O Bobbe, Where art thou?

Those of you who read this space on the net know that Bobbe has been down for the count for a few months now. We were supposed to have him visit this past weekend, but alas.
So we muddled through and went to McDonald's...

Actually, the Michiganders rolled into town about 3 on Friday afternoon and we all started to gather at my place for the meet-n-beat. It was good to hang with everyone and shoot the breeze. Chuck unrolled his towel filled with knives. Why a towel? You have to ask?

The locals started to filter in around six and I started making pizzas with Tina's assistance about that time as well and we patted and peeled 7 pies for the crew. Tina did most of the patting as I was attacked by the Green Pepper Brigands and suffered a nick to my left index finger which required immediate assistance and hobbled me in the kitchen. Those green peppers were tasty!

yeah - that sucked

Friends don't let friends taste test at the liquor store

Product

Then we let the libations lead the way and just chilled the rest of the evening. It was good.

Saturday morning we enjoyed french (freedom) toast and the energy was very good for the group.
I led the first aspect of the day with something I am going to show at the Gathering in Grand Rapids this year so Chuck and his minions can get familiar with it. It has a lot of potential for everyone from beginner to those well beyond me.

I'll take "The Pen Is Mightier for $500, Alex"

Too much fun!

'Fore we knew it, it was lunch time. If you like Mexican food, then it's El Aguila Real you want.

After lunch, Sterling showed us some Center Axis Relock material. WE used airsoft guns and a box with garbage bag over it to represent center mass. This was a good experience and everyone enjoyed it very much.

Good Times

Next up was Dan and at my request we did some Wing Chun. I have missed that aspect of my past and it was very fun to explore those pathways again. We focused on sensitivity with bridging and the options available depending on the situation presented.

Somewhere in there we touched on some aspects of that thing Bobbe does and worked switches with hubud. That was a lot of fun and everyone really dug that. We all want Bobbe to be better so he can show us the errors of our ways!

We wanted to keep going and my old friend Amy showed up, so Sterling jumped back in and we did some PSP. We focused primarily on the Ales (evasions) of the system. That was good to review.

The afternoon wrapped up by reviewing some of the highlights of the day. This was really good. If someone had something they wanted to go over again, then we did. That most certainly helps in taking it home.

Har-Har

Big Monkey Plucks...

The evening was rounded out with a trip to what is becoming the de facto KSMA haunt, The Royal Mile. This is a great pub in the Des Moines area and the food is pretty darn tasty too! If you come to town, I will take you here.

Oi! Tossers!

BANGER

We used to just call 'im, Cap'n

Thinking of Bobbe

You can't look evil, we know you

In these hard times, Tony is starting a mining operation

After the Mile, we headed back to the pad to hang and have some fun.





We did a little more CAR stuff for a few people that were not around for the daytime activities.

Vocals, Keys and Firearms

Sunday was pretty much breakfast for the Michiganders and then some conversation and review of some of the stuff from the day before. We did an After Action Report for about an hour and then had to say our goodbyes until May.
Someone mentioned the Karate Kid and I turned everyone on to

Bust out the smear

This was a great primer for The Gathering of the Tribes over Memorial Day Weekend.

Spring Gathering - 2009

The Annual Spring Gathering of the Tribes is just around the corner. This has become one of the highlights of my year, and I always look forward to the chance to renew friendships as well forge new ones. This is an excellent opportunity for us to share our training experiences in an open forum free from politics and pressure…trade ideas, support each other…and build a stronger tribe.


Here are the particulars for anyone interested:

Dates: Friday – Monday, May 22 -25th

Friday: arrivals/meet/greet informal clinics
Saturday: workshops 9am -5pm (feast/bonfire to follow…potluck style)
Sunday: Workshops 10am – 4/5pm
Monday: Wrap up.
(There are always side clinics ongoing throughout the weekend.)



Cost: $75/person for the entire weekend. That includes staying with us if you want to…most people end up sleeping at our place. Either in the house proper or in the padded Training hall right on the property. Breakfast and coffee are usually served around 8am. (not necessarily in that order…) There are shower facilities as well as laundry facilities on premises. We just need to know ahead of time how many to expect.


