jdoub

Strife-san, As a veteran of 16 years of service in the US Army Infantry, nothing beats the hands-on of the PT pit. Initially, hours are spent in the training pit as young recruits learn how to through very crude techniques at each other. As in real life, if you do not do them regularly and with intensity the skill begins to go away. One thing to keep in mind is that in the military, the job is to shoot guys and not punch them. Many more hours are spent shooting, rather than punching. Sad, but true. As the others above stated; define what it is you want to learn how to do, research the schools (and their instructors) in your local area; determine which is the "right" one for you, make a commitment to yourself, and sign-up. Whatever you decide, good luck!! John

As a suggestion, go to: http://www.kravmaga.com/ Old moves and ideas, but a new way of teaching and marketing. Good luck in your search!! John

OSU ChangWuJi-san!! From a Tai Chi Ch'uan perspective, you are only making them "fly away" when pushing or warding off. Do not forget the Chen style "cannon fist" or many other techniques (done with closed and open hands) are strikes and not pushes. Cheers. John

thaiboxerken-san, I agree with you on there being no absolutes in combat. To be a "specialist" in anything - to be too reliant on any one thing - will get a person hurt in a fight. The basics work, the basics are found in kata, the places that you strike on the body are part of the basics, and it is just a matter of practice. Or so this has been my experience. As for "experts" not being able to make it work, some of them have never been in the "real deal" and cannot work outside of a seminar setting. The guys that can show are out there and they can help show you how to make it work in your system. Thanks for taking the time to respond!! John

shortdog-san, As requested by Patrick, I have included information that I posted in my introduction to this web forum. "I have involved in the study of Martial Arts for over 25 years. I have been teaching both Classical Karate (with an emphasis on Okinawan techniques) and Yang Style Tai Chi Ch'uan since 1983. I am the Headmaster (i.e. - Chief Instructor, Shihan, or Dean) of Heiwa-Ryu Martial Arts Academy. I will state that I am 5th Degree Black Belt (Godan) in my style, but I am the highest rank since our Founder died. While that may sound impressive to some, I would ask that everyone take into consideration that I am a nobody from an unknown style in a small city in a big world of Martial Arts. I come before you 'virtually' with only my experience to speak for itself and the system that I represent. I have been exposed to over 9 years of combative experience both in and out of the US Armed Forces; having serving over 16 years in the US Army Infantry. I view those years of actual street fighting as an acid test to my way of thinking and teaching." I would still encourage you to visit my web site (URL provided below) to get a greater understanding of both Heiwa-Ryu and myself. It may provide a better perspective when reading my posts. Cheers!! John

thaiboxerken-san, I have not found that to be a true or an absolute statement. If hit in the right place with the right amount of force, pain is felt. All fighting is submission fighting - sometimes a person's body does the tap out for them when they cannot. Again, I have not found that to be a true or an absolute statement. If your training already incorporates the techniques, then it is all a part of what is going down. If you are "desperate" it is probably too late for much more than kissing it good-bye anyway. It is all about how you train and what you train to do. Cheers!! John

Greer-san, I was not responding to your earlier statement. You appear to know what you are talking about. I was merely providing some links and a comment. Cheers!! John

To all: Pressure points are real. They are not to be confused with "vital" points. Rick Clark studied under George Dillman and George Dillman was introduced to the reality of pressure points and what kata really has by Taika Oyata. Dillman links (or related): http://www.dillman.com/ http://www.kyusho.com/ http://www.dragonsociety.com/ http://www.edlakekyusho.com/ Taika Oyata links: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Palace/2264/ http://www.ryushu.com/ http://www.polanderkempo.com/ It is real. John

Cody-san, Go buy a black belt and then do not worry about it any more. Belt color is just a color, but what is in your heart will last a lifetime. Take care!! John

shortdog-san, Check out my web site and then send me an email (mailto:jdjr@heiwa-ryu.org) and we can chat. Email or here is fine with me. Cheers!! John

Patrick-san, OSU means everything, BUT no. It is used for answering... Yes Of course Absolutely Right on Oorahh Hai I can do it You can do it We can do it ...well, you get the picture. John

OSU Tae-san, OSU!!

Chris-san, Go to Amazon.com and take a search for the book "Nunchaku: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense with Video" by Fumio Demura-shihan. The book and video combination are priced as: List Price: US$35.95 Amazon Price: US$28.76 You Save: US$7.19 (20%) Demura-shihan is a Shito-Ryu practitioner if it matters. Good luck. John

Tae-san, That is the disadvantage of the web; it is hard to understand intent and to know the heart of a person. Nothing to take the wrong way!! LOL - I am still enjoying the research and exploration. I am in no way the holder of the "keys," but just someone who may be a page or two ahead in one book only to behind everyone else in another. Onegai shimasu!! I am sure that many things are possible. I too have found it interesting that some of the Okinawan Martial Artists called what they practiced Karate-Do (meaning Chinese Hand/Fist Way) and some of the Korean Martial Artist called what they practiced Tang Soo Do (meaning Chinese Hand/Fist Way). The links are there, it is just a challenge to sift through the names, places, and periods. I did not take anything you have said to be disrespectful; I am sorry for my brevity in postings. Gamabatte!! It sounds as though you have nearly reached your goal. Good luck... John

Tae-san, I did not say it was wrong. I merely stated my own opinion based upon my own understanding of what I too have been told by elders and what I have researched. You are correct. At the time of your study, it would have been disrespectful to have questioned; especially in Asia. Yet there are many ways to broaden young, and old, minds alike. One of which is to do the research ourselves in the interest of gaining better understanding and not to point out a flaw. As I had stated to everyone: "Remember that 'paper does not refuse ink' and so the web does not refuse typing. Do not take what I or Tae-san state as absolute. Do your own study. Come to know and understand yourself better through diligent disciplined practice. Read everything you can, make notes, and compare. Understand that some of your sources may be biased by their own education. Challenge your teachers, respectfully, in the interest of learning all that you can from them." I am merely expressing other information that can be easily found to those who wish to find it. The most challenging things for my Father (Soke/Founder of Heiwa-Ryu) early in his own study was to realize that some of his own Karate instructors did not know everything and that there was research to be done and travels to be experienced. As a Founder of your own system, I would expect that you have done the same in order to achieve what you have. Respectfully, John _________________ John E. Doub, Jr. Heiwa-Ryu Martial Arts Academy http://www.heiwa-ryu.org mailto:jdjr@heiwa-ryu.org [ This Message was edited by: jdoub on 2001-06-19 20:56 ]