KEN TWADDELL

Part 7
 

Road-Testing Military Tai Chi Chuan

© Marc Wickert
May 12, 2011
www.knucklepit.com

It’s 9:30am and Ken Twaddell has just arrived from Springwood after catching the train down to join me for coffee at Gloria Jean’s Café in Robina Shopping Centre.  The waitresses here are lovely and it’s one of our favorite places to enjoy a cup or two.  Today Ken is going to be discussing the application of Tai Chi as military art.

Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan) is the most practiced martial art system in the world.  There’s every chance your mother or grandmother has tried it at their local community center.  Tai Chi’s health and healing benefits are well known, but the martial side of the discipline is practiced by a much smaller percentage of people.

“There are five main styles of Tai Chi Chuan: Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu (Hao) and Sun, with practitioners taking up one of the systems for health and wellbeing or as a method of self defense,” says Ken.  “The internal martial arts of Xing Yi, Quan, Yi Quan, Bagua and Tai Chi Chuan were originally designed for the battlefield.  Soldiers and bodyguards used these arts in combat very affectively.”

“History is filled with famous masters of Tai Chi Chuan: Chang Shan Feng, Chen Wang Ting, Cheng Ling Xi, Yang Lu Chan, Yang Cheng Fu, Chen Man Ching… All of these men used this art for hand-to-hand combat as well as to defeat all challenges.  They all possessed extraordinary fighting skills:

Chang Shan Feng is believed to be the creator of Tai Chi Chuan and also Dim Mak (death touch).

Chen Wang Ting was an army officer who utilized Tai Chi Chuan in training his elite troops.

Cheng Ling Xi was a military leader who taught Tai Chi Chuan combative methods which his soldiers used successfully on the battlefield.

Yang Lu Chan taught the Emperor’s Guards Tai Chi Chuan and was often challenged in hand-to-hand combat but never lost any of his challenge matches.

Yang Cheng Fu created a new form, but still taught the old Yang style which emphasizes the martial aspects.

Chen Man Ching also taught the Taiwanese army the combative applications of Tai Chi Chuan – this was the development of the 37 Yang forms which were developed to instruct the soldiers quickly.”

Ken, how did Tai Chi Chuan originate?

It is believed Tai Chi Chuan was originally created by integrating external martial arts (Shaolin) with internal power (Nei Kung) by using internal energy (Chi) and internal power (Jing) instead of muscular force (Li Gong).  These methods and principles of fighting were the foundation from which Tai Chi Chuan was formed.

Although there have been extraordinary Tai Chi Chuan teachers and practitioners, there still are very few who focus on Tai Chi Chuan as a fighting system.

Master Earle Montaigue has taught Tai Chi Chuan as a fighting system for the last two decades, and he has instructed in Dim Mak as both a martial and healing system.  I have been privileged to attend Earle’s workshops and train with three of his talented instructors: John Mc Mahon, Stuart Le Marsony and Randle Waddell.  Earle’s schools operate under the moniker World Taiji Boxing and have expanded worldwide, employing traditional methods of training.

The following quote was from Brynn Orr.

Master Earle Montaigue is a Tai Chi Dim Mak expert who has learned the original Nine Dim Mak Striking Forms invented by Chamg San Feng.

Master Earle Montaigue is the first westerner to have learned them from the Masters of Wudang Mountain.

He is also an expert on the Old and New Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, including the Twelve Deadliest Yang Family Dim Mak Forms.

Ken, how does a Tai Chi Chuan practitioner redirect an opponent’s energy?

The main principle of Tai Chi Chuan is the soft overcoming the hard, where your opponent’s strength and attacking energy is used against him by yielding or absorbing any incoming force, then redirecting that force to unbalance him and retaliate with counterstrikes, takedowns and joint locks.  Footwork and body movement can also be employed to evade attacks before countering with explosive power (Fajing).

Is Tai Chi Chuan mainly a striking system?

No, Tai Chi Chuan is a complete martial art and includes locks, joint destruction, throws, vital-point striking, kicks, weapons, and healing.  But like all quality martial art systems, Tai Chi Chuan is firmly rooted in sound basics as well as an understanding of the system’s principles.

All of the movements in Tai Chi Chuan forms are Yin and Yang, with the use of the eight core-energy principles: ward off (Peng), roll back (Li), press (Ji), push (An), pull down (Cai), split (Lie), elbow (Zhou), shoulder (Kao), and  five stepping methods (By Fa) of advance, retreat, shift right, shift left, and central equilibrium.

Tai Chi Chuan is an internal martial art that relies on sensitivity, stability, and the development of inner power (Jing) – not brute force.  All of the other internal arts, such as Xing Yi, Yi Quan, Baqua, Aikido and Russian Systema, use similar principles.  I find Tai Chi Chuan and Systema principles very similar.

