Preacher

Just for some general knowledge sharing, and I would be open to discussion on this topic somewhat, but Frank Dux made quite a few bold claims which appear to be fabricated. However that is my opinion based on the copius information available to research. To say he is a pioneer is truly a disservice in my opinion.

Congratulations, as Karate is a great way to improve yourself through personal growth. Most have already commented on the age and glasses part so I'll refrain from repeating whats already said. I would like to comment on several other items though. Before taking private lessons, I would recommend you go to the dojo itself and ask questions prior to a class starting if possible. Some dojo's have a web presence so you may also be able to email and communicate with one of the instructors and establish a schedule on when it would be best to go visit and possibly watch a class in session. I would also recommend you do some research on the instructors, and watch the senior and junior students as they come to class to suit up. If the students are rude, and not very friendly you may want to look at another location or style of training. Another area to consider is not to concern yourself with rank. The rank /belt doesn't make the student or the instructor. There's quite a bit of fly by night instructors out there so as with any aspect where your going to devote funds to be sure your instructors have the proper credentials before plopping down any cash for private lessons. Karate is fascinating. Full of history. A dojo should be an environment conducive to training, and learning and its also a great way to develop life long friendships as the years go by. Take it slow, knowledge and forms will come to you as you continue. Speed will come as time progresses, but technique is most important. Remember speed is of no use to you if your doing it fast and wrong. Learn the etiquette of the dojo, the words, commands. Everything will come into its own as time progresses. Best of wishes to you.

Interesting topic and responses. Enjoy a good dialogue. I'd like to provide my comments and note- they are not to offend but assist in better understanding what has transpired prior to, as well as since the incident. I would like to include some of your comments and provide my view point from your statements, without making this response into a book. That may be true however we all, and yes that means each and everyone of us has a dark side. Some are darker then others, but we all have that in us. Unfortunately, when a person continuously succumbs to the whims, or demands of others to avoid conflict they have a tendency to become unhealthy. Stress, is a killer no if ands or butts about it. So by saying you hate conflict it portrays you avoid conflict. This would then mean it carries over to the employment, and personal life. All that stress buildup is looking for an outlet, and the simplest moment, the most trivial disagreement can become violent, or your valves cannot contain the pressure of the blood flow and pop you've become another statistic.Communication is good, civil discussions over disagreement's are good. It's a normal aspect. However when the tone of voice changes and the discussion becomes one where the other person is trying to convert your way of thinking or dictate to you. The civil discussion now transforms to an argument. Its best to walk away at that point as civility is out the door and emotions become the viewpoint not the topic. Case in point - No greater conflict in the history of mankind has arisen then that of religion and politics. Nations -People have gone to war over such matters. Maybe the stress of trying to meet a deadline has become an issue. Be it financial or other issue. Push back the big day. Take time off to find each other again. Sit listen- talk-and date each other again. Sounds a little silly but it seems your relationship has hit a snag. Take time out to find each other. Thats what you fell in love with in the first place- the greatest destroyer of any relationship is monotony, then comes finances. Respect is a two way street. Simple words to follow would be never yell at each other unless the house is on fire. Every action causes a reaction, what triggered the angry response. If you take a moment to review what caused the incident instead of what happened during the incident it will help you grow and when the time is right you both can grow through communication. Would it have been so difficult to walk away and take a breather. This seems to go against what you stated previously about being non confrontational. So in essence this argument may have struck a personal note, which is why you could not walk away. OK, let me see if I understand this correctly. You train in a combative art, you do this training 2/3 times a week and now you feel guilty because you struck someone. Since you train in a style that deals with harmony you may want to consider doing Aikido, instead of Wado Ryu. Your ashamed for taking action. No one can determine what caused the explosive action but you but since you committed to taking action. To late to feel remorse, shame, etc look back on the event and learn from it. If you still feel bad, talk to your instructor. Learn from the discussion.

Karate 1.) Budo 2.) Kuro-Obi 3.) Red Belt 4.) Fighter in the Wind Budo 1.) Twilight Samurai 2.) When the last sword is drawn.

The video presented is to . The aspect of using the meaty part of the arm to protect from an outside hook is relevant, and effective as it prevent the hook from doing a deep muscle penetration strike to the jaw, temple or neck area. The clawing is extremely effective for women, and was taught during rape prevention classes years back. Now they moved to keys and mace,and yes the target is still the eyes as it will assist the victim to halt the attack so they can get away. As noted previously not many will sacrifice an eye, to accomplish an assault unless it was life threatening. Krav Maga is very effective when put into use. It is like any other form of MA in many aspects as it requires countless hours of training and everyone sweats

You are listening to me but you do not hear me "unknown" We take refuge in pride because we are afraid to tell the truth to ourselves. "Kakuzo Okakura" We fight so that the children can live in peace "ATLACATL" Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking. "Ferdinand Foch" at the Battle of the Marne You can't shake hands with a clenched fist. "Indira Ghandi" If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies "Moshe Dayan" Peace is not the absence of war; it is a virtue; a state of mind; a disposition for benevolence; confidence; and justice "Benedict de Spinoza"

As for the Teacher/Sensei part of my comment. There are so so many teachers out there now a days but there are a few true Sensei's. My comment is mostly directed to Western Culture. Granted I'm sure several will take offense to my comment, and so be it. However I a classic example of why people look at MA with crossed eyes is because of the 9 yr old black belts, the half crocked instructors who have limited clue of their own style's history, and because of stuff like this I have no clue as to what purpose this display is meant accomplish. I'm sure there are others that will comment on the demonstration or type of tournament's like this but to me tournaments/displays like this is an embarrassment to the true practitioners of the Martial Arts. Just my opinion.

