Ashwin's Face Book status update caught my eye.
Ashwin Mohan: Going to our Kammanahalli centre for a kick boxing techniques seminar. Join me if you have the time. 8pm today and tomorrow
I decided to see for myself what one of these classes was like. I practised some martial arts myself in P.U years ago , and the scene was probably quite different these days. Having heard of Ashwin's classes, and since I also know the man, I had recommended him to a couple of friends before and I often wondered what kind of class he taught.Today I'd find out.
Since this was a seminar, I coaxed a friend along, just up and left office. The martial arts centre is a neat little place off the Kammanhalli main road, complete with mirrored walls and clean floor. There were a group of youngsters in sporty clothes grouped around Ashwin. I made to sit and was invited to participate instead. So, this wasn't so much of a seminar as it was a demo class. My partner fled while I bravely took my place.
The thing about transplanting cultural aspects from one country to another is the baggage that comes along with it. Look at our own exports. We're conveying Krishna without the conciousness, but with asceticism intact. It's common-sense that there will be some amount of historic or ritual baggage from another era. One just has to sift through the irrelevant to find the relevant.
Martial arts in India has had this sort of peculiar past. Earlier Karate, Aikido, Hapkido and the lot came with a lot of ritual garbage. We had instructors who'd scream "ich, ni, san..." etc. when you could just count in english. They'd look aghast if you said round-house kick instead of Mawashi-Geri. The students also did their best, making stern faces and 'Oshing' their 'Sempai's and Sensei's at every turn. The weirdest bit was the faux samurai loyalty.
There was also inter dojo rivalry. Shotokan karatekas called everyone else impure and unworthy, the aikido guys called everyone else crass and the kyokushin guys were basically always spoiling for a fight. There were many more of course and each spanked his own monkey.
Independant Shootfighters Inc's mixed martial arts course certainly seems to have put paid to all that nonsense. Their classses are lively. People call each other by their names and there is absolutely no rank and file. Since the class had no more than 7-8 people Ashwin tried to pay equal attention to everyone.
The class I attended seemed to concentrate on locks and holds. I had expected some Muay Thai style stuff because of the kick boxing monicker, but I found myself extremely interested. Locks and Holds in martial arts use the body's natural resistance and leverage points found at bone joints to disable, knock out or seriously mutilate an opponent. In all we learnt 5 techniques in the space of about an hour. The teaching system is simple. Ashwin first introduces the technique (A quip about it's Japanese name and historic usage included) and then demonstrates it on a beefy assistant instructor. After a couple of repeats, we all practice it with a partner. Ashwin walks around correcting everyone, and then it's on to the next technique. The system works well. I remember three of the five moves that I was taught, and given another class will probably memorise more.
Another aspect of the class that appealed to me was Ashwin's anecdotes. Maybe it's just the gawker in me but I love fight stories, and this guy had plenty. Apparently, a couple of the moves that he taught today have been used by him on a couple of unfortunates and the story makes the technique easier to remember.
If traditional martial artists claim that Ashwin is throwing the baby out with the bathwater, I'd like to add that I encountered some esoteric teaching too. There was a bit of emphasis on Chi use and helping the body understand it. Some of the techniques we were told to perform as though we were handling feathers, and we did some Qi Gong breathing as well.
By now I know it sounds like a whole lot of new age mish mash, but everything was demonstrated, and nothing was left unquestioned. I popped in a couple myself and Ashwin fielded them well. Ashwin also peppers his talks with a lot of references. There was a reference to Di Mak, (made famous by Van Damme), and of course Qi Gong.
The class ended soon after. The whole thing felt like a Chinese meal. Quickly consumed and left wanting for more. The class was certainly aimed at teaching the key points and the students have to do their own research if the class is to be truly useful.
It's certainly a far cry from the old days. The teaching minus the militaristic posturing. Do I recommend it? Yes! I highly recommend Ashwin's classes for those who are looking for self defence lessons or to learn techniques without the add-on rituals. If you enjoy tradition on the other hand, you should enrol yourself in one of the Kyokushin, Shotokan or Taekwondo classes around the city.
It's a safe bet that none of them are as much fun though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Supreeth practiced Kyokushin and Kenpo Karate for a bit when he was younger. He is a keen observer of martial art styles, techniques and their historic significance. His knowledge of this area makes many people think he is a black belt which he is in fact not. He however makes no attempt to correct these assumptions.
