ninjanurse

I would guess that it is all in your balance and where your center of mass is moving to during execution-if it moves aways from your supporting leg you will wobble or fall. Even small upper body movements or head movements can affect this! Perhaps someone can watch you and analyze your movements? As far as flexibility goes-focus on technique first. Your kicks will get higher as you become more flexible but they won't get any better without training the muscles,ligaments, and tendons to go in all the right places. A daily stretching routine is the only way to go.

Hey Sai! Thanks and how have you been? Miss you around here!

Welcome!

Welcome!

I agree-the pull back does not necessarily"train" the hip (although it does play a part ).....and it is a difficult concept to explain to a student. I go with a simplistic explanation using the example of stepping on some ones foot or stomping on someones foot. Which one hurts more/does more damage? The faster the transfer of energy occurs at the point of impact the stronger the blow....a theory similar to slapping the mat when being thrown. Pulling the hand back helps facilitate this transfer( as does the "winding" and "unwinding" of the hip). That being said.....during Basics the concept of "Push and Pull" is drilled to train the hip rotation and it's relationship to the generation of power. As students become more practiced they discover the nuances of hip movement and are able to apply them in varying degrees during sparring and self defense-the concept of equal and opposite then becomes relative to the speed and distance the hand travels to its' target so one hand may move faster or travel farther than the other thus no longer "equal".

Contracts are not bad, it's the people who administrate them that cause problems. Just be sure to read the rules thoroughly and remind the boys that a commitment should be kept not broken. Keep us posted on their training!

Welcome to KF....and to NY!

Our guard is high-with fists chin level and elbows tucked in to protect the ribs. I stress efficiency of movement-wasting energy during execution decreases the power of the technique. During basics the hand is at the belt and takes a direct route during execution-again so as not to waste energy.

Welcome back!!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Eventually the body wears out and can no longer perform as it did when it was 30 years younger. When I am 80 I certainly hope that my students are more physically skilled than I!

Welcome!!

Welcome-glad to have you here!!

My main goal this year is to remain healthy (no injuries that keep me from training) and get (back) into better shape than before the last injury!

We all have things that challenge us-and most of my students get this idea of testing every class, individual challenges, effort is rewarded, etc. There are a few that don't and are surprised that they don't progress. It is not about the belts or the perceived status-it is about the depth of knowledge both physically and mentally.

I hold tests every 4 months in which students who are eligible (time in grade & classes) may request rank. If they pass they attend graduation where they perform a small section of curriculum for the Master Instructor. No one goes in front of him unless they will pass muster-otherwise I fail the test.

Thanks...another little ninja for the clan!!!!

Welcome!

I'm still chewing on kata I learned years ago and still learning from them daily. It is always best to have an empty cup when starting out....and after 30+ years of training!

Congratulations!!!

In my experience, there are still WTF schools that practice the Palgwe forms exclusively, some that practice Taeguek exclusively, and some that do both. I really think it depends upon the kwan that your style originates from and the preferences of your KJN.

Congrats!

A local JJ Professor interviews each prospective student personally and, if he accepts them, spends the first 6 months trying to get them to quit. I agree that not all martial arts are for all people.

Good point!