Tai Jitsu

[Freeform]

I know that some of you out there have practiced Tai Jitsu as well so I'm just trying to find out who's out there and what they're up to.

The style that i practiced was Goshin Do. We practiced a lot of striking (head, hands, elbows, knees) and a few basic kicks. A lot of throws, takedowns, compliance techniques (locks, nerves) and a lot of pain (we tried to be as realistic as possible). First aid and anatomy are a requirement in most of the gradings.

There were no kata practiced, only a few basic sets at beginner level for strikes and blocks. On average it would take a student 10 years to get to Black Belt (gradings were never a high priority) but the standards are very high (our 3rd kyu's are more qualified than certain Dan grades).

I know now from my training in Aikido that several of the Aiki styles refer to any hand techniques whilst standing as Tai Jitsu.

Right over to you.

[Kendo_Cougar]

Cool.... :yeleyes:

[Freeform]

Why, thank you Mr Cougar, you are a man of very few words. Anyone else out there....

If anyones got any questions either, don't be scared to ask.

Thanx

[khafra]

Tai Jitsu - isn't that the ninja weaponless combat?
Do they teach you sub-zero's ripping the spine out finish on request, or is that only for Dan grades?
Seriously, though, I'll second kendo-cougar on this one.

[Freeform]

Yes, righ, down, right and high punch!

But only on request. I've also recently taken up kung fu so I can turn into a dragon and bite peoples heads off. FINISH HIM!!!.

Thanx

[fluffydoc]

Hey, I've been able to do that 2 days a month since I was 12!

[Darzeka]

I've been wondering the relationship with Taijitsu to my art (Ninjukai Taijutsu) as they both have taijutsu/taijitsu in the name.

I was told by my instructirs (quoting the Grandmaster) that Taijutsu is roughly translated as body potential and is the physical aspect of our art. The Ninjukai part is meditation and means harmony between mind, body and environment.

And yes I'm one of those people who like running around at night, wearing black and hiding in shadows but they havn't taught me how to dissapear, slide from a standing still position, do a teleport punch or fly backwards into a tree yet.

Oh did you know that there ia a Mortal Kombat V: Deadly Alliance game out soon?

[Freeform]

Oh god, why do all the threads I start always go this way :cry:

Potential/movement, the core principles of the art are taught and your expected to alter techniques to suit yourself better. Such as if you were 7 foot tall I woul have to vary certain throwing techniques (get your center of gravity under that 5foot midgets!?!?!)

Thanx

[khafra]

Hm... How would a relatively tall person have to alter techniques, in general? I'm not outstandingly tall, but 6'2" is above average.

[Darzeka]

Its all in comparison to the other person. Every try to hip throw someone who is 3 foot tall? Your arse will almost be scraping the ground and if your legs aren't strong enough then you won't be able to throw them.

[khafra]

Yup, that's what I'm looking at. I've always thought the most difficult match for a short person would be someone even shorter, and for a tall person someone taller still. Reverse their natural compensations.

[Freeform]

Thats why your taught to adapt techniques AND strategy. I'm obviously not gonna fight a 6'6" monster the same way I'd fight a midget (get off my ankle!).

Also students should try to train with as many different body types as they can, training in other clubs should be encouraged!

[Sweeet]

Just wondering how Tai Jitsu compares to other styles of martial arts - for example Ju Jitsu, or TWD, or Kali. Is it very street oriented? Are there any philosophical elements to it? And does it include any groundwork?

Sweeet.

[Freeform]

Tai Jitsu is a derivative of Ju Jitsu, the same kind of techniques but now of this one, two, three compliance crap. Obviously when you learn a technique there is compliance to learn it motions but we soon move on to taking it hard and fast (ooh yeah!).
Its pretty much completely street orientated, so we do practice a little groundwork but its not like Judo groundwork because we strike and do nerve points and other things that they have banned.

I haven't practiced Kali and I don't know what TWD is (TKD?) so I can't really compare.

Thanx

[Jim]

Freeform,

Our styles seem very similar. One thing though, I see that you are doing other styles as well, are you an instructor of Tai Jitsu? If not, does your instructor mind you training in different styles?

When it comes to throwing smaller body types (I'm 6'3") I still try hip throws whenever possible to work on lowering my centre of gravity. Throws such as O Goshi and Ko Tsuri Goshi are good for tall vs. small.

