RMAX is a new 'notion' of martial art for the West

[James Lee]

I just got my copy of CST Magazine this morning and only had a chance to read through a few of the articles, but holy shit! This thing woke me up more than my quad shot mocha!

Anyway, my favorite so far is the "Art of Freedom" where it talks about the failings of traditional martial arts AND combat sports AND reality based self defense. RMAX is definitely a new "notion" of martial arts and I really am excited to get to some seminars. Here's the magazines webpage http://www.circularstrengthmag.com

[PghROSSgrl]

Yes, my training partner e-mailed me that article the very morning it reached him, lol I guess he forgot I get CST mag too. but thats okay, I love that he's so jazzed about sharing knowledge with me. Coach Sonnon has done a hell of a thing with martial arts, he's given to us freely what was ours for the taking, our own mastery of our own movement. We have alot of liberation in that, no years of training techniques, just a pure and simple understanding of movement, breathing, and structural alignment. James, I am so excited for you, best of wishes in your discoveries as you find your flow. Hope to read more from you.

[James Lee]

It seems like big promises. I'm excited to drive up and see Scott in action!

[PghROSSgrl]

James, I've talked with you before, when you first inquired of rmax and what not, so I'm very glad you've been making some headway into understanding what rmax is. My questions to you are this: (if you are not comfortable answering them on this forum, then shoot me a pm or an email. my addy is desiree0879@yahoo.com) Where do you live generaly and have you linked up with Scott or any other CST Coach to begin crafting your way? I'm sure someone would be near you to help you out. If you lived anywhere remotely close to Pittsburgh PA I would definitly show you what I've learned. I wasn't sure from what you last wrote, if you already have coordinated with Scott and was going to recieve some personal instruction from him, or if you was just saying that someday you would look forward to being able to see what he's doing. I'm just very interested in helping you get on course, but it sounds as though you're doing a good job of it. It would have been super cool for you to have been at that seminar, however, I'm sure there will be other opportunities for you in the future! I think that you might enjoy reading Scotts publication, the 3 Dimensional Performance Pyramid. I can't remember how much it was, only between 25-30 dollars. It's of vital importance to understanding how to train, why we train as we do, how to achieve flow state and how to create in our opponent the downward performance spiral. It explains softwork, hardwork and the purpose and neccesity of both, and how and when to go from the one to the next. So, I'll leave you with that. Feel free to e-mail me.

[kengar]

The article sounds good, but it is a marketing tool for RMAX. Does that mean this training method isn't good, or better than most, NO. But he takes the time to explain what is wrong with each method of training to ensure you, the reader/potential customer, that his method deosn't fall into those negative habits and that you'll be filled with freedom in his new first complete physical culture.

No one trains like this? Mighty big balls to say that you're the first to come up with a new innovative method of anything, much less in the realm of MA.

Sounds just like the debate last night;

Bush: Kerry will not do it this way, but I will.

Kerry: Bush didn't do this, but I will.

Trying to point out anything about your compitition, even if not factually based, and promise that you have the answer.

I could make a decent arguement for each catagory but I'll just go with one. Doesn't SBG follow the method of; if it works we use it, no system no belts, training to improve and have fun, be an individual?

Again, not doubting RMAX's training, but that article wasn't an article it was an advertisement.

[PghROSSgrl]

Interesting take on the article Kengar. I myself am a George Bush supporter LOL but I didn't watch the debates. I'm also a big rmax fan and practitioner. Doesn't make me right, doesn't make me wrong, it just is what it is. However, I would say that advertising isn't a bad thing, we all have to support ourselves and our families somehow, and that's how he brings home his bacon, and it's what he personaly believes in as well. Scott likes to discover things, he likes to help people, and he likes to provide for his family. He's blessed to be able to do for a living what he loves. I would contribute though that this article was found in CST magazine, Scott's E-zine for those of us who are already subscribing to his way of thinking, moving, etc... so therefore his article is preaching to the chior, reenforcing to us concepts we already "get". Not so much converting people to come over and play with us, and neglect what they have already been doing. It's not exclusive at all, very inclusive. I think rmax is beneficial to traditional martial arts, to any other form of physical expression or sport, and Coach Sonnon packages it well for the masses, as he should. I got alot out of that read. I hope that others will look at it informativly and not as just another peice of marketing propeganda, as that would severly cheapen the intent.

