DISCUSSION

Structural alignment

During the escape drills, we highlighted that the position of the arms and fingers, the angle of the grip to your arm are all relevant details that must be followed for some techniques to work.

The “Heavy Elbow” Principle:

An effective downward force cannot be generated via brute force as is demonstrated during class. you have to transfer your entire body weight through the elbow without learning onto the elbow. This can only be accomplished by visualizing your elbow as “heavy”. By letting your body weight sag and apply pressure through the elbow, it creates a much stronger, more stable effect that’s hard to counter.

SCENARIOS

Basic Arm/Wrist Control Techniques

Five essential techniques—three low and two high—form the foundation for breaking an opponent’s grip. Mastering these five solutions develops a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanics common to a wide range of escape techniques.

The thumb is a critical component in most grips. By learning to disrupt the structural integrity of the opponent’s thumb, you can escape the majority of holds efficiently, without relying on brute force.

Redirection of incoming forces

A physical and philosophical approach that avoids meeting force head-on. Rather than pushing back (which combines your force with theirs), redirect their momentum—relax and step aside—to neutralize the attack more efficiently than direct confrontation.

Key Points:
  – Do not meet force with force—redirect it
  – Pushing back against 100 pounds using 110 pounds yields only a 10-pound net.
  – Head-on collisions amplify impact, as both forces are absorbed directly through the bodies involved.
  – Redirection (e.g., stepping aside) minimizes impact and uses the attacker’s momentum against himself.

EXERCISES

Planks

We made a few corrections before class—keep applying them in your practice. Use your abdominal muscles to support and “hang” the hips and legs in position. Minimize reliance on the legs, and avoid using the lower back to hold the posture.

Focus on maintaining a stable, aligned structure driven by the core rather than muscular tension in the limbs. If you practice consistently over the summer break, you will return significantly stronger and more stable in this position.

SIDE NOTES

There are only two more classes after this week before we break for the summer.

It has been a pleasure teaching all of you. You’ve been supportive of one another, which has made for a great training environment. I’d also like to give special mention to those of you who returned to training soon after hip surgery—your commitment is impressive.

Learning to adapt your training to how your body feels each day is essential. Adaptation is a key component of any effective survival skill.

DISCUSSION

Off Topic

I apologize for the late notes. Two things happened: my recorder ran out of battery, and on top of that, I was heading off on holiday the next day, so I didn’t have time to write everything down before I left.

Anyway, the bird photo above is one of the special birds I photographed during my trip to Alberta—a White-faced Ibis. I had never seen one in full breeding plumage in person before. In the Lower Mainland, they don’t show up often—maybe once every few years—and when they do, they are often juveniles, meaning they haven’t developed their full coloration yet.

Birding has taught me patience, as well as an appreciation for the laws of nature. I have seen hummingbirds harass eagles many times their size. I may have the best plans and intentions, but if a bird doesn’t show up, there is nothing I can do on that trip. Sometimes it’s not movement itself that scares birds away, but changes in movement patterns that trigger their danger-detection system. I’ve also learned that with advances in digital photography, you need to maximize and take full advantage of those moments.

Last but not least, I’ve learned to make use of every opportunity in front of me instead of thinking “it can wait”—because opportunities often fly away.

Now, how is birdwatching related to self-defense? Give that a try. 🙂

Technical Tension vs Technical Relaxation

We’ve talked many times about the need to relax in self-defense. However, that’s not how most of us have been conditioned throughout our lives. We lift weights, arm-wrestle, play tug-of-war as kids, and instinctively “try harder” when things aren’t working in our favor. It’s easy to assume that fighting effectively depends on muscular tension. Obviously, that’s not true.

Relaxation is not the same as being limp like overcooked spaghetti. Technical relaxation requires precision. It involves knowing which body parts should move and which should remain stable, where your focus should be directed, and how to maintain proper structural alignment.

If there is such a thing as technical relaxation, then there must also be technical tension. The projection technique we covered in class is a good example. It is relatively easy to learn, but more importantly, it allows you to experience the difference between relying purely on muscular effort and using an efficient mechanical system—one where both muscle and intent work together.

Rest/ Restore Cycle

When I was training for triathlons and marathons in my younger days, one of the toughest lessons I learned was the importance of proper recovery. At first, I believed that pushing harder and “toughing it out” was the key. Very quickly, I found myself becoming more susceptible to colds and flu when I didn’t allow enough rest.

