jaypo

White Yellow Orange Green Blue Purple Red Brown 1,2,3 Black

The Last Dragon Goonies Enter the Dragon Red Dawn All of the "Ahnold" movies- Terminator, Commando, T2, etc. Bloodsport

9/3/12- worked on Bassai Dai and Passai Dai. Also did bunkai from senshado Nidan. Great class.

Most average men can't bench their own body weight. I would suggest working on your form first. Use your chest and not your shoulders. Make sure both feet are on the ground, your shoulders are "disengaged" from the exercise, and "flex" your pecs when you are lifting. Exhale on the push and inhale on the negative. Use a cadence of about 2 seconds up, 2 seconds down with a 1 second pause at the top. I would work out with about 60% of your 1 rep max and do 3-4 sets of 6-8 reps using good form. You'll find yourself getting stronger, but be patient. I was 175lbs when I started working out, and I couldn't bench press 95 lbs. Within 2 years, I upped my 1 rep max to 315. After numerous shoulder injuries, I can no longer use barbells, so I use dumbbells. I now work out with 95lb dumbbells on flat bench and 90 on incline, and I'm at 188 lbs body weight. If you really wanna get scientific and gain strength, try this routine. Do 3 sets of the max weight you can do 6-8 reps of on bench press. Do 1 set, then rest 5 minutes (it sounds like a lot, but trust me!) After those 3 sets, go to incline bench. Do 2 sets with as much weight as you can do 10 reps of. Do 2 sets of 10 with 3 minutes in between the sets. Then, go to dips, and do 20 dips. I guarantee you will increase your strength dramatically. It's called SAIS training. After 18 years of weigth training, this helped me get over plateaus and increase strength a lot. I used to do hammer curls with 35lb dumbbells. Now, I can do sets with 70lb dumbbells. I'm not a huge believer in gimmics, but this method is something I found, researched, and has worked for me.

Justlike- you sound exactly like my sensei. He began training in Okinawa when he was in the Marines 20 plus years ago. He became a black belt in Shorin Ryu and then began studying Shotokan. He also trained in Aikido, Kenpo, learned some Tai Chi and Kung Fu. He also has developed a few of his own forms using more tecnhiques. But to grade in his system, you grade as a Shorin Ryu and Shotokan student. He just loves to teach the other techniques as a bonus! For example, to test, you learn about 75% Shotokan/Shorin Ryu forms with 25% of his. I personally love it. In my previous JKA/ISKA training, we never learned any arm locks, throws, breaks. Now, we do. But it is all done from the same katas and/or bunkai. I never learned the applications for "tekki Shodan", but doing "naihanchi", I learned more applications that weren't taught in the JKA/ISKA system.

Hey, guys. Thanks for the concern! Well, the storm hit right up our butts. But that actually helped me out. We caught a lot of bad weather, but because the eye passed directly over us, the worst quadrant of the storm went around us. We fared considerably well. Even though it messed me up a little financially, the areas around Hammond, Slidell, Amite, etc. are a lot worse off than us! Keep those areas in your prayers. Hey, Justice- how'd you do? Everybody okay in your area?

I trained Shotokan for 2 years long ago, and recently got into Shorin Ryu because of the similarities. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the differences! In Shotokan, we RARELY did any takedowns or throws. The blocks were blocks. No grabs. It was basically one shot, one kill. In this system, Sensei bases his system on Shorin Ryu mainly with some Shotokan, but he also employs Tai Chi, Kenpo, Akido, and Jiu Jitsu. We do more traps, grabs, breaks, throws. For example, in Shotokan, if someone threw a punch at my chest, my training taught me to step back and block with a powerful inner (or outer) chest block and counter. In this system, I 'evade" by stepping slightly to the side (and sometimes, even toward the opponent if I need to crowd him), use the block, but hook (trap) the attacking hand and counter. Not just a counter kick to the stomach or punch to the face, but possibly a kick to the inner thigh, outer thigh, a forearm strike to the elbow, etc. And a throw to finish it off. Or possibly an armlock after the trap. In my previous training, I was taught wonderful basics, which is why my form is ahead of my peers. However, it was rarely put into "real life" situations. Now, I'm learning how to control the opponent's body, his joints, I'm finding openings while sparring so much easier. And I'm learning just how effective I can be (I am probably 4 times physically stronger than I was when I trained years ago)

Good deal! I had something on my had last year that they removed. It was a tumor, but not malignant. I watched them remove it, which probably wasn't the best idea on an empty stomach! I got queasy when the doctor, who I've known for years, said "Look at this- this is the nerve that it's been sitting on causing your finger to be numb!" He though it was funny. I didn't!

