delta1

Sounds like you've found yourself a good instructor! A lot of people are surprised to find out I had to interview, including mat time, to be accepted into my Kenpo school. Not the typical 'pay up, show up, grade up' attitude that is so prevalent in martial arts today. And AK is a principles based system. Good instructors, like this guy appears to be, get you on to learning not just the mechanics but also the principles right off. Any way, enjoy your introductory classes.

That sounds like the Kenpo Creed: "I come to you with only karate, empty hands. I have no weapons. But should I be forced to defend myself, my principles, or my honour: should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong: then here are my weapons, karate, my empty hands."

I'll throw in with the 'Every one for his own reasons' group here. I don't disrespect those who do MA's for sport or health, or any other reasons. But to me, the martial arts are primarily about fighting more effectively. Studying them is like working on a living, multidemensional puzzle. I'm fascinated by the way the pieces fit, and how things work together. I also enjoy the confidence and clarity it brings to every aspect of life. I will say this about the sport and health guys- when you start removing too much of the martial from the art, bad things can happen. A lot of sport/demo/actor types have ended up with hip replacements and the like from doing some of the unrealistic kicks and other moves. Chuck Norris comes to mind. Another example is Tai Chi- I've been told and have read time and again that doing TCC without the martial component you get less than half the health bennifits. And a lot of them develope knee problems from doing it without proper understanding. Reality training can have its own problems also. Aside from the probable injuries, too much mental conditioning in the 'killer instinct' can have adverse psychological effects. I vote for doing your own thing, but with ballance.

I don't watch TV at all, and there's no boxing matches close here. So no. But I have seen boxing matches, and worked some with boxers. They punch. Arms lenght and in, medium to close range. They don't use long range kicks, and they don't grapple, unless you want to count tieing up. They also are only concerned with protecting the upper body and head (belt up). So a boxer can get by with that one very limmited guard because he is only concerned with defending against punches at a limmited range and to limmited targets. Throw in some different strikes and allow grabs or cranes, open up all targets, including his hands and arms (I know, they also strike these- but not like we do), and if that is the only guard you know how to use you could be in trouble. I'm not demeaning or shorting boxers. They can be tough opponents. I just wouldn't depend on their guard as my primary guard.

Those are good beggining techniques. Right now, they probably feel kind of awkward and jerky. But as you get better, they'll start to flow and things will really start feel right. There are a lot of good principles in those two techniques as well. Did he get into principles with you? The first time my Instructor showed Delayed Sword to me, he hooked the block and it pulled me in so hard my head flew back and every vertebrae in my neck popped! Some of the yellow techniques won't seem like they would work at first. The two you learned are pretty obviouse that they would work. But there is a rear bear hug technique, Captured Twigs, that I'll bet you question. I've used it though, and I don't know who was more surprised that it worked- me or him. Another is Deflecting Hammer, defense against a right front kick to the abdomen. I used to dislike it, but now it is one of my favorite techniques. The difference is that as you learn to move better, and you go back and rework these techniques, things start to flow and come together. It only gets better as you go.

Good to have you- welcome.

I'll take your word for it, since I don't speak Japanese. Just what I was told. But it is still the application of 'block' instead of 'recieve' that doesn't work well. True. But that's not what I said. I said "fights primarily", not takes place. Boxing fights at punching range, a very restricted range. True, they circle and move in and out. But the fighting occurs at punching distance. They get close and tie up, but this is not their primary strategy. That is one reason the boxing guard works for them.

You need instruction for any martial art. That goes X 10 for internal arts. You can do yourself seriouse dammage if you do some of the things they teach incorrectly. Taiji, for example, is very good for your joints. But if you move wrong through your postures it can destroy your knees in short order. Also (and I'll probably regret saying this here), internal energy developement is nothing to fool around with on your own.

