Northwest Connection Edition 1 by Northwest Connection

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BU SINESS NAME

M AY 20 10

NW Connection

I N S I D E T HI S IS S UE :

“Networking For Northwest Martial Artists”

Attack The Attacker Police Attack

Welcome to our FIRST issue!

Strength Of Spirit

Issue # - Such excitement to come! We are proud to offer this avenue for ANY and ALL NW Martial Artists to share and learn from one another.

Leg Takedowns

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For information, contact Trent Junker at (503) 839-6359 or northwest_connection@yahoo.com Disclaimer: Do not attempt any techniques discussed or illustrated herein without the assistance of a professional trainer/instructor. Northwest Connection assumes no liability for the safety of any information, techniques or ideas herein. Northwest Connection assumes no liability for the accuracy of content, as articles are submitted by individual sources outside of Northwest Connection and are taken on good faith. Northwest Connection does not endorse any information herein, unless specifically stated otherwise. Northwest Connection operates under the assumption that all articles are submitted by the original author and makes every attempt not to infringe on any copyrighted material, written or photographic. All information herein is property of Northwest Connection and/or the stated author. Reproduction for any purpose is forbidden without the written consent of Northwest Connection and/or stated author. Any questions can be directed to northwest_connection@yahoo.com. TJ2010

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

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Why Martial Arts and CrossFit? Consider this statement: all other things being equal, in a confrontation between two equally skilled martial artist the bigger, stronger, the better conditioned athlete will more often come out the winner.

areas require not just a toolbox of techniques and the knowledge to apply those techniques in the right sequence at the right time, but also require a body that is capable of executing techniques without sustaining injury.

In November of this past year, after having trained under his teacher Sifu Kyle Alexander for nearly a decade Sifu Wally Jones branched out from The Academy of Kung Fu in SE Portland to open his own school in SW Hillsdale under the name, Westside Academy of Kung Fu and CrossFit Hillsdale. In putting together this unique combination of movement arts programs, some common questions might be, ―What exactly is CrossFit?‖ or Why combine Martial Arts and CrossFit?

How do work to we prevent injury? We

The short answer to the first question [according to Wikipedia] is that ―CrossFit is a popular strength and conditioning fitness methodology that promotes broad and general overall physical fitness. CrossFit athletes run, row, skip, climb rope and carry odd objects. They frequently move large loads long distances quickly, using powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting techniques. CrossFit athletes also use dumbells, gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, and many body weight exercises. CrossFit is used in nearly 1,700 gyms worldwide and by many fire departments, law enforcement agencies and military organizations including the Canadian Forces, the United States Marine Corps, and the Royal Danish Life Guards.‖ There are currently only a handful of CrossFit gyms in the United States that run regular Martial Arts program(s) in combination with CrossFit classes. The inspiration for Sifu Jones to take on this endeavor lies in the fact that CrossFit Portland (one of the most preeminent CrossFit affiliates in all of the Norhwest) got their start running classes out of his teacher's school in SE Portland. Students of the Academy of Kung Fu have utilized CrossFit movements as a key conditioning component of their training for several years now. What follows are a number of Sifu Wally's thoughts surrounding the question of why combined CrossFit and martial arts training can function to compliment one another: Injury Prevention Think of all the actions a well rounded martial artist must be able to execute. Three broad domains of competence are: throwing, striking and wrestling. All three of these

condition our bodies. How do we condition our bodies? Push ups? Sit ups? Yes... but more is needed. In practice, we can align ourselves perfectly before executing a throw. In application, against a resisting partner, it becomes more difficult. Things do not always go as planned. Research shows that ―core strength and functional movement enhancement programs to prevent injuries in workers whose work involves awkward positions is warranted.‖ (http:// www.occupmed.com/content/2/1/3) Attempting to throw an overly-zealous, actively -resisting 200 pound opponent often prove awkward, if not potentially dangerous even in a controlled environment. Functional Movement Ask anyone in the fitness industry what the phrase ―functional fitness‖ means and they'll immediately attempt to sell you on their specialty. Here's the official definition: something the human body is biomechanically designed to do in the natural world. Okay, so what does that mean? Lift, throw, carry, run, jump, etc. Take the life of a hardworking farmer 200 years ago as an example of someone who engaged in these types of activities all day long. They lift, they throw, they carry. What is the physical consequence of a life involving this kind of activity? Physical competence. When someone works their body that hard over a lifetime the body responds by functioning more efficiently. We're not farmers anymore (at least most of us aren't) and we want to have time to train martial arts. Can we all afford the time it

