Aikijudo-Jitsu™ Ryu

"The River" A Gift to a Well-Respected Friend

The path we are all set upon is similar to a long and winding river. Sections of the path are calm, swift, and rapid. We may even encounter a few beautiful and deadly waterfalls along the way. With eyes forward, ears absorbing the sounds of nature, oars in the water, we can then successfully predict and adjust for many of the changes to come. Beyond our control, there are also times when the path is curved, silent, and otherwise void to our senses.

Feeling blind and alone—distended from nature—this is when we are on guard with our bodies poised to expect the unexpected. Anticipation of the unknown often causes a significant change in our chemistry: our muscles contract, our senses heightened, and this steals valuable energy and resources from our bodies. We must learn to manage our resources in moderation if we are to make it through to the end. Natures moods are unpredictable, and so we invoke self-awareness to ensure self-control.

Nature may choose to narrow our paths, or create obstacles to interrupt our grove. We may have to remove ourselves from the path, walk a ways to find a different entrance, and then continue our journey. Success requires us to be patient, especially during times when the breadth of the river seems as wide as an ocean. The waters a still-calm with no discernable currents; we again find ourselves feeling lost and alone. We must invoke reason, knowledge, wisdom and love when physical strength is no longer sufficient.

Physical strength is never sufficient. Virtue teaches us to row smarter, harder and longer than before to continue downstream. Barely back on course, we now find ourselves growing tired and weary. We must look intently around to find those we love, and those who love us. For we are not meant to make this journey alone. Wisdom teaches us to stop and rest to rebuild our strength, reflect on our past, learn from the unexpected, and reposition our strategies. Stopping from time-to-time as we must, our oar is out of the water.

Oars serve as both rudder, and our physical connection to the conditions of the currents. If our oar leaves the water, then we lose awareness of the flow and control of our path. While we may not choose the path and location of the river, we are empowered to choose how to proceed down the river, and those with whom we journey together. We must keep our eyes forward, our courage steadfast and true, our minds calm, and our oars in the water.

Troy M. Wussow
Aikijudo-Jitsu™
April 10, 2010

Some Differences Between Self-Defense and the Fighting Arts

Hello Tomodachi,

My first question to you is simple:  What do you want out of the martial arts?

To me there is a very clear dividing line between what I will call (a) self-defense, and (b) the fighting arts.  Self-defense is much more difficult to train for than the fighting arts, and I'll explain what I mean.  A student of self-defense (that has a good teacher) has a very focused goal in front of them. 

At some point in our future, one day and moment in time we may refer to as the "event", we may be faced with an aggressor we call Uke.  We don't know what day, what time, or even what Uke will look like or how they will behave.  This lack of knowledge is truly what sets us apart from those who train for the fighting arts. 

This "event" is what we focus on when we train. Uke may know one of a dozen martial arts styles, or boxing, or wrestling, or even street fighting.  They may or may not have a weapon.  They may or may not be mentally ill: sociopathic, psychotic or schizophrenic.  As students of self-defense we train constantly, nearly a lifetime to prepare for this event.

We study a variety of martial arts styles in addition to traditional fighting methods such as boxing and wrestling, anatomy & physiology, weaponry, an abundance of strategies such as Intondudo-Jutsu (the art of deception), and the mental disciplines of philosophy, psychology, sociology, and theology.  These areas of study are all required if we are to adequately prepare for and efficiently defend against an unknown aggressor.

The individuals who train in the fighting arts quite often know who their opponent will be.  I believe the word "opponent" is very important here because in the ring, I think it would be difficult to differentiate between who is Nage, and who is Uke.  Furthermore the ideas of winning for a student of self-defense are much different:  virtue, love, happiness, peace and self-preservation that drive Nage's goals are different than the fighter.  The fighter is out to win the respect of his/her peers, a trophy or belt, a grand title granting them temporary success over their peers, a financial purse, adoration of the fans, etc.  Perhaps the terms Nage and Uke only apply to self-defense training. 

Students of the fighting arts often find themselves training alone in a mental sense.  Students of self-defense come together as brothers and sisters, selflessly helping each other to prepare for that "event."  A fighter's peers are often their opponents, and the competition makes it difficult for them to bond in the same way students of self-defense do.  Students of self-defense are focused on defending against Uke, not each other.

Students of the fighting arts have the opportunity to watch and study the opponent's bouts, training films, etc. in order to determine their styles, strategies, strengths, and weaknesses on a near-singluar level; a case-to-case basis.   The egos of a fighter also seem to develop in a very different way. 

Students of self-defense don't usually have the same ego as a fighter because they are not performing.  There are winners and losers; there mey be a perceived loss of a trophy, social status, or financial purse.  A self-defense practitioner does not consider themself a winner or a loser; the steaks may be much higher.  They may lose their life, become crippled, or have to endure the pain and suffering or death of a friend or loved one at Uke's hands.  

There is also the threat of serious judicial punishment, and possibly a prison sentence if a self-defense practitioner is trained incorrectly and uses too much, or inappropriate force in their defense.

Fighters have the opportunity to claim "matte" and give up and walk away if they feel their life is in danger.  Students of self-defense do not have that luxury when they are face-to-face with Uke.  Matches also have rules and referee's to help ensure that the rules are followed.  Uke follows no rules, no boundaries, and there is very rarely a cop around when you need one.  Nage is left to face Uke on their own.

So, that being said, and if you agree, what is it that you want?  Do you want to learn self-defense, or do you want to learn the fighting arts?  I believe it would be extremely difficult to attempt both.  Fighters rarely do well when they come up against a psychoticly violent Uke:  they are not properly prepared.  Challenge a fighter to win their bout with nothing but love, and then you will understand.

Onegaishimasu!

Troy Wussow
Aikijudo-Jitsu™
April 8, 2010

Welcome to the Aikijudo-Jitsu™ Blog

Hello! Welcome to the Aikijudo-Jitsu BLOG. 

I invite you to read through the posts, and hope that you will receive some benefit from these words. I hope to be joined by my peers in passing along the wisdom inherited from those before us, onto the next generations of individuals of like mind.  If successful, it is my sincere hope that this BLOG will become a free repository of wisdom for all to share.

If you feel the desire to reply to a post, please do so after careful and thoughtful reflection.  As with any philisophical discussion, we must always be mindful and respectful of other's thoughts, ideas, and opinions.  Our realities are each unique and subjective, and therefore we must be patient and respectfull of each other if we are to grow as individuals.

Onegaishimasu,

Troy M. Wussow
Aikijudo-Jitsu™ Ryu
April 1, 2010