Florysh

[Ryan Pynenberg]

Hello, my name is Ryan Pynenberg and I am from the ARMA-Appleton (now forming). I have some questions about the "Florysh." (SP?) Are there any specific rules or requirements that must be filled to qualify as a Florysh? What, if anything, must be included to increase in rank? Can the 8-cut exercise or other such exercises be incorporated into the Florysh? I would greatly appreciate anyones help with these questions?

Thank you,
Ryan Pynenberg
ARMA - Appleton

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Ryan,

A flourish is simply shadow boxing with a sword. You do need to show proper technique, form, use of the various guards, and proper footwork. You can use any of the cuts in the 8-cuts exercise, I like to include master-cuts in my flourishs, I also throw in some parries, some rounds, a hangen or two, some x-cuts, etc. I like to visualize someone in front of me that I am attacking, visualize their responces to my actions, and also respond to their actions. I will also go through several invisible partners in my head, sometimes I visualize 2 or more attackers at a time. It should be free form, and not a memorized set of actions, then it would be a 'kata' with a longsword, rather than a flourish. Above all, have fun with it. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

hope this responce is helpful.

Brian Hunt

GFS

[JeffGentry]

Hey Ryan

Think i met Aaron, your Brother, at Jake's class here in Columbus Ohio, as far as the florysh is concerned i have started doing them but i go pretty slow seem's easier to do it that way to get proper technique, i do the 8 cut exercise to but i incorparate that into the florysh on occasion.

I try to do two or three florysh's, i do one of 10-15 movement's what ever feel's comfortable, i am still very new to this, Then when i stop i get a drink or something then do another but they are alway's diffrent and not to long i am just trying to gain control of my sword and improve my technique and flow from movement to movement and my endurance.

as for the "Rank" structure that is the thing i like about ARMA they have a Training program but it is not about the "Rank", if you go to the where to start page that information is there, this is definately not a "Traditional martial art" ARMA is more about real knowledge and useful combat skill's so the rank does not have the same meaning as in eastern martial art's.

[Ryan Pynenberg]

I think I'm starting to get the idea. Just two more questions. First, what counts as a "movement?" And Second, should the florysh be different every time it is performed, or a repeated routine? Maybe I am thinking about this too much! I appreciate all the help.

Ryan Pynenberg
ARMA - Appleton

[leam hall]

I'd suggest both pre-programmed and free form. Free is good to go through to get the flow of motion, especially if you change directions. Pre-programmed is good for drilling on those things you often forget to do free form. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[James_Knowles]

what counts as a "movement?"

Using the brain to signal muscles to contract and relax. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />


Be sure to remember footwork. Move your feet with each act.

When I'm alone in the yard or in a park, I still include things like disarms, throws, etc. even though I'm "shadow boxing." I imagine a series of attacks, counters, counters to counters, etc. and try to exercise my pool (er... puddle) of knowledge.

I don't do set routines per se, but I do repeatedly work on things that I have trouble with. I had one subtle boo-boo with big impact pointed out to me at the NTP 1.0 last Saturday which I'll have to work hard to correct since it's been a long habit.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Hello there, I saw those pictures of your training site-very neat, what mountain is that in the background?

No offense to the Ohio guys but I was going to go out to your class but decieded that Ohio was much closer to Wisconsin, man, all we had to look at was road construction!! I think I missed out-Ha Ha-Aaron

[Jamie Fellrath]

Aaron - I was just thinking the same thing. Someone remind me why I live in Columbus, again? <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

At least you got to see the Ohio State Flower - the orange barrel. <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Jared L. Cass]

Hi Ryan! Good to see you on the forum! I can't really add too much to what the other's have said other than that for me, a florysh is a very spontanious exercise; that is, I don't have any techniques in mind when I do them except to imagine various opponents trying to kill me. Then I just react/preempt those attacks by including counters, voids, grapples, ect.

As far as pure muscle memory exercises go, I'll usually do something like 25 oberhaws, 25 unterhaws, 25 thrusts from high or low, ect. Then go onto combining the various attack angles concentrating on smooth transitions always keeping in mind proper footwork. All in all, IMO, floryshs are more fun <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, great to see you here and I'm sure we'll meet up again soon for some training!

Jared L. Cass, ARMA Associate, Wisconsin

[JeffGentry]

Heck Aaron if i had the choice between Utah and Ohio for NTP 1.0, i would have went to Utah lol.

Hey Ryan i have been reading Meyer alot lately and the way it is organized i think is excellent for a beginner it has been very enlightening to me, if i have a question i can go right to it, there is a copy of it at Scheilhau .org you may want to check it out.

[James_Knowles]

We're fortunate that a study group member is a teacher at a middle school that allows us to use one of their rooms. It has a padded floor, so we can do throws, etc. without getting too hurt.

As for the mountain... which one? <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> The bulk of the Utah population sits at the base of a wall of mountains that extends north/south for a good 100+ miles. I guess one could consider them part of the Rockies, or at least an extention thereto. Around here people refer to "towards the mountains" (east) and "away from the mountains" (west) when giving directions.

Just a local curiosity.

Around here we have two seasons: winter and road construction. We can sympathize! State flower? he he he I like it. We have a state joke: "Men Working." <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />