sensei8

NO! I'm not a penquin.

Such a deal!!!!! Thats a deal??? 50 dollars for each belt testing?? that is a ridiculous amount? No, it's Free Enterprise!

I hear what's being said here in that his arrest/conviction was many years in the past from his youth and that he's a changed man from it; it was a mistake. Mistakes that can haunt you for the rest of ones life. When a person has done everything right in their life since the mistake, that should count for something, but, then there for all to see is a record and that's what many focus on. Not the good that's resulted from a lesson learnt, but, the focus bears down on the bad in which one can never avoid under a microscope. Working with children NEEDS the type of actions as demonstrated in the article at hand, no matter how unfair it might be in this case, but, children are involved and protecting children IS paramount!

"Emotional content; not anger!" ~ Bruce Lee What do you think Bruce was saying when he uttered those words? Emotions are good if used properly. What are the contents of your emotions? Anger? Sadness? Frustration? Hatred? Joy? Whatever is the content of the emotion; control it, harness it for positive. In your post you write: "...I may break sb's nose or teeth if I don't stop.", this isn't emotional content; it's anger. Anger isn't needed, especially on the dojo floor. Besides, that emotion can get you kicked out of the dojo! Control your emotions. Don't let your emotions get the best of you. If you can't...then don't do the martial arts until you can. Martial Artists strive to re-channel emotions, like anger, fear and frustration, to amplify the power of a strike or kick, or when breaking a brick or throwing an attacker. Kick harder. Punch faster. “Martial” takes precedence over “art”. Unleashing power is only the first stage on the martial path. The next less traveled stage, is the challenge to control the power. This demands meditation and deep contemplation of the consequences of our actions. First, we must control ourselves and to do this we must know ourselves. It's sometimes much more easier said than done; but, it's doable. If you feel overwhelmed, angry or upset, stop for a few minutes. Take a break, or a walk. Calm down before you respond or react. Move and breathe; use breathing and relaxation techniques to calm you. Remember, just as learning a kick or joint lock requires repetition and practice, emotional content requires practice –- keep practicing. I sincerely hope that things work out for the best!

Check this... http://www.martialartsnewsarticles.com/martial_arts_articles/2009/10/the-dojo-of-karate-packs-powerful-punch-with-successful-first-year-in-business-119483.htm This school, imho, is on the right path in what it is that he's doing for the Dojo and his students. I like that he's taking his time with the different programs. I like the concept of the "2 Weeks For $2" and that he limits the availible spots. Your thoughts?

Check this... http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-c-2010-01-25-65023.113122_Mixed_martial_arts_back_in_the_ring.html This is a very important and needed boost for MMA in New York. Your thoughts?

Check this... http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10025/1030989-100.stm?cmpid=latest.xml I agree with the decision made by Northside Leadership Conference, especially when the director said...."But the plain and simple truth is, he does not have the necessary clearances presently." Your thoughts?

I'm complete in my totality! Bruce Lee once said..."Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it."--- I echo his words sincerely exactly! Sure, there are things that I've learnt over the countless years in my style that I'd not even do in the streets for reasons that are personal to me. Every style of the martial arts has things of it that are simply just "stuff" and in that, the true martial arts aspect doesn't even exist. Believing in myself, and I do, must be first and foremost in my being able to defend myself/family/friends. Believeing in my style, and I do, is secondary in that I must be aware of who I am. I must be honest with myself...at all times...about everything! Will I 'win' every situation on the streets...NO! I'm a falable person and in that I can't 'win' all of the time. I don't bring my rank/title to a fight! I bring my heart and my will to survive, but, I also bring my knowledge and experience to bear positive fruits. After all is said and done...I just don't worry about 'it', whatever 'it' might be!

