humble monk

I think you did really well. As I said, learn from this, the video is a good tool. Nothing to be ashamed of here, though. Good job!

Michelle Yeoh. Again, purely for her MA talents, not because she's hot or anything.

I agree. Not done carefully, you will crush, not break, but crush a bone. And it doesn't take a whole lot. I was formally taught all the twirly stuff, but discovered your "nutcracker" technique in an old book. For my money, the trap and crush is where this weapon shines.

I think that's how they are most effective, and it seems in most systems that is seldom taught.

An exercise that changed my perspective was actually striking a heavy bag. The bounceback was completely unexpected, and impossible to control. I reccomend anyone who considers these for self defense try hitting something solid first, you may not like what you find. Of course, do so safely.

So what is it about the arts that causes people to develop these unique friendships? The people I have relationships with at the school are unlike relationships in any other corner of my life. Not neccesarily deeper, but no other group relates in this particular way. Things seem more honest in the dojang. And we seem to be equals, despite everyones station in life outside the dojang. And it carries over. We all bow to each other in the grocery store, and laugh about it.

I don't even know what some of this stuff is, but I want it! Regret posting this already, I'm about to go broke. And the neighbors already had raised eyebrows when I was doing simple staff forms in the backyard. This will confirm that I'm crazy to them. But thanks!

Bushido Man is wise, as usual. I think we, and the general public, maybe put a little too much faith in our ability to control every outcome. I was talking to a guy the other day about the arts, and when he discovered I had a black belt, he insisted the law was my hands had to registered as lethal weapons. The more I tried to dispel the myth, the more he insisted it was true. Sadly, when I asked him where he got this, he replied that he had taken some classes, and the instructor told him this. Unless Joe has incredible control of his emotions, and is completely infalible, he is putting himself and the cashier at risk. I personally would have to be completely confident that I could pull this off without injury to the cashier before I'd consider the move.

Thanks! My credit cards are about to hate you, though!

Since back in the day when I would mail order shuriken with my allowance, I've wondered if there was a company that produced authentic MA weapons. Especially Chinese. I am curious what would actually pass as acceptable in a dojo in Japan. I think a nunchaku wiyh a silkscreened ninja on them could get me into trouble.

Not to try to hijack this, but since there are knoledgable people on this subject here, 1) Does a rapier have an edge (edges), or is it solely a thrusting weapon? I've seen museum pieces that appeared to be triangular bars with a point, but no edge. Of course, in the movies, you can slash ropes, candles, etc. with its razor sharp edge. I'm confused. 2) Is there a manufacturer who makes historically accurate yet functional swords. I'm interested in collecting a variety of styles, but not the fantasy/ wallhanger trash. Thanks guys.

I appreciate the comments. Now if I could just figure out how to throw the fireballs, I'd be okay with everything.

Thanks. Afterall, sometimes justice is blind, but that doesn't mean we can't be it's seeing-eye dog.

Good point. I think the head kick KO (sloppy or not) draws an OOOOH from the crowd, as if to say "I can't believe that worked", whereas the side kick that takes out the guy doing the 720 triple spin flying hook kick draws an AWWW, as if to say "You should have known that wouldn't work, but thanks for the effort."

Randy Couture

If it's the thug, BB Joe, and I'm the cashier, you better believe when it goes to trial that I'm saying whatever it takes to vindicate Joe. If Joe saved my life, I'm telling the jury that the bad guy struck Joes hands repeatedly with his forehead.

Maybe he was belt testing that week. I've caught myself doing that.

I like that. Good point.

This, I think, is where we delve into the psychology of the Part time instructor vs. the full time one. The part time guy, and this is just in my experience, has a job that pays the bills. He tends to instruct for the love of the arts, and that love has probably led him to ask the same questions we do. He teaches because he enjoys it, and tends to be a quality teacher because of that. The full time guy has no other job, and therefore depends on the infalibility of the product he sells, which is instruction in his art. I have found that while he tends to have a deeper understanding of the art, he will defend it like a mother bear. He is aware that every art has flaws, but would just as soon not discuss those. All of this is certainly not true of every instructor in either camp. It's more or less the trend I've come to notice, in my experience. My original point was that every school and style has a way of doing things, and I don't really see changing the instructors mind on how they do those things. I wouldn't want to, frankly. Seeking a deeper understanding, sure. Bringing in, even unitentionally, a comparison to another school, seems to be asking the instructor to defend his style. I agree that humility and respect are the keys here. Just my humble .02 cents.

Good point. Often students come from other schools where they've been told "This is the correct and only way to do this technique." It becomes even more confusing when there are huge differences between two schools of the same style. I personally have never felt comfortable putting the instructor on the spot with questions that really have no answer. "Why do you point your foot that way when the guy down the street says it should be this way?" For me the answer is because that's the standard in this school. I guess for me, I'll listen to the instruction, and make my comparisons on my own time.

Excellent post. This is kind of where I'm at in my journey.

Bushido Man has great wisdom!

So hypothetically, you run a school, a kid comes in who you just know is the next Judo champ of the world, and you can tell will struggle with your art. Do you suggest Judo, or begin his training in yours?

Thanks. Everyone has been very nice, and I've already learned alot. Good forum!

Traditional Dan nailed it just as I was getting ready to post. I am never above even my first kata, if that were the case, we could blow off learning them altogether and spend a couple years mastering one black belt form. My instructor does our first form with an intensity and ferocity that conjures images of guys having their bones broken with the blocks and their hearts punched out. I'm not convinced that I've ever done it to perfection, and so I'll never believe that this particular form and I are finished.