Alan Armstrong

Athlete vs healthy sounds like the same thing, but I think not. I've brought this topic up, because I have noticed that many people look athletic, yet they are not living a healthy lifestyle. For instance people taking drugs to look athletic. Or bodybuilding with an unhealthy diet. Does surprise me when I see fitness club owners/trainers going out the gym for a cigarette. As I equate healthy with fitness, leading to performance and becoming athletic. Whereas I'm noticing that looking athletic is the aim and nothing other than to look good physically. Looking back at martial artists in the past, I don't recall them to be looking very athletic, which in contrast was very much in favor of helping Claude Van Damme (that looks athletic) to become popular. What is your opinion on the subject?

Many people break their wrists very easily (accidentally) when they fall, as they have never trained themselves in any type of break fall. Also people that don't participate in any kind of sport that strengthens the wrists, are very likely to damage their wrists in a trip and fall situation.

You should be congratulated on asking these questions about Shaui Jiao and Chin Na as these two aspects are highly underrate and not usually fully appreciate or understood, as much as they should be. Wikipedia has a good explanations about the different types of Shuai Jiao. We use "Shuai Jiao" within the Wing Chun style and combine it in conjunction with kicks, sweeps and takedowns, to upset the opponent's balance whilst striking. There are "Shuai Jiao" two person exercises that look similar to Judo. Chin Na practice is a personal choice among Chinese MA Sifus. Some use it extensively, as I do and others hardly at all.

In the pursuit of variety in workouts, I have stumbled across something not found in the local sports equipment section. Outdoor sports equipment for the Spartan types are great but what was before that? I can imagine cave man/women workouts comprised of using Rocks! Boxers use a very heavy medicine ball; I'll bet that was an adaptation from a rock. Sit-ups (Russian style) with a twist while holding a weight is another adaptation from using a rock. Today while sitting in a box split position, while throwing and catching a heavy rock in front of me did catch the eye of many passers by. Just doing normal squats while holding a heavy rock adds a new level of difficulty to the exercise mix. Nice smooth egg shape rocks are great to work with, in a variety of sizes, fitting the exercise situation. Rock or bolder throwing is a great way to have fun while exercising; a little (rock & roll) similar to bowling but without all the fuss. Or just carrying a heavy rock around by hand or on the shoulder works easily well. After this week's exercises and finishing it off in a primitive way, I do feel a kind of connection with our early ancestors, with a few well deserved aching muscles. Don't worry about being self-conscious when grunting with your rock workout, in cave man/women style, it is almost expected; of course you could drown out your own noise with some rock music; preferably "The Rolling Stones" You might have the urge later on, to go clubbing or to attend a rock festival! This is perfectly natural, nothing to worry about. Be creative with your rock workout, you never know, you might re-invent the wheel or better still, start a rock band.

Sure I tried to stand up against my wife, to decide for myself what I eat and don't eat. Butttt; She just gave me a look (I'm sure laser beams fired out from here eyes and rewrote my husbandry programming) because I now eat what I'm served with out protest. I do however eat vitamin supplements that gives me a placebo boost of being in control of my diet.

For my 2cents worth, being introduced to Kickboxing in the 70s. Kickboxing was just a natural progression up from solely using fists in gloves. Kickboxing was also called full contact karate. Tournaments that held boxing could easily add some kickboxing to the card. As my Sensei in Shotokan could also be a boxer one weekend and a kickboxer the next. It is perhaps easy to criticize kickboxing from today's perspective (30 or 40 years later) but in it's day it was very exiting to watch for its simplicity, artistry and sportsmanship. Whereas Muay Thai Boxing back then, was a far away sport, that was dangerous due to be able to use knees and elbows; that if used against the opponent's temple can kill; to create rules that can kill another person is hardly something to call a "sport" when the fighters fought to eat; from a very young age, something in the West would be called child abuse. Going beyond kickboxing might be a natural progression but I see it as a major health risk for many martial artists in the short and long run. Many wrestlers due to the hard knocks can end up coming addicted to pain killers something their (cousins) MMA pros can look forward to also. Today's MMA craze goes far beyound the throwback time of the washed up boxers that ended up with brain damage and speech impediments for their efforts; history has a way of repeating itself; this time it has out dun itself.

