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[Moutos Woofidis]

It occurred to me that some martial arts lessons would be a quite relevant event at EF17!

[nifelan]

I'd love to see something (bo) staff related but I won't be able to offer a panel about this on my own.
I am however thinking of doing a juggling/circus skills panel with juggling, poi, staff etc. manipulation but that won't really be martial arts (and I'd need people who actually can juggle and stuff).

[Nocturne]

It occurred to me that some martial arts lessons would be a quite relevant event at EF17!

And why?

[Kamuniak]

It occurred to me that some martial arts lessons would be a quite relevant event at EF17!

And why?

Because of theme, Kung Fur Hustle

[creideiki]

I am but a poor student of the art, but given the opportunity, I would be happy to share my meager knowledge of aikidō.

However, I fear it would be quite difficult, since it would require quite a large room (falling properly takes a significant distance, and you can't do anything if you have to constantly worry about not bumping into everyone else), covered with mats (falling on concrete is not very pleasant) and with serious air conditioning (sure, a demonstration for beginners won't be as sweaty as a proper training session, but it's still a heavy workout). And you have to consider the legal consequences for the con and the instructor should someone be injured.

[Moutos Woofidis]

And you have to consider the legal consequences for the con and the instructor should someone be injured.

Aaack, aaack, aaack... maybe we could just have a show instead...

[Cheetah]

How about just some tai-chi?

[Fairlight]

Or just some Thai? *grins* Ok, sorry, couldn't resist that pun.. I love food, hehe.

[Reeve]

How about just some tai-chi?

well, i've had a few tai chi lessons in shanghai and i think people would get bored after 5 minutes. It's a mix between kung fu and zen-meditation. Interesting from a cultural point of view but not really entertaining for a con. But that's just my opinion. If we manage to find someone who can actually teach tai chi it might be worth asking who'd like to give it a shot


The juggling seems nice though, if we use kiwidos instead of pois (kiwidos are those pois to which are attached ribbons and who make nice shape-effects when they spin). Besides, they are soft and slow (therefore unlikely to hurt anyone) and are still used in china during cultural events like the spring festival or the mid-autumn festival. I'd totally go for that ^^

[Cheetah]

How about just some tai-chi?

well, i've had a few tai chi lessons in shanghai and i think people would get bored after 5 minutes. It's a mix between kung fu and zen-meditation.

I know, it was supposed to be a funny (and slightly sarcastic) answer to the (very justified) concern that unprepared people might get hurt during "real" martial arts lessons (There's not much you can teach anybody in two hours anyways, so it's pretty much a moot question.)

[BluePaw]

the very simplest of defenceses could be tought on a very short time indeed. taking for example krav maga basic defence, anti-knife and such. at least i've heard that the theroretical bit is made to be tought in 1-3 short lessons. don't know it myself, no falling required, more or less only angle of the arm to defflect fists and knives? actually tought in most martial arts. and even that "little" such as not trying to deflect a knife with the inside of the wrist, and so on^^

[creideiki]

I think it would be actively dangerous to try to teach something people might actually try to use in such a short time. I'd suggest just a demonstration (if we can find two people trained in reasonably compatible arts) and simple training of elementary moves, so the attendees can get an idea of whether that style appeals to them and then find a proper dōjō with a proper sensei to train properly in.

But I thought of another reason why this is a horrible idea for Eurofurence: to be safe, martial arts training requires concentration, attention to your surroundings and fast and correct reactions - i.e. no beer for you.

[Cheetah]

Okay, I think pretty much all points have been raised - and unless someone from the board of directors strongly disagrees, I would say: No "hands-on" martial arts at EF17.