takes to dedicate oneself to a separate conditioning program? I'd argue that if you want to train over the long haul, you must pursue fitness outside the narrow scope of martial arts. The questions then are, ―What is that magic fitness program?‖ or possibly, ―Can you point me towards the nearest Kung Fu farm?‖ Intensity Yields Results Luckily, we can steal the idea of intensity from farm work and pack it into a short workout format. Fitness research tells us that intensity yields results (http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/8897392). While using the ellipitcal for an hour will have some impact on the body, doing eight rounds of all out sprints for twenty seconds and resting ten seconds in between each sprint will accomplish a whole lot more and will take you 56 less minutes to execute. So why isn't everyone engaging in intense, short bursts of exercise if it's so effective? Because it's hard, hard work – just like farming. The martial community values the power of hard work; likewise, the CrossFit credo ―Our workout is your warm-up‖ speaks to their affinity for the spiritual benefits of intensive training. CrossFit is a flavor of hard work that won't just make you sweat for sweats' sake but will both help keep one injury free and function to improve one's overall power, strength, speed, agility and flexibility – which, along with mental and physical stamina are certainly tools that martial artist of all stripes can always use more of (especially when going toe-to-toe with the combatant 200 lb. opponent who has been training like a farmer themselves)! Interested in learning more about CrossFit? It is an ―open source model‖ and there is a vast amount of shared information available online @ www.crossfit.com The Westside Academy of Kung Fu and CrossFit Hillsdale also welcomes drop-in students: Lara Jones and Sifu Wally Jones 1509 SW Sunset Blvd. Portland OR 97239 503-432-7450 www.WestsideAKF.com.

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

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A Personal Debriefing: How I Survived Police Terrorism and Lived to Tell About It. "They say 'karate means empty hand, so it's perfect for the poor man" – hiphop duo dead prez; "Psychology"; from their debut album "Let's Get Free". In September of 1998, a group of friends and myself were working out in the grass of a local school in what was considered an "economically depressed" area of Seattle when we heard a loud crash. When we got there, we saw that a small car had slammed into a telephone pole and a teenager was trapped inside. Despite the smoke pouring from the engine and the broken glass on the ground we ran over to help. My co-defendant, Kenyatto Amen-Allah (aka Moorpheus of the hip-hop duo dRED.i), climbed into the back seat to release the front passenger-side seat, so that the young man could breathe. An older man reached in with his hunting knife and cut the seat belt to help the victim breathe. The dashboard was crushing his chest, he was bleeding profusely, and going into shock. First, the paramedics came and then the police. By now there was a large crowd gathered, a mostly black crowd (like us). The paramedics told us to get out of the way, which we did. Then a white cop (later identified as Ofc. Ronald Martin) ran up on my codefendant, picked him up off the ground, and slammed him on the hood of the crashed car. The crowd started shouting "he didn't do anything", and "he was trying to help". The cop's black partner, an Ofc. Gregory Williams, came over to me very calmly and professionally to ask what happened, and I told him. Ofc. Martin let go of my friend after I explained the situation to them, but then decides to run after him again , this time screaming, "The next time I tell you to do something, you do it!". I walked up alongside him as he was chasing my friend and asked him, "What are you,

deaf? I just told you what happened!" He responded by attempting to strike me in the throat with a straight-lead vstrike (the 'v' is the area between the thumb and first-finger). No warning, no commands, just a slightly telegraphed movement in front of a trained eye, just before he launched the assault. As any martial artist or defense tactics instructor will tell you, this is a technique that can easily incapacitate or kill an opponent. In that instant my 29 years of martial arts training, 10 years of ring experience, 13 years employment as nightclub security, and over 43 street fights since the first grade kicked in. According to the police report filed by Ofc Martin, obtained during the discovery phase of my criminal trial, he received "numerous punched and kicks to the head". It took three officers to take me to the ground, and one of them, Ofc Williams, unfortunately found himself caught in the constricting grip of a Brazilian Jujitsu-type Triangle choke. Once he asked me to "please turn over", I released him and complied. In the east precinct lock-up, Ofc. Martin paid me a visit to issue threats: "I'm bigger than you and stronger than you; I'll slap you down and knock you out!" According to him, from now on every time I am stopped a red flag goes up next to my name on their computer system warning whoever stops me that I assault cops and that they will approach me with guns drawn. Those statements, along with his courtroom behavior (screaming at our attorneys and the judge) and the facts of the case (especially the testimony of prosecution witnesses, black and white, who told the court one after the other that "the police were out of control", leading the jury to find us 'not guilty' of assaulting an officer and obstruction of justice. After our stunning "win" at the criminal trial, we were regularly

followed and watched by Seattle Police. Eventually, as the WTO was preparing to come to Seattle in 1999, the FBI joined in the surveillance. Later, we filed a lawsuit in federal court, demanding 11 million dollars each in damages and an apology from the police chief and the mayor on local television,…from their knees. In December, 2000, on the one-year anniversary of the WTO protests, I was arrested while eating my lunch at Seattle Vocational Institute (I was a student there at the time). I was arrested by six riot cops in full body armor and three plainclothes detectives. One of them said to me, "keep your feet on the ground, Mr. Lewis, we know you're a karate expert" as he put his boot on my foot. They claimed that I had sent an email threatening the mayor's life. Like the last arrest, the King County Prosecutor saw this charge was groundless and even said this to my attorney. The only "threat" from me received by former Mayor Schell was the subpoena to appear that my attorneys sent to him and the police chief Gil Kerlikowski regarding our lawsuit, which happened a few days before my arrest. I was released on bail on my 30th birthday. No charges were ever filed in this case. In 2003, a concerned citizen (who wished to remain anon.) contacted me and showed us a document obtained during a mid-afternoon meeting of the 'liberal' Seattle City Council. The meeting was a formal request from the Seattle Police to put certain individuals under surveillance and to renew surveillance placed upon 'suspects' the year prior. I was on that list.

