Pathwalker Guild

That makes sense, no problems.

Is it ok for me to give my branch email? please remove if not:

 

No. Balancing on a surface like snow or ice brings into play additional muscles that we don't normally use to balance on non-slippery surfaces.

What real world situation requires high kicks?

Then why remain associated with it? Why not form a more credible organisation?

 

Marbo Pathwalker

Hello again,

Thank you to everyone who has commented on the Marbo website - feedback has been referred to the webmaster for future consideration.
The official Marbo site is www.marboschool.co.uk , any other sites, unless linked to the official site, are counterfeit, pertaining to offer Marbo training through unregistered and unwarranted Marbo Instructors.

“… name on the contact information is Simon Pither“.
I have contacted the organisations archivist and can confirm, (as stated by David Harrison), Simon Pither successfully completed the intermediate course (G3). He did not hold a Marbo Black grade.


“to share techniques from the system was seen as a sin”
There are many training methods and techniques unique to Marbo. Why give up your advantage by allowing your opponent(s) a “heads-up” on your techniques.
You left as you were free to do, just as instructors can refuse to train those they believe are not worthy of the unique Marbo training. Instructors have free path too.

“It was a very inward looking system with a lot of top down orders being put on the members, not at all participative in the truest sense of the word, but dictatorial.”
Leadership always comes from the top down.
That said, the ability to make suggestions and help the organisation evolve from within has always been welcomed - provided it fits within the governing requirements of the Guild. We are not a committee!.
All members are equal off the training ground. All members are equal on the training ground, but logic applied - grade / rank dictates. You cannot expect a new member to be able to better the understanding of an Instructor with 25 years experience of teaching Marbo.

“Vincit Qui se Vincit? Well yeah, I agree with that, but it only works if you get out of the pub and start doing push ups!!”
I quiet agree, although there is nothing wrong with socialising with the people you train with!
It is a fact that 98% of the Marbo membership are non smokers or gave up smoking since joining.
To the best of my knowledge, and I’ve asked around, there has not been a meeting in a pub since the “student” branch in Bangor N Wales. I have never known an Instructor to be unpunctual or not turn up for a session.

“….floor work, anything beyond basic ground defensive tactics wasn't covered when i took part.”
True, only basic level is covered as a standard part of the syllabus. We do offer a day trainer in ground defence, but historically few members have requested more training in this area.

“Perhaps if enough of us get together we could reboot Marbo as a proper martial art as it should be rather than trying to make it into an all inclusive religion.”

You mean commercialise the Guild, in that case you really have missed the point of our organisation.
We actively encourage all faiths (and atheists) to participate within the Guild and expect all members to show respect towards each other and their chosen faith. Every member, religious or not, is expected to stand side by side on the training ground, where all individuals work together for every other members benefit and progression.
However we don’t expect all members to get on outside the training ground or to even like each other, personality clashes do happen, but personal difference are put aside from bow in to bow out. We expect our members to show respect to one another at all times.

Pathwalker Guild Members Secretary.

 

Phew! This has been an epic forum session!

My understanding is that they are the same stabilizer muscles at work, just to different degrees depending on the evenness of the surface.

You really can't think of a single scenario? I agree they would be few and far between, but I am convinced that my balance, as well as the speed and power of my low kicks are enhanced by practicing high kicks, if for no other reason than low kicks fall well into my range of flexibility, and so the muscles provide less resistance to movement.

I value the training I have received, I like the people involved, I still have more knowledge to gain. To be honest, I don't see myself ever leaving the organisation as it has only ever done me good and I want to repay that with service to the group - which in turn can only benefit me by improving the organisation I'm a part of!

Does that sound so crazy?

 

Thanks Mitch.

 

and so more fuel to the fire.....

Honestly, I give up. :bang:

I am trying to help other martial artists understand the physical excellence of the Marbo training when done properly and give credit where it is due for a viable martial art.

All high handed statements like that do is to push people away and ensure that they will NEVER give any of your arguments any weight.

Well done.

 

Haha - didn't see this the first time around, the 'organisations archivist' must be working late if he can be contacted by the 'Members Secretary' at midnight !

Might they be the same person? COULD BE!!! (cue Hong Kong Phooey theme tune...)




ok, sorry. Its getting late...

 

Hi there!

Yes, this seems to be a sticking point in people's understanding.

As a community of members, I have received help, assistance and hospitality that I would never have expected from someone who just attended the same martial arts class. I have also had opportunity to offer the same. This is not suspicious or sinister, it's kinda great actually.

People pay (in really quite nominal amounts compared to many MA classes, especially considering the small classes and personal attention they receive) money for being taught. But it is also the case that many people who have been genuinely broke have either had donations waived or they have found some other way to benefit the members. If they are good people we want to train, they will receive training.

When I train in a hall, the session donations really are a donation - because of the small classes they barely cover the cost of the hall. I am not running a business, and it is not run like a shop.

Maybe that clears some stuff up, maybe not. But hopefully it might bring accross some of the spirit of the organisation - it is a world away from 30 people training in a hall, some without talking to an instructor the whole session, then all getting in their cars and going home without so much as a goodbye. I know many classes are run better than this, but hopefully it illustrates my point a bit.

 

No apology needed Marbo-man.

The archivist is a retired member who's happy to be on call.
Goodnight

Members secretary

 

When I hear phrases like " not worthy of the unique training" then I have all I new to know

 

I doubt that very much. And of course seeing as it's a sin (?) to explain what that means we'll never really know. Shame really.

 

That's funny, when I googled that phrase this was the only page that came up.

Please, if you quote us, could you actually quote us? I am up for sticking around and engaging in discussion, but no matter what idea of us you have in your head that seems a reasonable request.

[EDIT: Nevermind, response corrected below]

 

Membersec said this...

.

 

No, you will never know. But anyone who does the training will, and that is what really matters.

 

Ha!

Ok, fair do's, at least I didn't forget I'd said it myself.

Damn you Google!

 

What is the reason for the secrecy in this system?

 

To be honest I don't see Marbo doing anything I haven't seen in a shed load of dodgy dojos over the years. If people want that kind of thing they are more than welcome to it. Some people are looking for something that is more of a lifestyle and less a martial art. Unless they are actually causing people harm I can't see the problem with it. Martial Arts isn't for everyone.

The Bear.

 

Many martial arts throughout history have been taught in secret. Whilst we have public classes now, the techniques themselves are only shared in those classes (or in public when ex-members decide to do so).

I actually think it works out quite well. It adds an aspect of humility to the training when you cannot use your training for ego trips, self-aggrandizing and publicity, show-off to your friends outside of the training etc. Many members have sparred with people from other systems, and indeed trained in other systems. That is not a problem as long as they are not teaching our training methods or techniques.

We are not, and never have, produced publicity akin to wannabe ninjas, faux-spec-op types who like to play dress-up, "send us cash and you'll receive a black belt and an instruction pamphlet of how to destroy your opponent with one move, no exercise needed!", or anything of the kind.

We do not rip anyone off, and our training is very modestly priced compared to many other MAs. The bushcraft and survival training is particularly good value when compared to the syllabus and cost of others offering it.

Finally, because of our community-of-members structure and ethos, we do not want pick n' mix martial artists coming in to take what they want and leave without adding anything to the organisation, especially if they then go on to use those techniques in competition (which has happened, but only ever with lower ranks, so it's not a huge deal).

It is not an open martial arts class, it is a member's organisation that teaches fighting arts and survival to those members.