James on natural movement, fear, classical Samurai martial arts.

This is a short lecture during one of the Nami ryu seminars at the River of Life Dojo in Fort Washington. A question was asked about movement. We differentiate between "normal" movement and natural movement. Kuroda sensei told me a long time ago that the reason for the kata was that "in the beginning no one knows how to move."

[@gekiryudojo]

Training from the age of 11 and then at 48 coming down with MS was a big wake up call for me to change and adapt and now at 52 with Multiple sclerosis I continue and am doing very well not like before but a new way and better from the view point of learning martial arts I am thankful that I can continue to train in a new mode.

[@l337pwnage]

Reminds me of an old saying, "Youth and Talent are no match for Old Age and Treachery" ;)

[@ronin6016]

Great video, excellent instruction and information, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@BaalKlezmerTov]

the audio is soooooo low... :(

[@bangermccrusher]

Had a hard time trying to understand because of the audio but that was an amazing lesson

[@MrOttmandus]

So do you meditate? I Iike how you brought up science. Einstien came up with is theories contemplating what it would be like to ride a beam of light. I would love to be able to train my mind to understand what you are saying.

[@frostzxs]

Светлый человек:)

[@SystemOfStrategy]

дзякуй

[@jasonpetrini7411]

resting on a sword as such, shinai or no, isn't the best example to set in weapons handling/customs and courtesy. that aside I enjoyed your discussion.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

It was a common practice for Samurai. I have numerous photos that show them leaning on their swords.

[@jasonpetrini7411]

From what I've studied and from what I've read from many reputable instructors of various ryu-ha, its generally not a good or respectful thing to do. I've seen many modern soldiers doing many things that aren't respectful of their equipment during my time in service, It didnt lead me to follow suit based on their bad example.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Not a bad example, just a common practice. I don't know what your MOS was however using equipment, including rifles for support is common in the infantry. Tools are kept clean, functional, and ready to use, that is how it has always been.

[@jasonpetrini7411]

I was taught to treat even a practice sword as a real sword, w/ reverence n respect and I'd never run the tip of any weapon into the ground, sword, rifle, or what have ya. it hasnt been "common" for me, having moved around and trained in several dojo across the country wherein they all taught similar care and handling of the sword. Anyway, differing views aside, good chat about movement.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

So Jason are you talking about "modern" styles? The further removed people and styles get from actual combat and training for combat, the more "reference" etc. is given to the sword and the practice. I don't have a problem with that however resting a sword on the kojiri when standing is like resting a rifle butt on the ground, common and not disrespectful for Samurai.

[@AGC828]

Some of the comments...really?? Gotta be kidding. :)) Audio is low? Sensei JW might be a soft-spoken man. Maybe that's his way. Maybe the mic used was set to a lower volume level who knows. Not important. Nor the fact that he was leaning on a Shinai :) Trolls. :) Good points on training in martial arts as an older person. Same applies to people still lifting weights into their 50's or 60's. Powerlifting. The training approach has to be changed. As the recovery time would be longer if pushed too hard. Past a certain point. Which isn't the same point as when in our 20's or 30's...etc.