Steven Seagal training with Anderson Silva
It’s interesting to see Steven Seagal‘s adaptation of more traditional Martial Arts techniques for use in the ring for his buddy Anderson Silva (UFC).
This is in principle what Zen Ki Bo does, it takes some traditional Martial Arts forms and techniques and improvises and adapts them into street-smart self-defence.
UFC – Rich Franklin Vs Wanderlei Silva. Zen Ki Bo reverse elbow strikes
The fight between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99 in Germany..
During final stages of the last round, when Franklin moved in behind Silva it became a battle of attrition; reverse elbow strikes Vs punches.
The reverse elbows being thrown in this bout are the same elbows taught in Zen Ki Bo to fight off an offender who attacks you from behind. One of the differences in Zen Ki Bo is that after several reverse elbow strikes to the face/head, you turn around to face the offender and knee-strike him in the groin, then take an eye, thus taking away the offender’s offensive capabilities. This of course is not allowed in the cage or the ring and therein lies the difference between competition fighting (UFC / MMA) and real-life self-defence (Zen Ki Bo).
Only one rule at Zen Ki Bo: “Insist on your Survival”.
Zen Ki Bo - eye gouge
The Master and his three sons.
Master Swordsman
There was once a great master of kenjutsu (sword) renowned throughout Japan who, when visited by another great master, wished to demonstrate the teaching he had given his three sons.
The master winked at his guest and placed a heavy metal vase on the corner of the sliding doors, wedged it with a piece of bamboo and a small nail in such a way that the vase would fall on the head of the first one who came into the room when the door was opened.
While chatting and drinking tea, the master called his oldest son who came immediately. Before opening the door, he felt the presence of the vase and its position. He slid back the door, put his left hand through the gap to catch the vase and continued opening the door with his right hand. Then, clutching the vase to his chest, he entered the room, shutting the door behind him and replaced the vase; he came forward and greeted the two masters. ‘This is my oldest son’, said the host smiling, ‘he has learnt my teaching well and one day he will undoubtedly be a master of kenjutsu.’
The second son was called and he entered without hesitating and only caught the vase at the last moment: it almost landed on his head. ‘This is my second son’, said the master, ‘he still has a lot to learn but he is improving every day.’
Then the third son was called. Entering the room hurriedly, he was struck on the head by the vase. The blow was a heavy one but before the vase hit the tatami, he drew his sword and, in one quick action, cut the piece of metal in two. ‘This is my youngest son, Jiro’, said the old man, ‘he is the baby of the family and he still has a long way to go.’
Martial Arts with meaning and philosophy, Zen Ki Bo.