SevenStar

k4, you and I have already had this discussion... I haven't read this whole thread yet, but in a nutshell, here's what happens when you starve yourself: the body requires a certain caloric intake for daily maintenance. When these needs are not met, the body basically says "holy crap, I'm starving!" and goes into conservation mode. When this happens, your body finds ways of using calories more efficiently. The first way of doing this is by getting rid of muslce tissue because muscle consumes more calories than fat. Next, the fat cells begin to split. That is why some people go on diets and GAIN weight. To lose weight, you don't wanna starve. cut your calories by a small amount. Then workout to burn the rest. So, if you cut your caloric intake by 500 calories and burn at least 500 while you are training, then you are burining 1,000 calories per day. That equates to almost two pounds per week - it's not recommended that you lose at a rate faster than 2-3 punds per week anyway, so that would be great.

I agree with everything you said except for this. "subconsciously following rules" really isn't a big factor. If you understand the principles of what you are doing, it will work in the ring and in the street. And actually, techniques that are illegal in the ring, such as gouging and kicks to the front of the knee really aren't making you that much more effective anyway. There was an article released a few weeks ago about a thai boxer who chased three guys from his home who broke in and assaulted him mother. Weapons were involved, but the thai boxer prevailed.

it depends on the definition of self defense. As an online acquaintance from another forum says, "I may not be able to defend myself, but I sure as heck can fight"

Awesome! Congrats, bud.

I've been choked unconscious in training, and in the ring I've been near knocked out, but never actually KOed.

I bet the blow threw your equilibrium off.

he could be a beginner. It's not uncommon for beginner's to begin with slow sparring. As for the question, Do both of them.

That's how I got my start as well.

I dunno about that one. In an ideal world, sure. But we're all human and will not like everyone we reun across just because they are MA. People tend to think there there is some type of brotherly bond among MA, or at least that there should be. MA are just like anyone else. Some like eachother, some do not. Not liking them does not mean you go to their school and drop challenges, though. As for MA getting bad press. Where? I really don't see or hear alot about that anymore, in general. Specifically, yeah, when talking about things like mma fighting, but not about MA in general.

rivalries are huge in the capoeira world, from what I've seen/heard.

If they had a systematic way of teaching and training it, then yes.

which sport MA's are you referring to?

I agree. Not all karate is traditional. all of the "sport karate" "american shotokan" and the like, IMO is not traditional. My point with muay thai was that even though muay is very old, muay thai has only been around for about 85 years.

it's a legit style, but reseearch who you are training other. Some people have said that there are "tai tzu" instructors who actually only teach taiji and a small portion of the tai tzu system.

I'd wish you luch, but you don't need it. Stay relaxed and calm, remember to fight your fight - use your tools to your advantage. Keep track of where he is in relation to you - circle AWAY from his power hand. remember to set your kicks up with strikes and use combinations... punches in bunches. Have fun and let us know how it turns out!

save the stretching until after the workout. warm up, train, stretch. this is becoming a preferred method among a number of athletes.

I'm interested in what you've got to say Judoguy, could you give some more details? Where they to slow, unable to use any techniques, overpowered perhaps? Who were they fighting against a street brawler or someone with training? If it was someone with training were they able to use their techniques more easily, or effectivly? I'm also interested to hear what anyone else has to say about this. Wing Chun has been mentioned as effective numerous times on these boards and in training I've always found it to be quite straight forward and logical in its approach and having effective strikes and defences. I'd say the striking aspect of it seem in principle at least as effective as the limited Kick Boxing I did, can anyone else compare them with more experience? The main problem I have is timing, to correctly recognise what I'm seeing and feeling and being reactive to it with my Wing Chun. This is something I expect to improve with training and sparring. I'm very keen to spar with people from other arts, or indeed with no training at all because I doubt I'll ever have to fight another Wing Chun guy in the street and I think that unpredictability is important. I've expereienced the same thing as judoguy. I've only sparred with a few WC guys, but the weren't that great. I know there are some good ones out there - it's all in the training methods. One thing I've noticed from other MA forums is that WC guys tend to talk about theory and lineage ALOT. sometimes I wonder if they talk about it more than test it. Not that that's a bad thing, but until you apply it, you can't really say for yourself how effective it is based on theory and hearsay. The kung fu online forum has a WC forum with some good discussion on similar topics as this. Several of them also think that alot of WC guys are to wrapped up in theory, but when trained properly, it's an excellent style.

dang, that's steep. It's not that much here, and the instructor is awesome. He's actually working on a deal with the school board now to have a capoeira program enstated at a local elementary school. http://www.capoeirartist.com the guy that runs this site is in the same lineage as the guy that teaches at my club.

in his instance, power is actually endurance. that's the point I'm trying to make. Holding a horse stance for 10 mins isn't a strength exercise - it's an endurance exercise. the longer the duration of an exercise, the more endurance intensive it is. low reps, heavy weight - like my 400 loud squat are one thing, but no weight and an extended duration in horse stance is something different.

on tv, that's what they want you to see, just as how on tv all kung fu is wushu. capoeira has ALOT of infighting and a lot of takedowns. I spar with some capoeira guys and they are pretty good...

being fit isn't a requirement of being able to fight. I know alot of out of shape looking guys that would rip a hole in everyone on this forum. What matters in a teacher is experience. People get old - you will too. If they can't beat me at their age, that's fine, as long as they do still have good experience and plenty to teach me. That's what matters. I'm willing to bet any any pro boxer on the planet can out box their coach - they are younger, faster, currently compete, etc. BUT, it's the experience these coaches have that make them an asset.

in shuai chiao, the front stance is used in a throw called diagonal cut. In judo, you are in what's similar to a front stance when you finish throwing someone with tai otoshi.

I can squat over 400 lbs. Can you? If not, how is your power from stances different from my power? stances don't build power beyond a certain point...they are endurance exercises.