jaypo

When I first started training at my current club, I observed the classes for a while before I approached him. Everything looked on point. Shortly after, the health club that we train in put pictures and short bio's of all of its "group fitness instructors" on a wall, and my Sensei's was included. The pic had the caption "2nd Dan, Shotokan Karate and 2nd Dan Shorin Ryu Karate" on it. At the time, I didn't care. The training was providing me with everything I expected. However, I was curious. So I started asking simple questions about his training history. And what I found out was this- he began boxing before he was 10 in Philadelphia. He started taking Shotokan from Master Okazaki and reached AT LEAST 3rd dan from him there (because he told a story that began with "when I was testing for Sandan with Master Okazaki.....). He then went into the service and spent years in Okinawa and learned Shorin Ryu while there. I haven't really needed to know any more than that because I feel that I get quality instruction from him regardless of rank. And I do know from videos of him that I've seen that he has been training and teaching for over 50 years. And although he's 63 and has a lot less physical attributes than I do, he can still match me! (I'm 7 inches taller, I have about a mile of reach advantage, and I'm quicker then he is!) I read once that over 5th dan is more of a reflection of your contribution to the art and business side of things.

High fees aggravate me. I inquired about Muay Thai classes the other day, and it's either $150.00 per month or $40.00 per half hour!! I'm training unlimited times now for $35.00 per week in my current club! And it's all because they have to pay to offer the "insert organization name here" moniker with the classes. I now understand why my Sensei broke away from the international organizations. I do the financials for my club, as I'm its treasurer. And we made plenty money last year being the least expensive club in the area. And I've sparred with numerous people higher ranked than I am at other clubs, and 9 of 10 times, I've won convincingly, so I can't see a reason to pay more than I'm paying now when it won't make me better than I am now. It also annoys me when people can test for their Sandan rank in a 30 minute test. One of the "business" type M.A. clubs near us held their testing a few months ago, and my Sensei attended because he knew a few people there, and when he came back, he said that the 2nd degree black belts that were testing for 3rd degree only had to do 30 minutes of work.

Well, somewhere between talking to the school and receiving their fees by email, the prices went up substantially! Therefore, I will have to forego the opportunity! It may be a blessing in disguise. During last night's Kyusho class, we started incorporating some Hapkido kicks/joint lock combinations while activating points. This may be the more practical thing for me to do. So I may just use the time I would have spent starting from scratch on M.T. and improve my Kyusho Jitsu and save myself two hundred bucks a month in the process!

I was a 16 year old brown belt when that came out. It motivated me to train then....and it still does today. You're in really good company Top film love 'that' film (I do like the new one but that one is just the best!) FYI: My love of that film has nothing at all to do with being 16 years old and Elisabeth Shue! Hey, I won't judge you! I was only 10, but "Ali with an "i" kicked my hormones into gear as well!!! The cool thing about Karate Kid is that my Godmother took me to see it when it came out, and I had a great time going to the movies with her. When I started in Shotokan, there were similarities in the techniques we learned, but a lot of differences. But when I started taking Shorin Ryu, I could really see the similiarities! That cat stance Miyagi busted out after taking out all 5 Kobra Kais was textbook! And the "wax on, sand floor, paint house" blocks- when I started in Shorin Ryu, as I was doing block sequences in the garage, my wife asked me if I had just watched "Karate Kid"!

Ace Ramirez is the head instructor, but here, it's local guys certified in that program. I know the lead instructor at the club, and he's a BJJ black belt that took up MT a few years ago to be able to offer it in his club.

Reminds me of the scene in Karate kid III when Daniel San punches that guy in the nose in the club. He reacted. There's a line in "The Perfect Weapon" that always stuck with me. Jeff's Sensei is telling him the difference between the Tiger and the Dragon. The tiger can only react. The dragon can "act" and react, and always has a way out. That always helped me to keep my head in certain situations.

I have the opportunity to try out a few Kru Muay Thai classes to supplement my Karate training. I've been fascinated with M.T. since Bloodsport (Paco and Suan Peredes!), and I always wanted to train in it. However, until recently, it was never offered in my area. It is now, and I may have the ability to take some classes. Anyone have experience with the KRU organization?

