About Dangerously Fit’s Martial Arts Program
Thank you for your interest in the Dangerously Fit martial arts program. Our martial arts program is based on Japanese sword arts, and is inteneded to develop coordination, accuracy, reaction time, awareness, confidence, cardiovascular fitness, and a strong mind-body connection. In the development of those traits, two styles of training are employed. These two styles are Iaido, and Chanbara. The program is rounded out with kettlebell, indian club, and calisthenic training to develop stamina, strength, joint mobility, and power.
Iaido
Iaido can be roughly translated from Japanese to mean “The way of mental presence and immediate reaction”. Another way of interpereting it could be “The way of harmonizing ones self in action”.
The Iaidoka, or Iaido practitioner, hones their skills through diligent practice of pre-arranged forms known as kata. These kata introduce the student to various combinations of movement and strikes that are applicable in different combat situations. Through practice of kata, one develops precision and accuracy, attention to detail, mental presence and awareness, patience, and a calm mind able to react instantly and effectively to challenge. Kata can be likened to “moving meditation”. Through repeated practice of kata, the Iaidoka is presented with many opportunities to get to know themselves better in mind and body as their relationship with the sword grows.
The specific style of Iaido taught by Dangerously Fit is known as Toyama-Ryu. Toyama-Ryu was developed in pre-WW2 Japan to address issues of modern warfare. Toyama-Ryu is a modern form of Iaido and differs from more traditional forms in that it it practiced from a standing position. Toyama-Ryu is comprised of basic drawing, and sheathing techniques as well as 8 basic strikes, and 8 basic stances. Since Toyama-Ryu is practiced standing, and requires few low stances, it is apprpriate for people of all fitness levels, even those with balance or knee issues that make kneeling and low stances challenging.
The beginner student starts out practicing with a wooden sword, known as a bokuto. As the student’s proficiency increases, an unsharpened metal blade is introduced. Ultimately, the student practices with a live blade and practices actual test cutting (tameshigiri). The Dangerously Fit martial arts student will be given periodic opportunity to train with advanced level guest instructors to further hone their skills and to test for new rank.
Chanbara
Chanbara is a sport based on combat with traditional martial arts weapons. Chanbara utilizes safe, padded replicas of swords, spears, staves, and nunchuku to allow for full contact, full speed fighting with these traditional weapons in a way that is fun, and safe. Chanbara draws from many martial arts disciplines to provide for a dynamic fighting experience. Unlike Kendo (Japanese fencing that uses a bamboo weapon and protective armor), The basics of Chanbara can be picked up relatively quickly and the equipment can be purchased at a much lower cost than Kendo equipment. This makes the physical and mental benefits of full contact sparring available to the student much more accessible.
Elements of various other martial arts may be presented within the Chanbara program, such as Kendo kata, or bo staff kata used in Karate. These elements are introduced to provide a broad base of technical material from which one can adopt a fighting style uniquely theirs.
Chanbara is fun. Chanbara is safe. Chanbara is a great workout. Chanbara is a fantastic way to learn to utilize the quiet mind cultivated by Iaido in challenging, exciting situation.
Our training center is located in The Breakout Studios on Historic 4th Avenue in Tucson. Contact Dangerously Fit for class times, directions, and to try out a class or two with no obligation. We welcome students from age 16 on up.