[kengar]

PghROSSgrl, that was a good explanation of the intent of the article. As I stated I wasn't trying to knock him or his training, he has some good ideas and the trying sounds both fun and productive. I guess I was seeing this as in the context of it being in something like Black Belt Mag. I do get a bit irritated about statements such as RBSD training reinforces peoples fear and fear is the marketing tool of RBSD systems. Though it probably wasn't a blanket statement.

Yeah, I'm a Bush supporter as well. I like to watch the debates to see how each person acts and what they have to say, but after awhile it turns into Pee Wee Herman's "I know you are but what I'm I". I think its really the fault of the debate format more than anything else.

[James Lee]

Phgirl, thanks, I registered but have had some probs posting. I emailed Scott directly and he said he would try and get me hlep today.

Ken, that's actually teh cool thing about CST magazine because it's not advertised ANYWHERE on the internet. It's just for guys like me who are trying to further understand and apply the material.

[JasonE]

Originally Posted by James Lee

Phgirl, thanks, I registered but have had some probs posting. I emailed Scott directly and he said he would try and get me hlep today.

Ken, that's actually teh cool thing about CST magazine because it's not advertised ANYWHERE on the internet. It's just for guys like me who are trying to further understand and apply the material.

When I first heard of Scott and his claims, I laughed and said, "yeah right" and ignored him for some years. Eventually I took another look at his Clubbells and Circular Strength Training, realized they actually made sense, and started working with them.

After the tremendous successes I've had with CST and Clubbells, I became interested in what his combatives materials looked like. Again, this was in spite of the advertising, as the ad copy for much of it rubbed me the wrong way. From talking to Scott, I knew he had a lot more substance than I'd previously given him credit for.

His combatives materials dovetailed nicely with my existing MMA and FMA training, and filled in some gaps I had suspected were in need of work. When I got the chance to attend the Softwork seminar, I leaped in with both feet and wasn't disappointed.

Is Scott trying to replace your martial art? Nah, I don't have that impression at all. Is he trying to improve your performance? Absolutely.

[jubaji]

Originally Posted by kengar

The article sounds good, but it is a marketing tool for RMAX. .

................................
Right

[PghROSSgrl]

Well put Jason!
I didn't have any printed or emailed advertising to jump out at me and pique my interest, I had Divine Providence send me a walking advertisement doing worms, neck rolls, and shoulder rolls all over the weight room floor. While I was sitting there with a set of 35 lb dumbells doing some military presses I could not help but ask what in the heck that cool stuff was. He'd start shadow boxing with MTV on, casting, doing spinal waves etc... and I was like "teach me that!!!!" So, the very first thing he taught me was a #1 squat. Told me to get really good at that, then he would show me more. LOL, a few months later we started training. That was back in July, and it's funny when I think that in July I didn't even know how to make a proper fist and throw a punch. I'm glad that I never walked into some local dojo to learn anything else and try to be black belt Dez, there's already a freedom there because I didn't box myself into a style set full of techniques. But, if there is already a structure built, I see that ALOT of people keep that, then add rmax between the technique, until they see that the techniques disapear and it all becomes just movement. I hear that it takes people lifetimes to come to that point sometimes when all they do is set into the confines of thier particular style. So, I don't get to wear a resume on different colored belts to get there. I'm a single mom with 2 kids, and I am an NCO in the USAR, that's where I have my black belt. I haven't had experience in having to defend myself, and I hope that I'll never find myself in a position where I'll have to. However, every day I get to express myself through movement in softwork. I become stronger in ranges of motion through CST. I unbind my flow through body flow. I do my warrior wellness, and my breathing. I can say that I appreciate what everyone out there is doing as long as they are moving and doing something. I have quite a huge appreciation for all the yogi's and for all the break dancers out there, all the ballet dancers etc... And for all the martial artists out there who can kick my behind with thier strength and rote technique, I can appreciate that too. But, I'm a 5'4", 140 lb little thang who isn't going to out muscle NO BODY, I'm glad I have rmax.

