akedm

Exactly! That's exactly what I look like in order to assess the opponent. I focus on the hips (the center of the body) but I'm taking in everything with my peripheral vision. Except mine looks like a 100-yard stare. But yep, that's exactly the way it should look.

I was reading The Power of Intimidation thread on this sub-forum and someone mentioned where to look at your opponent. And that rang a bell. My friend in Karate, she was telling me about a drill they do where two circle opposite each other around a sitting group of four. The two move fast in the same direction with eyes locked on each other. Then the instructor yells, and they change direction. The idea is to move before your opponent can move. I said 'you know, this is like a basketball drill I used to do' My drill was defensive and I had to move with the opponent down the court but the idea was to never to let them get by me. But I didn't watch the eyes, i learned to watch the hips. Wherever a person's hips move, thats the direction they had to move. A person's hips cant go this way while their legs go that way. You can anticipate them this way, sometimes even before they've been able to commit to the move themselves. That drill was golden. So where do you look when you're trying to find out where you're opponent intends to move next?

Well I'd like to see the "dance" two girls like this one would do if they were to fight each other.

Meatloaf? The student has taste! Oh and if we're on songs, I'll set aside my instrumentals only rule for the moment...Holly Hatchet just popped into my head - "Flirtin' With Disaster"! I love vegan humor.

I never thought it was a "kill shot", just an potentially devastating shot. I have changed my mind about the groin being off limits for sparring as I implied in my original post. You've all enlightened me. Thank you. I still think it's a cheap shot and that'll not change I think. I believe if that attack gets close in sparring you should pull back cause the point's been made. Admittedly I lack the killer instinct I once had, so I'm sure I'm having trouble imagining the proper mindset for combat practice. However if any students wish to volunteer for a 'live fire' exercise, more power to them. But in sparring I still equate the groin kick to an eye gouge as far as mindbogglingly devastating things students should not want to do to other students. I'm glad to hear everyone's respectful of the restraint for that attack.

I am enjoying everyone's opinion here. Thank you.

You know Bushido, I partially read that today at lunch. It reminded me about my concern for the same subject. Nice, Bushido. I'll re-visit it.

Interesting story, Joe. It sounds as though you handled the situation as you should have. And it also sounds like you received a bit of street knowledge. Yes, I've found in many industries the owners know one another and talk. Life often has fine threads like that connecting each other. And I'd think that it is generally seen as a business. I think it's a hard pill for instructors to swallow who are actually in it to teach but everyone must turn a profit. An instructors mind in inevitably turned toward money, that's the nature of staying in business. I imagine the stronger instructors manage to maintain their center in their particular discipline, but it's a strain, and yes money's never far from the mind. As far as their intensity to spread the discipline they teach also being a factor in plucking students from other schools, I do not know.

Certainly not, nor would I hope they would be. Let me tell you what I'm seeing right now in my head more than with any other post: We're all sitting around a table, you, me and a bunch of other people who haven’t spoken, men, women, instructors, and most everyone’s in ma; In fact everyone is, except me. So maybe my question is naïve, but nonetheless we talk about it, and I appreciate that. Thank you. And now the topic's hit a lull. And though all the men know exactly the pain and vulnerability we’ve talked about, none of the women have decided to speak. I think that’s interesting. They’re the ones often attacking that spot. I imagine if we were in a circle or at a table a few of us would notice none of the women spoke up. I imagine a few of us would like to hear from a few because in fact their mindset may generally be different. At any rate their silence is noticeable. Let me put it a different way: Why am I asking the question? I thought the topic important enough that I’d try to spread an awareness that the women may not fully appreciate unless it were done to them. Obviously that's not possible; hence, my curiosity at their silence. Do they appreciate the potential devastation of that attack? Perceptually they might, on the side of their mind they might, but probably not front and center like a man. Police train with pepper spray to the face so the user may know exactly how it feels. Every trainee, male and female, becomes aware of that equally. So for a kick to the man’s groin I’d use an analogy everyone could appreciate equally. My idea being that there are no men or woman in ma; there are only students. I’d equate a kick in the groin to a poke in the eye: easily accomplished, without much force, to a vulnerable spot, and devastating to all the senses. Might the other sex be a bit more respectful to what they may consider a casual though devastating attack if they too had the mental picture of getting poked in the eye? Might then the sparring matches be more productive and safe for everyone? After all it is practice, not personal and all about discipline. I imagine the instructor wants everyone to show up the next day 100% ready to go. Thank you, Justice, I was not clear enough before in my post. I was clumsy Thanks for asking for clarification. If we were actually at the table I’d use that analogy so everyone is aware and everyone is on the same page of how devastating that attack is, especially the women. Some, though I guarantee not all women have that particular perspective. And before sparring think everyone should have the same perspective.

