Spartacus Maximus

Yes, a cane is probably the most obvious choice. Canes can also have all sorts of surprises from weights to blades. From what I could gather, something lighter and less cumbersome than a cane would be preferable.

Aging affects everyone and no matter how strong and healthy one might be there comes a time when skills may not be enough. In a recent discussion with my instructor he mentioned that he was considering carrying some kind of defensive weapon in a few years because of his age. It is very hard to imagine why he would need anything other than his hands, feet and decades of daily training. He may not be what he used to be, but even at nearly 70 and a 9th dan, I pitty whoever is foolish enough to attack him. More puzzling is the fact that besides the odd blade, weapons are very rare where he resides and usually are improvised objects(firearms and knives are illegal). What kind of defensive weapon might be ideal for an old man to carry? Any ideas?

The poll seems to be begging for a simple, one-dimensional answer to a very complex question. The answer cannot be any one of the choice answers alone and is always a combination of two or more of them. "Why do some people attack others" sounds simple, but it is a very difficult question. It depends on the specific condition of the attacker. Mental and emotional state at the time etc, etc. In the most general and broad terms, one reason: Want. People will attack others because of want things. Usually it boils down to material and influence/power. Every single violent attack can be defined in those to fundamental motivations. Consider these simple examples: A mugger will attack because he wants the victims valuables A gangster will attack because he wants to keep or expand power/influence A rapist will attack because he wants power by forcing the victim to accept his will and submit A religious or ideological fanatic will attack because he wants power to forcefully impose his vision.

After a while any pure cotton canvas gi becomes impossible to keep completely white. It is frustrating to end up with those yellowish stains that never completely disappear no matter how one tries to wash them out.

"This no tournament, this for real!" Mister Miyagi in Karate Kid 2

Nothing beats getting blisters on callouses, nothing other than maybe bursting a blister and finding out only after training is over.

What is truly amazing and interesting with sword play is the strength and flexibility of limbs needed to effectively wield a sword. Unlike modern fencing, the replica swords are anything but light. Training develops great arm, and especially wrist strength. Agility is another great ability that is stressed in this art. As for Systema, there is so much variety in the skill level of instructors that it can be difficult to find quality. When it is found though, it is well worth the trouble.

Settling on a single choice takes a long time to think over. This is why seminars and camps are useful. They are one of the best ways to try several things in different systems when there is no single choice to be made. It also allows focus on a single aspect. As for a personal recommendation, I might suggest fencing. Not the olympic sport, mind you, but as it is recreated and taught based on training manuals from the 17th-18th centuries with replica swords. Another would be the Russian art Systema, which offers a very peculiar way of moving and striking.

It might be slightly more productive to compare systems of the same time period. The karate brought to Japan by Funakoshi and his peers in the early 1900 was already different from what was practised by those who remained in Okinawa. By 1922, it was again different from the original. Modern Korean arts originating in the early 20th century might be Korean but the Japanese influence is absolutely undeniable. As undeniable and obvious as the Chinese influence on karate in Okinawa and nearly every system that came out of East Asia.

Sensei8 was quicker to reply, but his point expresses my thoughts also. Even if the rules are set to sanction, regulate or forbid contact, it cannot be completely avoided. Contact might be intentional or accidental but it is in the nature of the activity. This is also true of team sports and any other activity where one must struggle against another person. The possibility of getting hit somehow somewhere is high and must be considered by those who engage in said activity. One will get hit at some point and denying that is a foolish expectation. How hard one might get hit is just a variable and it depends on how seriously one trains as well as several other factors.

For one who has trained for decades in the same system, the best idea is probably something radically different. Something that would require learning to move in a way that has no similarities to whatever one has been training. It is not necessary to master a new system, only to understand the basic ideas and principles. Approach it like personal research and focus on one point. The specific system chosen for this is a matter of personal choice, but the key is the more different it is, the better and more meaningful the experience would be. Such as for someone with 30 years of karate, for example , will benefit more from trying taichi than another karate style. It is also the best time to attend seminars and camps because the decades of training in one system will provide a unique perspective on what else exists out there. Sensei8, living in USA is a great advantage with the sheer wealth of available choices. The idea is surely not novel to you, but if you have time to find and attend a seminar or camp, do not hesitate. What interests you?

People who are unwilling to actually do what is being taught are another very disruptive annoyance. There is no such thing as a non-contact martial art. How can one expect to learn to strike, grapple or throw or apply anything if one never has any contact at some point in training? These sorts of people have no business doing any martial art and are better off in an aerobics class or a knitting club. It is as nonsensical as wanting to learn to swim but refusing to get wet.

