"Silk & Steel 2002" --  By Mrs. Annabelle Smith, 2nd Gup

Do you got game?

And no, we’re not talking about Playstation 2 or the latest XBox creation.

We’re talking adrenaline pumping, heart racing, I’m gonna get you before you get me, fight for your life, never say die spirit!

Well, if you didn’t have it before you attended the Warrior’s Path Silk and Steel Clinic, you certainly had it when you left.

The Clinic was held on September 27 – 29, 2002 in Pittsburgh, PA at River Valley Tang Soo Do. It was hosted by Master Michael Kaye of Penn State Martial Arts Group and Master Scott Homschek of River Valley Tang Soo Do. The attendees were all Tang Soo Do practitioners but skill levels varied from 5th gup to Master rank. Professional callings among this group also varied from cardiologist to police officer. However, all shared the same burning desire to learn whatever skills they could about edged and flexible weapons.

The instructors gave it their all, teaching for more than 8 hours each day. And eager, albeit sore, students greeted them. It was this collaboration that created an atmosphere of respect and cooperation. Most notably was the acceptance among students to be hog-tied, poked, jabbed, and choked to the ground by their partners in order for their partners to have a “real life” feel to the weapons they were wielding.

However, it was in the act of being submissive that the students learned how the weapons could be used upon them, in turn, giving them experience and thoughts on how to counter such weapons. And this was one of the big take home messages of the clinic. Knowing how to handle a weapon and knowing how it works are two different things.

Along that same line of thinking, the instructors were able to show that, if you know how a weapon works, then almost anything can be a weapon. Pens, pencils, t-shirts and belts can all be utilized as an edged or flexible weapon, respectively.

As with anything, repetition is key in learning a new skill. And creating that muscle memory was certainly a goal of the instructors. But, visual imagery is also a strong potentiator of memory. This was “brought to light” during exercises using glow sticks in the dark. The students were then able to see how the “knife” and “rope” actually moved through the air and which axes were the best for their flow. It also kicked up the adrenaline a notch knowing the lights were out and you were in a room full of martial artists!

Overall, it was a highly educational and enjoyable clinic. This author plans on attending future clinics and encourages other warriors of like-mind to get game!

Respectfully submitted,
Annabelle Smith
2nd Gup