Spartacus Maximus

Training the limbs and hands is an integral part of Okinawan Karate and a pillar of traditional training. Although most people who train have had some experience with it, few continue to do it regularly. Especially using the makiwara or other types of striking post/board. The reason why is mostly that people are worried about either injuries or the attention brought on by the grim appearance of bruised, badly skinned or calloused hands. Personally, the dilemma is concerned with the appearance of hands. The first reason is because making a living requires dealing with people, doing mostly clerical work. These people might be disgusted, worried or repelled by "makiwara hands". This could affect the work environment and interfere with work duties. Second to that but of less important, is keeping training private, almost secret. At the moment, nobody knows except very close friends and family. It is never mentioned or discussed with anyone. Having to explain things to people who cannot and would not understand would be tiresome, indeed. What would you do in this situation and why?

As far as neglected parts of training go, probably conditioning/hardening would be the first. Especially parts where the results are obvious such as hands.

Having more fat than average and being obesity should not be thought of as the same condition. By defenition, an obese person is neither healthy nor fit. The very concept of "fat but fit" is part of a distinctly modern mentality which attempts to excuse or make acceptable as normal the problems caused by a lifestyle of excesses compounded by inactivity. Physical strength or endurance are not the only things that make a person healthy and fit. In fact these two qualities are impossible to achieve or maintain for very long if one is fat. Being healthy and fit also depends on essential support such how one eats and getting proper rest to recover.

Fat but relatively in good health is possible. However, carrying more fat than average for one's age always inevitably leads to problems caused by the burden this puts on the body's systems. Obese is a pathological problem and is unhealthy itself even if the person concerned has yet to develop other issues. Training in martial arts or doing any kind of physical activity on a regular basis is one of the best ways to become fit and stay fit, as well as preventing the many health issues that result from the modern sedentary lifestyle.

Loyalty is an honourable quality, but only if the reason for it is just. Loyalty for loyalty's sake is quite meaningless. The question one ought to ask is not IF one should be loyal to a style but WHY.Competent instructors are far more important than any given style. Excellent, good, bad and terrible teachers exist in absolutely every martial art system. Loyalty is between people, so if one is unable to continue training in one style for lack of availability or a good teacher, starting a different style under a great instructor teaching what one is looking for in martial arts should be no problem and neither should staying with that teacher as long as possible.

Basic beer rule of thumb is never before training or between training. Saving it for afterwards makes it taste that much better.

One of the ways the answer could be explained is by considering the question from an Eastern mentality, specifically Okinawan/Japanese. In this culture and mentality, the journey is valued more than the destination. The process is more meaningful than the goal. What one learns and the efforts, struggles and trials along the way is more important than the end. Perfection is the goal, but it remains abstract and arbitrary because everyone's idea of it is different. So if perfection is elusive, the true meaning and value of training is the personal satisfaction of finally beginning to understand something after falling down or failing so many times before eventually reaching excellence in skill and knowledge of one's martial art. Aiming for perfection is great if it drives a person to constantly seek to get better, but it cannot be an end because it isn't retalistic. There is always someone out there who is better. Reaching excellence is more feasible and means that one has more courage, patience and dedication than most. It also means that one has failed again and again more times than what most are willing to take before giving up.

Martial arts in general are a global phenomenon, much much more so since the martial arts have entered the sphere of leisure, sporting competition and entertainment. In this day and age of instant access information, martial arts are found in one form or another and are accessible to most communities in all corners of the mondern world. Systems originating in East Asia are by far the most ubiquitous and are practised in a huge variety of forms across the immense continent of Asia. One would be Indeed hard-pressed to find a single Asian country where a variant of Karate or TKD or Kung-fu/Chinese MA is neither known or offered. The only places in the world where Karate and martial arts, i.e. Codified systems of unarmed defense/fighting are unknown or not present are logically the most rural, remote or difficulty accessed. Places such as small island nations or countries in near constant social and/or political conflict. Experiment this: type "random country" and "karate" in google. Even the most obscure little known country will have something and that something will be found in that country's capital or largest urban zone if anywhere at all.

