As I delve deeper into martial arts such as Judo and Kendo, I am increasingly convinced that Aikido’s principles provide an unparalleled means of resolving conflicts. With every passing lesson from one of Shijo Nishio Sensei’s top students in Tokyo, Ichiro Shishiya Sensei, my conviction grows stronger. He emphasizes that to be successful in conflict, it’s essential to have a neutral mind, ones thoughts not influenced by stress or thoughtless which could create a sense of hesitance. The mind is neutral yet ready to take the initiative. This idea of the neutral mind that is trained to take initiative is presented well in the Japanese word Mu Gamae, meaning no fighting stance, yet prepared in mind and already won at the moment of contact. Below, I have created a nice logo that brings about Nishio Sensei’s philosophy of Mu Gamae as defined above.
Nishio Sensei’s No Stance But Taking A Mental Stance–At the moment of contact you WON!
A simple way to think of how you should stand to effectively apply Mu Gamae when holding the sword is to have it low toward the ground in a natural way, but the blade protects your center. When holding a jo (4-foot wooden staff), hold it to your side, and if you want, use your free hand to cover the top. This will keep the weapon hidden and, at the same time, not create the dynamics of a duel against an opponent.
Nu Gamae using a sword (ken)- Ken tai Ken
Watch this video above and look at Nishio Sensei’s stance and first enter step as he cuts with his sword. At that specific moment, the conflict is over, or the attacker’s life is decided in the thought of whether you wish to continue. With a real sword, Nishio Sensei presents the ability to cut the attacker or give a chance to live. The additional cuts in the video demonstration are several more examples of this concept. The sword that kills or the sword that gives life. Nishio Sensei taught the latter.
This photo above is a mu gamae presentation. Holding a sword like this against another sword does not show a duel (No Duel). In Kendo, two Kendokas, face each other with shinai pointing at each other create the duel.
This photo above is a duel. Holding a sword like this against another sword presents a duel and dynamic of a fight and a conflict to try to win.
Mu Gamae using a short staff (jo)- Jo tai Ken
In the video above, Shishiya Sensei demonstrates the same example as Nishio Sensei did in sword vs. sword conflict. Shishiya Sensei holds the jo without assuming a stance, and in the very first movement, he successfully defends himself against an attack from the sword. Once again, the idea of checking the attacker and giving them a chance to surrender (an opening), or knocking them out with a strike to the chin using a wooden staff is presented.
Below Nishio Sensei holds a jo and Shishiya Sensei holds a ken ready to attack.
Master Relson Gracie- Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Connection to the Japanese idea of no-stance.
Master Relson Gracie has a self-defense strategy using a no-stance presentation that falls under the mu gamae. He stands with his hands behind his back when in a heated argument with a person who desires to come forward to punch. Relson uses a stomp kick to the attacker’s knee to stop the progress defensively or to use a kick and step forward to reach the jiu-jitsu clinch to perform a takedown (not shown).
When you find yourself in a conflict, it’s important to consider your mindset. Are you feeling stressed or neutral? Also, pay attention to your body language. Did you take a defensive stance? If you find yourself in a physical altercation, consider whether or not you should put your hands up in a fighting on-guard stance that you may have learned in martial arts or self-defense training. Remember, choosing to stand without a fighting stance presents a higher ideal than choosing to duel, as the latter contributes to escalation.
NEW INSTRUCTIONAL RELEASED!!!
We are excited to announce this first instructional for Luta Livre in a continuing series for Opening, Middle, and End Game Theory. By studying the material in volume one, you will be able to differentiate yourself from others through a much better understanding of one of the most challenging positions in all of the grappling, half guard passing!
Hello Friends and Luta Livre Enthusiasts,
My name is “little” Tony Pacenski, and I am a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt (FAIXA PRETA), Luta Livre Black Belt, and Judo Black Belt. Having spent over 25 years studying Brazilian and Japanese Martial Arts, and I can tell you that I have many tricks to share with you. I have had one objective since developing my instructional DVDs and Digital content: to teach specific topics of Grappling that everyone, regardless of ability, could understand and apply. This new Opening, Middle, and End Game Theory for Luta Livre has done just this. My instructionals have reached students internationally in Brazil, Peru, Japan, Canada, Australia, United States, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, England, Eastern European Counties, and South Africa! Due to international requests from friends and enthusiasts like you, I have started this Luta Livre project. It is time to learn new approaches to your grappling game, and we made it easy for you at TONYPACENSKI.COM and SOULFIGHT.NET. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy the instructional content set at a fantastic price!
See you on the mat,
Prof. “little” Tony Pacenski
Doctor of Education (EdD) Student
This Instructional Provides You:
Effective Drills To Improve Half Guard Passing MethodsHow To Infuse A Strategy Of Commitment To Half Guard PassingThe Blue Print On Mixing Reference Points For Positional DominanceHow To Half Guard Pass With Crashing PressureLearn The Secrets Of Forcing The Common 3/4 Half Guard PositionsHow To Overcome Resistances That Occur During The Basic, Intermediate & Advance Smash Half Guard Passing StylesMy $300 Detail Of Equalizing Any Opponent From Resisting The Half Guard Knee Cut PassThe Strategies Of Half-Guard Passing When Opponents Runs Away From You Or Commit To Bridging OutDevelop A Half Guard Passing Game That Leads To The Front Mount And How To Make That Happen 8 Times Out of 10How To Use Your Legs, Body Weight and Grips To Generate So Much Pressure That Bottom Fighter Can't Wait For Your To Pass His or Her Half GuardTESTIMONIALS OF PROF. “little” TONY PACENSKI
THE OPENING, MIDDLE, AND END GAME THEORY- VOL.1 HALF GUARD PASSING
ONE PAYMENT OF
$29.99