We learned to build in structured recovery cycles. This included small “breaks,” where we reduced training volume or intensity once a week, and a more significant break once a month—a full day of complete rest. This approach kept me much healthier and improved my overall performance.

Let me explain what I mean by “small breaks.” In triathlon training, you have three disciplines to manage. It’s unrealistic to train all three at high intensity every day. Instead, we would focus on two disciplines per day. On the following day, we would rotate—training the third discipline more fully while reducing load on one of the others. We also varied the focus within each discipline, such as working on speed versus efficiency. What works best depends on the individual, but the key principle is variation to keep both the body and mind fresh.

What is active rest?

Rest doesn’t mean sitting on the couch all day. It means allowing both your body and mind to recover by engaging in something different and enjoyable. Active rest is a planned reduction in training intensity while maintaining light movement to support recovery without complete inactivity.

Examples include going to the beach and casually throwing a ball, playing on a water slide with family, enjoying a light game of tag with grandchildren at a park, or even participating in a relaxed social dance. The specific activity doesn’t matter—what matters is that it’s enjoyable and low stress.

I also use active rest as part of recovery after illness or surgery to gently reintroduce movement. The goal is to increase blood circulation without causing fatigue.

For seniors, depending on individual condition, incorporating active rest once or twice a week can be very beneficial. It helps maintain consistency while ensuring that training does not become a chore.

SCENARIOS

Shoulder shrug push

This exercise is designed to help you experience the difference between passive relaxation and functional (technical) relaxation.

On one end, there is the “limp” type of relaxation, where structure is lost and power cannot be transmitted effectively. On the other end, there is excessive tension—stiffening the shoulders and arms in an attempt to generate force—which often restricts movement and reduces efficiency.

The goal is to find the middle ground: allowing the shoulders to relax and move forward naturally while maintaining the structural integrity of the body and arms. This prevents “leakage” of power and enables force to be transmitted efficiently through the entire body.

By comparing these three states—limp, tense, and technically relaxed—you can better understand how to generate power without unnecessary effort.

EXERCISES

Remember to work hard and yet make sure your body do get some active rest once or twice a week.

SIDE NOTES

Tug-of-war may seem like a pure test of muscle power—the most direct form of strength against strength. But if you look closely, technique plays a critical role, and small details often determine which team wins.

Can you see it?

It’s not just about pulling harder. It’s about body alignment, timing, coordination, and how effectively each person connects to the ground and to their teammates. Teams that move as a single unit, maintain structure, and apply force efficiently will often outperform stronger but less coordinated opponents.

Even in something as simple as tug-of-war, technique matters.

DISCUSSION

Knowing is not enough

Look at kids practicing table tennis at a competitive level. They repeat the simplest movements over and over again. Watch the video above.

Self-defense is not a sport—but doesn’t that make it even more important to invest time in repetition, so that your trained responses become automatic?

I want you to stay curious, to enjoy the process of practice, and to notice the improvements that come over time.

Our method of self-defense may seem simple and logical. However, it is not how you have been operating for most of your life. As we age together, we need to do things differently and learn to compensate for the changes in our bodies.

Using an Opponent’s Reflexes

Exploit natural reactions to trap or control an opponent. Create scenarios where their instincts, such as tightening a grip or pulling back when pushed, work in your favor. When done correctly, their response helps complete the technique, allowing you to use less effort and achieve greater control.

Common mistakes of stick maneuvers

• Wrist flipping – Flipping the wrist during a strike can misalign the weapon. If the stick were a blade, you would be cutting with the back edge instead of the edge itself. Maintain proper alignment throughout the strike.
• Dropping the arms too low – This is a very common mistake. As your arms drop, you lose reach and structural integrity. Instead of lowering your arms, lower your body by bending at the knees and hips.
• Failing to “park” the stick after a strike – Recovery is critical. If the stick is not properly controlled after impact, you can easily lose structure—or even strike yourself. Build the habit of returning the stick to a controlled, ready position after every action.
• Remaining stationary during strikes and defenses – Keeping the body and footwork static limits both power and safety. Movement is essential—not only to generate force, but also to reposition yourself and avoid becoming a stationary target.

SCENARIOS

Review of the escapes from the 5 basic grips

It is important to remember the five basic grips, as most other techniques are simply extensions of them. At this stage, many of you still hesitate when being grabbed. In addition, it often takes more than one attempt before you can recall and apply all the key points correctly.

