realized I had forgotten how to do it. So refresh was great.
We did flow of strikes 1 – 12, gunting, cut and cover, paula soot, hubud. I got pretend cut a lot. I was off my game but I worked on my footwork a lot.
Saturday 10/26/2019 – 2.5 hours… Kali, Silat
Felt absolutely exhausted yesterday, so I decided to listen to my body and just sleep when my husband went to the gym to train Muay Thai. So this morning I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed. We went to the gym, and studied Kali, Silat, and did some sparring at the end.
It turns out I have a little post nasal drip now, so my husband may have brought home a cold. Meh…
Kali Training:
But training was fun and fundamental today… ehh ehh ehh… ok I will stop. Instead of our usual staff class outside, it was raining so we did kali double stick today.
It was great working on basics again. I worked a lot on my foot positions. In Kali you want to make sure your feet are moving the right way. Because if you don’t your knee, leg, or other part of you body will be vulnerable. If your foot work is incorrect, then your opponent can hit your leg with a stick or knife and either shatter that leg or give you a huge laceration. These are all things you should be avoiding.
Here is a video of one of the drills we did. Abecedario is what it is called.
Silat Training:
Today in Silat training, my instructor said something that really resonated with me. “Most Silat moves, are made to calculate the weapons.” So when you are say doing a puta kapala. You are controlling arm that has the weapon, and when you throw the opponent, you then follow them down to the ground keeping control of that weapon. I had never thought about it that way.
Again we had some great training in this class. We were also able to approach class like a workshop. Since we have worked these moves before. We were able to work on some ways to escape the knee on belly. In the end I like the teeter totter move the best. Where you move their knee toward the ground, upa a little, and push them off of you.
We worked on:
Basset Dal – rear facing to opponent inside leg sweep
Basset Luar – rear facing to opponent outside leg sweep
Puta Kapala – is a throw sometimes called “turning the skull”
Here is a video of me working on how to escape a knee on belly after I have been puta kapala’d. I teeter tottered, forcing his knee toward the ground, upa’d and pushed him off.
Address the arm first. If they have you in an arm lock get that into a safe position then work on getting them off you.
I took yesterday/Friday off. It was good for me. I was exhausted, and falling asleep when I stopped for even a few minutes. I realized I needed the break. I am glad I did. I had a great set of classes today, and was able to give it my all.
I am off to a Halloween party now. Thanks for reading. Keep working to be the best you that you can be. My respects.
That was 12.5 hours this week of martial arts training. This month we are working on kicks. Woo hoo… One of the most awesome things about Muay Thai is the kicks. I am excited. Can you tell?
Enough babbling… on to the training…
Tuesday 10/01/2019 – 2.5 hours… BJJ, Muay Thai, and Kali – Kicking It -Sparring is a Distance Game, Stabbing It – Flow Disarms
BJJ: Practice
I started with BJJ drilling with a friend of mine for 30 minutes. I can’t tell you how many people/friends I have that have been so excited that I have started BJJ.
I worked on my Sit Up Sweep.
I was taught the Kimura for when some one bases forward.
I was taught the Americana when I get my Sit Up Sweep. Must remember to get my right leg hook in.
Muay Thai: Kicking it -Sparring is a Distance Game
In Muay Thai we started kicking this month. We started with teeps and distance drills. Because Kru Kristen noticed when we spar, all of us are either all the way in or way the heck out. So she wanted us to work on our leg game, our teeps and kicks. Being in range to do so, but trying not to get hit. That is all easier said than done. At this point while we are still learning tweaks to our form, we are doing the smaller tweaks, the more intricate work of trying to learn our distances better. She said your distances will change when you partner up with different people. I am not quite certain what that means but I will keep thinking on it.
Distance drill with teeps
Teep Lead Leg, Rear Leg Kick, Hook, Cross, Left Leg Kick
Teep Lead Leg, Lead Round House Kick, Cross, Hook, Right Kick
Minisota Shuffle
Sparring x 3 – 3 minute rounds (focus on keeping distance)
Clench Sparring x 3 – 3 minute rounds
Kali: Cut and Cover, Stabbing It
In Kali we started with knives. Single knife, but going through 1 – 5 strikes with both heaven and earth grips. Below are examples of heaven and earth grips.