It was a good game. And Dallas's offensive line is friggin' awesome!! I wish my Saints would have followed that blueprint and put those horses around Drew. Drew throws the ball so much better when he's not throwing from the ground! Anyhow, I hope Green Bay destroys Seattle! I hope Rodgers throws for 1,000 yards.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If your Sensei is allowing you to test, he/she recognizes that you have what it takes. Just go in there, listen to what he/she asks of you, and do what you know how to do. Practice and get your muscle memory where it needs to be, and when you perform, just do what you already know how to do!

I'd also practice doing the kick low. One way to really upset your balance is to kick too high. Try working on the mechanics of the kick at an easy level for you. Thigh kicks can be just as devistating as any other kick if done right. Maybe train the mechanics of the roundhouse geared towards that level. As a side note, I'm a nidan in Shorin Ryu, 40 years old, and not very flexible. When doing the roundhouse kick in the air, I feel very uncoordinated. However, when kicking a bag, I feel like Jean Claude Van Damme! It's a lot easier to do the kick with proper mechanics when you have a real target and real impact. You may be able to kill 2 birds with one stone- if you are worried about partner work as well, get a partner and work on the kick with the partner as a target. This will also help you with your focus.

I have jammed and dislocated my pointer finger so many times, that it doesn't close 100% anymore! The last time I did it was in October, and I still can't bend it completely.

Spartacus is exactly right. To add to that, if I may, try to realize that the leg is just an extension of the core/hips. Let your hips make the round motion, and let your leg complete it. Think of your leg as the chain and ball of the mace. Your hips and core are the handle. Your hips/core begin the turn, your leg follows, extends, and impacts. Hope that helps.

If nobody joined you in the chant, then you obviously weren't in the company of true martial arts fans!! Must have been around a bunch of soccer moms.

Good point! That also makes me think that those "2 times a year" guys are also looking at only what they thing is acceptable. Although I practice a style made up of 2 traditional arts, I tend to add my own little "flairs" here and there. For example, for practical purposes, when I'm doing bunkai, a lot of times, instead of drawing my arm back, I protect my face with it. This isn't traditional in nature, but it is practical in reality. In my club, it's acceptable. However, if a JKA examiner would see me doing that in 1 or 3 step kumite, I'd probably be scrutinized for it. They're looking for the straight step, block, and strong counter with full drawback. While I am studying these styles for their tradition, I'm also studying them for their real world benefits. I don't think I should be scrutinized for doing something that I believe is more beneficial in a real situation. (I guess that's what Bruce founded his entire "way" from)

My MA heroes? Bruce Lee, first and foremost. JCVD at the time was my hero. But only before he let his demons take over his life. Lyoto Machida and Georges St. Pierre would have to be included. Jackie Chan, Jet Li. And I'm a big fan of Jason Statham. I believe he is a Wing Chun practitioner. Basically, anyone that dedicates themselves to a life perfecting his or herself thru their chosen art would be a hero to me.

I don't think any of the Okinawan farmers that had to teach their children self defense in their backyards disguised as dance routines were a part of any large governing body! Therefore, I don't see it as necessary to be a part of one. I was skeptical at first when I started training in my current club because it wasn't involved with JKA, SKIF, etc. However, I got what I wanted out of the training. My Sensei always says that he broke ties with the "overseas" governing bodies because he was tired of the "politics" and tired of "sending all his money overseas just to say he's a part of it". And I highly doubt that if someone confronts me on the street, he'll flee in terror if I tell him that I test under the JKA, but he won't flee otherwise.

I'm not condoning the bad things that he's done. They're actually the reason that I lost all respect for him as a man. But as a martial artist (before those issues took place), he was legit. He competed in full contact Karate and had a record of like 18-2 and avenged his losses. But when I found out about the incident with Chuck Zito when JCVD was high on coke and got his butt handed to him by Zito, I researched further and found out that he was nothing more than a drug abuser who was formerly a great martial artist. From that point, I stopped following anything he did.

Actually, JCVD wasn't a fraud. He was an actual champion martial artist. He had a very impressive record, but he competed under his real name, Van Varenburg (or something like that). He has multiple black belts, and he was very good. The problem was his personal life. He let his "vices" overtake his life, and that caused his downfall. But as a martial artist, I'd argue against him being a fraud. Bloodsport inspired me to learn the kicks. Although I had little flexibility, I still perfected a jump spinning crescent kick. However, I could never extend my legs into a split like he did! Another movie that inspired me was "The Last Dragon". I loved the fight scene at the end with Sho Nuff'.

My thoughts and prayers are with you as you defeat this. Stay strong, and I wish you a speedy recovery.

