Judodad_karateson

The best way to explain it is to explain the orgin of the term. I don't know what kind of reputation McDonalds has in Aussie, but here in America, its not exactly regarded as the pinicle of good food. Their burgers have all the trappings of a Hambruger, but it pales in comparison to a truly well made and tasty bruger. McDonald are quick, cheat, and not very healthy. A Mc Dojo is similar, but martial arts instead of culinary arts. It may teach you some basic kicks and punches, but its all back giving you a "drive-thru" Martial Art. The style served in a McDojo is a poor tasting, quickly throw together, cheap art. Its a school made mostly so the owner can make a cheap buck.

I've been listening to Iain Abernathy the past 2 days. He is AWESOME! Thanks for letting me know about it! It is exactly what I was looking for! If you find anything else like Abernathy, let me know!

As a kid I was a fan. Back in the days of the Rock and Stone Cold and DX, back in the last years of the WCW. I remember watching the final episode of Monday Nitro where it crossed over the Monday Night Raw, that was fun. I don't watch it any more, but I still understand the Appeal. TJ Kirk said it best: "if you understand why people like Dragon Ball Z, you understand why they like Wrestling." Its a performance art in the same vein as Kung Fu movies.

Yeah, it does become an issue with study to styles that vying for the same stage and method combat. Like your would with Karate and WC, both and standing style relying mainly of the fists. I have found that to be true of Boxing and Karate. While they are more compatible and WC and Karate, I had to push some movements that feel natural out of my head in Karate. SOme movements have to be removed from the mental inventory and replaced with techniques that learning, or that you find for effective. But this isn't true of all arts. Arts that use complete different types of combat, different stages of combat, etc, not only is it easy, but rather wise to cross train. Karate/WC/Boxing mixing with Judo or BJJ, for example. Strking/grappling combos are a good example of a crosstrain that works rather well. Its even better if your Striking art incorporates a few take downs or joint locks, as you are already use to incorporating basic grappling into your striking. I don't advocate anyone go create their own art, but for a seasoned veteran of MA, it isn't difficult to create your own intern structure for the techniques you know, to have a personalize fighting style that works best for you based on everything you know.

Definitely needs to make more "your art is bull" videos! The comments from people who seem to think he is serious are alone worth it.

Welcome! I'm new here too, with the same story. An Old Martial Artist getting back into it in my 30s. What inspired you to come back?

Yeah, something was lost in season 3. I guess that's why they stopped making them. There are really only so many jokes you can make about McDojos before it started getting repetitive.

Haha, reminds me of the JVDs introductory scene from Bloodsport! Yeah, speed bags are mostly leather encase balloons, I can see those getting busted pretty easily with a good kick.

I see what youre saying. I'm not against people who don't want to get hit having softer options, but it seem that this gets in the way of allowing for aggressive contact. Otherwise great students choose another option over Karate because they have the same concerns I do. This is a HUGE missed opportunity, imho. MMA is what its all about now a days, its the thing representing MA to the public. In the 80s and 90s, it was MA movies that brought students and created public perception, today its MMA that gets kids excited to practice MA. Correctly taught karate would be great for MMA, but potential students looking to learn Martial Arts to mix take one look at Karate tournaments and end up in Kick Boxing classes. The lack of full-contact is really a disservice to the art in the current climate Martial Arts live.

Are there any good Karate podcasts out there? I'm a give fan of podcasts and internet radio, but I can't seem to locate any specific to karate, or at least Traditional MA as a whole. Anyone have anything?

An Enter the Dojo fans here? Its a hilarious look at the work of McDojos, styled after shows like The Office. Master Ken has some great side videos, and occational does live demonstrations.

Well, now next time someone asked, you can tell them you know a guy in Tyler, hahaha. Seriously, though, are there any good places for private instruction in the Dallas area? From what I understand, my style isn't the best for Tournament fighting, so months/years down the road when I do go to tournaments, it would be nice to supplement my training. I wouldn't mind driving to the metroplex for a lesson or 2.

That's fair, but boxing, kick boxing, judo, MMA, even traditional sports like football have heavy contact with limited injuries. I'm not saying Karate needs full force KO, but turn up the volume a little...

Does anyone here use heavy bags and speed bags in your training? If so, what do you do? Do you just work normal boxing work outs, or do you use a route specialized for karate?

Thanks, I'll have to look into this Sagi-Machiwara!

“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.” ― Bruce Lee Its more about the Artist than the art. Learn everything you can, and use what works best for your mind and body.

Some of them are good natured, I think. They learned a few arts, they mixed up what, in their opinion, are the best techniques, and want the share their knowledge. For others, the motivation is just marketing. They want to seperate their Dojo from the droves of TKD schools, so they took a BBJ seminar, watch a video, and start teaching arm bars and crap just so they say they can. Still others just want to con the uneducated public with their new (read: rebranded), "Too dangerous for the Cage" style.

I've always been a fan of the Japanese arts. I've never trained in other styles. But the Mu ren zhuang of the Chinese styles has always interested me. What are you thoughts on other styles cross training with them? Are the useful for Karate at all, or do they serve a specific training purpose not native to karate? How hard are they to learn to use on your own, without a Sifu?

Welcome! I'm new here as well. Yeah, it is hard to find an active forum on any topic now a days, what with Social media kind of taking over the role traditionally filled by forums.

I guess it is hard to change the sport any more without making it idential to Kick Boxing or MMA in this day and age. Still, it is very limited compared to the wealth of techniques Karate offers. As for the level of contact, I don't mean to sound like a meathead, and maybe this is my Judo background talking, but ITS A MARTIAL ART! If these folks are scared of that level kind of contact, the should looking in something more like Yoga or Tai Chi, or at least a non-sparring martial art like Aikido. Well, I guess everyone does Karate for different reasons, who am I to judge?

Starting your own style if a red flag for McDojo. Mixing multiple MAs into your own personal fighting style is one thing, but building your own system is a pretty questionable practice. The main question you need to ask yourself is "What does this "new" art bring to the table isn't already there?"

Time to get a steam account again!

One of he selling points of the school I'm soon to startvis actually that one night a week, kids train along side the adults. I want to do it with my sons. But as the younger me can relate. A lot of parent treat class like a glorified babysitter. MA night is not date night! Your kid is at a place learning to fight, hitting other kids and getting hit back, with adults you've talked to many once a month to pay dues. in today's world, that is ridiculously reckless!

I'm about 3 hours east in Tyler. Our options are pretty limited here, but if you know anything about this area, or anyone from this area with some guidance, let me know!

As long as isn't one of those arts, I think it's a great idea. the Gracie's use to do what they called Dojo Storming, where they would show up at other schools and ask the Master log anyone wanted a "friendly sparring Match" that had to be exciting.[/url]