darksoul

Great post, DWx. That actually got me thinking (the moving your feet first then thinking bit) and you're right. Back at lower grades I did the same thing too. While this is only loosely related to the topic, I've started training techniques from a neutral position now (no guard, arms to the side, your standard nonchalant standing "stance") and that's where I think stinking hard to stances can be a hindrance. In the street, when are you going to be in "perfect" stance when you are attacked? I mean sure, you can get in stance rather quickly, but when that first punch comes, chances are you will not be in stance. I don't know... maybe I'm over thinking it? Maybe I need more coffee... yeah... coffee sounds good.

That's exactly went through my mind when I read that as well. My old master got me teaching at 2nd kyu so I don't see why you wouldn't be allowed, especially if you can prove your teaching skills.

I'm in between on this. I believe in a good stance to a point. I believe in them because they are a good starting point with guard, but I don't think you should be so "stuck" to your stance. Make sense? Probably not, I rarely do

Exactly. As I've stated in a different thread, in Shaolin Kempo, we have rules on the gi's. In my old dojo, you wore a white gi up to purple belt, then full black. In my current dojo, it's full black gi from the get go until 1st Dan where you are allowed to wear a white jacket with black pants. At 3rd Dan, you can wear black jacket with white pants. At 5th Dan it's a Red Jacket with black pants, and at 7th Dan, a purple jacket with black pants. The reasoning behind the black gi stems from the Okinawan heritage of the karate side (Shorinji Kempo.) The colour combinations is to differentiate dan grades easily when there are lots of dans in a room.

Agreed, but as smaller people, that last second move/counter is our bread and butter. We can't go toe-to-toe with someone that has reach and weight on us, especially against a blitz, but as we generally are more flexible and quicker, we can use that to our advantage.

Practice makes perfect! Don't forget that

Welcome!

We have that kick, we call it a wheel kick. Only difference is that our upper body won't dip as low. True, we don't use that kick in sparring because you can't control it, however, we call it a Kamikaze kick. If it hits, you win, if it misses, you are very much open.

Happy birthday!!!

Well depending on who I spar with, I would expect proper contact. I do spar full-contact 90% of the time. I understand your point of you with the "flickflickflick" but at the same time find it a widely generalized and, honestly, a bit of a cop-out. If your moves are all big circles but I can hit you faster (but with mass) than you can hit me, chances are darn good I'll end up winning the fight.

My Saturdays are already taken up by Kempo so I'll have to squeeze it in after work. Ste-Cat between Bleury and St-Alex, right?

Unfortunately, that's all I've seen as well. I'd love to do some friendly sparring against a Capoeira stylist to see the real combat style of it. I checked out the site and will see about coming in one day. Might drop into a Friday beginner class as long as your Mestre doesn't mind people from other styles dropping in to check it out Also, I'd love to meet you if you're there. There are a few Montrealers on the forum, but I haven't had the chance to meet any of them yet.

Thanks for sharing. My thoughts on this are simple - it's GREAT that she's coming back to training. Of course she will always be your little girl, but how much better would you be able to sleep at night knowing that she is a trained and competent black belt? When she's off to college and you can't be there to protect her, she will be able to defend herself against whatever comes at her. I know that if my wife and I have a child (we're not the parental types and are just happy with our dog, but I digress) (s)he will be in the martial arts from an early age. I'm very happy for you and while I understand your parental instincts, this is a very, very good thing. Cheers!

Another Montrealer! Welcome! As you can probably tell, JusticeZero is another Capoeira Stylist. I, unfortunately, know absolutely nothing about the style besides the standard history and the basic movements. Where is your training hall? I'm in Hochelaga, I might just drop in and check it out!

Hi and welcome! I spent many a year in what is considered a McDojo but came out a well versed Shodan. Don't trust others, if you feel you're not getting the training you are paying for, then you will know. Good luck and keep it up Martial arts are amazing. I don't know where I would be without them.

I agree with your first statement, but Shorin Ryu, Kempo, and Shotokan can be just as deadly, if not even more so, than Krav Maga and even Systema. Many of my techniques, if performed fully and properly, will end with the death of my attacker, whether it be from broken neck, collapsed trachea, or just blunt force trauma. Here's an example, a technique ends with a side blade to the head of a downed opponent. In "reality" that's a heel in the temple. If performed at full force, with shoes, a heel to the temple will kill someone. I honestly don't think there is a "deadliest" art. All of our arts are dangerously deadly if performed at full force.

Fight training is better than no training, however, in fight training you are bound by a set of rules (don't hit below the belt, don't hid certain body parts, don't use certain strikes or holds, etc...) In a self-defense environment, there are no such rules. Groin shots are not only allowed, but encouraged. In Kempo we don't fight, we end the fight, by any means necessary. We won't try to box the guy or roll with the guy, we'll strike and take them out of the fight as quickly as possible so we can get out of there safely. Fight training can definitely help in self defense, but I think a self defense style might hinder the fight style due to the emphasis on "dirty" fighting.

I have no idea... O_O I'll let you guys know when I figure it out.

GOOD LUCK! I can't wait to test for Nidan

So last week we trained a couple of things and my Master said it very well. We practiced the spinning back kick and the higher ranks also practiced the spinning wheel kick. Those 2 attacks are kamikaze attacks. "Ça passe ou ça casse" is the saying we use in Québec, which translates to "It passes or it breaks," meaning it either works or backfires. If I throw a spinning wheel kick and connect, guaranteed you're out cold... if I miss, I'm opening myself up to a world of hurt unless I'm super quick to get back in stance. Same with a spinning back kick. If I get you with it, I'll break a couple of your ribs and you'll be gasping for air, but if I miss, you'll have an easy opening. Every situation has its technique and if I feel I need to throw a wheel kick, my opponent better pray he's ready for it and dodges.

^this. I completely agree with every word in this post.

The great thing you'll find about good martial arts dojos is the fact that you won't get judged. Even if you're the biggest guy there (and I doubt you would be) you'll be a member of the class like everyone else. If you go regularly and train hard, the pounds will melt off of you. Remember though, some people are built to be more husky. Some people are built skinny. If you end up staying close to the same body size but notice your stamina and cardio being better, that's just your build and you might be in better shape than you think! Throw that self-consciousness out and join up! The martial arts are welcoming to everyone

I still really like Kata 5 and Pinan 3. That might change once I start Hansuki and Swift Tigers

I try to angle the knuckles to cause the most damage.

I agree it depends on the student... I'm hoping to be under my master's wing well into 5th dan.