Spartacus Maximus

In the broadest sense, yes it could indeed be considered a martial art.

Maybe that is part of the series main idea that “getting old sucks” for Daniel and Johnny.

More than one

if it is only variants of a single technique(all roundhouses), than it cannot be called a martial art because martial art implies that it is system and therefore has more than a single technique. All martial arts including the most eclectic and recent have more than just one basic technique. To have a system requires having substantial content. Boxing, for instance, consists of only punching but it has 4 different basic punches.

The quote is an expression of a quality often emphasized in East Asian cultures. It reflects the idea that those who are knowledgeable about something must not flaunt it or show off their abilities. The best advice is always to listen and observe twice as much as one speaks. Those who brag, boast and are generally making a show of their abilities often are not as good as they think they are. Modesty is a good quality for an expert to have as it proves that person is realistic and has not been overwhelmed by their own success.

it depends on how and when you ask. If you ask the right way and you are polite and professional there should be nothing to worry about. Unless the church building is privately owned, the cleric working there is an employee and likely has no knowledge or authority about renting any part to anyone. The best way to go about it would be to get information by phone on exactly who to contact to find out if space can be rented and who to ask about it.

There are three basic points that define a “martial art” versus just a collection of techniques. The first is structure or codification. Techniques are identified and trained in an order. It also means that there is some kind of logical progression. The second point that identifies a martial art is that its purpose or its roots are in fighting of some sort. This could be battle, personal defense or duelling. The third point is history. An art must have a history, background and a lineage. It does not have to stretch back hundreds of years, but it must be identifiable.

Physical situations are often preceded by a verbal attack and an invasion of personal space. Usually a loud outburst with profanity or threatening words or both. Most of the time the “attacker” moves aggressively towards the other person or gets uncomfortably close. What are your strategies for dealing with someone who is “in your face”? Why and how have you succeeded/failed to prevent the situation from turning physical?

The YMCA is but one of many low cost options to teach martial arts without owning a dojo. If the Y has too many constraints, there are community centres and other public places which could have adequate space available to rent cheaply.

If that’s the movie about the misfit tkd team then, there were at least 4 or 5 movies in the series. Maybe if you look on imdb you can find some quotes.

It’s basically a Netflix competitor, but it is only available in USA, Korea, Australia and one or two other countries for now. You pay a monthly fee and get an account that allows you to watch series, movies and other videos that are not available on regular YouTube or exclusive to YouTube red. You can also download videos to your account and watch them whenever you like but you have to log in regularly.

As in all other Japanese martial arts, there are difference and variations in Iaido. These all depend on the traditions as well as the place(region in Japan) and time of origin. Generally speaking the kata of iaido include drawing and cutting from different positions from sitting in seiza to standing, walking and everything in between. The basic idea is that a swordsman or samurai had to be constantly aware and train so that he could draw his sword from whatever position he was at the time. Never to be in a vulnerable position or unable to draw.

To answer JR137, from personal experience living and training in Okinawa and the Japanese mainland, it is neither a Japanese or Okinawan trend. the overwhelming majority use only white/natural dogi. For kobudo a few dojo use all black or, more rarely brown. Never seen colour combinations top/bottom or trims of any sort. It could be because wearing a coloured dogi or any special combinations is considered by some to be overly “showy”.

It’s really too bad that YouTube red is restricted to something like five or six countries for now. Very frustrating and disappointing for those who would enjoy watching it.

It is the same concept overall. The original is Chinese and is a fundamental of both medicine and martial arts. Both of these were spread to Korea, Okinawa and Japan where they were developed further into local interpretations and variants. The same character(Chinese ideogram/symbol) is read differently in each of the three languages suing them. Although rarer in Korean. In Chinese it is “chi” and in Japanese it is “ki”. It refers to effective and efficient breathing applied to medicine and martial arts. Definitely NOT some sort of mystical force or power as some ignorant minds might construe it.

Also forgot to mention that it should be for individual work so having someone hold it while another strikes is out. What is a double ended bag and how is it used?

If the organization is international or at least has a presence in Europe, having a rank recognized should be very easy just by presenting the certification. Shotokan is quite widespread and there are numerous associations and organizations practically everywhere. With this said it is difficult for a lifelong practitioner to understand why some put so much value on rank as to concern themselves with whether or not it will be recognized by others elsewhere. If one is honest about what one can do and how much one knows, rank should matter very little.