Contact Info:
Chuck Pippin or 616-364-0019
Jay Carstensen
More Information is available at Innovative Martial Arts




This year we’re adding a new workshop as a trial…a blade-making class. You’ll get to make your own custom knife. It’ll be done in stages and will cost $75. We have 1 spot left open. Last year we did an impromptu class with Guru Jay Carstensen and Maha Guru Buzz Smith. Their blades turned out great! J




This year, as always, we’ll have world class instructors sharing their arts and combative concepts with the whole group. I will update everyone on the workshops as I get more information.



If this is something that interests you, please contact myself or Jay Carstensen as soon as possible. Our space is limited…and tends to fill up quickly! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again soon!

limited capacity

Bobbe is posting again while able so plop on over:
http://currythief.blogspot.com/

Endurance shouldn't mean this

hey all

I wanted to ask you all to send some positive mojo Bobbe's way today. He had a really rough day yesterday. He went in for the pre-op and ended up getting the surgery cancelled. Someone had decided that they should do a "steroid and PT" treatment instead. He was completely heart broken. He called me immediately after he got home, extremely upset.
He's going back today to try to speak with someone about getting it rescheduled again ASAP. We spoke about things to do and NOT to do. I think he has a really good argument for getting it done. (not being able to work, feed his family, live, etc…and not having another 3 months to TRY something else that hasn't worked so far…) I told him he should be sincere with out being combative…and that he needed them to be able to see it from his perspective…"so, help them to do that…verbally."
So, please keep him in your thoughts today...he's completely frazzled and worn out from the pain, and is trying not to loose hope.
I'll keep you all updated as I find out more.
He told me last night that he didn't know if he'd have made it this far without everyone's support. It means the world to him.

Chuck

PS: please forward this onto whoever I missed...I know the circle goes beyond people I know...

If you didn't read it elsewhere

Bobbe has surgery scheduled for next Friday.
Bust out your favorite beverage and raise a toast to excellent outcomes and send lots of positive thoughts to the Seattle area on the 13th.

Mushtaq clued me onto this one by Scott Sonnon .

20 Quick Lessons to No-BS Self-Protection

As one who lived within violence and terror from childhood due to a special array of circumstances including physical and mental childhood disabilities, I dedicated my life to becoming “invisible.” Fighting back never worked for me as it only exacerbated the problem, leading to a worse ambush later. I didn’t want to fight. I wanted to be left alone, unmolested and unharmed.

When it comes to preparing yourself to deal with a violent attack, I advocate a doctrine of “unconditional survival.” Due to the inherent educational flaws in the American “martial art” approach, I assembled this desideratum to fill the gap between the technique-oriented training most Americans undergo in the dojo and the reality of the violent personal attacks.

If you intend to take a self-defense or martial arts course, none of what you read should be interpreted as an admonition to abandon that supplementary education. In the contrary, my list will help you make what you already know more accessible and effective should you ever find yourself in a suddenly violent situation.

