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Matt Thornton review of PAW
P.A.W. Review
I received a set of the new Play As the Way videos about a Month ago. I wanted to offer a review asap, but I have no interest in simply putting out a random collection of accolades, especially considering the fact that Luis is a close friend.
So instead I watched the series a couple times, and let it sit with me a bit.
After doing that for a few weeks. I watched the series a couple more times. I thought at that point I had a pretty good review, could lay the importance of the material on paper. But apparently I was wrong, because instead of writing the review I watched the entire three tape series another time. And I guess that is the essence of the review. I have personally put these tapes in the VCR countless times now, for one reason, they are just great FUN to watch. And I cannot really imagine a better, or more honest review then that.
Most of the time when you receive an instructional series you watch it once or twice, gather the technical data you want from it, and then move on. If you receive one or two good moves, drills, or ideas from it, then that is a good series.
These tapes are different from that.
A few people have already offered technical analysis of the material on them, so I wont bother with that. What I will instead tell you is that what these tapes offer is much more then an Alive children's curriculum. It's all there, drills, ideas, concepts, even movements. But if that is what you take from this video series then you are short changing yourself from a much bigger picture.
Children are raised in a society that is constantly forcing upon them it's own highly dysfunctional views of testing, measurement, value, worth, achievement, goal setting *, and a host of assorted nonsense. All designed to "help" the child find his or her "place". Or more properly put, allow society to put the child in "it's" place. As children are often viewed as a commodity.
*I realize there are people that place value on 'goal setting', achievement, and consumption. (Buy-sell-need-want-achieve-fail-gain-lose-hold-release-buy-want-need-"what's your six month goal man!" Just turn on the tv and see the lunacy). And if adult humans wish, or 'believe' they choose to live like that, so be it. But to place that pressure, and madness upon 5-12 Year old children is in my opinion blatantly selfish and destructive.
Sadly, Martial Arts often cater to this need in children by immediately putting them in a 'system' that is based upon hierarchy, belt ranks, titles, measurement by accumulation, and pressure.
More stress and fear from a group of adults conditioned to react, "achieve", and perform like donkeys. Moved by the carrot in front of their little cart that is called desire, and speed along by the whip at their back called fear. (*Note: It's very important you keep your mind completely busy with chatter at all times so you never notice the reality of suffering that is involved in being strapped to this cart!)
Step out of that paradigm into sports, and you think you would be in a healthier environment. But then again, how many of us have seen the fathers, or even mothers on the sidelines yelling at their children to "win", "hit the ball!", or "score" the takedown. More pressure, more fear, more desire. And even if that is not present, and the parents are more evolved then that, their is still a social environment of younger insecure males who use athletics as a form of social measurement, and "self" definition.
Again succeeding in taking the real value and meaning of athletics completely out of the equation. And replacing it with more aggressive posturing, judgments, stress, and garbage. A completely superficial level of thought patterns, and way of existence.
So how to proceed without adding more of that nonsense, pressure, and stress to what are our kids already have to deal with on a daily basis?
This is where the real value of PAW comes in. Take the pressure off, put the fun back in, and all of the sudden performance exceeds all expectations as it becomes a by product as opposed to a form of false identification.
In that sense, and more PAW not only represents a solid, functional, and HEALTHY way to teach children. But in my view it represents the future paradigm for the entire Organization of the SBGI, it's adults included. That is not a sales pitch, or a compliment, just a fact.
So if you like the beauty of Alive training. Or if you enjoyed any of my tapes. Or you have trained at an SBGI Gym, or event, and enjoyed the entire experience. Then this set is for you. It will spotlight in a very real way exactly where the entire Gym is headed. Take advantage of your chance to see that ahead of time.
Plus, they are just plain entertaining.
You can order P.A.W. through www.onedragon.com
Sincerely
-Matt Thornton
I received a set of the new Play As the Way videos about a Month ago. I wanted to offer a review asap, but I have no interest in simply putting out a random collection of accolades, especially considering the fact that Luis is a close friend.
So instead I watched the series a couple times, and let it sit with me a bit.
After doing that for a few weeks. I watched the series a couple more times. I thought at that point I had a pretty good review, could lay the importance of the material on paper. But apparently I was wrong, because instead of writing the review I watched the entire three tape series another time. And I guess that is the essence of the review. I have personally put these tapes in the VCR countless times now, for one reason, they are just great FUN to watch. And I cannot really imagine a better, or more honest review then that.
Most of the time when you receive an instructional series you watch it once or twice, gather the technical data you want from it, and then move on. If you receive one or two good moves, drills, or ideas from it, then that is a good series.
These tapes are different from that.
A few people have already offered technical analysis of the material on them, so I wont bother with that. What I will instead tell you is that what these tapes offer is much more then an Alive children's curriculum. It's all there, drills, ideas, concepts, even movements. But if that is what you take from this video series then you are short changing yourself from a much bigger picture.
Children are raised in a society that is constantly forcing upon them it's own highly dysfunctional views of testing, measurement, value, worth, achievement, goal setting *, and a host of assorted nonsense. All designed to "help" the child find his or her "place". Or more properly put, allow society to put the child in "it's" place. As children are often viewed as a commodity.
*I realize there are people that place value on 'goal setting', achievement, and consumption. (Buy-sell-need-want-achieve-fail-gain-lose-hold-release-buy-want-need-"what's your six month goal man!" Just turn on the tv and see the lunacy). And if adult humans wish, or 'believe' they choose to live like that, so be it. But to place that pressure, and madness upon 5-12 Year old children is in my opinion blatantly selfish and destructive.
Sadly, Martial Arts often cater to this need in children by immediately putting them in a 'system' that is based upon hierarchy, belt ranks, titles, measurement by accumulation, and pressure.
More stress and fear from a group of adults conditioned to react, "achieve", and perform like donkeys. Moved by the carrot in front of their little cart that is called desire, and speed along by the whip at their back called fear. (*Note: It's very important you keep your mind completely busy with chatter at all times so you never notice the reality of suffering that is involved in being strapped to this cart!)
Step out of that paradigm into sports, and you think you would be in a healthier environment. But then again, how many of us have seen the fathers, or even mothers on the sidelines yelling at their children to "win", "hit the ball!", or "score" the takedown. More pressure, more fear, more desire. And even if that is not present, and the parents are more evolved then that, their is still a social environment of younger insecure males who use athletics as a form of social measurement, and "self" definition.
Again succeeding in taking the real value and meaning of athletics completely out of the equation. And replacing it with more aggressive posturing, judgments, stress, and garbage. A completely superficial level of thought patterns, and way of existence.
So how to proceed without adding more of that nonsense, pressure, and stress to what are our kids already have to deal with on a daily basis?
This is where the real value of PAW comes in. Take the pressure off, put the fun back in, and all of the sudden performance exceeds all expectations as it becomes a by product as opposed to a form of false identification.
In that sense, and more PAW not only represents a solid, functional, and HEALTHY way to teach children. But in my view it represents the future paradigm for the entire Organization of the SBGI, it's adults included. That is not a sales pitch, or a compliment, just a fact.
So if you like the beauty of Alive training. Or if you enjoyed any of my tapes. Or you have trained at an SBGI Gym, or event, and enjoyed the entire experience. Then this set is for you. It will spotlight in a very real way exactly where the entire Gym is headed. Take advantage of your chance to see that ahead of time.
Plus, they are just plain entertaining.
You can order P.A.W. through www.onedragon.com
Sincerely
-Matt Thornton
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