Supporting the troops

Regardless of your feelings about the politics of the Iraq war, you may want to do something to show support for Americans over there doing dirty, dangerous work. Here is a link to another blog which has some suggestions, things that connect directly to those people rather than well-meaning but useless gestures like stickers on your car.

Double Parrying

Double Parry With Pivot
This is Serrada's first move, "Outside Block" for angles 1,6,10,12 with empty hands.

Footwork /lower body alignment:
Facing opponent, against a right punch: pivot towards the left, shifting weight forward towards that leg. Keep both knees bent/spring-loaded; as you turn, tuck your right knee in by the left, bringing thighs together for stability. You can go a bit farther and pull in your right foot to get further offline. This will shift the weight more to the left. Either way, the left front foot is flat, the right up on the balls of the toes.
- Simultaneously with the Upper Body:
The right (inside) shoulder is inline with the hips, guarding towards opponent. Flick both hands high to parry a punch. Rear left hand crosses up to protect the face, lead right hand in front; create plane. Alternately, lead hand is low to protect ribs and belly.

Tips:
*Shoulders and hips move together.
*Elbows and knees move together.
*Hands and feet move together.

Everything moves together, stops together.
Balance and integrate: top/bottom, left/right.
BREATHE.
Feel the power of moving from your center, extend it out via the limbs.
Relax. Feel your weight settled, grounded.
Coil and release. Center and extend. Contract and expand.

Variations:
*Practice in each direction, turning right instead of left; positions reverse.
*From a leading foot stance, shift backward, front hand lead.
*From a leading foot stance, shift forward. Opposite hand becomes lead.
*Learn these shifts both outside (of the opponent's hands) and inside too.
*Covering: step back from opponent while keeping guard against attack
- wipe off; lead hand retreats high, new lead moves under it (like pulling rope).
- stepping to the rear pivots and changes lead side;
- front cross-step keeps same side lead
*Double cover (two steps back); turn head to scan around, break tunnel vision.
*Practic eight directions, on lines of symbols + and x. (straight and diagonals).
*Add a thrusting kick to opponent’s knee, leg; or snap wheel kick to groin.
*Kick knee, then scrape down the shin to stomp the foot.
*Eye jab with lead fingers.
*Multiple punches - targetted; circular, (use elbows for intercepting punch)
*Elbow to ribs. Multiple reversing elbows (keep head covered).
*Elbow ribs while stepping through, spin into reverse elbow w/other arm.
*Use lead knee to strike thighs, groin, underbelly.
*Hook, sweep, throw (inner / outer reaps; arm locks with throws, etc.)
*Move to rear. Attacks to knee/achilles tendon, kidneys, spine, neck.
*Moving inside; head smash (head grab w/elbow hit); reverse follow-ups
*Low lead hand parry (cover groin against kick, protect belly/ribs more.
*Lead hand high/low/high combinations parries
*Hand reversals:
-high/low flicks, same lead;
-roll and reverse;
-touch reference points (tap front shoulder/thigh, rear shoulder/thigh).

Moving qualities #1

See shapes of movement. Round keeps moving, doesn’t want to stop. Square is the hit, putting a sharp point to the movement. Keep energy moving as much as possible. If stuck, reverse. Feel through your senses; pay attention to your body says. Understand the qualities of movement, what you are feeling in yourself and from your opponent.

Stay relaxed, go with it as much as you can. When pulled, come in (the door is opened). When pushed, go (a window of opportunity). Sometimes you reverse; that is to counter or destroy their attack. You think about what you feel. Their press becomes your roll, which could wind up into a trap/hit.

This requires staying focused in the “Now,” a very Zen-like state of awareness. Feel with your belly. Listen with your hands. The mind watches; the body does.