Tai Chi Chuan is an art that really fascinates you.

My journey into Tai Chi Chuan is an extremely interesting and rewarding one.  I don’t pretend to be an expert – you must train daily for several decades, but I do enjoy what I have done and the learning experience is endless.  I have great teachers who guide me, which allows me to explore many options.

“Many people attracted to Tai Chi Chuan think that Qi (internal energy) alone will make them superior fighters – maybe after 30 years!  I believe what makes Tai Chi Chuan a superior fighting system is the development of internal force through Zhan Zhuang (pole-standing or standing-meditation training with condensing breathing), the process that turns internal energy into internal power, and the training of explosive power (Fajing).

Keep reading, folks, while I order us another coffee from these charming girls.

Specialized two-person training drills – ‘push hands’ (Tui Shou) help develop the Tai Chi Chuan energies and principles.  This training is also a bridge between what you have learnt and trained in through the various forms and with the application of their fighting techniques.

Partner training is crucial in the development of the fighting applications so as to become second nature with the right intent (Yi) to finish off or restrain your attacker.  Remember you fight the way you train!  You must also have the confidence in your technical ability and be decisive in your actions.

This mentality only comes from consistent training of your art, and is essential to develop that fighting spirit when needed and the ability to remain calm until attacked.  You can drill these methods of defense the way all combat systems do, by applying the Tai Chi Chuan principles and techniques as if you are actually being attacked, with lots of repetition so you react instinctively.

Obviously, people in the park work with forms when practicing Tai Chi Chuan as a health and healing system, but are forms also an integral part of the art when done as a combative system?

Tai Chi Chuan forms are practiced regularly and reveal the principles and postures, with many fighting methods hidden in the forms, so form practice is one step in developing one’s ability to employ Tai Chi Chuan for self defense.  Tai Chi Chuan’s slow, relaxed training methods are to help develop the energies needed to develop leg strength postures whilst linking movements with a calm, relaxed attitude which allows you to be alert and focused ready to explode into combative action, or to create a greater sense of wellbeing.

You were talking earlier about Pile Standing.

Pile standing training (Zhan Zhuang) is the key to developing internal power (Jing), intent (Yi), structural alignment, strength and stability.  Other energies needed to be successful in Tai Chi Chuan are listening energy (Ting Jing), the internal power to release as Fajing (explosive power), qigong (energy cultivation) the development of core physical strength and the internal methods of Iron shirt qigong.

Fajing and pile standing training are essential for applying Tai Chi Chuan as a fighting system.

Intent (Yi) is the most important tool in self defense or even in healing your physical health.  Intent has to be trained the same as physical techniques have to - through repetition.  Intent is the driver of your actions for the outcome of offense and defense.

Ken, could you elaborate a little on your training experiences with Tai Chi Chuan, please?

I have been fortunate to experience heaps of great systems and teachers of martial arts – both internal and external methods.  My experiences with internal energy systems started in the mid eighties.  I studied Qigong and Yoga, and have taught both systems from 1990 to this day.

Yoga has led me to many interesting people and teachers.  I was on the executive committee of the International Yoga Teachers Association for a decade and have done many workshops on Yoga over the years.

Qigong is the art I treasure the most; I practice it daily and really enjoy teaching it.  Brynn Orr and I have conducted numerous workshops over the years as well as having worked together at Austian College of Natural Medicine, teaching Chinese exercise therapy and Qigong.  Brynn is very knowledgeable in Xing Yi, Bagu and Taoist Alchemy.

My first experience with Tai Chi Chuan was via an invitation from Stuart Le Massony to teach yoga intensives one day a week at his school in exchange for lessons in Tai Chi Quan, Qigong and Dim Mak in the early nineties.  This opened my mind to the internal martial arts as a fighting system.

I believe you also trained with Professor Gao.

Yes, in 1993 I met Professor Gao Yun Tao and trained privately with him for two years.  Professor Gao was visiting Australia from Yang Shou, China.  I organized workshops for him and he taught me Iron Shirt Qigong and his families system of Tai Chi Chuan.

He was 73 at the time and for his age could physically match younger martial artists in skill, stamina and flexibility.  These were treasured years for me.

Who were your influences after Professor Gao?

Randle Waddell has been invaluable in helping me to understand the workings and principles of Tai Chi Chuan.  He is from the World Boxing Association.

My next Tai Chi Chuan experiences were in 2005 with Master Kevin Wu from Chung Tian Taiji at the Buddhist Temple where they taught Yang style Tai Chi Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan weaponry.  I trained there for one year.

