A Kiss from Inspiration
Jason Heriford
12/5/06

Kiss these tired eyes of mine, Inspiration.
I wake slowly from dulled imagination.
My recent past a continuum of abuse
Squandering life apathetic to my muse.

The doldrums loose their grip, and I arise
Slowly you romance the light of lights in my eyes.
You are sunrise and steady healing motivation
This warm beginning reaches hot intoxication.

You impassion my days, my Inspiration.
Again my dreams feel real emancipation.
Unrestrained you steer me to the truth.
Flowing from the Dream-soul you soothe.

Carry me away, and work your magic.
I won’t look back at what was tragic.
Tomorrow is no higher or lower than today.
So sweetly here with you I forever play.

How do you Lose Self and System to Find an Unstoppable Belief and Flow?

Our practice teaches us to continue on under all circumstances. If you are hit, keep moving. If you miss, keep moving. If you fall, get back up or fight from there. If you make a mistake in life, correct it, stay positive, and live on.

The Filipinos have countless stories that relate Unstoppable fighting spirit. Outnumbered 20 to 1 in WW II by the Japanese, they were victorious. Bigger more powerful guns were needed because they refused to fall to the 38. Riddled with machine gun fire, tribal warriors take out the shooters before finally facing death themselves.

This fighting spirit wells up in every Warrior who has learned the truth. Life is eternal! Without beginning or end, we all have a specific purpose. This Belief! Overcomes all negativity, and drives us to train, instilling in us a sense of integrity. We are part of something bigger than ourselves, but our small contribution is vital to the grand Flow of Life. By giving ourselves over to this truth, wholeheartedly, with abandon, we are in one sense losing ourselves, but in another, gaining our true self, which is Unstoppable.

As your practice of Kali Silat enriches your life, I hope you share that with others!

God Bless You!

METAL OF THE MIND
by Jason Heriford 10/17/06

The blade is forged in fire.
My mind is driven by my passion.

When the blade is drawn, someone will die.
My mind has the power to choose.

The blade is an integral part of the elemental world.
My mind is in tune with my body, spirit, and the flow of life.

The blade is unfailing.
My mind is confident.

The blade is sharp and cuts deep.
My mind is clear and profound.

The blade bears a definite point.
My mind is singular in purpose.

The blade finds the best path.
My mind adapts as necessary.

The blade is only as effective as the master who wields it.
My mind is most effective because of the Master I serve.

ROLLA, MO Deserves Props

My guys and girls at Rolla deserve great praise! The team is spearheaded by Mackenzie Sweeny, who has turned out to be an awesome instructor. Anyone in the Rolla area looking for Kali Silat, let me know and I will put you in touch with her. She has only been working with her crew for about 6 weeks, and what tremendous progress. It is rare to see college students make the time to pursue this discipline so passionately.

Mabuhay Kali Silat in Rolla, MO

Testimonial from the Wandering Guru

I would like to be the first to Post,(for whatever my word is worth) that Jason Heriford is one of todays Top Mentors when it comes to KaliSilat(or anything else for that matter). Jason, you are a good friend and a great person all around! I believe you represent yourself with the utmost truth. I know personally that you give everything that you do 110 percent of your heart. And that's alot of Heart! Thanks Jason, for simply "being."

Michael Perry "The Wandering Guru"

Want to host a seminar or purchase training DVD? Contact Master Jason Heriford at jasonheriford@socket.net

Dec Tournament

BIG TOURNAMENT COMING UP!!!

Please pre-register so we can make plans for fair competition, and so we can order the proper number of trophies. We look forward to your participation!
If for some reason the Attachement won't open, please visit http://www.jeffcitymartialarts.com/tournaments.htm, and scroll down to the flyer for Dec. 9th, 2006. Our Tournaments are always a lot of fun! We keep it fair and festive. Concessions are available.
So whether you are an Open Karate Competitor, Kali-Silat Sparring Competitor, Jiu Jitsu Competitor or Mixed Martial Arts Competitor, we have something for everyone!
See you there!!!
View this video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWwID06Xs2oMaster Jason HerifordRegional Director for World Kali Silat Societyjasonheriford@socket.netwww.myspace.com/kalimasterwww.jeffcitymartialarts.com830 E. High St, Suite AJefferson City, MO 65101573-761-4558Interested in Free Consultation, DVD, Training Manuals, Instructor Certification, Sticks, etc?Contact Master Jason Heriford to learn more Today!

The Reason to Teach

I would like to invite anyone who has an interest in furthering his or her education of Kali-Silat to train with Jason Heriford.

Jason brings an energetic and humble teaching style with him wherever he teaches. It is this style of "sharing" that makes the learning environment fun and conducive.