Is karate Olympics a good thing? What impact will karate competing in the Olympics have on you? Karate Olympics must of course be a boost for the Japanese but how will it effect your country of origin? There will be a huge pressure on Japanese martial artists to do well on the World Olympic stage, while ever other country has a chance (making Karate history) by planting their flag just like the Americans on the moon; what are your perditions on who will win most medals? What are your views on Karate Olympics; too early to tell perhaps? Is it the beginning of the end for traditional karate?

(Ooppss! gone and edited the wrong message box above; sorry!) Thanks bushido_man96 for your comment. The MMA does highlight or raise many interesting points about styles and techniques. With boxing against grappling there is most definitely a fine line that each fighter needs to be aware of, or face the consequences. While the boxer is actually fist fighting with no hidden agenda, other than to single mindedly to knock out the opposition, while the grappler's intent is more geared towards controlling the opponent with many strategies, constantly limiting the boxers options for escape. As the Boxer is well aware of the dangers, what can happen in the clinches, that hands over the advantage to the grappler. The danger for the grappler against the boxer while rolling is counter strikes to the head from the boxer's elbows; as the boxer switches mode, from fists to elbows, the grappler ironically tries (when mounted) to slip punches like a boxer, which works against punches but not elbows. My hunch is Boxers (particularly from Scotland) will be rising in popularity over grapplers, putting boxing back on top once again.

When boxers bout with grapplers, have you noticed anything unusual? I have noticed that one is drawn to the opponent's head while the other is focused on the opponent's leg and depending how well they achieve their mission against each other, there is a greater chance of winning the bout. As the grappler's intent is to make constant physical contact with the opponent while the boxer is making contact but only by striking. As the grappler wants to take the fight to the ground while the boxer wants to stay standing on both feet. Both methods of fighting are very effective, yet I don't recall anyone using both attributes equally. Something that is equal for both grapplers and boxers, is both having alot of fully resistant training partners. Yes many boxers have some grappling experience as some grapplers have some boxing experience, but one person having both; who? Who would be the best Boxgrappler if there was such a thing?

Here are just a few ideas that might be worth kicking around, to help you focus. Dedicate your workout to someone you care about; who knows perhaps Bruce Lee. Have a theme to your workout perhaps one of the elements such as Water ... Imagine you have a super power as a martial artist, for instance, you move super fast and this talent always puts you in a position of advantage over your opponent; or dream one up for yourself. Adding elements of difficulty to the equation can be fun such as using ankle or wrist weights. Or practicing katas while wearing a back pack with weights inside then do it again blindfolded. Practice hitting the bag while standing on one leg or from a knelling position. Keeping workouts challenging, creative and fun at the same time makes things more interesting for yourself over the long run.

As I have health issues with my heart, my conditioning is different, with the respect that I cannot over strain my heart but I do need to work it. Going beyond a person's normal pain threshold is progressive; for me I don't go beyond that point. My conditioning is maintenance based and not intended for endurance purposes. I just need to keep my heart beating with regular exercise and not to the point of exhaustion. Stair sprinting is something I do on a regular basis but never jogging or running; as I'm trying to get the "After burn effect" to kick in. Cardiovascular workouts are important for conditioning, but for my condition extreme isn't necessary. As bushido_man96 rightly pointed out about stress-recovery is important. I will alternate my exercises depending how much recovery time is needed, as I workout most days, my exercises are constantly changing on a daily basis (This is the Chi Kung way) So by the weekend, most of my muscles are looking forward to rest as I might have two or occasionally (once a month) three workouts in a single day only during the week; on weekends I will do alot of walking. My conditioning mostly takes place outside in a large park that has fountains and trees; with adult exercise equipment, free to use, also with a padded running track. The fountains (many of them) shoot up water very high. The fountains are surrounded by a wooden deck and many people take the opportunity to practice Yoga or just to do some sunbathing. What I trying to convey, is that conditioning can be pleasant and needn't be just grunting and sweating; with a no pain no gain mentality. As my mode of exercising is health maintaining (with or without gradual slight improvements) conditioning with out competitive or rivalry intent is something I wish I had learned a very long time ago.

