Right up Bill's alley."It may seem strange to include an article about tricks of leverage in the context of the martial arts, but Barton-Wright’s article is of great interest as it sheds light on similar tricks performed today by martial artists who claim to possess mysterious powers, or be able to control unusual forms of energy."
"How to Pose as a Strong Man"
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"How to Pose as a Strong Man"
In the current issue of Classical Fighting Arts, Harry Cook, who occassionally posts on this forum, uses an 1899 article by E. Barton-Wright as a focal point for an entertaining article on people appearing to have special abilities. An introductory paragraph is at Classical Fighting Arts Issue #12 (5th article down)
Glenn
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jorvik
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Bill Glasheen
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The unbendable arm is a useful phenomenon, and doesn't have to be thought of as a trick. Being able to do that is a vital part of the Sanchin posture in the same way having a tight frame is important for a high performance sports car. It is the go in go-ju. It's the yang that must accompany the yin for either to be relevant.
Aikido does a lot to show Uechika how to use Sanchin posture. For example... when you look at the way most people do kote gaeshi (with the upper body) and then see the way it's supposed to be done (with the legs), then you get it. It's no trick; it is an important fundamental of athleticism. And you see it expressed in the very beginning of Uechi Sanseiryu kata - if you know what you are looking for (the turn with the back-to-back shoken).
No, I don't go for the chi flowing through the arm thing...
Another thing worth mentioning is that a martial arts master is also potentially a master illusionist. Much of what I teach is how normal people can do the seemingly incredible with a little understanding of human physiology and some simple concepts of timing. To the untrained it does seem like magic. My mission as an instructor has always been to demystify what we do.
That doesn't mean it's easy. You can't get results without having executed the process. If it was easy, it wouldn't be special. Even with the professional magician I once had as a student, I always marveled at his craft. I knew what he was doing, and yet could admire his extraordinary execution.
One important distinction here is not passing yourself or what you are doing off for something that isn't.
- Bill
Aikido does a lot to show Uechika how to use Sanchin posture. For example... when you look at the way most people do kote gaeshi (with the upper body) and then see the way it's supposed to be done (with the legs), then you get it. It's no trick; it is an important fundamental of athleticism. And you see it expressed in the very beginning of Uechi Sanseiryu kata - if you know what you are looking for (the turn with the back-to-back shoken).
No, I don't go for the chi flowing through the arm thing...
Another thing worth mentioning is that a martial arts master is also potentially a master illusionist. Much of what I teach is how normal people can do the seemingly incredible with a little understanding of human physiology and some simple concepts of timing. To the untrained it does seem like magic. My mission as an instructor has always been to demystify what we do.
That doesn't mean it's easy. You can't get results without having executed the process. If it was easy, it wouldn't be special. Even with the professional magician I once had as a student, I always marveled at his craft. I knew what he was doing, and yet could admire his extraordinary execution.
One important distinction here is not passing yourself or what you are doing off for something that isn't.
- Bill
I will point out that the 1899 Barton-Wright article Harry uses is not about martial artists, it is about how to appear to do certain feats for 19th century stage shows...for example laying suspended between two chairs, with only the performer's feet and shoulders touching only the tops of the backs of the chairs, while someone stands on his abdomin. Harry however does editorially tie in some information presented in the 1899 article with some aspects of modern martial-arts feats. He also points out at least one documented incident of a martial artist who could seemingly perform amazing feats in controlled situations but not in an uncontrolled situation.
Not surprisingly it's being able to control how the feat is performed that tends to make the difference.
Not surprisingly it's being able to control how the feat is performed that tends to make the difference.
Glenn
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fivedragons
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The wonderful world of wordplay.
With jujutsu, you have certain principles of mind/body direction taught in the form of technique. In English, these are commonly referred to as "tricks".
Tricks aren't just for kids, silly rabbit.
Posted by Glenn:
"Not surprisingly it's being able to control how the feat is performed that tends to make the difference."
And that is very relevant to any study of humanity and the conflict and change inherent in human interaction.
Being able to control how the feat is performed might be considered the apex of skill in karate. A very subtle, sophisticated and practical consideration.
One thing I have learned over the years in participating in this forum is the perceived power of words over reality.
Words were created to communicate one's perceptions of the world, and to express man's thoughts, emotions and intent.
They seem to have acquired a life of their own.
We seem so enamored with them that we would rather play cute games with them than use them for what they were made for.
Words by themselves have absolutely no intrinsic value, other than the action that they represent.
Kind of like a dollar bill without any gold or real value behind it.
Best to think of words as the guttural vocalizations of tree dwelling apes.
With jujutsu, you have certain principles of mind/body direction taught in the form of technique. In English, these are commonly referred to as "tricks".
Tricks aren't just for kids, silly rabbit.
Posted by Glenn:
"Not surprisingly it's being able to control how the feat is performed that tends to make the difference."
And that is very relevant to any study of humanity and the conflict and change inherent in human interaction.
Being able to control how the feat is performed might be considered the apex of skill in karate. A very subtle, sophisticated and practical consideration.
One thing I have learned over the years in participating in this forum is the perceived power of words over reality.
Words were created to communicate one's perceptions of the world, and to express man's thoughts, emotions and intent.
They seem to have acquired a life of their own.
We seem so enamored with them that we would rather play cute games with them than use them for what they were made for.
Words by themselves have absolutely no intrinsic value, other than the action that they represent.
Kind of like a dollar bill without any gold or real value behind it.
Best to think of words as the guttural vocalizations of tree dwelling apes.
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Bill Glasheen
- Posts: 17299
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Richmond, VA --- Louisville, KY
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Bill Glasheen
- Posts: 17299
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Richmond, VA --- Louisville, KY
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RACastanet
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- Location: Richmond, VA
We use quite a few physics tricks at school to impress the students. One of the best shows how tough we are.
Here is Mr. Physics himself about to sacrifice his body to science...
In this trick I place a 4" cement block on my abdomen while lying on a bed of nails. The nails and the cement block are real and we let the students check them out.
One of the other physics teachers uses a genuine sledge hammer to break the block. We let the students check out the hammer as well. Here is the split block...
It does not hurt a bit. I'm wearing an old sweatshirt so I do not snag my dress shirt.
The physics kids learn about force and area as well as inertia and impulse momentum.
Word of the demo got around and the 'bad' kids know that if a sledge hammer and nails cannot hurt Mr. 'C' they best not mess with him. True story.
Rich
Here is Mr. Physics himself about to sacrifice his body to science...
In this trick I place a 4" cement block on my abdomen while lying on a bed of nails. The nails and the cement block are real and we let the students check them out.
One of the other physics teachers uses a genuine sledge hammer to break the block. We let the students check out the hammer as well. Here is the split block...
It does not hurt a bit. I'm wearing an old sweatshirt so I do not snag my dress shirt.
The physics kids learn about force and area as well as inertia and impulse momentum.
Word of the demo got around and the 'bad' kids know that if a sledge hammer and nails cannot hurt Mr. 'C' they best not mess with him. True story.
Rich
Last edited by RACastanet on Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
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RACastanet
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