Alan Armstrong

I hear what you're saying, I'm not sure if you're saying that this is something that I am into because it definitely isn't, like I said I trained in martial arts that don't offer any rank so not really the issue for me. I think the black belt is just a good stopping point if you were going to have one that's all. I don't see belts as carrying the same weight as a lot of people do because I trained in many styles I've seen such a huge variation in the standard so it means less to me personally. Also training in styles that have no belt system whatsoever I recognize the high level of skill and understanding one can have without a single belt . You are definitely right though, I have seen instructors who are very knowledgeable on the surface meeting with the traditions and patterns and so on and so forth but really lacking any in-depth understanding, me on the other hand I feel I have a much more in-depth understanding than the average person who six out martial arts and learns in this manner. Belts can be used as a nice symbol but in the end they are just a marker and everybody holds a different Idea of how to use them. Edit: just to give you an example when I trained in Tong Che Bahk Do, I armed the black belt alongside other students. Because of my background and being much closer to the chief instructor I was on a very different level and was teaching black belts Texas before I was even one myself. In general I think it works is a good defining marker but that's only in general and sometimes it just isn't going to give you a true concept of the abilities of the person wearing it. I taught this art, an held a higher standard then many teachers I saw teaching it WRONG. It wasn't the way it was taught to them. They went on to earn 2nd Dan and I didn't have the ability for reasons that are too long to explain but him closing was one of them. If rank is all that matters I suppose some will choose to go learn from the 2nd or 3rd Dan, rather then the first but I assure you that doesn't always add up the way they assume it does. My point is that I'm not Belt chasing, simply finding a good point to try new, and add to my skills in a different way. Belt chasing isn't a very good career option, style curiosity is more plausible.Changing curriculum is something I have experience in and yes it is fun and motivating to start a new journey. It also carries with it a new set of problems as not belonging to any particular style (completely) can put a person in a lone Wolf situation. Learning many styles is rewarding but by default can make a person knowledgeable, that ironically isn't always a popular position to be in. As having different styles (experience) under one's belt gives that person more options to draw from. In today's world, it is more possible than ever to be a white belt in one style and to be able to defeat the Black belt instructor, due to holding multiple belts in other styles, of course possessing valuable knowledge and experience. A little off topic but... Must admit that I have learned more from my defeats and the bullies that picked on me, as they showed me my weakness. Not all martial artist appreciate their defeats as I do. Sure, being beaten up buy thugs, or tuff guys isn't what many people want to remember. Yet thugs and tuff guys all come from different styles and or backgrounds. The variety of my defeats defies definition. Learning many types of combat can be addictive, for some. So if I had a choice to be a Tenth degree black belt or hold Ten black belts in ten different styles, my answer would be; neither. Expressing myself, with techniques that works for me and not abiding to others that worked for them, make sense. I will and can learn something from everyone, with or without style or belts, of course experienced advice saves alot of time and pain in the long run. My advice is to be "NOT" like me. Rather: Pick one style and stick with it. Be the best you can be at that style. Stick with your CI through thick and thin. Promote and teach this style and pass it on. Put your family first, work second and MA last.

This could also be an appreciation and recognition issue holding belts in many styles or Dans in one style. Which again falls in to marketing oneself and showing credibility to others. For a career martial artist these aspects are important as we live in a society that is structured around credentials and authenticity.

This is a fantastic idea for kids, perhaps some Dojos could implement a little super hero mentality to balance out the strict codes of conduct once in awhile.I could just imagine a Dojo full of kids all decked out in Spider Man costumes instead of wearing Gis. Or the CI, the only one wearing a super hero costume for the entire class.

Three black belts being better than a third degree black belt issue. I thought a black belt represents knowing or understanding the basics of a style. As each level progress one degree at a time, then a deeper level of the style is revealed and understood. Or a degree could be awarded for an outstanding contribution to the style. Also a degree could be awarded for a none martial art accomplishment, such as learning a health or medical related topic. As well as fighting a good cause such as cancer, could be a reason to be awarded a degree, to an existing black belt. As we live in a world of contrasts, to look up to black belts then this implies to look down on white belts. Personally I don't wear a symbolic belt. When I face an opponent, my experience compacted in the moment is enough.