Then in 2006, Chung Tian Taiji started a school at a park in West End, which was close to my home.  The teacher is Master Bruce Yang who is an excellent instructor and has studied Tai Chi Chuan for over 40 years.  Master Yang’s knowledge is endless, and although in his late sixties, he still teaches every day, and will not accept payment for his reaching.  Seven days a week, from 5am, Master Yang instructs the Fortitude Valley Senior Citizens Group, the Chung Tian Taiji Group, Chin Sung Kuang Taoist Temple Group, and several other committees.  Depending on participants involved, Master Bruce Yang teaches in Wu Chen, Yang, Sun, and Wu Dan Tai Chi Chuan – catering for the group’s requirements.

Do you still practice with Master Bruce Yang?

Master Bruce Yang has shared much knowledge and experience with me, and through his guidance I have discovered all styles of Tai Chi Chuan have virtually the same fundamentals, but their specialized applications may vary.

I train with Master Yang three days a week.  I also do some training with Greg Williams who has trained with Master Yang.  Greg has studies Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong and Acupuncture in China.  Every three weeks I’ve assisted Greg with his Taoist workshops for the last two years.  Greg’s guidance in my studies of energy anatomy and physiology has led me to a greater understanding of how the energies work in Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan.

In 2010, I then started training with John McMahon at the Combined Martial Arts Academy in Nerang.  John instructs Bill Wakefield, Greg Shingles and me privately in the application of Tai Chi Chuan as an effective fighting system.  Through John’s knowledge and numerous ways of applying Tai Chi Chuan fighting systems, he has opened my eyes to the endless combative methods available in Tai Chi Chuan.

You’ve also spent time at the New England Mixed Martial Arts Association.

I was invited by Sifu John McMahon to attend his school at Tenterfield in northern New South Wales to sit in on their grading panel and to participate in some training sessions.  I was really impressed by the quality and dedication of his junior and senior students.  I really appreciate Sifu John McMahon, Sensei Greg Williamson, and their group, for their country hospitality and friendship.

Ken, I think we’d better have another coffee for the road.

Sounds good to me.

 Footnote:

“I was sad to hear that Master Earle Montaigue past away just recently.  It will be a great loss to his family, students, and the martial arts community.”

KEN TWADDELL  

Part 6

Road-Testing Military Taekwondo

© Marc Wickert, 
www.knucklepit.com
October 13, 2009

It’s not long after daybreak at Gloria Jean’s café in Coolangatta, and we’re experiencing another great morning as the surf rolls in while Ken Twaddell and I sit back and enjoy our coffees.  These perfect conditions are expected to change dramatically in the next day or two when Australia’s east coast is in for its third major dust storm in less than a month – the worst dust storms since 1932, we’re told.

Ken has informed me that his latest review of the military fighting arts involves Military Taekwondo.  In the early 1980s, Twaddell and Gary Dunsmore (Taekwondo 4^th Dan and Kempo 4^th Dan) ran a combat karate school at Penrith Fitness Centre in Sydney’s west.  Dunsmore was one of Australia’s early Taekwondo Dan grades, having been fortunate to experience training sessions with the Elite Special Forces Tiger Division, who were greatly feared by the Vietcong army due to their fearsome unarmed fighting methods during the Vietnam War.

“Taekwondo can be broken down into ‘Tae’ meaning to kick or smash with the feet, ‘Kwon’ meaning to punch or destroy, and ‘Do’ meaning the way or method,” says Twaddell.  “Military Taekwondo uses unarmed combat techniques for self defense.

“Techniques include:

Striking – using open- or closed-hand methods,

Kicking – employing spinning, jumping and numerous linear and circular methods,

Defense – through blocking, parrying with hands, arms and feet, as well as the use of throws, takedowns, locks and pressure-point applications.”

Twaddell says that all Korean military personnel are trained in Taekwondo, and that Korean military arts have a long history incorporating numerous systems.

“Just to name a few, the ancient art of Su Bak was one of Korea’s first martial arts developed by the Hwarang, and it was an unarmed method of combat practiced by the military.  Su Bak fighting methods focused on ‘quick kill’ tactics using aggressive linear techniques.

“Yoo Sool was then developed and was a softer style, focusing on grappling.  This preceded Tae Kyon, which became the successor of Su Bak as the Korean military hand-to-hand combat system.

“Korea’s modern martial arts utilize Tae Kyon techniques whilst integrating Karate aspects to form Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do.  Hapkido was formed by integrating methods from Yool Sool, Tae Kyon and Ju Jitsu.”

Ken, could you tell us a little about the Hwarang Warriors, please?

