Fat Cobra

Congratulations Spartacus Maximus! Thanks for all your great contributions.

I don't hit the heavy bag much anymore, mainly just hit the makiwara. When I do hit the heavy bag, I usually just wrap once and use bag gloves.

I agree with Sensei8's comments.

Welcome to the forums!!!!

Welcome. I live and train in Watertown, NY.

Happy belated 4th of July and Independence Day!!!!!!

My Dojo is currently located in a gym. It is on a US Army post and the gym is a combination of a functional fitness gym (think cross-fit) and combatives area. I am lucky that there are three long mats located there, along with mirrors, heavy bags, and speed bags. The gym staff lets me turn off the music to this back area and gives me exclusive use of the mats during class time. However, there are other people that do train in the area at the same time as my class (not on the mats). These are mainly boxers who work the heavy bag and speed bag. All of this has a great upside with only a few downsides. Overall, I am very happy with the current arrangement.

Tape it out and move out!

Happy Birthday!!! I hope it is a great one!

It is mindfulness, and it is the best way to live life to the fullest. There is nothing wrong with thinking about the future, but that should be reserved for times when that is all you are doing...thinking. In life activities, from anything as mundane as sweeping the floor to as complicated as a complex problem at work to as emotional as spending time with your loved ones, live in the moment and you will enjoy life more.

Get your anger out with tough training. Leave the dojo so tired you can't be angry anymore!

Aha! Where in the North Country are you? I am in Watertown, NY.

How about a custom-embroidered Gi top?

Get in better shape. Run, lift weights, eat healthy, get a good nights rest. No matter what level of fitness you are currently in, make a goal to get better by next year's test. I don't know how much Body Toughening your style requires, but if it does, get to work. Hit the makiwara and do your reps of ude tanren (forearm conditioning). If you want a good book to read, I recommend Shin Gi Tai by Michael Clarke. He is primarily a Goju Ryu practitioner, but this book is good all around. I am about to start reading Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe. It looks very good.

Welcome. I am looking for a pair of Manji Sai, octagonal, like Shureido used to make.

Awesome! Congratulations.

The basic storyline is: It is set in 1878 San Francisco. Ah Sam (the main character, very Bruce Lee like) travels on a boat from China looking for his sister. He ends up getting caught up in a Tong (Gang) feud in Chinatown between the Hop Wei, who dress like westerners (black suits), and the Long Zii, who dress in more traditional Chinese attire. Additionally, there is a Mongolian gang, the Fung Hai; an Irish gang who hates all Chinese; cops (some of whom are dirty); and politicians. The production quality is very good, more like Into the Badlands than the Walking Dead. The martial arts are also very good. Unlike into the badlands, there is no use of wires, everything is done realistically.

Yes, Donny is an awesome action movie star and was great in Rogue One.

Yes, yes!!!!!

Anyone else watching this show? I just started it a few weeks ago and I am up to episode 7 (out of 8 currently out). This first season has a 10 episode run. It is awesome!

scohen0300, congratulations!!!!

Congratulations on 18 years and thanks to all who put in the hard work and effort to make this site a success.

DoubleOhDave, welcome to the Karate Forums and good luck on your (re)new journey in Karate!

Hai! Good explanation! Karate no michi!

Manji Sai...why? Because it is a cursed weapon that I got stuck with!!!! I both love and hate this weapons!!!! I have been training with it almost exclusively for 7 years and still can't get it right!