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

Cont….

â&#x20AC;&#x153;NW Connectionâ&#x20AC;? Continued:

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A Personal Debriefing: How I Survived Police Terrorism and Lived to Tell About It.

The lawsuit wasn't "won" exactly. We had a hung jury. The lawyers attributed that to our civil trial happening shortly after 9/11. The city finally did settle with us for $50,000 each, plus attorney's fees. Officer Martin was not fired or charged with any crime, and at the time of this writing still works for the Seattle Police Department. I call it a small 'v' victory. The city has increased their liability insurance with federal grant money, so they have greater financial resources to either fight victims in court or settle when new incidents occur and the victims or their families sue. Interestingly, it is only the firefighters and paramedics that I have seen running t.v. commercials for levy campaigns to raise additional funds for their critical services. This is one small example of putting

social order and control over public safety. This pattern serves to give fuel to right -wing arguments against paying victims of this type of violent crime, citing tax increases on small businesses; who pay for police, firefighters, and paramedics with the quarterly business and occupations tax, collected with every sale of dine-in/take out, deli foods, classes or services, entertainment, or any merchandise. But, in Seattle, the liberal brand of fascism is more friendly and astute: public relations efforts such as community policing initiatives, block watch parties, and the Office for Professional Accountability (OPA) have helped to muffle critics on both the right and left, while fostering more confusion than clarity amongst those seeking real

solutions to this problem. Most recently, Port of Seattle Police officers have been put under investigation for circulating sexist, racist, and homophobic pictures via email using the Port's computer network. In addition, a 17 year old died in the custody of the King County Juvenile Detention Facility. And all of this comes on the heels of sexual assault convictions of a Washington State Trooper, numerous shootings of youth of color, and the arrest of DJ DV One and emcee Rajnii Eddins on bogus charges. Needless to say, it is way past time for real civilian oversight and real penalties for police officers who violate the human rights of those they come into contact with. Sensei Gregory C. Lewis Seattle, Washington

Strength Of Spirit Through Martial Arts It is a martial arts maxim that the true opponent or competition lies in oneself. To improve on a past performance, to learn a new skill, to find that one can push past an old boundary; this is real value in martial practice. To persist through fatigue when you want to quit, to conquer a fear, to master a difficult exercise; these triumphs strengthen the spirit as well as the body. Pain is one of our most powerful teachers. One learns that real pain isn't as bad as imagined pain; the reality is easier to overcome than the fear. If quitting an endeavor whenever it gets uncomfortable becomes habitual, it grows less possible to

break through the imagined limits we impose on ourselves and tap into the deeper reserves of strength that lie within us. The spirit is forged by persevering in the face of adversity, and this type of character trait serves one in every aspect of life, not just in the training hall. This is the transcendent quality of sport. The allure of someone like "Rocky". Somehow, in the face of overwhelming odds, or even sure defeat, we reach beyond ourselves, beyond the limits of normal possibility, and rise to meet our challenges. It is this quality of going beyond that expresses enlightenment and strength of spirit. Will supersedes skill.

As Kung-Fu practitioners, we realize the key to attainment is effort, and that having an idea about something is not the same as knowing about it. The martial arts provide a context for intentionally developing this type of fortitude, and because the arena is physical the lesson goes deeper than the intellect and is learned in the heart. The heart feeds the spirit, and will allow one to achieve goals envisioned by the self. These are not just fancy words; these are words that hold true meaning in spiritual development as it pertains to the Martial Arts. Professor Tim Gagnier 8th Degree Black Belt-Kajukenbo instructor in Yamhill, OR

