Sanchin Closed Gate Imagery

[Guest]

In my first 10 years or so I used an imaging technique at the conclusion of Sanchin in the closed gate position. Initially, the image I held in my mind was that of withstanding the testing techniques and corrections designed to improve my form as well as continue the conditioning and strengthening process while maintaining a strong closed gate position. Through time I was able to establish and close in a taught, stable closed gate stance without going through a mental list checkdown. Nonetheless, the image was a defensive posture designed to withstand those testing attacks and corrections.

In the last couple of years, I've been using a different image, that of pressing down and planting in the ground a post or 2 x 2 wooden stake. I like this unified positive image of exerting strength through a proper stance. It seems to consolidate all the necessary muscle groups, tendons and ligaments in a purposeful effort. I can close feeling I've won and not just withstood an attack.

Does anyone else do this kind of mental imaging?

john

[sdwoodill]

Great Piont about mental imaging. I also use a form of this imaging when performing all of my katas. I like to visualize my opponent in front of me or beside me depending on which counter offensive movment I am performing at the time. I also like to not visualize the same opponent over and over so you can give yourself a better range of sub -conciese attacks to use based on each induvidual you may be facing at the time.

[Evan Pantazi]

How about just their neck.

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Bill Glasheen]

You guys are good!

F*** the sanchin testing fiasco. I'm with you; I think it teaches us the wrong mindset. If folks are into it, I'm happy to be they guy on the giving end. As they say, better to give than to receive...

Evan and Laird touched on one aspect - neck attacks. Evan came up with quite the obscure example, but that's exactly the point of kata work. The more things you can hook to these mental pnemonics, the more meaning the kata has and so the more valuable the kata training.

There are many "closed temple gate" postures throughout Seisan and Sanseiryu. Look for them and you will find them. One example is the double shoken position (last move in Kanshiwa). Get a judoka to show you how to do a front choke hold. Then the offensive application will jump right out at you. Closed temple gate is lowest-common-denominator posture, whereas double shoken is application.

There's another entirely different line of thinking here though, and this is something that brother Jim would see right away. Closed temple gate is an example of occupying the center line. Do a little reading on Wing Chun, and you will see what that is all about. This posture is the mid-level position of center line occupation. You will also see upper and lower gate positions that work on the same theme. And you will see attacking movements (such as the triple rising boshikens in Seisan) that show offensive striking applications of the centerline concept.

- Bill

[Guest]

Closed gate position is a classic muay thai clinch position. If you can't get the sport application of a knee to the face or torso ; simply turn away from the opponent to discover the street application.

I find that if the neck crank doesn't work well turning away because the opponent has read the move then if you turn quickly back into the opponent in the opposite direction the crank works. Were the head goes the ass follows , but unfortunately the ass can't keep up and the neck pays the price.

[MikeK]

Returning to G rating. Removed off color post.

[Guest]

then I'm not keen to go digging for it

[f.Channell]

Here's a picture of the Judo technique Bill mentioned.
More difficult to apply standing due to mobility, but not impossible.

http://web1.vattnet.com/judo/katamewaza ... ijime.html

(The direct image wouldn't work)

f.

[Guest]

Closed gate position is a classic muay thai clinch position. If you can't get the sport application of a knee to the face or torso ; simply turn away from the opponent to discover the street application.

I like the photo of the young lady coming out of the closed gate with a neck lock and pull down into her knee lift.

We have a variation in our dojo. Her right hand slips behind the right side of the opponent's neck. Right hand is cupped as in a soft block parry. Then the pull down into the Hiza.

thanks for the "imagery"

john

[2Green]

Closed gate is also a wonderful "defensive posture" (read between the lines) to use when in a public situation, it looks so "thoughtful" and "contemplative" to the uninitiated.
Almost submissively prayer-like.

To me it's like a loaded bear-trap waiting to be sprung in a number of ways, but none of this is apparent. Pure genius.
Many other such postures abound, suitable for use in public situations where some defense protocol is indicated but no overt postures can be used.
These include "cupping the ear", "touching the shoulder", the Columbo pose which is "cupping the elbow while stroking the chin", and "rubbing the palms" which looks like a nervous habit but puts your hands within inches of the interviewer's head.

NM

[Evan Pantazi]

A few more obscure methods Glasheen Sensei... I will say this breaking down Kata stuff is much more beneficial than crosswords, even for the elderly. Stay sharp folks, even if people look at you funny.

Click the pictures for a brief clip... circa 2000

[Bill Glasheen]

Good collection, Evan, including the classic aikido shiho nage at the end.

I've had my Uechi students tell me that when they went to aikido schools to study, people were amazed how quickly they were able to grasp concepts and execute throws. It isn't the moves per se, but rather the good posture and mechanics that they bring to the table. And in the end that's what this is - a strong and stable posture that protects and allows the person to hold arms at a stable, maximum strength point.

- Bill

[Dana Sheets]

There's one at the link below. She doesn't quite have her posture correct but this is a good principleI don't want to post it because the image is too large.

http://www.mindspring.com/~dharma/danbar.jpg