Jedi training in Belfast?

4 Comments

1. Donal Campbell says:
   09/02/09 20:47:51

   I'm sure this will be a lot of fun, although I'm slightly concerned by the use of the term "non-violent communication" by the organisers. I think from the context and the mention of body language, they might mean non-verbal communication - specifically the social signalling controlled by the human limbic system.
   
   There is plenty of scope for you to bring in the martial and self defence aspects of non-verbal communication in your demonstration, for example how the use of particular stances can manipulate an opponent into attacking in a certain way, or how a sudden shock (like a well-timed kiai!) can induce a momentary freeze reaction in the opponent by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. Or even how you can spot when a confrontation is about to turn physical!
   
   I have some reference material that may help if this is an area you want to develop for your presentation, and I'm sure there's no better man for a blood-curdling kiai than John!

2. Colin Turner says:
   09/02/09 21:22:54

   Hi Donal,
   
   Hmm. Possible they mean non-verbal communication, but funnily, I am currently reading a book on non-violent communication that was recommended to me by Ian Dodkins, (which has some very interesting ideas), so it might be that. I suspect in fact it will be a bit of both in the end.
   
   Those are all good ideas, and I'll be careful to bear them in mind as I put together an outline of what we will talk about. I'll have a good chat with you about the outline before we go live.
   
   Ahem, as for John. He came up tonight to help with some publicity photos before the class. Then he gave about 30 minutes of a class. It was very informative for all of us, and he finished with an extremely impressive Karate kata, where I pointed out that he had been going very slow with the class, whatever they might have thought . And yes, he did do some kiai. It's not something that comes naturally to me at all, quite a failing really!

3. Donal Campbell says:
   09/03/09 23:09:17

   Hi Colin,
   
   I read some stuff about non-violent communication on the web - interesting ideas as you say, but I have to wonder how it all sits with the Jedi concept. From what I have seen in the films, the Jedi weren't examples of non-aggressive peacemakers! Rightly so, as the films would have been pretty boring otherwise.
   
   Of course the events of the films 'happened' a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, so maybe local modern Jedi are more enlightened
   
   Either way, whether it's non-violent or non-verbal communication, or both, I'm sure that the aikido, iaido and lightsaber segment will be the most memorable part of the training day.
   
   Will you be getting into the various lightsaber forms?
   
   http://www.starwarsdotcom.com/star_wars/lightsabers/forms.html
   
   http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lightsaber_combat
   
   Or would that be pushing the envelope a little too far?

4. Colin Turner says:
   09/05/09 11:18:52

   Hi Donal,
   
   You are quite correct actually when I think about it, the Jedi often show quite shockingly bad communication skills. They are often blunt, ignorant and lacking in diplomacy even when they speak to each other. One could rationalise it by talking (as Yoda did) about their increasing failing of arrogance I suppose. Though as you say, it could be rather the story telling prerogative like "Kung Fu", talking about non violence all you like is great, but people watch for the beating at the end .
   
   As for your web links. Yes, well... quite frightening really .

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