World Class Fukuro Shinai (Padded Long Swords) by Kerry Krick!

 

     If you are looking for the finest padded long swords in the world, then look no further.  These fukuro shinai are hand made by master craftsman Kerry Krick.  Kerry has been perfecting his trade for a long time and the result is simply a work of art.

     Recently these have been so much in demand that Kerry is working overtime trying to keep up.  The price is definately right at $70 and you will not go wrong with these.  I should know as I outfitted my entire Training Hall with them.

     Here are some more photo’s:

 

Want to order then go to Kerry’s site at: http://sites.blockstar.com/midmichma/Store.html

Or to the Instinctive Response Training Store at: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/store.html

Let The Smacking Begin!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Personal Protection 101: Know the Laws in Your State, Country, etc.

     Okay it is not just enough to know how to protect yourself or your loved ones but you also need to know the law and the consequences of any actions you might take.  Personal Protection skills start with entering a Training Hall and beginning by participating and learning physical skills to defend yourself.  However you also need to at the very same time start learning the law’s in your state, country on self defense so that you will be able to defend yourself and avoid problems arising with the police or criminal justice system.

     So you need to prepare both physically and mentally, knowing what you can and cannot do to defend yourself.  This is very important because what good will it be to defend yourself and then spend the rest of your life in prison.  We all have families that we want to come home to and spend time with so it is essential that we understand what we can legally do to protect ourselves and when we would be crossing that boundary.

     In Michigan you no longer have a duty to retreat.  That is a relatively new change in our laws.  We do however have to respond in self defense in a manner that would be considered reasonable under the circumstances.  So that means if someone threatens you that you cannot haul off and hit them and then take them down and pound them into submission.  In that case you are probably going to jail for the night and depending on their condition and the legal outcome probably for longer.  In the real world if someone threatens me, points a finger or even pushes me depending on the situation I am probably leaving immediately and then notifying the police and making a report.  There are always situations that might warrant a different action.  Still you get the gist.  If someone were to physically attack me I would attempt to do no more than I needed too stop the altercation and then I would convey that to the first responding officer.  Bottom line I want to go home to my family as that is what is important.  If someone were to come at me with lethal force, etc.  I would respond appropriately as well up to including lethal force in return but not necessarily as my first option.  You see I want to get out of a situation in a manner that will not put me in a deeper legal situation so if I can disarm someone and restrain or run away then that is what I will do.  If you train well then you will potentially have options yet still you may have to respond with lethal force and then articulate what happend and why it was justified self defense.

     Somebody wants my wallet, car or any protperty they can have it.  It is just property and can be replaced and that is what we have insurance for.  If somone wants my life or is placing my family’s life in danger well that is a different story.

     We are blessed in IRT with an in house lawyer and a former law enforcement officer and several current ones that can explain self defense and the legal implication’s effectively!  Seek people out who can do the same for you!  It could really make a great differance in your personal protection skills.

Michigan Memorandum on Self Defense by our resident Attorney at Law:

memorandum-of-law-on-self-defense.doc

In the end we must be educated regarding the legal self defense actions that we can take.

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Long Term Success In the Martial Sciences!

        How do you have long term success in the Martial Sciences?  Well that is simply put a question that is different with each person.  First you have to determine what you will consider success and then work from there.  Each individual practitioner will define their success differently and how they get there will also be different in many way’s.  So think about your training and what you wish to accomplish and then go for it!

     Long term success takes time.  Now that is pretty funny as long term denotes time in and of itself.  So to be successful in the martial sciences long term you need time and the ability to continuously train during that time.  You will need the passioin to do so, the physical ability to do so and the mental stamina to continue to practice.  During the course of your training sometimes you may suffer burn out and you will need to have effective strategies to deal with this.  One thing that I personally do to keep myself motivated throughout the years is to read.  I read book’s written about martial arts.  I read books that are technical manual’s of martial arts and I also read works of fiction that have a martial arts theme in them for entertainment.  This is just one way I have always sustained my passion for training.  Maybe it will help you along the path or maybe you will come up with a different avenue.  Other things to do would be to watch documentaries on martial systems, train at seminar’s in other arts or travel the world and train.  Lot’s of unique possibilities.  In the end you just need to continue and persevere through the tough times of burnout and know that those moments will pass and you will be feeling good soon.

In The End Everything Is Up To You!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Training With The Great’s!

Picture of Hatsumi and I in Japan!

     Okay I am a firm believer in training with great practitioner’s in their chosen field.  This can only make you better as you might just have something rub off on you.  Seeing someone who is at the top of their field definately can make you better.  Also having interaction where they correct your mistake’s will keep you going and give you a chance to improve your skill sets.

