[GrahamB]

Hadn't seen this posted here before, just happened across it:

<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-490520230360622262" target="_blank">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-490520230360622262</a>

Edit: This new board doesn't seem to like cut and paste URLs...

Anyway, try clicking here.

Just tested it and it worked.

Core strength, ground path, it's all here folks.... just missing the new fangled fascia theory

This post has been edited by GrahamB: 18 March 2008 - 01:22 PM

[Bao version 0.2]

No vid

[cdobe]

No vid

Same here. But I managed to get the direct download link.

Chris

[cdobe]

My opinion:

“Everyone has a groundpath™ 'till they get punched in the mouth.â€�

[Interloper]

I believe that video is from a seminar Mike S. gave in Virginia (near D.C.) recently. It was specifically directed toward aikido practitioners who are seeking the internal skills and bodywork that have been said to be lacking in contemporary aikido, but which aikido's founder, Ueshiba Morihei, possessed, having in turn acquired it from training with Takeda Sokaku, in Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu.

Proponents of this bodywork, including Mike Sigman, Dan Harden and Akuzawa Minoru most notably (the two former, along with Akuzawa's student Rob John, have been very vocal on the Internet for years, and aikido people are starting to listen to them and to request training) have been publicly offering instruction in these internal basics, and perhaps this is unprecedented; most of these skills have been considered proprietary to specific arts and seldom made openly available to serious seekers.

[GrahamB]

My opinion:

“Everyone has a groundpath™ 'till they get punched in the mouth.â€�

That's very funny - and true!

There's some interesting and good stuff in that video, like moving from the dan tien (or Hara as they say in Aikido) and not the limbs, using the power of the ground, etc, but also a lot that contradicts with 'the martial'. I know he separates his stuff out from 'the martial', but still.... all the 'resisting' he does doesn't fit in with my concept of yielding in Tai Chi, for instance. In fact, it's double weighting personified. Ah well, I quite enjoyed it anyway.

[Interloper]

Not everyone has had exposure to basic skills, Mo, so I'd reserve judgement as to the value of the information, or to the production values of the video itself.

[GrahamB]

Still, this does offer a unique chance for Mo Ling and Shawn to make up and agree on a common enemy

[Lion]

I agree it was boring, I couldn't watch it, maybe next time I have patiens for it.

[shawnsegler]

Sure, I'll get with anyone on that.

Fuck Sigman!

S

[GrahamB]

Sure, I'll get with anyone on that.

Fuck Sigman!

S

There you go! You and Mo can be friends again now... harmony is restored to the flower...

[Interloper]

Even so, any such information is helpful to noobs just getting an inkling. Apparently, a lot of aikido people got something out of that seminar -- I've heard feedback -- because their schools did not have the foundational bodywork that many people (but not all; remember there are noobs here, too) here consider to be elementary.

Yes, it's common knowledge that Mr. Sigman isn't the most popular person in the IMA universe, but he does have skilz, and from what I hear, the group in Virginia/D.C. had their eyes opened to concepts they had never before experienced. Now they've had an intro and can do their own seeking. I say, power to 'em.

[middleway]

go train ba gua and be done with it ....

[Upyu]

I think that vid is like over 10 years old...and has nothing to do with the seminar that was done in VA recently.

Sure its basic...but how many people on this board could claim to be able to do even the basics
(No offense meant to those that can, but just take a look at the crap videos that often times pass for "internal" on the video forum)

Sigman's got serious power, even though he doesn't show it at all in that vid. His store&release power isn't anything to sneeze at. (And that's after getting my hands on people like Sam Chin)
I'd get hands on time with the guy before any final calls are made.

This post has been edited by Upyu: 18 March 2008 - 05:12 PM

[John Medurga]

The Sig-man got on my nerves too the first time he posted on EF and he's got quite a reputation among certain groups. A few members of the west coast yiquan clan want a piece of him as well. As do a lot of tough guys. But none of those masters, heroes and experts have the balls to stand in front of him either.

He's not the greatest video producer in the world. So what.

He's more knowlegeable about the basics of internal systems than the majority of experts who post here including the ones who study in Asia with "famous" teachers. His understanding of the more advanced principles is also better than what I've heard from most and he can explain it in non mystical terms. Like it or not he does know what he's talking about and can demonstrate it.

Is everybody here the in possession of a sweet disposition full of the milk of human kindness when addressing others? I think not.


At least when he moves he doesn't look like someone doing a belly dance while humping a tall four - legged animal.

[WVMark]

Hello Interloper and Upyu!
Yeah, the vids old. Might even be 15 years old. I forget.

For everyone else,
I'll echo what Upyu posted. Sigman has power and skills. And yes, his online persona doesn't equate to his in-person persona either. But, everyone has their opinions. I'd still suggest meeting him before writing him off.

Mark

[Interloper]

I think that vid is like over 10 years old...and has nothing to do with the seminar that was done in VA recently.

Oops! Thanks for the update, Upyu (and WVMark). Old video. The seminar was on "ki in aikido" and was directed toward aikidoka, so the video title made me think that there was a connection.

[Ron Panunto]

What John Medurga said - and I have touched hands with Mike.

[Yusuf Cornholio]

Sigman coms across as a dick online, much the same as Mo or Strawdog or Mckinley .. and me..

but I have heard from an old aikido buddy that he has set a number of good people on the path to finding the real 'gong fu' behind Ueshibas physical ability.. no one should condemn that