I'm taking a chance by throwing my two cents and my question down here since this is best explored as a discussion rather than a question...or should it be a discussion at all? That's the point of it really: How many instructors should a student have? I'd like input from instructors and students, but I decided on this forum rather than the general forum. On one hand a forum like KarateForums.com allows discussion encompassing more than could be explored in the dojo, and it allows for exploration of thoughts and styles not available by a single teacher (wonderful Internet). On the other hand to be a student of a discipline the student should commit to learning from the teacher (emphasis THE teacher, THE = singular) they've chosen. This means trusting and allowing the teacher to dispense their knowledge unencumbered by influence. Am I getting too much lonely-temple-on-top-of-the-mountain here or what? Obviously teachers do not mind being challenged by the inquisitiveness of their students, but ma as I understand it often have rules of no talking in class and I'd imagine challenging the teacher (not physically) is a touchy subject too. "Hey I heard this [thing] was better..." or "I don't agree". No one's going to interrupt the professor in the middle of a college lecture, and the same discipline applies here. But I sense there's more of a 'blanket discipline' going on with ma than just accruing college credit by listening to the anthropology professor. So why is it a touchy subject? Is it because there's a unwritten limit to how many instructors a student should have?

I'd like some women's perspective on this.

http://www.amazon.com/GoFit-GF-RWBB-Ultimate-Wobble-Board/dp/B000G0ON2U/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1 Like this one, White?

Go Kuma! Thank you.

Bushido, I posted another topic question about groin kicks which addresses self-defense and I think you and I differ in that opinion (self defense, not groin kicks), but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter of ma's primary purpose. I wrote this as an example of preparing for the dojo, so to speak. Like trying your shoes in the locker room prior to entering the gym. And seeing uniforms lined up doing the same thing to me is like watching soldiers in formation: it must help the mindset. Not a necessary thing I agree, but it focuses I think. It's good to see that everyone posting has a bit of found wisdom to share. Thank you. You've all helped me appreciate ma more. PS : And what's up with these 10 year old black belts anyway? I agree. I hope that at least a few of them honor the mental aspects of their ma discipline and learn their belts over again from an adult's perspective once they grow up. I said it clumsily, but I hope I'm clear enough.

