RichardZ

This is actually not a bonefide tradition. The belt was just a piece of the attire and not-so much anything venerable.

We have trained on simular surfaces, including grassy uneven terrain, asphalt, gravel, as well as tained in different attire. For awhile, the norm was grassy and concrete areas. I guess i wasnt "spoiled" on padded carpet and mats.

Kinda shows a prime example that the rank isnt all about fighting prowness.

What if your teacher had done this to someone less popular? And that this someone receiv a higher rank than you in such a short time? And this person has far less study time and/or skills than yourself?

I dont think you have fallen behind in martial arts. Just dont "fall behind" in academics.

I could never understand such a grading and time set forth applied to everyone. I would think that peple progess differently than others.

These two were rare, they were old back then, and both directly from the "source". Aikido is a art that its founder HAD crossed trained. My statement; Thus, I believe, many people do not get a chance to learn and acknowledge the many combat methods, including striking, that Aikido has to offer. The problem is Aikido does not develop students in a "shorter" amount of time as does Hapkido. Thus, many Aikido practitioners either do not have a teacher who has remained long enough to learn such combat tactics, or they themselves do not either. ....is why MANY have not ex[ereibced Aikido in such fashion.

Loosing is a part of learning. One should not expect to win. One should expect to do their best, and that is where a outcome could be. “Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am at odds with the term "god fearing", as I do not think people should "fear" god, but embrace. However, that said, Bushido was a unwritten code practice at a time when such was practiced within a certain set of moral or behavior obligations.

Per may statement-post; Too many people think or believe that Aikido does not have striking, but one of the arts, other than Aiki-jujutsu as a foundation for Aikido was Tenjin Shinyo-ryu. Thus, I believe, many people do not get a chance to learn and acknowledge the many combat methods, including striking, that Aikido has to offer. I have, in my lifetime so far, observed two Aikido teachers (on far separate occasions and locale) use striking. Not of defense against, but for actual combat.

I think that ninjutsu is somewhat used in modern combatives today.

Grand point. once that I believe Lee Jun Fan would perhaps be amused by. Indeed. Like a sage with metaphors from some mis-understood tome. Of course the phrase "absorb what is useful", is subjective to what may have to be exactly "useful" to what one desires or seeks. Underlying per a determinaton wihtin the confines of one's own goals, or attainment. But, without proper guidance, can such customization be applicable? However, being that such practitioner is using said methods for close range, which many confrontations are, it is less-likely, that one would truly be in defense battle agianst more than usual kicking methods. Also, agian, I must re-iterate, that to go beyond the application of method agianst another, is set upon the environement of which one is training in and/or for. I am not agianst the idea of practicing with other from antoher style. I am stating that the choice and such has to be conducive to the methods that one is going to be familiar with and/or emcounter. In short, it maybe a waste of time and effort if such practice would produce results which such may have a far improbable chance to present itself. As for BJJ, and the UFC, you have just proven my point about the methods practice to suit the environment and such one will encounter under conditions.

So, a warrior is one who can defend? A warrior is one who attacks the throat and eyes?

Therefore, ti state that one does not change qwhen they take of a belt is like sayng one has not changed once they reached a point of 12 years of academics. This is like saying that the increase of knowledge hasnt change one.

Kinda goes against the idea of many who think martial arts was created for weaker persons against stronger ones.

Blade96, do you think, if student and teacher are from the same culture, that the level of humor and such is better understood?

I guess we all came to the same consenus that to have a actual percentage may seem to be a bit inaccurate in terms of applicable return force.

I didnt really understand it. As for Sen8, a technique is only as good as the proven ground to which one is going to subjected it to or under. If one has not many grounds to prove and/or use, or seen the use of such in such proven grounds, than it can hardly be associated as effective. Especially if such is on the lower percentage(s) The percentages are higher of its application in the class, not in the proven grounds. Of course, these proving grounds would have to be that of ones environment or situation.

So, physical actual size, doesnt always equate to "power"

Chiros can do more than just adjusting joints. Mine also does traction, hot / cold therapy (which I also do myself), Ultrasound and has a massage therapist on staff They can also order MRIs (uncover hidden damage), and if necessary, farm you out to Sports Medicine, Orthopedic and Pain Management specialists. I've recently sustained upper back & neck trauma. Without the help of the aforementioned professionals, I'd still be lying around all day....fat, sore and not doing MAs. Go see a doctor, lol. Indeed, they seem to come a long way than back in the day. Although, I say see a doctor first.

So, if a at stopped its stripes, say at 5th, does this make the wearer less knowledgible than an art does stop its stripes at 8, or even an art which doesnt have stripes?

I am sorry for what I am about to post. Frankly, I do not see the point to glorify such a feat from such a person. To modify a curriculum, and in some cases, extreme to benefit the student, would seem to dilute the actual course of said art. Simply, if such criteria is set with normal practitioners in mind, and these normal students have to work so hard, why cant the same requirements be upon someone else who isnt quite normal? In other words, if a normal person accomplishes his art criteria, and isnt so over glorified, why should it be that of someone less normal? I had a few handicap students, and they DID not want me to change the curriculum to suit their handicap. This made them feel abnormal as it placed them apart from the norm.

Grand post. A short, accurate point to what I was making.

I think many miss the point. Hapkido is supposedly came from same branch of Aiki-jujutsu as Aikido. Too many people think or believe that Aikido does not have striking, but one of the arts, other than Aiki-jujutsu as a foundation for Aikido was Tenjin Shinyo-ryu. Thus, I believe, many people do not get a chance to learn and acknowledge the many combat methods, including striking, that Aikido has to offer. The problem is Aikido does not develop students in a "shorter" amount of time as does Hapkido. Thus, many Aikido practitioners either do not have a teacher who has remained long enough to learn such combat tactics, or they themselves do not either.

Jay, less not forget how many beleive that JKD is supposed to be a art whoch is misinterpreted as training by oneself, without the need for any type of instructor with a foundation.