Over the years I have learned a lot about Kali-Silat from Jason and so have my students. More importantly Jason and I have become friends. Our friendship has grown because he continues to share his knowledge without fear of competition. The goal of a great instructor should be to make the students better than themselves. Jason does exactly that.

Want to host a seminar? Contact Master Jason at JasonHeriford@socket.net.

Competitive Martial Arts?

Do you enjoy your competitive martial art? Whether Olympic or some other form of point sparring, Full-contact Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, MMA, Wrestling, Boxing, or even Stick Fighting is your passion, the most important question is, “are you having fun with it?” So long as you can answer that question, “yes”, then the rest of what I am about to say should not rile you in the least.

On the other hand if your passion for your sport is elevated to the highest ideal of your practice, you may want to stop reading at this point.

I personally sponsor, promote, and encourage all of the above mentioned martial arts sports. I enjoy watching and occasionally competing in some of them myself. It is my understanding, though, that, albeit great fun and challenging, these sports are a means to a higher end.

This is no allusion to the “higher consciousness through harder contact” theory that is prevalent is some quarters of the combat sports world. I’m sure if you could still ask Mohamad Ali if his consciousness was elevated after a boxing bout, he would laugh out loud. I believe that this philosophy is directly related to the idea that “Altered States of Consciousness” are equal to “Higher Consciousness”. I’m sure that theory worked for the drug pushing powers that be in days past. But listen to any radio station today, and it is clear that drug dealers are more honest than that.

The altered state caused by the adrenaline of competition is certainly a legal rush, but the question is what test is it of your ability to survive. I pray none of us experience the real test of our skills – namely urban assault, or war, but the sad fact is many of us have and/or will. In a life threatening situation, you will not have the luxury of knowing you are in combat. You will not have the same time to size up your opponent, fake him out, jump around evasively, etc. Most likely you won’t know you’re fighting until you’ve been hit.

Like sparring, the adrenal dump is intense (probably much more intense).

Unlike sparring, you will get hit hard, cut, shot, etc. You will get sloppy after 20-30 seconds. You will be disoriented, surprised, confused, and you will have a real reason to be afraid. You will probably be trapped, without a chance to run. The odds are high you will be attacked by more than one assailant. You will not get to choose the fighting range you favor. Onlookers are not likely to cheer for you. You can die!

The fact that these elements are lacking in competitive martial arts does not mean that they are without value. They all have some things to offer, but if your ultimate goal as a martial artist is to develop yourself, you will need much more than sport martial arts to achieve your goal. If you want to be a survivor, you have to build the instincts, attitude, and reflexes of a survivor. Look at competition as a part of the whole package (and not as overall proof of your skill), and it will be a useful tool in achieving real martial arts success.

What it is

Sina Tirsia Wali, as I understand it, is the Art and Science of Inner Weaving who I am with the Eternal Source of Life that Can Not Be Stopped! This power flows through me, is a gift from God, learned from my teachers, developed through my practice and how I live, and strengthened the more I share it.

Bahala Na (Leave It To God!)

Essence of the Disarm

The Essence of the Disarm is based on two principals.
1st - the weapon can only leave the hand through the Thumb, Index Finger or Pinkie.
2nd - there are only 5 places to put the left hand for capturing.

For more details on this subject, see my pics (at www.myspace.com/kalimaster until I figure out how to get them on here). If the subject has changed email me, and I will send pics to you on any subject.

It is important to understand that without moving the footwork and applying body mechanics, your assailant will strike right through your weapon. The footwork and body mechanics have been left out for the sake of understanding the disarms in the pics.

Bahala Na

Sina Tirsia Wali - Kali Silat
Beginners Phase

The 155 - Double Stick Patterns
14, 12, 34, 32
Hi Lo
Double Dukap y Punyo
Broken 8
Broken 6
Fluid 6
Hi Lo Fluid 6
Hi Lo Broken 6
Hi Lo Redonde
Hi Lo Lo Lo
Single X
Double X
Redonde
Reverse Redonde
Witik Witik
Upward 6
Doublete
Florete
Double Vertical Strikes
Double Chambered Strikes
Single Strike for Balance (No counted as a pattern)
Break In/Break Out
Tina Cling
Broadsword

64 Attacks - Single Stick Patterns
12 Attacks of Dekiti Siradis (Abcederio)
4 walls (10 moves)
Pyong or Overhead (3 moves)
Dukap y Punyo (6 moves)
Cinqo Terros or Five Attacks (5 moves)
Police Strikes or 7 Attacks (7 moves)
Break In/Break Out (7 moves)
Clock System (12 moves)
Double Edge Sword (2 moves)


Knife Skills
155 with two knives
64 attacks with single knife
Parry 9
Hi Lo
Small Touch
Sensitivity
Control Drill
599
Ground Control Drills/Defenses
Tapi-Tapi v one or two knives
Palit-Palit

Form
Single or Double Stick, Blades, Empty Hands, or Swinging your Cap, it must be an original expression of who you are - warrior, artist, teacher, student, dancer, healer, (insert your expression here) - your spirit. It must be believable, and it must flow.