For me, it was a combination of things. I've always liked combat. I grew up with a bunch of hoodlums, so being able to fight was necessary. However, I was always smaller and weaker than most. I watched Enter the Dragon as a kid, and even though I was too young to understand it, it stuck. Then, when I was 13, I was at an all star baseball tourney, and in the hotel one night, I watched Bloodsport on HBO. I told myself that I had to be able to do those things before I went to the grave! The following school year, I befriended 2 twin brothers that both trained freestyle Karate. It took me about half a year to convince my parents to allow me to train, but their classes were on the same days as baseball. So I had to "settle" for the straight Shotokan school taught by a 7th Dan Black Belt HOF'er and multi time champion! Man, am I glad I did. I obtained my purple belt, but I had to stop training due to school and work. Fast forward 20 years. I took a "self defense" class thru work based in Hapkido, and I took a kickboxing class at a local gym. The spark ignited, and one day at my gym, I noticed a short, stocky man teaching 2 ladies in traditional gis. After he was done, I asked him what they were training, and he said to come to a class and find out. It is an open style of Karate based on Shorin Ryu and Shotokan. He trained under Master Okizaki (a student of Master Funakoshi) when he lived in Philadelphia and under Master Nakazata (SP??) while in Okinawa in the Marines. I never really lost the desire. And now, as a 40 year old father of 2, I'm a 2nd Dan in this style. I'm now cross training in Kyusho, and I'm considering enrollling in some BJJ and/or Muay Thai classes soon.

Well, I've been sick for 4 days, so no alcohol for me tonight! However, I will probably grill up some jalapeno deer sausage and spend the evening with my family. Happy new year to everyone!

Time for my armchair quarterback rant. After watching our bitter rivals, the Falcons, eliminate the Saints from playoff contention last week, I started to reflect on what frustrated me about this season. First was the lack of urgency from the "fat cats" that have leveraged the Saints' future with their salary demands. Brees, one of the best QB's to play the game, and one of my favorites ever, threw an unacceptable number of interceptions. Now, I place most of the blame on him, but that leads me to this- the poor offensive line play. Evans, Grubbs, and even Strief were once part of the best offensive line in football. This year, they stunk, and that is part of the reason Brees threw so many ill advised passes that turned into pics. Onto Jimmy Graham. In the offseason, he whined about being paid like a receiver and promptly began playing like a diva. He gave up on routs, he got knocked around by players half his size, and he flat out gave little to no effort on some plays. Marquis Colston seemed to drop more passes than he held onto. Onto the defense. We signed the prized FA safety- Byrd. And although his season was cut short due to injury, he played like hot garbage before he was hurt. Cam Jordan and Junior Galette, 2 of the most surprising players from last season played more like house cats rather than the ferocious lions they pretended to be last season. Our pass rush was non existent, and our tackling was nowhere to be found. Kenny Vaccaro played like he was allergic to contact. In my opinion, the only players that earned their salaries were Pierre Thomas (as always), Mark Ingram, and Kenny Stills. Everyone else played without a sense of urgency, and that's what makes me sick. We will not be blessed with another quarterback with the God given talent that Brees has for a while, and we wasted another year of his prime. Sorry for the long post. Just needed to rant!

I also prefer that type of roundhouse kick because I have poor flexibility. So the angle of most of my roundhouse kicks are exactly like that because for me to kick at a high level, my hips won't be "turned over" as they would on a muay thai roundhouse. They're always travelling the direction of my knee which is at an upward angle (unless they're aimed at a thigh or ribs.)

Your first clashing forearms video reminds me of some drills we're doing currently. I am a Nidan in Shorin Ryu, but I've been supplementing my training with Kyusho Jitsu and Hapkido. We do a lot of those types of drills. And from those drills, we do applications using Kyusho points incorporated into the Shorin Ryu techniques (and ending with Hapkido locks!). For example, we call the first clash drill the "hook block". During that block, you're striking a vital point on the wrist. From there, you "circle" the block and turn it into an armbar. During the armbar, you're putting pressure on a vital point between the elbow and tricep. It is paralyzing! So in that drill, you're actually drilling a lot of stuff! Great videos! Keep 'em coming!

I watched the fight, and that is why he is my favorite fighter! Those angles and counters are phenomenal! The kick- it's what I call a karate roundhouse kick. Sort of at an upward angle focusing on speed rather than maximum force (contrast to a Muay Thai kick). I remember the sound when it landed. Nasty!!