shortstick

I have the standard weapons, but did you guys count your hands and feet???

I would say that most of the UFC types, and the K-1 fighters are a highly trained, dedicated bunch. As some of you said they train for hours every day. Is it a martial art? What is the definition of a martial art? I have seen "Martial Arts" defined in so many ways in books I have read, I dont think we will ever all agree! I dont think having katas defines it, I am not sure but I dont think Jeet Kune Do has katas/forms. Training of mind body and spirit? I would say any of those guys that have stayed on top in the UFC, or K-1 for any length of time fits that idea. I think they will find thier place sooner or later under the heading of martial arts.

Ninjanurse, to me your instructor could be also speaking to the "Art of self improvemnet" Those that learn to check thier ego at the door will have an open mind to learning, and a thirst for knowledge. They will absorb info about other arts, they may pick and choose what they feel will work, or what appeals to them. But the point is they took the time and the effort to find out. I have come to believe that a true warrior is a person who is on a life long quest for knowledge and self improvement, not just in the battle arena, but in all aspects of his/her life......a challenge to be sure.

cool question! Kara-Ho Kempo 1)ground 1 2)trapping....2 3)infighting 2 4)punching 2 5)kicking 2 6) weapons 3 Sarrada Escrima 1) ground 0 2) trapping 2 3) infighting 5 4) punching 2 5)kicking 0 6) weapons 3

Vkad, I have both BlackBelt and inside kung fu going back to the mid 80's I found some of the GrandMaster I train with now.....I knew they would be worth somthing someday! Anyone else besides the Gracies you are looking for. I will dig them out in the morning and see what i got.

Welcome, have you tried your forms in the snow yet there!?

welcome!

Nice to have you here-eh

Welcome and enjoy!

When I train alone or with just one other person, I really like to crank some good music. I often make my own work out mix, it gets my energy up quickly, and helpes replace the good energy you get in a group class. I also would listen to certain music on the way to a class to get me motivated, I will hear the song im my head as i am in class. Even though i am almost 40 I like many forms of music to train to. Right now my pick is the band "Disturbed" good stuff, grinding guitars and a lot of screaming Over the years, I have found music a strong tool for training. Do you like to listen to music when you train? What kind of music gets you going?

Pacificshores, that makes me want to cry Ha! I can say that because he and I have been training on and off since around 1982! As a matter of fact, I will be drivning the 5 hours to see him this weekend for training! So ya, when I think of it....the people I have stayed in contact with the longest(15 years or more) are the buddies i made in my training. Those bonds were forged together with blood, sweat, trust, and a lot of eating after the work outs They are some of the most important people in my life aside from my own family.

Na, no problem Reece

I feel you should not mess with foam chucks, the weight, and manner in which they move is completley off. Use the real deal, but as others said start out slow, and get some proper exercises. Also make sure they are the proper size for you. Then you can add speed and power to you techniques over time. You may tend to be a bit careless with foam ones. I am not sure why Reece said you should not twirl them? I guess there can be many ideas of what "Twirling" is. But there can be many "Rotary" actions with the chucks...depending on the style. Learn by doing!

In Sarrada Escrima, as well as other styles of escrima there is sparring with weapons. In Sarrada we call it freeflow

All the above for me! It started for me when i was 9, a kempo school opened in my home town, it was a small town and this was the 1st school in the area except for a Judo club at the university. There were dragons on the windows, and you could not see in....it was very mystical to me at the time. At the same time I was really hooked on the show "Kung Fu" we are talking the 70's here... I hounded my parents for 3 years before they let me take classes.....cost was also a factor.....it was $18.00 per month! My mom was convinced I was too young, and she said they could not afford it at the time. So I had to wait another 2 years, and then at last was able to start.......been doing it ever since.

No , there are no pictures in the one book I have.

Ya, I think you need a mix.....to be ready to apply one or another as needed.

[Kirves Well, if you go by what Kirves said above back towards the start of this thread, then I guess you do not need to apply pressure. I will wait for him to explain that.

