Alan Armstrong

Don't let your own structure detour you, martial art structure will most certainly realign you and your confidence. You just need to have a look at Jean Clude van Damme as a kid. Skinny and weak but not anymore. His movies have grossed over 1 billion dollars. Weakness just might be (unknowingly) your strength. Reason is many martial artist have stronge muscles all over, they need to weaken many strong tight muscles and strengthen others. This takes twice the effort for most people and much less tme and effort for someone like you. Starting off with weak muscles, you only need to strengthen about half of your martial art working muscles. This will enable you to progress quicker than you may think! This (weakness) advantage you have, hopefully will inspire you to work harder in your chosen martial art style. Best of luck

Must be said, that there is an excellent support structure for all martial artists here on KarateForums.com; be it for beginners or martial art veterans. Congratulations to all those that teach martial arts. The future of martial arts is now in your hands.

Thank you for your opinions and advice MatsuShinshii. Fortunately I don't need to find a good traditional (old school) instructor; because I am one.

There are still anomalies of Chinese martial arts to be uncovered and demystified. Continually sophisticated sports science equipment is being developed and created to understand Chinese martial art masters movements and inner workings that continues to baffle scientists, such as how they can generate more power with less effort. Also 'Tai Chi Chuan' is still not completely understood as yet. Meanwhile the health benefits of practicing this style is undeniably beneficial. Chinese martial arts will continue simply because it is ingrained with their culture and history. Chinese 'Chin Na' techniques are still not completely utilized by most martial artists, so there are many (700 more or less) techniques still up for grabs.

Yes Tempest, the same mountain. Perspectives and contexts may differ but exchanging points of views and experiences are very much appreciated. With this topic and thread, my aim or intent was to refocus on knife self (hand held weapns) defense. As many alternative ways of defending from knife attacks, are not part of traditional dojo methods or styles.

Very much agree with the avoidance of violence and violent people. (At my age getting hit in the head with or without protective gear is too risky. I don't have anything to prove by doing it so head shots are off the menu for me and those I spar with. I just use focus pads or controlled pulled punches to the head if need be) Growing up violence was the norm, home, school and the streets. As I was a skinny kid an easy target for bullies. Just kept getting beaten up as a young teen, then eventually things worsened. Getting mugged at night by a bully with a knife, that stuck it in the side of my neck. I was only 14 years old. What kind of money does a young teen carry around; not much! Still more confrontations and narrow escapes from gangs that like to rob teenagers. After these experiences I started getting more keen to know how to fight and defend myself. More than half a century has passed since then; I'm still interested and learning. I like to pass on my self-defense techniques and experiences to those willing to absorbe it. Perhaps it will help someone to save a life someday, who knows. I'm sure that martial arts has saved my life, perhaps more than once.

Respecting your higher ranks? What if you become the highest there is in your style? Respect and showing courtesy and good manners with education are attributes of a winner. Having money and fame or position without respecting (shown for) all of those around you will be a sad and shallow existence attributes of a loser. People that litter, do they respect the environment? Therefore those that don't show respect to others will get only disrespect returned eventually. The more respect you show another person the more mutual respect will return. Everyone deserves respect until they prove other wise.

Thank you all for recommending your favorite martial artists on You Tube. Interesting and varied subject matter thus far. Looking forward to re-visiting these sites for a more in-depth look. I believe in recommendations in general; why not include martial artists also! Or unusual ma styles are also welcome.

You say there is no Sifu where you live and no facility either, have you tried to ask someone in the Chinese community to help you. Or inquire at your local college or university for someone that has Tai Chi knowledge. Tai chi is difficult to learn even with a Sifu. Books and videos will certainty give you some background knowledge. A Tai Chi teacher is a must. You will need a partner when doing push hands. Take out a small advertisement in your local news paper "Looking for a Tai Chi teacher" Ask every Chinese person you know or meet to help you find a teacher. Many Chinese people practice Tai Chi very early in the morning in parks. (The police would sit in their car while my Sifu was wielding his sword, doing Tai Chi; often thought if what he was doing was illegal!) People in rural areas just make there own group practicing Tai Chi. Perhaps you could make up a group of your own. Contact Tai Chi associations in your part of the world to help you. Tai Chi is the most practiced martial art in the world, someone near you must know of a Tai Chi instructor, perhaps someone at your local Yoga school knows of a Sifu! Many Chinese martial art schools also teach Tai Chi, worth looking in to.

