ninjanurse

Rich! Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear you are doing well with it. I have a question about the hamstring graft. What did it do to the flexibility of the hamstrings as a whole? Did you lose any flexiblity? Could you be prone to tears? My surgeon usually does patellar tendon grafts but I have heard that that this can be harder to rehab from....more patella problems etc. How many days did you have to take off work after you were up and around? Sorry for so many questions!!!!!

I don't know is "normal" is the right word... , but thanks for the encouragement. So far I can still kick and run (and snowboard !) but not without some pain and that uncertainty about when it will give out. My hamstrings are killing me from trying to keep it all together as I do stupid things!!!! Oh well, as I always say...pain is relative to how much fun your having!

Starting a new thread just about ACL injuries as unfortunately I have torn mine ( have had a chronic ACL injury but this time I really did it good! ). I am so bummed!!!! I will be unable to train adequately for testing in May so I am going to try to have surgery soon in order to be ready for November. Any one here have an ACL experience? I am specifically interested in results of surgery, rehab time, effect on training now, was it worth it, etc.

Welcome!

How about just obey the traffic laws?

I agree bretty, religion and politics have no bearing on how many techniques you know . ITF & WTF can indeed compliment each other and we can all learn a thing or two from other styles too. Who here hasn't picked up a trick or two from an opponent of a different style! If you are looking at it strictly from a loyalty standpoint and your Master instructor has a problem with it then I guess you have a decision to make.

Howdy and welcome!!

Welcome!

My thoughts exactly!!!!

I think that weither one wants to admit it or not, we are social animals and are motivated by our relationships with others. The difference is how we interpret out relationships and what our emotional needs are at the present time. All the chest beating aside-I think you are right! Nice article!

Being from a Shotokan background you must appreciate what your friend is saying. Relaxation and explosion are key to effective striking/blocking and you must release the energy into your target before it rebounds-hence the relaxation after impact. Over relaxation does look "floppy" and "bouncy" but I am not sure that it has any impact on the technique's efficiency. Also, constant tension wastes energy so a "happy medium" should be attempted.

Sweet breads!

Hey, just a thought I had tonight after reading some posts. Do you think that martial artist's who hold on to the "someday I'll return to my old style" mentality are hurting their training because they are allowing themselves to be distracted and cannot dedicate themselves fully because they believe that there is something better and are settling for second best? Could this thinking, harmelss as it seems, be detrimental to ones's self concept due to self doubt? Any thought on this? I feel that one can cherish where he/she has been and bring that part of them into any style they choose-without looking back.

Where do you get these gems from ninjanuse, great insite. ... I pick them up along the path .

Hey Cheeky! Welcome back!!! Enjoy class!!!!!

Welcome !!!

The path of martial arts takes us on a long journey towards selflessness-an overcoming of our own egos that turns our attention from pride and focuses it on humility. Until we reach that point in our training our perspectives are varied and sometimes our "self" gets in the way. With that being said, it is really pointless to worry about what someone else thinks about our race, style, or color of uniform because it is our personal journey that shapes us not someone elses's. What counts is the opinion we have of ourself. Just keep in mind that they are in a different place on the path, some ahead of us and some far behind.

Does anyone know of a good supplier of custom team uniforms? We are interested in unique, not "stock Demo uniforms". Any help would be appreciated!

Tincture of benzoin! And then, Guiness.

I have studied both Japanese styles and Korean styles and within each are differing opinions. Each dojo or dojang has been different however a common thread seems to be the intent. A bow of humility is with the eyes down, a sign of trust and deep respect. A bow of courtesy to another combatant is with an alert meeting of the eyes, a show of respect to their skills. That being said, the only time I make eye contact when bowing is at the start and end of a sparring match or similar combative situation. As far as outside of the dojo/dojang goes, I pay respect to all martial artists regardless of rank and/or style.

I love a good kihap!!!! Especially when your opponents eyes get really big and their mouth drops open !!! You know their thinkin'...."This chick's crazy!!!!" Yup!!!

While I do not disagree with both your points, I tend to take a more philosophical approach to this. One should never put themselves in a position to have to fight. Words, gestures, or body language that provoke a negative response from those around us are a "first strike" just as a kick or punch is. It's about how a martial artist carries themselves in the world that makes a difference. This is the hardest lesson to learn.

Accepting a lower rank can be hard for someand each should be evaluated individually as they are all in a different place on the journey. For me, I was honored that the Master Instructor allowed me to retain my rank and train until I could test in to his system. I still have one more test to take in order to achieve that rank in his system but I wear HIS 2nd dan belt now, not my 3rd dan. To me it was a matter of respect for him and his system, not about who stood to my left in class.

Welcome!

I love it!!!!!