KickChick

I am slated to see alot of concerts this summer. Lots of big names touring this year! Have you heard the Rolling Stones are coming around for 300.00 USD a ticket??? .... sorry, can't afford you!!!! This past year I have seen ... Alanis Morrisette, Elvis Costello (yeah well, O-town), Natalie Merchant and going to see the 1st show of their tour --- RUSH next Friday in Hartford CT. Also waiting for my tickets for Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth on tour in August here! What about you guys???

Bravo Martial_Artist! Being given a false sense of having the ability to defend yourself (from just being taught kata as you say) is entirely wrong for any martial arts institution. But also if one feels an added self confidence attained from their well-rounded course of study then courage comes from their skills, knowledge, and confidence gained through this training. (although they may not be a "fighting warrior"). Of course, as you say people begin their studies for reasons such as physical fitness or discipline, but one of main reasons they should begin the study of martial arts is for combat/fighting/self defense (a fear of crime), primarily a fear of crimes that may be committed against themselves or their families. This fear of crime may come from many different sources. I have enjoyed your posts and your insights very much. Now I feel very small and insignificant in your shadow. _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF) Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-06-21 09:58 ]

I'll point you in the direction of a good site regarding diabetes and sports/exercise. http://www.diabetes-exercise.org/ I've heard of people involved in the martial arts wearing insulin pumps so I don't see why you cannot perform.

Wow .... when I saw the thread "Street Fight" I never thought it was on KarateForums Avenue .... C'mon boyz .... get back on track here ... talk about your hostile situations! per Kickmaster

Hey Bitseach .... good work! Totally agree .... Sounds like you just went beyond your limit Hiya .... remember to breathe properly too!

All in all .... you have to view "kata" as a training tool in the martial arts. There are many training ideologies that one may feel are useless and yet in all actuality they are not! That is how I personally feel. Kata training offers a link to tradition and helps students bring a sense of dignity and honor back into their lives. In Tae Kwon do, the main problem that arises when instructors teach only fighting techniques is that students forget the basic spirit of TKD which is to seek peace first, and use force only as a last resort. By stressing defensive techniques, patterns help promote the proper attitude in students. The study of patterns also helps students realize a sense of inner achievement, instead of outer victory. Since only a few students ever achieve outer victory which is the winning of trophies at tournaments, for example...the majority of students are, in effect, being left out of the loop. Patterns give them a way back into the loop. I like what 1970 Black Belt Instructor of the Year Ki Whang Kim mean't when he said "Forms are the very soul of karate. They are what make karate an art.'" Kata help salvage fighting techniques (and the philosophy behind them) that are essential if martial "arts" is to remain, in any real sense, a martial art, or even an "art" at all. Along the way, the study of forms also offers students stability and gives them a lifelong challenge to improve themselves. And it is in things that last for a lifetime that you can find the most meaning.

Seems we are wssting time here .... Let us now return to the topic .... "Kata -- is it a waste of time?"

No I agree Withers ... I was just giving Laurie advice on how to work on those side splits for her side kicks. Actually being able to perform a side split does help with the height of your side kick. Although the lengthening of muscles does occur when stretching to allow for flexibility it may not be the only way (for most people) to achieve a full split as you stated.

A great public misconception is that all black belts are experts. This is understandable since people's knowledge of the martial arts comes mostly from movies and TV. This is compounded by the fact that some novice black belt holders advertise themselves as experts, and, eventually, even convince themselves they are experts. If you are a black belt, you must always perform techniques properly, not matter how tired you are. Black belts should never just go through the motions of performing a technique or pattern, they must always execute techniques and patterns with precision, power, and enthusiasm. If you are not willing to do you best at every class, either return the black belt or do not come to class. At any age ... being a black belt is an awesome responsibility, if you are not ready to accept this responsibility, then don't accept or even keep the black belt.