“They were Korea’s pioneer Elite Military organization and the first formal group of Korean martial arts practitioners to train in many forms of martial combat.  The Hwarang Warriors were taught in what became known as ‘Hwarang Do’ by a Buddhist monk who developed this system of empty-hand fighting while incorporating the laws of nature – um/yang, known to the Chinese as yin/yang.  Hwarang Do also involves methods of internal and external combat, with a strong emphasis on mental development and weapons training. 

“The um/yang aspects of Hwarang Do are: internal power (um), which includes ki training, breathing control, and meditation, and external power (yang), which includes pressure-point striking and kicking, joint manipulation, throws and takedowns.”

Bill Wakefield, Canadian Senator Mac Harb, Ken Twaddell 
and Phap Lu (Ottawa TKD)

What are some of Korea’s Special Forces?

“There are numerous Special Forces units and all are highly trained, such as: White Tigers, Black Tigers, Black Panthers, Black Dragons and Flying Tigers.  The White Tigers are an Elite Special Forces unit in the South Korean Army, formed in the 1980s.

What is the origin of Tukong Moosul?

“Tukong Moosul translates to ‘Special Combat Martial Arts’ and is an unarmed combat training system practiced by South Korea’s elite Tukong Unit.  The art is based on the principles of fighting at various distances from one’s opponent, with techniques being drawn from Taekwondo, Judo, Kung Fu, Hapkido and other disciplines.

“Tukong Moosul practitioners are trained in four methods: leverage and takedown methods, hand strikes, kicking strikes, and weaponry.”

You had the pleasure of meeting General Choi Hong Hi.

“Yes, I met General Choi in 2001 at the IMGC (International Martial Arts Gaming Council) conference in Pyong Yang.  He was a North Korean general who passed away on June 15, 2002, at the age of 83, and was regarded as the founder of Taekwondo.  The IMGC was formed by General Choi and his colleagues, and it was the General’s dream to create an Olympics-style martial arts event, which came to fruition during his time.

“There were 10 countries represented at the 2001 conference, and   I was chosen to represent Australian Kung Fu.  All in attendance participated in a tour of the Olympic-style village where the first IMGC events were to begin, with the tour finishing at the Taekwondo Temple and the outing concluding with one of the best Taekwondo demonstrations I have ever witnessed.”

You were telling me earlier about General Choi’s plan to have all North Koreans practice Taekwondo from childhood.

“The General explained to me that all school children were to be trained in Taekwondo, so as they progressed through the years academically, they would also progress through the ranks of Taekwondo.  Upon reaching high school, all students would be Black Belts, and as their schooling progressed so would their Dan grades, with all students later being available for military service, if needed.”

How did you come to travel with Bill Wakefield on this tour of North Korea?

“Bill was the IMGC Vice President and we have traveled the world together to experience numerous martial arts disciplines, but more importantly, we’ve met heaps of wonderful people in our travels.

“Bill was originally a Taekwondo instructor when I met him in the 1980s before he started a security business in which he did bodyguard work in Hong Kong and Macau – guarding high-rolling Asian businessmen gambling at casinos and clubs.”

So, Ken, what is your verdict on Military Taekwondo?

“I like military-style Taekwondo because it is a true combat art that has proved itself in battle.  I like the holistic approach to combat: the use of head butts, elbows, low kicks, joint locks, throws, takedowns, pressure-point manipulations, and their ground-fighting methods which use kicks for self protection, as well as to take out their attackers, rather than locking them up.

“I also think the sporting aspect of Taekwondo is important to allow the use of techniques in a safe environment, which caters for the competitive student and is a better path for introducing kids to Taekwondo.”

Ken Twaddell, General Choi Hong Hi, Mac Harb 
and Bill Wakefield

KEN TWADDELL 

Part 5

Road-Testing Military Sanshou

© Marc Wickert, 
www.knucklepit.com
www.knucklepit.com
March 9, 2009

In previous publications at Knucklepit, renowned martial arts instructor Ken Twaddell has road-tested Military Systema and Commando Krav Maga.  In this article, Ken zooms in on his favorite military fighting style – Sanshou.

It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Ken, and today I’m interviewing him outside the Lion’s Club marquee in Canberra.  It’s a cool 6am in Australia’s capital as we devour hot pancakes covered in maple syrup to help support the Lion’s Club’s fundraising and our greedy palates.

In the background are approximately 40 hot-air balloons being inflated as festivities get underway to celebrate Canberra’s 96^th birthday.   Only meters from us is a huge kookaburra-shaped balloon taking to the skies.  Behind the RAAF entry, balloons of all shapes and spectacular colors are coming alive; an enormous ladybird is being launched and even a birthday-cake balloon is inflated.

