LLLEARNER

Last night in class my daughter (5 years old) did her best taikyoku shodan. She did it all by herself with everyone watching. She also did the other skills required. According to Sensei she should earn her 2nd stripe next week at the grading.

We are not one of the more established schools. We don't have our own place at this time. I do not expect we will see much increase. I do not see how it would affect the administration of the school. I am still trying to convince my Sensei to try out for Team USA. Or Team Dominica. I just want to see him attempt.

Has anyone tried this on Netflix yet? I am just starting it.[list=]

Yeah, I hadn't even got to that part yet in my suggestions. But this is another issue with simulating human tissue to strike. People move and, not only that, but they are weirdly shaped and oddly supported so you can never be sure of what you are striking.Think about a punch to the ribs... I lift my arm up and bend to the opposite side, completely exposing them and giving a huge surface. You punch hard. My ribs will break As you punch toward my ribs, I bring my arm down (but don't block the punch) and bend to the punching side to kind of ball up around where you're going to punch me. You punch exactly as hard as you did in the first scenario - it's going to take a lot more force to break my ribs vs the first scenario. Bending to the side helps slow down the impact because there's more soft tissue covering it, and by bending like that increases the surface area your fist hits, so there's less pressure. Our brain instinctually does this; we have to train to not go into the fetal position. And we train to not stand there with our ribs exposed. Another example - Catching a water ballon with a single stiff hand will break it; catching one with both hands and keeping your hands "soft" and having some give will keep the ballon from popping. To the bold type above... While we're speaking more specifically about the context of this thread, I couldn't resist the temptation to admire the simplicity of a perfect statement, as in what's bold above. That is one of the most complete explanations of receiving I've heard in quite along time from any MAist outside of Shindokan. In Shindokan, we never ever block, NO!! We receive the attack, much like a wide receiver catches a thrown football. It's soft, while at the same time, it's hard, if you catch my meaning. I caught your meaning softly, while at the same time firmly.

I have heard that the MA is lacking in authenticity. I cannot claim to know, because I know almost nothing about Kung Fu (other than what I have seen in movies). I do know that Finn Jones finished filming Game of Thrones 3 weeks before starting to film Iron Fist. He was literally learning the fight choreography 15 to 20 minutes before filming in many cases. I hope now that he should have more time to train it should get better. There was some lack of dojo etiquette I did not like on Rand's part, but I am thinking it may be part of the character he develops due to his years of isolation combined with his relatively mew position in life and his current "mission". I also credit my years of scifi and fantasy reading for my ability to suspend belief for entertainment purposes.

Happy Birthday.

I finished it. I enjoyed it. There were some things I wanted to see, but they did not include. I was really looking forward to this, as it was the first one that entered into the more fantasy/metaphysical elements from comic books for Netflix. I hope to see more. While there were some areas for improvement, I am by no means a hater. I did enjoy both Daredevil seasons better. I find it funny that even though Daredevil is the title character, he was overshadowed in both seasons. The first was by Kingpin and the second by The Punisher.

You're a beast!

Hilarious!!! Funny you mention, even though in a joking manner, being able to occasionally kick someone in the head. I can barely roundhouse and hook kick above my waist during kihon. In sparring, I've surprised myself and sparring partners by being able to kick them in the head. I was sparring a 13 year old that's just about my height a few months ago. I faked a low roundhouse and went high without touching back down. I thought I hit his glove, about shoulder height, but it was actually his helmet. My CI said "watch your head contact with the juniors." I asked the kid if it was his glove, and he shook his head no and pointed to his head. Good thing it was only a tap. I think. No idea why I can kick that high in sparring and not during line drills. It's just like jumping - in high school I could touch the rim if I was going up for a rebound. If I tried to get the rim, I wouldn't come close. I have done this before, although not the head, but higher than I thought I could. I think it comes down to your body actually performing correctly without thinking vs. over-thinking.

Have a kickin birthday

1 hour is a big win. Pretty soon your going to be doing a marathon.

Wow! This was my first real night of training since the steroid infusions have had a chance to work. Now there may have been some mitigating factors with my late night last night, but I have done that before without issue. A few days after my last infusion my legs went from numb to tingly. I figure it is a sign of the inflammation decreasing. It feels like warming back up after being cold, but milder. The doctor warned me that it could take a week for the treatment to be effective if it was going to at all. I felt like I was going to pass out and throw up. I took a time out when it got too bad, but worked through what I could. I just felt drained, and mentally muddled. Hopefully, it will pass soon and I will be slightly less gassed in the future. But, I did have fun.