Left picture is earth grip (pointing to earth), middle picture is earth grip, the right picture is heaven grip (pointing to heaven). (note: This is a real SOG knife with a live edge. We do not practice with this. We practice with dull practice knives.)
We worked on the cut and cover, and wrist locks and disarms. We flow through the 1 – 5 drill and find the openings to either disarm or wrist lock and disarm our partner.
Wrist lock to Neck and Disarm
Wrist lock to disarm
Wrist lock to stab in leg
When first wrist lock is not working c clamp to wrist lock
Disarm when they are attacking with heaven grip a la Psycho the classic Horror bathroom murder.
Here is a video of Panastas or Cut and Cover drill strikes 1-5. With a wrist lock.
This is just a straight disarm off of a cut and cover drill.
Today was a great day. I ended up doing a full 3 hours of training. We stared with BJJ fundamentals class. Can I tell you when Professor Pedro Sauer walks on the mat it still amazes me. I get to go to classes where he will teach and tell us what we should be doing. If you are new to BJJ and don’t know who Professor Pedro Sauer is you can google him, and many pages will pop up. He is one of the most sought after instructors for MA not to mention for BJJ.
Anyway he came in today and was watching our class. Squee!!! I am so lucky. I have gotten the chance to work with some of the greatest martial artists alive. Ajarn Chai (or Ajarn Surachai Sirisute ), Guro Dan Innosanto, Ajarn Trigg, Ajarn Nelson, and so many more. I can’t even name them all. Squeee!!! I am so lucky.
Ahem…sorry I digressed.
BJJ: Choking It
We worked on a sweep from when a person is trying to do a cross body choke on us.
If you are on your side facing their cross body, you grab their hand/gi with your hand, and hip up pushing their elbow on the floor. Frame your elbow into their hips. Move your body out to almost parallel with theirs, do an upa of sorts and roll them over.
Next we worked on a bat choke when some one is turtling.
Muay Thai: Solo practice, we worked on teeps and distance management, and pop the leather.
Thursday 10/03/2019 – 2 hours… Muay Thai, Kali – Teeps and Kicks, Panastas (Cut and Cover)
Ok today was great! However, I am exhausted. I had to be at the bakery at the a** crack of dawn, and well I am tired. But I was happy to go to class.
We went back to basics in Muay Thai. It was nice. I like doing that, after a month of intensive focus on fixing the minutia, or making the tiny fixes to our form/response time/distance management etc. Its nice to just do the things we know we know how to do. I worked a team mate that has had to be in and out of the gym for the past 6 months. She mentioned my kicks and and punches were really great. She could feel the difference in my power. I am so happy to hear that. Most often I don’t see it, feel it. But she and I worked together before she had to leave, and she could see/feel the difference. Woot!
Training:
Distance management drill with teep
Lead Teep to left to right 4 count or (rear round house kick , hook, cross, left round house kick)
pyramid kicks burn out
Rear Teep to right to left 4 count or (Lead round house kick, cross, hook, right round house kick)
pyramid kicks burn out
Kali – Panastas (Cut and Cover)
Whew Kali we are working on single knife again. We worked on the panastas or cut and cover drill. Where you cut the assailant, then immediately block/cover the arm you cut with yours hand, then return a shot to opponent.
We used heaven and earth grip again. We also worked on disarms and wrist locks again. The key with wrist locks is not muscling the assailant around. It is the angle you have, and compromising their center. When you bend them, left , right, over, it will compromise their grip. So an effective wrist lock is a combinations of :
Position of your body, hands, in relation to their body (break down their posture)
I love Tony’s classes. He works us hard, but he also gives us one on one tips for improving our own skills.