Relaxing gaining power and speed. Just so happens on my way walking home from my workout, relaxed power came to mind. Just would like to share a few thoughts on the subject. While walking past people, it was very evident that they carry alot on unnecessary tension in their shoulders, arms and hands. (Observe for yourself the tension people carry around unnecessarily) It is also noticeable while people are eating, this is why good table manners were invented, eating exquisite food should be done with refinement and grace. As opposed to eating a leg of lamb like a hungry cave man. I know from personal experience, that I would be able to defend and attack faster than everyone I past by on the street, just from the simple reason, that I have trained myself, to let my arms swing naturally as I walk; relaxed doesn't imply sleeping, it should evoke a sense of speed and spontaneity, with excellent reflexes. I'm not using my arms to propel myself forward while walking, what I am doing however, is letting my arms synchronize with my movement, without any type of tension. (Further more I can do the same thing with my legs, for the sole reason to kick faster) As we call "natural athletes" because they move seemingly effortless. A gazelle moves this, way naturally. As there is no tension in my shoulders, arms and hands while letting them swing naturally (it is possible to know when a person feels like it is right) because there is a feeling or a sensation in the hands of weight or heaviness (due to gravity) as they are filling with blood. This feeling can be induced by wearing wrist weights. The principle of developing this feeling and practicing it when punching, is like using the arm like a mace; a metal bar and ball attached by a chain effect.

Welcome to KF MacaulayGuerin. What have you liked about what you have seen so far?

Sounds like we're all a bunch of wrecks; personally I know I'm past my sell-by-due-date, but I know I will die healthy, because the analysis of my blood and urine samples are within healthy (government published statistical) parameters.In the past, the cause of death for most people was from infections. Lung disease and what ever was going around at the time. We can do alot to contribute to having good health; that most people simply ignore, for the sake of instant gratifications. Martial art training injuries, are usually treatable, better that, than being devoured alive by a hungry sofa, that feeds on couch potatoes. Sure we might get mad at ourselves for shooting our own foot sometimes, while training but isn't that the best time to learn a lesson or two?

Read your article in the link; thanks!Kajukenbo and Defendo also are pre MMA of today. What makes them different than today's version? Today's MMA is a highly popular publicized sport. As in the future the MMA will be different than it is today; perhaps the question is how? As with new styles of fine art they are always a reaction to the style in vogue and not necessarily having to be better and also with style with clothing once again it is confined within its own boundaries; as it is material draped or covering a person's body. There are what we would call exotic martial art styles in India and Africa that are not "Octagon" tested as yet. Also what we call "Extreme" martial arts, just might make a breakthrough and perhaps be able to make it transcend in to reality based martial arts, in the near future. As Bruce Lee said about JKD, nothing about it is new.

While not trying to take anything from anybody. There are many, not all, that neglect working out from the waist down. Looking triangular with a well developed top half with an almost less (developed) than normal legs in comparison.Yes they have low body fat but missing body sculpting aesthetics; looking top heavy. As martial artists that punch as well as kick, there is a balanced workout; Hopefully! From a personal perspective, practicing coordination and stretching doesn't burn calories as well as weight training or vigorous movements. This can hinder burning unnecessary body fat. I try to counter this effect by focusing on the core with every workout or focus on it more the next day.

There is alot of deep breathing when inhaling cigarette smoke.Deep breathing is something many none smokers should try also; without the smoke. There are far to many health risks associated with smoking to condone it.

As the ancient Shaolin monk martisl artists were inspired by animals real or imaginary, birds and insect, not forgetting reptiles. Today we can incorporate popular culture in to our exercise routines. Superman, The Hulk, Wolverine, Cat Woman (meow) and many more, but one stands out in my mind for realistic reasons and that is Spider Man. To be exactly like Spiderman, is an unrealistic expectations but there is an obvious element of fun attached to the idea. There are exercises named after Spider Man, yes they are Yoga moves but who cares, as long as they are motivating people to exercise. Who is or would be your super hero personal trainer? Perhaps a personal trainer that can crack the wip, such as Wonder Woman, will bring the best out of you and is more to your liking.

