Spartacus Maximus
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Everything posted by Spartacus Maximus
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A name search online shows that the man in question seems to be about the business aspect of running a martial art school and all things related to that. It is doubtful that he has anything revolutionary or new as far as ideas, though. Whether or not he is reputable, recommendable or legitimate is another story which could be discussed at length.
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Ever get those days when you feel like you're going to die?
Spartacus Maximus replied to ozm8's topic in Karate
This idea may be redundant, but the worst thing to do after a very intense training session is to stop for two long because it will feel much worse. The stiffness and soreness will be as if one has never done anything before. Most people enjoy the idea of getting leaner, stronger or just in an optimal state of fitness and health, but few actually enjoy or look forward to the feeling of their entire body being so sore that merely getting up feels like an Olympic event. The more often one does it, the less it will feel sore. The longer one goes without moving the more it hurts. The older one is, the more this applies. Considering this may spare a visit or two to the hospital. -
Regarding Face Book as a business medium.
Spartacus Maximus replied to kenpo4life's topic in Instructors and School Owners
The usefulness of Facebook for business is undeniable and it is very cheap to use as well as having the advantage of being accessible almost anywhere. It is a great tool, especially for advertising. All of the things mentioned in the OP can be posted on a Facebook page and there is an option to allow anyone to view the content. A good idea is to post photos and information about anything the dojo/school participates in that is not part of regular training. Scheduled tournaments, demonstration events, training camps or other group gathering. Basically anything that gives a causal observer an engaging impression of the dojo and Intice that person to join. -
How to keep a dogi from wrinkling?
Spartacus Maximus replied to chiliphil1's topic in Equipment and Gear
It is also not recommendable to use anything other than plain laundry detergent. No whitening or softener of any kind because this causes the natural cotton fibers to become brittle over a short time. To avoid wrinkles it is a good idea to lightly iron the gi directly out of the spin cycle and then hang it to finish drying. -
Yes indeed. There is no way to win against an angry person making threats. Trying to win or getting the last word in is the quickest way to find trouble. Learning not to be easily goaded or provoked and dealing with social aggression should be an important part of martial arts training. Unfortunately, most instructors and schools neglect or leave out the mental side. Without mental training and self-control a martial artist is a disaster waiting to happen.
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My Sensei at the Arizona State Championships 2015
Spartacus Maximus replied to Wastelander's topic in Karate
Judging a karateka by the colour or condition of their belt is unsurprisingly common. Given that the belts system and culture of it is so strongly ingrained, it is probably not something that people do consciously. It is mostly unintentional. Judges, karateka and the public alike tend to focus on the belt without thinking about doing it. Having all the same colour belt or no belt at all takes the attention away from biases and allows judges to focus on the practicioner in a more neutral way. -
There is hardly any sure way to know exactly who one us dealing with as far as casual acquaintances and strangers are concerned. Fortunately, being able to immediately put distance between oneself and these people and simply refusing to deal with them is the easiest thing to do. The only thing that might make one stay around long enough to make a stupid mistake to aggravate the situation is pride or ego. That feeling that if one does not fight, one is somehow weak.
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The belts is an arbitrary symbol endemic to the system that uses them. If the one practising is focused on developing and improving skills for their own sake, a belt as irrelevant and whatever else the person might be wearing. When a belt is not worn, acquired skills are still there.
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Making threats of physical violence is usually the sign of an emotionally unstable personality. These types of people have such difficulty controlling their emotions that they will be overwhelmed. Although it can be exhausting to deal with them on a regular basis, the risk of being attacked is low. The best solution is to simply leave the person, let them calm down and talk to them when they are rational again. On the other hand, the angry person might be mentally unstable, have a personality disorder or sociopathic and psychopathic problem. There is no indication of this unless one is well acquainted with the individual. In that case there are other physical harm is imminent, but the risk can also be eliminated by just leaving, while remaining alert and prepared. Whatever the situation, using force is only the solution if escape is not possible without doing so, and should only be done in the process, or for the sole purpose of removing oneself from danger. If giving the other guy a bloody nose allows you to run away, there is no point in breaking his arm.
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Styles
Spartacus Maximus replied to amolao's topic in Choosing a Martial Art, Comparing Styles, and Cross-Training
Observing is certainly the first thing one ought to do before choosing where to train and whom to learn from. Without information, the choice is just chance and as in anything left to chance, the results are often not exactly as one would have expected. Shotokan or Shotokan. Choose wisely, the difference between the two is in the dojo, on the floor, not in the name of the "style" -
Some children do have some natural advantages such higher level of concentration, or certain personality traits like perseverance. These qualities, however, are not fixed and must be allowed to develop further through encouragement. If taking some time away is necessary, then it may be the best solution. For young children though, the best method by far is making the martial arts(or whatever it may be) a natural, routine activity. A half hour or so of martial arts fun every day is better than a one or two hour session two nights per week.
