StormKrow

of the ones I've heard of: Maharklika Kuntaw - (which I've studied) comes from the philippines, gets its origins from several systems, 3 filipino, 3 non-filipino primarily. Pankration (spelling?) - comes from Greece I think. Krav Maga - I "think" is an Israeli system There's also a russian system who's name eludes me at the moment.

Stillwater, Tulsa, and OKC, Oklahoma JKD Kuk Sool Won TKD (I think that's everywhere) Shotokan Tai Chi Judo Pankration BJJ Maharlika Kuntaw (Although I don't teach, unless it's to friends.) Hun Gar Wing Chun Kara-HoKempo general filipino arts, (although after talking with the guy, it sounds like he's teaching BJJ...he really turned me off, because he all but insisted that if I were to work out with him, I'd have to leave Kuntaw behind....no thanks). Ko Mu Do Kwan Jidokwan Chontu Tae-Do Hapkido Hwarang Do various flavors of Kung/Gung Fu Penkak Silat Eskrima/Arnis and so on, and so forth

Is what's his name still teaching san soo? I seem to remember there being a guy that taught Tang Soo Do also. Matt Waters came over to Kuntaw from TSD, he was pretty active in the TC area till he joined the Marine Corps...haven't heard from him since. (I miss that guy, we had a lot o' laughs). Do you know if Michael, (Buzz's step-son), is still in the area?...Funny story about Mikey.... We were up in the Soo, at a KSW event, coincidentaly...(one of Rudy's I think..)...I think this was back when Jeff Goslow and I were either white belts or yellow belts, I forget....but Mikey was about 5' nothin'...and I let him throw me around during his self defense demostration in the youth division, (I'm 5'10", and 220lbs), so it was really impressive, and he took first...then I saw him the a couple years, and I didn't let him throw me around as much...lol. He really grew fast. My how time flies, I see Jeff is a 2nd degree black these days...I need to get back up that way, so I can thump him again, for old times sake...lol. Tell him Trav says hi, if you ever make it up to the Soo....

Haven't studied much word etomology and language migration, have ya? It is commong knowledge that pre-Aryan invasion, the Indian people traveled all over East Asian, and Asia Minor, and more than likely made their way 'cross the land brige to the Philippine Island chain. Ask any archeologist, they'll confirm it. Why do you think the Siamese language, looks so much like San Skrit? It was not uncommong for Brahman preists to make pilgrimages to distant lands in an attempt to pass their knowledge...some what of a pre-historic evangelist. This practice was encouraged under Vedic law, and was seen as the duty of sub-priets. Anyway, long and short of it, San Skirt is the root language of Thai, Pali, Kuy, and Lavna, if they made it *that* far into South East Asia, it's a safe bet they made it to the Maharlikas...

This is how I was taught.... in your fighting stance, bring your front leg up, leavig your knee bent and foot pointing towards the ground perpendicular.... Extend your kicking leg. As your foot is almost to the point of impact, turn your hip 90º into the kick, basically roll your hip over so that your butt is perpendicular to the kick, thus. Do that all in reverse as you retract your kick back to ready stance. Back leg, basically the same thing, knee up, kick out, roll your hip, retract, reset. Do this slowly at first, until you can do it without thinking about it...then speed it up a little. You'll be able to tell if you're doing it wrong.

Whether you're boxing or practicing M/A....as long as you're visualizing your attacker as you perform the movements, there's not much difference. Shadow Boxing is more focused on one purpose, but they're both used to enhance you muscle memory.