Today was no different. We worked on reaction timing. Where he had us timing a swinging bag and kicking it with proper form. Or he had us teeping a swinging bag where we had to make sure we teeped only when it was close enough to us.
We worked on speed. Keeping our form and working on making things smooth and fast.
We worked on staying springy on our feet. We started with drills across the mat that had us walking with our heals off of the ground, we and he then added shields while walking with heels off of the ground.
Training: these were all 3 minute rounds
Walking across the mat in Thai stance, keeping hands up for guard, and heels off the ground
Walking across the mat in Thai stance, keeping hands up for guard, heels off ground, and adding a shield on both sides.
He swings the tear drop bag at us and we have to time our round house kick to hit it and push it back.
He swings the bag at us and has us kneeing it. Rotation rounds
Lead kick, to Lead Jump Kick
Hop knees
Then working with Tony feeding us, jab, cross, hook, cross
Jab, then hop rear kick
Tear drop bag was, teeps and timing of teeps.
Then working with Tony feeding us, uppercut, hook, cross
We finally worked on how to get our foot our when some one catches it. We worked on how to push them away.
Below is a video of me working on my uppercut, hook, cross. =)
One of my instructors friends and a fighter wanted him to give him birthday kicks. I recorded part of it. Here it is.
It was a great class, and my thanks go to my instructor Tony.
Saturday 10/05/2019 – 3 hours… Kali, and Muay Thai
Ok so today is Saturday, and Saturday is the end of my training week. I have been going for 6 days this week if you include my weight lifting day. I take Sunday off and sometimes Monday depending on how my body feels. That means that Saturday I am pooped. I have had a long week of training.
This also means that sometimes it is a force of will to get up and get my butt into the gym. Sometimes it is not and I am ready and raring to go. Today though, I am exhausted, and I wanted to just be lazy around the house.
I however, did not do that. I got up early in the morning cause I could not sleep. Made mini key lime cheese cakes, and then got my butt into the gym.
I had a blast once we got started. It is starting to get a little more chilly here finally.
Kali – Bo Staff was a Kali class today
We went out into the beautiful sunny chilly morning and worked on the these running saints.
Running Saints:
St. Sabbathial
St. Miguel
St. Gabriel
A running saint is a flow drill that requires you to move quickly and aggress on your opponent. This drills are meant to help you learn how to for lack of better terms run down your opponent. So it requires you to move fast and for the defender to move fast backwards.
I have the hardest time going backwards. =) That is the part I have to work on most. Going forward and being aggressive is not the problem.
Muay Thai – Striking class
We started with distance drills. Supper important to learn, and something I am still working on. I am short and I have to get into the pocket to get blows in, but most people are taller than I am and can hit me from a distance. So these distance drills really help me understand where I need to be.
Training:
Jump rope for 1 three minute round Working on speed from teep to kick
Rear teep, rear kick, hook, cross, lead kick
Lead teep, lead kick, cross, hook, rear kick
Rear teep, rear kick, hook, cross, lead kick, rear teep
Lead teep, lead kick, cross, hook, rear kick, lead teep
Sparring for the last 20 minutes
Well that is it for today, for the week. I got a compliment on my form and flow movement today from Kru Krysta. Yay… I am so lucky to have the training and teachers I have. I am so lucky to have the supportive husband and family I have. I love Muay Thai, I love Kali, and I am falling in love with BJJ.
I kicked it, stabbed it, and choked it this week. I had a blast doing it. But I am exhausted now. So have a great weekend everyone.
Thanks for reading and as always please feel free to ask questions or make a comment. Keep working to be the best you that you can be.
Feeling good. My cold seems to be in the rear view mirror. So today I started my weeks training. With BJJ in the morning, followed by my run weight lifting workout. Yay for reaching daily goals.
Often times I cling on with all my strength mentally and physically to my training. Some times it takes just coming in and working through the training for that day. Some days you just don’t feel like you are making all that much progress. Sometimes you have to cling like an angry sloth. Sometimes you don’t feel like going in, and that is when you drag your tuchus into the gym. Because even if you are not feeling it having the tenacity to keep going and keep training will pay off in the end. Hours on the mat will start to add up.
