New DVD: Kendo Basics

[DCPan]

Hi everyone,

I am writing to let you all know that there is a new video resource available produced by Marsten sensei and Willis Wall Multimedia.

You can find more information at the following link (including a 5 minute trailer):
http://www.williswall.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=14

You can find other short clips here:
http://www.williswall.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=14

Thanks!

David

[Masahiro]

interesting.. this should prove to be very helpful to the beginners. Are there any talks of making it into a series? (like a 2nd one dedicated to wazas and other drills?)

[Kenshi]

Look good.

Met Mr Marsten once, and plyed him with whiskey. His wife was there, so I couldnt take advantage.

They same folk also do a Kendo How To series for free... check it out:

http://www.williswall.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=14

[mark]

Thanks! Orders placed. Looking forward to seeing the vid.

[NGeorge]

I purchased this and am happy with the production value. I am using it to help refine my basics during my off-days. I particularly enjoy the instructor’s section where Marsten Sensei talks about common problems and the reason why some basics are executed in a certain way.

I’m hope they continue and turn this into an instructional series. I am also looking forward to the release of the Shinai maintenance DVD.

[DCPan]

Are there any talks of making it into a series? (like a 2nd one dedicated to wazas and other drills?)

I don't know any details...

I do vaguely recall a conversation that near the end of the making of the video, Marsten sensei discovered some ways of using the way Olympic athletes (marathon runners) train to speed up one's footwork and having it done in a way that makes sense.

However, as the videos are performed and filmed all on a volunteer basis, I don't know when or if a 2nd video will happen.

:D


I particularly enjoy the instructor’s section where Marsten Sensei talks about common problems and the reason why some basics are executed in a certain way.

Did you like the T-shirt that he was wearing at that moment as well?

:D

[jmarsten]

I don't know any details...

I do vaguely recall a conversation that near the end of the making of the video, Marsten sensei discovered some ways of using the way Olympic athletes (marathon runners) train to speed up one's footwork and having it done in a way that makes sense.

That would be sprinters, marathon is going the wrong direction. Actually adopting certain aspects of sprint training, boxing, plyometrics and cho2 (diet), sport psychology with kendo basics.

[Masahiro]

That would be sprinters, marathon is going the wrong direction. Actually adopting certain aspects of sprint training, boxing, plyometrics and cho2 (diet), sport psychology with kendo basics.

I await eagerly for the 2nd video (aswell)

[Kapplow]

Did anyone get an email confirmation when they placed their order? It has been two days now and I still haven't got one.

[mark]

That would be sprinters, marathon is going the wrong direction. Actually adopting certain aspects of sprint training, boxing, plyometrics and cho2 (diet), sport psychology with kendo basics.

Sensei could you please elaborate?

[jmarsten]

First I want to let everyone know that I am not financially involved with the dvd. I provided knowledge because I have long felt that we needed something to help people wanting to start kendo clubs where there are no sensei. In the US we get inquiries all the time from folks in large and small cities and towns where there is no kendo. My desire was to give them at least some tool that could cover that space between day 1 and bogu which is never addressed. There are lots of material once you get past the beginner stage.

Regarding the advanced training techniques. Kendo involves developing fast feet, so what do sprinters do? So I spent the last two years researching training methods for different sports that I thought could be adopted to kendo. It was very enlightening. I have given seminars on the material and provided it upon request but maybe I need to talk to the dvd folks about doing something on this. If countries are willing to spend all that money on developing Olympic athletes, certainly there are some things that would help your kendo. I learned a ton about the hand and foot speed, mental prep, visulization, diet and it was interesting the number of items "rediscovered" that kendo already was doing. I believe in kendo as a martial art but it is physical more than mental to begin with. Latter in your training it becomes more mental when you are not contesting your own body as well as the opponent.
The side benefit was for those wanting to do shiai that these methods made them better competitors simply by improving their overall kendo.
I was delighted to see that the two high schools in Kyushu had come to the same conclusion and were doing similar training.

