honoluludesktop

In its early western formation, Kempo karate practitioners believed that every motion was a martial form. Combing your hair, was the same motion as blocking or parrying a strike, and on, and on. Perhaps what we contrive "pull back" to be is no different then brushing ones hair:-)

One problem with long term contracts is that unless it states otherwise, you must pay even if you quit (teenagers often change their minds overnight, like when they get their first girlfriend). If you don't pay, you will have a collector on your heels and your credit will be affected. Another problem is that a contract can be sold to any third party. In addition, who is the contract with, a LLC? If they quit you will have no recourse to your money. What happens if they change instructors, move to another location, etc. The non compete could cost you in small claims court. Sometimes contracts are necessary, get the shortest terms you can, say 3 months, or negotiate to be able to quit any time without penalty.

That's not the point of the post, rather that Newton's law is incorrectly used to explain the purpose of "pull back". But regardless of what we were taught, the pull back by itself doesn't train the hip. Again, when you stand in "yoi" and pull back, it doesn't cause your hip to go anywhere.I am not saying the pull back is not important. I believe it is, but not in the ways that are normally used to explain why.

At one time, I too believed that pull back was the rational to punching basics, but now know that "equal and opposite reaction" is not the reason why. If that were true, standing in "yoi" punching by the arm as hard as possible should cause you to twist or fall over, but you don't. Newton's law predicts the force returning to your fist when you hit a wall, or to your leg when pushing down on your foot. There is a lot of pseudoscience that was used in the 50s to introduce Karate to the West that still remain with us today. Some of the worst have been dismissed over time ("the twisting fist improves accuracy, like spinning a bullet"), but many like "pull back" continue to remain with us. On the other hand, many unexplained phenomena are "poo, poo(ed)" because they are offered without explanation. The "unbend-able arm" is often dismissed as a trick because no scientifically believable reason is offered. Fact is that it is a demonstration of the "stretch" muscles that are not felt when engaged. IMO, its sometimes best to follow the conventions without thinking too much, but that goes against modern nature. >_<

The logic to chambering the fist low is to help relax the shoulder. The rational to keep it higher is to place the forearms vector in-line with the target. Both are good rationals. When striking from basic positions, follow the convention and compensate for its deficiency. For example, when chambering the fist high, work on relaxing the shoulders, etc. In kumite, you will strike from any position anyway.

I think his movements were excellent, but IMO his fight mind eye was turned off, thus no bunkai. When you do slow kata, good fight mind eye is even more noticeable. Still the video has good value as a demonstration of basic movement.

Karate as self defense, a sport, or as an Art, make up its totality. Every one's focus is different, and it doesn't invalidate the other perspectives. If you stick at it long enough, you may find your preference changing from one to another, or even embracing all. It's a mistake for any point of view to claim exclusivity for Karate from their personal perspective.

Where? Did you leave out the link?

Teachers rarely practice with the intensity that they require from their students. This is not a criticism. A teachers role is different, and they must gain skills and experience in teaching or coaching. It is common to see students with 30+ years of training, whose technical skills exceed their teachers.

Regardless of a Senseis true abilities, none of his students will think that his is bad. The more dedicated the student, the more loyalty he will display. So to me, the question is difficult to answer. IMO, a good Sensei needs vast experience to call on when he teaches. How can you explain something you haven't experienced. He needs the ability to communicate to his students, or at least knowledge of the process that teaches. To me, once he begins teaching, his knowledge of karate becomes fairly static.

Board breaking without much feeling of impact is a function of speed. As you begin to feel the impact, breaking becomes a factor of applying effective mass, something that can be demonstrated by hitting a bag.

It's very difficult to train with less then a dozen students. I think that thirty is the minimum desirable number of students in a class. As long as sempai are helping, a class can handle over 50 students. Quantity is important, especially when it comes to practicing kumite.

If your joints hurt, you are doing something wrong. Did you talk to your Sensei about your injury? He is best suited to help you.

For the purpose of fighting, moving to the beat can give the opponent an oppertunity to take you out. Can you see a NBA or NFL match with heavy music in the background?

While I can relate to the concern here, the fact is that there are many "craft like" things, and manners that can not be conveyed precisely with words. IMO, "Because I said so", really means "I don't know" why, something that's difficult for any sempai, or teacher to admit. You got to look at your teachers history, demos, etc. to see if he's experienced, and competent in this matter. If he is, and it doesn't amount to physically damaging abuse, you got to have faith. If you can't, you must find a new Sensei. If the skill in question is currently beyond ones ability, he can not be expected to understand a vague explanation (by words) at that time.

Seperating personal relationships from being a student of technical knowledge, if you can not follow your Sensei in technical matters, you should find another. In order to learn technique, you must be able to follow without question.

This is a relevant matter. In a fight, its fight or flight. In most fights people have probably lost their tempers. If you don't lose your temper, you can walk away. If you can't walk away, and you fight in self defense, it doesn't matter, unless your temper causes you to lose. It always feel bad later, after losing ones temper, whether involved in a fight or not. Can't say for others, but I train, and kumite not to lose my temper, by staying singularly focused on distance. Police, like military are different, they fight on circumstance.

Sounds like you don't respect your teacher. Nothing wrong with that, but shouldn't you find another?

When someone responds defensively, it tells me that they are aware of the problems the situation can bring. At least they thought about it. In some cases that's good, and in others that's bad. Good decision's are almost never individual. If we didn't take the concerns of those we love, or those who love us into consideration, would we be human?

OK, sorry to see that you took issue with the way I phrased that. But that is much of what bothers me. It's so easy for stylist to take offence when reading an innocuous statement about some aspect of ones art.

How else can I say it?

Like my daughter, you probably think that 23 is old enough to know better, and take care of yourself. But teenage hormones, been there, done that. Most parents would try to keep their young, and old daughters as safe as possible. Sorry, as you can see, I am a overprotective dad. Hardly a description of finesse in kumite. You must be physically big or very strong to drag your instructor around by holding his hand. I think it is great for boys and girls, men and women to train together. But when teenagers are involved, IMO, there are some lines that are best respected. Adult males have to be very careful rolling around on the ground with teen girls. IMO, teenage boys, and girls, should keep apart when on the ground. The exception to this may be in refereed matches. May not sound fair, but better then having other problems. Also IMO, karate poses less problems then grappling. As for being a martial artist, rather then male or female. While that thought may be politically correct, being female rather then male is a quality no different then tall or short, muscular or skinny. A martial artist must take everything into consideration as factors in a match. On the "rock" there are many women who climb better then men because they cultivate technique rather then strength. There are aspects a woman can use to her advantage over a man, and she should study using them. The "martial way" is not just in the physical fight.

I don't think fighting guys is as much a problem for her as is the potential sexual contact. The other side of this is "How can your mom change your mind". Can you understand her point of view?

Ip Man. Very entertaining film. Watch the MegaVideo clip, seven minuets into the movie, the sparring practice is an elegant idealization of dojo kumite. They demonstrate control, and accuracy at it's best. Of course, its a movie. http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/temp001.png

I tried to quote myself, and destroyed this post in the process. Oh well, my response to the following is below it.