Monday 9/23/2019 – 1 hour Brazilian Jui Jitsu
This is the second day of BJJ, and I am loving it. When you start a new martial art, or any kind of skill. It is hard to remember everything you did. I think it is partially cause a person does not have all the vocabulary. At least that is the case for me. I am trying to make sure I write it down right after class or I will forget. I call it a when if I can remember some of it. After a while I feel that just like my Muay Thai and Kali, I will retain more and more. I just need to build up my foundation.
Warmup:
Rock to balance
Teeter Totter to balance
Cross sit
Cross sit to lunge and stand, then reverse
Training:
Standing Guilatine
Making sure to lean on the person, remove space around their neck by pulling your hand in, thumb up, grab with your other hand.
This is to remove oxygen to partners brain
Standing Cross Collar choke
Palm up/Palm up 50/50
Make sure to have thumbs behind ears, wrist on neck
Move head up with inserted arm to get under and grab collar
Turn wrists toward neck, as you squeeze
Push forward with hips, and push chest out through arms
Palm up/Palm down 80/20
One arm is framed on neck
Lean over and put other arm over hand holding collar
Bottom arm is pulling
From Guard Cross Collar choke
Same as above just you are on the ground
Break down partners posture
Grab collar, and perform cross collar choke
Keep hips up for closed guard
Sit Up Sweep
When opponent posture up grab collar and ride up
But elbow or hand back on mat
Trap opponents arm
Sit in opponents lap
Point your toes so you don’t break your ankle or knee
Roll onto knee and shin
Put your leg in opponents armpit to push them over, and get high mount
Kru Kristen, described part of the sit up sweep move, “hanging on like an angry sloth.” That made me laugh and it seems not only does it work for this particular sweep, but it also to training.
Tuesday 9/24/2019 – 2 hours Muay Thai and Kali – Seeing openings and being fast enough to take them.
Back at into training and so happy to see my team mates. I love seeing their smiling faces and they all said they were glad to have me back. Today was a big day for training. When we were sparring I saw an opening and got a cross in. Furthermore my instructor was watching us while I did it and she said, “yesssss… Tanya! That is how you do it.” I was shocked and amazed, and I looked at her amazed I got a hit in. She imediately said, “Don’t look at me while I am coaching you.” I was just so surprised.
Not only am I seeing the entries, but today I was quick enough to get them in. Well at least this time. I am sure I will make more mistakes along the way. However for today I did good.
It seems to be the case so far in training. You get to the point where you can see an opening but aren’t fast enough to take that opening and get a strike in. Then you see an opening for a strike and you become fast enough to see it and execute. Here is hoping I am crossing in to that territory.
Kru Kristen said everyone is looking good and have learned so much. We are applying what we are learning so this makes her happy.
Thai Training:
Warm up –
Jump rope 3 minutes
Shadow Boxing 3 minutes
Boxing –
Parry the incoming Jab
Windshield wiper and shoulder check opponent
Upper cut rear hand
Lead hook
Cross
cut the corner, or get out
upper cut burn out for 1 minute
Parry or catch the jab
Parry the cross
Shuffle or lateral in and shoulder check
Lead upper cut
Cross
Bob and weave out
Upper cut burn out for one minute
We then did 3 rounds of 3 minute sparring.
This is where I got my hits in.
3 rounds on the heavy bag. I opted out of clench sparring to baby my shoulder a little bit.
1 round of flutter kicks
10 burpees
Kali Training-
We worked on stick grappling again. We covered the inside and outside disarm, using snake and vine technique.
My partner was trying to figure out a way to get up when the person they are fighting has their arm, they got up in such a way as to have their head down and then were on their knees. So I saw the guillotine and I took it. Kru Krysta said, “that is great! A sneak guillotine!”
Eqquise, kumbiata switch, crash into the person with your shoulder, start walking stick down, pain compliance on pressure points on side of body, then to double leg and behind knee. Push with shoulder and dump person. Get out and hit knees and angles to shatter them then run away.
