SWORDDUELING.COM

This martial art is Sikh! (that is a terrible pun).
Previous post – http://sworddueling.com/2009/11/02/gatka/

From the Gatka Foundation

Weapons – http://www.gatka.de/SHASTRA.htm
Techniques – http://www.gatka.de/VIDEA.htm

Interesting Gatka weapons:

The Charkram is a flat steel ring from five to twelve inches in diameter and from half an inch to an inch and a half wide, the outer edge is sharp. The thrower stands squarely faceing his objective, takes the chakra between the thumb and first finger of the right hand, holding it low down on his left side. He then turns his body so as to bring the right shoulder as far forward as possible and throws underhand with the full swing of his body. Thrown with sufficient force and accuracy it can cut off a green bamboo three-quarters of an inch in diameter at a distance of thirty yards.

The Katar, the armor piercing dagger which unlike most knives that are perpendicular to the hand, is parallel and projects from fist. These double bladed knives can be up to three feet long and enable a punching style of attack, which can penetrate armor more easily than standard knives. Some katars also provide superior hand protection through guards.

THE SWORD MEDITATION
By Gatka Baij Nanak Dev Singh Khalsa

The sword has been for centuries revered by man as a symbol of his power. It was not until the Sikh Guru Hargobind that a deeper understanding of this was revealed. He taught that the sword was a symbol of both temporal and spiritual power. Later Guru Gobind Singh defined this further by describing ” God fashioned the entire universe with his sword”. For this reason the sword is seen as the primal force of the universe.

The Akali Nihang Singhs worship the sword as a manifestation of God’s power. It is through the Sword Meditation that we are granted its blessings. And by which its immense power becomes the law which governs ours thought and actions.

The energy of the sword is called Shakti, it is a 2 1/2 cycle energy which is the regulating force on the physical plane. Mystery of the Sword Meditation is mastery of all aspects of physical reality.

At the moment of creation the Creator was in a profound state of meditation. Every particle of the universe was shaped by this meditation through the sword. By allowing the Sword Meditation the creator grants to his creatures the power of creation.

Every deed regardless of it significance or superficial value is an act of creation. Every action becomes a Kriya, ( a complete and balanced cycle ) every movement a Mudra ( a posture which expresses a particular energy), every though a meditation, creator and creation are united in action, this is Shakti Yoga.

We’ve covered the Miao Dao, or sprout saber, on this site before, but I found these great pictures of the first form over at The Ground Never Misses:

I think seeing it “frame by frame” in these drawings really helps you understand what’s important in the form.
If you want to see it all put together, here are a couple of different renditions from YouTube:

This movie is awesome. Ben Hurt Chariot Wars, Bike Limbo, Bike Bowling, Cupcake Challenge. Excellence.

Mu Ryu’s own Solid Gold shows his battle prowess taking on a pack his fellow Zoobombers. If he only had a saber.

WATCH IN HD HERE: http://vimeo.com/9715534
Mini Bike Winter | 2010
A yearly 2 day bicycling event full of F.U.N., activities, partying, and biking brought to you by Zoobomb in Portland. Mini Bike Winter is the staple of crazy bicycling entertainment which keeps everyone warm with laughter and…well, beer. It’s an open invite event and free to all.

zoobomb.net
www.richietphoto.com
Shot/Cut by Richie Thomassen
Additional Camera Op – Molly Spock
Additional Footage – Hal Bergman

“There is something in Zen called ‘beating the grass to scare the snakes.’ To startle or surprise people a little is a device, like hitting at snakes in the grass to scare them.

To do something unexpected as a ploy to startle an opponent is also an appearance concealing an ulterior intention, an art of war.

When an opponent is startled and the feeling of opposition is distracted, the opponent will experience a gap in reaction time.

Even simple, ordinary gestures like raising your hand are used to distract an opponent’s attention.”

– from The Killing Sword, by Yagyu Munenori

Also, a riddle:

I’ve been having internet issues.
That being said, I’ve tons of great stuff to put up here over the next couple weeks.
Check it.

Did you know that the Boy Scouts used to have a merit badge for Quarterstaff, Singlestick (wooden sword), Ju Jutsu, Fencing, and Boxing?

Lessons learned:

• Never walk when you can jump.
• Never sidestep when you can cartwheel.
• Never retreat when you can do a back handspring.