Justice- I'm right near you in Houma. It looks like we'll both be taking on Isaac! I'm about 20 miles from the Gulf. I'll be boarding up tonight. I hope you and yours will be okay!

Way to go, J!! There was a segment of NCIS where he was in the gym hitting on a machine called the "Nexersys". It's a training machine that you input programs into, and you punch on it. Well, one of my coworkers is part owner of the Nexersys company! But to answer the question, I'm not sure if he has formal training, but watching him hit the machine, he definitely has some skill! Check out Nexersys. Chael Sonnen is a sponsor. Jackie Chan has worked on it, and Uriah Faber did some work on it as well.

A buddy of mine studies Chinese Ba Gua (sp), and I find that the kicks in that system are not rechambered. He does a front kick and lands the leg directly below where the kick would have landed. Same with side kicks. I'm from a Shotokan back ground where you draw back the kick and then plant it according to your stance. In his style, the foot lands where it was thrown. It looks odd to me.

I hadn't sparred in over 20 years until I recently took my 1st exam under my new system. I had to spar with the other student testing for the same rank as I and with the Sr. black belt and assistant instructor. I was very nervous (but after training with those 2 guys, I was aware of my abilities compared to theirs). I did very well against my peer (we weren't going for points to win; doing 3 rounds of 3 minutes) I actually dislocated my finger blocking the 1st kick from the black belt, but I pulled it back into place and told him to keep going. I actually did very well against him. We sparred recently, and within 45 seconds, I beat the sr. black belt to 2 points. Then, I had to go against a very timid 7th kyu, and I was just like the person above- I was going half speed, leaving openings to teach him how to find them (without him knowing, of course) and telling him to try to hit me with good strikes. It was actually more fun "losing" to the 7th kyu than it was defeating the black belt! I am more confident in my sparring abilities now than I was 20 plus years ago when I was an athletic monster! I do, however, find myself fighting southpaw more now because I am enjoying kicking off of my front foot (power foot) a lot more in this system.

8/22/12- worked on Naihanchi and bunkai from it. Had a very good class despite almost throwing up before!

I think the answers on this forum would reflect the legitimancy of the instructor that is grading. For example, if he's allowing someone to skip a rank, he better be confident that the student is qualified. Especially if he jumps somoene else's rank that is more deserving. Personally, I feel that I have the same or higher skill level as a couple of people that have higher ranks than I do in the system I train in. However, I don't feel like I've earned a higher rank as of yet, because I think I need to perfect certain techniques whereas some of the other students know more of the techniques, but have lesser form on their techniques. They have the knowledge and skill to put them at a higher rank than I am currently at. But for me to feel like I truly earned a higher rank, I want to feel like I've learned more and perfected what I've learned before I advance. My next test, if I pass, will put me at brown belt. I feel that brown belts should have near perfect form on their basic strikes, blocks, and kicks. I feel that I should know all required katas and sequences with near perfect form before I should be awarded my brown belt. That's just my .02.

I watched a "sports science" segment yesterday where they were testing the "ninja dim mak". They used a crash test dummy. The range of damage was between 0 and 1.0 with 1.0 being 100% fatal. The guy was relatively small (I'm 6'0, 190, he was about 5'6, 155".) He did a hammer strike to the breast bone. His hit recorded .8 which was .2 away from 100% fatal. So a hammer strike is a powerful strike to begin with. That's the reason you see so many MMA guys using them to a downed opponent.

8/17/12- worked Heian Godan (had a purple belt training with us). Did applications from Godan including arm locks/throws from the kata 8/19/12- did chest, abs, triceps. Also worked specifically on Sen Sha Do Sandan and Sen Sa Do Yandon (1st half).

8/15/12 evening class: Did newer version of Geri Nidan kata. Then did bunkai from kata. Trained with TSD and Aikido black belt who will be instructing the class as my sensei goes on retreat next week to a M. A. camp.