Conditioning is subjective depending on age... Chi Kung is a (Chinese) way to strengthen internal organs (Among other things) with the idea of gently massaging them against each other. Chi has had a negative reputation due to outrageous claims and demonstrations. When Chi is used with common sense a person will become internally stronger and externally stronger; isn't this conditioning? I have needed to understand Chi properly and its benefits for me to stay alive. As I have had four heart attacks; the last one was six years go. I have been on deaths doorstep many times, but I have managed to help myself, with putting knowledge into practice, as far away from that doorstep as possible. Conditioning is also about the quality of food and drink, hygiene, massarge, sleeping, breathing and exercising. Doing all the right things for yourself is good chi and everything bad you do to yourself is bad chi (Sha) There are foods that have been recently discovered to be carcinogenic, due to containing Palm Oil. Therefore cutting out this product from your life will be a step in the right direction to prolong and improve your life. Just as there are foods that contain Antioxidants that will help you to live longer and improve your health, incorporate them in to your life. Conditioning can be improved upon by keeping up with the latest health statistics and reports. As I do alot of stretching, then Muscle fibers tear and need to heal, Seeds help to repair micro muscle fibers. Seeds are an essential Chi food as they contain plenty of Chi energy to help a plant grow. This is why Rice is important to Oriental cultures. White sugar (Sweet death) is something worth avoiding (Contained in many foods) because in the process of refining it, the nutrients are removed, therefore when we eat it, the sugar absorbs our nutrients away from us. Honey is a good replacement for sugar. Replacing negative chi with positive chi, will help a person to become stronger, perhaps not with bigger muscles but more importantly with a stronger immune system. Eating prunes on a regular basis helps a person stay regular; this is positive chi in action. How can a person realistically stay healthy when constipated. Tap water that contains iodine/bleach has been related to causing varicose veins whereas mineral water is a healthy alternative. Both of my parents suffered from varicose veins; I don't due to drinking mostly mineral water. The right food and water is a part of conditioning your internal organs with the appropriate nutrients so they work the way they should. B3 for the heart, Vitamin D for bones, Vitmin C for the skin and so on. Conditioning is great but adding vitality is also important. Something as simple as sleeping has all kinds of health benefits if done regularly and many bad health issues if not. Breathing fresh air somewhere away from pollution is a great health booster. Everything I have mention is about gathering positive Chi and avoiding negative Chi. It is possible a little at a time to add more positive Chi in to your life and chip away the negative Chi. Once a person has grasped the idea of Chi then Chi Kung Conditioning practice makes alot more sense and worthwhile. Don't take my word for it, ask any Shaolin monk.

Seems like competitive conditioning is more prevalent (where you are safroot) than cooperative training. Cooperation between students is usually better first and later with some experience, then add some competitive aspects. There is a huge amount of conditioning that a person can do alone or with a friend. Perhaps some people don't know or understand how to control their power because they have never controlled their power and they have only one thing in mind is to unleash it. A person that fights, ironically doesn't make them a fighter, as we all have the ability to inflict pain on another. Many martial artists are not fighters but they do however practice how to fight and learn how to inflict pain on others. Fish swim, birds fly and fighters fight. Trading punches and kicks is fighting, this is why conditioning is so important. Fighting is not martial arts as most think this is what it is. Martial arts is more profound than trading blows, this is why it is considered an art. Having said all that, I believe 100% in conditioning, because if my martial arts fails me, at least I have a good back up plan, to trade blows and fight.

So Luther, how did the tournament turn out for you and the students? Was it what you expected or was it totally different?

Conditioning is important aspect of martial artists but not to the point that it puts a person out of action for long periods of time; then it would be counter productive. Bumps and bruises can sometimes be a part of the conditioning process but long term damage to oneself once again is counter productive. Conditioning with a brute theme is not for everyone as age, health conditions, frailty's and strengths differs from person to person. Conditioning can interfere with the need to take time out from work, due go injuries, which is not practical for financial reasons. Conditioning should have it's limits based on the individual and not imposed unless we are talking about military boot camp. What might seem normal conditioning for me isn't for others and their wishes need to be respected; otherwise it could be considered to be abusive. Therefore students should speak up to the person in charge and is rightly advisable if the conditioning seems overly painful or damaging.