Now: back to Sanshou.  Meaning ‘free hands’ or ‘loose hands’, Chinese Sanshou is also referred to as ‘Sanda’, which translates to ‘free hit’ or ‘free fighting’.  “The term ‘Sanda’ has a longer history and was more commonly used, whereas ‘Sanshou’ is a relatively modern term,” says Twaddell.

Sanshou can be broken down into three categories:

Military Sanshou (Chinese unarmed combat),

Civilian Sanshou (Street defense), and

Sport Sanshou (Chinese kickboxing).

Military Sanshou is the style adapted by Ken Twaddell for his own Elite Combat Kung Fu (ECKF). 

“ECKF was designed from the fundamentals of the Chinese Special Technical Forces of Unarmed Combat, which includes pressure-point fighting, and iron-body combat conditioning that I studied over the last 45 years of martial arts training and 30 years of instructing and officiating,” says Twaddell.

Ken, what originally attracted you to Sanshou?

“My passion for Kung Fu has taken me to many countries and given me the opportunity to experience numerous fighting systems of Kung Fu and other arts.  This has helped motivate me to seek out and learn as much as I can about Military Sanshou systems, which offer a more holistic understanding of Chinese hand-to-hand combat due to Sanshou’s fusion of old (traditional fighting arts) and modern (scientific methods of fighting and conditioning).  For two years I was privileged to train privately with a truly special Kung Fu master, Professor Gao Yun Tao, who was a living example of what a lifetime of practicing Kung Fu can do for you.”

Can you give readers a background into Military Sanshou?

“Military Sanshou is the system of unarmed combat that was designed by Chinese Elite Forces based upon their intense study of traditional martial arts such as Kung Fu, Shuai Jiao, Chin Na and modern hand-to-hand fighting and combat philosophy to develop a realistic system of unarmed fighting for the Chinese military and police forces.

“Military Sanshou employs all parts of the body as anatomical weapons to attack and counter with, by using what the Chinese consider to be the four basic martial arts techniques:

*Da (upper-body striking), using fists, open hands, fingers, elbows, shoulders, forearms and the head.

*Ti (lower-body striking), including kicks, knees and stomping.

*Shuai (throws), using wrestling and judo takedowns and sweeps.

*Na (seizing), which includes joint locks, strangulation and other submissions.

“The three guiding principles of the system are simplicity, directness and effectiveness.  These three Sanshou principles are emphasized to neutralize the enemy.”

What about Civilian Sanshou?

“This is a method of full-contact fighting used to sharpen one’s skills on the street.  Often, these skills were employed during the Cultural Revolution when many individuals participated in underground fighting bouts.”

How does the sport style vary from the civilian style?

“More often referred to as ‘Sanda’ or Chinese kickboxing, in 1991 China introduced an amateur sport version of Sanshou full-contact fighting, where safety equipment was worn whilst competing; however, safety equipment is not worn in professional Sanda.

“Sport Sanshou/Sanda emphasizes scoring points or knocking out one’s opponent.  A specialty of this system is the use of blocks, covering- or catching-techniques to set up one’s opponent, sweeps, throws and takedowns.  Developing footwork skills and proper body mechanics is also an essential part of the system, as are conditioning and sparring.”

You played an important role in introducing Sport Sanda tournaments in Australia.

“In 1987, Sifu Geoff Hui (Choy Lay Fut) and I ran the first Sanda Full-Contact Kung Fu event in Queensland, at the Mansfield Tavern.  The fight night was Queensland vs. New Guinea, with Queensland winning most of the bouts thanks to Deane Lawler (Choy Lay Fut instructor at the time).  Deane and I trained the Queensland team every Saturday afternoon for three months prior to the event.

“My next experience with Sports Sanda was in 1991, when Sifu Ian Protheroe (Queensland Wing Chun) and I presented the first QLD Kung Fu Spectacular.  Events were full-contact Sanda, semi-contact with protective gear, weapon demonstrations etc.  This was at a time when shootboxing and Muay Thai were becoming very popular in Australia.”

Cung Lee has done a lot to promote Sport Sanshou/Sanda internationally.

“Yes.  In 2006 I was fortunate to meet the World Sanshou Champion, Cung Lee, at the Martial Arts Super Show in Las Vegas.  Cung Lee is a great ambassador for the sport and has been a huge success in mixed martial arts.”

Janelle Cliff has an impressive reputation as a Military Sanshou practitioner in Australia, hasn’t she?

“Janelle is one of my most dedicated students and has trained with me for over eight years now.  From 2000 till 2006, Janelle studied Thai boxing and San Ho Chuan Kung Fu with me, and she is now training in Elite Combat Kung Fu and loving it.  She loves to kick ass.”

Sanshou obviously gets your tick of approval, then?

