Spartacus Maximus

The oss phenomenon most likely started with the kyokushin karate crowd but in some places it has spread to other karate style and further still to some other martial arts. If the karate you take up is kyokushin or somehow influenced by it, then oss will be everywhere. On the other hand if the karate is Okinawan it would probably it be used; and by chance if the sensei is also from Okinawa then oss is out of the question. Whatever it is, listen for it before using oss. If you hear it used, then oss away. If not, don’t. Simple really. A short visit to observe or a trial will answer whether or not it is a thing

Sometimes ego and misplaced pride make people think and act in irrational or illogical ways which are against their best interest.

Guest is instructors coming in to share whatever they do are a different thing than a person coming in for a trial or seeking to join as a student. Within the same style or organization, where one starts under a new instructor or new dojo depends on the instructor. Most of the time an instructor will want to evaluate a student with previous experience before making a decision. Very few martial arts practitioners will agree that dan grades are universal and apply anywhere. A dan in TKD doesn’t equal a dan in jujutsu. It should be logical and obvious. It boggles the mind that anyone would insist that it does. Nobody would ever claim, for instance, that their degree in Litterature transfers to, or otherwise applies to Biology. If that person wanted to do anything in that field, they would have to start at the beginning.

Consider that though kata is a sequence, the “bunkai” is not. Each and every technique is meant to be used independently of one another. Once the kata is learned, demonstrate and explain each the applications by breaking down the kata in manageable parts. After that the best way to approach it is to use drills with partners(pair novices with advanced students). Taking the first 3 moves and drilling them thoroughly before proceeding to the next three is a good way to do it. Increase speed and intensity gradually. Going back and forth between the kata and the application drills will help to emphasize the relevance of kata and their purpose. Most important of all is not to rush through anything and avoid overwhelming novices with more information than their level allows them to grasp.

The thing about books versus movies is that the author often has very little say about how the movie will be done once permission is granted to put the story on film. Watching Jurassic Park after reading the books was very confusing, to give an example. Missing scenes, characters etc.

Either way holding back or hesitation because of preconceived notions, breaks an important principle of self defense: never underestimate a hostile person’s potential to cause harm. The attacker’s sex means nothing when the ultimate goal is to get through him,her or it, and escape with as little injury as possible. Still curious about the whole “Christopher” thing..

Anyone with years experience will have habits and a way to move shaped by whatever was practised. When taking up something new, is to make active and conscious efforts to shed as set aside what one has learned in previous training. If it is shotokan, then make every effort to do things in the shotokan way. Be polite, humble and honest about prior experience. Find the appropriate time and get the instructor to demonstrate in detail and ask for specific advice to make the necessary changes. One advantage of having prior training is that it allows one to understand and analyze techniques on a different level than an absolute newcomer in martial arts.

Basing any self-defense decision on names sounds like a lot of foolishness. There are many, many much more important things to consider when defending oneself than the attacker’s name if one even knows it.

Another difference between animals relying entirely on instinct and us, is that humans have the intellectual power to know and understand themselves on a deeper and higher level. A tiger doesn’t think or train to be good at fighting other tigers. Instinct drives it to use its strength, claws and fangs. This is what has allowed people to figure out and devise ways to compensate for natural weaknesses by finding effective ways to use our bodies to fight or defend against other people. Training,strategy and practise is what makes it possible to defend against a larger aggressive enemy. In the case of our tiger, his instinct will tell him to retreat otherwise he will inevitably lose to a larger fiercer tiger.

if TKD refers to the Korean system of Taekwondo, it is impossible for anyone to have learned it in Japan at a monastery. For one, there aren’t nor have there ever been “tkd monasteries” anywhere. Second, although individual monks, priests or shamans may train in martial arts, temples, shrines or monasteries have nothing to do with martial arts in Japan, let alone a Korean one devised in the 1950’s with roots in Shotokan karate which originated in Okinawa. Clearly the person making the original claim is either very confused about their martial arts background or deliberately taking advantage of a target audience whose only reference on martial arts and Asia are cheap chop-socky movies. Such a claim is laughable to anyone who has studied and read accurate history of martial arts in the original and spent more than a few years training, traveling and living in Okinawa and many other parts of Japan. It might even offend some natives or at least make them mock or pity such ignorance. From that point of view, the entire description of the system described sounds awfully shakey and suspiciously made-up. 25 years old is much, much too young and immature to have a tenth dan in anything using dan grades! It’s just not believable. The highest one might be able to earn(stress on “earn”) by 25 is about 5th dan and that’s pushing it if the system is authentic and the skill level is evaluated based on actual ability and understanding of the given system.

Foul language or not, it doesn’t appear that the series is aimed at a youth or children audience. It obviously is banking on the nostalgia of the generation who saw the karate kid movies when they came out or soon after. This would be adults in their 30’s at the youngest and around the age of the actors at the oldest. Anyone younger probably cannot relate or enjoy the series on the same level.