This is a natural part of the learning process. You simply need enough repetitions to truly own the technique. It is also important to train with different partners, each with different body types, timing, and reactions.

Do not be afraid, frustrated or embarrassed. It can be solved. Arrive a bit earlier if possible to experiment, and ask questions whenever needed.

Extending What Was Learned into Different Situations

The five basic grips provide the foundation for handling a wide range of other grip variations. From there, we experimented with the following scenarios:

• Two-arm grip from the opponent with their arms crossed
• Two-arm low grip on both wrists in a natural grip
• High two-arm grip against both wrists with upward pressure
• Face-to-face position with an elbow grip
• Side-by-side position with a wrist grip

While these situations may feel new, the solutions are based on the same concepts you learned from the five basic grips. Try to determine the appropriate response by recalling those principles and applying the underlying mechanics from the other techniques.

EXERCISES

All exercises taught, whether using body weight or a stick, should be practiced to improve strength and stamina. Everyday tasks often require only specific parts of the body to move and over time, this becomes a habit. We frequently rely on just our arms to lift heavy objects, which is why workplace safety guidelines (such as those from WCB) emphasize using the legs instead. Once you are used to the new way, it becomes your new habit.

Similarly, when pushing a person or resisting force, many people rely primarily on their arms instead of driving power through the legs and body into the arms. To change these habits, these mechanics must be trained as life skills—not just as a Thursday class exercise.

SIDE NOTES

T-shirts should be ready coming Thursday. If everyone is there, we should take a group picture!

DISCUSSION

Stick as a weapon

Stick as a Weapon

A stick, with the amplification created by its whipping action, is extremely fast and elusive. Therefore, you must focus on “moving the target” rather than standing in one place and attempting to block the attack.

Muscles are meant to protect the bones, and make no mistake—being hit on any part of the body hurts. However, strikes to areas with less muscle protection are significantly more damaging. Commonly exposed or “unprotected” areas include the fingers, knuckles, elbows, knees, shoulders, collarbone, neck, ribs, and head. When struck at full speed with a stick, bones in these areas may crack, potentially immobilizing the attacker and forcing them to release their weapon.

Footwork

When training in bare-handed self-defense, many people remain static and rely on arm strength for both attack and defense. However, once weapons are introduced, this approach quickly proves inadequate. The speed and elusiveness of a stick demand mobility.

You must learn to evade, duck, lean, tilt, and keep your steps constantly active. Even if you never engage in stick fighting, this type of training builds strong movement habits that carry over into all aspects of combat.

When moving to the side while striking, aim for approximately a 30-degree angle off-center rather than a convenient 45-degree angle. At 45 degrees, you have not truly closed the distance. A slightly forward-biased angle allows you to both advance and generate more forward force through your step, enhancing the effectiveness of your strike.

Picking Targets

There are similarities yet important differences between bare-hand self-defense and stick or weapon-based fighting. Two of the most critical differences are distance management and target selection.

You must maintain a greater distance due to your opponent’s potential reach advantage. At this longer range, it becomes easier to adopt a “sniper-style” approach: strike, then disengage. This allows you to frustrate an opponent who does not share the same reach.

In bare-hand situations, targeting the opponent’s hand typically does not cause sufficient damage to stop them. However, with a stick, accuracy and speed can make hand targeting highly effective. A quick, forceful strike to the weapon-holding hand—especially the knuckles—can be enough to disarm your opponent.

SCENARIOS

First Disarm Technique

It seems like it is quite complex when you try to the entire move all at once. So we break it into parts. Your opponent is doing a number one strike to your left elbow:

• Block and swipe under his arm to strike at his arm or ribs while left hand grab his stick sliding close to the end of his stick, right after the block
• Snake the stick from under over and across opponent’s forearm forming a cross over his forearm
• Left hand swipe down and around in anti-clockwise, while right hand lift the butt side up slightly to create a pivot point. The resulting leverage will force him to let go of his stick and now you have both stick.

EXERCISES

Swinging the stick is important. You must practice also the stepping, the evasive moves, the level change.

Try to see what you can salvage from memory about the disarm. .

SIDE NOTES

Aside from teaching Seniors’ Self-Defense, I also have a group of students who practice LiuHeBaFa—the martial art I consider my “home” style. As part of our training, we practice push hands to develop sensitivity and refine body mechanics.

We competed in Richmond on May 9th. You can read more about it on Facebook—find me at MartialGym Facebook Page or visit the club’s page at LHBF MartialGym Facebook Page.