Excellent time to build lasting friendships, and learn first hand in a place where countless others have been before you. ah yes traditional karate. So so different then those with the 9 yr old brown belts, or sword spinning -toss the o-katana in the air= checker board wearing hakama blackbelts that do a whole lot of nothing. Yet people think that's Karate... If you get a chance to go. Highly recommend it. You'll fall in love with the culture, the scenery, and get a chance to visit some historical places, castles, etc. Just my opinion.

Everyday music for me that I find relaxing is Gregorian Monk chants. I also like listening to flutes, classical and a few other things. For meditation or training. No music. Preacher

Ego - the quintessential root of so many unwarranted brawls. Sadly this goes back to the dojo, the improper guidance to the student and the inability of the teacher to weed out bad sticks. Note I said teacher and not Sensei, why you may ask. Oh its like anything else now a days. It seems money or politics over rides common sense. A true practitioner whose been doing it few quite a few years will not engage in trivial brawls. Why because a practitioner with years of training behind him/her is a formidable force to fight some John Doe is to feed the ego. I equate a practitioner fighting against a john doe with no knowledge or training is equal to putting in a poodle into a ring with a professional TOSA. Useless and a waste of time, energy, and training. JMO

Human instincts has been 1 of 2 aspects with fear and that is fight or flight. Human fear is a natural reaction. It is what a person does through repetitive training that helps when the person begins to experience fear. When the mind cannot compute any longer because the fear has gripped the body we tend to call that person a coward however when the person can control the fear and still think, or act as he has been trained then we tend to call that person brave or courageous. So many people state that they would act in a certain manner when fear was present. However more often then not when the chips are down they turn tail more so when they are by themselves. Yet when with a group of people, you stand and fight not because of you but for the man next to you. So your able to selflessly put yourself into harms way for your fellow man you call friend. JMO and Merry Christmas everyone. Preacher

In todays Military (Depending on the service), the concept of hand to hand combat is still taught with the intention of deadly force. Law Enforcement, to include Corrections are also taught strikes to incapacitate the adversary to include deadly force. Though we a re a civil society, there will always be those who break the law. Should you ever be placed in a situation where help is several miles, or minutes away. You have the simple choice of flight or fight. Situation and person dictates.

The aspect of the quote is what it is meant to translate to kill with one punch My interpretation - to kill with one punch Next time you practice one of your Kata's against your unseen opponent. Note the moment you release a Kiai, it is with the movement of a limb into the target. Hence the countless hours training on the makiwara, and other tools. Just my opinion, great topic for discussion

Interesting topic and even more so the responses. I'm sure my posting will differ with the thoughts of many however it is my opinion and I welcome the civil exchange of knowledge from the context of ones opinion and experiences. I ask that you focus on the context of the discussion instead of the spelling as so often is the point by many. Ki is not some mythical art. It is not a shamans trick or some form of stage act with hidden props and thin strings. It is the harnessing of ones energy. We each, as individuals have it. Different forms of Martial Arts have their own unique way on exercises, breathing, and meditation to help a person become in tune to themselves and harness their own energy. Regardless of the country or martial art practiced it should be of note that the focus is usually in the same area of the body which is said to be the pool of life force. Probably the most active display or demonstration of Ki is done by the Shaolin Monks. However it should be understood that the Monks received their initial introduction from the Indian Monk Bohdi Dharma. It should also be of interest to Karateka that the Chinese influence of Okinawa was quite substantial before the invasion of the Satsuma Clan. Martial Arts has its spurts. Not trying to offend but I will clarify that comment. During World War II Westerners came back with stories of guys breaking rocks with their fists, and soon the word of Karate spread. The Korean War introduced the West to the art of Taakgyeon, TKD, and HRD. With Tae Kwon Do being the most popular, then came the Green Hornet and the show with David Carradine. Both good shows but the actions of Bruce Lee and the movies introduced the West to GongFu. Then Came Steven Segal and Aikido become a huge hit, people jumped on the band wagon for that as well. Quite a few bailed when they found it wasnt what they thought. Then came Speakman and Van Damme, and now the big trend is MMA and right behind it is Krav Maga. So as the evolution of Martial Arts continues one should not, and in my opinion cannot forget the emphasis of the original teachings. Ki being one of them.