We do groundwork Randori and in the later higher grades encompass pressure point attacks, strangulations and strikes.

Is there a website of your club I can view?

[Freeform]

Websites in progress, u guys will be able to see me being severly beaten by my betters!

I'm not an Instructor, only a humble assistant Instructor (although I'm sitting for my full at the end of the year, 3 day intensive course, woo hoo)

My Instructor encourages me to x-train as he see's me as a way to bring other skills into the class ie we don't practice high kicks but learn to defend from them so I get used a lot for that.

Thanx

[Freeform]

Some people have asked how we pressure test so here's a quick (real quick) break down of the ranges of our 'sparring':

Boxing range: Both wear fingerless heavy gloves, mat shoes, helmet and box, hand strikes only. This includes the use of the palm, fist, forearm and elbow. Fights are normally timed or stopped if someone takes a really heavy blow and can't defend.
Restrictions, no finger strikes to the eyes. If your opponent falls over back away and allow them to get back up.

Kickboxing range: Same as above but all kicking techniques are allowed as well. Knee, shin and foot all allowed. Takedowns from kicks are allowed.
Restrictions, same again.
Note, we're not kickboxers so kicks are never normally any higher than gut hight.

Standing Grappling: Wear mat shoes and box. Attempt to throw opponent to the ground or obtain a standing submission (almost impossible), slight atemi is allowed (distraction strikes whilst closing the distance or moving into a throw).
Restrictions, once either of you hit the floor, you separate and start again.

Groundwork: Same gear again, start on knees (or one knee one foot) and fight for submission on the ground. Use of nerve points and slight atemi allowed.
Restrictions, no fish-hooks, eye gouges or biting (although the you can usually get alway with slight nibbling if your wanting to make your opponent aware that you could take a chunk out of him), not allowed to come up onto both feet.

Standing into ground: combination of the above.

Obviously this is all done with strict supervision, and you obey the 'referee' at all times. Only seniors are allowed to practice standing into ground.

Varations of the grappling include jacket or t-shirt, shorts or trousers, and jeans & t-shirt. Time limits can also be applied, as can certain specific restrictions.

Hope that answers a few questions (probably raises a few as well ;) )

[morphus]

I like this, i have done it and have put my students through some of it, the only problem is injuries, even with protection there are areas of vunerability - ie: knees, eyes, nose, mouth which as you said is why there is strict observation from tutors.BUT:

I have a question; what if some of the students don't want to do this sort of training because perhaps they don't want to take the chance of getting an injury that'll keep them off work?

Can these people learn a similar or even different way, and learn the lessons pressure testing teaches?

[Freeform]

They can still learn the techniques and probably become quite proficient, but there is no substitute for pressure testing and to think so is quite silly.

This form of training is completely optional, but i couldn't see anyone progressing rank wise without it (who really cares about belts anyway?).

[Freeform]

Just an extra point of info, I'm a proper full instructor now (have been since May). :D

Our school of Tai Jitsu only goes up to fifth dan, which is probably just as well as it takes about ten years to get to first! ;)

Col

[SoKKlab]

Hey Well Done Freeform,
on your Instructoriness. I missed this thread before and enjoyed reading it, alot of good info in it and the Tai Jitsu that you are practising sounds great and of much use.

Do you know of any London Tai Jitsu clubs? I'm alway looking at expanding my training and learning new things.

[Jim]

Congrats Col!

[morphus]

Well done FF on the instructor..ship:) CONGRAT'S:cool:

[Freeform]

Why thank you, thank you! :D

*Bows*

Now I'm a proper full instructor and all, you guys have to pay attention from now on! ;)

Now I'm gunning for that pesky Judo coaches qualification as well, hopefully next year sometime! :D

Sokklab> I don't know, but I'll ask for ya!

Col

[SoKKlab]

ThaNKS FF,
Please do Ask for me. I'd appreciate it.

[hafer34]

I have taken a classe with the Bujinkan Dojo of Indianapolis and want continue to drive two hours to train every now and then when I get time. On the niteI went, we mainly just split up with different sizes of partners (constantly rotating) and worked on evasion skills and fighting skills. Warm ups are a lot of rolls and pushups. Very relaxed atmosphere and yes we do hit each other while performing the moves, and man does it feel good.

[Freeform]

and yes we do hit each other while performing the moves

Excellent mate! Just keep working on those avoidance! ;)

Col