Now I can understand why practicing the kick to the groin would be useful, I think anyone can understand that. But that should be saved for real-life self-defense training, right? I heard this from my friend that sometimes in class the guys end up getting kicked in the groin and even with a cup they say it hurts. She said it's a great spot to kick - well duh. She didnt say more about it and I didnt ask so maybe it was just accident after unintentional accident (poor kick control), but if not - if it's an intentional thing - then my thinking in sparring is that if you decide to come at me with an attack intended to double me over instead of deciding to spar with me on moves karate has taught, then forget ma altogether cause I'm coming at you with an attack to make you double over. I dont care if you're a 5'4" 120lb girl or a 6'4" 255lb guy like me. You no longer deserve a pass or to keep the belt you earned. I'll say again for those who dont know me, I'm not a ma practitioner of any kind. And I'll say it, I have trouble confronting my violent side - I'm not violent mainly cause I've had too much of that in my past - so maybe I lack that combative mindset. But I'd consider the groin area off limits in sparring and even kumite, but maybe that's cause I dont understand the "rules of the ring". So to me I'd kinda lose it cause to me it's not a sparring move, it's a personal attack. Granted a guy needs to learn to defend against it, but still it shouldnt be a "free kick' zone for the opponent in a regulated match. A martial arts discipline is not primarily taken for real-life self defense, a self-defense class is. In ma you're in it for years, so you'd be in the wrong class if your intent is to learn self-defense like groin kicks and whatnot. If you want to learn self-defense you want to learn it now cause you feel you have a need to learn it now, so you take a self-defense class so you can learn what works immediately. Physically speaking ma is a sport with competitions like kata and kumite (spelling??), or taken as an exercise like going to the gym. Either way it's an undertaking of slow progression and discipline. So why when sparring would groin kicks be allowed? Or are they? Are they in your class or is there a rule against them?

...just doing my harbor seal impression, honey. Honey?

Keeping it simple. Who would have thought Thanks for the perspective, Bushido. Keep it simple. I like that. - Eric

Also called a balance board. I looked them up on Amazon for the customer reviews. Seems like he height of the ball under the board is paramount as it'll determine the angle the board can reach. I was tempted to buy one this weekend but I'd like to hear a few more reviews (brands,etc).

Yeow!!! I just tried that one myself and I cant even get both butt cheeks to rest on the floor at the same time. i guess I get myself a nice big book to read too. Anyway, thanks for the posts. You're helping more than one person here.

Is there an online site that is good for tracking this kind of stuff? Sorta like a personal log. Not so we can share with each other necessarily (good idea but not the only reason) but so it can plan, project trends, etc.. I see so many applications online anymore why not this one? Thanks : ) PS : And to anyone interested in answering. What do you find is a good way to track your progress. A column of exercises and a row of days or a page per day with exercises and reps in the rows/columns. How do you know what to do today over yesterday (flip back and forth in the book and say 'ok it's been a few days since this, so...'). Just curious, and I dont want to frustrate myself by having to redo this and that as i think of a better way to record my progress.

I like Kuma's suggestions though I know jack about diet tips. And the way I see food is that you can eat a pound of lettuce or a pound of butter, either way you're going to gain a pound. May not be an accurate example, but it's what I got. I'm 6'4" 255. I was 260lbs I know not much of a difference so far and it's been months in the gym and often (3-5 times/week). I try to stay in for about 90 minutes and in one way or another do cardio twice - mainly cause I hate cardio. Recently though I have been dropping pant sizes and I'm now into a belt loop I havent managed for a year or two. Feels good, and so I feel as though I've "made the turn" and it's motivating! It's diet and exercise, and my diet is to stop eating after 8pm. I'm not perfect about it by no means. At nights when I NEEEED something I try to keep frozen vegetable packets around and steam them up with garlic seasoning or spicy mexican seasonings. I find that helps a craving alot. And there's one other thing that stuck with me, and I cant tell you why but it did this time. I'll see if I can find it here...hang on...nope. Well basically it 1) reminded me that the stomach is about fist-sized, so be very aware when you first feel full and at that point stop. If you're thinking "that's gotta be enough" even when your eyes say "no way I barely touched it" then stop. You're not going to starve. 2) Eat every 4 hours or so during the day, and make the even smaller meals count (yogurt, banana, jerky). 3) Are you hungry or thirsty? Learn to find out which signal is which. Listen to your signals cause they often sound alike. You're not going to starve to death. For some reason it stuck with me this time. Oh and if you can try to have someone to go through this with. It's much easier that way. Dont get all Rocky or Biggest Loser on us here, but motivation helps a lot. PS : I run the treadmill but just as often I'll work the step machine. I found the step machines really count off the calories FAST. Just remember to put in your weight when you start if the machine allows it. For me the calorie number tick much faster on the step then the treadmill and it's easier on the body.