Krives, I am not sure why you feel the need to say people are ignorant, or illiterate just because they may not follow your point of view. As far as your last comment about me "missing" the idea that we are talking about a no touch knock out, not pressure points......are you now saying that the no touch knock out has nothing to do with pressure points/vital points/kyusho?

Well did not mean to set any of you on your ear....I have no doubt that Dilman and his systems are sound. He has two books out "The Dillman method of pressure point FIGHTING" and "Advanced pressure point FIGHTING of Ryukyu Kempo" In the 60's he was a boxer and karate tourny champ. He also held the world record for ice break until several years ago when Grandmaster Samual Kuoha broke that record. Yes, ice breaking, PASSIVE knock outs, those are a cool demo of a studied principle. I attended years ago a seminar by Wally Jay and felt the pain 1st hand by the manipulation of pressure points. My point is not to doubt how valid it is.....but I find it strange to hear people say "Of course it's not for fighting" Then what the heck is it for. The titles of the books suggest it is for fighting......and I would bet a guy like Dillman could lay down a bunch of damage in a fight. It would just be nice to see his target in motion! Would'nt you like to see that? Its like buying a car, you want to see that it works, not just stand there and look at it! Until i can see a video of a person in attack mode being knocked out by that method (not a full on punch combo) it leaves me wondering???

I saw this along time ago, just a week ago a person was asking me about it, they wanted to see it again. So thanks. For years as I dry off and get out of the shower I have always practiced tension front kicks to dry off my legs with the towel, rather then just reach down and do it. Its nice to know is some circles I can think of myself as normal!

Another thoughtful subject. Parents giving opinions on how to run a class, that is always a good one. How about when 2 parents are sitting and talking really loud while the class is being conducted. Or when they let the younger brother or sister make all kind of noise, slop crumbs on the floor, crawl or walk onto the training floor. That would get my goat more than anything. Or when the cell phone rings and they sit right there and start talking while they are watching the class!! I hated that. And they wanted thier kid to learn respect!

I love hearing from so many people who all understand me, even though we have never met!! There is NOTHING like that high you get after a good work-out. Most of all when you can sit down after with a few of your work-out partners and laugh and talk about the training. Most of my favorite memories are about times like that........well except for getting married, and my kids. I'm feeling a bit emotional!

I agree as many of you have said, it would be best to have the knowledge of both stand up, and ground/grappling skills. For a few years we cross trained with a Jujitsu club and it was good stuff. but I wondered about a multi bad guy run in. It seemed to me I had a better chance trying to stay on my feet, But maybe I just could not "Empty my cup" enough! One of the other balckbelts at the Dojang was a high school and college wrestler. Short of bitting him, poking him in the eye, or breaking a finger off his hand, he would submit me everytime. When we stayed on our feet, we were even. He helped us all acknowlege the need to get some groundfighting skills.

As you can see there is no steady rule. It may come down to are you "Training" to be an instructor, do you run classes consistantly without problems. Are you helping to put money in the owner's pocket. If you are at the point where the owner has given you the keys, and is not even around when you are running the classes, then in his mind you know what you are doing , and he trust your abilities, and judgment. If you feel you are at that point then you may be in the position to negotiate your fees. At the very least, there is nothing wrong with asking for a meeting to discuss the subject of fees and your working as an instructor. Perhaps you will set up some defined time line or level of instruction for you to reach, that will in turn stop your monthly fees or testing fees. Its all up for grabs, depending on how much value the owner sees you contribute to his school. At my old dojang we had an "Instructors program" You were a slave for a total of 500 hours of instructing. 200 hours of study and assistant instructorship, showdowing a ranking instructor to earn a red stripe on your gi. This ment you could get paid! another 300 hours of instructing classes on your own, or with an assistant to earn your black stripe on your gi . If you made it that far then your fees were waved. All instructors were required to train for themselves at least 2 times per week, as well as attend all training classes for learning to teach. From there I ended up teaching full time for almost 7 years, a dream i had since i was 13 "To be a martial arts teacher". It is what you make of it! good luck