Originally Posted by
tony leith
Both of us were able to acknowledge successful strikes without reservation, and I think were communicating with each other on a much more profound level than our limited ability in each other's languages might have allowed.
Tony leith
I've experienced this in a randori session that was part of a taikai. The fact that we had the same language did nothing to warn me of the difference that training under a different Sensei could have on tactics, preferred techniques, sneakiness and skill that I encountered. Anyone who was around when I trained will probably not remember my pathetic attempts at randori, other than as examples of "how not to do it". I knew from the first time in a randori that it would be my weakest element. The opportunity to practice against strangers from other clubs doesn't present itself so often, and I really pushed myself to see it as a chance to learn something new.
Fun, and they improve fighting techniques... are those two benefits really so easy to dismiss?
I must have missed out on all those occasions where randori competition descended into something like a barenuckle fight in a lock-up behind a pub, that some of you seem to have seen. My memories (as a complete coward who dreaded randori, but pushed myself to like it as much as possible) of Shorinji Kempo randori - even when performed in a semi-competitive environment - are generally positive.
David Noble
Shorinji Kempo (1983 - 1988)
I'll think of a proper sig when I get a minute...
For now, I'm just waiting for the smack of the Bo against a hard wooden floor....