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Nunchucks for control
Spartacus Maximus replied to Judodad_karateson's topic in Martial Arts Weapons
How many regular police officers actually have time to train at least on a weekly basis with the nightstick/baton in addition to their service firearm? How many have never gone beyond the few short sessions taught at the academy? Adding anything that requires more training to become functionally effective would certainly put an unnecessary burden on them and would increase costs for little additional benefits. This is the reason why police departments have specialized units instead of training every officer in the use of every tool/weapon at their disposal. -
As a parent nothing there is nothing quite like being able to share a lifelong endeavour with one's son or daughter. The longer the child enjoys practising, the longer she will pursue it. In the beginning it is much more important to communicate how fun, interesting and beneficial the martial arts are than the actual technical aspects. Children are much too immature physically and mentally to grasp anything more complex than gross motor skills and basic coordination. Playing and having fun on the other hand, is understood right away.
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Styles
Spartacus Maximus replied to amolao's topic in Choosing a Martial Art, Comparing Styles, and Cross-Training
The only other criteria that matters besides the instructor is one's training goals and purposes. The wisest and most fitting choice is whatever style has what one is looking for and both TSD and Shotokan can be the best choice. In the two styles there are so much variations. -
Styles
Spartacus Maximus replied to amolao's topic in Choosing a Martial Art, Comparing Styles, and Cross-Training
The instructor is more important than the system. There is absolutely no reason to choose shotokan over tang soo do or vice versa if there is no information to make a choice other than the style itself. There must be a reason to choose one or the other. -
How can I respect your school?
Spartacus Maximus replied to Luther unleashed's topic in General Martial Arts Discussion
Letting go of previous experience can be very difficult to accept, but in the end it is the wisest choice when attempting to learn a new system. Harder still when it is the same system or something very similar. "Forgetting" a belt harder the "higher" it is. -
Nunchucks for control
Spartacus Maximus replied to Judodad_karateson's topic in Martial Arts Weapons
An inexperienced or insufficiently trained nunchaku wielder is probably more of a danger to himself than such a person wielding a nightstick. In any case, the type of training police officers recieve with their weapons, including firearms is far from intensive. With all the regular work to occupy thier day, how much time can the average officer expect to train and practise with their weapons? The only members who have additional time to train experience are either special units or those whose personal background included applicable techniques such as service in the military or a martial arts background. -
Weather, season and energy levels
Spartacus Maximus replied to Spartacus Maximus's topic in Health and Fitness
Recently, it has been the cold of the coming winter and shorter days. Training in the heat of summer was not so difficult, even in the humidity of the local climate. Something about the cold seems to drain energy away and require twice as much effort to get the usual rythm started. Soreness and muscle pains also feel worse and take longer than they usually do to fade away. -
Written curriculum/programme
Spartacus Maximus replied to Spartacus Maximus's topic in Health and Fitness
In the beginning, it was useful to make a detailed plan of exactly what to do for each day. It is quite helpful as a self-motivational tool, but when one reaches shodan it makes more sense to concentrate on one or two things to improve for each day of individual training. -
Weather and seasons can disrupt training rhythm. It has happened at one time or another to everyone and each person has a way of dealing with it. Usually it is the hottest or coldest time of the year. In these seasons people find it harder to maintain their usual training. What ways are effective to get through these times when the weather seems to disrupt one's energy levels?
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Written curriculum/programme
Spartacus Maximus replied to Spartacus Maximus's topic in Health and Fitness
How effective is it for personal use? Do you make a schedule for yourself or do you make a random choice only minutes before starting? Personally not into doing too much planning in advance. There are some who feel it is necessary to know and decide exactly what they want to practise on each day. Others prefer to plan only as far as the next day. This seems like a better plan because it is more suited to focused practise or improving one or two specific things. Longer range planning seems to work better for general training or teaching others. -
Nunchucks for control
Spartacus Maximus replied to Judodad_karateson's topic in Martial Arts Weapons
Nunchaku does not seem like a viable idea for a police tool or defensive weapon alternative. hypothetically, if it were adopted it would have to be in replacement of something already in use. Otherwise it would only add to the weight of equipment a modern officer carries. In addition, it requires much more time, training and practise to effectively wield nunchaku than a fire arm or nightstick. Police already have 3 or 4 choices if one includes tazers as standard issue. -
In many martial arts schools, the instructor has some sort of established teaching or training programme. This is a useful guide and a good way to organize training but it can also be a great help for personal training. How much or how little is useful to write down? Does it work for your personal practise or not?
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Nunchucks for control
Spartacus Maximus replied to Judodad_karateson's topic in Martial Arts Weapons
This is unfortunately not a new idea. It has been suggested or tried and failed in several police departments in the past, most of the time rejected in favour of other alternatives. The tonfa-style nightstick was one of these and was adopted as early as the late 40's. Usage became generalized sometime in the 70's