DISCUSSION

Why Practice with Sticks?

Many people first encounter sticks as simple objects for play. However, learning to use a stick goes far beyond fun or fighting.

Training with a stick is an engaging way to develop hand-eye coordination. It also serves as an effective tool for building strength in the hands and arms. Because of its simplicity, it is a convenient training implement that can be used almost anywhere.

With proper practice, you begin to appreciate the amount of power a stick can generate. While others may underestimate a person’s empty-hand striking ability, they tend to be far more cautious when a stick is involved—especially in the hands of someone who appears skilled.

Because a stick can move quickly, it becomes especially important to develop mobility and the ability to reposition both yourself and the target.

A stick is also one of the most accessible tools you can carry or find in everyday environments. However, it must be treated with respect. As the saying goes, “Do not take it out unless you intend to use it.” Use it responsibly and with control—never carelessly or abusively.

Basic Striking Patterns and Strikes

The stick skills taught here are derived from Filipino Arnis, simplified to make them easier to learn, retain, and apply.

There are two primary types of strikes:

• Snap (or knock): The stick recoils immediately upon contact with the target. These strikes are used to stun or distract. When applied to sensitive areas such as the opponent’s fingers, they can cause them to lose grip of their weapon.
• Follow-through (hit and swing through): Similar to swinging an axe, the strike continues through the target. This generates heavier impact and delivers more force.

The following are the fundamental movement patterns:

• Diagonal patterns: Letter X (or figure-eight), performed in both natural and reverse directions
• Helicopter / fan (abanico)
• Horizontal strikes
• Vertical strikes (downward and upward)
• Thrusting (stabbing) actions: using the front end of the stick (dulo) or the butt end (punyo)

The Stick Grip and Handling

The stick should not hang loosely from the arm, but it also should not be gripped too tightly. Maintain a balanced grip—secure enough for control, yet relaxed enough in the fingers and wrist to allow the stick to whip through the air. If your grip is too tight, you will restrict speed and fluidity, making it difficult to generate proper snapping motion.

Although a stick does not have a cutting edge like a blade, the system is based on the idea that the same mechanics can translate to edged weapons. With that in mind, align the second joints of your fingers as if they represent the cutting edge, always oriented toward the target.

After each strike, you should “park” the stick in a controlled position. This builds the habit of always knowing where your weapon is. While it may seem minor, poor control can cause the stick to rebound unpredictably potentially resulting in self-inflicted contact or accidental injury to others nearby.

Your non-weapon (guard) hand should remain active at all times unless performing a specific action. Keep it positioned in front of your chin or neck, facing outward, ready to protect or assist as needed.

Numbering System for Ease of Reference

Having a numbering system is both good and bad. Once you repeat it enough times, then it is not a problem. However, it is a problem when there is more than one numbering system. To switch between the different system will be very confusing.

I am teaching sticks to seniors and I don’t want to over burden them with complexities that doesn’t offer a lot of value unless they are planning to live and breath it and make it their profession.

So our simple system is always from the striker’s point of view. Right are all odd numbers and even number is the left. We will simply start with 4. One is high-right. two is high-left, three is mid-right, four is mid-left. We will add more over the weeks.

SCENARIOS

Partner overhead helicopeter drill

This drill develops coordination between the elbow, body movement, and an overhead wrist-driven strike. The goal is to generate a controlled “flicking” motion from above.

Maintain visual focus on your target at all times. Your partner will hold a stick upright as a reference point. Aim precisely and strike the target using the overhead helicopter motion, ensuring the movement is driven by proper body alignment and a relaxed, snapping wrist rather than excessive tension.

Practicing the Strike (Power, Distance, Angle, and Guard)

Developing strength in the arms, wrists, and hands is essential and will improve over time with consistent practice. Repeating the basic striking patterns with a stick helps build the necessary attributes.

Provide a smaller target by tucking in your chin, rounding your back and bending the knees and facing your opponent at a slight angle. Stick are fast because of the amplification of the hand and body speed through the arc of travel.

A common beginner mistake is relying on just the arm for power while maintaining a stiff body and shoulder. Instead, allow the entire body to contribute to the strike. Power should originate from the hips, not from twisting the waist in isolation. As the hips rotate, one foot should turn with the knee and pivot on toe while the other side provides a stable anchor and stay grounded.

