Fat Cobra

Wastelander, this is an excellent idea and one that is absolutely necessary for practicing self defense (vs. sparring). We do something similar, though we call it Tuite Drills (maybe it was called Kakedameshi in the past, but that has been lost). These are close in drills where we focus on countering strikes and grabs, using strikes, Tuite Jutsu (Joint Locks), and Kyusho Jutsu (pressure points). Resistance varies on these drills. I also use Bogu gear in these drills to make them tougher. Many use Bogu gear for free form sparring (at fighting range, not close-in self defense range). There is a place for this, but I prefer using them in close in range.

Congratulations Alex, thanks for moderating and keeping a first class forum going! Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Dang....I still have not watched this one! I have to get another subscription to You Tube Premium to watch it but I am so far behind on other series that I still need to catch up: Jessica Jones Seasons 1 and 2 Iron Fist Season 2 Punisher Season 2 Stranger Things Season 2 Into the Badlands Season 3

Thanks to all!!! I have really enjoyed this forum since I joined last year. Domo arigato gozaimasu!!!!

Welcome to the forum and good luck in your Martial Arts journey. You will find it very rewarding.

Welcome to the forums.

Fighting and Kata (forms) go hand-in-hand. Kata is an exercise in habit. They teach you muscle memory on body movement and technique. However, there must also be fighting practice. Solely practicing Kata is not enough. One must learn to hit solid objects...and learn what it is like to be hit. So, they both complement each other.

Courtesy is important in real life as well as in the Dojo. I truly believe you should be nice to everyone, to include avoiding conflict if possible. However, I believe in what retired General James Mattis said: "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."

Welcome Littleford65!

A lot of these bans were created because of media sensationalism of said weapons. For instance, nunchaku were banned in New York state in the 1970s, at the height of the Bruce Lee movie era. People's perception, and fear, of the effectiveness of nunchaku were blown way out of proportion which caused the ban. Now, it does appear silly to think that people are running around causing mass terror with nunchaku. The other dynamic in place, which is strictly a New York-ism, is that all of these weapons bans come from New York City. The view there usually does not match the rest of New York State. Unfortunately, since over half the population of the state lives in the City, instead of making it a city ordnance that only affects the City, these types of things usually become a state law. I am happy about the ruling, but I know the state will spend (waste) lots of money trying to fight it.

Ha!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Kata, hojo undo, stretching.

I don't see why not. 47 is not an old age. I have a student who started back up last year after a couple of decades out of karate. Although he had been active in other physical training during that time period, he had recently, for the past 5 or so years, done nothing. He has gotten in better shaped and added flexibility in less than a year. He is 51 years old.

Yes!!!!! I can't wait!

Forced stretching works!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Welcome!!!!!!

The standard in the ShuBu Kan is to start class (after bowing in) with 50 sumo squats, then calisthenics. Our 2 most common varieties are: Variety 1: 3 sets of the following: Jog in Place - 30 sec Jumping Jacks - 30 sec Pushups - 30 sec Crunches - 30 sec Variety 2 (tougher - Insanity workout warmup): 3 - 4 sets of the following: Jog in Place - 30 sec Jumping Jacks - 30 sec "Heisman" - 30 sec 3 Step - 30 sec Butt Kick Jog - 30 sec High Knee Jog - 30 sec "Mummy" - 30 sec Both varieties are done with no rest in between exercises or sets. After that we go into kicking, then break falls, then we stretch, then we do hand exercises, and then we take our first break. This takes 30 to 40 minutes. After that, we go into stance work, kata, tuite drills, and then ude tanren (forearm conditioning). Class is 1 hour 30 minutes.

I have both a mechanical machine, which I love, and a portable stretch device (2 metal legs that you pull in the middle to stretch out your legs). I believe both are good supplements to regular stretching.

conrad665, I agree, a balanced diet is the most important thing, followed by supplements.

I take the following: - Glutamine - Collagen - Acai - Probiotics - Fiber - Multi-Vitamin - Vitamin C - Pre-Workout Mix - Post Workout BCAAs - Protein

Bahhh....why even do Abs exercises? Really? (Of course, this is advice coming from a FAT Cobra). Honestly, though, if you train hard in your MA, then all of the body mechanics and muscles you need will get a work out. This is the true definition of functional fitness. However, if you still want to put more focus on your core, I would recommend against isolation exercises. In a world where time is limited, you get more bang for your buck doing compound exercises that also work the core. That is, unless, you want beach muscles. Then by all means do lots of crunches, situps, etc.

Welcome back!

My New Year's Resolution: 1. Lose weight (but still be the Fat Cobra)! 2. Increase the size of the ShuBuKan.