Chaos Theory

 

From Wikipedia

Chaos theory is a branch of mathematics focusing on the study of chaos—states of dynamical systems whose apparently-random states of disorder and irregularities are often governed by deterministic laws that are highly sensitive to initial conditions.^[1][2] Chaos theory is an interdisciplinary theory stating that, within the apparent randomness of chaotic complex systems, there are underlying patterns, interconnectedness, constant feedback loops, repetition, self-similarity, fractals, and self-organization.^[3] The butterfly effect, an underlying principle of chaos, describes how a small change in one state of a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences in a later state (meaning that there is sensitive dependence on initial conditions).^[4] A metaphor for this behavior is that a butterfly flapping its wings in China can cause a hurricane in Texas ^[5].

Small differences in initial conditions, such as those due to errors in measurements or due to rounding errors in numerical computation, can yield widely diverging outcomes for such dynamical systems, rendering long-term prediction of their behavior impossible in general.^[6] This can happen even though these systems are deterministic, meaning that their future behavior follows a unique evolution^[7] and is fully determined by their initial conditions, with no random elements involved.^[8] In other words, the deterministic nature of these systems does not make them predictable.^[9][10] This behavior is known as deterministic chaos, or simply chaos. The theory was summarized by Edward Lorenz as:^[11]

Chaos: When the present determines the future, but the approximate present does not approximately determine the future.

Whether in personal confrontation or concerning city wide conflagration

The strongest answer is not always overwhelming force.

 

A portion of our training ought to include being aware of small events that can yield greater results.

 

Remaining Aware

 

 

 

 

Once upon a time I was teaching a seminar at a summer camp for a martial arts group.

 

I was presenting a mixed bag of applications from several arts, among them several empty hand uses for the Bando Short Stick form I taught. Additionally I covered a group of uses for several t’ai chi techniques.

 

The last one was a demonstration of the use within the Yang T’ai Chi Pull Back.

I explained it in great detail then showed it use.

 

When I concluded a young man from a different martial tradition challenged that I could not drop him with that technique.

 

He had just joined the US Marines and was home on leave. He was about 6’6”, taller than I was and he was in quite good shape.

 

So I accepted his challenge and asked him to step is with a vigorous strike towards my face.

 

He did so and I slam dunked him.

 

He had not paid attention to what I explained was within that movement.

 

As he started punching toward me, I simply stepped toward him and delivered a finger tip strike to his face, that stopped him cold. Then I stepped forward and executed the sequence I had demonstrated putting him down with control present.

 

As he got up I reminded him of what I had said, “Remember Snakes bite. “

 

His mistake was assuming what he saw and not listening to my description of what was taking place.

 

Unfortunate for him, I did remember what I said.

 

Another example.

 

 

One time I had 3 friends join my program. They had not been training long, but as I always kept my adult program members continually off guard, this evening I was showing how a striking potential from Aikido worked.

 

I had covered the technique in great detail. Not leaving anything out.

 

I did not expect they would retain what they were shown, more done to keep their minds alive than anything. I never wanted them to believe they could anticipate what was happening in class.

 

After class was finished, they went on the wrestling mats to continue to train.

 

One of them had fairly received brown belts in 3 arts. But because of life’s moves was unable to stay in place to complete training to black belt.

 

What I observed was he was demonstrating his jumping spinning crescent kicks toward them, and they far less skilled were always backing away.

 

So I approached them and suggested I they had been paying attention to what I had been showing them that night, they could readily stop his attack and put him down.

 

As beginners they were in disbelief at what I told them. The individual throwing those kicks even more.

So I suggested why don’t you come at me with those kicks and see what I mean.

 

He took up my challenge and began coming at me with his jumping spinning crescent kick.

 

He expected I would stay there, unfortunately I stepped into his attack and as he rotated with his kicks, my right hand struck out delivering an atemi flow strike into his trachea.

 

The result of which caused him to fly back away from that strike. Into the wall and then to slide down.

 

I made my point it was what they had been shown that night.

 

I guess you could say, once again the snake bites.

 

The lesson is not that I can make what I choose to work, it is the student must pay attention to what they were shown. Believe in it and of course practice, practice and practice.

 

Judo Koshiki-no-jata ad Ju-no-kata

From Wikipedia

 

Koshiki-no-kata (古式の形, Traditional forms). Derived from Kitō-ryū Jujutsu, this kata was originally intended to be performed wearing armour. Kano chose to preserve it as it embodied the principles of judo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jū-no-kata (柔の形, Forms of gentleness & flexibility). Fifteen techniques, arranged in three sets of five, demonstrating the principle of Jū and its correct use in offence and defence

 

 

 

 

Drinking Alone by Moonlight

 

 

 By Li Po

 

A cup of wine, under the flowering trees;
I drink alone, for no friend is near.
Raising my cup, I beckon the bright moon,...
For her, with my shadow, will make three men.

The moon, alas, is no drinker of wine;

Listless, my shadow creeps about at my side.
Yet with the moon as friend and the shadow as slave
I must make merry before the Spring is spent.

 

To the songs I sing the moon flickers her beams;
In the dance, I weave my shadow tangles and breaks.
While we were sober, three shared the fun;

 

Now we are drunk; each goes his way.
May we long share our odd, inanimate feast,
And meet at last on the Cloudy River of the sky.

 

Kime no kata (極の形) - Judo

 

From Wikipedia

 

Kime no kata (極の形) is a series of self-defense oriented katas in judo.

 

Kime no kata, also known as Shinken Shobu no Kata (真剣勝負の形, "the kata of real fighting"), was developed at the Kodokan around 1888.

 

The series is composed of 8 techniques from a kneeling posture (idori waza), and 12 techniques from a standing position (tachi waza).

 

Both sets of techniques contain defenses for both armed and empty-handed attacks.

Looking at the various Judo kata, we see a similarity to karate. But Judo developed from Japanese not Okinawan sources. Knowing what other do makes us more knowledgeable about what we may face.

  

 

 

Kyokushin self defense drills

Old school Kyokushin self defense drills

by the late and great Bobby Lowe Shihan.

 

 

 

 

Kōdōkan goshinjutsu

From Wikipedia

 

Kōdōkan goshinjutsu (講道館護身術)

 

 Kodokan skills of self-defence). The most recent recognised kata, comprising twenty-one techniques of defence against attack from an unarmed assailant and one armed with a knife, stick and pistol. This kata incorporates various jujutsu techniques such as wrist locks and atemi waza.