Why Combat Experience Matters in Martial Arts Training

Testing your mettle was a reasonably common combat arts term when I was growing up because as you went through your training until you had been in a combat situation, you were regarded as untested. Being untested is not actually a bad thing at the beginning of your journey, but at some point, you eitherContinue reading “Why Combat Experience Matters in Martial Arts Training”

KORA Class Update

I have had many inquiries about training post-pandemic, so I thought it would be easiest to post my current class. I currently teach two separate arts; the first is Sera, a Pukulan Silat system. Our branch comes to us via Earnest (Ventje) De Vries and is currently more of a closed door, friends and familyContinue reading “KORA Class Update”

What’s the real history of Savate?

I spent quite a bit of time researching this from the 1980s, and it soon became apparent that nobody, including the French, knows for sure; most facts are at best an educated guesswork or from the spoken word of mouth. It’s clear there are regional variations and that people may choose to call their artContinue reading “What’s the real history of Savate?”

2021 KORA Research Group Review

2021 Started with the group in lockdown in the UK, with several training trips to Amsterdam and Spain cancelled in early January. The only saving grace is some regular zoom classes with our teacher covering aspects of the Sera curriculum. Slowly as the year progressed, we restarted training on a one-to-one basis and then finallyContinue reading “2021 KORA Research Group Review”

KORA Method: A Proven Formula for Martial Arts Success

A slightly revised and refined formula for success for our KORA method. Avoid. Disable. Kill. Ideally, we would avoid and go a long way to do that. Failing that, we may disable and, on occasions, kill. Context is so important in combat training, but many martial artists don’t even have a formula that has beenContinue reading “KORA Method: A Proven Formula for Martial Arts Success”

Basque Strength

Paulino Uzcudun, 1920s and 30s heavyweight known as “The Basque Woodchopper” as he used to enter traditional wood-chopping competitions in his native Regil, Spain. I learnt a little bit of Savate from that region, totally different outlook from the Paris crowd.