Go the extra mile it's alot less crowded there. Perhaps you are not focusing high enough; think Olympics! Bruce Lee like to use the sculptor, to explain chipping away the inessentials to reveal the truth; you are not only sculpting physically it involves psychology work as well, this is why mediation and wisdom is important to martial arts also.

Personally I'm all for controlling the opponent (if possible) than trading blows. My experiment was just thought provoking, I did try the techniques three times, not to brake my wrist but to see if the technique was effective or not from an equal strength point of view. The attacking hand (in the experiment) had no apparent damage; whereas the attacked hand is still feeling the after effects weeks later. Could be (as the saying goes) "that the best defence is a good offense" in this case anyway! Or "Stupid is as stupid does" sums it up better!

Using wrist locks fall mostly in the relm of self defense than in martial art sporting events. As an older martial artist chances are that I'm not running from a confrontation; then Chin Na is more practical from this stand point. Attacking wrists or fingers are usually very advantageous in close combat countering techniques from being grabbed. Yes, leverage does add to the power of hyperextending techniques against joints but steady torque combined with sensitive nerve points can also be applied on oneself for practicing where contact is most effective. This torque and contact doesn't work instantly but can be felt later, yet the leverage with breaking intent should only be used in very serious circumstances and never on training partners. Striking sensitive nerve points on oneself or a partner isn't something to do on a regular basis as this would eventually cause permanent nerve damage. However some practice on understanding and attacking nerve points carefully does give a person another option to use depending on the situation and an appreciation of their effectiveness.

Yes! Yin vs Yang and I won lost!I understand now that if a person is half as strong as I am, that person will need both hands to possibly injure my wrist. If a person is equal in strength to me, we will both have difficultly damaging each others wrist with one hand but is very possible to severally damage each others single hand using two hands. Then if a person is twice as strong as me, then that person can possibly damage my wrist by using only one hand and I will need both of my hands to defend against the other person's one. I have been in a situation where the other person was twice as strong than me, and yes I needed my other hand to stop him from breaking my wrist.

My very first martial art fight was when I was 18 there about more than 40 years ago. Three months earlier I joined a Shotokan Dojo. Just a few weeks of classes and my Sensei asked me to compete in a tournament. Well I replied "OK" Had not a clue what it was about, only that it was full contact karate. So talk about getting thrown in to the deep end, a few weeks earlier I was just a street wise kid, now I'm training to be a full contact karate fighter. Before joining this Dojo, I did sit in on another karate class in another town. The instructor was demonstrating and practicing a technique whereby, you rush in to the opponent with the left hand (covering the opponent's eyes) and quickly do a reverse punch with the other hand to the opponent's face. So anyhow the big day arrived, my very first tournament. The hotel we stayed in before the event was full of martial artists. There was an air of excitement the next morning, as if we were all going off to battle. I had a hearty breakfast steak and eggs and anything else I could eat, just in case this was the last meal before getting killed in action. The group I of martial artists I belonged to arrived at the tournament grounds at about about 11:30 PM As I was gung ho to fight and not knowing when it would be my turn to fight I was ready at a moments notice. About 8 hours later it was near the time that I would fight. I was totally psyched up to fight. for about 8 hours I was drinking huge amounts of coffee and stretching. I was doing so much stretching and drinking coffee that I did the full splits for the first time in my life. I remember being very hungary and annoyed because of it. About 20 minutes before my fight I was just buzzing from all the caffeine and the sugar I consumed and very angry from waiting such a long time to fight and and I was very very hungary. I remember very clearly giving dirty looks to nearby black belts. I was so naive but ready to fight any one thar crossed me, how naive I was. I was so skinny that adult clothing was too big for me so I need to shop in the children's section to find clothes that fit me. My turn to fight, this is it, headgear on, foam protective gloves and foot gear on, groin protector and mounth piece on. Just me the opponent and the referee shouts out "Fight" I flew at the opponent very fast, putting my left hand up to eyes then quickly reverse punching him to the face. My opponent didn't do anything, he didn't move or cover himself at all. With my first punch the ref stopped the fight, instantly. I knocked the opponent out despite the fact of wearing head gear. I was told to kneel with my back facing the opponent. I looked in to the dark and there was only one recognizable smiling face looking back at me; my Sensei.