Yes, and no. Boxing styles fight mostly at only one range, and they use different body mechanics to support that in-tight guard and launch punches from it. You are correct that trying to block most incomeing punches is not reliable. Your primary defense is to move the target and gain position on him. But it's not the incomeing punch I usually want any way. I want it going back. I used to work out with a JMA instructor who told me "The term for 'block' is ute. In Okinawan, 'ute' is to 'recieve'. In Japanese, it means to 'block'. This is where the term got confused." To block implies to put up an obstacle and stop something. To recieve implies doing something with the strike. A 'block' should do something to him- cancel at least one demension, adversely position him, effect his ballance, double as a strike or check, trap, ... . One of the best ways to accomplish most of these is to 'block' the return, adding your force to his to sort of make him overcommit in reverse. It's one method of contouring. This strategy takes into account that you are probably only going to get a piece of the strike on the way out, and obviously depends on your effectively moving the target as you 'block'. Even your boxers are famouse for their 'bob and weave' avoidance strategy. A good 'block' also has to properly use principles. An example is its angle of deflection. Push an arm straight across his body with an inward block and you may launch him into a spinning technique. But angle it down and across and it checks the weapon to his body, controls his width (stops the spin option) and disturbs his ballance. If you moved to his side as you blocked, removing the target, you've also positioned yourself so that his off side weapons are out of play. Roll a strike over the 'block' simultaneously and you have him. Oh, don't forget to check the leg for almost complete control. 'Blocks' work if used correctly. But I'll agree that a 'block and counter' strategy is a good way to get beat. But then, so is bobbing and weaving with your hands up by your face at all ranges and situations.

The main difference in AK is it has flow. No wasted motion, every move does something to the opponent. Why just rechamber after a strike when you can hurt him again on the way out? AK also teaches theory and principles like no other art I know of (and I've worked with a lot of different styles). It is pretty impressive. The techniques are the vehicle AK uses to teach you to move and to apply the principles. Techniques are based on self defense situations. There are also freestyle techniques, which are offensive moves. Our Katas are called forms, and there are several. There are also several practice sets. AK also has the most complete arsenal of strikes and kicks I've seen. It does teach joint locks, and defenses against them. AK is a reality based art. It was developed for real life self defense, but it also does well for tournaments, if that is your thing. SGM Ed Parker was one of the earliest promoters of tournaments (I believe his Nationals was the first of it's kind in the US), and he promoted respect and sharing ideas across all systems. It was Mr. Parker who introduced Bruce Lee at the Nationals when he was still an unknown here. One of the big differences in AK and many other styles is that it will take you where you are and build on your knowlege. A lot of styles tell you to throw out everything you know and do it their way. AK asks you to come in with an open mind, retain what you know and build on to that. If you are thinking of trying it, I bet you'll like it. It's not for everybody, but most who stay with the martial arts and try AK love it.

Better watch out, guys. Pride and overconfidence has been the downfall of many a warrior! Not all TKD is the sport variety. TKD does have in close skills, and they are introduced to WC centerline theory in their first one step. And not all TKDers are high kickers, or even primarily kickers. Remember, a lot of people disrespect WC, right up until they end up facing someone who knows how to use it. Just a thought.

Left work early today and am missing class tonight. Feelin' too poorly to really get a good workout. So, you'll never guess what I'm usin' to review some applications and clean up my technique a little... Don't do away with them, just use them correctly.

Actually, if it gets just a little longer, I think I'll jsut tie some stars in it and use it as a whip- sort of an organic cat o' nine tails.

LOL Never thought of that! Axle grease might work too. Or maybe lard- after a while, the smell might reppel them! (2nd thought, not these clowns.) But the slippery trick is a good idea. I'll letcha kno.

If it's American Kenpo, I'd be a little suspicious. Many AK schools will also teach a grappling art as well. But the combination of AK and Hapkido, I'm not too sure. Both are respected systems, and neither needs outside influences to make them complete stand up arts, and both have grappling in them (though not to the extent of a primarily grappling art). I'd ask where he got his rank(s). Who did he train under? There are a lot of charlatins out there throughout the martial arts. Not saying this guy is one, just that you should be careful. I wouldn't sign any contracts untill you're sure.

stuey-san, you say you've only been training for 18 mo. That is just about enough time that your instructor may be thinking you might stick with it, at least for a while. Goju1 made some really good points. To that, I'd add that sometimes you can reach burnout in training. Come back and talk to us after you've trained untold dozens in their basics, only to watch them leave. Or after you've been burned a few times by the inevitable politics- maybe watched a few friends get hurt, or had them turn on you. Then there's the umpteenth time you have to fight back from an injury or other forced downtime. These are all things that I've known to cause others to burn out and take down time, and I've considered it myself for some of these. Once a person reaches burnout, nothing he does is good. Nothing works right, his retention and coordination suffers, his attitude starts to get bad. About the only cure is to take some time off, maybe even leave until you get to a point that you want to continue. And, I have to tell you, one of the best ways to get burnt out is to start focusing on others and fretting that they are not doing what you think they should or like you think they ought to. I'm not dumping on you here. I'm just saying that you should maybe focus on what you are doing and not what everyone else is doing. Focus on learning, not on organizing and directing. It isn't your job- and ask yourself, do you really want to get into a political dispute with a bunch of (or even 1) blackbelts? Just my advice. Take it for what it's worth.