In any physical conflict, your goal is unconditional survival. It is not to kill an assailant, nor to maim, injure or hurt him, for those are merely byproducts of pursuing your objective, which is freedom from harm - physical, mental and emotional. You must always hold true to your goal: to survive unconditionally, without question, at any cost. That does not include fighting; it does include appropriate application of fighting skill at the decisive moment.
If you do not need to employ your physical skills or defense tools (like mace, a knife or a gun) or if you need to refrain from using them, they should remain invisible. Since the goal of an assailant is to remove opportunities for you to defend yourself, only if you are attacked should you allow others to be aware of your ability or options.
By themselves, prearranged martial arts techniques are insufficient for self-protection. Unconditional survival demands extensive skill and preparation ranging from non-verbal communication to lethal force. Basically, if your only tool is a hammer, everything you see will be a nail (which means you’ll stimulate more conflict, not less.) If you understand only fighting skill, then when conflict arises you will fight, even if the situation could have been solved by other means. To become truly invisible to violence, you must have a spectrum of tools to defuse aggression.
Symmetrical training, like sparring, cannot be relied upon. Too many martial arts instructors teach you how to use your skills only against practitioners of the same style. More importantly, when you’re attacked it’s never with mutual consent; no bowing, squaring off, mental preparation for the bell, and gentlemanly rules. An ambush (being asymmetrical) has little to no resemblance to a sparring match. You should find “role model” scenario-based training to supplement any martial art training you choose to do.
Training should not involve any preconceived ideas about saving face or fighting fair. Survival is not about style, but about the reality of evasion and escape. Lie, cheat, wreak whatever chicanery necessary. Do everything possible to protect yourself and extract yourself from harm’s way. Even the courts indemnify you from this in your right to self-preservation. Withdraw when you can. It may be your most successful tactic and can save your life. In a fight, you will be lucky to leave unscathed, so if you can avoid the fight, do so at all costs. Violence avoided is a fight won.
The key to survival does not lie in memorizing a couple quotes from Eastern philosophy, slapping a few flashy kicks and submission holds together, and starting a new style. The key to survival involves uncovering your own self-worth and truly believing that you have a valuable contribution to the world which deserves protecting.
You must be prepared, both psychologically and physiologically, for the attack. Your awareness must be such that you have the ability to function under the intense strain of personal violence even though it will enable you to defuse or avoid 90 percent of all volatile situations. Your would-be assailant interviews you as a potential “safe” victim for him to attack; and you want your awareness to be sufficiently prepared so that you FAIL this interview!
If you fail to recognize the attack developing and are startled by it, you will not have access to your skills. If you allow your awareness to lapse and fade, you will become a victim of your own overconfidence. Violence starts much earlier than the physical manifestation of the attack. You must have complete training for detecting the pre-attack indicators so that you can avoid, prevent or distract violence before it unfolds. That can mean feigning submission and acquiescing to the demands of the assailant. Give up your wallet or purse; its contents do not equal your life or the life of a loved one.
Don’t spend all your training time in the dojo. Miyamoto Musashi, one of the greatest warrior-philosophers, stated in his Book of Five Rings: … “If you learn indoor techniques, you will think narrowly and forget the true way. Thus you will have difficulty in actual encounters.” True martial art begins when you leave your class, not when you enter it.
Martial sports are about technical skill, steadfastness, endurance, doggedness, durability and resilience. They have nothing to do with personal violence because they do not take place outdoors, in the dirt, in the rain, in the snow, on the concrete or in ambush simulations. Competing in combat sports can supplement your ability to defend yourself, but cannot replace it.
Most people have never fallen on anything harder than a mat. They have never kicked with their shoes on or punched a real person. They have probably not tried to battle from inside a vehicle, from within a crowd of civilians or in the company of untrained loved ones. Don’t fall victim to those pitfalls.
To prepare for an event, you must simulate it as closely as possible. Performance is in direct proportion to preparation. Moreover, the worst performance you have in training is the best you can hope for in combat. To increase your chance of survival, you must engage in overload practice. Your training simulations must be more difficult than the potential assault.
Merely because something is old does not mean it is valuable today. Ancient training methods are an excellent way of learning how people fought and trained in ancient times. Back then, people trained in unarmed fighting because oppressive rulers restricted weapons possession. Some ancient fighting methods are no longer effective because the 21st century has brought a new kind of threat. The assailant which confronts you is a new breed of felon more terrorist than criminal who feeds on the emotional trauma he inflicts.
Because of the weapons and methods used by modern criminals, you can no longer permit yourself the luxury of training only with your empty hands. You ought to adopt an integrated system that spans the continuum of defensive preparation, from non-verbal communication to interpersonal skill to less-than-lethal measures (like mace) to lethal force (included edged weapons and firearms.)
Its time to fight when the situation is no longer acceptable to you. Rarely do you have to fight. Rarely do you encounter a situation that is truly unacceptable. The obstacle is not that you fail to choose to fight, for it is not a choice but a fact that when something is unacceptable to you, you will act upon it in some form. The failure comes in realizing too late, and then you are playing “catch-up” with your very life, when you are surprised or not properly prepared with a flexible and comprehensive self-protection doctrine, you are not given the opportunity to enter the fight. If so, your actions may be inappropriate or insufficient. Anyone can successfully negotiate personal violence as long as he is given the ability to act appropriately.
What gives you the ability to survive is training within a doctrine that permits you to identify and assess a threat prior to the fight, one that derails psychological and physiological factors that inhibit your entrance into the fight, one that affords you access to your fighting skill should physical violence break out, and one that provides post-combat knowledge to address legal, medical and social concerns.
Your capacity for calmly recognizing an assailants probing process will determine your ability to survive. There are certain characteristics that are common to all attacks and certain brands of behavior common to particular types of belligerents. The attacker’s interview phase is one of these characteristics, where he is determining if you’re “safe” to attack. If you do not possess the calm repose and wherewithal to recognize that violence begins long before the fight, you will not have access to your fighting skill. If you fail to recognize the development of the attack, you may be able to muster the ability to do something about fighting, when prevention may have been the most effective solution.
Self-protection is not about fighting; it is about awareness and commitment. Awareness of your options and the composition of confrontation increases your survivability. Non-verbal training, eye and facial calibration, body carriage, postural and spatial constitution, gesticulation and verbal skill should be critical parts of your training.
During a physical confrontation that has obvious legal implications, the fight is over when the assailant is no longer a threat, even though the turmoil continues until the situation is resolved legally, socially, physically and emotionally. The law never supercedes your right to self-preservation. The legal system was created to perpetuate your survival, not inhibit or endanger it.
You should endeavor to end physical confrontation as quickly as possible. Keep your response simple and expedient. You do not have the luxury of being complex, especially in multiple-assailant engagements. Most of the time, you can end the problem by simply unbalancing your adversary and withdrawing tactically.
Fighting is something you do with someone; violence is something done to someone. Nothing you’ve ever done in your life, intentionally or accidentally, merits a suddenly violent attack to your person. Do not try to fight. You only have the impulse to fight, because you’re a good person, because psychologically, you believe in fairness and righteousness. Sudden violence is neither.
Believe in yourself, in your intrinsic goodness, and protect that essence as you would your own child, unconditionally.

