Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Ashi Waza lessons

Matl Sensei took Mike and I through a related chain of related judo techniques - some foot and then the related hand versions. It is a funny thing with Sensei's judo - every technique feels the same. The more I watch his work the more I see the same 3 or 4 motions express themselves over and over. These are what I must learn!

Matl Sensei versus me.

Ever want to see your favorite blogger get his butt kicked? Well I talked Matl Sensei into giving me a few minutes of randori.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Tai Otoshi 体落 - Zdenek Matl - Austin Judo

Zdenek Matl teaching his soft judo version of Tai Otoshi. His technique is small, soft and will put you on your rear end!

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Austin Judo - Morote Gari 双手刈

Zdenek Matl Teaching us his minimum energy version of morote gari 双手刈 at the Austin Budokan.

If any of my readers have any requests of throws to see, please comment and I will get it filmed for you.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Austin Judo - Sumi Otoshi 隅落

Zdenek Matl working with us on his version of the sumi otoshi 隅落 corner drop.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Austin Judo - Uchi Mata 内股

Zdenek Matl teaches his minimal effort version of uchi mata, 内股 - inner thigh throw at the Austin Budokan in Austin Texas.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Austin Judo - O Soto Gari 大外刈

Zdenek Matl teaching his soft judo version of O Soto Gari 大外刈, the major outside reap at Austin Budokan, in Austin Texas.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Kalama Sutta

The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed through their town. They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions they discovered in what they heard. The Kalama Sutta is the Buddha's reply.

The following is a reader's digest version. This applies to martial study as deeply as it does any other course of spiritual endeavor.



– Do not believe anything on mere hearsay.
– Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places.
– Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it.
– Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage.
– Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being.
– Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true.
– Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests.
– But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it.

The same text, said the Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings.

– Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Training Montage

Hey, I cut this together for some promotional stuff, and as my own video photo album. My own training montage! What you don't have a montage? ...And you call yourself a martial artist. Sheesh.

I recommend turning up the volume.


Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Interesting Ashi Waza - Sapu

I have been working the ashi waza (foot sweeps) obsessively lately. While I enjoy doing it from judo connections, I have been finding aikido connections lend themselves brilliantly as entry in displacing your opponents foot.

Here is a silat teacher showing some ideas of foot techniques with a very different flavor - yet so familiar. i enjoyed this and I look forward to meshing these ideas into my work.