Beginner Lessons Series: Safety & Etiquette

Welcome to the first in a series of videos for beginners in Executive Budo.

In this video you will learn some of the basics of sword safety and Etiquette, both are very important in learning to use the sword.

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Demonstration of Waza

Explanation of Waza in Video

Executive Budo employs techniques specifically designed to improve Mental Focus. In this segment, I demonstrate three Waza (exercises) that promote development of key Budo principles.




1) Waza:
Peripheral Focus Training



Peripheral training, as the name suggests tests your peripheral vision against an attack from the side. The defender stands calmly with arms at their side while the attacker takes a position to their left. The attacker jabs to the temple of the defender randomly and without warning. The defender must block and counter with a reverse hand punch in one movement.

Both the attack and the defense are done with little force in order to shift the focus to response speed. The objective is to respond to the attack as quickly as possible. The challenge is not in the defense but in staying vigilant and not loosing your focus while waiting for the attack. We instruct attackers to take large pauses between attacks, sometimes as much as 30 seconds.

The Waza is staying focused and mentally alert, diverting the attack is secondary.

Fudoshin, having an immovable mind, means you do not allow your emotional state to waver. It means having the mental strength to overcome fear, surprise, confusion and doubt. No matter the situation, you are able to maintain a calm state of mind. Peripheral Training promotes development of Fudoshin.





2) Waza:
Corner Defense Training




The corner defense drill places the defender against a wall to provide a feeling of being trapped. That makes the exercise more challenging. The attacker takes a position directly in front and starts randomly punching the defender from all directions.
The defender must divert the attacks with as little movement and energy as possible. The attacks and blocks are done lightly so focus can be shifted to performing Mushin, no mind.

Mushin is the state of mind where Ki (intent) and action are one, free from discriminating thoughts or internal dialogue. It is the removal of the rationalizing process from the chain of events. Corner Defense works best when a state of Mushin is achieved.
The mind is as a glacial lake.




3) Waza:
Board Breaking


Besides the obvious demonstration appeal of breaking boards, the practice serves a specific Budo function. It affords a visual example of execution of proper technique. If the board is not hit correctly, it will not break.

Proper execution of board breaking technique includes the application of speed, power and accuracy, together known as Kime (Keymay), finishing the technique completely and decisively.

For more information or to book a seminar Contact: RenshiRicketts@gmail.com

Executive Budo - Training for the mind

Shin Ki Tai Ittoh

Mind, Spirit, Body

as One

Executive Budo is a unique program designed to demonstrate the value of Budo (martial arts) training and its relevance in business and professional life. The course combines the empty hand art of Karate with the ancient art of Iaido (drawing of the sword), practiced by Samurai. The goal is to teach participants martial concepts with modern day value such as Mushin (calm mind), Zanshin (presence, awareness)

Legendary Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi’s famous Book of Five Rings is still recommended reading in many business circles. Musashi writes never show your “spirit”. The benefits of maintaining mental composure and emotional control

are obvious in business as in life. The Executive Budo Program focuses on developing that particular attribute of Budo training.

Budo training is a powerfully dynamic way to develop mental focus & discipline, awareness of your surroundings, confidence and control of your emotional state. All these attributes are extremely beneficial in attaining one's goals.

The Executive Budo Program will:

• Help you improve concentration & mental focus
  

• Develop more self confidence
  

• Enable you to visualize your goals more effectively
  

• Help you learn to deal with stress better
  

• Teach you better muscle control and body awareness
  

• Help you learn to focus more in the now
  

• Empower you to discover harmony of mind, spirit and body

Watch for our WebTraining Sessions.
Coming Soon.

RenshiRicketts@gmail.com

Urban Samurai

A Celebration of Budo

This video commemorates my 30 years of training in the Martial Arts and 15 years of teaching. I highlight numerous Budo disciplines including Iaido (art of drawing the Japanese Sword), Goju Ryu Karate, Okinawan Kobudo & Tameshigiri (the art of cutting with a sword)

Shin ki tae itto, Mind, Spirit & Body as One.

Celebrate Life.

The video was shot in Toronto near my Condo and on my roof. Videography by Contributing Producers Alex Chung & Leland Tilden. Editing by Techboy Studios.

On YouTube

Learn Mental Focus - Achieve Through Your Inner Samurai

What is Executive Budo?

Budo means Martial Arts. The concept behind Executive Budo is to learn to improve mental focus, body awareness and emotional control through Martial techniques. These aspects of personal growth are particularly useful in business as well as every day life.

Why use a Sword?

The art of the Japanese Sword (Katana) has been practiced by Samurai for hundreds of years. In the last century it was transformed from a combat system (Jitstu) to one of internal growth and spiritual learning (Do - pronounced "Doe").

Martial training is a great way to improve mental focus because it puts one in harms way under controlled conditions. Doing so gives the student an opportunity to practice focus and emotional control while under duress. If you are able to do that then doing so under the rigors of every day life becomes far easier.

The sword adds a level of mental intensity unlike any other Martial Art, without as much of the physical intensity as other disciplines. Consequently it can be practiced more easily by those not in the physical shape required for striking or grappling arts or more rigorous sports.

Control of your emotional state is about not being negatively influenced by the vagaries of the moment, it's about responding instead of reacting to events.

Maintaining unwavering confidence and mental focus on your goals is widely acknowledged to be the best way of achieving them.

Shin Ki Tae Itto. Mind, Spirit & Body as One.

Live in the Moment.


Decision is the Ultimate Power!

RenshiRicketts@gmail.com