Injuries during training always happen for one of two reasons: A) incorrect biomechanics( alignment, structure, balance). For example punching with an improperly closed fist B) Excessive exertion far beyond the point of maximum benefit or without enough adequate preparation/conditioning. For example, trying to punch a makiwara one hundred times full power without first learning how to do it properly. Of course these are simple and somewhat extreme examples, but the important point to remember is that there is always a lesson to learn from training injuries. From basic thing like keeping the fist closed firmly to breathing correctly. Instructors will often repeat these like broken records, but often it does not really sink in until someone gets unnecessarily hurt because they didn't or couldn't follow the recommendations. Even with the best intentions and attention some things cannot be truly learned or understood until they are experienced. It is also much better to learn these lessons in a training environment, than in a situation where being injured could mean much more serious consequences than just taking a break. It pays to listen to those with experience when it comes to training injuries , lest everyone should have to break every limb to understand and suffer to learn. Somehow causing injuries to others and especially to oneself is much easier than learning how to avoid or reduce them.

Thank you all for reading my posts. If what I wrote helped or inspired some forum members I am glad to have been of some use. I enjoy sharing what little I know as this virtual environment is the only outlet I have for this purpose.

Training injuries can happen to anyone regardless of experience and even with the best of precautions. What is the worst and/or most painful injury you have ever had during training? Luckily the worst I ever had were a badly sprained thumb that took nearly three months to heal. The second one was a nasty black eye, which was as painful as embarrassing because everyone asked about it at work and at school. Fortunately, I never broke anything or had anything serious enough to requiring medical attention. At this time I feel quite safe because my instructor is qualified to treat most injuries that are likely to happen, including broken bones. As a bonus there are at least 5 hospitals or clinics within 5km of the dojo.

Things the internet has done for martial arts in no particular order: It is easier to find information on a wide variety of systems, some that might have been virtually unknown outside their area of origin. Making connections and sharing knowledge with fellow practitioners is faster than before. Verify credentials or finding a school/instructor is much faster and reaches farther than before.

Best advice I ever got and that I can share is to just forget past experiences. It doesn't matter what belt or grade one had before starting over. Even if one is starting over in the same system/style. Especially if one is starting over the same or a similar system/style with a different instructor. Start with a fresh and open-minded perspective. This will make it possible to see certain details and get a deeper understanding of things that might have been overlooked. As for the belts, belts are of little importance. With or without them the skills are there or are not. Old belts are for past evaluations, put the past aside and focus on the now. If belts/grades are to be used, take the ones that represent the evaluation of whomever is teaching you now.

There certainly are situations and business interactions where "customer is king" applies, but besides customer service or the hospitality industry it probably does not apply very well. In the case of martial arts instruction, which is a specialty service, must accept and trust the instructor's ability to teach skills, manage and supervise everything within the school. This is the same as other specialty services such as the construction example given by Matsu. The customer may have preferences, but if something cannot be done or is only possible provided that XYZ, the customer MUST accept expert/experienced judgment or go elsewhere. Whining, complaining or threatening to sue will not make an unreasonable or impossible request happen.

Real life where people have to work for their situation and where personal choices have consequences is made up of "hard feelings" it is best to get used to that while one is young and adaptable. Unfortunately the "I want it right l, now and everyone is a winner" mentality is more widespread than rewards based on merit and effort. It is no surprise that people expect martial arts schools to function that way when that is how things are done in the regular education system. Not very long ago, it was normal to be held back a grade at school. There was something called cut-off grades below which one would fail. Now everyone has to pass, no child(or immature, lazy adult) left behind. This is the type of student who will throw a tantrum when they don't get a new colourful belt or trophy just be the they showed up. Or the parent who threatens to sue or demands a reward for something their child did nothing to earn or deserve and cannot stand to have their "feelings" shaken a bit. These types need a good shock wake up. Unfortunately for some, the wake up part never happens