Proper distance and angle are also critical. If the target is low, adjust your level by lowering your body so your shoulder is closer to the height of the target. If the target is high, avoid simply reaching upward with your arms. Instead, raise your body so the stick remains closer to a horizontal line. This is important because your effective reach is greatest when the arm and stick are aligned horizontally; reaching too far up or down reduces both reach and structural efficiency.

Level changes can also be used as a tactical tool. You can feint high and then quickly change levels by rising or dropping your stance. Combined with stick speed, wrist-driven redirection, and footwork adjustments, this makes your strikes significantly more difficult to anticipate and defend.

Always remember the importance of controlling the “blade edge” throughout the entire strike, right up to the moment power is delivered to the target.

A common beginner mistake is rotating the wrist too early, causing the strike to land with the “back side” or at an inconsistent angle. This misalignment reduces effectiveness and can cause the stick to glance off or lose control upon impact.

Maintain awareness of your guard hand throughout, ensuring it remains active and ready unless intentionally committed to another action.

EXERCISES

Do all the body conditioning drills plus work on the stick moves so that it is not foreign to you. Use the whooshing sound as feedback to know if you are striking with acceptable speed. Furthermore, add the following variations:

• Level changes
• Zigzag steps forward and backward

SIDE NOTES

DISCUSSION

Pivot Point Mechanics and Leverage: When lifting a load with your arms extended straight in front of you, efficiency can be improved by bending the elbows, which shortens the lever acting against you. Once the elbows are bent, you can further optimize the movement by selecting an effective pivot point based on mechanical advantage. For example, you might use the opponent’s wrist as the pivot point and move other parts of the body around or underneath that point to gain leverage.

Power though a line: We often rely too heavily on muscle-based effort, applying weightlifting habits directly to real-life situations. This can cause us to overlook the difference between muscle-driven force and structure-driven force. For instance, pulling someone off their feet requires power, but that power does not have to come solely from muscular effort. It can also be generated by aligning your skeletal structure efficiently—positioning your body along a strong line of force—rather than relying on poorly aligned, isolated muscle exertion.

Focused power: When you narrow the “aperture” of a garden hose, the water exits with greater force due to increased pressure. If there is a leak along the hose, some of that pressure is lost before reaching the end. Similarly, while blunt force can generate power, it lacks the penetrating efficiency of a more focused output. The human body operates in a comparable way: if there are “leaks” in your structure—misalignments or breaks in force transmission—your overall power output is significantly reduced.

Application of what you have learnt: The more you apply these concepts in daily life, the more confidence you build through direct experience. For those who have trained for decades, even without engaging in physical conflict, the benefits are substantial. These include improved fitness and health, greater strength and adaptability compared to peers, and the ability to apply general principles and philosophy to help others.

SCENARIOS

Review of wrist escapes

Aside from the Low grabs, we reviewed the high wrist grabs and corrected some of the most common mistakes. Then we reviewed how to handle the various high wrist grabs:

• High across wrist grab
• High same side wrist grab
• Low across over-hand grab

If you cannot remember, of course you can ask in the next class. However, do try to apply the logic or mechanics from techniques you have already learned and see if you can derive a workable solution.

Experimented with the pull mechanics

When I say “relax” while pulling, I do not mean becoming loose or weak. I mean avoiding unnecessary tension that creates internal resistance and works against your own leverage.

You should visualize a continuous “power line” running through your body. In this case, it extends from your feet to the tip of the opposite shoulder. Any part of the body that is not aligned with this line should move toward it. Likewise, any body part contributing force should stay as close to this power line as possible to maximize efficiency and minimize energy loss.

EXERCISES

Repeat previous week’s exercises.

SIDE NOTES

DISCUSSION

Different Levels of Relaxation

As discussed previously, there are different levels of relaxation:

Tensed – The muscles are fully stiffened. This may be useful in bodybuilding when the goal is to display muscular definition. However, from a functional perspective, tensing the entire body slows down athletic movement. In martial arts, it also creates a rigid leverage structure that an opponent can easily exploit.

Technical Relaxation – The term “technical” indicates that this is not passive relaxation, but one with specific requirements and objectives. Technical relaxation involves maintaining intent and structural integrity while minimizing unnecessary tension.

Limp – This state is functionally ineffective in a martial arts context. It resembles an overcooked noodle—lacking structure, intent, and the ability to generate or transmit force.

What is moving and what is staying still

When lifting a light object, you usually don’t give it a second thought—you simply pick it up. However, when handling a heavier object, you instinctively adjust your position, such as bending down or squatting, to avoid injury. Efficient mechanics not only protect you but also allow you to work more effectively.