Taking the risk of being a nit picker, but also for argument's sake everything is effective. It is a matter of purpose and choice but "effective for what purpose?" Once that first question is answered, the better question would be asking oneself if one is training effectively to reach the results expected instead of asking if the martial art itself is effective. All hammers are good for hammering nails, that is what they are made for. How well they work depend on the person holding the hammer.

People who come to the dojo but only practise or make any effort when the instructor is looking directly at them. This is very common in children and teens but believe it or not, many adults. The dojo is NOt a social club and sensei is not going to do your training for you.

Mine would have to be collectors and dabblers. People who try to pick up as many kata or techniques as possible but are unwilling to take the time to fully understand them or make them usable. These types are unable to commit themselves to a single system for long enough to make any real progress and often jump from one thing to the next always looking for the ultimate martial arts that will make them the ultimate fighter.

Knowing and training are two different things. While training in other systems is a matter of choice or personal goals, as a practicioner of martial arts one should have a familiarity with systems other than what one practises or at least a genuine interest. Observing and comparing other systems is a valuable learning experience and greatly benefits one's understanding of the system one trains. This is most beneficial to instructors because it helps develop a good sense of analysis. There may be hundreds of different martial arts, but there are only a few ways in which the body can move. Different systems often share several core principles.

Consider these questions: How is the dojo atmosphere? Remember that discipline can take many forms and is not necessarily like boot camp. A good instructor can motivate and convey a point to students without barking at them. Training and practise are up to the individual and results depend on personal efforts. The instructor is only there to advise and guide, not police the students. How is training approached? To be effective training has to be structured with clear goals. Techniques should be taught and domonstrated in detail, instead of just copying and repeating the movement. This is especially important for the most basic techniques. Kata ought to be analyzed, studied and picked apart to understand every move; not just memorized as a block. There are of course other criteria for choosing a dojo but these depend on individual goals for training.

The UFC and other similar events are made for entertainment. They are sporting competitions and as such the aim is to win. Athletes or fighters must not only be skilled, but also maintain a certain image of themselves. Sometimes this image or "ring personality" can be radically different than their actual everyday attitude. It is very common for them to portray themselves and behave in such a way that is an exaggerated version of their true self. Even if only for a moment when the fans and cameras are focused on them. MMA fighters and any fighters who compete have to be showmen to at least some degree. Some just do it more than others. Wether or not a certain fighter has a good or a bad attitude has very little to do with what martial arts they practise.

That sounds like a very good idea for memorizing information, but for something physical like karate techniques it might be more difficult to apply. The only sure way to learn and remember anything in karate is to do it. Do it slowly and feel every detail. It takes time for the body to adapt to unfamiliar movements or using previously unsolicited muscles. All this takes longer than just memorizing what a technique is supposed to look like or where it is in a sequence or kata. Kata are themselves meant as mnemonics devices. Each move is meant to be learned independently and then put together. A kata is a set of porinciples and techniques based on these, not a single block to be memorized like a dance.

"Copied" is not exactly the term that would apply here. Although it is clear that martial arts have existed for a long time in Korea, what is more difficult to determine is in what form or what systems were practised and taught. All the Korean martial arts in their present form can be traced back to no earlier than the 1900. This marks a boom in the development and spread of several martial arts in Japan including karate from Okinawa. At the same time, Japan annexed Korea and these martial arts were brought to Korea. After the Japanese occupation ended, Koreans created a synthesis of what they had learned and the existing Korean martial arts into new distinctly Korean systems.

As far as learning the sequence and direction of moves is concerned, there is really no such thing as an easy kata or a difficult kata. Even the most complicated kata can be learned in a few hours of daily repetition. The real difficulty of any kata is in the fine points that are not immediately obvious. Things like body mechanics or fundamental principles for effective use of each technique. This is why the most difficult kata are often the ones that appear simple on the surface. Appearances are deceiving and what looks easy can be quite a challenge when one takes the time to really try to understand what one is meant to gain from training.

Shorin ryu here. The founder was Chibana Chosin and my instructor was taught by Miyahira, Chibana's senior student.

Successfully starting a dojo always seem easier than it turns out to be. I always thought that all that was needed was a place, and enough skills and experience to teach. Business sense is not really a strong point in my case, but being careful is. One can never be too careful when making decisions and a dojo or any other business is not something one can decide overnight. Support from peers and one's own teacher can help resolve many issues.

Getting back into training after doing nothing for a week or two is much more painful than actually doing it. When one stops for a while, it is very easy to forget how quickly time passes.

For the sake of sharing experiences and learning from others, I address these questions to anybody who has ever started a dojo. What was the single most difficult problem or issue you have had to overcome in the process of establishing your dojo/school? What was the solution and how did you find it?