Bobbe

For anyone who stops by this place, send good vibes to the Seattle area for Bobbe as he is going under the knife in short order.

And HEY, Cthulhu! Piss off, thing!

10 Years On

Ok Ah, what the heck?! Here we are somewhere in the 10th official year for Kapatiran Suntukan Martial Arts. Over time and with occasional stumbles with the foreign tongue, most of us just say KSMA. Kapatiran is Tagalog for solidarity or brotherhood. Suntukan means fistfight or boxing, and thus together we called it the Boxing Brotherhood. The group is dedicated to the study of Physical and Spiritual Culture.

When we began KSMA, our focus included styles such as gung fu, jujutsu, kickboxing, western fencing and an amalgam of Filipino and Indonesian styles that we were calling Kapatiran Suntukan Kali-Eskrima-Silat (that eventually became Aneh Palu Kali). Kapatiran Suntukan broadened to become the name for the overall group.

The impetus was to provide a research and development tool to those interested in sharing and exploring their chosen system. In a sense, it kept people honest about what they were training by running it through a filter. The filter would be outside one's system to expose them to other approaches and applications. Another reason the group was formed was to provide administrative and mental support to those who wanted it. The support group went well beyond the martial aspects. It drew near to the true sense of brotherhood implied in the name of the group. To this day, I know if I call upon a KSMA member for something, I will get it.

KSMA started hosting seminars and brought in some very cool people to share their knowledge. These were great opportunities to explore and develop our craft. As each of us has our own points-of-view, it is good to cross hands with those outside of our local circle.

Looking through the Wayback Machine to 1999 in a small Oklahoma community called Lawton, we see the first get-together of note that we dubbed The Gathering of the Sacred and Profane. This seminar was a great time. The main players were Marc "Animal" MacYoung, who loves field stripping arts (in a good way that makes one think), and Mushtaq Ali Shah, who taught the basics of Gerakan Suci (which evolved into Silat Zulfikari). It was also a first chance for many early KSMA members to feel each other out.

There were a few notable gatherings in Oklahoma City with Darrell Sarjeant and the Kamau Ryu folks as well as instructors of various styles invited to those events. At one such event, yours truly was playing around and popped his ACL. To say the least, that sucked.


The good thing that happened at this event was that Chuck Pippin joined KSMA.







