Show Posts
1
Martial Arts Topics / Re: Forever Young
« on: February 18, 2009, 02:08:31 AM »
That reminded me of the first Inosanto seminar I attended...just about 10 years ago. I had been training in JKD and Kali for a couple of years and was very excited about the opportunity to train with "the man". The evening before the seminar a review cinema happened to be showing The Chinese Stuntman (a 70's era film where Guro Inosanto appears as a villain named "Magic Stick"). Myself and a couple of training partners who were going to the seminar went to see the film. Our only exposure to Guro Dan at this point was from 70's and 80's era film and training videos.
When Guro Inosanto first walked into the seminar I remember the shock of "aging" 30 years over night, and thinking "my goodness he's so old". He was slightly stooped and seemed to shuffle along like an old man - I believe Guro Inosanto was suffering from some back problems at the time as well. There was a moment where I thought perhaps attending the seminar was a mistake, that it would taint an image I had of a young skilled instructor.
Then he started to move. He simply blew me away.
I expect many of you have had the experience of trying to sip from a firehouse that is the first seminar experience with Guro Inosanto. I know that technique wise I came away with really only one drill (that I still practice), but I also came away with so much more. Seeing Guro Inosanto move with such speed, grace, and confidence was when I first understood (though I did not yet know the words) "walk like a warrior for all your days".
Over the years since I've continued to attend Guro Inosanto's seminars whenever I can, and I continue to come away inspired - I've also learned how to retain a little more of the overload of material he presents.
When Guro Inosanto first walked into the seminar I remember the shock of "aging" 30 years over night, and thinking "my goodness he's so old". He was slightly stooped and seemed to shuffle along like an old man - I believe Guro Inosanto was suffering from some back problems at the time as well. There was a moment where I thought perhaps attending the seminar was a mistake, that it would taint an image I had of a young skilled instructor.
Then he started to move. He simply blew me away.
I expect many of you have had the experience of trying to sip from a firehouse that is the first seminar experience with Guro Inosanto. I know that technique wise I came away with really only one drill (that I still practice), but I also came away with so much more. Seeing Guro Inosanto move with such speed, grace, and confidence was when I first understood (though I did not yet know the words) "walk like a warrior for all your days".
Over the years since I've continued to attend Guro Inosanto's seminars whenever I can, and I continue to come away inspired - I've also learned how to retain a little more of the overload of material he presents.
