AWCA Weblog

As you know, the primary PC went on the fritz last month so I acquired a new one (but hey, after 11 years, I definitely got my money’s worth). Like all things “new”, though, it is not happening without a few unexpected glitches.

For one, the Hi-Def camcorder sure eats up resources. The graphics card is not really up to the task for rendering as I want it to, so I am in the process of upgrading that. Additionally, all of our graphics are in standard format vs. HD format, so those will have to be upgraded.

Second, the new PC does not have a 1394 (Firewire) port, and for some reason I did not think to check that when I bought it. So as I just found out, the videos filmed at the training camp are still on tape (I used both the HD and DVC camcorders). Because of that, I had to purchase a 1394 card yesterday and it will be installed this weekend.

Once that is done, the videos can be pulled and I can create the Video of the Month edition, plus post videos about the camp to its Events page.

One thing I will be doing periodically (and at all events, too) is posting YouTube videos directly from the phone. When Verizon releases their new Droid smartphone on Nov. 6th, I will be the first in line for it. There are many reasons I’ve decided to get one, but one of those is because of the YouTube video feature. Simply film the videos and upload to your YouTube account right then, and for us, that is a great feature.

So a lot of things will be happening this weekend and in the coming weeks, but especially the hardware upgrades, which will let me get back on track for uploading the videos. I just wanted to post a quick note and let you know where I am with things.

We have three events planned for next year. Our west and east coast Training Camps are in the making, plus an additional seminar in Greensboro. All AWCA members are invited to attend any and all events they can get to. Check your email for details.

Most wooden dummies have uneven upper arms, meaning that one arm (usually the dummy’s right) is higher than the other. This is due to both the nature of how the holes are cut and that the shaft of the arms are centered. However, other dummies have the arms leveled since the arm shafts are off-centered.

Is there a difference in training, and is one way better than the other?

In my opinion, there is a difference, and I feel that leveled arms are much better. With the first contact, we find that everytime we go to the left side (our left, the dummy’s right), the dummy’s right arm is higher. Because of this, everything we do will be at a different height, which in turn makes training feel encumbered.

Some will say that this is necessary in order to gain attributes of different heights, but that is off from the purpose of the dummy itself. The goal of the dummy is strengthen and refine our own structure so that we can apply ourselves in the strongest, most fluid way. Having off-centered arms does not work that quality like some think it does.

A better way is to have off-centered arms, meaning that the shaft of the arms is closer to the edge. With the shaft of both arms being off-centered, simply turn one up and one down in order to level them out. Doing so will create an even working surface, which in turn creates equal training effects on both sides.

Now, this does not mean that “not” having off-centered arms will make you a bad practitioner. After all, our ancestors have used this for generations with excellent effects. However, if you have the option of acquiring or creating dummy arms with an off-centered shaft, definitely get them and see how it feels. More than likely you will not want to go back to the “standard” arm configuration.