Bo Staffs?

Question

How do you reccommend that i learn how to use a bo staff? There are no teachers in my area, and i am just wondering if there is any reccommendations on ways to train myself in the art of using a bo staff.

Thankyou.

Answer 1

If you are interested in Japanese way of using then I highly recommend http://www.skhquest.com/store/index.php?...

Good luck I hope this helps

Answer 2

Books, or youtube.

It's a good idea to find a partner to train with though.

Answer 3

Hi there

As Mushin and Zenlife have mentioned you should check out Okinawan kobudo, Jujutsu, Aikido and Bujinkan classes. You wont find a stand alone Roshakubo instructor as nearly all weapons arts are taught after you have mastered or have good understanding of unarmed techniques. Weapons are only an extension of your own body movement.

It is possible to learn somethings from books, DVD's etc bit it will just be the basic strikes, kamae and way of holding the bo etc. To really learn it you need to practise against a partner so you can appreciate the distance involved with the use of long range weapons. Bo twirling is fine as long as you understand the real reasons for doing it which you wont get from books or DVD's

If you cant find good instruction you need to work on the basics first which are Good Kamae (stances), Mochkai (ways of holding), Ki hon waza (basic blocks and 10 directional strikes), Furi gata (ways of spinning), then the actual Kata and randori with a partner. There are also locks and throws that can be done with a Bo which are impossible to practise without an experienced uke.

Forget youtube for videos. Its full of garbage You would be far better off buying a DVD that covers the basics. Try searching budovideos.com for Kobudo jutsu, ,jo jutsu or Roshakubo. And keep clear of the XMA stuff which looks fluffy but lacks any real substance.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 4

remember when training with the staff keep it against your body to increase strength you will actually hit yourself during training this is normal also you really should get a partner or teacher as weapon shock (what happens when two peoples weapons meet in training or a fight) can only be tought by dealing with weapon shock

Answer 5

Why on earth would you want to become proficient in this really ancient of Asian weapons.  What do you mean by training, at a local kwoon (chinese for dojo).

Any local CMA school worth it's salt teaches contemporary wushu included the staff, at least up in our area.  I guess you should look for a Taiji or kwoon that teaches Chinese weapons.  There are probably some Japanese schools that teach staff, but since I don't know where you live I can't search.

Why don't you pick something simple and useful, like a knife, club or kuboton. ?

As a sort of forever Taiji student I have learned sword form and found it really fun.  As a guy who loves to play with light sabers, I totally rule.

Answer 6

You can get sound basics from Obata Toshishiros DVD "Bojutsu Tanrendo." It is available from Shinkendo.com.

Answer 7

I would see if I couldnt find some youtube clips, then try an find someone who teaches the stuff in another area thats close.  To make sure that your doing it right, will also give you an advantage.

Answer 8

Seek out a genuine japanese Jiu-jitsu school as they should include Kobudo in their syllabus which stands for weapons art and usually includes the Bo and Jo staffs,Nunchakus,Tonfas,Sai's,Katana, Tanto and Kobutan.

Best wishes :)***

Answer 9

As 'zenlife' has already mentioned, Japanes traditional jujitsu schools do teach weapons (kobudo).  

Aikido schools also teach weapons, so I suggest that you try these.

Good luck!

Answer 10

You cannot train yourself in any martial art. Period. At best you will just be twirling a stick. Sorry.#

EDIT: This is for Hyouden. Don't be silly. The ''first martial arts'' were brought to light by actual battle. If you weren't proficient, you were dead. They didn't develop skills by twirling sticks untrained.

Please, if you don't know what you're talking about, keep your mouth shut when those with experience are speaking.

Answer 11

Well , you can look onlinr for videos, but the chances are they won't be long enough or decent enough quality for you to learn from but I did find this to start you off

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZHqM_6ZS...

Then I'd buy a DVD or two, If you can't find anywhere nearby then that would be your best option, I found this website for you

http://www.ninja-weapons.com/Videos/Mart...

There are 3 or so listed on there incresaing incrementaly in difficulty.

I did a Bo and Jo course about a year ago, was great fun, whenever the sensei demonstrated the moves his bo would make a whistling sound as he struck out. sounded cool! At the time I tried again and again to get mine to do the same to no avail, it was only towards the end of the class did i notice his had a hole at the end for the air to pass through making the sound - cheating b*****d!

Answer 12

Travel to someone that can teach you, or pay for a good instructor to travel to you. It isn't uncommon for a student to go 1 to 2 hours for proper instruction. A teacher giving you good basics allows you to go on your own to practice once you understand the principles.

As simple a looking weapon a bo is, proper technique requires plenty of practice and correction by someone who knows how to teach it.

So many times I watch people use the bo improperly due to self instruction. I have students that get so excited when they are allowed to join our weapons class only to find out that it is extremely difficult and requires a lot of time and dedication. It usually takes months of classes before they become proficient enough to use it as an intended weapon.

Answer 13

By getting one  and training every day. Dont' let people discourage you by their saying nobody can learn without a teacher - history has proven that untrue. If that were the case, then who, I wonder, created the first system of martial arts? Chinese kung fu on the old continent originated from fighters watching how animals interacted in nature and when they were fighting with one another, which through years and generations of honing and training, became five animal styles.

Farmers in feudal Japan, often terrorized by the shogun's samurai and were unallowed to own any weapons at all, developed their own combat skills using their farming tools like scythes and hoe, staffs and even bare hand. They developed it to a degree that the shogun's samurai were killed on many numerous occasions, often by unarmed or scarecely armed farmers and peasants.

There were plenty of "untrained warriors" in the ryu-kyu islands who were highly proficient and feared.

The only limitations a man is to uphold are those that he imposes on himself. Train diligently in mindfulness every day, and you will improve. The only advice that I can offer as someone who has taught and who still studies to this day is that you will need interaction in the form of sparring or step sparring in order to progress properly. Otherwise, you will have little notion how how your weapon will react when you strike or block with it, and how it affects your body.

Outside of that, you are only as limited as you allow yourself to be.