Patrick

I watched the last half or so. That was when I started to watch the series. I'll probably watch the other ones in the future on DVD or something.

Hello, We removed the 3 posts below in error. These posts go right before the last one. I apologize for the confusion. Thanks. Why draw the line at second or third? I'm sure there are some that would argue a child has no business earning a yellow belt. Personally, I am proud to tie the belt on a DESERVING young person who has worked for years and overcome immense obstacles to earn his/her black belt. It is good for the child, sets an excellent example for other children and their parents, and is a positive for the martial arts community. That child is not only likely to be an excellent martial artist for years to come, but he/she will also be an outstanding citizen. In my opinion, earning a black belt is a greater achievement than becoming an Eagle Scout. It is certainly more difficult. Of course there are children who do not deserve their black belts, just as there are adults who don't deserve theirs. That is no reason to trash the whole idea. As a martial arts instructor, I can think of no more positive thing I can do for my community and my art than to teach children. Yes, but that's not my argument. It's the scenario of awarding higher ranks than chodan to children that I take issue with. Why would any child need a second dan after attaining the coveted first black belt? To me at least, being a kodanja is a real responsibility. As the stripes come on, the black belt assumes more and more the roles of teacher, role model, coach. And I'm not sure that's fair for anyone involved, either the child to be promoted, or other students who are being asking to follow the lead of the child. In my opinion, chodan should be the maximum rank awarded to anyone, until they are at least in their twenties. Why chodan as the arbritrary cut-off rank? Well, it's the first black belt rank. Belt-chasers can don their coveted black obis and then rethink about their goals in the martial arts. Yes, but that's not my argument. It's the scenario of awarding higher ranks than chodan to children that I take issue with. Why would any child need a second dan after attaining the coveted first black belt? To me at least, being a kodanja is a real responsibility. As the stripes come on, the black belt assumes more and more the roles of teacher, role model, coach. And I'm not sure that's fair for anyone involved, either the child to be promoted, or other students who are being asking to follow the lead of the child. Actually, it's quite fair. I have issues with putting a Black Belt on a young child, but once they get up to age 10-12 or so, they are old enough to understand the life skills that are part and parcel of being a Black Belt. And yes, I do want them to be a leader. That's my job as an instructor. I should be turning out confident Black Belts who lead by example, and with kids, that is really important. If you look at any classroom, there's going to be a kid in that room who is the leader of the group. I'd much rather it be one of my Black Belt juniors who will lead in a positive way than have it be some 12 year old pothead. Well, we don't wear black obis. However, your contention that no one should go past First Degree until they are 20 is not realistic. Let's say that you have a 13 year old who makes First Degree. Let's also assume that he learns his curriculum for that rank in a year. You're now telling him that he has to, in effect, stagnate for the next 6 years. What's his incentive going to be to continue training? Yes, I know we teach perseverance and dedication and all that, but the realism is that you have just told him that he spent the last 4-5 years to get where he is and that he has to now wait longer than that to move on. I'm not sure I would have hung around in that situation.

Yeah, I like Curtis.

That would be a safe assumption. Thanks.

Me.

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Welcome to KF.

I believe has been talked to death and run it's course, so I am going to go ahead and close it. Thanks.

I'm going to go ahead and give this it's own topic. Thanks.

Very tough call, but I'm going with Pittsburgh for the Super Bowl. I think Seattle has the same chance, though.

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Welcome.

Hello, I believe this topic has run its course. Now on 12 pages, started about 1 year and 3 months ago. It is a mish mosh of subjects, including general Karate vs. TKD, which is not appropriate. This is not the place to discussion which martial art is simply "better" on a general basis. Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com.

You should go to a doctor.

Welcome.

Thank you for the submission.

