I was taught from the git-go that most classical stances/poses in TMA were transitional, but that we practiced them in static poses and basics drills for conditioning so they would be powerful and automatic in transitions. A lot of the criticism of classic postures (ie "stances") fails to address this concept. A cat, horse, or crane stance isn't intended to be a basic fighting stance. They serve specific purposes in sparring or a real fight and only appear in "snapshots" while changing relative position to the opponent(s), executing specific kicks, throws, holds, etc. The training is often more like a freeze frame or series of freeze frames in an old Super 8 film. When I began fencing (Western) with an old European cavalry officer and Olympic fencing coach, he taught us the same thing about basic drills and held poses. He said that when he began training as a Hussar at the age of something like 12 or 13, they stood in formation at attention with a cavalry saber outstretched forward at shoulder height for HOURS at a time for weeks until they could hold that pose without shaking, arching their backs, wavering for 1 hour. They would be pouring sweat, breathing heavily, etc. while standing still holding that heavy cavalry saber. Only then were they ready to begin "training." And some didn't make it. Nowadays, almost no one really wants to build the foundation.
First time I've seen you in action with a class. Your body mechanics are first rate...knees over toes even as toes move, perpendicular tibia, proper width of stance...your students are working hard t emulate your perfect body mechanics. They've no idea how lucky they are....
A veeeerrrrry different side to you Sensei Ando! Who is your young protege? Wife? Daughter? Student? You and your wife should take ball room dancing or better yet, Swing dancing. Oh my goodness what a great cross training exercise for all students of martial arts, even footy foot ball players and Women's BB in college. My Aikido instructor moved like you or vise versa. Smooth, effortless, controlled, functional...movement you are teaching is a thing of beauty. Form following function hasn't even been truer. No sweat, minimal energy or at least no wasted energies, you are using the partner's energy against him, just like Aikido. Have you taken Aikido in your....formative years? You could be a dancer without blinking. A professional dancer. How many classes per week do you teach?
Great instruction in a light atmosphere.
Keep it happy! :)
I was taught from the git-go that most classical stances/poses in TMA were transitional, but that we practiced them in static poses and basics drills for conditioning so they would be powerful and automatic in transitions. A lot of the criticism of classic postures (ie "stances") fails to address this concept. A cat, horse, or crane stance isn't intended to be a basic fighting stance. They serve specific purposes in sparring or a real fight and only appear in "snapshots" while changing relative position to the opponent(s), executing specific kicks, throws, holds, etc. The training is often more like a freeze frame or series of freeze frames in an old Super 8 film. When I began fencing (Western) with an old European cavalry officer and Olympic fencing coach, he taught us the same thing about basic drills and held poses. He said that when he began training as a Hussar at the age of something like 12 or 13, they stood in formation at attention with a cavalry saber outstretched forward at shoulder height for HOURS at a time for weeks until they could hold that pose without shaking, arching their backs, wavering for 1 hour. They would be pouring sweat, breathing heavily, etc. while standing still holding that heavy cavalry saber. Only then were they ready to begin "training." And some didn't make it. Nowadays, almost no one really wants to build the foundation.
Ken Morrow Freeze framing, exactly right! Glad you had good instruction from the start!
First time I've seen you in action with a class. Your body mechanics are first rate...knees over toes even as toes move, perpendicular tibia, proper width of stance...your students are working hard t emulate your perfect body mechanics. They've no idea how lucky they are....
Sharon Sampson Very kind of you, Sharon! 🙏🏻
This REALLY good, Ando. Great to see in-depth practical examples of stances
Alan! Just saw this comment. We'll be reviewing these ideas on the seminar! See you there!
Great lesson!
Ando is awesome! I've been a fan for years! :)
I don't get notifications from this channel, my friend. Sorry for the late thanks!
This amazing gentleman is both 1. a gentleman and 2. amazing.
Thank you, Gavin! Sorry for the late reply!
Which is your channel so that I can learn kungfu Mr.sensei
Try the UA-cam and web search engine with the words: SENSEI ANDO.
Wonderful stance teaching. Plus, i got new body weight and mobility exercises from it. I will add some in my workout.
Doss Awesome! 👍🏼
Super interesting! I'm trying to add a few takedowns into my set, and I think those are nice options 8 )
Shinwoo K Happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment!
Amazing video
A veeeerrrrry different side to you Sensei Ando! Who is your young protege? Wife? Daughter? Student? You and your wife should take ball room dancing or better yet, Swing dancing. Oh my goodness what a great cross training exercise for all students of martial arts, even footy foot ball players and Women's BB in college. My Aikido instructor moved like you or vise versa. Smooth, effortless, controlled, functional...movement you are teaching is a thing of beauty. Form following function hasn't even been truer. No sweat, minimal energy or at least no wasted energies, you are using the partner's energy against him, just like Aikido. Have you taken Aikido in your....formative years? You could be a dancer without blinking. A professional dancer. How many classes per week do you teach?
Sharon Sampson Sorry I missed these comments… it’s not my channel! But yes, if there was no such thing as martial arts, I’d probably be dancing! :-)
It shows really well how to use horse stance in a real situation. Awesome.
Glad you found the video, Josephina!
my sensei always praises me cus my horse stances are FLAT
Kailey Loucks The lower you can go, the more options you have! Happy training!
You should make a video of how to end a fight fast.
105 mm cannon. You're welcome.
🙏👍🏿✌🏽
I was watching your stuff on video I just don't know how that's going to work in the streets so you're going to have to modify that little better
Hello sir, can you train me?
Asad Alif Drop by my channel! 🙏🏻