Sparring
After the student has made 10,000 strikes they should be ready to experience various forms of sparring. This, more than all the other drills, should be your chance to say, Can you stop me! Can I stop you! No matter what!

Final Thoughts
In the beginning phase, the student should come to understand the elements of Kali: Footwork, Body Mechanics, Sinawali, and Spirituality. The student should learn the two techniques: the one that works and the one that doesnt. The student should learn that the most important qualities are: balance, sensitivity, awareness, trickery, speed, power, positioning, and timing. The student should learn that the limbs, the hands, the feet and the head are all weapons that can be used in the same manner as the stick or blade. Regular class attendance should produce these results in under a year.

Want to learn this material? Contact Master Jason T. Heriford at JasonHeriford@socket.net , visit www.jeffcitymartialarts.com, or call 573-761-4558. Request a class schedule, arrange a seminar at your school, or puchase DVDs and training Manuals.

Notes from Wandering Guru - Seminar with Michael Perry

Random Notes from Seminar w/Wandering Guru Mike Perry Current mood: contemplative
FMA = Fantasy (based) Martial Arts aka/Backyard Martial Arts
Or
What I gleaned from Mike Perrys visit to Jefferson City, MO from 5/12-5/14/06

(Still working on the best title.)
(for the most part - my own words are in parenthesis)
5/12/06

Keep Hands & Stick moving in Centerline.
Move Center line
Study Opponents body movements (bio rythms)
slow down against their rhythm

exercises:
1a Flow the Drill
b Clap Hands
c Students Freeze & neutralize from there
2a Allow the catch at every tap
b Make Hard Capture (use strength)
c Make Explosive Release
3a Grab & release Drills
b firmest grip possible
c escape the grip and re-grip them
4 - walk the line with any three attacks for ranging
5 Tap Extra Hard

5/13/06

Focus on the technique that works. What is the result is the most important, question!

How does practice make you a better person?

Warriors (everyone) have to live with others this is our predicament!

Priorities dont change, but the may change order. Always, the purpose is to resolve. As in Combat, so in Relationships, (as with most things).

Protect yourself first Mike refers to this generally as Parry
Control
Neutralize
Finish
(This raised the questions: What am I good at? What should I prioritize on improving? For myself? My students?)

See the end result of what you want before you step out on the practice floor.

Centerline is a moving perspective!

See your centerline connected with the centerline of your opponent.

What do I have to bring to the drill?
What do we need to practice w/in the drill?
- control the weapon

I DONT CARE! Mike Perry, The moment you begin to think about your own life you are finished!

1 Practice the Parries.
2 Once you have the Parry, catch. This is the Control.
3 Once you have the catch, hit, disarm, throw, brake, lock, etc. This is the Neutralize.
4 Once you have Neutralized, Finish Appropriately!

Isolate the Technique:
To understand any drill or application better, break it down and work only a couple moves max, at one time.

EX: 9.5 drill one feeds 9 thrust only/one feeds 5 thrust only
- Train for attributes (strength, speed, bursting power, sensitivity, rhythm)
- Keep it all Centerline
- Take it out Fast

Every bodys equal in the backyard! Mike Perry

Always let your feet move 1st.
I give you my center, then move to my side.
Leave the door open, they are not so anxious to come in.

Barriers keep them from opening up to you. What about relationships?

Principle:
Awareness is based on perspective.

Fantasy Based Martial Arts. Reality Based? What have you been teaching for the last 15 years? Mike Perry

Think CENTER OF ATTENTION. Where is the action? Control the situation at any give time/space.

Different reactions from hitting different parts of the weapon. Bobby Tobota Balintiwak

In practice flat of the glade hits bone, and stick hits muscle. The other way around for actual combat.

If they stand there and take it, keep hitting them.

2 ways to teach: Push them UP or Pull them UP!


Keep everything clean & tidy, it its place so that you notice if anything is out of place.

5/14/06

Principle:
Finish todays workout with what you need most.
Always end with the last 20 min the same as the 1st 20 min of tomorrows workout.
You will do what you practice.

Your survival depends on your ability to create.

Why do you practice?

