Woof Gayle et al:
Tail wags for the kind words Bruiseseasily.
Turning now to Gayle's question:
Dog Brothers Martial Arts (DBMA) has as its mission to help people "walk as a warrior for all their days". To succeed, it must offer real answers to people such as Gayle- people we call "Practitioners".
DBMA says Fit, Fun, Functional. In other words, training the art must lead to good health. Indeed, a death from heart disease is more likely than a death by stickfight, especially if one does not stickfight.
The system must be Fun to train, or otherwise one will stray from the path. And it must be Functional. The cultivation of functionality over the years in a fun way that develops health.
Where to begin?
As far as Functionality goes, DBMA looks to begin with primal power issues first. If you can hit hard and deal with primal shots, you will always be to be reckoned with. We think we can get people to this level pretty quickly-- and at the same time lay a foundation for continued growth in developing someone who is "warrior for all his days".
Example: Our use of Krabi Krabong. The drills are very "simple" which allows them to be learned quickly. This simplicity and the confidence it brings that everyone is going to be clear on what to do allows them to be practiced with increasing power and vigor until a desired aerobic level of intensity is attained. No "tippy tap magic wands" here! The aerobic work is achieved not by droning along on a a) stairmaster b) precor c) stationary bicycle d) jump rope e) etc. but by putting on the tunes, and proceeding to bang and sweat. Get used to hitting and blocking hard and fast while moving hard and fast-- and get in some good aerobic work and satisfying stress discharge (also good for health!). Have a good time letting loose. As an added benefit KK movement also is closely related to that of its sport off-shoot known as Muay Thai-- thus important gross motor motions for unarmed fighting are developed at the same time.
When one reaches the point of diminishing returns, it is time to move to other areas until it is time to come back to this one again. One of the very nice things about the FMA is the way that one can move between different areas (empty, stick, sticks, knife/knives, staff, unarmed, etc) and stay fresh through out life and that training in any given area also generates results in the others - someone who trains smart can develop tremendous synergy , , ,
Does this begin to answer you question Gayle?
Woof,
Guro Crafty