“Definitely.  I like Military Sanshou because it covers every aspect of combat – military and police unarmed combat, tactical methods and principles.  One of the things that also attracts me to Sanshou is that the methods used bridge the gap between long range, medium and close range, followed by a throw or takedown, then finishing off your opponent.”

It’s a perfect spring morning here on the Tweed Heads/Coolangatta border, and from the café where I’m sitting with Ken Twaddell, the view is stunning: There’s a humpback whale mother-and-calf team heading back down the coast to Antarctica, and a delightful young waitress is brewing our coffees. La dolce vita!

Now back to the interview.  Ken has been training with Lui Pirrone Cook for the past year in Commando Krav Maga (CKM).  “Lui was qualified to teach CKM by its chief instructor, Moni Aizik, and I have been Lui’s guinea pig,” says Twaddell.

Combat Krav Maga is an Israeli elite forces defense system that is reality based and utilizes both simple techniques and quick disengagements.  “The one-to-three-move responses are drilled over and over in all different scenarios whilst under pressure to simulate the real thing.  The way you train is the way you fight.  And the less complicated the techniques or methods used the more efficient and practical they will be under stress.”

Twaddell says it’s the repetitive drills that make CKM work in an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.  The drills are designed to use as many scenarios as possible: surprise attacks, multiple adversaries, inside and outside attacks, various terrains, defense against weapons…

“The intensity of these high-pressure drills is designed to strengthen you physically, mentally and emotionally.  You are trained to disengage and escape your attacker(s), and not to stay around because the longer you engage, the longer you are at risk.

“Another practical concept I like is that you can use a certain method to disengage for many different situations.  This helps keep the learning and response simple because you don’t have to learn hundreds of techniques to deal with different situations.  The result is that you are able to quickly control, disengage or take out any attacker(s), armed or unarmed, with less chance of injury to yourself.

“Your expertise comes from mastering the concepts and continually pressure-testing your responses.”

The waitress brings over our coffees.  And we thought caffeine was a stimulant!

Ken, what about if the action does go to the ground?

“Well, I like the five-second ground-fighting rule because it teaches you to get to your feet quickly and escape, rather than to wrestle on the pavement, which takes time and effort.  And remember: If you lock him up, you eventually have to let him go – unless you cause lots of damage, and the longer you are on the ground the more chance his friends will join in.”

Can a martial artist from another style adopt Commando Krav Maga techniques?

“CKM is designed to fit and blend with any system and techniques, so as to flow from one to another.  It can be added to any other self-defense system and allows you to utilize your own combative skills with Commando Krav Maga’s disengaging concepts.  CKM also emphasizes strong physical fitness and mental abilities, creating an attitude of never giving up and doing whatever it takes to survive. 

“There are no rules on the street or in CKM – hence the importance to be aware of your surroundings and the need to be conditioned to expect anything, anywhere, and from anyone.”

What separates Commando Krav Maga from ‘traditional’ Krav Maga?

“The key to CKM is to defend and then get out of there.  Another variant is that the techniques have been simplified, thus making them easier to learn and implement.  Constantly drilling methods under pressure ensures they are gross motor skills, so they instill automatic reactions to attacks.

“Moni Aizik was instructed by the Israeli Army to work with Imi Lichtenfeld, the founder of Krav Maga, to make the system more effective and efficient.  Commando Krav Maga was the result.”

As previously mentioned at Knucklepit.com, Ken Twaddell will be trialing a number of military martial arts and giving his assessment of the various styles.  In this article Ken evaluates Systema - the Russian art of hand-to-hand combat and survival, which until the fall of the Iron Curtain was primarily used by “Spetsnaz”, an elite group of Soviet special forces.

For this assignment, Twaddell linked up with Aaron Ellis, who invited Ken to train with his group in Systema, so he could get ‘hands-on’ experience in the close-quarters fighting art.

Aaron Ellis

Aaron is based in Morayfield, Queensland and has been involved in self defense, kickboxing, Muay Thai and other martial arts for the past 15 years.  “My exploration into the realm of Russian strength training and kettlebells led me to the fascinating and effective Russian martial art known as Systema.  ‘The System’ emphasizes versatility and improvisation in combat while utilizing brutally effective fighting techniques,” says Ellis. 

“Before the fall of the Soviet Union, the style was most commonly employed in covert military operations and by bodyguards of high-ranking government officials.  Russian immigrant Vladimir Vasiliev’s exposure to Systema came during his stint in the Soviet army from 1977 to 1979, before he was chosen as an instructor to the Russian special forces – a position he held until 1985.