King=Mind
Queen=Heart
Body Guard=Weapon hand
Informant (Intelligence)=Empty Hand

Be like a ballet dancer. Feel every muscle fiber needed for every technique. (This is what I call Hard and Slow practice for dynamic tension training.)

Make your students really good by giving them one thing to get really good at. Mike Perry

Teach each of them different stuff. (This is a good way to hone in on individual strengths, so they can help each other fill in the gaps.)

The rhythm is what is important. Gradually increase the speed as they improve.

1st I break the drill in ½ then in 1/4s = Continuous threat training. MP (This is the basic premise behind Isolating the Technique ex: 9.5 drill.)

In the Police Strikes, practice tripping everyone across the room.

Play Low. Hit High. Hit Middle. Hit Hard.


Size up opponent by:
What level does he like to play at?
How does he move? Circular/angular/forward&back/Up and down/side to side/etc.
What are his signals?
How hungry is he?
Whats his drive?

1) Wait to go in.
2) See the result.
3) Devise plan A
4) Work it.
5) Go to plan B if plan A fails Plan A always fails.
What is there Body Type?

Power Drill:
Listen to the swoosh sound of the weapon cutting the air.
1) call out high/middle/or low
2) students make the swoosh there
3) vary it using a single strike

Wind Sprints:
1) combo of 2 -5 strikes
2) Hard and Fast for 2-3 min
3) Short break
4) Repeat

Feint:
Think top when you intend to strike low.
Train yourself to think head is body, and body is head.

Parry is most important, but it cant be done without footwork.
Control the action!

Triangle Footwork is not necessarily for getting in or out. It is mainly for building skill in balance, switching feet

It doesnt matter, as long as the dishes get done. MP (pertains to the fact that it doesnt matter how you do it, as long as you accomplish the task at hand.)

Think Fast Move Slow! Move Fast Think Slow!MP
Look at multi-opponents as one organism. MP (Hack away at its parts, until you kill the beast.)

I do not teach knife fighting. I use the knife to build certain skills. MP

KOs happen more when the Heart Rate is Up! Kip Tietsort

Knife attacks we practiced Grandmaster Jerson Nene Tortals 12 Sak-sak (thrusting) attacks

Theres nothing pretty about it. Theres nothing honorable about it you may practice for an honorable cause

Dont think system. Think Environment. Environment can be based on cultural ways. Train for different environments!

Controlling Ground Footwork (Nene):
Forward Right
Step Back Left
Switch Back
Forward Right
Back to Center
Repeat

Philosophy behind footwork:
1) meet problems head on
2) back off to get new perspective (find the opportunity)
3) switch back to the action with the new plan
4) progress forward to resolution

Application of footwork:
1) Stop it
2) Pass it
3) Control it
4) Finish it

The Science is to be able to Answer Each Attack with Each attack.

Testimony of Seminar
Monday, August 28, 2006
Testimony of my Kali Silat teaching in TX! Current mood: thankful
Everyone who has contributed to my growth, and understanding, and everyone who has supported me as a Teacher, Student, and Friend - here's another one for all of us in Kali Silat!
Jason,

Just wanted to send a quick note to tell you how much we enjoyed your seminar. Honestly, the video clips online don't do you justice. Over the past 23 years, I've attended seminars with many highly regarded instructors in the Filipino martial arts, and in my estimation your depth and breadth of knowledge and skill in the art of Kali is on par with many of the better known instructors on the seminar circuit. It was truly my pleasure to host you for a seminar at my school, and I look forward to training with you again very soon.

Best regards,

Mike Massie, Chief InstructorMassie's Mudokwan Martial Arts AcademyHutto, Texaswww.Massies-Martial-Arts.com

Mike has truly trained with some of the biggest names in our business! His skill and ability to grasp the material is outstanding. This is such an honor from a guy of his caliber!

A Word About Myspace

I know people have mixed feelings about myspace, but I have met some really teriffic people there. As a Martial Arts Instructor, I am always looking for the next person I can infect with my Art and Science - some dub it 'teaching'. On myspace I have met people who bring me to their Studios, and allow me to share my message (simply put: we make ourselves out of the things we enjoy, so let me give you a lot of good stuff, and you pick what suits you best).

I'm always surprised how well this works. So many people are used to regurgitating the same drills (if they drill at all) and mimicing their teachers, mentors, gurus, heros, to the point that given something outside their routine, they are helpless. My students may show some likeness to me, but most importantly they are creative. It is that inventiveness that is the seed of survival!

On myspace you can view video clips and photo tutorials that I have posted to explain things better. If you have access to it, look me up at kalimaster@myspace.com.

Also, feel free to visit www.jeffcitymartialarts.com, and see where I spend most of my waking hours, with some of my close friends, and family (which are better descriptives than students).

8/30/06