     Training with great practitioner’s gives you an opportunity to grow and progress.  It can also give you the opportunity to see your weakensses as well as their weakenesses.  This is important!  One should never think you have arrived.  No matter who you are.  You must stay hungry to learn, improve and be willing for someone else to tell you that you need work in a certain area.

     The above picture of myself and Hatsumi happened while I was in Japan training.  He is truly one of the unique and special martial practitioner’s out there.  His classes are fast paced and leave everyone there even advanced practitioner’s scratching their heads.  With his fluid movement and ability to change in the moment he is certainly someone that everyone should seek to train with.  His art of Budo Taijutsu has well over 200,000 practitioner’s and then some with people flying to Japan every week to train with him.  Truly that is amazing!  If you get a chance, take the trip to Japan and train with Sensei soon.

Understand, Good, Play!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

American Maharlika Kuntaw Seminar!

 

     Well the seminar was over and it was an absolutely great time.  Brian “Buzz” Smith came and and taught Shield and Sword techniques Filipino style.  Definately an eye opener for those who came and definately a real treat.

     During the course of the seminar Buzz translated the material to empty hand in a practical straight forward Kuntaw manner.  All the material worked well with Shield and Sword, Forearm and Dagger or just plan empty hand.  Truly a treat and very, very unique material.

You can find Brian’s website here: http://www.kuntaw.org/

If you are ever up in Traverse City, Michigan go and check him out!

     

Below is a short video clip from the event.  Like all video clips this just encapsulated a small moment in time.  If you missed the training you really missed out.

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Maharlika Kuntaw in Alma, Michigan Today!

     Well today we will be training in Maharlika Kuntaw with none other than Brian “Buzz” Smith.  This should be an excellent training adventure as Buzz is not only a great technician but also has some really interesting stories.

     Maharlika Kuntaw is a Filipino Martial Art that was brought to the United States by none other than Brian Smith after his serious training in the Philippines with Carlito Lanada.  It is an art that is stepped in the blade, stick and empty hand.  In 1977 Buzz formed the American Maharlika Kuntaw Association and is one of the driving pioneers of the Filipino Martial Arts in America.  A true jewel to train with and a mentor of importance for all Filipino Martial Artists in Michigan.

     Today we focus on the sword and shield tactics of Maharlika Kuntaw with an emphasis on Bugtongan. (kaliluhan)  The idea of treachery and deceit.  Definately we will be rocking the Training Hall today!  Join us if you dare!

 Maharlika: (original name of the Philippines) free/royal

 Kun: fist;

Taw: way of

 Maharlika Kuntaw - Way of the Royal Fist or Filipino Art of The fist 
 

My Blade Is Ready, Just Not Wetted Yet!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

How I Teach!

     Okay I love to teach.  I simply enjoy being around people who have the same passion for the Martial Sciences that I do.  Those few that are like myself and really into it are great to see grow and progress.  While teaching I use multiple methods to convey the lesson’s across.  I have found through time that each practitioner is different and sometimes will need something shown in a different way to finally make it click.

     So when I am showing a technique I usually start out with a basic movement and try to get everyone started there.  Then I will extrapolate on it and change it so that the principles and elements behind it start to emerge for the student to see.  Then I might show it in several more different ways using tools, empty hand, etc.  Variety is the spice of life or at least that had been said many times.  So seeing the same movement repeated using a different tool generally will make it click.  The above methods usually work really well.

     Now I still emply other methods as well.  First off I do not hold anything back it is really all out in the open for everyone to see if you have a discerning eye.  I love questions and truthfully when someone asks one it makes me very happy and I know they are thinking and internalizing what is being taught.  Sometime’s I teach with the expectation and method that the practitioner’s will have to ask questions to get what is being shown.  This is another method that works very, very well and practitioner’s that ask questions (sometimes even cutting ones) are the ones most rewarded in the end because they eventually get the subtle clues.

     One of the premier methods is simply to let the practitioner’s figure it out through trial and error with a little coaching along the way.  Now that does not mean that they are not shown the technique in the correct manner but that they need to practice it and fail and then eventually be shown it again and succeed.  This leads to tremendous growth. Failing at something and then pushing beyond it leads to martial growth that is simply incredible!  Absolutely Incredible!  Generally this struggle produces the finest practitioner’s or the ones that excel beyond the norm.  It also tends to produce the creative thinker’s or the ones who will experiment and fail but through perseverance eventually succeed.  This my friends is golden.  I or any teacher of quality can lay it all out for you but only through your own actions will you succeed!