Had a need to know idea, now I'm paying for it. In retrospect I should have just posted the question here first. You could probably be wondering what I did that is prompting all this fuss. Must say first off that it was significantly embarrassing for me, so please don't do what I did. The question I posed for my self, was how effect my one handed wrist locks are. Fair enough so far; I didn't want to try it out on anyone as breaking other peoples bones (wrist) isn't a very popular thing to do. Hope you can see where this is heading. I wanted to know if my wrist was resistant enough not to break from using full power; my own power. With my right hand I put my left hand in an Aikido wrist lock and proceed to see which was stronger; my attacking right hand or my defending left hand. After a few attempts I called it a draw as my left hand managed to be no worse from the experiment. I did think at the time, that this was something that just evened itself out. Till the very next day, my left hand was very swollen with bruise and in pain. A few days later the bruise dissipated and the swelling went down but the pain was still there. Oddly enough the pain started showing up in different places in my hand. I had to put some ice on it for a while. Sharp pains kept appearing in different areas of my hand, till finally weeks later the pain stayed in three spots. Now I have no pain in my hand but my wrist clicks in and out and sometimes it is painful when it clicks. In conclusion to my experience and experiment, the resisting hand is not as strong as the attacking controlling hand. This is coming from a person that has first hand experience on the subject. Had I used two hands (which is physically impossible) against one wrist/hand the consequences would be far greater than I would be able to imagine. Have you ever had your wrist broken or have you ever broke another person's wrist?

Cooperative vs Competitive, sounds like they are both equally important across the board on this thread. Having both of these ingredients in mind does seem important, in creating a healthy atmosphere in the Dojo for everyone.

Example would be similar to KF's most latest April Fools Day joke, yet tweaked way much more. Patrick is the furthest thing from what he proposed to be, yet, the website that was created to further on the April Fools Day joke was excellently, and professionally, done. Therefore, had that website been activated within the wild world web, some unexpecting prospective student might've been manipulated to join by the sheer preponderance of how Patrick manipulated the internet to the Nth degree; he made money, the poor student received nothing of any MA value!! The unbelievable, as in KF's April Fools Day joke, can be made believable, especially if one knows how to manipulate the internet!! Thank you sensei8 for the elaboration.I have been drawn in to types of "Patrick's April Fools Day" schemes in the past; that start off innocently enough but as time passes the goal posts change and then the exchange of money creep in. There has also been the skepticism about martial artists credentials. I'm a bit 50/50 on this topic, reason being is a martial artist may have great credentials of linage but could have been the lowest on the grade average. Or is good on paper but something doesn't seem quite right; such as never had a real fight in their entire life. Benny the jet Urquidez would make about $3.000.00 for a title match fight back in the 70/80s (kick boxing) that's pathetic compared to today, when a fighter can make as much as $1million a fight. Also that a self proclaimed master of their own organization can make alot of money teaching seminars around the world and never had a real fight in or out of ring or an octagon! To top it off, they are teaching martial art tricks, that have no relevance to real fighting; whatsoever.

I would tell the student to supplement their diet to help maintain bones and cartilage. Also to strengthen the muscles around the weaker joints.Personally I have a touch of arthritis in my neck, I don't not move it on the contrary I want to keep it working by working it, or it will seize up. Many people are not exactly symmetrical, same idea with car tyres that are not balanced, something will wear out before it's time. Insulates in shoes (from an expert) can usually help balance a person out. Proper body alignment and standing and walking properly without slouching can help alleviate pain problems. Improper hip tilting; People that push out their rear end or pulling in their rear too much, can also cause alignment problems over time.

Hi sensei8! I don't understand how anything on the internet can be manipulated to the Nth? Please explain ...