I don't wear a cup when I spar. My father was a professional boxer, so didn't get spanked as a kid for misbehaving, had to bob and weave punches instead. Had my knuckles split open in a fight, got to see the white of the bones; not a pretty sight. Was doing jujitsu street fighting in the street before I knew there was such a thing. Have been stabbed and shot, knocked out a few times, had the wind knocked out of me, beaten by multiple attackers many times... Just don't see the point getting dressed up in hockey and football protective equipment, then proceed to beat the living hell out of someone with a baseball bat and for them to do likewise; just doesn't happen in reality, so why practice it? Personally I practice reality type based martial arts therefore I don't fight for sport or for others entertainment. I come from a time and place you may not understand; I'm not what you would describe as fight, gun or knife shy... better to leave it at that.

Actually I would say wearing protective gloves and hand wraps are not good for learning how to punch; fine for boxers but not for me. Training in an over protective way is just not my way. I want to feel hit when I get hit, other wise how will I ever know that I was hit.

Try each club for a month or two. A few months for most martial artists is no time at all. No one expects a life time commitment from you. Test the waters out and see if you can go with the flow with the teacher/instructor, fellow students and the style. With a little time and practice with each club your experience with them will give you the answer that you are looking for.

The art of fighting without fighting. Worth pondering! Could be a message to find alternative ways to fight other than fighting physically. Gandhi was the master of this style!

Very good topic and explanation stonecrusher 69 of your video; thanks for sharing. Could also be explained as the three fulcrums. The large circle from the shoulder could be used while defending against kicks. Large circles are used very often in many Shaolin Kung Fu techniques. Personally I put alot of emphasis on the three locations for defence and attacking purposes. Therefore practicing each location independently or collectively. Insects do this naturally. Also in my training I use strengthening exercises that I practice slowly. Giving me a type of collective dynamic tension strength. Somewhat like arm wrestlers have. Adding to this practice more fulcrums and muscles till eventually everything I have is utilized. Practicing this method starting from one hand to two hands with resistance training methods, pulling downwards and forwards, in all directions. This method involves attaching bungee cords to a pull-up bar. The three circles as is this topic are sensitivity based, that are not strength oriented but done with resistance can most certainly add a new dimension to a martial art workout. I hope you can understand this point of view, it's a bit tricky to explain with words. Another method is somewhat like what a cat does when leaning in to your ankles, movement with constant pressure or movement with constant pulling motion. These two examples develope a very unique strength that enhace all martial art skills. It is as if everything pulls together as a one single unit, a type of torque strength. Katas movements are different as in 1.move 2.chunck/tense. What I'm trying to get across is like doing a kata but with a constantant torque, as if trying to twist a wet towel to get the water out of it. Torque strength staring from the wrist then adding the elbow, then adding the shoulder; utilizing the three circles independently or a focused joint(s) effort.

Knife defence techniques no matter done slow or fast from all different directions are valid but they do have limitations by practicing against fellow classmates that don't have the real intent or consent to hurt you. Wearing protective gear such as goggles and padding and attacking with a knife with full intent is not the answer either because in reality in the street we will not be padded and wearing safety goggles. So what is the answer then? Knowing everything has it's limitations and capitalizing on your opponents ones is one option. Having the harsh realities working for you than against you. Using any type of (martial art) dojo knife defense techniques do have validity but just be beware that they can limit a person's natural survival skills in the initial stages of learning them. Therefore train your knife defence skills to a very high standard, so they become as natural to use as possible. when a mother's child is in danger she will naturally react to the situation to save the child, without hesitation, her actions are self sacrificing, putting her own safety as secondary to her child. Training for every possible knife attack would not be practical but training your initial reaction is. So have a knife defence game plan and take it from there. As we are all different find out what works for you and how it works well for others while your at it. Have an attack plan and also an escape plan also such as a quick shin or groin strike and run; it makes it more difficult to be chased and enhances your escape plan.