     I have quite a few advanced practitioner’s from other arts and systems that come quite a way’s to train with me.  They are looking for skill sets to augment their training and also in general for someone to show them in the end the elements and principles that they use in their own unique movement.  These people already are the creative ones that are excelling in their chosen field of study but they just want a little more to round out what they are doing.  I have found that in very condensed training that these experts have been able to go beyond what they do quickly and so much of this is because of their attention to detail.  They in general do not miss the little things and when you show a movement it is always good to explain the finer details immediately and also the principles and elements.  Then walla they are off to the races.  I really enjoy this type of learning environment and the experts that come to me are always a blast to train with and hang out with.  (we always have a good time)

     There are more methods of teaching and these are only a few but ones I thought I would share.  I personally enjoy being around people that want to learn, improve and also eventually pass on what they have learned.  That to me truly is a joy to behold!  In the end the learning process is at the practitioner’s feet and what they do with it is up to them!

See You On The Mats! 

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Visualization or Meditation or Whatever You Want to Call it!

     Almost every Martial System has it and almost any athletic sport also has some form of Visualization or Meditation going on.  This type of training is essential if you want to take it to the next level.  Olympic athletes, Pro athletes, Collegiate athletes, Martial Artist’s, MMA Fighter’s, etc. all use some form of visualizing and relaxing meditation to get ready for an event and to train for their chosen field.

     When meditating I like to visualize myself doing some type of technique whether it is using a tool/weapon, kicking, hand striking, trapping or grappling. (or some combination of the above)  Subconsciously this helps in the remembering process and burns that technique in so that in the moment you will not have to think about it but instead just do!  This type of training has never let me down not in competition nor in the real world. 

     A good friend of mine who is also a world champion in his field constantly visualizes his performance leading up to a competition.  He see’s himself in his minds eye succeeding and winning every time.  When it is time to perform he is ready and knows that he will win.  This type of visualization is essential in whatever athletic endeavor you choose.  See youself being successful, physically trian to be successful and then perform successfully when needed!

See, Train and Be in the Moment!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Turning the Back!

    

     Okay we all have seen it and done it but does that make it smart?  I am not a fan of turning your back and performing spinning techniques.  Why?  Because when you spin your back, neck, spine, kidney’s, etc. are very, very vulnerable.  This is very dangerous in empty hand sparring and even more dangerous when dealing with someone who has a weapon. (think knife here)  That is why I am not very fond of turning my back during any physical encounter.

     Now does that mean you should absolutely not train with turning your back sometimes?  No, because in the Martial Sciences there simply are no absolutes and you may be forced to turn your back and then you may need to have some idea how to defend yourself and transition from there.  So you need a little bit of this in your personal training if not so that you know how to transition, defend but also to recognize when an opponent turns their back that it is a good time to fire and attack this weakness.

     I never say never regarding any physical encounter because simply put, anything can happen.  However I go out of my way to protect my centerline (center of your body running from the head to the groin) and that includes the front centerline and the back centerline.  So in Instinctive Response Training maintaining control of your centerline is very important and protecting not only the front but also the back is essential.  Hence why you will not see us turn our back and open up the spine very often.

 See You On The Mat!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/

Direct Transmission is Essential!

      Okay what is Direct Transmissioin and why is it essential?  Well direct transmission means simply that you have to have direct contact with your teacher’s in order to pick up the finer detail’s.  That is it!  In order to learn good Martial Science you need to be there first hand and not only see what it taught but also feel it from a teacher/professional.  That is essential! 

     Now a day’s, the world simply has shrunk.  People travel more and there are more seminar’s everywhere, more opportunities for training and also more videos both on DVD’s and also internet video clip’s.  It simply is great!  Still with everything that is available you still need direct one on one technique training.  If you attempt to train on your own or from a video then well you will simply put: Miss All The Finer Details!  These finer details will in the end make you incomplete or you will simply have too many holes in your skill set that could come back to haunt you.  In recent years I have had a number of people come to me for training that thought they had learned something from video, show, etc.  Only to find that what they learned was ineffective against a well trained person who new how to exploit their weakness or lack of knowledge in a certain area.  So you owe it to yourself to learn what you are interested in properly and from an expert and the only way to do that is to train in person and receive direct transmission of their skill set.

     Direct transmission of the Martial Science’s is essential.  There simply is no way around it.  If you want to learn say, Instinctive Response Training then you need to train with either myself, or instructor’s who have received the necessary training through direct transmission.  This applies to any system.

    

The above photo’s were all taken from a DefenseCraft seminar with Matt Lamphere.  Lot’s of direct transmission going on that day!

Watch, Learn, Feel ask Question’s this is what Direct Transmission is all about!

Copyright Instinctive Response Training LLC 2008

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This Blog is opinion only and Instinctive Response Training LLC nor Brian R. VanCise is responsible for any third party actions taken.

Visit Us At: http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com/