Absolutely! I agree Somehow I think it's a losing battle (the direction martial arts is taking nowadays) you are fighting MA ... but keep on fighting (somehow I know you and others will!) _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF) Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-06-20 07:51 ]

Actually, when doing v-stretch ) forehead to knee style .... really you should be bringing your chest to thigh then chin to knee on the exhale ... bring forearms along side that leg ... this ensures proper alignment in this particular stretch! _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF) Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-06-19 21:46 ]

Well actually.... No this isn't why! http://www.karateforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=2318&forum=19

Debbie "Bold" Russell You make a statement with every word and gesture. Most people think you walk the thin line between being charming and caustically blunt. You never blend in and are always up for pleasing the crowd, after you please yourself. Vital Gear Includes trendy clothing in bright colors, flashy accessories and savoir-faire.

Martial_Artist, this caught my senses as this is primarily what is happening to the style of TKD ... you have the Modern vs. Traditional. (I am not talking Sport vs Traditional) Let me play devil's advocate to argue this.... (remember I'm "traditional") Although most traditional TKD principles and techniques are still effective, many traditional techniques and training methods are not effective in today's society. TKD must keep changing to meet the changing technological and social environments of the times. Self-defense techniques have changed dramatically in recent years due to the prevalence of drugs, both licit and illicit. Traditional restraint techniques may be useless against assailants who are under the influence of drugs. These assailants do not react to pain since they are numbed to it. To stop this type of assailant, one must incapacitate them. An arm lock may convince a normal person to stop attacking, but it may not stop a person under the influence of drugs. A drug influenced assailant's arm must be broken so it is useless as a weapon. Many technically perfect techniques are also powerful and effective. However, in today's society, time is at a premium. We want to be able to protect ourselves, but we do not have the time it takes to learn to hundreds of techniques or to perform a technically perfect technique. Especially when, due to individual body structure, even more time must be spent in the quest for perfection. Now, due to changes in our society, TKD students learn relatively few techniques. Traditional TKD seeks perfection of numerous techniques. However, perfection is not required in techniques that are seldom or never used. Modern TKD students should be taught every conceivable technique, whether from TKD or another martial art, so they are familiar with them. They may then choose the ones that work for them. Perfection is sought for basic, regularly used skills, but for more obscure techniques, only a working knowledge is required. Modern TKD should attempt to develop each person's natural fighting skills, which sometimes do not conform to the way traditional techniques are performed. Your thoughts on the direction of a traditional martial art evolving with the modern times? Oh and about editing your post ---? I believe you have only 30 min. to delete.... then you need to ask one of the staff members to delete since they hold the power to do that!

I say go with the original. (I do believe Century has a money back limited guarantee to replace if it leaks/damages) Yes Blade I like the sand too! I love mine!!! They make these cool frames ou can attach to your wavemaster now to slip in a picture for some added punching incentive! Love it! Makes a great cat post too! _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF) Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-06-19 08:18 ]