Alright I made an imageshack account. http://profile.imageshack.us/user/akedm/ I have two photos of my ankle angle and the angle's pretty much the same in both. One photo with my hand hanging at my waist is me just leaning forward without trying to squat; all I'm doing is placing weight on my ankle trying to get it to bend. The other is me trying to squat and getting about as far as I can before my torso has to lean forward to compensate for my balance falling backward. In both photos you can make out the rolling of my outside toes: That shows that I'm planting my feet hard into the carpet for stability. I'm really trying to squeeze every degree out of my ankle bend that I can. As you can see it's not much. Now how am I supposed to bend my thigh parallel to the floor and maintain balance? Look at the "squat" photo and imagine the arc my butt will take as my thigh goes parallel to the floor. Unless I can get my knee to go forward there's no way I can make it. And like I may have mentioned, unless my ankle bends a whole lot more (and I mean a whole lot more) there's no way I can keep off my butt. Like I said in my original post, I can sometimes manage to hold a 10-pound medicine ball at arms length on front of me and go down and up - sometimes, and sometimes I still have to step back to catch my balance. The ankle in the foreground is the worse of the two but not by much, it's the one that everything tore in as a teenager. This is what I got to run with and squat with etc... I said before I thought my poor running was due to asthma but I'm now running asthma free after 20 years. Since I never tried squats before I never put the ankle-angle together before now. Is this normal? Is this a normal maximum angle for an ankle? Any comments are welcome, suggestions are even more welcome, and if you want bonus points would you take a photo of your ankle angle in a horse stance (toes angled or forward) and I'd really appreciate it. I want to do everything I can to target this problem. Thank you. PS : To the poster who suggested placing blocks under my ankles, thank you. But I need about 3 inches of block to maintain balance in a pose like this (granted it's not exactly a squatting stance but if I could do that I think it'd help me with a squat too, and visa versa. I wish there was a profile view)

Will do this weekend. Thank you.

My rule is I listen to instrumentals. My gym (I am not an ma) pipes music and it can be distracting. I've never plugged into their TVs either. And it's probably all for the same reason: I dont like hear chatter in my head, except my own. So, instrumentals it is. I'm not into classical music, so most of it is from Soundtracks. The Dark Knight soundtrack is a favorite of mine. Instrumental = Instruct + Mental = Instruct the mind?? Hmmm. (My mind wanders). Anyway, oddly enough I'm looking tonight for some new stuff for my player. I generally listen to the slower stuff while stretching, the beat-heavy stuff while warming up or doing a repetitive exercise, and maybe a combination of the two while training cardio. I know it conditions people (pumps them up, relaxes them, etc..) so it has the potential to be a distraction from my inner-strength (am I as strong and focused without Satriani soloing in my head), so I try to mix it up or leave it off all together sometimes. My favorites are : Braveheart Soundtrack Scotland is free (stretching) outlawed tunes (stretching) The Village Soundtrack the vote (stretching) the gravel road Joe Satriani the extremist summer song (step machine, high intensity, 153 beats per minute) searching flying in a blue dream The dark knight soundtrack why so serious harvey two-face (a favorite to stretch to) like a dog chasing cars (running) the dark knight (running) Moby graciosa (situps / pushups) Chemical Brothers weapons of mass distortion (situps / pushups) acetone BT smartbomb Joi Asian Vibes (cardio) we need your love others are... parts of the crouching tiger soundtrack parts of the house of flying daggers soundtrack (but honestly a lot of that oriental stuff just isnt for me) ready steady go battle without honor or humanity air by bach some stuff by leo kottke - try a 'sailors grave on the prairie' to reflect on true grit replacement killers soundtrack

making light of combat training is refreshing