â&#x20AC;&#x153;To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

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Attack The Attacker ―Last week, upon leaving the movie theater with his wife, Mike was attacked by an unknown thug. While walking down the street, Mike (an accomplished Martial Artist with many years of training) and his wife, were chatting about the great new movie they just saw. It had been quite a long time since they had last got to go out by themselves, since they now had children. Both were on an emotional high, totally entranced with each other. All of sudden, a stranger creeps out from behind the dumpster near their car demanding money and the keys to the car. Mike, totally surprised, looked into this man‘s eyes and started to feel fear overcome him. Mike has had very few encounters in the street. All of his training was in the dojo, and none of the guys there ever looked so sinister as this man. Mike began to question his own skills and wondered if he could keep himself and his wife safe from this criminal. Mike‘s hesitation and fear gave the criminal enough time to strike out and hit Mike in the face, enough to stun him for the following blows. When all was done, the car and his wallet were gone, Mike was severely beaten and his wife was injured from trying to help her husband.‖ That was an all too familiar scenario for many people out there. It doesn‘t matter how much Martial Arts training you have had or what level of Black Belt you are, if you let fear overcome you, and you hesitate, your chances of success in a situation such as that are very slim. So what could Mike have done differently? If you have ever been attacked, I am sure you have asked yourself that question also. What could you have done differently? Before answering that question, let me say some things. First off, nothing is ever guaranteed. When it comes to street fights/real self defense situations, there are too many variables to have all of the answers for each and every time. We can train with many different styles and teachers. We can train in different environments. We can train in single person attacks and multi man situations. We can even spar daily, including full contact competition. The missing key in all of those activities is the training of the mind for a street encounter. Encounters in the street are MUCH different than any dojo training. The opponent is not just ―playing a game‖ with you. He is not concerned about your safety or how he looks to the instructor. There are no judges to help you if you are overwhelmed and there is no concern about how many stripes you have on your Black Belt. This attacker does not care about you.

He has a goal in mind and you are in the way. He will not stop because you are bleeding, he may even fight you harder. You are just another person that has what he wants. I also want to say that the ideas presented here are not full proof and do not guarantee your safety. Every principle must be adapted to the given situation and may not fit the situation you face. What I am about to discuss is a mindset that is helpful in all situations and is something that can be applied most of the time. There are times, however, when it is not the best choice. In Kajukenbo, we refer to it as ―Attacking The Attacker‖. I also refer to it as ―Embracing Your Opponent‖. When you are confronted you don‘t usually have time for fear. Does that mean you should not be afraid? NO! Fear is a natural response that is necessary in life. Anyone who says they fear nothing is lying. Even the greatest warriors of the animal kingdom feel fear. If a ferocious lion senses that something is wrong, he will not hang around to be courageous. The lion will flee immediately. Can any of you defeat a lion? I highly doubt it, unless you are armed with a gun or similar ―equalizer‖. It is what we do with that fear that matters. If you are attacked on the street I would hope that you are afraid, because as I said already, the stripes on your Black Belt mean nothing to the attacker. You can still be injured, even if you succeed in stopping the attack. That is enough reason to be afraid already, without bringing in weapons or the presence of your family. So, yes, be afraid! So if you are afraid, what should you do with that? Fear needs to be put aside while you allow yourself to take care of the situation at hand. When you are attacked you need to embrace the situation. Don‘t hesitate and wait for the attacker to assault you. As soon as you know this is a situation you must face, ATTACK! You take control of the situation and attack your attacker before he has a chance. Push that fear aside long enough to regain safety. Understand that if you are in a fight the chances of you being hit also are very high. Accept that and embrace it. Go to your attacker and neutralize the situation as quickly as possible. Do not spend your time waiting for him and wondering what to do. When he makes that move toward you, attack him. Most people will not expect this, especially an experienced criminal. They are used to using fear and intimidation to get what they want. No one has ever turned the tables and come after them. That is your big opening. The element of surprise is now on your side and your chances of keeping your-

self and your family safe are now much higher. So, how do you train this? Great question. The main key here is to accept the possible and face it. It is possible for you to get hit, stabbed, etc. If you refuse to accept that fact, you will be fighting fear forever. Once you are in a situation it is often too late to talk your way out or to get away. At this point, accept the fact that you are being attacked and do everything you can to protect yourself and your loved ones. Know that you may get injured during the encounter, possibly quite severely, but if you do nothing it will be much worse. So your choice is to attack and maybe get hurt, or do nothing and definitely get hurt. I, personally, like the first choice better. You need to do everything you can to increase your chances. Here is also a drill that can help in training this mindset, though not perfect since it is still a ―dojo drill‖. Stand normal (no fancy stances) and face a training partner. Have your partner attempt to strike you in the face. Strikes at the face work best for this drill, as most of us are more afraid to get hit in the face than anywhere else. As your opponent strikes towards you, slightly slip along the outside of the strike. Do not retreat and do not dodge completely away from it. Stay as close as you can and advance towards your opponent along the outside line (along the outside of the opponent‘s body). Start slowly until you get the movements down and then slowly increase the speed of the strike and change the method of striking. Forget about getting hit, but think rather about staying close to your opponent to be able to hit him. As you advance in this training, you can start to practice attacks to your opponent after slipping the strike. Once you are pretty good at the drill, start using this idea in your training and try to strike your opponent before he has a chance to strike you. Practice advancing your training partner at different angles, on the inside and the outside, while they are trying to strike at you. You will find that you feel less afraid of being hit than before, which is a huge first step in ―Embracing Your Opponent‖. Good luck with your training and remember that we train not to fight, but to keep ourselves and loved ones safe from the society which we have created. Sifu Trent Junker 5th Degree Black Belt-Kajukenbo instructor in Portland, OR