stuey-san, No offense taken, and I'll ask the same of you. Taking time off, then returning to the same style and lineage, I think he should retain the highest rank earned and honorably held. He should be expected to go back to basics and clean or sharpen up his skills, which is also a good lesson for the junior belts to see. Your view on this seems to be a little legalistic, almost a punnishment for taking off. Remember what your goal is- to learn and perpetuate your art, helping others to do the same. Sometimes it is easy to loose focus and try to control others, bend them to our own will or make them clones of ourselves. I've known some really good martial artists who took time off, then came back with a renewed vigour. Offer guidance, but let him find his own way. Going to a different system or even just a differnt school/lineage, expect to start over. You know little and have earned nothing in their system. What you do know should help you to advance faster. But instant gradings are a fantasy for sale to the weak minded and insecure. As a senior practicioner of any style, you should be above accepting that in the first place.

HEY!!! Watch it, bub! I thought the more patches you got, the higher your rank any how . I don't know..., each to his own path, I suppose. Some schools have started issuing the black belt as just the senior colored belt. You are still a bb, with all the respect and some of the privilages. But they dont give that first grading until you've stayed with it or tested for it. I kind of like that concept. If the basic black belt is all you want, it's your choice. If you want more, that too is up to you.

Jerry, you are correct, of course. But I've written my book for this thread already. Keepin' it simple 'till the my head stops acheing! By the way, I'm nowhere near an advanced student of Taiji. Still a begginer, so I'm not the one to go into that kind of detail any how. But the more I study it, the more ridiculous some of the misconceptions seem- and I had my share of them before also. Feel free to expound on it, though. I come here to learn (despite some of the b.s. we all throw )

EPAK (Ed Parkers American Kenpo) is primarily a self defense art. But some of our schools do pretty well in tournaments. Some of the ones in Spokane and Idaho train for UFC type matches. A lot of AK schools will prep students who want to go to regular (tag) tournaments, then aftrwards they go through a 'deprograming' period of instruction to get their focus back on the street. I've heard of schools that do just tournament stuff, but never first hand. I'm sure they are out there somewhere. That's my situation. Around here, there's TKD and..., more TKD. So I train Kenpo when and where I can, and I work out with other stylists when ever and wherever I can, and I just joined a TKD school here. Fortunately, they are very non-traditional/self defence oriented. Nothing against traditional TKD, I just prefer this approach. They also teach Modern Arnis, and they have some joint locks and ground fighting. And the head of their system also had some AK (he's an old friend of the #2 in my AK association). So there is some AK influence in their system, and they allow me some leeway in my interpretations of their moves. I also do Taiji, which not only will improve your performance in any other art, it's a good stand alone art in it's own right. But it does take a long time to get proficient at it. I know I frustrate my instructor because, whenever I get stumped (which is usually the case), I revert to Kenpo and finish him off. Everyone's needs are different, everyone's path is different. I say, if we are getting what we want, or at least the best we can, go for it.

Original Matrix. Originals are almost allways the best. #2 is usually just filler to tie in #1 & #3, certainly the case here. I didn't like #3 because I don't drop acid.

No. If you aren't "planted" (not the best term, but...), how can you be rooted? Moving on your toes is floating. It would take a book to explain the principles of internal CMA's. That's one book I don't have the time or the expertise to write. Movement, weight distribution, power generation, philosophy- just about everything is radically different to what you do or understand. Best thing I can tell you is what I was told when I first started looking into CMA's. Go to a good school or instructor and get them to show you first hand. But, be warned, that's how I ended up doing Taiji! Like Sifu Joseph Simonet told me, "Tai Chi will transform you!" He was correct.

Humble, maybe. But certainly true.

No. But so what if they are? If ya got it, flaunt it!

Sadly, I know exactly what you are saying! Minor injuries (anything you can still train with and not further injure yourself or make it worse) are so common as to not be worth commenting on. Everyone has them and just works through them. More seriouse injuries- yes, I've trained with them. Some you can work around and, if you are careful, do no further harm. But that takes a lot more common sense than most of us have. I've trained with some injuries that I shouldn't have, and allways end up sidelined longer than if I'd just parked my butt and studied.