Leverage always involves three elements: the pivot, the effort, and the load. If the intended pivot does not remain stable, the entire leverage system is compromised. Consider a door hinge: if it is not properly anchored, the door will not move smoothly.

When people think about generating power for punching, they often assume that rotation must occur around the spine—the body’s vertical center. This is a common misconception. In reality, we have multiple options depending on the objective. For example, rotation can occur around the left hip, the spine, or the right hip. Furthermore, the center of rotation does not have to be within the body—it can also be external, such as above the head or at the opponent’s wrist or hand. Each choice produces a different mechanical effect.

SCENARIOS

Test the integrity of your push against a partner

After practicing isometric push exercises, test them with a partner. You may perform well against a fixed object like a wall, but your body and mind often behave differently when facing a real person.

One of the most common mistakes to watch for is telegraphing—preparing the movement by settling into a stance before applying the push. This gives away your intent and reduces effectiveness.

Other issues to look for include:

• Leaning forward excessively, which compromises balance and structure
• Maintaining an upright posture through tension rather than relaxation, limiting responsiveness and efficiency

The goal is to apply the same structural integrity and intent you developed in solo practice, but under the dynamic conditions of working with a partner.

EXERCISES

Training Sticks

Practice using a stick approximately ½ to ¾ inch in diameter and approximately 28 inches in length. You can hang a towel as a target for practice. Grip the stick 1–2 inches from the end. Focus on striking your selected target for accuracy..

Include the following drills:

• Helicopter rotations (arms extended)
• Arm swings – left and right
• Figure-eight patterns – from top as well as from bottom slicing up
• Close-range adjustments (hip rotation and wrist alignment)

At this stage, the primary goal is to develop hand-eye coordination so the stick can reach the target with precision. Do notice your elbow position as well as palm placement for each of the swings.

Equipment and Safety

• Avoid overly heavy sticks, as your wrist may not be strong enough to control and decelerate them safely
• Do not use fragile items (e.g., umbrellas), as they may bend or break
• If the stick is too slippery, apply tape (similar to a hockey stick) to improve grip
• Discard any cracked sticks to prevent them from breaking during use and causing injury or damage

Sticks of all sizes are easily accessible, but different sizes each have different considerations. At this stage, we standardize on one size to develop wrist and forearm strength before progressing to longer sticks or two-handed grips.

Isometric Push

This is a highly effective exercise for developing structural unity and strengthening the muscles involved in the pushing power chain.

Push against a wall or a horizontal bar using strong, slightly bent arms. The goal is to train and feel the correct mechanics of a forward push.

Key Points to Observe:

• Center of Gravity
  Your center of gravity should be positioned between both legs. It should not be directly above the rear leg. When pushing against an immovable object, Newton’s Third Law applies—your push generates an equal and opposite reaction force, which can destabilize you if your structure is misaligned. Position your center of gravity at least six inches in front of the rear foot to create proper structural support during the push.
• Joint Stability
  No joints should move during the push. Maintain fixed angles throughout the body—for example:
  • The angle between the forearm and upper arm
  • The angle between the thigh and shin
  • A relatively upright back
  Apply pressure by squeezing down and forward without bouncing. Back leg should be bent. Load from the back leg with a slight bend in the elbows, then sustain the pressure for short durations (10–20 seconds).
• Structural Integrity
  You should feel and identify any “leaks” in your structure—any unintended changes in alignment and angles of joints during force application. The pressure should transmit cleanly to your arms without any visible movement.

SIDE NOTES

Some of you may have noticed that I added “Bonsor” to the title. This is because I have recently started teaching at Confederation Seniors Centre (CSC), so please keep that in mind when reading the class notes. You may have to scroll down a bit to find the latest notes.

At CSC, this is a new SSD program in North Burnaby on Thursday evening. I am experimenting with a 1.5-hour class format. As it is a trial, it will run for four weeks only. Reading their class notes might provide you with some new insight.

DISCUSSION

Structural Power vs. Muscle Power

The alignment of intent and bone structure plus the connection to the ground will generate more power than counting on isolated muscle effort. Structural power is more efficient, consume less energy and therefore will last longer, and yet be able to accomplish more.

In the scenarios taught this weeks, creating a diagonal force line from the front foot, through a straight diagonal line through the hip and spine, and ultimately to the shoulder, using the entire body as one connected unit gives you a really strong pull as compared to using just arm strength..

