doug_kissaki

What were everyone's opinions of the new Karate Kid movie? The original was the catalyst for me getting back into the dojo after having quit as a green belt. So that movie will always be special to me. I thought the remake was a better movie as far as sheer entertainment value, but with the original I came out of the movie thinking "I could do that". I don't believe I would have thought that even at a young age following the Jaden Smith version. I enjoyed the movie, but it won't be going on my list of all-time favorite martial arts films.

This topic really gets under my skin. I guess because I put so little stock in the color belt people wear. I could *almost* see this person taking issue with the amount of experience you have and telling you that it takes years of experience to really understand what you are talking about (I don't necessarily agree, but I could see the point of view). But had you trained for a long time but never bothered to test for a belt, I think your ability and experience would be far beyond a new white belt. So I have to agree with Jeffrey. Don't worry about it.

I have trained for the last 10 years under an 8th dan. He doesn't particularly care for titles. He travels around the world teaching seminars and says he can always tell the one in the room with the "master" title... it's the one who isn't training.

There's a reason that you don't see too many of the crazy acrobatic kicks even in sparring matches let alone real fights. Because they really don't work in most real situations. Yeah, you could get lucky and distract someone with acrobatics right before your foot takes there head off. But you could get just as lucky taking off your shoe and throwing it. I agree with TomCat. I suppose you could devote your life to mastering every kind of kick there is, but your training time would serve you much better to work on other things instead. However, if you have the time to master all the kicks, let me know... I'll be first in line to see your movie!

That's interesting that someone jumped all over you for calling yourself an "advanced whitebelt". It almost sounds like someone trying to make themselves feel better by putting you down. He saw the word "advanced" and somehow thought you were trying to exaggerate your experience. I would have seen that same phrase and read it as you saying "I recognize that I am a novice, but I have been in the dojo and I do know what it's about".

I have posted before that my favorite karate movie is "The Karate Kid". I'm sure everyone here already knows, but I just saw that they are re-making the movie. Jayden Smith (Will Smith's son) is going to be Daniel and Jackie Chan is going to be Mr. Miyagi

I found this question quite interesting. And since it seemed that I was coming down on the opposite side of the argument, I discussed it with my Sensei to get his opinion. He actually discussed the topic in his web TV show. He can be a bit abrasive as he tends to speak his mind, but in my 20+ years of training, he is probably the most knowledgeable martial artist I've ever met. See his response here... https://www.kissakikai.com/vidsmpl.php

It seems this discussion has taken a turn from the original question. I want to discuss your instructor's treatment of you in a separate post. As for respect for my belt... I have studied under several senseis. I have respected every one of them greatly because they earned that respect. I respect the dojo because it is my place of learning and I respect it like I respect my own home. I respect other students (of any level) because of their hard work and determination. A belt, however, is merely a piece of cloth. It identifies my level to other students... period. It always makes me nuts when people think it's necessary to artificially create a level of respect for things that don't warrant it. My belt falling on the floor does not reflect at all on my opinion of my sensei, my dojo, or myself. To quote Pat Morita... "belt mean no need rope to hold up pants"

I agree with you completely. But while physical fitness is more important in running away, the skill is more important for making the escape... and that comes first.

There is no doubt that both components are essential. But the original question was which is more important. If you're in a self defense situation, you'd hope the entire encounter is over in less than 30 seconds.

I'm going to actually go the opposite way as everyone else. In a toe-to-toe fighting situation, or in a tournament, yes, I believe that fitness is more important. However, in a self defense situation a person with superior skills will be able to deliver strikes that are effective regardless of strength or endurance. This is why martial arts can be effective for small women and old people.

Excellent example, Shawn. For those familiar with the kata, that is actually the bunkai for the opening moves of Ninjushiho.

Again, using this technique simply as a block is not effective. It is virtually impossible to stand in place and use your arm to block a leg unless you are much bigger than your opponent. If blocking a kick you must shift your body out of the way. The "down block" is very effective as a bread from a grab or even a throw.

That's definitely the right attitude. We always tell new students that if all they want is a black belt, we'll sell them one for $25 and save them a lot of time and money.

This response echoes something that I just posted in a different discussion. The rising "block" is actually a very effective technique. However, what you are considering as a block is not really the block in that technique. Most of us, when we learned this technique learned to first extend the other arm and then bring the "blocking" arm up to the outside of the "non-blocking" arm. The fact is, that the "non-blocking" arm is, in fact the blocking arm. What you are considering the block is actually a counter. It is used to either further deflect the original attack, strike the attacker, or unbalance them. I agree it is not something that is terribly useful in sparring, but I have seen the "rising block" used VERY effectively in self defense scenarios to strike the attackers throat, hit the pressure point on the back of the arm, or simply push them off balance.

I have to agree that almost all real blocks are done open handed. Many people miss the point of the techniques that we learn as rising blocks, forearm blocks, and down blocks are not actually blocks at all. In fact, the hand/arm movement just prior to the "block" is actually the block. What many consider the block in a controlled dojo environment is actually used after blocking the attack to further deflect the attack, strike, or unbalance the opponent.

It's good to keep aiming at something, but it really shouldn't be the stripes on your belt you are after. Look up to someone for their ability, not their rank.

That was an interesting video. We often talk about the benefits of getting low while fighting and this is just one reason why.

What this guy demonstrates as a "hybrid" kick is what I had always learned as a regular front kick. As I understood things coming up, the hip extension is necessary for power in a good kick and it's always bad to have your front kick simply traveling up using your knee as a fulcrum.

On what styles is Hon-Shin-Do based?

Hikite is simply the pulling of the non-punching hand back to the hip (or ribs) while punching.

I am the only one in my family who trains. I tried to get my son into it, but he doesn't have the interest yet.

The key is not so much how long you work on something at one time but that you come back and work on in many different times. I find that after I have worked on something for a while, even though I may no longer be working on it physically, it is still on my mind. After giving it some time to sink in to my brain (a day or so) I find I am better the next time I work on it.

All three of these have one thing in common... bent knees. If you are going to move, the first think you have to do is bend your knees.

Oh, and one other thing... I am personally a big fan of fitness water (my personal favorite is Propel). I read an article one time that said the tendency when drinking plain water is to stop drinking when you no longer feel thirsty. When drinking flavored waters, people tend to drink much more. I know that if I have just plain water, I may drink a bottle or two during the course of the day, but I will easily go through 4 or 5 large bottles of Propel