Posts

3 symbols

A bit about the three symbols I use on my most recent batch of tshirts: 1) The Ronin Combatives emblem. This incorporates the Chinese characters from Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do symbol. They can be translated as 'Using no way as way. Having no limitation as limitation." This is an encapsulation of the JKD philosophy and process. Since JKD has and will always be foundational to what I teach, it is appropriate that the Ronin Combatives symbol reflects that.     At the center of the emblem is a wolf. The wolf represents the predator/prey reversal. It is a mindset. We, as social beings and protectors, do not seek unnecessary dominance over others through use of force. But, if we or our loved ones are attacked, we will do what we must to counter that violence. The predator who dared do us harm, will in turn, become prey.    Also, the wolf represents Nature which sustains us and gives us life. The more we understand of Nature, the more we understand ourselves. The more we understan
Read more

Hubud untangled

Lately I have seen alot of talk about hubud lubud (or hubad), the Filipino martial arts flow drill. Is it useful? Is it a waste of time? There are good arguments for both positions.      Honestly, I can take it or leave it and have actually done both at various times. When I first learned hubud I loved it and would train it with anyone who was interested. Then as time went on and I gained more knowledge of what real violence was like and how to train more 'alive' I tossed the drill to the side as largely a relic.     In the last several years though, I have reintroduced it to my students. Why? What do I now see in this drill that I didn't before? What purpose does it serve.     First, let's look at what it isn't. 1) It isn't fighting or sparring. Hubud doesn't represent real world violence in any true sense. Its not meant to. There are ways to 'amp' it up, which we will get to, but understand that it is not meant to take the place of other, more '
Read more