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

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Leg Takedowns Pull the Rug Out from Underneath Them!! There are a few things that have been ignored and one is the leg takedowns and or disables. Many systems have this concept of undermining the foundation and the one that sticks out from the rest is Baguazheng. Good Baguazheng empty hand to hand are all over the feet, stepping on the edges, slice kicking the ankles, tripping, banging the lower legs to get the attacker in a vulnerable position to neutralize the attack. What has been ignored in close quarter combat is disabling the foundation. Without a root you cannot wage stand up war. In Baguazheng there is an "L" step whereby the right front is pigeon toed in and when looking down the two feet form an "L". This is to left step on a piece of the attacker's left toes and the right pigeon is behind the attacker's right heel. Then slam bend

the defender's right knee into just below the attacker's knee. This will throw the attacker back on the ground. I have seen the same thing in Tracy's Kenpo and also have seen a sudden front right stomp to the attacker's left front leg on the inside. The stomping foot scraps down the attacker's leg then the stomp drives the point of the defender's knee right into that tender area just below the knee on the inside to takedown. Leave it to Kajukenbo to come up with the nasty stuff that is hard to uke. There would be many ways to enter to defend against a punch combination but I will just mention the leg takedowns and disables. Left foot out forty five. Right knee of the defender is close to the outside of the attacker's right leg. Defender shifts ninety degrees to the right into a right cat banging on the outside back of the attacker's right leg. This buckles the

leg. Defender drops the weight with the defender's right knee and upper shin to the right upper calf of the attacker. This is pretty painful. Defender ducks steps with left back behind attacker's right leg. Defender shifts to right cat to horizontal clock 4:30. Defender executes a right heel strike to Attacker's right inside ankle Spleen-6 continuing the movement to a right forward stance facing 3:00. This kicks drags the attacker's leg out to 9:00. Defender shifts to put a left knee on the attacker's right calf. There are many, many more I have been exposed to. I do not see this part of the science anymore. I practice this as this is not only devastating but so odd and unexpected that it is effective. I am sixty-one and I can't run away anymore. I have to fight and I will fight smart and dirty. Professor Brian Baxter 8th Degree Black Belt-Kajukenbo instructor in Seattle, Washington

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“The Cage” In Connection With Alive MMA Of Portland, OR Why MMA? People are drawn to the martial arts for all kinds of reasons, for instance, to get in shape and become more coordinated, to make friends, to enjoy physically engaged play, to learn relaxation under conditions of stress, and because they want to identify themselves with the image of the art. Presumably, though, people also practice martial arts, instead of, say, dance or soccer, because there is some relationship between what they practice and an enhanced ability to negotiate physical conflict. If that‘s true, then it‘s important to consider ways to evaluate what in martial arts is effective, in short, what works. Mixed Martial Arts competition, MMA, was born of this consideration. Before MMA, there was very little general agreement about what works in unarmed combat. Some people argued that proficiency in the striking arts alone was enough to defeat opponents. Some disciplines now considered vital, for instance Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, were little practiced and barely known or considered. Wrestling was often not even thought of as a martial art nor really a means of self-defense.

swim. It‘s now pretty clear that to be competitive a fighter needs to be competent on his or her feet, in the clinch, and on the ground. It‘s also the case that even one successful athlete can prove the potential validity of a whole discipline. Lyoto Machida, for example, has proven that it is at least possible to employ Karate successfully against the very best fighters in the world. Before Machida, Karate experts had disproportionately met with very poor results in the cage, and some people argued that it was really more of a cultural practice, like Aikido, rather than an effective means of preparing people to fight. Even more usefully, we can consider what is different about Machida from the less successful representatives of Karate. Is it the case that his physical attributes are simply superior? Or is it the fact that his training emphasizes the timing, motion, and energy of spontaneous resistance, what martial arts pioneer, Matt Thornton, termed ―Aliveness.‖ I would say the difference is that Machida trains ―Alive,‖ against spontaneously resisting sparring partners, as opposed to ―sparring‖ against choreographed or ineffective attacks..

sorts. I want to be held accountable as a coach and as a gym owner. I want there to be a check on wild claims I, or my competitors, might be tempted to make. Self-deception and delusion are common enough without appealing to them as a business model. A scientist who makes claims is expected to provide evidence. Medicine for sale is held to a standard of proof. Even manufacturers of lipstick are required to uphold product standards in the public interest. Likewise, martial artists have the opportunity to prove that what they do, and, perhaps most crucially, that what they offer in the marketplace to teach, actually works against competent resistance. Martial artists in the marketplace of ideas don‘t have to prove that what they do works, but, if they don‘t, I think it‘s quite fair to point out the lack of evidence for their claims. In any case, people are getting the message and the market is shifting pretty dramatically. McDojo‘s are in decline, but MMAaccountable arts are growing briskly. In fact, MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world.