Eqquise, kumbiata switche, tricep smash, stick assisted rear naked choke, and hold the arm with weapon to hip.
Eqquise, inside deflect, paper cutter on the arm and breaking opponents posture.
Eqquise, inside deflect, pull oppnents hand with weapon to third point in the triangle, insert stick between the legs of opponent, step on foot and then push and pull to take opponent down.
Alternately you can use the punio pull out their knee while standing on their foot and pulling them over to 3 rd point in triangle.
Today was a great day in training. I was seeing openings and at least attempting to get them. I got punched in the face many times today, so I am by no means an expert. But I am really happy with my performance today.
Wednesday 9/25/2019 – 2 hours BJJ and Muay Thai – spring on your toes
It’s official I am now officially a jitsu-Er. I took the plunge I did three classes, this was my third and I loved it.
BJJ training- We worked on breaking posture of opponent. Compromising opponents elbow to break posture Using a hand lock and blade of wrists to remove opponent posting with one arm to break posture. Sit up sweep
Thai training- We worked on elbows, putting power into them- like honing a sword isolating movement. Kicks, to shields to elbow entries I need to work on being springy on my feet
Sparring. I felt like wow. Just like I did not know what I was doing. Today I seemed to forget all that I learned, when punches and hits were coming at me. I got into my head, and I keep thinking that if I am getting hit I am doing something wrong or I did not block correctly. Sometimes I do miss a block, but sometimes it is just my opponent saw an opportunity and took it. Not that I was bad, but that they were even better. I need to keep this in mind so I can get out of my head space.
It is so much fun. If you are in the Reston/Herndon area you should visit the One Spirit Martial Arts Gym. http://virginiabjj.com/Thank you to my trainers Mike H, Kevin, JD for BJJ, and Tony in Thai.
P.S. I fit in a smaller sized gi than I thought I would. Woot!
Thursday 9/26/2019 – 2 hours Muay Thai, Kali – Blade Seeks Flesh, and Stick Seeks Bone
In Kali “Blade seeks flesh, and Stick seeks bone”
Paul S. our resident ninja
What the heck does that mean? You may be wondering that. As my friend Paul S. put it. Use the stick to hit, or put pressure, make painful on your opponent/assailant. Stick on bone hurts a lot, and also can shatter bone. Blade seeks flesh is just that. A blade is meant to cut the flesh, to remove some or sever tendons to keep your assailant from running after you.
Wow class was amazing. I had a great time. I was complimented on my form. I was dropping my hand a little when I threw my cross. Gotta work on that.
Muay Thai Training –
Warmup – jumping rope and stretching
jab, cross, rear knee
jab, cross, lead elbow, rear elbow, rear knee
jab, cross, lead hook/lead elbow, rear knee, rear kick
jab, cross, lead hook/lead elbow, lead knee, lead kick (I did a stutter step on this one)
Kali training –
Inside deflect disarm/snake
Inside deflect plus sign disarm/vine
Outside deflect disarm/snake
Outside deflect equal sign disarm/vine
Eqquise, kumbiata switch, tricep smash, stick assisted rear naked choke, and hold the arm with weapon to hip.
Eqquise, inside deflect, pull opponents hand with weapon to third point in the triangle, insert stick between the legs of opponent, step on foot and then push and pull to take opponent down. Alternately you can use the punio pull out their knee while standing on their foot and pulling them over to 3 rd point in triangle.
Eqquise, inside deflect, pull opponents hand with weapon down toward their own body, insert stick between opponents body, and bicep, and using opponents back or hip, leaver them down while standing on their foot.
Below is a video of me doing the rear naked choke.
I really enjoyed the chokes, maybe a little to much. But they are fun. I am amazed that I could remember all of these drills. We worked on all of these. I had to work in the bakery early this morning. I got in at about 4:50 am, and did not get out till later almost 11 pm. To say I am tired is an understatement. But I did it, I clung in there, I came and I trained. Did I think about not going in, yup. But I am glad I came in.