[Masahiro]

First, let me say that it is very admirable of you Marsten sensei to take no part of the revenue earned towards sharing your decades of knowledge. I plan to visit Pacific coast in the near future and see for myself what the kendo is like up there. (without a doubt, enchanting i've heard)

as for this "cross training", borrowing training methods from other sports (Olympic or not). I would love to hear more about it, is it possible for me to write you directly? would you mind sharing a bit with us here on Kendo-world. As i've mentioend I would be very interested to see a 2nd DVD. Please let me (us, kendo-world) know what we can do to contibute to its eventual birth.

thank you once again, :)

[jmarsten]

Here are some specific things that you can do.
1. get a weight vest or just load up a back back and slowly climb a long stairway taking two or more steps at a time. Use this in the manner you would doing squats with a barbel or nautilus machinge. Slowly using the whole leg to lift your weight to the next stair. Squats work well or even a step board as used in fitness centers. I alternate legs with my weight vest on (35#) and do each leg until it burns and then switch legs. Do several sets, slowly build up your reps. The material I have included gives you the plan.
Do plyometrics. Bounding - skipping - hopping etc I have specific kendo plyometrics that I teach.
Use weights, two shinai or whatever to do forearm excercises. Draw circles rotating in both directions (clockwise/countercw) use a shinai in each hand and do drum beats like you are playing a taiko. Using hand weights with your arms fully extended to the front and /or the side perform the same circular motions you did with the shinai to stregthen the shoulders.
I am not convinced doing suburi is good unless you are hitting a target or doing it slowly with a suburito. Make sure to bring the left hand down to nipple height to relax the shoulder muscle on each stroke. If you do not the muscle is always in tension and you will probably get tendonitis.
core strength training is critical
I did the running in water for endurance/lung training. All of this needs to be combined with basic kendo training. Constantly work on your basics - efficiency is the key to excellent performance-
overspeed training.
Get a light shinai like a womens 39 and use it to do hitting drills in which you "overspeed" So after doing heavy drills then switch and do light drills in which you go as fast as you can. Make sure to use both hands in any strike.
Since you probably have no control over your dojo practice format you may not be able to do some things at the dojo. But you can use the light shinai to make multiple overspeed hits against lesser opponents such as the junior hs or hs kids.
Using some kind of keikotai for overspeed training outside of the dojo is really good. A 2x 4 wrapped in an old tare or something like a rug works great. The thicker the better to absorb the shock and spare your joints as well as the shinai.

[mark]

Here are some specific things that you can do.

Thanks! Printed out and pinned to my "Lets work on this for a while board":)

[Charlie]

Oh, yeah, that's gold. Thank you, sensei. If I may trouble you, what is meant by overspeed training?

[jmarsten]

Oh, yeah, that's gold. Thank you, sensei. If I may trouble you, what is meant by overspeed training?
Have you ever run downhill as fast as you can? If not, do it and you will know everything you need to know about overspeed. Caution: do not trip and do a face plant.

[Charlie]

Caution: do not trip and do a face plant.

I'm glad you added this last part, because that'd be what I'd do!

[Kapplow]

Has anyone got their DVD yet?

[jmarsten]

Has anyone got their DVD yet?
I contacted them yesterday about shipping and they said all orders have been shipped. They said there is supposed to be auto confirmation of your order.
The producer is in Japan until Thursday and will check this out upon his return to make sure it is working.

[Kapplow]

I contacted them yesterday about shipping and they said all orders have been shipped. They said there is supposed to be auto confirmation of your order.
The producer is in Japan until Thursday and will check this out upon his return to make sure it is working.


Thank you Mr.Marsten. I think I didnt get an email confirmation because my email isn't receiving any emails at all. I checked by trying to send myself an email. If you say all orders have been shipped then thats all the confirmation I need. Thank you for making this DVD.

[Ignatz]

Looking forward to seeing it.

P.S. Marsten sensei, I still owe you a round from Florida. I'm getting stronger and my left arm works better but my stamina still sucks wind. Last night we were lucky enough to have an odd number at the dojo so I got a rest after every rotation and set a 2006 personal record and made it all the way through the class. Last keiko though I was having trouble holding on to the shinai with my left hand. Every day another step. Hope you are doing well.
john

[Obulco]

Has anyone got their DVD yet?

Yes, I got mine yesterday. It is an excellent tool, by the way. Thanks so much, Marsten-sensei, for doing this.

[Kapplow]

Ok I got mine. I would love to be able to do kirikaeshi like the sensei in the dvd. Their footwork was very inspiring, zero bounce. Oh yeah, I always wondered what the groove between the back of my legs was for. Joge buri baby!

[Swissv2]

I am looking to buy this DVD but pay through paypal. anyone have a copy?

[cesarekim]

Just got mine a couple of days ago. Sweet stuff on the instructor explanations as well.

THANK YOU Marsten Sensei!

[Awooga Guy]

One of Awooga Guy's friends ordered this and showed it to him. Great stuff. Some really interesting content there. :)






That is all.

[neko]

I am looking to buy this DVD but pay through paypal. anyone have a copy?

you can pay with paypal. if you click the "buy now" with visa logo it will give you the option to pay with paypal. :)

[sophia9rev]

:):) (http://herbspawellness.com/) thanks sensei,,