The idea of the Gathering true to the heart and soul of KSMA really took hold in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Charles Pippin's place. Chuck and his lovely bride, Jeanne, have been hosting a biannual shindig since 2001. The feeling of family and community is very strong there, and I feel a sense of returning home on each visit. The caliber of martial artists at this event is unprecedented and the ability for everyone to openly share and learn is remarkable. Consider this list of instructors that participated and shared at previous gatherings:

Chuck Pippin, San Yun Do
Bobbe Edmonds, that thing he does
Bobby Taboada, Balintawak Escrima
Brian 'Buzz' Smith, Maharlika Kuntaw
Cody Fielding, RMAX coach
Sean Stark, Pencak Silat Pertempuran
Terry Trahan, Weaselcraft
Brandt Smith, Aneh Palu Kali
Jerry Jacobs, Pukulan Cimande Pusaka


Like any good gig (a'la -A-palooza), there are side stages where you can catch some stuff away from the main attraction. We have covered various things from archery to philosophy as well as an odd combination with the question, "If I run up and stab the guy with an arrow, is that still archery?" Ultimately, what these gatherings have become is a family reunion. If you are new to the group, you are welcomed as a long lost relative coming home after journeys abroad.

I have long held the idea that this is a group for martial artists and not any particular art. That being said, for some reason the majority of the members, and the people they train with, are a proponent of either Filipino or Indonesian arts. However, there are some other styles represented, and we have dabbled in a good variety to stay fresh and open to change.




Aside from the physical aspect of KSMA, there is that “essence” that we all tap into in times of need or thanks. Any stroll through the racks of books about martial arts or discussion with someone who has been practicing a while, may lead to some sort of spiritual study.

This spiritual aspect of the group is as open as our willingness to share what we know about the martial arts. There is no competition about this but more of a cohesion. Heated debate is not unheard of but it does not degenerate into petty bickering. Every conversation I have been a part of or overheard was light hearted, understanding and productive. I have had some pretty cool experiences with this group.

One may have a hard time with the physical if still coming to grasp with the spiritual. Whatever one may call it, one does call on it from time to time. The variety of personalities in KSMA lends itself to have someone to talk to if needed. If that person is unavailable, they usually can suggest someone else. None of this is compulsory, if one chooses not to discuss this aspect, that's cool by us.

This is also an area of self-exploration and discovery – looking inside and out can reveal great insights. Personally, I have had some vivid experiences behind a stick or kick ranging from moments of clarity to delving into that mystery to find the strength to keep going. When I am working out, I sense a quality of being completely in the moment that I do not get anywhere else. It energizes who I am and galvanizes my spirit.

This segues into an aspect of the group that I find most important: The line of communication of the members. In times of need we can call upon each other for guidance and support regardless of the subject matter. It can be anything from an idea about the arts to deeply personal dealings. I believe this is one way to keep us honest as well and I believe the majority of us have a pretty good filter for detecting BS. I am always available to discuss ideas and ask questions when needed and I enjoy it.


The rules for inclusion have stayed the same since inception:
1) Drop the ego at the door
2) Share what you understand
3) Learn when you should
4) Train – "You don't have to train what I train, but you must train."
5) Have face-to-face contact with a member who will be your sponsor and vouch for you.

It's that easy. I value that KSMA members recognize the benefits of being open to the possibilities in other's arts. I recall a great quote told to me by John Wells. When he was asked what we train in, his reply was, "Whatcha got?" I think that sums up what KSMA is so very well with the various interpretations in tone of that question.

I was handed the KSMA reins in 2005 and gave a lot of thought about the future of the group. In the end, I decided that it is a good thing and that I would keep it going. I am glad I did as I have met a lot more interesting and cool people in the last couple of years. I feel that the core of the group has grown not only in number, but also in strength.


Members in Good Standing*
Jay M. Carstensen, Director
Chris Redmond, Nebraska Representative
Bao Ha
Jason Bousquet
Tony Milani
Carl Ross, Brotherhood
Bobbe Edmonds
Terry Trahan
Chuck Pippin, Brotherhood
Ian Robbins
Don Young
Dan Williams
Sterling Heibeck
Sean Stark, Brotherhood
Will "Buddha" Weatherby
Nate Bynum
Brian "Buzz" Smith


*If your name is not on this list, please send me a copy or a scan of your unexpired certificate of membership and let me know where you have been hiding. Advisors and those with Declarations of Brotherhood are permanent members. I have included this list to put it out for public record.