While it is true that if you do not understand the meaning behind kata, then it *is* just a dance.... However, kata is a very integral part of most arts, the method is that one can attain the second hand nature necessary in a real encounter, if your body has already been practicing the movement necessary. Furthermore it was necessary in some culutres to hide their systems in the form of a dance, ironicly. From the sayawan of the Filipino arts, to the jenga of Capeoria, the art in all its glory is hidden in that dance. Take Kuntaw for example, (Maharlika Kuntaw)....when the Spaniards occupied the islands, the locals were forbidden to practice martial arts, and thus, hid their system in the form of a dance. Each movement has martial applications. In some ways this works to my advantage in competition. In Kuntaw, one movement leads into the next, almost fluidly such that a judge can't believe their eyes had they not seen the system before, and not understand why it flows the way it does....(and as a result, I've taken numerous 1st place trophies because of this...).... Now I know what you're saying, "What good does a trophy do you in a fight?"...nothing, let's get that right out in the open. Trophies are meaningless, unless you were at the competition to enjoy the comradery, and make new aquaintences to go with the memory of said trophy..(which reminds of a story, I'll tell another day.).... The point is, this. Having been a bouncer, I've had many punches thrown my direction. BECAUSE I bothered to practice The Anyos, (a name for our first set of forms, literally translated, "Short Form"), even when I wasn't training regularly, my body was attuned to the situation, and I was able to deal with it, without ever being struck, and without having to strike a patron. I simply controlled the altercation, and escorted "Mr. Beermuscles" out the door. That's not to say that I didn't make him uncomfortable, but that is to say that Kata, and form practice do have merit to the beginning and continuing student. You may feel free to disagree with me, but my money is on the guy that practices his forms, AND learns to spar....I've handily beaten several opponents who do nothing but enter the sparring events, and it does show when someone practices, and when one doesn't. Perfect example, Allet (forgot his last name), from Lake Elliot, Ont, excellent power striker, excellent fighter, (Tae Keuk Do, I think the art was called...)...anyway, he's notorious on the Can-Am circuit for being able to take a lot of pain and punnishment. He's a big strong, cornfed Candian boy. Great guy, mind you....anyway, Allet and I had never had to face eachother before, we've seen eachother fight, *I* knew I couldn't match him strike for strike. I literally began to do the anyos right there in the ring, and it was an interesting match, none the less. He did get in a shot here and there, but I'd have to say that we were both surprised the number of his strikes I avoided, or countered, and how close in I got to him.... In closing....whatever your art, you have a number of tools at your disposal, it's in how you use them that make you a great martial artist or not..... (just my 2¢)

Still haven't found the reference...but here's something to take note of.... Not the reference I was looking for but here's one... http://www.cecm.sfu.ca/~loki/Kali/escrima.html Also, Visayas, which as we know is one of the main island groups in the Philippines, bears a striking resemblence to the Hindi word, "Vaisyas"....coincidence? There's enough evidence to support that Kali did in fact come from India....are you prepared to concede the point?...or do I need to go on? So in what part of India can I see indian kali?[/url]

We already got it taken care of Zero, but thanks for your input.

In my humble opinion....(see: Disclaimer)...you're half right. They say it takes a lifetime to master, what they often fail to mention is that you're forever a student, no matter how many stripes you have on your belt, or how many plaques you have on the wall....once a person realizes they'll always be a student in some regard, that's when the true learning begins.

If that works for you, great. I'm not saying there aren't benefits to belonging to what in some people's eyes seems to be an over-priced ripoff...we're all involved in the martial arts for one reason. We enjoy it. To some degree or another, and for different reasons, but we enjoy it. It works for you, and that's perfectly okay.

Actually now that I think about it, I held for someone's blackbelt test, and got my fingers mashed pretty good. I still prefer human holders to board holder though....it just comes with the territory if you're going to break.

I wouldn't go so far as to say, "My Style".... Granted, Kuntaw has a lot of tools at one's disposal, but when it's all said and done, isn't it really the practitioner that causes an art to be effect or not? I happen to consider myself a fairly proficient knife fighter...does that mean I want to look for one? No. I'm also fairly adept at gun disarms....does that mean I want to stand in front of one to try it out? No. (Although if you do this demonstration, youre students will be amazed that the can't pull the trigger faster than you can get out of the way.)... It's not so much the art, it's not even the belt...it's the person that stands behind them....that's what makes things effective. Perfect example. I bounced in a metal bar for several years....NOT ONCE, did I ever have to strike someone, or cause undue pain...I'd have liked to, but it wasn't necessary to diffuse the situation. On the other hand, you have Joe "Karate Kid Jr." Smith, who goes to one lesson, and thinks he's Ralph Macchio. Anyway, enough of my philosophical ravings..hehe. Just thought I'd share that thought.

Don't feel bad, the first board I broke some 10 years ago, I ripped the hide off the back of my knuckle for a good 1" and a half....it was not pretty...(not to mention the time it took the heal.)