As all knife confrontations will differ, there are no absolute ways of dealing with the situation. However speed of action has it's merits and so does using anything at hand to gain the advantage. Keys, a belt or a base-ball hat can be used to enhance bear handed fighting skills. A pen stabbed in to the attackers weapon holding hand would work well also. Any type of fluid thrown in to the attacker's face could add two more seconds as a distraction or a temporary blinding course of action. As martial artists having the ability to turn everyday items in to a weapon could be explored during self defence classes. Your own clothing or the attackers clothes can be used to one's advantage also. Throwing anything close at hand can also be used as a damaging projectile or a temporary distraction. Creatively in the dojo with unorthodox self defence option is not utilized enough and getting out of the dojo and in to tight or confined places is also not practical for practicing or teaching a large group of students..

KO or be killed? My first response would be to KO the assailant ASAP with my right fist and elbow; perpetually. Until that person is unconscious. While my other hand is trying to control the other person's knife holding wrist or arm, including striking blows also pinning that arm. Also trying to redirect the knife point towards their own body or away from mine. To KO another person size doesn't matter. We are all able big or small to be knocked out or knock out another person. I'm not going to grapple and or tumble in a knife fight. A knock out is instantaneous as opposed to grappling, I'm not looking for a tap out submission. An attacker with a knife, there intent is to cut or stab but not to KO their victim. To KO a person with a knife is not the reaction they are looking for or expect. It does require your utmost attention to pull it off with a single blow. So expect to use at least ten follow up blows. Then ask the whos and whys later. There are ways to set up a knockout, or just like a gun slinger without a gun, being quick (hitting) on the jaw! Train like a gun slinger with speed and accuracy. As the attacker has perhaps obvious advantages such as a knife, height and weight. Your instant trained response is your unobvious advantage, be quick it's your move!

All the best for you twistkick kid. When our bodies let us down it hits harder to understand the reasons why. All of these medical conditions that you have endured will make you more appreciative of what you still have and more knowledgeable to help others. Hopefully your medical conditions will help you cultivate your personality in a positive way. This is what will pull you through the worst of times; combine your strength of character with your indomitable spirit. "To endure the unendurable" Everything else seems easy from there on. Perhaps light Yoga mind over matter exercises will keep you occupied while you are in recovery; please consult your doctor beforehand. Karma is how many in the Eastern civilizations deal with the psychological aspects of human suffering. Reincarnation; the more a person suffers in this life the easier it will be in the next life.

Have you ever done a stretching routine on your bed, before your first cup of coffee, in the morning? You might want to try out this idea for yourself. Starting off with some hip decompressions then rounded off with some pandiculating. Finishing with some PNF. Getting a little technical here. How about limbering up those joints and ligaments scattered around your body. Seriously, a bed can be a very good place to stretch out in. Muscles contract as we sleep this why the classic yawn and arm stretch is so natural for us to do. As we get older this stretching idea could become forgotten about and eventually none existent for you. By waking up physically with some subtle limbering up movements could be a great habit to get in to doing. Think about it, a twenty minute stretch in bed just might also wake up or release those happy martial art endorphins! Then off to the shower for another stretching endorphin workout. Doesn't end there, towel stretching while drying off, is another opportunity to improve flexibility and releasing even more endorphins.

Children and weaponry seems almost like a contradiction. As little Johnny is scolded by his mother for throwing shurikens at his baby sister. The parents of these weapon wielding children should have their opinions stated here. As I am sure that the parents are very proud of their ninja kid's martial art performances.

