KickChick

In TKD blackbelts usually tag lower belts with control in order to show them that they are leaving themselves open and not blocking properly. When two blackbelts spar one another look out! I am sure you were wearing head gear RODAN.

I may be going to tournament end of next month. Its been years!! I have to see where I figure in age-wise and that will determine if I choose to spar or not ... but regardless I would like to compete in forms. (I have been doing Kwang-gae forever now!) So my question is "How do you all prepare yourselves psychologically and tactically with regards to forms and sparring in competition??" _________________ ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor (KarateForums Sensei) [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-12 09:12 ]

same here! + :pony: _________________ ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor (KarateForums Sensei) [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-12 09:05 ]

I'd like to recommend an excellant book Science of Martial Arts Training by Charles Staley,MSS. The book covers the basics of sport training, and how it adapts to the martial artist and its a great addiotion to anyone who especially trains for competiotion. This book does not have an exhaustive catalog of exercises, but rather a few specific exercises for each body part. Staley points out the martial art applications of each of these muscle groups as well. It will help help you devise a training routine that integrates the components of: skill training, strength development, flexibility, speed and quickness training,tournament strategy, motivation and nutrition. And what I like most about this book is that I agree with the author when he acknowledges that every MA is different, and not everyone will respond to the same program. Also someone might not respond to the same program in the same way as he or she progresses though the years. With this in mind, Staley encourages the reader to become competent in the principles of designing a training program so that the individual can use the information presented in their own individual training. _________________ ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor (KarateForums Sensei) [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-12 08:58 ]

What the Hindu religion,with its cycles of birth, destruction and rebirth, probably comes closest to describing the way our universe began and predicting how it will end. Respected researchers in all sorts of fields ... astronomy, physics, biology and chemistry ... share this view that Eastern philosophy may hold the answers to the creation of the universe.

yeah... butmore often than not the persentages of a serious blow to the head just from "instructional sparring" in class is really not worth it to me! We are all involved in different styles here ... a TKD high roundhouse kick usually gets thrown to the side(temple) of the head. At our school, our instructor lets us go for the head as long as we have our opponent's ok to do so. I often get "smacked" full face (ending up with a swollen/bloody nose) and no headgear is going to help that ... 'cept for keeping your guard up! But I can live with that! I may not recover from temple blow! My girlfriend got a serious smack in the face last night dring sparring. We wear protective "booties" that really don't do anything 'cept make you slide on your arse across the dojang floor. They're padded but don't offer that much protection! Last night I think I fractured my foot with a good elbow block that dug directly into the top of the foot where that 'skwooshy' part with the little bones to the toes are (whatever that area is called ....I'm sure someone could help me out!) Anyway, I am going to have xrayed this morning cos I barely can walk and had a hard time driving home! So point is your protective equipment is only as good as your guard and blocking technique. Its not made of armor! Also if you can spar with all the restrictions that it may have on you ... I feel will make you all the more better to handle any other situation in a fight that might impede your movement. _________________ ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor (KarateForums Sensei) [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-12 04:33 ]

The discipline and ideals learned through martial arts ( consideration, courtesy, respect, morality, integrity, modesty, and a positive outlook) should carries over into our every action. I see this as the "spirituality" of the martial arts and not 'religious' in nature. Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment." In knowing oneself, the true path to knowledge is begun. Knowledge is power and with this power ideals and philosophies are cultivated into the martial arts spirit.

Many people find wearing protective headgear to be cumbersome and vision-limiting. One nice blow to the temple can cause serious damage. However these limitations of wearing protective headgear can train us to focus more on detecting kicks and punches by the movements we see in the opponent's torso. Many people believe in looking into an opponents eyes, but I personally feel this brings our gaze too high to accurately see kicks within our peripheral vision, and a fighter (at least a good one!) can feint with their eyes. By remaining calm, and focused on our opponent's torso, we can see each attack, even as the opponent is preparing to deliver it, and then we can respond that much quicker.