I guess the bigger question here is, what is the purpose of (traditional) martial arts? IMO the guy who can execute a 3rd degree black belt kata perfectly, punch a makiwara full force and is the perfect Yuki might not actually be amazing at actual fighting or full contact, continuous sparring. If somebody wants to fight, and only fight, maybe taking boxing or Muay Thai and then some BJJ and/or wrestling in order to get ground fighting down would be far more effective. Martial arts give you flexibility, endurance, stamina, discipline, and are more about personal growth and self improvement. The guy who can perform a 3rd degree black belt kata perfectly, has the reflexes to be a Yuki for full speed practice and has the sense of timing & distance that come with sparring has a degree of body control and coordination that a brawler or fighter does not. Comparing a martial artist and a brawler, is easy pickings. That reminds me of a story. The student asks his Sifu "What is the difference between what we do in Kung Fu and a Brawler?" His Sifu replied "We basically do what the Brawler does, with one major difference, we do it with style"

Perhaps not a resurgence of boxing in the USA but in other places I believe it is happening. Hands are the primary weapons for fighting with against another person, therefore boxing is and will remain viable, until humans evolve to having tentacles, instead of arms. Boxing is becoming increasingly popular in cross fit circles, as one gym offers the "3Bs" Boxing, Ballet and Bicycling. Two Boxing clubs opened up recently, very close to where I live "FightLand" and "Brooklyn Boxfit" Also other boxing clubs that have special reduced rates for the unemployed are full of people pounding bags. Martial art clubs are not marketing themselves as well as boxing clubs are, in my neck of the woods at least. Boxing has had a bad rap in its past due to organizations making a killing from fighters as corruption follows money. UFC will have its problems as well, that by the way, has done an excellent job at marketing grappling; like everything else in this world; this to will change.

Yoga in the sunshine while those around sunbathing. Doing some Yoga today in the sunshine, nothing serious but it was a four hour session. I do admit to looking very strange to those around me, the sun seekers, wearing shorts and bikinis. As I'm well protected wearing plenty of black fleece and cotton exercise clothing, cycling gloves, scarf and a baseball cap. While those aound me would consider what I am doing as eccentric, what I am doing actually is maintaining and improving my youthfulness. While the sunbathers are causing their skin to age rapidly causing wrinkles. In my minds eye, I have a picture of a black fly, that is too cold to move, so it patiently waits for the sun to warm up its little body. Little by little I would stretch a bit further, increasing my range of motion, while straddled in a spilt position. Usually I would do some hammer fist massage on my thighs and calves to loosen my leg muscles up, as if tenderizing meat or something. I started doing this out of habit but my subconscious said stop. As doing nothing and letting the sun to do its thing, was far better than what I could do. Staying hydrated is a factor to consider while doing any type of exercise or in the presence of the sun. Drinking water is also important for many things (such as cleaning kidneys) of course but while doing Yoga or stretching more importantly so, because muscles and joints function better, lubricating (joints) and adding to elasticity (for muscles) Another point to consider as hydration keeps a person healthy and younger looking the sunbathers were not drinking enough fluids. Hydration helps prevent sun stroke and keeps the body thermostat in good working order. We are about 97% water, and a few days without it, we can die. Suppleness in plants due to water is essential same applies to people. Doing all the right stretching exercises without proper fluid intake is missing a vital ingredient. Have you ever tried to tear jean material when it is dry? It is possible. Try tearing jean material when it is wet; good luck on that one, because it is wet the fibers can stretch and stay strong, whereas when the material is dry tearing and ripping is very easy to do. Before stretching and during, keep comfortably hydrated, then there is a lesser chance of tearing muscles and a better chance to have a great workout. Another stretch of the imagination while doing yoga poses in the hot sun, is I think of myself (muscles) as like human Gello just out from the refrigerator. As the sun and water are melting and diluting my muscles, increasing their elasticity. After doing yoga there should be a feeling of inner peace and wellbeing. After sunbathing there is usually burnt irritated skin, followed by peeling and painful reminders. Yoga vs Sunbathing, which one do you prefer?