Danielle, You've hit the two main nerve pulses by pointing out "speed"and "strength". Speed of that kick is important to balance, maintained stance 'height', posture, and returning back to the floor. Strength of the supporting leg is important to eliminating the excessive sine wave, maintain balance/posture in the duration of the entire kick, and stabilizing the supporting legs' knee. Also, lets not forget that completely stretching allows that kick to travel to its correct position, which is in front of the supporting legs thigh. If the leg that's doing the kick isn't stretched entirely, then how can the kick reach its final conclusion? It can't! There are many drills/exercises of developing and improving speed and strength for this kick. Here are TWO of my most FAVORITE drills/exercises for these two things. They're my favorite because they both get right to the core of what's being sought after. 1) Speed = Ankle weights!!!! It's just that simple. Work the weights up from 3 pounds to 20 pounds....yes...20 pounds! Once a particular weight becomes to 'light' for you, then go up to the next weight. Continue to do this until you can reach the 20 pound weight and then keep doing that weight until it becomes as though it's not even there. 2) Strength = Buddy method!!!! Buddy method is having someone stand on your thighs and hold onto your shoulders for your Buddy's balance while you're maintaining the Kiba-dachi (Horse Riding Stance) stance. While your Buddy (Another student) is STANDING on your thighs for as long as you can tolerate it, then keep increasing the time of having your Buddy standing on your thighs. THEN, while your Buddy is standing on your thighs, WALK forward, side to side, backwards the entire length of the floor no matter where you're doing this exercise at. If you don't have a "Buddy" FIND one! There are drills/exercises that I do when I'm by myself, but, NOTHING works better than HAVING your BUDDY!!!! For by myself...STAY IN YOUR HORSE RIDING STANCE FOR 1 HOUR MINIMUM!!!! Wear something like a weight vest or a back pack full of large disc weights or something that will provide a tasking weight like sand, rocks, or bricks. Remember this one thing...POSTURE! Maintain your posture during these and any drills/exercises at all times! Try these exercises/drills and in a short time you'll see a noticeable improvement for the best! Don't laugh at them or discount them because they work as barbaric as they might sound.

Feel it! Our eyes can be tricked into seeing something that's not real. Whether it's with a stare or peripheral vision or watching the hips or watching the shoulders/body or whatever; I've used them all from time to time, some more often than others but for me....FEEL IT! Bruce said...."Feel it! It's like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you'll miss all of that heavenly glory!" Don't concentrate on one body part over another because you might be tricked/deceived, therefore, FEEL IT!

Congrats and way to go!

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh....don't tell anybody, but, when I was much younger, my friends and I would wear our lightweight Gi's and just before we'd compete in Kata, we'd wet down the very ends of our Gi pants/tops to get that nice "POP" sound. Being younger and poorer, we couldn't afford the heavywieght Gi's, so we'd "trick-up" our Gi's as mentioned here. Is this "trick" still being done today? I don't know! As a judge, power can be seen through the technique, not by the sound of a mere "POP", but, when I was younger I thought it would help.

...as well as it being a mobile sauna...very hot...but I love it! I like WireFrame's break down....very nice!

For me, that's why I love the international tournaments. These international tournaments ONLY use 'Blue' or 'Red' for EVERY competitor even though the competitors ARE black belts of varying ranks. These international tournament competitors are PROHIBITED/FORBIDDEN to wear there 'normal' Yudansha obi, and if you do, you have mere minutes to correct the error or be disqualified.

I've had my more than my share of injuries, both minor as well as major. Sad things is I've had my share of self inflicted injuries...they hurt my pride more than my body, although my body would differ. Self inflicted? Yeah! Experimenting with new weapon and/or new technique, in which I wasn't well versed in at the time of the injury, but, nonetheless, I paid for my mistakes in more ways than one. Sometimes I DO need more than one brick over my head before I get the point and/or learn my lesson, both for the good as well as for the bad. I can say OUCH in many different languages now......heheheheehehehe

Whether or not if I'd use one kick over another is, for me, more of a personal choice. A personal choice in what I believe works best for me in 'that' situation at hand. While I'm an Okinawan stylist and my style doesn't believe in any kick above the stomach, I can see a jump spinning outside crescent kick work just as well and effectively as a jump spinning back kick because I can do both very quickly and very easily through short range. Pro's and Con's....Is the choice of which kick to use or not to use based on abilities or effectiveness? What a quagmire we find ourselves in from time to time.

This is purely my opinion and it is this. I don't personally see any added benefit of a "corkscrew punch" because the extra amount of 'travel' and/or 'torque' and/or the like, just doesn't seem of any beneficial to a zuki/tsuki. I've experimented with the "corkscrew punch" and I've concluded, for my own reasons, that this particular zuki isn't anymore powerful than a "traditional" zuki/tsuki. In my research of the "corkscrew punch" I've found that what can be accomplished by a "corkscrew punch" can be achieved by a simple tate-zuki, vertical fist punch, but, with more penetration as well as more power and damage to the target. Is my research a difinitive finding? No! It's of and for my own! What works for one, doesn't always work for another! The "corkscrew punch" worked for Kid McCoy, but, it certainly didn't work for me because for me; it's an unnecessary added motion, especially when more can be delivered, imho, by tate-zuki.