Stick-to-itiveness… its a strange word, one I have heard since I was a child. It’s a informal word in U.S English. According to Merriam-Webster a (famous in the states) dictionary publisher it is:
US, informal: the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult or unpleasant
So yes this week has been about, stick-to-itiveness, perseverance, tenacity, or just hanging on like an angry sloth. I went into the gym to train even though I was tired, I went in even though I had a bad day, and I went in because I wanted to. However, when my body (read scoliosis) was telling me to take it easy I did just that. Friday night I listened to my body, and stayed home from my workout.
Today/Saturday I missed class due to my re-certification class for CPR, AED, and First Aid. I need this cert for work, and I am happy to be re-certified. Tenacity is a good quality to have, but don’t let it give you tunnel vision like I get. Like all things, take everything in moderation. To much of anything is not good for you. Listen to your body, do the things you need to do, and enjoy a day off if you need it.
Thanks for reading. I hope you are having a great weekend. My respect to you and your family. Keep working to be the best you can be.
This week marks the start of my third martial arts I am going to train in. Brazilian Jui Jitsu is whats on the plate. I have some trepidation. I have scoliosis and moving my neck wrong, or wrenching my back can have unpleasant repercussions for weeks at a time. Repercussions like pain from misalignment and having to modify my movements. So its a big step. I just have to go slowly and listen to my body. With that said I am excited and looking forward to this.
Cross Training– cross training is a training technique that uses different kinds of muscles, and different parts of the body.
Cross training for instance is a swimmer training in swimming and then training in weight lifting 2 days a week. The athlete uses some of the same muscles and some separate different muscles in both training. If you just train one type of sport/muscle you run the risk of injury or lop sided muscle development.
So I will be adding another type of cross training. I will be adding grappling to my repertoire. Here is hoping it goes well.
Monday 9/16/2019 – Brazilian Jui Jitsu
First day of class for BJJ. I got to the gym, got my gi, and sat on the mat.
Let me say it was awesome. I am worried about my neck and back but I had a blast working with my friend in who I train with in Muay Thai.
I called myself a non belt, as this is my first day. So as a non belt I just listen and try to remember and execute every move as Kristen taught us.
We warmed up with active body movement that had us lifting our hips, rotating and stretching. Things I did not realize at the time we were going to do for the moves we were learning that day.
I learned the basics of triangles and thumbs up one hand lapel grab bent arm to hammer lock. I was even able to execute them.
The main thing I learned in BJJ is hips off the mat, and positioning is key to executing the moves correctly.
This martial art is different from any of the striking martial arts I do. While less energetic in the sense that nothing is coming at my head or my body, it is dynamic in the sense you feel your partners moves more than see them and react to them. You feel your partner shift weight and then you react.
In this class they focus on 1 training skill standing up and 1 training skill laying down each class. Afterwards they roll with each other to practice the things they learned.
Since I am brand new. I just worked on the drills we worked on.
It was a fantastic class and I intend on going every week at least once a week, maybe twice.
Tuesday 9/17/2019 – 2 hours of training Muay Thai and Kali
Muay Thai: Boxing and Elbows
Training: We worked on boxing with elbow entries and elbow entries after defense.
We warmed up with 100 jumping jacks, stretching, and then range management plus sign drilling.
Elbow entry after attack, or after you throw a jab and cross.
Jab, cross, left horizontal elbow, to downward diagonal, boogie out, or bob and weave out
Elbow entry after attack, or after you throw a jab.
Jab, slide in left Tach Malach elbow or spearing elbow, to right downward diagonal elbow, grab the neck and run the knees
Elbow entry after defense, or after you catch a jab, and scoop a cross.
Parry incoming jab, scoop an incoming cross, pull opponent to you while scooping, left horizontal elbow, spinning back elbow, to reverse back elbow, to superman elbow. Then boogie out or bob and weave out.
