sensei8

Solid...congrats!

Mainly, I expect/require from any guest, whether their a parent or not, is to not disturb any class in session. This includes, but not limited to, not shouting out instructions to students in class---this is inappropriate and not their place!

Tony brings up some very important technical aspects of stance work that should be noted; very solid. When I say that a stance is just a stance, it shouldn't be taken literal. A stance is critical and a solid stance is very important to the whole make up of the practitioner. Without practicing and understanding the technical aspects of every stance, then a stance is NO longer a stance. I approached this topic in very simplistic terms while Tony hit the topic in very technical terms, both critical to one beginning to understand stances and the like. Just relax and let the stance become natural, as natural as possible.

Not looking at your feet while transitioning from one stance to another is very important because your eyes should be focused on your opponent(s). Practicing is the key to everything because practice makes perfect. Not looking at your feet while practicing is akin to someone learning how to type without looking at the keys. One of the drills used by type teachers is to cover the keys with a sheet of paper so that one can learn just where the individual keys are touch. Hence, we've got the mirror to act as our piece of paper, we "feel by touch" where our feet should be in each particular stance. Pretty soon, one would remove that piece of paper because one would know proper foot placement in any said stance. One of the drills that I have my beginner students do is just that---transitioning from one stance to another, and I'm not referring to kata, while that does work as well, but, to move/transition from one stance to another without looking down, making sure that their posture and balance is positive. And doing this drill while facing a mirror helps in doing just that. Always remember the instructions of your instructor while practicing at home, and this is why it's critical for students of any level to keep a log of what the "key points" are. Just as soon as the class ends, jot down every "key point" while it's fresh in your mind. After that, don't make a mountain out of a mole-hill because after-all, their just stances and their nothing to get worked up about. Yeah, at first it appears impossible until muscle memory kicks in, and it will kick in, but it's just a stance. One more thing, just get into whatever stance you want to without even thinking about it at all....just assume the stance. Now, don't move, admire it and look at it, but don't look now...you went right into the stance. Now, adjust it, fix it, and analysis it. Keep doing this and before you know it, WHAM, you're getting into every stance without thought and you will just know it WITHOUT looking, that you stance is correct and solid across the board!

Ouch! Disrespected for the whole world to see...or sing! Ouch!

Awesome. It shows that one's junk is someone else's treasure! I'm sure everyone who might still own an NES of one type or another, is right now looking to cash in...I would!

I can testify as to just how hard it is to win at a game of HORSE, but, I'm no Michael Jordan. The game of HORSE appears to be difficult for Michael Jordan...too! Check this out... http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Gerald-Henderson-is-better-than-Michael-Jordan-a?urn=nba,225258

PD...CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

Imho, there's no better way of testing oneself than by going outside of ones own style. Curious!

Even though this comes from 2007 and 2008, I thought they'd be nice to see....enjoy them.... http://www.empiremediallc.com/PointByPoint.html

How young for a Shotokan black belt? Check this out... http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1093481_worlds_youngest_karate_kid

For no special reason, it's just what I selected for this thread. Cool?

There's a wonderful quote from Marianne Williamson ... "Our deepest fear is not thar we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us." How does this, if at all, speak towards and/or about the Martial Arts and us as practitioners of the Martial Arts?

When executing gyaku-zuki (reverse punch), the wrist obviously plays a very important role due as to WHEN the wrist begins IT'S rotation. Of course, many other things, beside proper wrist rotation, must be performed and in concert for this tecnique to be its most effective. The difference, imho, between an effective punch and a push is very subtle at its best. A few questions: >Concerning only the wrist rotation; Just exactly WHEN should it occur? >What are some of the disadvantages for starting the wrist rotation too early? >What are some of the disadvantages for starting the wrist rotation too late? What I've layed down here should be enough to start our discussion. What are your thoughts?

Way to go GeoGiant...way to go!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely! Whenever in doubt, always ask your instructor!