“In 1993, Vladimir opened a school just outside of Toronto where he currently teaches the system to people who travel from all parts of the world to train with this Russian master.  The system is now being taught openly, not only in the Soviet Union, but in Canada, USA, UK, and now a small number are practicing Systema in Australia,” says Ellis.

Back to Ken Twaddell

Today, it’s the middle of winter, as Knucklepit.com catches up with Twaddell at a cafe in Tweed Heads, Australia.  An attractive young waitress has just brought mugs of coffee to our table as Ken chats of his experiences at Aaron Ellis’s classes.

So, Ken, what are your thoughts regarding Systema?

“Well, I found it to be a fluid system of practical hand-to-hand combat techniques that train you to defend against attacks from any position.  Systema does not teach step-by-step responses, because they want you to be able to respond without a set of conscious prearranged techniques.  Its philosophy is to relax in the face of all forms of adversity,” says Twaddell.

“Initially, the classes use slow-speed training to develop your natural responses and awareness, and encourage you to release tension so you employ natural flowing movements.  This helps you to be intuitive through the use of the ‘Four Pillars’ : breathing, form, relaxation and constant movement.”

You’ve done a lot of ‘iron shirt’ training.  Did you find their ‘rubber man’ approach to be a complete contrast?

“It’s like a wave motion that they employ, so that they’re not allowing the impact to hit and vibrate through them, but rather, they’re shifting the energy away.  And they’re also dispersing the impact through their breathing.”

Rather than fighting fire with fire, they’re fighting fire with water.

“Absolutely.  And most other systems are fighting fire with fire, but with Systema, the harder their opponent goes, the more they bend and rebound with a counter-strike.  Body movements are used to evade or disperse the power of an attack to the victim’s body, or to generate the energy to empower a counter-strike.  And constant movement is encouraged rather than static stances or standing toe-to-toe.”

What other aspects of Systema take your fancy?

“I like that the strikes use unusual angles to catch your attacker unaware.  And I enjoy the way their drills are reality-based and they don’t teach stringent responses, because unexpected things do occur in combat.  There’s also the focus on breathing principles to keep the body relaxed for freedom of movement and a clearer state of mind.  Because the movements are economical, you’re less likely to gas.”

So, Ken, Systema gets your tick of approval?

“Yes.  I’m really enjoying my training in Systema with Aaron Ellis and his group.  Even though it’s only early days, I feel as though I have learnt a lot due to Aaron’s passion for what he teaches.  Once he starts, he doesn’t have an off button when sharing his knowledge of Systema.  It’s refreshing to train with someone else who has a similar passion for the art he teaches.”

“I had the good fortune to train in military close-quarter hand-to-hand combat with Martin McCormak, who I also trained with in knife defense and Arnis De Mano. Martin is a former member of the New Zealand SAS and is currently with army intelligence.

“He taught me that by striking with a combination of ruthlessness and brutality to the body’s vital points, it doesn’t matter what tactic is employed so long as it is done quickly. So surprise and speed are the two chief elements of this system. Your intention is to attack – not simply to defend. Each attack is also a defense in this method of hand-to-hand combat.

Much of Ken’s study in military martial arts has been offshore. “I have really enjoyed traveling overseas and observing martial arts for the past 20 years with my globe-trotting friend Bill Wakefield. Although I have a strong passion for hard styles, I have learnt that as you train hard you must balance it out with internal methods. Internal training has helped fix or relieve most of my injuries. I was fortunate to practice privately with Professor Gao Yun Tao in Qigong and iron-body training.”

At ten-years-of-age, Ken Twaddell was sitting in a small-town picture theatre at the Saturday afternoon matinee when a documentary on karate was shown before the main feature.

“I was sitting there and they showed these karate practitioners smashing boards, breaking tiles and doing multiple self-defence routines, and as a young boy, I was thinking like ‘Wow. I want to do that!’” says Twaddell.

Ken had already been doing boxing for five years when, in 1964, he started Goju Kai Karate under instructor, Merve Oakley, at Meadowbank in NSW.
Ken just went along for the first night and watched.

He was so impressed by the martial artists that night, that he remembers being happy with the prospect of just becoming a green belt one day.

Ken regards his time under Merve Oakley to have been extremely rewarding, and considers Merve to be an excellent instructor, very hard and very precise.

“It was a good foundation for my martial arts. Training with Merve made me physically, mentally and emotionally strong.”

In 1969 Ken travelled to Japan to train at Gogan Yamaguchi’s dojo, where the classes were long and hard, six days a week.

“We did long warm-ups, and in the conditioning section of the class, we did 50 push-ups, 300 squats, 200 sit-ups and 400 side-twists.

“Then followed stretching with a partner, basic blocks, strikes and kicks, kata training and free-sparring.”

