xo-karate

Actually wadoryu has armlocks, wrist locks and pins, but these were not taught at our dojo. We were more competition oriented. here is a link: http://www.wadoryu.org.uk/jujutsu.html

What do the others wear?

How has your project done? Have you been able to keep your schedule?

Solid post!! Now you are assuming that 1 kyu will be taught different techniques than a dan? I have never been so lucky to be in a club that had exclusive lessons for black belts only. Lessons are the same - if you think very hard, you might differences in learning - maybe motivation, maybe goals, but it's digging deep.

googled some cane techniques. Many look like they might irritate your opponent more than finish the job. If I were to plan a cane technique for elderly to use, there would be some pointers. 1) Even a person is in good shape, but needs a cane, most likely he is not as strong as 20 something. This means that situation has to end in control or long distance from the attacker. 2) You do not want to loose your cane 3) I'd look at escrima, boken and bo techniques and try to find the most secure. (All so a quick look at current videos in youtube, I had the feeling that the timing was wrong. After one punch will come an other and another, if the attacker can grap you, your in trouble. (There might be some techniques for nightstick and we have some officers at the forum who might comment on that:-)

I visited our local Wing Tsun club (That's the way they like to spell it) .. yesterday. Today I asked what would they think if I learn from master Wong's lessons. (Waiting for an answer.) I live in very secure environment and have not needed to use self defense for 40 years. So self defense is not top priority, but keeping in acceptable physical condition is. It's also important in self defense - you need to have enough stamina and skills that if you are pushed to the ground, you don't break an arm or a leg. Or one should have at least some ability to run, if it is needed. (Running fast - like sprinting - is only a mental image in memory, reality is rude I love the idea of cane techniques! What about including some pressure points as targets? Knock out game seems something that does not spell "civilization". I don't think that they do it even in the worst parts of African war zones.

Very difficult to answer. First it should be something you can do really well. It can be almost anything, but you have to be able to do it. You need to do it at the correct time. And surprise your opponent. For me most effective techniques would be some kind of assibarai and running? (Or if I don't feel like running, I'd do a pin, armlock or some kind of hold... from various grappling techniques of wadoryu

Very difficult to answer. First it should be something you can do really well. It can be almost anything, but you have to be able to do it. You need to do it at the correct time. And surprise your opponent. For me most effective techniques would be some kind of assibarai and running? (Or if I don't feel like running, I'd do a pin, armlock or some kind of hold... from various grappling techniques of wadoryu

In training there is S.A.I.D principle or "what you do, is what you get". If you move faster, you'll train your speed. For best speed training you need to use very light weights - just 100g in your wrists or angles and also to do slight downhill techniques to get an override or even faster speed. (fast would be with out weights.) This is when your muscles and core is in shape! First you need to build a sound base of strength to mold it later. Jumping, running climbing, kettlebell, weight training in gym...

Looks like Practical Wing Chun is offering Qi Gong for senior levels to strengthen your body against attacks.

Hi Jim, very much luck with your project of building your own dojo. I am a little envious about it. (Had my thoughts, but not wanting it enough.) I do physical training with my neighbor - a 68 y old physical therapy professor who has an aikido background. I'm a 55y youngster and train actively in regular classes in BJJ. I'll take you up on your interest in talking about karate or wing chun. Wing chun is my latest fixation or maybe it's just an interest at the moment. I don't know much about it, but I'm open minded and willing to have a go at it. What's your experience in wing shun? (Read your blog, but still want to know more.)

I started to play golf few years ago and it taught a lot about begin a beginner. Most important lesson for me was that every one has been a beginner. There is nothing bad or good about it. It's just where you are at the moment. Where you will go depends on what you will do. Hope you will enjoy the forum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB_f-mkyqtc samurai spirit

It depends on how tired I am. Often I do cardio or gym. Lately I've done a DVD workout like P90X or something else. I should do more stretching and more technical drills on various techniques, but I end up watching lessons from DVD or Youtube

After watching the world championships from youtube I have to agree. It's not fun to guess who is going to get a point - even the referees have different opinions. Not a spectator sports - with current rules - BUT I'd watch it ... and blame the referees for wrong calls:-)

A Saturday night version of a macdojo sensei is not enough?

Checked the club. No problems with the belt. They wear different color shirts:-) I have to think about this, as the technique is different than I've previously learned - boxing or karate. Well, one karate style had similar features. Striking to me was that every one did the techniques differently - not the same posture, stance, or hands or arms at similar places. Also movement had large variation. This can mean that I did not know where to look - or most had sloppy technique. I'll go with the notion that I did not understand where to look and I was missing the point. One thing was good - their shirts did get darker during the lesson.

Ranks and titles are for communication. It's something you need for your own social group -club, style or what the context is. Boxers have titles like champ and hasbeen. In BJJ there are professors and so on. I have one "master" title, but I don't use it. I'd like to be recognized as knowing something about martial arts, but it does not come with the title or rank. I don't know how it comes - it's not up to me, but to the social context. Question title vs rank.. neither are very clear to other than to the tribe you are in. (In a little outsider so only skill and knowledge are valid for me - and title might be a besserwisser - know it all

I think Tai Chi Chuan is very popular and Qi Kung is coming. Wushu is so broad range of disciplines and instructors are few.

thanks

I have the same feeling with my karate career. After winning national championship I changed my club, but was not allowed to compete for one year, because old club did not sign my transfer papers. --- and I moved to a new city to study and got married, kid and now grandkids. Now I have time to catch up with my tournament carreer:-)

My interest to Wing Chun comes from the fact that it does not have high kicks - Shudan or core is enough. I can do some kicks to Jodan - head, but not all. Side split is very poor now a days. I don't think I will switch, but integrate styles would be more accurate. I'd also try to include all I've learned. Also one benefit is to meet new martial artists. (My background is from karate. Have not but my karategi on for a while, but use my skills two times per week in our boxing/kick boxing sessions.)

Yep - best of something is always a merit. I'd settle for being a coach.

I'll visit the club in three hours. I'll go from the feeling I get there. One good thing about leaving new studies to August is that there is a lot of things to study in the current disciplines I do:-) I do understand that home studies are a double plaided sword - you can cut your self - too.

Thanks for the thumbs up