Tiger1962

Wow, I'm amazed that some of you have 3 hour classes. That's fantastic!

A lot of times its not what you say but how you say it that can offend people. If you feel strongly that this information you have is viable and correct, I would approach your instructor privately (not in front of any students) with your documentation that supports your information. Or, you can always word it or mention it as a suggestion. In any case, most instructors (I believe anyway) would be fine with hearing a suggestion about something in class. It is, after all, a business too, and one would think a school owner would at least be open to hearing suggestions even if they don't follow them.

I had to contain myself from jumping up and down cheering for your new student because I am at work - Yes, I agree with Beast. She probably DOES have more experience than she is letting on but my guess is A) she doesn't want preferential treatment B) she doesn't want to be embarrassed in case she forgets some of her prior training along the way C) she isn't going to take any bullying or macho behavior from anyone. Good for her !!! At least she is humble enough to accept being treated as a white belt regardless of how much previous training she's had.

I agree with you. What that site says sounds like something out of a low budget karate movie.

LOL - smart move !

Never eat beans or broccoli prior to taking martial arts class. ('nuff said) Ok, ANY kind of sports-related class !!!

Welcome to the forum !

Welcome - hope you like it here!

Welcome and Happy Friday !

From what I recall when I was a white belt and testing for the next rank, I was really nervous but I don't think it was ANYTHING like when I tested for first dan black belt level. Out of all the rank testings I have had, I was so nervous I almost felt like passing out. I was more nervous testing for first dan than second dan. One would think after all these years I would not be nervous. After I tested, I was SO tired as if I had run a marathon, so I think it was all nerves. Talk about relief!!! LOL Someone once told me that we are nervous because it is something we really want, and trained hard and are trying hard to accomplish something there. If it didn't mean that much to us, we probably would not be nervous. I don't know how true that is and if its true for everyone, but for me, I get nervous when I have taken ANY kind of test (karate, driving, back when I was a student, etc.) I just don't like the suspense of testing.

There are plenty of people with (even worse) various illnesses and conditions, and I have seen people who have handicaps that can still train in martial arts. What I am trying to say is I would not assume the worst. Talk to your doctor and then take it from there. As far as warm-ups go, it is important to warm-up sufficiently no matter what your age is. Not warming up is putting yourself at risk for injuries. Some people may think that the younger you are, the less warming up you will need. Not true. To get your question about the dizziness answered, I'd say talk to your doctor because only he can give you the correct answer knowing your history and background. That's what I would do if this were happening to me.

Dizziness is a symptom of SO many different things, from simple vertigo, to a lack of water to blood pressure and more. That being said, I am a strong advocate of getting an "ok" from a doctor before beginning any kind of exercise program, no matter what a person's age is or how healthy they feel they are. This is also something you will read over and over again in health magazines, health websites, diet and exercise articles, etc. It could very well be nothing serious - maybe you just need more water and are dehydrated or not used to doing what you're doing. But the only way to rule out any concerning issues is to see your doctor, tell him your symptoms, get a physical check-up and then resume your workouts. I've always believed it's better to be on the safe side. Good luck.

Here are some ideas I had: 1) Put up flyers on supermarket bulletin boards, community newspapers, laundromats, etc. 2) Put flyers on windshields of cars in a commuter parking area. 3) Offer a few free introductory classes for adults and have your existing adult white belts take the class also. This should alleviate any intimidation or apprehension potential newbies might have. 4) Offer a free (or low cost) basic self defense class in the evening after people get home from work. Adults like to know how to defend themselves in typical every day situations. 5) Emphasize that the class is adults only and no kids are allowed in the adult class. 6) Offer an open-house type of day on the weekend. Have your lower rank students do demonstrations and have an open question & answer discussion, hand out information, refreshments. Just a few ideas...

I like this one! OMG !!!!!!!!!!

You got your hands full there, eh ?

As a backup, in case he's wearing a cup? Seriously, I'd go for the groin strike first and then the other.

I was cracking up laughing at these pictures. Too funny.

For all styles: what is a typical class like for you in the style you train in ? I know every class might be different, but more or less, from start to finish....give an example. On an ordinary day, mine could go like this: Warm-ups Drills Form practice Self Defense Techniques Sparring The last three not necessarily in that order.

If I was home more, I'd get a dog again...reading all this makes me remember the old days & want one...

Congratulations ! It's a great feeling, isn't it.

What popped into my head as I was reading this was geared more toward street-related self defense. Why not a punch to the groin area? If you are kneeling, you're probably going to be that high anyway (depending on the height of your opponent). I know, you probably can't groin strike someone in class...but that was the first thing that popped into my head in trying to visualize someone in a kneeling position. Your idea of catching the ankle is another one. Another is slamming your fist down on the instep of the foot. If your opponent is injured there, they're going to be hopping and howling in pain and can't attack you again.

Yes, I do have a wavemaster. Interesting that they have something like that and it's a lot more reasonable than the wooden Wing Chun version. I'll have to find a way to nonchalantly see if he would like this version. Thanks for posting that.

I agree with the others. Trainers at my gym have told me that your body needs recovery time which is why they often tell people to work your upper body one day and the next your lower and then alternate. Overworking your body without allowing for recovery is putting yourself at risk for injury. At my peak I trained at the most 4 times a week, no more. And I was sore and tired. Then due to work, etc., and other reasons I had to cut back. But 3 to 4 times a week seems to be the norm from what I hear from other martial artists I know.

Funny you mention this because I've often thought it about it from time to time. Although my husband and I both train, and physically he's bigger and stronger than I, if we were ever in a situation where he was attacked by surprise, I'd definitely jump in to help him. I can not tell you what I would actually "do" per se, in a dangerous situation, but one thing I do know is I would not stand there and do nothing. Case in point: when I was in my early 20's, (no martial arts training), I was in a club with a old boyfriend and another guy was hitting him. Without hesitation, I jumped on the guy's back and I kept hitting and kicking him to get him off of my friend. Luckily the bouncer saw the whole thing and knew the other guy started the fight so we weren't arrested or in trouble. But oddly, it was just my instinct to jump in and help. However, now that I think about it, if the guy had shown a gun, I'm not so sure I would have jumped in so quickly & without hesitation.

Meanwhile I bought this juice over the weekend called "Joint Juice" - funny name, but supposedly if you drink it every day, it's supposed to help your joints and it contains a bunch of glucosamine in it. I got it because I hate swallowing horse-size pills or vitamins so if I can get the supplement in liquid form, all the more convenient. We shall see. The taste is ehhh !