Fat Cobra

This is how our schedule lines up: Wednesdays = Focus on the basics...punching, kicking, stances, break falls, hand exercises. Fridays = Self Defense, Tuite Jutsu, Kyusho Jutsu Saturdays = Kata Additionally, on the the first and last Tuesday of each month we have class focusing on Kobudo (weapons). Once a quarter, we do a Kata Marathon class on Saturdays. Each student performs 20 repetitions of each kata that he knows. This can take a while. About 4 times a year (in the summer), we have Saturday class at the park instead of the Dojo. Once a year we have a Seminar (8 hours on Saturday, 4 hours on Sunday) where we get the head of the Association to visit, as well as many other out of towners. The focus of this seminar varies. I am thinking about adding in a reality based self defense class twice a year in 2020. This will be done in street clothes somewhere outside of the Dojo.

Alan, You are 100% correct with the difference between warriors and athletes. Warriors are conditioned to survive through hardships and deprivation. They train themselves physically and mentally in order to survive on the battlefield. Whereas athletes, especially in the modern sense, do not.

I would love to visit Okinawa, Japan, and New Zealand (the URKA has several dojos in New Zealand, including our largest dojo. Their annual Karate camp is reported to be exceptional).

Congratulations, Nevinyrral!!!!!

My personal dojo is my basement. I am currently working on getting it fixed up, which I expect to be done by summer 2020. My formal dojo practice is 3 times a week. I practice in my personal dojo at least 2 times a week extra. I also do Qigong and Meditation separately from formal dojo practice.

Bruce Lee was absolutely the most influential martial artist, in my opinion, ever. His ability to transcend Eastern and Western culture could not have been accomplished by anyone else at that time. His philosophy and maxims are timeless. That being said, no one is unbeatable. I have found old, unedited video evidence that even the great Bruce Lee can be beat (under the right conditions):

Sometimes it takes a while to find the style that is right for you. If Sambo is it, go for it!

TKD 1 Kuk Sool Won 1 Boxing 1 Wrestling 1 Army Combatives 1 Catch Wrestling 1 Karate 2

We do strength training on occasion, but it is functional strength training. I highly encourage my students to conduct strength training as well outside of the dojo, especially grip strength training. Some examples of what we do are lunges with heavy chains around the neck, Turkish Get-Ups with Kettle Bells, and Subari Exercises for grip strength.

Congratulations!!!!!!

Welcome, MaryTaiChi!

I like sensei8's response. I will also add my two cents (and worth two cents only): Different martial arts organizations, styles, dojos, and clubs offer MA practitioners different results. Some are focused on sports aspects only (like point sparring and kata competition). Some are focused on conditioning only (like cardio kickboxing and Tai-bo). Some are focused on combative sport (like MMA). Finally, some are focused on life protection (self defense on the streets). The last two types in this list are the types that will lead to success on the street...though nothing is ever guaranteed. The real problem results when someone is taking a style that is focused on one type of activity, but they believe (or are led to believe by their instructor) that it is a different type. This is very dangerous.

Why, it is the Fat Cobra of course!!!!! He may be fat, but he still has venom!

In Ryukyu Kempo, since we do not kick much (and kicks are always below the waist), structural integrity as we call it is our first core principle. We train to be rooted strongly to the ground and to use this foundation with powerful hip movement for strikes. This type of balance is developed by strengthening the legs and constantly working on stances, both moving and stationary.

Congratulations!!!!

Alan, I agree with you 100%. Stance work is super important. We call it structural integrity. A solid foundation is what makes technique successful. Even though my style (Ryukyu Kempo) is not a strong kicking style, we work out the legs more than any other body part to get this strong base. Even when thrown off balance by an attack, we should look to regain our base immediately.

norse_dragon, thanks for the update. I will definitely try this out. It looks pretty good.

Torii Wood Weapons: toriiusa.com and on Face Book: @ToriiWoodWeapons.

Congratulations!

I watched the first episode. It looks good!

Anyone know where to get good suburi-to's?

I saw the movie and it was awesome!!!! I am a huge Quentin Tarantino fan, so I was looking forward to the movie, and I think this was one of his best. I love the setting, the story, the characters, everything about it! That being said, I agree with Patrick. I can understand those closely connected to Bruce Lee not liking how he was portrayed in the movie. However, this was a fictional scene where he challenged and fought a fictional character, Cliff Booth. This scene was made to show how tough Cliff Booth was that he could stand up to Bruce Lee. In the end, Bruce Lee was in the movie for 5 to 10 minutes (out of a 2.5 hour movie). In no way does this tarnish his reputation or legacy.

Alan Armstrong, I have been well aware of this weapon for a while. It is a favorite among soldiers and sold at Army Supply stores. It is a great weapon.

Congratulations! Karate no michi!

I have not seen it yet, but I will go this weekend.