# Tough Times Ahead……AGAIN? - Link: https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/20/blog-tough-times-ahead-again/ - Published: 2021-12-20T11:15:00-05:00 - Author: Brian Johns ## The Most Recent Video Tough times are ahead [AGAIN](https://brianejohns.com/2021/11/29/blog-dark-times-ahead/), with the emergence of the Omicron variant. In these times, we need to look out for each other, especially for those prone to depression. Many are dealing with pandemic fatigue. Look out for those as well. Lift each other up! Just for a few minutes, forget about the tough times for now. Let’s discuss the below video, which continues the stick-to-empty-hand translation theme of the past month. The umbrella block is a mainstay of many FMA systems and is typically used as a shield against overhead attacks. Before making this video, I had been thinking about how to translate the umbrella movement to the empty-hand equivalent. The result is in the video below. See what you think. If you are not able to view the video, click [here](https://youtu.be/Cgk8a1Mpw8s). ## Last Week’s Video I did not blog last week due to a hectic schedule. Hence, I did not have the opportunity to share last week’s video. The video is based on the Modern Arnis left vs. right same-side bait technique. Master Chuck Gauss and Master Ken Smith often teach this technique at camps and seminars. Anyway, here is my take on the [empty-hand translation](https://brianejohns.com/2021/04/05/blog-fma-translations/) of this sequence. If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/IxPkSk9ytbQ). ### While I love stick work, and I would do it all day long, if given a chance, I think it’s essential to translate the movements and attributes of stick movements to practical self-defence moves. This is an area that I have been focusing on quite a bit during this godforsaken pandemic. Thus far, I am happy with the results of my research. I am far from satisfied and will keep exploring this area. Further, I encourage my students to think about “improvised weapons” and empty-hand translations for street self-defence. After all, as I have joked to my students,“ _We are not living in a stick-fighting_ society.” Therefore, I tell my students that it is highly improbable that we’ll encounter a stick fight out there. I emphasize that the lessons one learns from the stick are practical. Hence, transferring the stick concepts to improvised weapons and empty hand techniques is important. On the one hand, my students find it easy to spot and use potential improvised weapons to defend themselves. For example, a tote umbrella is a good example of an improvised weapon. On the other hand, my students need guidance on translating the stick movements and drills to the empty-hand equivalent. Knowing how to do so requires some experience. If one is a newbie, guidance is needed. ## Omicron Following up on the [last post](https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/06/blog-digging-deep-into-single-sinawali/), we have a bit more clarity on the nature of Omicron. Turns out that I was incorrect in my prediction that Ontario wouldn’t do anything. Oh well. Scientists have agreed that (1) Omicron is unbelievably contagious, and (2) It can evade vaccines and infect folks. But vaccines still protect against severe illness. Now, the main topic of debate is whether Omicron is more or less severe than the Delta variant. As of this writing, the debate has not been settled. Scientists agree that more data is needed to answer this question. Further, they seem to agree that the current data is imprecise. We should know more soon. All that said, yesterday, Ontario announced various restrictions effective Sunday, December 19th. We are not going into a lockdown, although that remains a distinct possibility depending on how things turn out. Anyway, martial arts schools and fitness facilities will be affected by the new restrictions. Dojos are now limited to 50% capacity, meaning they will have to rejigger their schedules and move other sessions to an online format. This is more than just capacity limits on martial arts schools. It also impacts the community of each school. ### Many of us attend martial arts classes for the benefits of exercise and learning self-protection, _and being_ _part of a community_. A community is often a bulwark for many against tough times. This is enormously important for all of us as we are naturally social beings. Some folks are more vulnerable to social isolation than others. It would behoove us to look out for each other in these times. I fully believe that checking in with others is consonant with the spirit of martial arts. Don’t assume that others are fine. Make an effort to see that others are okay. That said, if you are in an area that is either locked down or facing restrictions and needs solo training material, I’ve got the perfect playlist of solo training tutorials for you. Yes, a shameless plug! 🙂 Try out the playlist and enjoy! If you are not able to view the playlist, click [here](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBIjNWlvZer-rEebUGbtrS6zo6H8RYtji). ## This Week’s Inspiration This is just fun to watch. This shows that if you put in the effort, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. Enjoy the clip! If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/NrvpHwbuano). ## Additional Reading * [Lock Me Up!](https://brianejohns.com/2022/01/12/lock-me-up/) * [From Pixels to Stick Fighting](https://brianejohns.com/2023/11/15/from-pixels-to-stick-fighting-the-video-game-generation/) * [Dark Times Ahead?](https://brianejohns.com/2021/11/29/blog-dark-times-ahead/) * [Just Do Your Freaking Thing](https://brianejohns.com/2021/05/03/blog-just-do-your-freaking-thing/) * [FMA Translations](https://brianejohns.com/2021/04/05/blog-fma-translations/) ### Share this post: * [ X ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/20/blog-tough-times-ahead-again/?share=twitter) * [ Facebook ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/20/blog-tough-times-ahead-again/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/20/blog-tough-times-ahead-again/?share=linkedin) * [ Threads ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/20/blog-tough-times-ahead-again/?share=threads) * [ WhatsApp ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/20/blog-tough-times-ahead-again/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Email ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/20/blog-tough-times-ahead-again/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Tough%20Times%20Ahead......AGAIN%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Fbrianejohns.com%2F2021%2F12%2F20%2Fblog-tough-times-ahead-again%2F&share=email) * [ Print ](https://brianejohns.com/2021/12/20/blog-tough-times-ahead-again/#print?share=print) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_