Hello, We removed a post from this thread in error. It is quoted below and went before the last post. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks. What form of karate do you study? Also, are you aware that some Okinawan presentations of karate incorporate quite a bit of circular movement? I had the opportunity to have the system demonstrated to me, and this is not true. All movement in it is not circular. As well, it was indicated to me that the system has morphed over the years and that initially it resembled the crane-style kung fu, but then adopted quite a bit from capoeira. A badger comes from the United States, but if i were to name something such as, "badger style," it does not make the art American. Regardless, the lion is a feline, as is the tiger, panther, and leopard (variations of the feline animal style found in India and China). Kupigana was devised by an American and created within the borders of the United States. Therefore, the surrounding animals were that of squirrels, chipmunks, and pigeons. This is simply not correct. Well, this is a leading statement. First off, martial arts differ substantially, and also differ based on your perceptions of what the definition of 'martial arts' is. As to 'elite warrior,' if the practitioners of this style are not out there fighting hand-to-hand battles (real ones) on a regular basis, they are not warriors, nor are they all that elite. I believe it is inappropriate to argue that practitioners of this art are somehow warriors, while those studying all other martial arts are somehow not warriors. Well, most martial arts are not sport-oriented. As well, aikido is very much a spiritual art. As to 'spiritual warriors,' or 'warrior priests,' what is it that they preach? Btw, only William Nichols (the founder of this art) obtained this title, of which i'll cover later in this post. I'm assuming your teacher is the creator of this system. If not, then what follows is not relevant to these discussions. I do not question the experience and skill level of the originator of this art. Nor was i stating that the art he teaches is ineffective. Indeed, i really didn't call it fraudulent, although i suppose my posting of someone else's words about it being fraudulent could be considered an endorsement of such. Thus, i'll take ownership of this statement. Hmm, okay. Wrestling has its origins in Greece, bondo is from Burma with its roots in hung gar and a few other Chinese arts. Okay, he also studied judo (Japanese). Hmm, William Cheung instructs in wing chun. No other system. Okay, so he taught kung fu for six years, then created kupigana ngumi and started teaching the modified kung fu. It should be noted that during these six years in which he was teaching kung fu, he performed many exhibitions and participated in fighting matches in a world tour with the Oriental World of Self Defense, applying what he knew at the time... which was not African arts. He created the art, thus he controls the titles and rankings. I.e., he promoted himself. It has already been indicated, in other reports, that the majority of his travels between 1971 and 1978 were Stateside and Europe. Regardless, visiting a country and mingling with the natives does not give credence to his creating his own version of a martial art, and then calling it African in origin. In order to participate and win in the majority of these types of competitions, you essentially must apply Asian styles (katas are Japanese). Interesting, and impossible, since the last emperor of Ethiopia was put to death in 1975. Also, his obtainment of the 'warrior priest' title was received at an Akoben community exhibition, in the United States... and from an American organization closely associated with Mr. Nichols. I.e., again, self-promotion through cross-organizational ties. I'm curious as to what this has to do with the topic. I'm also curious as to what dialect/language you are referring to... since the literally thousands of tribes of the African nations each held to different languages or dialects. The study of African dialects is clearly not what is taught in kupigana ngumi (btw, was it in error that you've written the spelling of this art?). Indeed, i would not doubt that a few choice words are pulled out of one or two African-originated languages, so as to add flavor, and even that he presents African cultural education... but we're not talking about the trappings, we're talking about the martial art. Umm, Mr. Nichols was born in the United States, not in Tanzania. This is readily apparent by some bios written on him, as well as the fact he has none of the Makonde-type physical markings of tribesmen. Also, Makonde villages are run by 'hereditary' chiefs, based on matriarchal descent, so it is exceedingly unlikely that he would obtain such a status unless his parents were from Tanzania... which i understand they were from the U.S. Also, there is no indication of this in any biographical notes of Mr. Nichols, thus i'm placed in the unhappy position of claiming this as a falsity. Again, no indiction of this in any biographical notes. However, it must be noted that a Nana chief is merely a distinguishing status indicating someone who is level-headed and works to help a community in some manner. It doesn't necessarily hold to some 'grand' concept, and a donation to a village of food, clothing, livestock or even money could very well provide such a title. In this particular case, i would say it's possible, but again... does not somehow 'substantiate' the art he created a decade or so prior. Last, this and the previous claim are virtually impossible to verify. We would just have to take someone's word on it, now wouldn't we? I mean, these aren't titles that would entail receiving some sort of certification or government accreditation... so what's the point, except to add more trappings? Well, as i indicated earlier, Mr. Nichols created the style, and thus any federation based on the style. Any title he receives, is merely self-promotion. I'm sorry, but these things actually damage your arguments. Thank you for participating in the discussion.

Welcome.

Welcome.

Welcome.

Welcome.

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I think it's probably true that they both could have helped each other, etc. i.e., the more you use it (your body), the better you get at using it.

Male, 21.

Good for you, Chris.