Tiger1962

I get bored too; that's why I always work out with someone. I gotta check out this Crossfit site too.

Thank you for clarifying...Ok, let's see, here goes: My answer for the first question would be: certification, sufficient experience, trained under a highly qualified instructor/teacher, proven his/her capabilities in his knowledge and expertise. My answer here covers a lot of different areas/topics: what would make me happy with their instruction? Being a good motivator in class, able to hold my attention, fair in all aspects and not showing partiality to friends, family members, etc. that might belong to the school; being approachable and available for questioning regarding troublesome techniques; having separate classes for adults and children, knowing their material and being able to back that up. Plus, being a good business person in the mechanics of running the school - meaning, don't raise my tuition if the school is cold as a meatlocker in the winter and stifling like a sauna in the summer. You get the idea.....One must be a good business person in addition to being a good instructor. I mean, that's how you RETAIN students. Also an instructor should continue to train with THEIR own teacher as often as possible to keep current and "fresh" with their training. I could go on but that's the gist of it.

Well. There ya go!

I love it! Jim Carrey always cracks me up.

oh my gosh!

This puzzles me because I once did some research online regarding Japanese food (and most of the names mentioned above are Japanese) and what I read was that Japanese food is one of the THE healthiest ethnic foods because of all the fish and fresh vegetables that is consumed. The main drawback is the high sodium content that is found in some Japanese condiments and dishes. Now if these guys were eating cheeseburgers, quarter pounders or Big Mac's and fries.........different story. Maybe they were Sumo Wrestlers? Now those guys seem to follow an unhealthy diet.....or perhaps all these heart attacks were genetic defects?? Karate is a form of exercise which is supposed to be healthy for you. (My cardio doc gave me the "ok" to do) so unless you're smashing concrete boulders with your head, have a pre-existing condition or working out in extreme temperatures, I don't think it makes you MORE susceptible to heart attacks. (bite my tongue, watch now, I'll get struck down!) I read this book about the Japanese diet that is very interesting called "Japanese Women Don't Get Old Or Fat" and the author's name is Naomi Moriyama. I highly recommend it to become more informed about the Japanese diet.

...and / or list all martial arts related injuries you ever received since you began training. For me I'd have to say illiotibial tendonitis. When I had this, I could barely walk - it was PAINFUL !!!!!!!!

Wow! You hit the nail dead center on the head. I find this SO darn true...I know of a couple situations that fit this description. Very true in some cases and not just for kids, in some adults as well!

Good to hear that !! Rest up and you should feel good as new again soon !

LOL - that's funny! I know what you mean. We were doing the punches so fast and it tells you to duck and block but I felt like that wasn't being registered. Still I felt like I got a good arm workout - - - then again I'm no spring chicken.

..........and I'd hate to be the OLDEST !!

I was curious about the approximate age of the martial artists here on this site. Actually wondering how many of us over 40s are still out there training...just curious. If it's too personal, don't respond. Thanks!

This is true. I was also told by my instructor & several other m.a.-ists that this is true. I also agree again, (because what about people who aren't TALL), however, different m.a. styles dictate what's allowed and what isn't allowed at tournaments. (as everyone probably knows already anyway). Mostly, at the "open" tournaments - almost anything goes.

I favor a side due to an injury however I try to "fake out" my partner and let them believe I'm going to use the other. In any case I answered #3.

Don't have that particular one, but my husband & I got the Wii and we were playing the boxing game and my arms are SOO sore! It's a great workout - I love it.

That's very good - - I don't believe in contracts either and would also refuse to sign one. That being said, *if* I was ever the owner of a school, I wouldn't put a timeline on my students achieving belt / rank promotion. I could give them a very rough estimate, however, it would not be accurate anyway, because everyone progresses at a different rate and if they weren't ready or if they didn't know all their required stuff, they would definitely NOT be promoted. To me, paying one's tuition doesn't guarantee an automatic promotion. (It never did for me anyway). My 2 cents

Wow - that's pretty reasonable to me!

...may I add: whenever you DO make a fist when sparring, do not leave your thumbs sticking out because you become more suseptible to breaking it or scratching your classmate's eyeball.

I used to work with this person so I feel that it might be a bit disrespectful or rude if I asked her "what kind of black belt does your child have" I say "black belt" because that is what she told me. Perhaps its a McDojo kind of school, but I really don't know. All I know is the child is in the second grade, takes Tae Kwon Do and just received his black belt. Go figure. *shrug*

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds and protects the lungs (the pleura). Inflammation occurs when an infection or damaging agent irritates the pleural surface. As a consequence, sharp chest pains are the primary symptom of pleurisy. You want to take care this doesn't turn into pneumonia so take however long it takes to get better. Take your meds and if you feel like you're getting worse call your doctor. Feel better!

Ah, but it is not necessarily a "given" - many assume that because someone is a teacher, they automatically "know" or possess the knowledge to teach. I can honestly say this is not always the case because I have seen a few individuals that are certified instructors or certified assistant instructors and A) can NOT teach for the life of them and B) do NOT remember or know their curriculum. I have actually seen instructors / assistant instructors demonstrate an INCORRECT way to perform a technique or hyung. (for real!) So, it is most certainly NOT always a "given".

Hello & welcome!

Regardless of when it was or the history, if ANYONE wishes to leave their school for whatever reason, they have the right to do so without retribution.

I would be really interested to see that. Thanks!

Patrick, how's the sound quality of those things? I thought about getting one to transfer all my old records over to my mp3 but I keep hearing mixed reactions.