Boxing, wrestling in all of it's european forms incl. Savate (French foot boxing, Sombo, Pankration,Faction Fighting used by the Irish, German, English, Finnish & Italian Fencing, Russian (ROSS)/Slavic MA, Rapier, Longsword, Broadsword, historical European combat grappling and dagger systems. There are many lost arts of unarmed combat dagger fighting and close-quarters sword combat as they were practiced throughout Europe centuries ago. _________________ ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor (KarateForums Sensei) [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-11 09:55 ]

Exactly! ... there are so many factors to take into account. I mean, we can all offer advice here in the forum regarding specifics within one's training routines i.e. power,speed, endurance, weight training tips, diet, stretching, jump drills etc. etc. If you can't formalize a routine or program on your own with a little research and investigation than a personal trainer or the advice of your instructor should be utilized.

very ironic! anyway, I came across this online article http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june00/martialarts.html which explains exactly the type of class I teach and how many of these students are in fact crossing over to more disciplined style of martial arts (which is making the art and sport of martial arts very popular)...Now is that a good thing or bad

I just hope that none of my students ever do what you did. Many of my students also have MA experience and yet have very good self control..."stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than some one else." I think we all came to the obvious conclusion that Aerobic kickboxing is a great cardio enhancement program which develops strength, flexibility and stamina and has to a very mild degree....certain self-defense benefits.

well if that is whats truly important in your life than so be it! I honestly thought it was a nice analogy ...

I am also wondering that too Jack (you were a green belt correct?) ...(this is Debs ) Congrats!!! Enjoy your "celebrations! ... we're proud of you!

People often link martial arts and religion when they talk about how "spiritual" a certain art is, but that should make us wonder about their definition of the word. How does learning self-defense techniques ... how to hit harder or kick faster, make one spiritual? Is spirituality the same as self-confidence, empowerment or serenity? Some kung fu instructors include basic Buddhist teachings in their curriculum. As long as they focus on the non-religious doctrines like ahimsa (refraining from purposely harming any living being), there is little cause for concern. But many schools also teach Zen meditation. There is a fine line between nonsectarian meditation practice and religious practice. The most common method involves closing the eyes and breathing exercises which are compatible with most religions. Some modern aikido teachers include chants directed to Shinto spirits (kami in Japanese) as part of their classes. You should also know that in almost every art, the physical can be separated from the spiritual. No matter what, you need to clearly understand what you are learning in class, and instructors need to clearly explain to their students which spiritual portions of the arts, if any, they are teaching. There is no need to risk violating the precepts of your religion for the sake of training! You may want to take another look at the post I made in the Judo Forum (To bow or not to bow?) ...which may be taking the freedom of religious beliefs a little too far. _________________ ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor (KarateForums Sensei) [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-10 12:15 ] [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-10 12:18 ]

Welcome to KarateForums. I am sure you will see similarities and differences between our two forums ... but hope you enjoy ours as much as we do!

I was trying to figure out just where to post this ... but right here is good because actually it makes one think about what truly is important in one's life and to have no regrets when you do die. Is The Jar Full? A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. Whenclass began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks right to the top, rocks about 2" diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them in to the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The students laughed. He asked his students again if the jar was full? They agreed that yes, it was. The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed. The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on smaller scale. The pebbles represent things like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff. If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, material things, you will never have room for the things that are truly most important. Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. "Take care of the rocks first-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles!

I'd be glad to help out in any way I can Sai! I unfortunately have been sidetracked in my training (concentrating primarily on speed breaks and plyometrics for jump kicking) ... my kids and their activities have taken precedent over training in the last couple weeks (although I attend class twice a week and teach). I'll keep a look out! It would be nice to also have their input too!

