- Joined
- Sep 11, 2002
- Messages
- 3,548
I went to a Bando class tonight with a friend who'd been cross-training with them for a while. The teacher was Phil Dunlap. He teaches Kanshin/Jinghpaw Bando. Knowing the Bando/khukuri connection, I wore my HI t-shirt to class. Phil is a good teacher and has none of the ego or machismo that turned me off the Krav Maga instructor I visited recently.
He first joked that the crossed khukuris meant I had to fight everyone in the class, and then sadly mentioned that HI's leader had passed on. I nodded, and told him that I'd talked to Bill a few times here, and that Yangdu was still running the operation just like Bill did.
The class was very intensive but very friendly. In most classes I am one of the big guys, but here I felt like a chew toy. Some of the guys were learning for competition, others for defense (at least one police officer). The sparring was good and friendly, no bullying. When Phil grappled with two students of different ability, he held back enough so each was challenged without being overwhelmed, and he gladly let me work on my weak jab with him. Some teachers love showing the moves but never taking a hit, but it's hard to learn that way!
My friend Pete was glad to work defense as we put on the shin pads. I managed to get some good kick form eventually- they do kind of a roundhouse kick aimed down at the side of the thigh, with a lot of hip motion, that packs a lot of power. I only fell once, which was good for me... my coordination is not my strong point.
I'm very tempted to join them. I'll see how sore I am tomorrow! I like the friendly class with no macho BS, and that it is intensive - a good mix of sport and street-worthy fighting.
I think once Phil mentioned Uncle Bill, I knew he was going to be a good guy.
He first joked that the crossed khukuris meant I had to fight everyone in the class, and then sadly mentioned that HI's leader had passed on. I nodded, and told him that I'd talked to Bill a few times here, and that Yangdu was still running the operation just like Bill did.
The class was very intensive but very friendly. In most classes I am one of the big guys, but here I felt like a chew toy. Some of the guys were learning for competition, others for defense (at least one police officer). The sparring was good and friendly, no bullying. When Phil grappled with two students of different ability, he held back enough so each was challenged without being overwhelmed, and he gladly let me work on my weak jab with him. Some teachers love showing the moves but never taking a hit, but it's hard to learn that way!
My friend Pete was glad to work defense as we put on the shin pads. I managed to get some good kick form eventually- they do kind of a roundhouse kick aimed down at the side of the thigh, with a lot of hip motion, that packs a lot of power. I only fell once, which was good for me... my coordination is not my strong point.
I'm very tempted to join them. I'll see how sore I am tomorrow! I like the friendly class with no macho BS, and that it is intensive - a good mix of sport and street-worthy fighting.
I think once Phil mentioned Uncle Bill, I knew he was going to be a good guy.