Let's face it. Being unarmed and threaten by a person with a knife in an enclosed area such as a bus or train (with no immediate escape route) is going to provoke a response. That response should be using self defense the alternative is to freeze up and do nothing? Self defence standing up in a dojo may not be the right place to practice it. The wash room or bathroom with an enclosed setting could be more appropriate Self defence in the street with a way to struggle /escape and run might be the best action to take. It is a popular opinion or option. What if your pregnant wife and small child is present, then what, running is not an option and being attacked is not an option either. You will be the first line of defence. What would your response be to a situation such as this?

Self defense classes that involve knives should IMHO need to be practiced in there proper contexts. Military differs from security personnel as civilian will differ from police. If all of these are lumped together then they will all suffer from training (knife defence) out of context.

I am not dispelling all knive self defense techniques or seminars. Just from my perspective and experience there is alot of realistic scenarios that could be explored. As the household kitchen knife has been pointed out as not being very sharp. Professional chef knives are very Sharpe. As a friend of mine was stabbed in the stomach with an ordinary kitchen knife, it did not need to be Sharpe due to the upward penetration of the knife tip was used. Luckily he was not killed from the attack. Military two sided knives are also very sharpe and knife attacks take on a wider dimension of use than the ordinary one sided blade. There is a variety of hand held pointed or edged weapons that could be explored; that don't necessarily need to be a knife, a broken bottle has been used in many fights and never have I ever seen one used in a self defence seminar. The red marker pen (replacing a knife idea) is just to illustrate that being stabbed is alot harder to stop than (without obvious evidence) solely what the virtual rubber knife practice offers. Many police officers wear bullet proof jackets to stop some unexpected types of knife attacks. This is a very realistic approach to self protection against bullets and hand held edged weapons. As part of the civilian community bullet proof jackets is not acceptable attire. As the empty hand of karate is our way. We had better know the right way as opposed to a supposedly random approach. The right way to knife self-defense is open for debate. Knife defence needs to transcend all martial art styles; then the truth will out class them all.

Wonderful martial artists (on YouTube videos) that really know how to give a self-defense seminar with takedowns, throws and joint locks... With self defense demonstrations that encourage every one to participate. All seem happy enough to go along with the seminars and at the end a certificate like a cherry on top of a cake at the end of a perfect day; or is it. For one major oversight from my observations is the knife defence scenarios. Terrible! How proficient instructors are with hand to hand combat and so lacking with knife defence techniques. I am shocked at watching how knife defense is taught, especially the way it is taught to the public. Security personnel are also being lead astray with knife defence skills. It takes alot of knowledge to teach knife defence skills. Most of the virtual knife defence techniques seen on YouTube are very unrealistic. It is just building a false sense of security. Take these virtual knife defense tutorials and replace the plastic/rubber knife with a simple red marker pen, while being attacked using real speed instead of the usual unrealistic slow motion mode. Wear white T-shirts and witness for yourself defending against multiple red marker pen attacks. Knife attacks are usually a horrific event, perhaps something beyond what normal people would care to think about. If you are serious about martial arts then be extra aware about knife defence techniques and scenarios. Knife defence seminars should be a deadly serious event and not a family pick nick in the park day out. There are good knife defense techniques and ways to greatly improve your skills in this area. Be totally sceptical with everyone on this topic, because this is one subject that you might not get a second chance on knowing how to do it right. People that have knife handling skills don't usually go to seminars to learn how to use them. The reason is that handling knives will already be a part of their daily routine as they are needed as a tool in many professions such as chefs or meat and fish mongers; just to name a few. Those that use knives for making a living throughout the year compared to those that attend a knife defence seminar from time to time; there is a gap far too extreme for many to comprehend.

I agree with you Himokiri. Technical martial art abilities have replaced the aggressive approach to fighting. Rushing into the opponent screaming just isn't the way of modern combat. As a warrior type activity, I do notice the lack of physical conditioning giving way to the technical abilities. As a balanced fighter these two physical and technical qualities need to be given equal importance. Personally, I put a high value on agility and flexibility. As these two qualities are essential for maintaining martial art skills.