Hypermobile, a joint that moves too much and Hypomobile, a joint that is very tight. Over stretching can cause a joint to move too much and insufficient movement can cause a joint to seize up. The ligaments and joints hold our framework together for skeletal support. As martial artist we need structural integrity, this is what keeps us strong throughout a fight or bout. Flexible people can have less structural integrity than their stiffer yet more stable counterparts. So what is the answer to have the best of both worlds? I believe the answer is up for debate. There is still controversy among health experts, to what is right and what is wrong when conditioning: ligaments, joints, tendons and muscles for strength and flexibility. As health practitioners lean towards safe practice over vigorous use. There is also a realistic realization that we are all different. My opinions are from my personal perspective and preferences, that are not set in stone but always ready to change for the better. I do experimental exercise routines on myself, to try out theories. Explaining ideas such as here, can work better than videos, due to using principles. Looking in to one question of limbering up vs stretching as many people feel stiffness from stretching. I think that limbering up (all) joints and ligaments is a good way to start an exercise routine; slowly and gradually picking up the pace. By doing this limbering up to the: fingers, wrists, neck, toes, ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders, hips and also very important to include the spine. Limbering up the joints and ligments is activating them for action. First of all slow and easy. This is the loosing them up and realignment them in to place. This will help lessoning the chance of pinching a nerve or giving yourself a painful kink. Trying out this limbering joints idea in (Shaolin monk) circular motions like rowing a boat and also visualize stretching out your palms and ankles like Spider Man. Next stretch by reaching and strengthen simultaneously, your arms and legs; inhale expand your body and when breathing out reach. By leaning and pointing fingers reaching and horizontal leg movements also arch and circular works well also. Note: Avoiding tugging on muscles, as this will activate them to contract. The plan here is to activate the "Thixotrophy" properties of connective tissue. By applying force on muscles in a steady way, they will stretch, becoming more liquid than gell; temporarily improving your range of motion, allowing you to perform at your optimal potential.

Beer Yoga. Invented in Germany, is popular in Thailand and Australia. The idea is simple, to drink beer while in Yoga poses. The possibilities are endless mixing alcohol with Yoga. Wine tasting Yoga. Whisky twisting Yoga. Wins and Cheese Yoga parties. This Yoga mix must seem funny to some and insulting to others. Beer boxing has been a popular pastime for hundreds of years, beer yoga seems like a more peaceful alternative, to me.

Training injuries could also be emotional. As one young girl was embarrassing the young boys with her kicks. One of the boys father wasn't going to stand for that, so he stood between the girl and his son and told him " Your not going to let a little girl beat you, are you?" That was the first and last martial art class that she attended. The girl was my niece.

