RichardZ

I would have replied yes. (Knowing what he had excelled in, say mechanics, for example,) I would have told him, I see he still does Kung Fu also.

These are great. I almost forgot about them. I guess, the different methods could have one not concerned about having to purchase a "certain" product.

This is how Gong Fu was truly attained. (Not by baggage handling-of course )

Great point. So, it maybe in part of a fuel to self-ego?

I has some incorrigible students a few times. I sought no punishment, but had other methods to get them motivated.

Grand post. Though often i wonder, if it wasnt for the grade=rank, would people actually put orth the hard work? I once spoke to a Buddhist monk about something simular to this.

Ah, I understand now. But could there be more than one "ultimate"? I would think, form word association, that "ultimate" stands alone as the pinacle. I didnt know there could be several "ultimate" goals. I guess it is how the word is used within its semiology. Intense training is what you desire, and believe you need for defense. Others are into fun or sport. But, the majority of the population does not intense train, let alone practice martial arts. Yet, the majority still survives daily.

I'll drink to that. Having done it once on a crowded train when a violent sounding drunk decided I was who he wanted to rant at. In the end he left saying "have a good day man" and I was left being thanked by half the other people there haha. I had many such that I cannot begin to remember-account. This is where I have always said, martial arts isnt only about physical confrontations. It also teaches (should) a discipline when NOT to fight.

Grand post and account. This same applies to a forum. Much can be misinterpreted in rhetorical discussions without facial or body expressions. One's sense of conveyance or humor cannot always be detected on such a medium, as a forum or blog.

Partly agree and disagree. This depends if the few things a thousand times has worth and doesnt create long-term detremental effects. What surprise me the most? Having each instructor send me to another without having any reserved martial art politics and prejudices.

Riding a bike or horse comes to mind.

Concur, I think. I've put in a lot of work at the gym in the past 15 years; done a lot of experimenting with technique and nutrition. I've had people actually ask me how I've built the mass I have, while pushing (relatively) light weights. It's all in the form; and addressing both fast and slow twitch muscle fibers. Most of these guys are what I call "Ego Lifters," and true....legitimately can say they 'bench this' or 'curl that' but employ more bouncing and swinging than a circus trapeze artist. Then wonder why they can't build size..... 20 years down the line (if they keep training that way) they'll still be small, and crippled by joint problems or other consequences of poor lifting technique -- I'll still be kicking butt. Cliff's Notes: lift and fuel properly, strength and size will come. ....and yes, size and strength can be advantageous as applied to Martial Arts. Although it's certainly not the end-all, be-all factor. Thanks. my point exactly/ I guess my post was "obvious" to mr_obvious.

I could handle the pushups and curry powder. Now having being forced to take a laxitive and do the test for a length of time, that will be a challenge.

You should have sought advice before doing such. IMHO Time will heal it. Soak it alot. Over the counter muscle rubs are good. Hopefully, you did not tear tissue or put a strain on the joint. Last- and most important, seek a doctor.

If you knew me then you'd know that I'm not part of this crowd in which you speak about! Yes it is rare. Yet, it does exist in our By-Laws and I'm trying to put an end to the use of the Soke title within my style because Shindokan had one Soke and one Dai-Soke, therefore, that's enough. Sure! BUT, I'm not subjected to any other organization than that of the Shindokan, just as you're not subjected to any other organization other than the one your associated with. I don't give a bent pins about who approves or who doesn't approve anything and everything concerning myself and/or the Shindokan Hombu. This is nothing new from me, and people here at KF can bare this true of me. This is widely known that one rank from organization "A" isn't the same rank in organization "B"! And this goes along with my statement in the previous paragraph. IMHO, this is why there will NEVER be one governing body of the martial arts because of differing standards and the like. AGAIN...Proof is on the floor, not within any organization, not within any By-Laws, not within any rank/title, not within any other person, whether or not someones a practitioner of the martial arts or not, BUT, proof is FOUND on the floor and nowhere else, imho! IMHO The proof is no longer on the floor if one has to acquire stripes and title. IMEO The proof is actually in the streets under real fisticuffs.

Grand post. Perhaps the best one in reason as to the whole strped thing.

I doubt it was lost. It is a matter to show historic link and creditibility. Simply to say something once was, or long ago, ancient, etc., is to add intrique and in this case, tangible proud hierarchy

Sometimes it is best to quit and think of the longer picture.

I agree. The whole thing with pressure points, etc., is the mystique. Things that are now common knowledge and people evolved with higher tolerences have shorten the effectiveness. In other words, these were laid out to be great way back then when people did not know better, or the populace knew little of the body. It is all superfluously adduced, that there are those who swear by it without tangible evidence. They rather hold onto unrealistic thinking, thus having others to think the same way. For decades, I have studied, attended seminars, and observed in the "field", sort to speak, that although these can induce pain, discomfort, etc., as it was said, it is all circumstantial and individual-specific. Last, no opponent in a real confrontation is going to "just stand there" and allow such be done. In other words, real confrontations happen so fast, opponents are on the move, and other factors, will not allow such thing to be accurately presented or applied.

I know of people, and myself, whom had seen chiropractors, they are a quick fix to long term problems caused by this quackery of detremental effects. People going to such will feel better, but over decades, it worsens because the body is not designed to allow this. Think of the joints, bones, as socketed ball bearings, they are not for popping. Muscle message is different

Well, it is a matter of politics and bandwagon.

"Isnt The highest rank is Soke Doke?"

Training yourself to have a decent ability to defend yourself is grand. However, defense goes far beyond physical applications. To break objects with the hands and feet, should not be a ultimate goal in martial arts, as such is really no true test or example of fighting/defense skill. IMHO

Nope! I was just going for the cheap laugh. I know. however, I wanted to post a little more insightful reference.

Grand post. Sorry to cross thread, there was a mention that soeone saw a high rank-respected instructor in plain clothes at a tourney or event. This said, most venerable instructors dont seem to actually care about rank in many aspects. I have met many, who will not wear it. Strange, I had a simular discussion with a Buddhist monk.