sperki

Howdy!

Happy Birthday!

Sensei8, I guess my question is: after throwing somebody in Aikido will you be standing in a different place than you were prior to the throw. Clearly there will be some movement, probably change what direction you were facing, but will you occupy a different piece of land? Does that make any more sense? I'm starting to confuse myself...

Brilliant! I tried to say something like that in the thread about why we started MA - as the reason I stick with karate. You managed to say it much more eloquently than me though.

lit-arate, great question. I've got a Shotokan base but I've been eyeballin' an aikido class that's around the corner. It'll be interesting to see other feedback. ps1, your comment makes perfect sense, but how about something more concrete? Do aikidoka typically move when they make throws?

Other, but it's a bit challenging to really nail down. I started in my mid-20's, but always had an interest in martial arts while I was growing up. When I bought a house with a dojo less than half a block away I decided, "it's now or never!" As a kid I had a very romanticized view of martial arts, but by the time you're 26 those are pretty much reined in. I was already a triathlete and maintaining fitness, the Marine Corps instilled discipline and taught me how to fight. I figured it would be fun, in the way a good workout kinda hurts so good. Hmm...I guess I don't even know exactly what made me start. But I know why I stick with it; to explore an aspect of life that I otherwise wouldn't, and really it helps me focus. When I run or do other exercises my mind is free to roam and I can, and do, still think about the stress of life. When I'm practicing karate, especially sparring, it takes my full concentration and I can forget about everything else for a time.

Shogun - James Clavell - Great book, but a commitment Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa John Donohue has three MA adventure books that are quick, fun reads.

I'm going to second tallgeese here. Multi-joint exercises are the way to go. I like to do a day of explosive exercises once per week; things like hang-cleans, push-press, and push-ups with a clap. Cross-fit has some great exercises. As already mentioned, make sure your form is sound or you could be setting yourself up for injury.

Sensei8, that was a solid post! akmal06, the other thing to consider is why you are training in the first place. If you want to kick butt in competition that's one thing. If the romanticism of traditional arts attracted you it's something else entirely. If you expect to use your training on the street it's an entirely different reason for studying a martial art. Each style, and even each instructor will have a different emphasis and some may match your goals better than others. With that in mind, it's not worth learning a martial art if you don't like it.

I usually only practice the handful of kata that I'm learning or learned recently. And I'll do them in the kitchen, or the bedroom or anywhere else. Often it means I can't take all of the correct steps/leaps/spins, but I'll take a step back in the middle or visualize a jump and make a small leap just to help me commit the movements to memory. My wife got a little mad when I accidentally punched the wall. I wasn't going hard and there wasn't any damage, but she thought I was going to punch a hole in the drywall.

This is a "chicken or egg" question. I voted sensei, but clearly without some sort of curriculum in place (ie a system) there wouldn't be anything to teach in the first place. Most people reading this study some established martial art. Although now that I think about it I'm going to be a black belt and instructor of the 5-year old pinwheel arm fighting method. As long as I only fight 5 year olds I'll be a grand champion!

I don't think this camp claims to teach authentic ninjutsu. He basically says he created this martial art in his backyard when he was a kid. But hey, you get to go repelling and/or climbing, so it's probably fun!

It's not likely to win any awards, but I was entertained by it - and that's why I watch movies. It's a feel-good movie, but it's fun to watch.

Doubt is an interesting choice of terms. I may (too often, in fact) know that my technique leaves something to be desired, but I'm confident in my ability to be corrected and learn the right technique. I suppose it seems like more of a glass half full approach. I have certainly experienced doubt in my life, in and out of the martial arts, and usually when I'm doubting, I'm in a negative mood and things just don't go my way with whatever my doubts are about. If I can get a good workout in, sleep on it, or whatever other coping mechanisms are out there, and change my attitude, it seems like I have better success with whatever problem is in front of me.

Congrats to all the winners. And nominees for that matter. This forum always has some great threads, good information, and makes me think about why I'm a martial artist, what that means, and how I apply that to daily life.

Lupin1, did you put down one of those rubber mats after discovering how dangerous toe extensions in the shower can be. At least I imagine the danger is related to slipperiness....

Lupin1's description for adults is pretty much how I learned. Every class starts with the basics, and I had a senior student, or sensei, working with me the first few classes to make sure I had the form right (at least mostly). But we worked on strikes and blocks equally, with no preference given to offense or defense in class, ever, that I can recall.

I always wanted to be a pilot. I was even in Navy ROTC, but at some point I realized my eyesight is too poor. But Top Gun is still one of my favorite movies.

First of all, welcome to the Forums Godzilla-san and Weetobix. Best advice: wear a cup

Oh man, and I've been telling people that I'm basically a Delta Force operative!

Austin Powers? Achilles?

Todome, you think that by doing a palm push-up the weight is distributed across your had enough to take the load off the epiphyseal plates in the radius, ulnar, and humerus? Clearly it would take the weight off your metacarpals, but that would only save you from having short palms. After thinking about this a bit more (and pulling out my anatomy text - Todome, you've really got me working here!) it seems like your bones are pretty much designed to hold your body weight. Otherwise standing would keep folks down. Although maybe that's why we're taller today than 100 years ago - we spend more time sitting as kids. I would argue that doing push-ups or air squats will not have a negative effect on growth.

Good news! After visiting the Dr. yesterday I am officially 5'7", even without my shoes on. My wife still doesn't believe me, but she's not an MD (or even an RN)

Alright Lupin, that might be true. If you were as bad at it as I am you wouldn't be on there long enough to get your heart rate up.

What's the difference between knuckle push-ups and palm push-ups when it comes to growing? It wouldn't change the weight or pressure on the long bones.