This is some can o'worms about to be opened with that question. Applying the "customer is always right" notion to a martial arts school implies accepting and encouraging complicated issues; which will eventually undermine or derail teaching. This would mean, for example that a student could be evaluated simply because paying entitles said student to grade, regardless of demonstrable skills. An instructor applying the notion that students or customers are always right will be obligated to sacrifice entirely give up quality training in order to satisfy customers. Applying the notion or not depends on the instructor's goal. If it is to make a profit above all else by offering a physical activity or sport, then it probably should apply. Especially if it is the instructor's living. If on the other hand the goal is to teach a system with focus on quality and depth skills, it would be counterproductive to apply "customer is always right".

There is nothing stopping a dedicated and determined person from training whenever and wherever possible as often as possible. A student should be able to attend as many training sessions with an instructor as possible. The key is to make the most of that time. Whatever the student's time and financial resources will allow at a given time. Sometimes these might change, but the essential principle remains: learn in the dojo, but always train on your own. Make sure to take full adavantage of the instructor's time, especially if this is not as frequent as you would like it to be.

At the very least it would be reasonable to expect moral support from one's spouse. However unless said spouse clearly and explicitly expresses interest in becoming involved one way or another, it would be wrong to push it. Doing so might even cause unnecessary stress on the relationship. This applies just as well to martial arts schools as to any kind of business.

Training in ways that cause injuries over time is something everyone practising martial arts ought to consider. Years of moving incorrectly eventually lead to painful joints and knees. Do you or anyone have such issues that are a direct result of cumulative damage from training?

With the advent of Olympic karate, it would seem logical to expect an increasing trend towards sport and competition. This will certainly boost public interest, however the popularity will be for sport. Those who teach and train in karate as it was originally intended are few and far between. Olympic karate could mean that fewer and fewer people will be interested in training "original" karate.

Karate is now officially an Olympic event. The games are in a few years, so it may be too early to make any speculations as to how this will affect karate. The only sure thing that can be expected is an increase in popularity. Regardless of how it is considered, the influence will be strong. How much do you expect this to affect your dojo and in what way? Will the fact that karate is now an official Olympic event change anything in the way you reach or administer your dojo? What about your training?

Forms are a staple of training in a great variety of systems, especially those from China, Okinawa and Japan. There are many accounts of exponents and notable practitioners specializing in one or two forms. Of all the kata/forms taught in your system, which one could you rely on the most? Which is your specialty and of which one are you most knowledgeable and capable?

Well, as most posters mainly practise empty handed systems the original question was intended to be about breaking bones by striking. The result of impacts from one limb. For example, breaking an arm bone (cubitus or radius) or a lower leg bone (tibia or fibula).

The evidence does indeed show that breaking a bone and cutting through it require two different types of force. A bladed weapon such as a sword can concentrate much more force in its sharp edges than any kind of impact from a strike with hands, feet or legs. The most important factor to consider when trying to find something suitable to simulate bone is the fact that living bone is much more flexible than dead bone, as well as being wrapped in muscle and other soft tissue, which varies depending on each person. Many martial arts systems from Okinawa and Japan use standard wooden baseball bat handles for breaking. Although the point is probably not to simulate a bone of the same size, could this practise provide any accurate information about what is required to break a bone? What about wrapping the bat handle, dowel etc in a layer of foam or other materials to simulate tissue/muscle?

Has anyone ever heard of bamboo being similar to human bones for density or hardness, flexibility or other characteristics that are comparable? Have you heard of other material that have been used to build training tools specifically because they are good stand-ins for human body parts? Weapons such as swords are commonly tested with various materials, but it appears to be less common with empty handed systems. What materials have you heard of being used in the system you practise? Is it something of the past or are these still used despite the availabilty of modern equipment?