sensei8

I've one word...JAM!! A TKD's worse nightmare.

The honorary BB is a nice sentiment, but it's often misunderstood by its receivers. They think there really are that, when they're not at all.

Indeed they are!!

Yes, they should. Why? It's part of a karateka's training, and in that, it's not age restrictive, imho. No, imho, a 10 year old shouldn't be a BB, but training in Jiyu Kumite ISN'T the same thing. Train in it, and trian hard UNDER the supervision of said instructor.

Welcome to KF!! Swimming, running, jogging, rowing, circuits, and on and on. Point is that anything that benefits ones MA betterment should be experienced across the board. Many karateka's only do kata to supplement training, and I can see their point, however, and while kata can provide an excellent work-out, other things must challenge ones core. I hope you find the supplement that does increase your MA betterment.

For all things considered...No, it's not steep, imho!!

To condition or not to condition...Whose choice IS that??

Everything, and I mean everything has its disadvantages whenever it fails, even if it's just for that moment alone!

Solid post!!

That speaks in volumes, imho.

Kata isn't for everyone, however, that shouldn't mean that kata's ineffective. Different strokes for different folks.

How would YOU say that Yoga differs from Pilates? I ask because I've not much experience and/or knowledge concerning Pilates other than what I've read from time to time.

5 years!! That's quite along time. Worthy of its recognition. As Patrick has eluded to, Alex's "levelheadedness" has earned this recognition from his fellow KF members. I've always enjoyed his forthrightness in his posts, and his posts, at times, have not equal. They're full of his noted knowledge, and after all, it's the knowledge that all MAists seek over anything else tangent. Congrats Alex on your 5 years on staff at KF!! I will always respect you across the board. Thank you for all that you do here at KF!!

I keep forgetting that BestBuy has that type of stuff. That's what I get from living in a cave, and not venturing much out. Thanks for that Gareth!! What's too much to pay for something of quality?

Pie and ice cream, on the other hand... Lol!!

Solid post!!

Besides my Shindokan ranks, I've a green belt in TKD under GM Young Ik Suh, and I "claim" it, when necessary, because I earned it. Yes, imho, it's disrespectful to wear said rank at other dojo's without the expressive permission of said dojo/governing body.

Solid post!!

Solid post!!

I wholeheartedly concur here!!

It saddens me whenever I read that Kumite isn't done much, and even more sadden when I read that the karate dojo isn't engaging in the three K's [Kihon, Kata, Kumite] because one without the other is fruitless for a karateka betterment. Learning one or two of the three K's is akin to a three legged stool trying to stand on its own with only 2 legs; unproductive!! Now, nobody should get hurt when training and that includes Kumite. However, things do happen when two are engaging in these type of training activities. Accidents while kumite aren't intentional, however, contact will happen in a no-contact school. But I don't know how one can engage without some type of resolved contact, at least some type of patty-caking from time to time. Can't learn transitioning without transitioning!! Can't learn timing without caused timing!! Can't learn engaging without engaging!! Can't learn how to respond without being attacked!! These things, and then some, must be a karateka's baptismal in fire if ones going to protect oneself. Can't learn how to move if one doesn't move!! Address said fear of kumite by engaging. Future Events Appearing Real, and if your fear appears real to you, then the learing curve has stopped dead in its track, and your said fear has won!! Let the challenge of Kumite envelope said karateka so that they can experience Kumite's totality!! When an opponent attacks, one better know what options and opportunities might be available for them, and if not, one better be a track-star. Kihon by itself isn't enough!! Kata by itself isn't enough!! Kumite by itself isn't enough!! However, of the three, without knowing any better, I'd wrap Kumite around my mindset so at least I have some type of fighting chance. Still, a karateka must believe in the three K's before one can absorb its benefits. Imho!!

Nice!! Borrowing ones force is a well known concept with many styles of the MA. Thank you for sharing it.

Thank you!!

Yoga can challenge a student in ways that they had never thought about. And that's a good thing because we all need to be challenged often.