Lori!!!! You are too funny .... do ya know I was going to say her too!!! I was actually about 3 feet away from her when I went aboard one of the new Carnival cruise ships they were chrisening at port in New York. She is such a scrawny little mouse if Ida smacked her she would've gone overboard! (hey that would have been sweet!) Osama is really on the top .... otherwise my list is pretty small ... I am fairly tolerant. _________________ ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor (KarateForums Sensei) [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-08 13:48 ]

I don't assume to know very much about JKD ... but from what I studied and read about Bruce Lee, actual fighting was the best method of training. He believed that training based on repeating "set motions" was absolutely useless and ineffectual during actual fighting. Thus, he thought free sparring with protective gear took up a considerable amount of his training schedule. He did believe in wearing appropriate protective gear when sparring. Lee also liked to spar many different types of opponents even those with absolutely no MA experience.a person not trained in the martial arts may actually be a more valuable sparring partner by providing an irregular fighting rhythm that may confuse a more superior opponent. It is Bruce Lee's opinion that, the best sparring partner is someone that is fast and powerful even if he does not have any knowledge of the martial arts. Someone who bites, scratches, and kicks with every ounce of his strength like a mad man can be the best sparring partner one can have.

Chinese herbal supplements have been around for centuries and quite common in the martial arts specifically Tai Chi. Several formulas made of by Shifus build and maintain energy, as well as formulas to help speed recovery of bone, ligaments, and muscles injuries. Five Immortals is one of Tai Chi People's most popular custom formulas. It is used as a general health diet supplement for its benefits to all of the internal organs, skin, teeth, and bone development. Martial artists also use it to improve their flexibility.

The weight of my boxing gloves is 16 oz. I changed to padded fingerless gloves with extra wrist protection. I do not jab/punch with free weights although I do know many martial artists that do use free weights to improve speed. A punch requires you to move your fist from your body to your target. Depending on your physical condition and how conditioned you are, grab relatively light weights, such as 3 to 5 lbs dumbbells and perform punching movements for a period of 5 minutes working up to 20 minutes three times a week. You can use splits such as one-minute punching and one-minute resting. Start off punching slowly, at approximately 40 percent of your fastest speed (use your own judgement). Allow at least a week for your muscles to adapt. After each week of training, increase the speed of the punches by 20 percent until you reach full speed. In the last round of workouts, don't use any extra weight but only your arm weight and go at full speed. You'll notice the difference. Apply this to kicking, blocking and other techniques. Use ankle weights when doing kicking exercises. We all are prone and I am sure have experienced "soreness" of the muscles and know the causes etc etc....we should by now all be aware of our goals and limitations and act accordingly with our training. Should you stop when you "feel the burn?" The answer is ... "No!" The burn is not a sign that you have fully taxed your muscles, but rather that you are generating lactate from the breakdown of carbohydrate (as Yoda posted). Thus, it is beneficial to try to push past the burn and continue training until your muscles are fatigued. If you stop before, you are succumbing to mental fatigue and this will result in suboptimal results. We fail to remember ---Since we are all different from one another, we must train each person in an appropriate fashion with special regard to these differences.... (Bruce Lee) I hate to quote but ... _________________ ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor (KarateForums Sensei) [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-02-06 07:58 ]

Tito Ortiz injured his anterior cruciate ligament while grappling with Phil Baroni last week and he is expected to undergo surgery now. The fight with Vitor Belfort, scheduled for March 22nd as the main event of UFC 36, will be postponed

absoooo-loot-ly TRUE! ... this is really for the younger students in which the majority of the school consists of ... although adults are being awarded too! When most of them go into a v-stretch (and they're young mind you!) they barely even try to get their chests to the floor. So yeah ... a carrot it is! Let's just see if it works. As far as the 'older' adults .... most do not have as much flexibility anymore (if ever they did, never maintained which is important) Many, like myself, started TKD later in life so never achieved a good level of flexibility. I, however have always had a good degree of flexibility having been a dancer when I was young and everyday, since I started TKD , make stretching a routine.

We were just informed at our school that students will be awarded special patches for their doboks if they can demonstrate a full split. I guess that's a pretty good reason!