Re-Directing Force

SCENARIOS

Two-Hand to Two-Hand Escape Techniques (Natural Grab and Crossed Grab)

These movements are difficult to fully convey in writing, if you missed the class or simply can’t remember how to do it, do ask anytime. Furthermore, test it against different partners, every person is different and it is important to learn to adapt as well.

The following key principles are essential to understanding the technique:

• Focus on one side:
  You do not need to address both wrists simultaneously. Choose the side you are most comfortable with and work from there. Your free hand remains available for follow-up control.
• Exploit psychological reaction:
  The technique leverages the opponent’s instinctive response when they feel one grip weakening. As one hand begins to lose control, their immediate reaction is often: “I’m losing control on one side—I need to tighten my grip on the other.”
  This creates an imbalance. By focusing on one side, you can effectively influence and control both arms through their own reaction.
• Use directional change and structure:
  When you apply a quick pull (yank) followed by a reversal of direction, you are not relying on strength alone. You are using body positioning—yours and theirs—as barriers that disrupt their ability to maintain a stable grip.

Five wrist grabs with constraints

We deliberately train escape techniques for the five basic grabs under a variety of constraints and added stress. This includes scenarios such as limited space, the aggressor using their free hand to apply additional pressure, and the aggressor moving with you to disrupt your balance and timing.

We also explore positions where the aggressor keeps their arms fully extended and rigid, restricting your range of movement and reducing your options.

These variations are intentional. They are designed to build your adaptability, reinforce the underlying principles, and develop confidence in applying the techniques under less-than-ideal conditions. We will continue expanding on these scenarios throughout the season.

EXERCISES

Improving your baseline level of fitness is essential. Having physical capacity in reserve can make a significant difference, especially in unexpected or emergency situations.

In some internal martial arts communities, such as Tai Chi, there is a tendency to look down on strength training or muscle development. However, even something as simple as standing upright requires both muscular strength and coordination. In addition, resistance training plays an important role in maintaining bone density, particularly as we age.

My approach is grounded in practicality. This includes not only skill development but also maintaining health and independence for as long as possible.

A useful analogy is this: while money is not everything, there is nothing wrong with having it. You may not want to spend it carelessly, but having it gives you options—the ability to invest in things you believe are worthwhile. In the same way, physical strength and fitness provide you with choices and resilience in daily life.

SIDE NOTES

DISCUSSION

Weapon as an extension of the arm

I totally disagree with this generalization. Under this statement, it is easy to assume that a fight is just a fight – with or without weapon and that is a very dangerous thought. If you show up in front of the police and suddenly wave a plastic gun, it will not end good. If you assume that you can handle a knife like what is usually shown in public demos, that thought may kill you.

To understand the difference and its implications, a common steak knife is one sided and while it is sharp, it is needed to use the blade like a saw going back and forth and not intended to stab. Now, try imagine if I have a surgical knife in my hand, even an accidental touch on the tip or along the blade will get you bleeding immediately. If you bother to experiment, it can easily slice through even leather. So I ask you again, does fighting against someone carrying different type of knife matter?

Each weapon owns its own characteristics. You must appreciate the pros and cons of each to be able to defend against any.

We are starting this new season with the use of stick as a weapon potentially. So we are going through the different basic maneuvers to learn to appreciate what you can do with a stick. While this is serious business, I want you to enjoy the process of learning and ultimately, not to make “silly” mistakes.

Understanding circles

When you learned about circles back in high school, you were introduced to several key components:

• Center of the circle or sometimes we say pivot in context of a rotation
• Radius (or diameter = 2 × radius) — the closer you are to the center, the smaller the circle
• Circumference is the outer perimeter of the circle drawn
• Tangent — a line perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact (similar to where a wheel touches the ground)

A circle is a two-dimensional concept. If you rotate it around an axis, it forms a sphere—a three-dimensional object.

One additional concept to consider is motion. If the circle or sphere moves in any direction, its center is no longer fixed. We now have a moving circle or sphere.

In wrist release techniques, we begin by assuming the opponent is stationary – it makes it easier to learn. However, in real life events, you must adapt the technique to account for a moving center. We will get into those practices in this season as well.

Some inherent properties of circles:

• A straight line, represented by a tangent, touches the circle at a single point and then diverges away from it.
• If you draw two radii from the center, the farther you move from the center, the greater the distance between those lines becomes.
• A small “slice” of a circle (like a piece of pie) is simply a sector. It still follows the same geometric principles as a full circle.

