madtanker

Exactly, I have a few issues myself; due to an injury, I cannot kick to the side very high (hip and lo-back issues), but my mechanics are spot-on... My sensei is aware of the issue, and my doctors know that I am taking MA, and they both told me as long as I keep myself from going too far, I am capable. So my doctors watch me, and my sensei accomodates my limits. Communication is the key in any aspect of life... but especially when your body is the catalyst.

I actually have a couple of friends to practice fall and lock techniques with, and have built a life-sized dummy with a heavy torso and moving joints to kick and punch, as well as to measure out. I know it is not the same as a 6 foot tall man charging full speed... but it helps for now. I also do plan on advanced instruction once I get my back fixed... (probably did not get to mention that before because I did not know if this was going to be a train-wreck or not...). Thank you for your advice, it is part of the reason I improved my training methodology.

I just passed my 5th Gup Tang Soo Do test, and am progressing very well considering my physical state. I am also beginning to start my second MA so that I can marry the two styles together to improve my self defense repertiore. I also just got my time in training from my old LEO self-defense and security, military, and personally directed MA and Self defense classes. I am now a certified instructor (and a 3rd Dan Black Belt) in my own right in general self defense, as well as a 4th Gup in TSD and by the end of the week, no less than 6th Gup in Hapkido.

PS, I have lost 15 lbs since August merely through training, and this is having to progress slowly due to an injury.

I am 6'6" and I weigh 360 lbs. Not to mention I have a bad back. I have been wanting to take MA since I was 5 or 6, and I am about to turn 39. I have been doing study at home (which I know is a separate issue, and I welcome opinions); however, I have progressed from 10 gup to 4 gup since August; meanwhile, I also got my general self defense time in training from an agency that granted my rank based on time in training... I am beginning my Hapkido testing later today, and cannot wait to add this to my repertiore. In short, as many people have said here, if you feel like you want it, and you want to dedicate yourself to it, then go and get it. Nothing is more expensive than regret...

Just because a person knows more of a specific martial art than you 1) does not mean that they are 'better', merely more knowledgeable. If they are trying to prove that they are better, it is up to you to ask for some leniency, this is not Kobra Kai... 2) it does not mean that they have a right to be abusive, we are all in this environment to learn, teach, and gather information from each other. If a person is trying to knock you out in a sparring session, instead of perfecting form for the sake of it, speak up and do not be afraid to do so, or you will do more harm than good, as will the person trying to ruin the spirit of education. PS, people are not inherently dumb, stupidity is a learned art as well, mostly coming from being unable or afraid to speak up for one's self, ask questions, and to deal with trouble in an effective manner. Not every answer lies in the hands; all of them lie in the brain...

Excellent summary as well! I was explaining this to a friend that was interested in learning from me, and sparring with me. He seemed more eager to learn how to 'beat people up' rather than learning the art. I explained to him that it is more effective to know how to get hit, where to place yoru strikes, and how hard to hit to cause, and to prevent, excessive damage. I explained that once you know how not to cause injuries, you can learn the art of defending yourself, not before.

Update: As of now, I am in my 6th Gup (green belt) in Tang Soo Do, and am about to start my Hapkido training/testing this weekend. I feel stronger, faster, and definitely more knowledgeable. The sensei of the school is very interactive; he points out stance mistakes, form mistakes, and he has even fixed a problem that I learned from my LEO days (I used to fight with open hands, a design taught in the LEO training, but absolutely frowned upon during TSD). I also had to adjust to a front stance, something that I am not used to from other forms of training that I recieved. This was a good investment!

I will be going as a psychopath... they dress just like everybody else... (indirect quote of Wednesday Addams)...

Totally agree, why do people think that if you do martial arts they have you as their "Minder" (not too sure if they have an American equivalent) but us Brits will remember Arthur Daly and Terrence I have had the same issue with other elective pursuits (both armed and unarmed). Everyone who has more mouth than body expects you to protect them, and then when you calmly explain that there ARE laws involved, or that you are not a troublemaker, they assume that you are lying about your abilities, and then your own 'friend' either 1) decides not to be friends anymore; small loss albeit... or 2) they try to actually take you on to make you prove your knowledge; something that if you DO possess, they end up losing a friend, and a lil' blood besides. (American of Minder would be Guard... if I got my English to English translation correct...lol).

I did not know there was an actual rule in MMA; however, I was speaking of the idea that if you know it, someone else does too... I see the reasoning behind the idea that if you do not fight within the rules that people will expect it, they will look for it, and they will eventually exploit the same weakness... I have tried to look up/understand the rules of MMA, but I do not train for cage fighting, I tend to lend myself instead to protecting one's self in a street situation. The bottom line, as we have all so eloquently pointed out: Be prepared for everything; a low blow, a cheap shot, and even someone who knows more. Just because you are honorable does not mean that your opponent is.

Umm, sounds like a martial artist to me. Yeah, I just realized that part of the quote when I said it... I meant that I did not want to mis-represent myself as a person who was an expert in what we 'know' as martial arts... I know that the two are martial in nature; however, I was leaning towards not calling myself something I was not...lol.

Thanks to everyone who has wished me welcome, and to those too shy to do so...

Personally, I have some self-defense training. as a child I was hoping for something where I could get recognition, and now that I am in a semi-organized system, I will look for promotion for the purposes of proof that I have the proper knowledge. I do not see the belt as more than a means to an end... I know that I have the requisite experience to call myself a(n)...***belt (fill in the blank...lol). When I went to college (as a 34 year old man) I did not see the degrees as anything but the proof that I have the right expertise, not to throw them up to people (except for my family because they take NO value in education). And Noriyuki was a genius! I miss him as an actor, and feel for the loss of him as a person! (%) (<--- = yin/yang on another chat site)

I am kinda in between sizes; neither tiny nor giant. It gets tough sometimes, especially when i have no experience with the specific type of clothing. PS, I finally got my shipping info... the total time from order to receive is estimated to be a week... now all I have to do is pray for the sizing not to be an issue...