As martial artists there is a freedom to express movements and also a discipline to practice proper form. Example, throwing a sidekick and guiding a sidekick. Throwing a sidekick is easy to do for most martial artists and guiding a sidekick to hit a target, can take a long time to learn. This sidekick example works the same way for front, round house, hook kicks, axe kicks and back kicks. I'm trying to discern the differences between throwing and guiding. It could be said that yes, throwing a kick is quicker than guiding it. It could also be said that yes, placing a kick guides it better to the target. In warfare, to have a guided missile was an advantage, as it could could change direction in mid flight to hit the intended target. Before the guided missile, coordinates were punched in to the launch and it would land where it was sent. As we can see that the guided missile has an advantage due to being more under control than just being thrown at a target. I am just using missiles as a metaphor here. We have all seen in movies (hopefully) when one missile is fired from one modern day jet fighter at another. The one being attacked sounds warning signals and flashing lights (to warn the pilot) to make some drastic changes to avoid being blasted out of the sky but if it is a guided heat seeking missile, it will find the nearest heat source and change its direction to find it. Dog fights in the sky between fighter airplane that were propeller driven fired machine gun bullets at each other, that were aimed (fixed) at each other head on. Back to kicking. So that it could be said that throwing kicks is over committing them as opposed to guiding kicks are subject to finding the target no matter if the target moves or not. I believe that with practice and more practice is the key here, is to do dynamic stability strengthening exercises on a daily basis. Guiding your kicks to targets instead of throwing them. Slowly at first and eventually speeding up over time I am very sure that many martial artists will not try to have controlled stability whilst kicking and their foot will not be guided to the target but to fall back on the throwing principles. The real advice here is to not give up trying to guide your kicks to the target, it does take time to coordinate balance and muscle memory with expertise. Is it difficult to learn, the answer is yes but not impossible. Start of doing all your kicks slowly and above all posed and controlled as if a photographer wants to take a photo of your kicks un- blurred. You will feel the dynamic strengthening feeling as your muscles tense up, remember the moving part of your kick needs to stay relaxed. Body postures and alignment are also important factors to consider as not to lean back or inwards or backwards, instead use the strength of your waist to pick your leg up and balance on one foot pointing directly behind you. Ballet turnout exercises can help with this aspect, as many martial artist do not practice hip turn outs like all ballet dancers do. If you do happen to give up trying to guide your kicks instead of throwing them, nothing lost here, because you may find that your throwing kicks have improved unknowingly to you.

Cross training to be a Boxgrappler is the idea.Or be a fantastic grappler or a great boxer. I am predicting, that there will be a resurgence of boxing, due to its adaptability tactics to defend and defeat grapplers. Grappling and boxing were the two main types of fighting as I was growing up in the 1950/60s. I never heard of anyone saying one was better than the other; there was just a mutual respect that these two styles were, what one did or needed to learn if wanting to become good at fighting; then UFC showed up and rivalry between the two disciplines was unleashed.

I have had friends, that were as you say "Lucky to have good genetics" but they unfortunately died young, due to their own negligence and reckless (unhealthy) life styles.One of them died in his sleep, due to (asphyxiation) leaving a heater on over night while sleeping in a tent while camping. Another friend died from speeding on his motorcycle and had a fatal accident. While another friend died, from falling from a bridge, he was trying to cross the bridge from one side to the other from the underside of it, only with the use of his hands. It does seem like to me, that athletic people, also having bravado/bravery can put themselves in to some very dangerous situations; as they can feel as if they are a type of superman. My brother was super strong, he also died from an unhealthy lifestyle. Unlike my friends, he (my brother) died a long slow death; due to very bad eating habits, that lead to: kidney disease, diabetes, blindness and both legs being amputated due to gangrene complications. Perhaps witnessing my brother's sufferings from unhealthy living choices, I wish other people would make better eating choices than they do. My brother said before he died "If I could do it all over again, that I would do things differently" My brother had great genetics, he looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his 20s, thirty years later dead, due to an addiction to junk food.

Sticking with just training sustained damage: Broken finger; by using inappropriate block for a kick using JKD against TKD. Twisted ankle; from sprinting, changing direction too quickly. Busted nose twice; due to sparring with a Muay Thai Boxer from Thailand. Eye damage, from accidental gauges in a JKD class. Black eye, from an accidental elbow strike when sparring with girlfriend. Sprained wrists, from very quick takedowns in Aikido. Ligament damage to both knees knees, from practicing kicks on inappropriate kicking surface in a JKD class. Fractured elbow; from hitting kiln dried posts too hard. Fractured shin, from accidentally hitting the corner of a wall, while practicing a spinning kick in my bedroom. Pulled hamstring, from ballistic stretching exercises. Concussion due to being punched in the head, during a Judo class. Damaged neck vertebrae, from a JKD hook kick. Testicle bruises, from inappropriate low kicks while sparring in a Shotokan Dojo. .................................................... Plenty of other sustained damages due to real fights and from tournaments. As well as injuries from motorcycle accidents. Not forgetting damage from neighborhood thug beatings. Including work related injuries. If I was a cat, my nine lives would surely be all used up by now.