Main points to remember when doing these:
Range management – when punching you are using full extension, when elbowing slide step in, use your hip for torque to get power in. For the spinning back elbow, step to your oppoenents left hand or right hand side when throwing horizontal elbow but do not over rotate on horizontal elbow.
Site your target before throwing the spinning back elbow. Like a dancer spins their head around and focuses on one area of the room.
Stay all the way in, by bob and weave and cutting the corner, or stay all the way out, but booging out and getting out of the pocket.
Kali – Stick grappling
Kali we worked on stick grappling. Kumbiata switch into the crash. Then used the stick for pain compliance, to a double leg take down. We learned break knees and break ankles when you get out. Or knee separation, calf explosion, to ankle lock that breaks the ankle. Also how to leverage my shortness to break ankle. Yay!
Have you ever had a light bulb moment in your training? I have. Today was one of those days where I had that moment. We were covering one of the leg/ankle locks after you take you assailant down to the ground. This particular ankle lock/break I have a hard time when taller people, cause I am short. So no matter how much I stand up it does not work. I might get a pain compliance tap out of the person, but actually getting a break in the ankle I would not get. I just don’t have the leverage. Well I learned a ankle lock/ankle break that used leverage an a well placed foot on the assailants other leg while I stood up. This gives me great leverage.
Also I learned in a stick grappling situation, my height gives me an advantage in another area. When my opponent is trying to separate my knee, or explode my calf, or ankle lock me they are closer to me and I can hit them with my stick. Where when I do it to them, when I blade my body they can only get a small piece of my shoulder. So being short in this instance is the best.
Training:
eqquise (being sure to hit with intent, or putting the stank on it ), low back hand, high back hand.
Figure 8 (being sure to hit with intent), to low back hand, high back hand.
eqquise, kumbiata switch, crash into the person with shoulder, grab them and control/compress arms with your body and stick. Make sure head is behind them.
eqquise, kumbiata switch, crash into the person with your shoulder, start walking stick down, pain compliance on presure points on side of body, then to double leg and behind knee. Push with shoulder and dump person. Get out and hit knees and angles to shatter them then run away.
Counter to the above take down, get double under hooks, square up and you can either:
Snake bite the spine (pain compliance)
break their poster with the stick in the middle of back. Lean forward with your head and shoulders on their chest, and just walk forward.
We then played (taking time to explore what we learned and try to find the entry). We used soft sticks to kumbiata switch and tried to get your opponent on the floor. From there we we mounted and it end up in grappling.
Sometimes people get so caught up on the weapon, that it is not the answer. When grappling maybe the stick is not helping, don’t be afraid to get rid of it and refocus on opponent. Using their body to make them compliant.
What is the saying about best laid plans?
“the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”
Scottish Proverb
So this week, I missed Wednesday – Saturday Class. My husband came home from a work trip and wanted to take Wednesday off. So we did. Little did I know I would come down with the plague that my kids brought home.
So I have been convalescing nursing a cold and a slight fever. I have missed 3 days of training and am a little miffed about it. But today/Saturday I feel… I may be feeling like I am on the upswing.
Yeah best laid plans and all that. I did not want to get the rest of my team mates sick. I really was feeling dizzy and icky for three days. So its far better for me to stay home. Even if my inner 5 year old is throwing a fit cause she cannot have what she wants (which is to train martial arts) when she wants it.
Thank you for reading this sadly short blog about my two days of training. I hope you have a great day.
Muscle memory… in general I don’t think I know much. I mean when it comes to martial arts. I have been training for nearly two years in Muay Thai and Kali, with a smattering of JKD, Silate, and very little BJJ. I am often looking toward the next little thing to tweak. The next skill to learn. So when my instructor says, we are doing X, and I know exactly what to do I am amazed. Further more when my instructor says we are doing Y, and I am hazy about the terminology but I have done it so many times, in so many different configurations, that I have muscle memory, and my body just does what I need it to do.
I googled Muscle Memory and this is the first response that came up: “The ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement.”typing relies heavily on muscle memory” “
Tuesday 9/10/2019 – 2 hours of training Muay Thai and Kali
Muay Thai – compliments on my movement, heck I am moving more.