If the method works well for its intended purpose, it is correct and good. There is often more than a single effective way to teach. “The spirit of budo” or other such intellectual and philosophical concepts are beyond the grasp of children and youths. It is much more important that the instruction methods allow them to reproduce, repeat and remember physical concepts and correct body mechanics. They should also enjoy learning in a relaxed atmosphere and look forward to their next lesson.

A “spear hand” aimed at the face of throat does not necessarily hit its target to be effective if one considers it as part of a strategy. Techniques are rarely meant to be used in isolation without any others preceding or following it. For instance, a spear hand to the eye/throat will cause a flinch or staggering reaction to avoid it. Taking advantage of this, the same hand can be dropped quickly to attack the groin or other lower body targets.

Fractures are a likely risk whatever the kicking method if by mistake or accident the wrong part of the leg/foot hits the wrong target at the wrong angle. This combined with being unprepared, insufficiently trained and conditioned. Conditioning the legs and feet is also important for using them to block, deflect or parry incoming low kicks or strikes. Both karate and Thai boxing have such techniques.

A good start would be to plan teaching based on the average concentration and attention span of each age group. Also important to consider is each age group’s physical and cognitive development. A basic overview of this can easily be found in any decent library or online. Consider that some things are physically and biologically impossible at certain ages. Lessons ought to be kept simple with as little detail as possible. The average child or youth is easily confused and bored with details. Focus on gross movements and imitation. Everything can be refined and explained as the student matures and progresses in ability. If something must be repeated, disguise it into some kind of exciting activity, otherwise they will get bored or give up before taking away any benefits. It is also effective to limit content to match the age group. No more than two or three very basic techniques at a time works best. It depends on the method to the madness. Teaching martial arts to youth and children can be a good experience or it can be like making a soup sandwich while herding cats in an insane asylum. One word: patience.

Conditioning for the instep follows the same process as any other striking surface, however greater care must be taken to avoid injury. A sand bag or canvas bag is a good start before gradually moving onto a padded post or car tire. As for the application, the weapon depends on the target. The big toe is for “soft” targets such as the kidney or liver area. The instep near the root of the ankle would be preferred to strike at the legs or other hard targets for breaking bones. The hard/soft opposition is a common principle in Okinawan karate and it is used to dictate how and where to hit.

Very confusing. Where is the link in the YouTube app to buy videos? Only the previews and two free episodes show up.

Kajukembo is made up of more than three different systems. It is a pool of knowledge and skills from experts of each of the components. A system of its own. It would take much more time to become proficient in one or more of the components than it might take to be comfortable with kajukembo, the synthesis of several systems.

Whether or not one trains barefoot, it is a good idea to develop a minimum of conditioning to withstand hits and knocks to the striking surfaces of the legs and feet. That way, with or without footwear the pain or risk of injury can be limited.

Leather is leather so shoes are he same as any other leather goods. If it works for fine leather shoes it should work just as well for gloves or whathaveyou. For specific recommendations it is a good idea to ask a leather product specialist such as a retailer for how to best care for leather goods. Often they will have good ideas on how to make leather last as long as possible.

Humans live in the environment they have made and modified for their comfort. Even if many now live in modern urban zones, comparing to wild animals is fair. The difference between any animal and a human is that animals can fight and defend themselves effectively by instinct. Most animals already possess natural weapons. Humans are the only ones who have had to devise and make weapons to survive. Humans must also train and condition themselves to use artificial weapons and natural ones. Hands are adapted to fine motor tasks and grasping objects. A hand injury can be crippling or result in severe limitations. Making it an effective striking weapon requires much knowledge and training. Feet and legs are primarily for getting around. A foot or leg injury can also result in severe consequences from loss of mobility. Again, people have thought of safer ways to use these body parts as weapons. The main point is that human bodies lack natural weapons, but make up for it by using intelligence to think about ways to train to become effective at fighting and defending themselves. It is the same process which allowed people to do everything from harnessing fire to inventing high-tech devices. Humans need to learn and think about how to effectively defend themselves without weapons.

Teaching in a small places to a select few is not a great idea if the goal is to make money much les make a living of it. Would it not make more sense to be open to try to attract as many potential paying students if that were a priority? Perhaps the instructor is truly dedicated to teaching only the most serious kind of student and also feels that restricting teaching allows more control on what kind of people are least likely to misuse what they learn. This is an old fashioned ideal, but there are still a few instructors who feel so much responsibility that they will only teach those who have the right character and can be trusted.

Maybe in some places it is a generation thing as well as a matter of personal taste, but there are a few martial arts people who find it(wearing logos etc) both in poor taste as well as a form of showing off. Personally anything that would stand out in a crowd or be a distinct feature is a bad idea. Looking as average as average can be is the safest way to go to avoid being annoyed, pestered or targeted. Unless everyone else is wearing martial arts related apparel, then go with the flow.

Nothing at all. Any mark or outward sign that could even remotely be associated with being a “tough guy” or involvement in with martial arts is painstakingly avoided.

When considering great and influential martial arts practitioners, it is easy to look past any titles, ranks or degrees. Much more impressive and respectable than these are their skills as well as their years dedication to their training and practise. They are worthy of awe and admiration because they are examples to aspire to for anybody who trains.