S.D. Mantis off base??!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Learn
I'm not interested in ****ing contests. I could say that the filipino style I have been studying is the most realistic combatic style I have ever studied, and I do believe that, but that would not contribute to this discussion. There's always another. Training hour discussion aside, I am interested in discussing SD. The Judge had an excellent post about this. Correct me if I am wrong, but it was essentially that SD students are exposed to much, and then left to more specialized study with teachers of a particular system. I spent several years in SD and was not taught that way. I tested several times under ST. I was never encouraged to train with a dedicated Mantiss teacher, though I did. And I learned that what I learned in SD was way off base with regard to Mantiss. As I said, SD did very good things for me, but I now have questions about the learn forms from every style approach. I recently watched a video of forms I did, and while they may have been acceptable for belt testing, from what I know of real weapons usage, I learned nothing. It's difficult for me because SD training was such a positive in my life.
Apparently you never encountered Sensei Brian. Brian was Mantis personified. He even looked-er-I always hated when he went into a Mantis stance when we were sparring, because I knew I was in for pain the likes of which I would never encounter in any street situation. Being run through a meat grinder would hurt a lot less than being taken apart methodically and mercilessly by that man. Which probably explains why he learned the inner secrets of S.D. mantis. When not in combat, you couldn't find a man with a more gentle disposition and big heart. I'm not saying your experience with S.D. mantis isn't true, I'm sure it is. What I am saying is that there are many S.D. Masters and Senseis, and you or I haven't met all of them to see what they have to offer, and never possibly could. That's probably why it's called "Secrets of the Temple." The temple is a living thing. I wish you well.;)