shortstick

This is a great conversation. I will not even try to give any comment of worth...... kali, Silat, Eskrima, just pick up the stick and hit me!

Wow, finland,cool! Welcome

Well welcome to the site, and welcome back to training!

Hey welcome, what branch of TKD are you from? ATA, ITF, WTF??

Welcome, and enjoy.

Welcome, and congratulations on your recent promotion!

Okay, I am just tossing this out to stir things up. People that know me, know i have trained for a long time. Now and then one of them will look at my mangled body and ask me "Why do you still do that stuff" and "How many ways do you need to know how to kill a guy" I give them the standard anwers expected of me, friends, fun, help others,self improvment, self protection, bla, bla , bla. If i go too deep they get that glazed look in their eyes, or they try to kill themselves;) (See the old movie, airplane) now and then, especially when I have to creak out of bed slowly in the morning, I ask myself "Why am i doing this?" I have clear goals, I have no plans to stop ever, I have trained more of my life than not......but I find the more the years pile up, the less clear it is why i continue.....i know, but i dont know....tough to put into words. So why do you all train? What is it that keeps you coming back?

The no touch KO, the ghost fist, the death touch............the stuff legends are made of.....and people scoffed at the flying fighters in the movie crouching tiger. I will just toss this out, not meaning any disrespect to the nerve twitchers......take a look at all the pictures , and all the videos of those knock outs by Dillman and the like....is it me or in all the pictures do you notice the uki(target) is just passivly standing there! I have a pretty good chance of knocking a guy out if he will just stand there for me!! I want to see those guys do a nerve knock out while the guy is punching and kicking........ maybe they can, but they never show it??? ....just an observation.

Have you thought of trying a new style? I was in ATA TKD for 14 years. I was in Kempo for 6 years before that ,moved to northern Ca. and never thought I would take up TKD. 3 years ago i switched back to Another stystem of Kempo. For reasons I will bore everyone with later. 2nd dan would give you more than enough exposure to the kicking skills of TKD. Maybe one of the many styles that has more use of the hands. Plus it could save your legs a bit. Also as a Martial artist its always good to grow by trying new things. Just an idea :]

welcome, I am new too, and this has been great so far.

$100 per month is steep, but if you are in California that is not uncommon. I ran a school for about 8 years, if you leave then you are just handing over your moneyand making it easyer for the owner and instructors. Ask them to work for your money! Let them know you are not feeling challenged. They cannot address the problem if they do not know there is a problem. You are the customer, and they are in a "service industry". Respectfully be a thorn in thier side! Yes, there are many schools that just want to collect your money, there are many clubs that dont care about the money, and there are the in-between- Make sure next time you go to a place that will give you a 30 day trail before you sign any long term deal. During that trail, go to as many classes as you can, if they try to limit how many classes you can go to, ask to go to more because you want to make an educated choice. If they have half a brain they will let you do that. If they seem resistant, then move on. If you find a school you like and they want you to sign a contract, ask why. Most will say it is the simplest way to deal with billing. If you really like the school, after they give thier reasons for the contract, ask if you can have a contract that may be for a year, but with written 30 day notice can give you the option to stop your membership. If they agree to that, make sure it is written clearly, and that you get copy. If they wont do it, then say goodbye. There are plenty of schools out there unless you live in the sticks. Also dont be affraid to shop the competition, and ask if they will give you a better deal, then the school down the street. You are the consumer, and have the power! Good luck......sorry so long a message

Hi to all, a pal of mine has been here for awhile and said it is a great place, I have to agree. I am enjoying the topics, and how you are all so into your training, that is great! I have been training for almost 25 years. Most of my friends (who do not train) eyes will roll back in there head when I start talking about Martial Arts, so I am happy to find you all.

I have seen and made some changes. For one thing, I give private instruction, and have seen an increase in the amount of people looking to train. I feel that there are more people who are doing this for themselves so they do not feel helpless. Not that they are going to beat up one of the bad guys, but more they feel the need to do something in responce to 911. For myself and family, I dont think I have changed my daily life that much. I had an Instructor years ago who taught us to look at the world with an observing eye, and that stuck. He is now working at the Pentagon, and was there on 911. As for the media coverage, yes it gets old, but I need that to keep my head in what is going on. I feel it helps me stay mindful that there are people in the armed forces laying there life down for our comfortable way of life. without the media, scewed as it can be, I think many people could simply forget the sacrifices being made for them and their way of life. I have several close friends in law enforcment and armed services, talk to any of them for 5 minutes, and you get a look at what goes on everyday that the average person never gives a 2nd thought to. okay....let me climb down off my box now....

The only karate movie i ever walked out of the theater....."Karate Cop" I know, with a name like that i got what i deserved. Also Van Damn made a movei called "Knock off" just before he really hit bottom with his movie career. It was really bad. I had the feeling he was trying to be like Jackie Chan.

I really like the movie " Fist of legend" it is a remake of Bruce Lee's "Fist of fury" In the remake, Jet Li plays Bruce Lee's role. there are great fight scenes, as well as a bit of history since the story line involves Japan's occupation of China. Check it out. I also really enjoyed Croutching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Good hunting

I agree, one of the things I like about eskrima is that many of the applications work the same empty handed, or with a club, knife..... And your hand speed does increase. Plus if you are planning to train for life, when you are 75 you may have problems throwing that jump-spin-hook kick, but swatting a person with a stick...no problem!

Hey, just looking for someone who wants to talk a bit about eskrima. I have been training in Sarrada eskrima for about 7 years, and also a bit in sinwali eskrima. My main study has been Kara-Ho Kempo, but i find that eskrima really complements the kempo training. Chime in! Shortstick