The two reviews from George
Mattson and myself usher in what we hope will prove a successful and enjoyable
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Review: Coiling Silk Exercises: by David Mott, Published by "Cold Mountain Uechi-ryu".515 Logan Avenue, Toronto Canada M4K 3B3. Tel: 416-461-1358 $25.00.($20 Canadian) To order, email info@coldmountain.ca
A person who only fights is nothing more than a brawler.
A person who only practices his/her forms without being able to apply them, is nothing more than a dancer.
A person who theorizes about the martial arts without being able to demonstrate his/her knowledge is only an armchair theorist.
A person who practices all of these without applying the martial arts to the art of living misses the inner usefulness of all of this activity.
A person who practices all of these, applies it to the art of living and takes great pleasure from this effort, is a true martial artist.
-- Martial arts master Liang Shouyu
David Mott, Uechi-ryu Karate Kyoshi and 8th degree black belt, has once again published an important martial art program that will help teachers and students understand and master a side of the martial arts often overlooked.
I've studied David's eight techniques and plan to incorporate his "coiling" method of performing kata segments as a teaching method for both new and advanced students. It definitely works and helps Uechi practitioners understand the difficult concepts associated with advanced application methods. I've created a brief summary of David's excellent DVD here, so he can explain in his own words what his coiling silk exercises consist of and how they can help you become a better martial artist.
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Thanks to Chris McKaskell for sending us the following review. . .
I really like the DVD and the exercises. I'll probably need a few more for the various people
“David Mott recently made a DVD of Coiling Silk Exercises he has been quietly working on and sharing with his students at Cold Mountain School, in Toronto.
There are eight exercises in total and each derives its form from various physical phrases found directly in the practice of Uechi-Ryu.
I've shared them with my small class and have found them to be valuable in developing body integration, a deeper understanding of breath as it relates to movement, smoothing out small muscle control issues and opening a new chapter in the way Uechi kata can be perceived.
Besides that, performing these exercises makes me feel good.
Review: Uechi-ryu Karate: Advanced Applications of Katas & Applications. By Henry Thom. Available on the Uechi-ryu Store - $25
Shihan Henry Thom created this DVD for his Kyoshi requirements in 2007. Henry chose to focus on the practical applications (bunkai) of our advanced kata, Seisan and Sanseiryu. Henry began his Uechi training as one of my early students during the Hancock Dojo era. He was well known for his excellent fighting and self-defense skills, in both competitive venues and on the streets of China town, where he and his other Chinese friends were frequently the target of gangs from other areas of Boston.
Henry hasn't forgotten the practical side of the Uechi art and this DVD provides what he considers to be many of the best techniques found in the kata. The instruction is clear and easy to follow. The DVD is a real bargain at only $25.
Here is a brief summary of the introduction and a couple of the applications:
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Review: Coiling Silk Exercises: by David Mott, Published by "
Henry Thom. Available on the Uechi-ryu Store - $25