beagstkd

pad and focus target kicking, then worked choke and bear hug counters.

Our school doesn't offer any free trial. They have a 8 lesson begginers class for $40 which includes a gi. If I went to a school for a "free trial" and got 10 minutes I would not be happy. (what can you learn in 10 minutes) I would think they are wasting my time and then trying to give me the hard sell to join. It sound like you are offering more customer service.

Upper body weights, 2 mile run, 10 minute cool down on eliptical.

Impressive video.

The one you're looking at looks nice. I don't see how much it weighs but it looks pretty light. My kids use one that's similar but you have to tie in the back so it's tough to put it on by yourself.

Great story.

I agree. The only difference I've noticed is more durability and "heat" with a heavier gi.

last night we did slow four count kicks of snap, side kicks, round kicks and hook kicks. Then a ten count combination of all. Between sets we did push-ups and sit-ups. Our cool down was sparring. I decided to stay for the next class thinking we would work on forms or something lighter...we did the same thing. (My legs are a little sore today)

That's great!

I take a multivitamin and being older I also take glucosamine for my joints.

Today all we worked was defending a wrist or shirt grab. (1 hour worth)

I have the same problem but if it works... I do have great results however working my combinations with all mid-section kicks and then will do the same combinations but throw high kicks, like cresent or a low-high roundhouse. An example might be front punch, back punch, round house, into a turning back kick (all kicks to the mid-section) A minute later I might try front punch, back punch, round house (mid-section) into a spin cresent or axe kick (head). Hopefully they are expecting a turning back kick to the mid-section and lower their hands a little. I didn't realize how hard it is to type a description of combinations. I hope it makes sense.

I'd lean toward a virus also.

That's GREAT!!

Are you in a fighting stance? How far away from your body should you throw it?

Last night we worked on forms and then sparring.

Our school starts at $25 and goes up from there to $100 for 1st Dan.

That doesn't mean you didn't break something. You should get an x-ray.

I find it refreshing to have the hierarchy you have in a dojo. Too many children (and adults) show such a lack of respect for others that they need the leadership and/or ego of a Sensei to teach them respect and in many cases take them down a notch. Look how most school teachers are treated these days by student and partents. I'd like to see what happens in a dojo if a student talked to the Sensei the same way they talk to most teachers.

I'm surprised with the amount of "fancy" kicks we learn but when it comes to sparring you pretty much stick with the basics.

That's it for me also. If I don't turn my foot it goes right to my support knee.

Then someone can deep fry it...mmmmm

I too started later in life (early 40's) I charish the days in class I can keep up with and/or beat the 20 somethings while sparring or with technique. Overall I try to remember this is for me...it doesn't matter how everyone else does. I'm always amazed at the demographics of the people who come to class; old, young, man, women, in shape or needing some work. I'm also amazed at the people you never see again after a month or two. My only advice to you is to keep going to class. As a white belt the green belts always seemed so good. As a green belt the red belts were so much better. Now that I'm a red belt the black belts are better still. Keep going to class...keep getting better. Congrats on the weight loss...What a great side effect of something you love to do!

Thanks. That's exactly the info I was hoping for.

I guess I started posting a few things before I intruduced myself... I've always been interested in martial arts but growing up my parents wouldn't allow it. Then life happed, so I got a start a little later in life. You could consider me an old new guy. I got hooked after we enrolled my son into a tkd school and after a year of watching him the whole family started. (this seems to be a comon theme at our school) I've been going to class as much as possible for the last three years and can't get enough. I have visited this forum for several months to try to find answers to some of my questions before registering and was impressed with the knowledge of the users.