Okay, so it has been 10 years, where can we go from here? That is up to the members as I am merely a guide. I can be a sounding board for some or a teacher to others. I personally find gratification in the accomplishments of the friends I train with. I hope to keep this role for a while and do see KSMA growing. However, it will not be for growing's sake. All living things breathe in some way, and we are no different. That is the way it is.

The group will continue to seek out those who want to share and are available to those who wish to learn from us as well as encourage growth within ourselves.


It is more than just me out here:


Chuck Pippin
I would just like to say that my tenure with KSMA has been one with no regrets…and I say this after much thought, reflection, and no reservation. Every organization is going to have its ups and downs…and KSMA has faced some challenges…but I believe the KSMA of today is much stronger than the KSMA of yesterday. Jay, I am very proud and honored to be a member of it. I’m very excited to see where this goes…and happy to be on this Journey with you.


Terry Trahan
What does KSMA mean to me...
Family, exploration, a sense of community, sharing, and belonging.
It also is a piece of living history to me.
It leads me to grow, mature, and always reminds me that there is more to know.
In the end, it also is an entity that crosses the boundaries of political intrigue, and brings back the joy of training, developing, and the goodness of having fellowship.



Chris Redmond
I would say that KSMA means a brotherhood that allows members to study at their own pace and at their own interest but yet not at a level that is unexpecting. We expect people to put in their best effort and ideas without hesitation along with respecting other’s ideas and effort.



Carl Ross
KSMA exposed me to an approach to the martial arts that is creative and noncommercial.






Dan Williams
I feel like the KSMA keeps me in touch with a more diverse group of Martial Artists then I usually have contact with. It helps me maintain perspective on my style/training/school. It's also nice to be able to get advice from peers that are not from your school.




Sean Stark
KSMA is an organization that seeks to cut through the garbage that is found in the martial arts and to help those wanting to just advance in their skills and to pursue excellence. It’s a refreshing thing in the martial arts.




Don Young
KSMA: Source of the finest Drunken Boxing system in the world :-)

I have received a few distinct impressions of KSMA practitioners in the years I have known them. They:

1. Have solid martial arts skills.
2. Have wide range of knowledge and experience in martial arts.
3. Have open minds to experiencing new techniques and martial principles.
4. Have a desire to build community.
5. Are friendly, concerned people who don't let their egos lead the way.

I'm happy to have met them and to have been associated with KSMA for years.



Will Buddha Weatherby
So.... As I sit at my laptop at the dining room table of Michigan's
Martial Madhouse I am contemplating both my navel and KSMA. What does
it mean to me? Well, I see it as a vehicle for self-improvement within
community. My interactions with everyone associated with KSMA have
been very positive and typically a lot of fun (Q. Who ya gonna call?
A. See attached photo.). It is a group of what I like to think of as
'loving thugs'. I am comfortable having my kids around the training
and even most of the after hours events, and that is quite a
statement.

The actual ability of the folks who make up what I know of the
association (are there secret members I don't know about?) is solid,
these are actually capable fighters. This is something missing in many
"martial arts clubs" that I have had contact with. I know from
real-world use that the majority of what is being taught is sound and
will be useful during interesting "conversations".

One of my favorite aspects of the associated groups that make up the
core of Gathering of the Tribes crowd is the humility of some very
skilled people coupled with a genuine interest in graciously and
openly sharing what they have to offer. I was quite impressed with the
open-armed (and thankfully empty-handed) hospitality I was greeted
with on my visit to Des Moines.



Sterling Heibeck
KSMA is a place to hang your hat. It's full of incredible people who love to share and learn.

Joe Hyams

We all have those books that direct our lives in a new direction. One of those for me was Zen and the Martial Arts, by Joe Hyams. It still resonates with me and I recommend it often (in fact I am pretty sure my copy is loaned out at the moment).
Joe's cycle has ended with us.
'Obit'
Thanks Joe.