Your upper back pain can come from a twisting (I guess golf can be the culprit here!), poor posture, overuse, or an injury. It is very common for someone to injure their upper back when carrying objects (like golf clubs), throwing, bending or twisting. Here are some exercises you can do for rehab: Pectoralis stretch: Stand in a doorway or corner with both arms on the wall slightly above your head. Slowly lean forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your shoulders. Hold 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times. Thoracic extension: While sitting in a chair, clasp both arms behind your head. Gently arch backward and look up toward the ceiling. Repeat 10 times. Do this several times per day. Arm slides on wall: Sit or stand against a wall with your elbows and wrists against the wall. Slowly slide your arms upward as high as you can while keeping your elbows and wrists against the wall. Do 3 sets of 10. Scapular squeezes: While sitting or standing with your arms by your sides, squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10. Mid-trap exercise: Lie on your stomach on a firm surface and place a folded pillow underneath your chest. Place your arms out straight to your sides with your elbows straight and thumbs toward the ceiling. Slowly raise your arms toward the ceiling as you squeeze your shoulder blades together. Lower slowly. Do 3 sets of 15. Progress to holding soup cans or small weights in your hands. Thoracic stretch Sit on the floor with your legs out straight in front of you. Hold your mid-thighs with your hands. Curl you head and neck toward your belly button. Hold for a count of 15. Repeat 3 times. To stretch your right upper back, point your right elbow and shoulders forward while twisting your trunk to the left. Hold for a count of 15. Repeat 3 times. To stretch your left upper back, point your left elbow and shoulder forward while twisting your trunk to the right. Hold for a count of 10. Repeat 3 times. Rowing exercise: Tie a piece of elastic tubing around an immovable object and grasp the ends in each hand. Keep your forearms vertical and your elbows at shoulder level and bent to 90 degrees. Pull backward on the band and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Repeat 10 times. Do 3 sets. The early stages of back pain with muscle spasms should be treated with ice packs for 20 to 30 minutes every 4 to 6 hours for the first 2 to 3 days. You may use a frozen gel pack, crushed ice, or a bag of frozen peas. After you have iced for 2 to 3 days, you may start to use moist heat to help loosen up stiff muscles. Take an ianti nflammatory for pain & discomfort. Good Luck and you'll be back in rare form before long ...

Thanks for bringing the original topic back to us MonkeyNinja .... we do tend to wander off a bit don't we? Now -->Off Topic: ... I did feel a bit like Spiderman! The only backwards I did was when I fell short zipping to one of the platforms, I had to turn backwards and manually zip on back hand over hand until I got there. Talk about a bicep builder![/i] _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF) Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-06-19 07:41 ]

aw ... sheesh Bits! Height has nothing to do with not being able to perform a push/press up. (I think it's your lack of upper body strength ---you need to wrk on that girl and stop making excuses!) "Move over Demi ... let me show you how its done!"... More on the one hand push up here: http://www.karateforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=1402&forum=19&1 Now go break a nail!!!

Well, I'm an advocate of "dynamic stretching" when it comes to increasing height in kicks. See thread http://www.karateforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=1846&forum=19&10 also: http://www.karateforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=638&forum=19&8 Ballistic and bouncing into your stretch is not recommended!

The ideas of distance to the target and making contact are also something worth considering. The distance is more difficult to control when you have a shoe on. The feeling of making contact with the bare foot during training is better for providing physical feedback to you when you kick. We use some different muscles of the foot and ankle when wearing nothing on the feet. These small muscles help control minor adjustments in balance when standing on the floor. To appreciate the role of these small muscles, try standing on one foot for several minutes. You should notice that you make very minor adjustments with your foot/ankle to keep your balance. This is similar to the way a cat uses its tail for balance when walking across a thin wall or tree branch. "Sticking" to the floor may sometimes be a problem when training barefoot on mats. But this is often much more of a problem with shoes on. While the shoe may offer some additional support for the ankle, the added sensitivity in the nerves of the foot while training barefoot may further reduce risk of injury from slipping or sticking.

Many martial artists are familiar with the old story of the sword master who visited another warrior to learn a new martial art. The story involves the sword master sitting down for tea while boasting about his experience and abilities. The warrior poured his visitor a cup of tea while listening. He continued filling the cup until it overflowed. The sword master was alarmed at this and demanded an explanation. The warrior pouring tea told the sword master that he must "empty his cup" before he should expect to be able to fill it again ...learn something new. Regardless of what other martial art or style of Karate practiced, it is a good idea to keep in mind the practice of "emptying your cup." There is no need to *completely* empty your cup. Some concepts carry over from one martial art to another, such as the idea of keeping a stable center, conscience of proper posture and understanding that martial arts should only be used for defense. Some concepts, however, do not carry over. Practicing a punch/kick/strike art (karate), and then crosstraining in the practice of another punch/kick/strike art, such as TKD or weaponless styles of Kung-fu, may be of limited use as a supplement to Karate and possibly only causing confusion. Some people find the study of kata from Goju-ryu, for example, to be a nice change of pace from the kata of Shotokan. For those who wish to combine grappling to their style , Aikido or Judo may be good complementary training. Training in weapon arts such as Kendo, Naginatado and Iaido may be good complementary training to a punch/kick/strike art. Regardless of what other martial art or style of Karate practiced, it is a good idea to keep in mind the practice of "emptying your cup." There is no need to *completely* empty your cup. Some concepts carry over from one martial art to another, such as the idea of keeping a stable center, conscience of proper posture and understanding that martial arts should only be used for defense. Some concepts, however, do not carry over. _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF) Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-06-18 15:46 ]

