Introducing the Core Skills Class (CSC) at maelstrøm
CSC is geared towards maximizing your functional fighting skills in the shortest possible time.
With a focus on solid mechanics, high probability techniques and attributes, and immediate applicability, CSC will ensure you have a solid toolkit in striking, weapons work, and grappling – and a framework to put it all together.
This is not a replacement for the full range of training you get in our primary programs. But if you could only take one class, this would be the one for you.
CSC will also enhance your regular training and be a great supplement to those on the long path to true mastery of the arts.
For more info see the FAQ answers below, or speak to an instructor.
CSC recognizes that the path to martial mastery is a long one and not everyone chooses to walk that road. There is the shorter path – and while it does not preclude eventual mastery, it should lead to optimal practical fighting ability in the least time. In this class, the training provides increased functionality and capacity with the intention to build a better fighter – in the short term. The focus is on key attributes, internalizing core skills, building foundations, and increasing strength, power, and intensity. And of course you can then leverage those attributes into the longer path to mastery too, accelerating your advancement, retention, focus, and skills. The CSC has a blended and open curriculum. This means it will cover a wide range of skills from empty-hand through weapons, from the ground on up. It will also take advantage of the the broad range of skills and arts in the background of your instructors at maelstrøm, so the CSC can introduce you to some new skills and methodologies not always a part of our regular programs. All our classes build a set of combative attributes, so they overlap in many places. The core skills we will focus on in CSC are not different from those in the regular programs, they are just more focused on a practically oriented subset. What that means is a focus on fundamental tools and fundamental skills. And it will be a blend of empty hand and weapons skills, and a blend of all ranges from long range to grappling. Think of it as a re-prioritization of attribute training to bring out different things, quicker, at an earlier time in your training. The classes will likely feel simpler, grittier, more self-defence or street-oriented CSC also has more of a short term orientation. Each class, or short arc of classes, will provide you with material that you can add to your toolbox immediately. Normally a martial art incorporates skillsets that takes years to develop and master and that may not always be combatively functional in the short term. The goal is to help you fight better now. CSC will also seek to broaden the base of attributes and skills and introduce material beyond the range of the main training program. Grappling elements, improvised weapon use, and striking from other arts and approaches may be used. Core skills also include aspects of fitness, stretching, healing and recovery techniques, conditioning, and the like. Core Skills will make you a better fighter faster. Aas well as prepare you for the longer road to mastery. You will often see the same material and methods used in both. For those that are on the long path to mastery, the CSC provides you with a chance to separate out portions of the more complex drills and sequences we work in regular class and really focus down on the fundamental attributes that make it all work. It’s really just a matter of simplifying and paring down in the short term so that you can re-integrate the skills into the regular classes and then re-focus on the bigger picture. It is also a chance to approach things in a different way. Sometimes learning the same core skill from an alternate direction can create those wonderful “eureka” moments that help to crystallize things we have worked on for years via other methods. If nothing else, it’s a great chance to get in the reps needed to build that ever important muscle memory!Why a Core Skills class?
What is different from regular classes?
How does it impact my regular training?