Yeah...I hear what you're saying as far as the crescent kick being a foundational kick in many styles of the martial arts. Foundational for me isn't the same as functional. Many times what is in Kata and Bunkai, including Oyo, doesn't always mean that any said techinque will work on the street. Yet, to be able to have 'it', crescent kick [inside, outside, spinning, jump spinning], available if I need it, well, it's better than nothing...at times. I've seen TKD use a crescent kick from a clinch, and use the crescent kick quite effectively, both in national and international tournaments. I love the kick and I'm very solid with it, but, I'd not use the crescent kick in the streets as a first choice.

Congrats! Way to go!

This kick in Karate is called Nami-gaeshi, returning wave kick. And as you've already discovered, it's a very difficult kick to perform. The Karate Kata,Tekki Shodan, utilizes this very kick. Many students incorrectly slap the instep against the inside of the thigh. The foot should travel to the front of the thigh to block of deflect a kicking attack. The Tekki Kata should be practiced assiduously in order to promote flexibility and lower body strength. To maintain a strong Kiba-dachi, Horse Riding Stance, with accurate posture and to avoid bobbing up-and-down requires much lower body strength. Performing Nami-gaeshi involves raising the sole of the foot in front of the body while being supported by just one foot, requiring great skill and balance. To perform this technique without significantly raising your body is very difficult, so when a beginner can perform this effectively, they will begin to fully appreciate the benefits of this kata. Some tips that might help: A) Shorten your stance slightly B) STRETCH COMPLETELY C) Keep knees bent D) Perform drills and the like to develop lower body strength E) The hips must be well set Hopefully these tips might help you. So I can help you more exactly, just what difficulties are you having...exactly? Performing this kick is one thing, but, to truly master it requires a life-time!

Mark Coleman vs. Randy Couture..........Couture Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen..........Marquardt Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago..................Swick Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller...................Maia Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg....................Serra Justin Buchholz vs. Mac Danzig.............Danzig Melvin Guillard vs. Ronnys Torres.........Guillard Rob Emerson vs. Phillipe Nover............Emerson Phil Davis vs. Brian Stann....................Stann Tim Hague vs. Chris Tuchscherer..........Hague Rolles Gracie vs. Mostapha Al Turk.......Gracie

ABSOLUTELY! Very good post! Without CONTROL; the martial arts is nothing but barbaric!

Please remember that what he does is HIS interpretation(s), therefore, it's not necessarily yours. Abernathy has great things to impart to all of us, but, please, find your own interpretation(s) and make it yours.

It's just a title, yet, it's one I'm proud of. NO! It's a want, not a need. I want to be a martial arts instructor, but, I don't need to be a martial arts instructor. It, the world, would be just fine. People don't need the martial arts, therefore, they don't need martial arts instructors. To just mention a few, people need a job, people need utilities, people need food, people need a home, and people need medication; but people don't need the martial arts.

NO! Don't you want your punches to have kime and be strong? YES! Ability to block when necessary is an important part of any Martial Arts. If one can't block for one reason or another then the only alternative is to not be there when said technique reaches target by....ducking or something. NO! Yes, we should be careful as to not hurt one another while sparring or whatever because that's not why we're at the Dojo. However, ACCIDENTS do occur. I sincerly doubt that you "hurt" your Dojo mates on purpose, therefore, just spar. I'm sure that your sensei doesn't allow his students to intentionally hurt one another. Contact WILL HAPPEN no matter what and when dojo mates clash with one another, that contact is magnified and yes, it leads to injuries. If your sensei feels that you're wrong, he'll address it right then and there. As you gain both the experience and the knowledge; injuries will be avoided, but, even then, accidents happen. Listen, I've been doing this for 45 years now and when I spar with other Dojo mates of equal rank, we clash, we hit, and sometimes we have to duck. But, I never worry about my kime and power because when you spar me and you're equal in rank to me...You better have control and know how to block and you better know how to hit and you better know how to formulate tactics and strategies because I'm here to IMPROVE my skills and I want to be tested at full power. If I get hit...well...I should've blocked.