Nice job Sensei8!

Maybe it is a necessity in the area where I live but most of the dojos have multiple disciplines they teach. Usually, they do it in a way to incorporate family at different levels. My own Sensei blends Shotokan with Judo and Japanese Jujitsu and our testings cover all three disciplines. He also does cardio kickboxing. From a business standpoint, I can see the advantage of having unused floorspace and times being filled and generating income.

before the colonoscopy that found the cancer i'd never been to a hospital apart from the birth of my kids. now I am such a regular it's like walking into the bar in cheers, everybody knows my name and I bump into various medical staff all over the place who have helped me. think of me as the perfect case for insurance , the last person you'd expect to come down with this. Finished up chemo on Friday , back to training on Tuesday. fatigue and head spins ensued, that was the day for the painful leg exercises too. felt like a noodle afterwards but am getting better each day. Thank you for sharing. While my diagnosis is Multiple Sclerosis, I can see myself hitting some of those walls in the future. It gives me inspiration. We have similarities. I have never been seriously sick, am 39, and the only time (besides work and visiting) I have been in a hospital is for my birth and my daughter's birth.

Facebook is often more convenient for mobile users as well. I know most of the time I am not sitting at a full workstation.

WHAT??!! You are not totally old-fashioned? Just kidding. It did shock me though.

Thanks for the tip.

This is an excellent book. I first read it in college, showed it to my professor (Secret Service for over 20 years) and he immediately bought it. It is on my required reading list for my daughter when she is older. Along with Starship Troopers, The Hobbit (Lord of the Rings Trilogy), White Fang and Call of the Wild.

This is such a great question! It is all too often not discussed. This is something that I teach my nurses in the hospital. In fact, if it is the only thing they take away from my lessons then I count it as a success. My first college degree is in Criminal Justice. As such, I read and studied serial killers as a kind of hobby. It was interesting to find that I share a first and last name with one. Don't worry, he died before I was born. One of the biggest things I took away was that every person has the capability of violence and hate. All that is needed is the proper motivation. The application of that violence when unleashed is a determination of the persons "training", or conditioning. The biggest thing I tell my nurses is to start by being consciously aware. Pay attention to their body positioning and placement in a room. At first, it can be difficult, but after time it will become natural. Like throwing a Jodan Uke to counter a punch. The next thing I want them to do upon awareness is to game-play. They all do it during nursing school. They imagine their response to a code situation. Good hospitals will have them rehearse. During a code in a patient room, the physical location in the room determines their role. The person standing near the door is the recorder. They document what happens when. The nurse standing at the patient's lower right side has specific tasks. This sets a stage where everyone knows their task without the hindrance of being told. This is all a form of mental contitioning. It allows the person to act more effectively, handle the stress better and reduce the chance of PTSD. Studies show that just thinking about your reaction to a stressor reduces the time to react and improves reaction. Luge athletes sit in a sled and imagine every turn of the race complete with physical movement to improve their runtimes. If you condition your mind, and (God forbid) a situation requires you to act in a violent manner you will be better prepared.

Welcome

I see this as a nature vs nurture problem. Generally, I find every person is capable of being a fighter. To what degree is the dictates of their nature (genetics/natural physicality), and their nurture (what they are taught/teach themselves). Of course, people vary in their physical ability as a result of what they are born with. This is augmented by environmental conditions that can range from what others taught them to what they taught themselves either formally or informally. This all gets stirred into our minds and results in the effectiveness of our responses to stimuli. Some will never have the physical ability due to their genetics to play linebacker. Some will never be able to respond effectively to an attack due to lack of mental conditioning. For most people, most of the time proper training and practice will condition their minds and bodies to respond effectively to most encounters.

Does this mean I should try for two Black belts?

In the same spirit of my trip to New York, I now need to decide on a trip for my 40th birthday. While I do not particularly care about my age (it is a number after all), the other half wants to take me on a trip for my 40th in November. I know she is thinking somewhere tropical. I would be happy with staying home with my family. I also have committed to myself that when the opportunity to travel presents itself, that I would train in something I do not normally have the opportunity to otherwise. Even if it is just an intro class. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for budget friendly travel near dojos. I know she wants something tropical and taking a 6-year-old (our girl spawn) will also be desired. For the record, I train in Shotokan with Judo and Jujitsu mixed in and I have done 1 intro class to BJJ.

That is awesome to hear. Also, the weight loss is sure to help. You are making great progress. The chances are better that I get to train with you one day. (I am keeping my commitment that if I ever get to travel I will train at least once in something I would not normally have the chance). I am not sure how I missed that post.