Good luck...relax...and have fun!

Good luck....and just relax...you'll be fine!

Lets change the hypothetical question again. Same parameters, but, now this competitor is wearing a black belt with six or seven rank indentifiers. Could the reason that this competitor won 4 Kata Grand Championships was that this competitors Kata's were that solid, or, was it because this competitor was wearing a black belt with six or seven rank indentifiers? Could those judges have been "obliged' by seeing the six or seven rank indentifiers, thus, giving high marks because of rank?

Yes, this is just a hypothetical.

There's a local TKD dojang that REQUIRES those who aren't students, parents and guests, to bow in and bow out whenever one enters or leaves through the front door. The front door! Well, I'd politely refuse. Why? I'm paying 'X' amount per month/quarter for my kid, and not me, to attend this dojang and I'd feel I was being forced to bow. Respect should be earned, not forced on! What do you require from your parents and guests?

I believe that bowing to ones Sensei OUTSIDE of the dojo isn't determined entirely by culture and the like. Yet, more by ones own value standards and the like. I know that my Soke and my Dai-Soke would be very upset at me if I bowed to them outside of the dojo, especially if I did while we were at the local Wal-Mart or 7-Eleven. To them, the bow must be justified as to the means. When in Rome....or not.

Great solid points! For me, concrete still remains an undesired texture. Nonetheless, you still bring up some solid points. Wet Concrete is a oxymoron for me.

Good points thus far. Lets change the hypothetical from an open tournament TO an International Tournament, i.e. ISKF or AAU, and everything else in the hypothetical remains constant...could it EVER happen....then? At an ISKF tournament, for example, the following would have to be followed to the nth degree... (b) Types of Kata to be performed (i) Shitei kata: Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Godan and Tekki Shodan. (ii) Sentei kata: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Enpi, and Jion (iii) Tokui Kata: Choice of contestant, but may be restricted based on age and/or rank. Could the hypothetical EVER happen?

For the sake of discussions.... Out in the elements, in a self-defense situation, one must consider one's topography at the very moment of an unwanted onslought in anyone's strategies and tactics. There are two sides to any topography: A desired one and a undesired one! The good/bad news is that a wide variety of events are subjected to change, including the topography. Therefore, if you find yourself standing in an undesired topography, it's your job to find a more desired one to stand your ground. On the same note, if you're in a desired topography, it's your job to remain in that to stand your ground. Topography and its textures can be used for your advantage as well as to your disadvantage, being able to recognize either very quickly and adapt/change immediate are vitally important. Is there a hill near me? Is there a slope near me? Is there a recessed area near me? These are just some things to consider, but, they shouldn't be ignored. Anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that can be used to your advantage---USE IT! I think we can all agree with one thing....proper footing is right at the top of the list. Footing must be sure and true! Footing must be solid and stable! Footing! Weather! Weather affects all types of textures within ones topography. Where one texture acts differently on a hot dry day, but, how does that particular texture act when it's on a cold wet day, is of concern. Grass is good on a hot dry day, but, add rain, then welcome to the greenest skating rink. Even the most desired topography texture can turn into the most undesired when the elements are playing havoc. If one's well versed on ground grappling, then, when the topography textures are neither desired or undesired, go to the ground and do what's needed to survive. If you're not that well versed in ground grappling, go to the ground anyway but, do it on your terms instead of having the topography textures force you when you're contours are against you. One last point. Shoes! What shoes one wears react differently depending on the topography textures. Dress shoes have hard sole and become very slippery on many textures. Tennis shoes provide better traction because of the tread/rubber soles on many textures. Dress for success!!! Here's what I like/dislike-----> DESIRED TOPOGRAPHY: >>Asphalt/Blacktop. *Asphalt/Blacktop is sticky and sticky is good. UNDESIRED TOPOGRAPHY: >>Cement. *Just a little drop of sweat/moisture makes cement as slippery as ice. What are your desired/undesired topography and why?