It depends on if he has any good take down defense! In all seriousness, he's talking about defeating an animal that could literally slap his head off of his shoulders! Ask him if he thinks he would have an easy time defeating a 100lb pitbull (which is possible, but would be difficult). Then multiple it by 4! He's talking about defeating an animal 4 times his size and strength, faster, stronger, and meaner. I'm a Shotokan man myself, and one thing it has taught me is self discipline. Not wreckless ignorance!

8/15/12- Back and biceps, abs, stretching, sprints. Class this evening.

8/13/12- PM class- Bassai Dai kata then bunkai from the kata. Then free sparring- worked against Senior black belt, and actually scored more, but didn't win! Had a great trap and backfist as well as some awesome shifting front kicks that landed well, but got caught too many times being lazy with my blocks. Then worked against aggressive purple belt that throws crazy attacks. I was at half speed and let her go full. I landed a kick to the face (with control- didn't follow thru!) and was able to block almost everything, but got caught again being lazy with blocks! Altogether a good session. Made me realize that if I were to go all out, I would be able to defeat them very handily. It also made me realize how much of what I know can't be used in sparring. I couldn't use any strong sweeps (I do use sweeps to draw attention to the leg to set up punches). I can't use hard leg kicks or grabs and throws. And I can't sacrifice a punch to my body for a strike to the opponent's face. These sessions are making me realize how much of an arsenal I have and how little I can use in class!

We have the following: White Yellow Orange Green Blue Purple Red (1,2) Brown (1,2) Black For the junior students, he does award "advanced" colored belts to those that know the techniques, but may be a little to young or inexperienced. For example, my daughter just turned 9. She can do all of the techniques required from a green belt as well as all of the katas. However, she has not been training for a year, and she does not have a lot of focus and power in her techniques. So she has the knowledge, but needs "polishing" on her techniques. So she was awarded "advanced orange". I know for a fact what everything that my instructor provides costs to him and what he charges. And I can tell you that the testing fees are to provide for the club equipment. The gi's, pads, and credentials are all the same as if you buy them somewhere else (for example, he charged me $27.00 for my daughter's gi, and if I would have gone to Academy and bought the exact same one, it would have been $27.00 plus tax). I've been a member of the other type of club, and I can say that I truly feel that my current club is about learning the system and not generating revenue!

8/10/12- AM- learned Sen Sha Do Yondan PM- did shoulder workout, then class Worked on Kumite techniques, then free sparring. Had an excellent session and made me even more excited about my training! I defeated a Sr. Black Belt twice and sparred with a 7th Kyu. This was by far my best sparring session.

8/8 evening class- did applications from 1st 2 katas and put them into kumite situations. (Jammed my finger for the 3rd time!!)

When I first started taking Shotokan years ago, I noticed that I didn't have the urge to respond to those types of comments. Before, I would have punched the guy before he finished the sentence. After I passed my first test, I didn't have that urge. For 2 reasons- I knew that if it came down to it, I had the skill (coupled with the aggression) to really hurt somebody, and 2- I didn't want to do something stupid and get beat up and prove the guy right if he happened to be "badder" than me! But I found that as time went on, more and more of those same people actually treated me with more respect. And a good friend of mine told me a story-he was at a gas station and ran into a guy from another school that didn't like me (for no real reason other than he was just a moron!). He saw me pass by and wave to my friend. When my friend said who it was, the guy said "I heard that guy's a real bad a__!" Now, I'm not the kind of guy that goes around looking for trouble, and I am actually very courteous. I always treat people politely and with respect. But stories like that make me feel good because that guy was the opposite type of person. He was a bully, and he loved to let people know how "bad" he was. But he feared me just from knowing that I was a martial artist! Now, I'm 38 and have a lot more skill, power, and control. I don't get offended by people when I know they're acting out of ignorance. And I'm no longer in the "did you just stare at my wife???" stage. The only time I plan on using my skill is if I'm in danger or if someone has the nerve to put my family in a bad spot. Sorry for the rant. But I also don't like when people do the "if you're so good, block this" and throw a slap boxing punch toward you. I usually let it land and then tell them that I don't slap box, and if I had to do something about it, I'd probably go for their throat first, their eyes second, and then try to break something on them. That usually gets them thinking!

While I was training with Blair, I was grading thru the ISKF. But I never had a license, nor was I required to pay for one. The system I'm in now grades under the ASKF. No contract or license though.