Of course, effectiveness or, put differently, accountability to the truth in what In the absence of a means to test our we teach, may not be the most important claims, martial artists are at liberty to factor that draws people to the martial claim that any manner of fanciful techarts. In fact, I think the most important niques will work. The sensei or sifu or motivation should be health and lifelong whatever he wants to be called can mys- fitness. This is testable too. The results tify the process of fighting, elevate him- are as evident as our bodies are visible. self as a master of this mysterious art, You can see what people look like after and sell these assertions in an environtraining for even a fairly short time. Do ment where skeptical questioning is for- they get in great shape? Do they move It is now, for example, pretty well under- bidden, not thought of, or just not toward a healthy equilibrium stood that even a very talented athlete, if done. This is a very effective way to sell weight? Are they injured at a greater he is not well versed in a grappling art people an image they want to have of rate than other athletes? Do they learn to (wrestling, jiu jitsu, judo, sambo, or the themselves, but I see no evidence that it relax and function under conditions of like), quickly becomes helpless in the prepares them for fighting. stress? Does the training move them grasp of a moderately skilled grapto develop empathy, social intellipler. Turns out, it‘s kind of like playing I am very grateful for MMA and for gence, human comradery, and water polo against someone who can‘t realistically designed competitions of all MMA is an avenue through which our ideas about fighting can be tested. It is, in my opinion, such a good way to test martial arts assertions, that a stable understanding of what works has become very broadly established. Better yet, those broad understandings are commonly subject to dispute and very physical proof.

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

I SSUE #1

“The Cage” In Connection With Alive MMA Of Portland, OR playfulness, or does it make them aggressive, anti-social, and paranoid. Of these, the fear of pain and injury are probably the greatest dissuasions from MMA, and certainly, at the highest levels, MMA is practiced as an extremely high impact form of aerobics. Fortunately, one does not need to train two or three times a day at the edge of what is physically possible and fight against the very best in the world, to enjoy the benefits of learning arts that hold up to that level of athletic scrutiny. For most MMA athletes, the rate of serious injury is low, much lower than in Boxing, cheerleading, skiing, or equestrian sports, surprisingly enough. The danger of being beaten in mixed martial arts, is much more that of humiliation than physical injury. Of course, MMA is an athletic contest, and there still is a risk of injury, primarily concussions and joint injuries. These can be reduced by training relaxed and in an environment of concern for each other. We‗ve come a long way as a sport in learning to train accountably at lighter levels of contact. You can really get pretty good in training without getting injured or banged around. Fighting is still fighting, and it can only be made so safe. Knowing this, it‘s a coach‘s responsibility to keep the training as safe as it can reasonably be so that a fighter has the preparation that is the best way to avoid injury in live rounds. Again, a reasonable person can train and get pretty good without fighting, himself, but isn‘t it good to know that he could fight if it came to that? And isn‘t it even better if he is taught verbal self-defense and assertiveness, as well as the security in himself to base his worth on his whole life‘s authenticity rather than street fights? And isn‘t it really best if he is prepared, when a fight can‘t be avoided, to restrain or arrest an aggressor with the least force and damage necessary?

Indeed, it seems to me that combat athletics can be taught in a way that is not only healthy, honest, and fun but that also fosters a sense of oneself as a part of a community with an enhanced ability to watch out for each other and contribute to the good of all. Honestly, that‘s my idea of a good time. Health. Truth. Contribution, Community. These are what draw me to live my life in Mixed Martial Arts .

Bill Bradley Alive MMA Brazilian Top Team JiuJitsu 5607 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, OR 97206 (503) 740-3004

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

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The Role Of Historical Context In The Martial Arts ―As a student of Western European swordsmanship, I am constantly exposed to historical details. Class time is often spent discussing the details of combat as it was hundreds of years in the past. During one such lesson, I was given an introduction to the Great Chain of Being, a Western European philosophical construct and prevalent worldview among educated men during the Renaissance. This took place during a class devoted to the system of Girard Thibault d‘Anvers (1574-1629), a Dutch swordsman whose system of rapier combat was preserved in a lavishly illustrated manual entitled Academie de l'Espée. Western martial arts such as this are dead traditions; they don‘t have the luxury of a continuous lineage of masters to pass down the art. As a result, Western martial artists are forced to rely upon primary source texts, often in the form of manuals written by the masters themselves, to reconstruct their martial art. It is often the case that an author takes certain knowledge for granted, so modern readers, several hundred years removed from the time of writing, are on their own to discover what the author already expected them to know. Historical context like the Great Chain of Being can contribute to well-rounded and verifiable interpretations. However, most martial arts don‘t suffer from this handicap. For those of us who practice living traditions, how relevant is historical context? If martial artists can‘t remove themselves from the present day, and they are only concerned with how to improve their own practice, then does it really matter to a modern martial artist how a martial art was practiced when it was first formulated? Don‘t we study the traditional martial arts of foreign cultures precisely because their effectiveness is independent of time and culture? Historical context can be a way of establishing legitimacy. The koryu bujutsu of Japan, for example, are respected for preserving the unadulterated battlefield practices of the samurai. Many martial

