NSI Martial arts and the impact on my life:
By Rod Coulter
This impact is so great that I wouldn’t really know where to start, so I will start in the middle, around 1996 I met a dynamic Instructor by the name of Datu Kelly Worden. Jay Creasy brought him to Calgary for a seminar. I know that the arts have lots to offer and there are many styles and systems etc… The thing I always found in past was that each one tried to be their own system, their own way, which in concept is kind of cool for diversity, but the reality is there are only so many ways to kick and punch. Bam! In comes Mr. Worden and Modern arnis, Renegade JKD and NSI, I don’t think my eyes could have opened any wider. The Modern Arnis was labeled the art within your art, meaning you can take the system and drop it right on top of what you have already been practicing and there would be a seamless transition, if you let it…
The next step would be accepting the fact that what I had been practicing for so many years, really was not very effective in a street combat situation, this at first was very overwhelming and I can remember feeling very confused and lost. Also when you bring in weapons training it can really shake things up with regards to moral behavior, pre-disposed thoughts on violence etc... The beautiful part about starting day one with the weapons training is that they really teach you how to move, how to stand, how to open your hips etc… thus speeding up the learning curve greatly, coming from a traditional back ground based in Kempo and Ninjutsu this was both very exciting and shocking. The excitement of course was in the movement, the feel, and the flow. The shock comes in knowing you could have cut off a decade of training time.
Connecting the Systems
Modern Arnis, Renegade JKD and NSI really have to go hand in hand as the transitions between the lines, the flow of movement all becomes one. Knowing we as humans need to label and name things, lets just define them as we can, thus these systems are made.
Modern Arnis created by Remy Presas in it’s self is a conglomeration of multiple systems put together, Renegade JKD created by Datu Worden is an offshoot of JKD created by Bruce Lee, and JKD in its self is also a conglomeration of multiple systems, NSI or Natural Spirit International is a grouping of these systems put together by Kelly S Worden basically in a nutshell.
The impact of training in these systems is almost immeasurable due to the fact that it impacts your life in all area’s, knowing that the development of the neuro-muscular system is massive and scaleable, noting that studies have been done showing the growth of the rear lobe over weeks of simple activities such as juggling let alone years of practice with double sticks! So knowing that, how do we define the impact? Our complete thought process and physical movement is now changed forever. In fact we become smarter, more aware and empowered.
I noticed the change right away with my teaching, my students were learning faster, their movement was fluid, and excitement in the class was higher. I felt I was really onto something great, thus the past decade has been an incredible journey of discovery and play.
Enter the multiple options for the teaching; it would really be unlimited to ones imagination as the transfer of skills from the dojo to real life is limitless. I personally use the skills developed to help in the study of guitar, business strategies, life coaching, personal training and so on. Once one masters the skill of any art, you can take this skill and overlay it onto anything you decide to do.
What you may perceive to be may very well be completely different then I or someone else may perceive. You have to learn to understand your views on life and your surroundings and be sensitive to the actions and reactions from those you encounter on a daily basis. Realizing that the day you are having may be the best ever in your life, you just won the lottery, your dream mate came into your life, whatever it may be, then you come across mad angry guy, do you step into his energy and escalate the situation or do you realize that something tragic may have just happened in his life and he is in a state of shock so you show him compassion and love.
80 miles an hour can really sting! Understanding your surroundings and the ability to move or be limited in motion can be vital to your survival. Stick training, boxing, grappling, counter movement etc… will all serve to enhance your awareness both in the physical realm and in mental clarity.
To be self empowered and confident in one’s abilities is a step towards freedom. Trust in yourself and live in the process, keep your patience and understand the journey is yours to unfold.
Building Attributes
Simple drills such as 12 count striking patterns can serve to develop multiple attributes to many to even begin to list but here are a few, footwork, spatial awareness, timing, coordination, confidence, aggressive understanding, zoning, respect and so on. As the student progresses they put these drills in combination to create their own flow.
Traditional bell curve would be straight up, in all area’s, confidence, ability to defend one’s self, retention of material. The system is complete and very easy to place into any art you currently study with a seamless transition, the only difference you will notice, especially if you come from a linear background is your ability to move, flow and dance in as little as one class.
About Datu“I want to build leaders, people who are willing to think for themselves”
…Datu Worden
So very powerful, Datu Kelly S Worden lives by the words he speaks, he holds no punches and is a true warrior through and through. In his 40 plus years in the martial arts he has had numerous achievements that many martial artists aspire to. He is true to his art and honestly wants to share it with those who are willing to listen. He is a teacher’s teacher; he is funny and a true artist with sharing his material.
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