Yes sensei8; I believe we have both used our MA (discipline) background positively to reshape our lives for the better.I was in the do or die situation; the choice was mine to make; I feel great for making the right choice; living a healthy lifestyle. We are most of us, inundated with unhealthy food products and temptation; the unlearning takes a tremendous amount of will power to fight it all. A martial art saying "Only in darkness we can see the light" Having reached my personal rock bottom the only other direction was up. I remember being (in a hospital bed) surrounded by trainee paramedics and the Matron nurse explaining to them how ill I was; as a few weeks earlier I had a major heart attack then developed pneumonia, this happened about 14 years ago. Having at the time, a major problem with the skin on my face (with many large red scabby blotches) that specialists gave up treating me for and missing front teeth and malnourished, underweight, I was a looking and feeling and most definitely, relating to Pearl Harbor. Today I'm happy to say; every health issue I had back then has been treated with nothing short of miraculous results. As I can pass myself off as being alot younger than I am. We do have a tremendous amount of medical technology these days to help us but a person still needs to make the effort to meet and match it half way with determination and willpower; something I had learned from martial arts.

Being honest and reflective is a positive approach to understanding oneself. Here are a few questions to ponder on; an answer isn't necessary, sometimes asking the questions can be just as important as the answers. Does alcohol make you aggressive? Does alcohol help to relax you? Does alcohol increase your pain threshold? Does alcohol lower your inhibitions? Does alcohol increase your bravery? Does alcohol improve your performance? Does alcohol make you stronger? In martial art circles, the question of alcohol must have been floating around for centuries. Alcohol can (on occasion) help a person float and can also (consequently) sink a person. Being in control of oneself 100% with or without alcohol 100% of the time is advisable; especially martial artists. Having lose of control of only 1% due to alcohol is gambling with your own life and perhaps this could effect others lives also. Drinking alcohol responsibly is fine, it's the very small minority that abuse alcohol that gives this subject a bad name.

I agree. Kind of a within, without approach to training, I guess. Pushing yourself is important, but at times, someone else can push you harder than you allow yourself to push yourself (if that makes any sense).Yes it makes (great) sense!

Hi danbrendel; welcome to the forum. You could start a new topic on hand conditioning or any topic for that matter. I will however share my perspective on hand conditioning. Hand conditioning should also involve equally strengthening the wrists. As with the rest of the body strength should be combined with flexibility. In Chinese martial arts there are parallels to the body to take in to consideration. Fingers and toes. Elbows and knees. Wrists and ankles. Shoulders and hips. Forearms and shins. Conditioning one area of the body will connect with another part by default. Such as with push ups can be done by making contact with the ground with only fingertips and toes. Conditioning hands can be compartmentalize, such as push up based: Using the palms. Back of the hand. Finger tips. Edge of the hand. Using the fists. Doing hand stand pushups against a wall surface is popular practice before starting class. Hands can be conditioning by using the squeezing method. Such as small rubber balls or balls of wax. Or squeezing sand and pebbles. Modern day, spring loaded hand grips that come in a variety of strengths are easy to come by. Note: Squeezing and releasing with the hands will also condition the forearm making them stronger also. Hands can be conditioned by using the holding and twisting method. Climbing rocks or trees is a natural way to strengthen hands. Holding heavy objects with only the fingertips is a method used by many Chinese martial artists that practice Chin Na. They have heavy stone or concrete cones located in entrances, as they walk to one entrance to another they pick up the cones from one entrance to another with their finger tips. Hand dexterity or flexibility is also something to keep in mind for conditioning hands and wrists. Nin-Jitsu and Aikido practitioners often do an extensive amount of finger, hand and wrist conditioning exercises before their workouts, well worth taking the initiative to find out what they do. Weaponry training such as with a sword or a bow staff is another way to condition hands and wrists. I personally, mostly use a 6 kilo exercise bar. Slapping sand bags or punching bags are great hand conditioning equipment. Depending on the hand/wrist conditioning exercise, light weight gloves are inexpensive and handy to use. Hand and wrist exercises are varied, I've just touched on a few ideas here; hope you get the chance to try out a few of these techniques on your next workout.