Lamy
Martial Art Training

They said they prefer to do all techniques slowly and fluidly for safety reasons, so I abided. It was the one technique where uke is holding onto the shirt with a curled fist (near the chest area) so I pushed in uke’s elbow and wrapped my other arm around my partner’s shoulder to throw, and he stiffened so I could not. It was his turn to throw and he used the Ninjitsu technique we were learning to counter this grab. I grabbed him, and he began to do the move but did not maintain control and got too close to me in the process. I simply side-stepped next to him and repeated my Aikido technique, effectively reversing his defense and throwing him to the ground. I feel that this humbled him.

Needless to say, during the class I taught my Ninjitsu partner many things. I explained to him how some of the things he was doing was more dangerous to himself than necessary and that there are more effective ways. I also taught him new techniques and attacks I was surprised he didn’t know. In return, I learned a lot of new techniques from him and practiced them this evening on my own time. When I was in Ninjitsu class I was very quiet because I wasn’t familiar with etiquette so I was trying hard not to offend anyone by accident. I let my actions speak for themselves and at the end of the class, my Ninjitsu partner (Who happened to be one of the teachers of the class) took aside their most experienced teacher and I and made the case to him of how valuable my knowledge is and how there is a lot that can be learned from what I know for practical application in their martial arts training.

Hopefully this doesn’t stray too far from the topic of “Why practice martial arts” but I don’t practice to show off or prove anything, my reason is to help people improve themselves and learn to live happier and safer (Due to my own experiences with the dangers of life). I feel that this is a much stronger reason for training in martial arts and has made me a better martial artist.

By the way, I’m also going to be teaching informal beginners classes on the weekends at Ursinus. I already have a few friends who are interested and I figured this is a good way to keep my mind fresh with what I know and being able to choose my own times for practice. In the future I hope to teach martial arts so I’m practicing to be a good teacher.

Hope all is well in Wilmington. Always nice to read about your thoughts, Sensei.