arts claim legitimacy through their age, or through connections to other famous practitioners such as Shaolin monks. Even Taekwondo, a martial art whose current form is only about half a century in age, is often claimed to drawn upon a millennia-length Korean martial tradition. Many of these claims of legitimacy are dubious at best. It may be surprising to learn how young most extant martial arts really are. The martial arts of the Shaolin temple are often recognized as some of the oldest in the world, yet they cannot be reliably traced back before the 16th century. Similarly, most Japanese budo date no earlier than the relatively peaceful Edo period (1603-1868), if not modernized outright during the cultural upheavals of the 19th and 20th centuries. Even among the oldest martial arts, and even among those which have resisted the temptation to become competitive sports, there appear to be few which have not experienced drastic change in the last two centuries. Can we really say that these arts still represent ancient traditions? If not, does that undermine the authenticity of their methods? In each of these claims there lies a subtle rejection of modernity, a belief that most martial arts lose their purity as they are exposed to modernizing influences. Older is better, if we take these claims at face value. But it‘s not so simple. It is the responsibility of the martial artist to assess these claims. It‘s not enough to know the age of a martial art; it‘s more important to understand the environment in which it was developed. Those arts which developed under a strict and unforgiving martial environment will be the most likely to be effective. Even beyond the one-dimensional assessment of ―effective‖ versus ―ineffective,‖ we can find huge variation in martial arts. A martial art developed for use in a formal dueling environment would be very different than one intended for use on the battlefield, even if both are considered effective.

suited to an environment that no longer exists. Japanese martial artists often train to fight from the seated seiza position. What environment are they training for? In this country, seiza is a cultural import which does not exist outside the dojo. Nowadays, we value seiza as a training tool, not so much for its practical applications. But is that how these techniques were originally intended? It appears that martial arts techniques tend to originate as practical applications, and only later evolve into abstract training tools. How many techniques have undergone this transformation because they are dependent on circumstances which no longer exist? It is not wrong to preserve those techniques for the sake of tradition or for training purposes, but it is of utmost importance that we do so consciously. In any case, we must understand their intended usage within their intended environment. History is an invaluable tool to the modern martial artist. The modern world offers few opportunities to exercise the full combative potential of martial arts, so it can be difficult to evaluate a martial art without investing a huge amount of time and effort. Historical context can reduce the amount of faith that a martial art demands of its students by helping to determine what has originated in a martially pure environment and which techniques are dependent on those environments. Western martial artists are often forced to develop scholarly approaches, and we are better off for it. Scholarship has often been considered indispensable to martial arts. In traditional Chinese culture, for example, the literary (wen 文) and the martial (wu 武) were considered complementary. I encourage all martial artists to follow this example, and to discover the beneficial effects that scholarship can have on the physical practice of martial arts. Michael Heveran Portland, Oregon

Some physical techniques are cultural relics in and of themselves, perhaps best

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

I SSUE #1

Martial Arts Enhancement Seminar, 2010 This was the first Annual MAES. The goal of this seminar was to bring Martial Artists of various backgrounds and methods together to share their perspectives. The instructors were, from start to end, Guro Ben Fowler (Arnis), Sensei Stan Miller (Small Circle JuJitsu), Rob Bascue Sensei (Bujinkan Budo TaiJutsu) and Guro Steven Plinck (Silat). The seminar was a huge success in that everyone had a great time, there were no ego issues and people from many different Martial Arts were there to learn. There were individuals from White Belt, all the way up to 8th Degree Black Belt participating and training together. Each instructor taught very applicable and effective techniques and methods. The common theme definitely appeared to be that Position is one of the most important aspects to consider—over speed and technical skill. Everyone also really focused on translating our individual skills to real life self defense situations. I was very impressed with the level of skill demonstrated by these four men and I was equally impressed by their willingness to share and everyone‘s willingness to learn. I look forward to next year‘s event and I hope to see many new faces there. The date is not set, but it will probably be in March again. Thank you, once again, to Guro Ben Fowler, Sensei Stan Miller, Rob Bascue Sensei and Guro Steven Plinck.