... and the guys like it too!

The color of the belts indicate the rank of the student but it is also symbolizes other aspects of eastern philosophy. Belt colors are steeped in tradition. The colors of black, red, and blue show the various levels of Korean hierarchy during the Koguryo and Silla Dynasties. Red represents the highest ranks and positions of officials in politics, government, military, and religion. It is the "king's" color and the color of Popes and Cardinals. Diplomats wear red bands across their shoulders and red is used on flags of different nations and on ribbons used for military awards. Some martial art styles consider the red belt as the highest color of achievement, such as the 10th degree belt of Jigero Kano, the founder of judo. In some religions, a white garment signifies a sinless life. The color white symbolizes birth or beginning, and the color black symbolizes the end. The colors white and black are are also linked to the philosophy of Yin - Yang: the theory of opposites opposing each other while still working in harmony, such as the sun and moon, day and night, and beginning and end. YinYang is the ultimate explanation of cosmic order. It explains how everything in the universe both acts and reacts to everything else. White belt students are the opposite of black belt students in knowledge and ability but they work together to increase each other’s knowledge and ability. In TKD the colored belts between white and black belts attempt to link the two together in a meaningful way. ...actually our school has just white, gold, green, purple, blue (1st&2nd), brown (1,2 and 3 for 16 and under), and black (all dans) When a student learns their kata/form 100% they are given a special stripe. The instructor now knows that student is proficient in that area and it makes the student proud to feel he at least knows his form (but he may not be ready to test just yet!) We give out stripes for amounts of lessons attained. When the number of stripes add up to required lessons to test, you are then pretested (no fee) to see if you are ready. It is only at that point and totally at master's discretion that you advance to next color. _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF) Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-06-18 15:25 ]

chh ... I agree, your goal is not to train for achieving your next belt but in all actuality that is what you are doing. It is all of your efforts made concrete so-to-speak. I personally do not train for rank but I certainly am not going to turn it down when I am ready for it.

It was not until about 1973 that most of "Karate" got their act together and ended up with the belt ranking system they use today. Let's go back in history to see how ranks were viewed. In 1605 Karate spread to Japan and the first school was opened in the providence of Okinawa. During this period of history, the Imperial Family of Japan - because of their religion - when praying left... their armed guards (with their weapons) outside the temple. Because of this practice , assassins would usually strike at the Imperial Family while they were engaged in these ceremonies and were unguarded. When the Okinawa school opened it became mandatory for all Knights (Samurai) of the Imperial Guard to attend. In this way they could guard the Imperial Family during the ceremonies. The belt, warn as part of the uniform, would also denote the wearers degree of ability. For example, a first degre belt was not expected to be able to disarm a man with a knife or lance. His belt, made of heavy fiber, was worn in such a manner as to protect his heart and lungs from the thrust of such weapons. Guard duties were assigned by degree held. This general ruling being that the higher the degree, the closer the duties to the person being guarded. Eventually, the two men with the highest degree of ability awarded the red belt and became personal guards to the Crown Prince and Princess, The award of red belt was accompanied with the title of Lord of Uano and a suitable land grant. The next highest degree man understudied the two red belts. ... interesting huh? _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF) Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-06-18 15:12 ]