[James Lee]

Mike I like the way you write. Allot of what you say makes sense. i dont think Scott's claimed that innovation was something he made up. But what hes saying seems definitely new in all the reading Ive done.

I never read in any book by anyone someone who said that they teach you how to specifically create your own techniques and create your own personal style. Can you point me to references where those guys you have listed claim that they teach you speciifically to create techniques rather than just how to learn their techniques and adapt them? I never read either anyone who said what scott says when we writes "there are as many styles as there are people on the planet." He says RMAX teaches you how to create your own style. Can you point me to references where those other guys cliam to do that too?

[James Lee]

You obviously have allot more training than I do, But if you say its bullshit maybe you should first check it out because that's not only what Scott says but all of the people at RMAX say. one of scott's guys just posted a message about it talking about the different between Matt Thortons Straight Blast and Scott's RMAX. It's here
http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/f...pic.php?t=3683 called "Going Beyond Aliveness to Improvisation."
from whateveryone says about his seminars it doesnt sound like its easy at all. Scott said that the "Classical Arts" just make mastering the self much longer and sometimes impossible.

[PghROSSgrl]

Originally Posted by Mike Brewer

As for creating new techniques? No offense, but it's bullshit. What new techniques could possibly exist beyond what's out there? How many "new and improved" punches, strikes, kicks, clinches, etc. can there be? What we're really talking about is creating new ways to move as a student so that the existing techniques work better for you. If you can show me one example that doesn't fit that statement, I'd not only be amazed, I'd write to Scott and let him know I'm a convert. I'm not trying to sound brash, but seriously, if it's possible to move the body a given way, someone has done it before. Besides, I firmly believe that effectiveness (in any realm, whether you're talking about self-defense, personal fulfillment, improved fitness, or whatever) is a matter of the training method you choose far more than the techniques you're trying to apply. Why bother creating a bunch of "new" techniques when there are so many wonderfully effective ones out there? One cannot simplify a thing by adding to it. I apologize if I sound like a jerk here, but it seems that according to the marketing material, this is meant as the lazy man's way out. "Want to be a master without conforming to anyone's styles? Create your own! No need to learn any fundamentals! No need to put yourself to the test with people who already know how to mop the floor with you! Just develop your own system, complete with your own techniques!" It sounds liberating, but it ignores the elements of the kind of hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and focus that got people like Bruce Lee, Scott, DAn Inosanto, and Paul Vunak where they are.

Hi there,
I don't come to disrespect your point of view, but I wanted to clarify something. You used the word technique ALOT, and I think that's where you are getting hung up at and not seeing what Rmax is about. We don't create our own techniques, I mean you are correct when it comes to saying we can't create new techniques, and why when there are already so many effective ones out there. From my experience, there is no technique, just efficient movement. Here is a super personal question, and I hope that I do not offend you by asking, but when you get intimate with someone, do you stop and remember techniques while in the heat of passion? Or do you just move? Can you memorize the play by play of that night or do you just think back and smile and remember that it was just plain awsome. Can you think of some positions of assurance, things that occur often in each encounter? If you wanted to put it in a little box and codify it, you could name your little position and call it umm this or that, but in the end who the hell cares. In the end, it's how you make love. Not guru so and so or sensai so and so's way... It is your own, free of technique. That is the same damn thing, opposite end of the pendulum. Hope that cleared it up for you.

[JasonE]

My point is, no matter how much I modified the tools, recombined ideas, or switched structures or leads, I was, am, and will always be doing JKD (or at least my own expression of it) when I train. What dictates that is the method by which I learned and continue to grow. It's a process of experimentation and training that counts. Not the tools in the toolbox.

Philosophically you are very close to what RMAX is talking about, though your training methods are different.

There are hundreds of paths to reach the same destination. In my view, RMAX materials are more about increasing your ability to accelerate how quickly you proceed down whichever path you choose. You can take RMAX concepts in bits and pieces or jump in with both feet.

For myself, I've found RMAX training concepts to be useful in going much deeper in my own training. As a result, I am still improving in effectiveness though my work schedule has cut into my training schedule. Each time I train, I get more out of it than I did before, and that's a wonderful thing to experience.