What are good alternatives to striking posts or heavy bags? Ideally something that can easily be set up and put away when not in use. It also should meet these two conditions: A) indoor use in a small room 9sq meters. The room is rented and on the second floor. Modification or “construction” such as fastening anything to the walls, ceiling or floor is not permitted. B) using the equipment must not produce excessive noise which might annoy neighbours above and below. So far much of the training requiring hitting some kind of equipment has been done outdoors or in other places, but it would be convenient to be able to do it inside at the regular dojo. Any ideas?

Bleached or natural(yellowish-white) cotton dogi. Nothing else allowed for training. Summer is the only exception where wearing the dojo t-shirt is acceptable instead of the jacket.

It means that the instructor’s efforts and dedication were not wasted. It also shows that the student has made significant progress in implementing, practising and improving at what has been taught thus far and to the instructor’s satisfaction. Most important of all, it’s value comes from trust and respect. The student awarded the belt may not realize his own progress. He may even doubt himself but he will accept his teacher’s judgment. Not just because the teacher has decades or perhaps a lifetime of training and excellence in skills; but because said teacher is and has always been honest. The belt itself means nothing. It’s value comes from the personal sentiment attached to it and the even more personal dedication and efforts done up to that day. It really is about the training journey and endeavour. The first thing to grasping the worth of a dan grade is to stop considering black belts as goals or milestones. They are not meant to signify an end.

That sounds like the best and simplest progression. It also was the original or earliest system before the rainbow of belts became popular for commercial and cultural reasons. Very few instructors or associations use so few ranks/colours. In some there isn’t even a common system. There are central dojo that have a different system from what the others in their association use. It can get somewhat confusing when members get together to train. Then again that is not such a big issue because it only happens every so often and when it does, it quickly becomes clear who can do what and how well they can do it. Personally, the system used is white, green, blue, brown and black. Other instructors belonging to the same organization use their own system and none have fewer belts between white and brown. Having no more than 3 or four belts is a good way to get people to focus on their own personal training and emphasize skill progression instead of percieved status or rank. It is the next best thing to dropping the belt system altogether, which would probably be extremely difficult to implement since the belt system in one form or another has been used in karate for as long as the familiar white dogi. Nowadays the majority of people who remember training without belts or gis are Okinawan and over 70 years old. Some of these karate folks trained for many years before they ever put on a belt.

Having only 4 belts including black, paying for belts is not really a big expense. It has been the norm in nearly every dojo everywhere since at least the last 20years. Probably longer. Of course there are more than a few less-than-ethical instructors who have taken advantage of this by having a full rainbow of belts for which they charge indecent fees. In most cases, colour belts cost very little and often given. The black belt and above usually has a few costs which includes the belt itself and other things related to organizing the test.

It seems that the progression is not to decreased speed or power, but rather towards economy of these and better timing. This is probably why older and more experienced martial arts experts appear to move so effortlessly. Through training they have reached a superior understanding and control of all the body mechanics used for their techniques. It means that they never use more effort than needed. In a word, they are just more efficient at what they do because they do not waste any power. This is what is meant in saying that the goal of martial arts is the mastery of oneself. Wisdom and strategy always overcomes strength and power.

The original post was more about video as a personal training tool or a private reference by instructors and for dojo members. Some instructors may have reservations about having the videos posted online or having just anyone video record a test or training session. In personal experience, spectators are very rare. During regular training, nobody ever just watches except for the odd day when a dojo member’s family stops by. Even then they never stay very long and are expected to be absolutely quiet. Test are only open for those being tested and dojo members helping with the set-up. As far posting anything online, the measure is basic common sense: always ask for permission and respect the instructor’s decision. The same applies to copying or sharing any other documents or information about the instructor, the dojo and members. In fact many dojo have a specific rule for such cases: “dojo members shall not bring shame or disrepute to the dojo or instructor by any illegal activity, immoral behaviour or unethical actions”

Skills, technique and force are of no particular significance when considered by themselves. It is only when they are bound by the practitioner’s morals, character and intent that they take a purpose. Judgement, decision and many other mental factors determine how physical movements will be used. There is always a choice to make and each choice one makes has consequences. Martial arts skills without a sound, stable mind and strong moral character is an irresponsible risk. It is wisdom, good judgment and moral character that make it right to use force. These same factors must also dictate if force is necessary and how much or what choice are morally defendable. A skilled martial arts practitioner well-aware of his/her ability can make such a reflexion. Such a person, cannot and must not have only one extreme response to every situation. People aren’t automatons. Even instinct and trained reflexes can and must be tempered by the mind.