Piedmont Healing and Defensive Arts

Drills are a way to work out the mechanics of executing a technique. Taking your time to work on the different elements of the technique allows you to become comfortable with executing it without thinking. Once you have some techniques in your “tool-box”, it’s time to start working on combinations. One of the principles we […]

I was talking with Grandmaster Joe Manley recently about fine-tuning some techniques I’m working on with him. I’m grateful that I still have him as my instructor to help me continue to advance as well as to point out the places I may not be doing well or where I may have gotten sloppy. One […]

One of my favorite empty hand weapons is the palm. A lot of the strikes I practice are either with the palm heel or a “3/4” palm, which involves the outside edge of the palm. To begin working on palm strikes, start by working on this very simple four-count drill. The four counts are, simply: […]

There’s a wonderful reference to this simple movement in a book series that I like, by Rex Stout. These stories feature the brilliant and temperamental detective, Nero Wolfe, who is also quite obese. In Chapter 3 of the book The Golden Spiders, the narrator, Archie Goodwin, remarks that when Detective Cramer is with Wolfe, “… […]

Stepping can be done for offensive movements (eg, to deliver a strike) or defensive movements (to evade or parry an incoming attack). Here’s a “fun” video illustrating stepping for an evasive objective – trying to sweep the leaves off of my deck with our puppy, Rosie, wanting to attack the broom head. How many steps […]

A good way to work on your mobility and footwork from a basic fighting stance is to practice this simple eight-count stepping drill. It involves moving one foot at a time to “extend” your fighting stance either forward or to the side. If your extended steps are consistent you will end up in your starting […]

Technique involves the skill that one applies in a movement; strength refers to the inherent ability of the muscles to deliver sustained force. No matter what technique you are doing, a minimum amount of strength is needed. For example, in a sword technique one requires grip strength and the ability to hold the sword away […]

Another important Matter of Fact (MOF) movement that Joe Manley tells me to practice constantly is shoulder rolls. This exercise is done seated. Sit comfortably in a chair, but with your back straight and not leaning back on the chair back. Place one or both hands on the knees; keep the arm soft and relaxed. […]

Another good wrist and elbow exercise that I practice, from Joe Manley, is called Yin-Yang Circles. This is a more complex pattern than the Figure 8, and involves moving the hand along the lines of an imaginary “yin-yang” picture. If you’re working this with the left hand, the motion starts with a downward “chop” (hand […]

Another good wrist and elbow exercise that I practice, from Joe Manley, is called Yin-Yang Circles. This is a more complex pattern than the Figure 8, and involves moving the hand along the lines of an imaginary “yin-yang” picture. If you’re working this with the left hand, the motion starts with a downward “chop” (hand […]