At the time, if a blackbelt asked another student to spar with him, the student could not refuse. Because Ken was the only westerner attending the classes, all the blackbelts would line up to spar with him.

“The sparring was full-contact, but after many blood welts, bruises and aching limbs, the experience paid off and I learnt to hold my own,” says Twaddell.

Ken then took up Shotokan Karate with Frank Nowak for one year, before joining Myles Carrol in 1974 at his Penrith dojo to study the Okinawan art of Uechi Ryu for the next five years.

At the same time Ken also attended Kam Hock Hoe (Malayasian Ju-Jitsu) classes with Terry Healy, and trained at the Lower Blue Mountains School of Ju-Jitsu with instructor, Lynne Pendleberry.

Ken was forever looking to expand his knowledge of the various arts and to become a better practitioner, so in 1979 he started with Tom Slaven at his Seven Hills dojo, studying Kempo Jutsu, which later became Zen Chi Ryu.

“Tom was an extremely knowledgeable man and I learnt a lot from him. He was one of the most proficient martial artists I’ve ever seen in my life. He held records for ice-breaks and brick-breaks.

“Tom was such an extraordinary man, and was light-years ahead of his time. His ability to look at something and make it work was unbelievable.

“He taught me to integrate different techniques and to use my mind a lot better, because he was very much into inner strength and the power of the mind,” recalls Twaddell.

Under Tom Slaven’s guidance, Ken opened up a number of his own dojos in the Blue Mountains area. Originally he taught women’s self-defence classes, eventually taking general classes.

In 1981 Twaddell took up yoga, and began teaching it in 1984;  he still incorporates it in his martial arts today.

Ken then moved to Queensland in 1985 and began training in Tao Te Ching (pronounced Dao De Jing) Kung Fu, an integrated Tiger and Dragon system of non-classical kung fu.

“I changed to kung fu because I liked the circular movements and also because I felt more balanced with the hardness and softness in the body movements of kung fu,” says Twaddell.

In 1990 Ken began training in Qi Gong (Chi Kung) with Pam Timmers.

“Qi Gong is the traditional Chinese physical and psychological antidote to the difficulties of daily life, and helps restore balance and promote longevity.

“Qi Gong is the basis of the power in Chinese martial arts and is the study of basic techniques used in attacking vital points, in joint locking and other forms of defence,” says Twaddell.

Today Ken Twaddell instructs in kung fu, yoga, full-contact karate and Thai boxing.

He also studies kung fu under Professor Gao and Eric Koh as part of his insatiable desire to continue learning.

5th Dan Shotokan Karate instructor, Bill Wakefield, recalls how Ken Twaddell’s knowledge of pressure points was put to the test when they both travelled to Japan last October to train in Ashihara Karate.

One morning during their stay in Japan, Bill and Ken were guests at Shihan Yuasa’s home in Otsu, and Yuasa seemed skeptical of the effects of pressure-point techniques, so Bill told Ken to demonstrate a pressure-point technique on Yuasa.

“Ken grabbed Shihan Yuasa in this pressure-point hold and Shihan went up on his toes, the noise you heard was like a child screaming, and I said, ‘Let go of him, Ken,’ and Ken said, ‘But I haven’t applied it hard yet.’

“Later in the day, Yuasa was ringing up all his blackbelts, telling them they had to attend a special class that night, and he had about forty of his blackbelts going over to Ken, one at a time, and he’s making Ken apply a pressure-point technique on each of his blackbelts, and they’re dropping like flies,” says Wakefield.

Bill says it was the funniest part of the tour, but the Japanese martial artists were so keen to learn more about the pressure-point techniques that Ken and Bill were taking the classes for them every night after that.

Over the years, Ken has observed a transformation in the arts.

“Martial arts has changed a lot from when I first started studying it. There weren’t many people in a class and you saw a lot come and go. It was very hard training then,” reflects Twaddell.

He feels that martial arts today is going in the direction of realistic self-defence, because more and more people want to be able to defend themselves on the street. 

“There will always be martial arts sporting tournaments and people interested in the traditional arts, but in the next few years, I believe the majority of people will attend classes so they can defend themselves against the increasing violence in the street,” says Twaddell.

Ken has come up through the ranks the hard way and he believes this to be the best way to learn.

The classes he takes today are made up of small groups of regulars, which he attributes to the fact that his classes are hard, but the students who are prepared to go the distance reap the benefits.

“If you’re going to work, you work. You’re at the training sessions for a short time , so you may as well achieve as much as possible in that time.

“I  was very fortunate to have trained with most of the best instructors in Australia at the time, and enjoyed studying the arts overseas in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Japan, which meant that I got a very good foundation, but they all got their pound of flesh and sweat out of me,” says Twaddell.