These principles have direct applications in movement and combat:

• When someone swings a stick at you, the closer to the tip of the stick, the higher the speed—and therefore the greater the impact. This means you have two better options: move out of range or move all the way in. Staying in place and attempting to block while the hitting stick is at full extension is often the worst choice.
• Similarly, when someone throws a straight punch and you attempt to catch or control it, your chances improve the closer you are to his shoulder (the center of motion). If you try to intercept at the end of the strike, even a small movement at the shoulder translates into a large displacement at the hand, making control much more difficult.

SCENARIOS

Five single grip reviews

Again, we start with getting out from a single hand grip as the basic. The common mistakes still need more practices to get rid of.

While we learnt the basics, we need additional practices to get fluent with the extreme cases where you have not space or that your opponent is actively dragging you. To be able to adapt to different situations, the techniques have to be adaptable and flow naturally. That will take a lot of repetitions.

Wrist lock

• Remember the location of the pivot and the intent is to circle around the pivot
• Use body motion to amplify the amount of force you can deliver: one side goes down and the opposite side goes up.
• Understand how the wrist joint works, you are exploiting the natural limits of the wrist joint.
• Remember that every person is a unique individual. While the majority of people will tap quickly but there is a chance that you may encounter someone who is ultra flexible or someone who can tolerate sharp pain. So while it is important to understand your own body, this is NOT my go-to technique. I use it only when it naturally presents itself.

EXERCISES

The sticks we use are approximately 28 inches long and made of rattan. They may look like bamboo (which is hollow), but rattan has a solid core and slight flexibility, making it more suitable for training. They are typically about 1 inch in diameter.

While there is a traditional “standard,” it is important to recognize that the appropriate size also depends on your grip and wrist strength. It is better to start with a lighter stick and gradually increase the weight over time. As always, focus on developing proper technique before adding power. Your arm strength will improve naturally with consistent training. The stick is a tool to help you develop speed, strength, endurance, and grip.

In class, I provide sticks for everyone. At home, you may use any stick of similar length and shape. However, do not use it to strike anything. Make sure there are no people or animals nearby and keep a safe distance from furniture—you could easily damage something if you are not careful.

Stick Grip and Basic Maneuvers

These exercises are designed to develop familiarity with the stick and improve control.

Developing Wrist and Elbow Flexibility

Practice swinging the stick:

• From high to low
• Low to high
• Side to side
• In a figure-eight pattern

Focus on maintaining control, smooth motion, and relaxed but intentional movement throughout.

SIDE NOTES

I decided to cover some weapon basics for this spring session for two reasons. First, I am adapting to the fact that two of the students have recently undergone hip surgery. It is important to learn how to defend yourself when you are in a physically compromised situation.

I also admire their determination and commitment. Learning to persevere and adapt despite challenges is the mindset I want all of you to develop in order to gain a mental edge in survival.

Second, I believe we have covered enough foundational concepts, and it is now time to strengthen our physical execution so we can effectively carry out what we know we should do.

DISCUSSION

Lever Systems and Pivot Control:

Muscles are important, the fact that we can stand up requires the use of muscles. However, choosing what muscles to tense up when requires a good understanding of body mechanics as well as psycho-mechanics. Today we reviewed the differences in various delivery systems like pushing with just the rear leg, initiating from the back leg and finished via the leading leg, simply sinking forward, etc.

Synchronization of body parts:

One of the most common mistakes is that each body part becomes a stand alone engine: For example, arm moved and then step and then turn is quite different from moving the fingers, stepping and turning the body all in the same beat. Yes, it does take lots of practice with a partner as well as training by yourself.

Crash Mechanics:

When your opponent loses balance and fall towards you, if you leverage off his forward momentum and your strike, you can produce a significant impact, much more than what you can produce using just your arm. You can even amplify that impact more by using your entire body behind the strike AND yanking him towards you hit.

SCENARIOS

The 5 wrist grabs and escapes review

The list of grabs are:

• low across thumbs up grab
• low across overhand grab
• low same side grab
• high across grab
• high same side grab

We reviewed the escape techniques to get out and regain control without fighting muscles against muscles..

EXERCISES

Same as last week. We will be doing more conditioning and pad work next session.

SIDE NOTES

This is the last class for the winter session. I hope you have enjoyed the classes and have picked up something useful. Do practice by yourself. Will hope to see most of you back the spring session April 2nd, 2026.