Sifu Trent Junker R.O.T.T. Kajukenbo

Top to bottom, left to right: Group photo with Guro Ben Fowler, group photo with Sensei Stan Miller, group photo with Rob Bascue Sensei, group photo with Guro Steven Plinck, Guro Ben Fowler instructing, Sensei Stan Miller correcting participants, Rob Bascue Sensei demonstrating a technique, two participants practicing knife work taught by Guro Steven Plinck. Cover Photo—Guro Steven Plinck demonstrating on Professor Tim Gagnier

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

I SSUE #1

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

I SSUE #1

“NW Kajukenbo Family” Seminar IV, 2010 We look forward to bringing you the 4th Annual ―NW Kajukenbo Family‖ Seminar. This year‘s event will be held sometime between mid October and early November—date TBA. As a recap, the first one was held in October of 2007. That year we featured many great instructors, including GrandMaster Al Dacascos, Professor Gerry Scott, Professor Brian Baxter, Professor Tim Gagnier, Sigung Frank Mateo, Sigung Jay Burkey, Sigung Gray Cassidy, Sifu Wade Yamauchi, Sifu Steve Miller, and Sifu Virgil Royer. This was a very successful start to such a great event. The November of 2008 seminar featured Professor Sid Lopez, Professor Brian Baxter, Professor Bryan Davies, Professor Tim Gagnier, Sigung Rick Fernandez, Sigung Jay Burkey, Sigung Gray Cassidy, Sifu Dave Huffaker, Sifu Wade Yamauchi, and Kevin Jackson. We had some surprise visits, including GM Emil Bautista & crew and Professor Patricia Tyrrell. In November we held the 3rd Annual at a new location—the home school of Professor Tim Gagnier and Sifu Becky Gagnier. This gave an even greater feel of ―Ohana‖ to the event. We ate dinner in their personal kitchen, trained on their property and relaxed and visited in their home. This event featured Professor Sid Lopez, Professor Jay Burkey, Professor Tim Gagnier, Professor Brian Baxter, Professor Bryan Davies, Professor Frank Mateo, Sigung Gray Cassidy, Sifu Kevin Jackson, Sifu Sharon Britian, Sifu Steve Larson, and Sifu Jerry Weldon. If you are a NW area Kajukenbo instructor, please contact me to get a teaching spot at this year‘s event.

Sifu Trent Junker R.O.T.T. Kajukenbo

Top to bottom, left to right: GM Al Dacascos demonstrating on Professor Frank Mateo, participants training-2007(Trent & Wade), group photo of 2008 event, participants training-2008 (Mike & Mike), break time-2009 in Professor Tim/ Sifu Becky‘s home, Sifu Steve Larson demonstrating a technique on Sifu Becky Gagnier, participants listening to instruction, Professor Tim Gagnier instructing knife defense on Sifu Trent Junker.

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

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School & Business Listings Realm Of The Tiger Kajukenbo

Sifu John Hopper

Sifu Trent Junker (503) 839-6359 Portland, OR Specializing in Kajukenbo and ―street‖ based training

Kajukenbo Tum Pai/Tai Chi Chuan 604 E. Main St. Suite 101 Battle Ground, WA 98604 360-241-0461 www.hopperskungfu.com

Kajukenbo Self Defense Academy Professor Tim Gagnier (503) 320-0438 Yamhill, OR

American Self Defense Academy Sifu Steve Miller (503) 547-9543 Newberg, OR

Alan Nibler Vancouver, WA (971) 212-2056 Instructing Kajukenbo, Private and Group Lessons Available.

Lakan Arnis Guro Ben Fowler (503) 730-1793 www.lakanarnis.com

Portland Eskabo Da’an Professor Mike Morrell (503) 381-9145 Portland, OR Filipino Arts

Fists for life Kenpo Self Defense in Harmony with health and Fitness Located in SE PDX contact 503- 208- 3099 or email fistsforlife@yahoo.com

Alive MMA 5607 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97206 (503) 740-3004 Our goal is to provide an environment where all people-of any background, experience & fitness level-can learn and train in the combat sports that comprise Mixed Martial Arts-the core of which can be: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo, Boxing, Karate, and Muay Thai

Sensei Gregory C. Lewis' 21st Century Martial Arts of Seattle http://www. karatemeansemptyhand.com

Westside Academy of Kung Fu and CrossFit Hillsdale 1509 SW Sunset Blvd. Suite B-1(facing Cheltenham Street) Portland, OR 97239 503-432-7450 info@WestsideAKF.com www.westsideakf.com Westside Academy of Kung Fu teaches Mo Duk Pai Kung Fu, a martial style that emphasizes ethics, practicality and teaching. CrossFit Hillsdale teaches functional fitness with an emphasis gradual progress and real world results. Our mission is to provide students with quality instruction, love of learning, and open appreciation for all movement arts.

Academy of Kung Fu Teaching Kajukenbo Tum Pai 1236 14th Ave Longview, WA 98632 360-577-8323 Email – longviewkungfu@comcast.net www.longviewkungfu.com

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

“NW Connection”

Event Listings 4th Annual Mt. St. Helens Open Martial Arts Tournament July 24th, 2010 Mark Morris High School 1602 Mark Morris Ct. Longview, WA Registration starts at 8am, competition starts at 10am longviewkungfu@comcast.net (360) 577-8323

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,

I SSUE #1

“To Bring Pacific Northwest Martial Artists Together As One Family, Regardless Of Style,