The ability to reproduce a movement without thinking about it. Yup! This week I am noticing more muscle memory. Movement… I am moving more. By this I mean pivoting my feet correctly, getting in and out of the pocket, cutting corners, and in general just getting out and away from strikes.
I got a compliment on my movement. My instructor Kru Kristen is so happy to see me moving more. What I mean is my pivot is much better on my punches. My head movement is getting better. I am getting my head off the line. I am slipping the punches more. I am covering with windshield wiper more. I am in general upping my fight game. Yay!
Today we worked on: Countering jabs and returning strikes
Parry jab down and returning a jab right away. (This is great for taller people, or people taller than their opponent. )
Parry the jab slip and return a gut jab (This is better for the shorter people.
Scoop the jab, pulling in your opponent, and then returning a over hand. (This is good for almost all people)
We returned hook, or upper cut, cross, and then bob and weave a hook to head, then boogie out or step in and shoulder bump.
Kali – disarms and chokes
In Kali, today’s training muscle memory kicked in. Because when my instructor asked us if we remember the high box. My brain did not remember the term, but when we were working on the drills, my body kicked in. 15 strike, block strike incoming, strike 2 returned, block incoming strike.
We worked on disarms, inside deflect which is plus sign disarm, and vine disarm.
We worked on disarms, outside deflect which is equal sign disarm, and snake disarm.
We worked on kumbiata switch to triangle chokes
We worked on getting out of those chokes and returning a paper cutter choke.
Today was a great day of training.
Thrusday 9/12/2019 – 1.5 hours of training Muay Thai and Kali
Class was fantastic today. I love love love Muay Thai and Kali. I can’t put into words how much I love the martial arts styles. I will try here… I really believe it is because of my two great trainers/instructors, and because of the culture of the gym. Because of these two ladies their teaching style and encouragement, this is such a part of my life that I rearrange my other obligations and jobs so that I can continue and improve my skills with these ladies.
I am crazy enough that I am going to try to add in BJJ into the mix. I am going to try to see if I can at least attend one BJJ class a week, maybe two starting next week.
Muay Thai – Countering crosses and returning strikes
In Muay Thai now, I know how to do many things. I don’t know all the things mind you. I rely on my muscle memory to carry me through, and then I try to focus on the little tweaks I need to make. Like lifting my elbow to more horizontal to throw the hook correctly. Working on my foot work (meaning pivots, and getting in and out of the pocket). In general working on my form. I know the basic drills, now its time to tweak and improve my fight game.
Parry jab, and parry cross down, returning a cross to head(This is great for taller people, or people taller than their opponent. )
return hook, cross, then bob and weave to get out
Parry the jab, then parry the cross slip and return a chest cross (This is better for the shorter people.)
return hook, cross, then bob and weave to get out
Parry the jab, then parry the cross slip and return a gut cross (This is better for the shorter people.)
return body hook, head hook, cross, then bob and weave to get out
Then we worked on pop the leather. Where each two group person does a 4 count combination.
Kali – disarms
We worked on disarms and chokes as well again. Today I had to leave early to go and get H from the airport. He was coming back in from a business trip.
I was acting as a single parent for 4 days of the week. Let me say those single parents out there my hats off to you. I was happy to see my husband, but I was also so happy to have my partner and fellow parent here to help with the kiddos.
This week I only made it to two of my martial arts 5 training days. Wednesday baby girl was sniffling and had a runny nose, and I was on my own so I decided to let her rest. On Friday I had my husband home and we got a much needed date night away from the kiddos. Today we decided to just rest and let everyone recoup. Life happens and I feel like I have grown realizing that not all the time will the schedule work.
I have a new martial arts class to look forward to this next week. Brazilian Jui Jitsu, I am hoping it will be ok for my back. All I can do is try it out and see.
Keep working to make yourself the best you can be, and thank you for reading. As always please let me know if you have any questions. My respects for you all.
Thinks with Spinks 