Shorin Ryuu

That isn't necessarily good, because you would gain strength only along that 3 inch range of movement...What you are suggesting is basically doing 200 crappy pushups...no offense, but that is what you are saying.

Like I said, doing different kinds of pushups: hands wide apart, hands normal, hands very close (diamond pushups). You mentioned that you did not want to do sit-ups, but there are other ab exercises as well... I don't know if you are against crunches...but basically a crunch is where you start in the normal sit-up position (on the ground, back touching the ground, knees bent so they are at a ninety degree angle). Lift your upper body up so that your shoulder blades (and the rest of your back) come off the ground. Don't go all the way up as in a sit-up, but just allow your back to rise off the ground...this is done by flexing the abs, not by anything else. Do this without anything holding your legs down, if possible (same goes for sit-ups if you try those again later). This helps you isolate the muscles and not use your legs. The variants of the crunch are endless. I'm sure you can easily go on google.com and type in a search and find something. Another one for the lower abs is to lay flat on your back. Make sure your head is not resting on the ground and that your feet are six inches off the ground. From their, you can do flutter kicks, where you alternate raising the legs (keep them straight) to 45 degrees or more (the higher you go, the more it lets you rest at the top) or you can move both legs up and down at the same time. As someone mentioned before, jumping jacks (side-straddle-hop...) are good for a nice warm-up, or even a workout (I remember doing 2004 on more than one occasion during boot camp...). Another arm one is where you hold you arms out to the side, palms up and arm straight. It is an eight count exercise where you turn your torso 90 degrees to the left (1), 90 degrees more to the left (2) 90 degrees to the right (3) 90 degrees to the right (4) 90 degrees to the right (5) 90 degrees to the right (6) 90 degrees to the left (7) 90 degrees to the left ( and you should be where you started...of course, it isn't possible to turn your torso completely 180 degrees backwards, but just get a close approximation. This is good because you are really just holding up your arm weight for a long period of time = small weight x lots of repetition. After a while, it burns a whole lot. To make it burn faster, just hold weights in your hand. It won't take much, as your arms are biomechanically weak at that position. And then just any general weight lifting will do with lower weight and lots of repetition. Oh, and one thing, don't get crazy ideas about punching and kicking with weights on...you'll just injure your joints...slow controlled movements with weights are okay, but not fast, snapping ones...you can walk around all day with 5 lb. weights on each leg if you want, but don't run in them. (SOMEONE, for the sake of anonymity, we'll just say his initials are ME...used to walk around with weights on his legs in high school...it doubled the diameter of his ankles after about 6-7 months...). Like I said, running or biking really helps...cut down on soda and drink water instead...cut down on junkfood (This "ME" character has also given up junk food completely years ago...you don't have to be as extreme, but moderation does help your physique in addition to long term health...). EDIT: I know tons of exercises, but these were just some that I wrote down for now...if you really want more, I can give you more later on...

Sorry...didn't see this post. The writing across says "Shorin Ryuu" and refers to my style, Shorin Ryu (the correct "romanization" of ryu is actually ryuu, but everyone says ryu). The writing down also says "Shorin Ryuu", but in this case, the "ryuu" actually means dragon...because dragons are cool and stuff...right... Anyway, as my username is Shorin Ryuu, it is supposed to be a play on words...

Thanks for the info! I too dislike the political games in Okinawa (although I am way too much of a small fry right now to even have to worry about any of that). Ironic, as the style system was an attempt to end some rivalries between masters...oh well. Having an opportunity to train with Kuda Yuichi must have been something. I'm sure he is fondly remembered by all. I read the little history posted on the website. I'm obviously a big history buff (in general as well as martial arts) so it was enjoyable.

It's because whenever I access the forum, I always see his name next to "Last post by..." on almost every single topic!

Right...I was just referring to the fact that it was more of a push rather than a punch. A properly delivered punch with that much "power" could very well be fatal...but as it were, it mysteriously did not hurt the person...

I agree with Shorinryu Sensei (unsurprisingly)...there is an incredible wealth of grappling and close range techniques associated with the bo. I've heard a theory that Okinawan guards would use the bo outside and the jo inside, since the restrictions of hallway space and the like would necessitate a shorter length for close range fighting. Anyway, I still would not want to fight a master of the sai, since it is such a nasty to weapon (and by that, I mean it can really cause you some serious hurtin').

I do Yamani Ryu (Shuguro Nakazato, head of the branch of Kobayashi Shorin Ryu that I am in trained heavily under Masami Chinen) and you are correct (although there is an observation I would like to add). In the beginning, the "rule of thirds" is observed, but at the more advanced levels, there is a lot more extension of the bo during a technique. However, the hands do not stay at one end, but can switch to the middle or even the other end depending on the technique. In other words, the bo may be extended out so that the end is only a fist length behind the back. In the next technique, it may be that short end that is all the way out and the opposite end that is only a fist distance past the back...you get the picture... Another characteristic, as I mentioned in one of the other posts, is to use the circular edge of the end of the bo as a blade. During the execution of a technique, the waist (actually gamaku, but that is a lengthy discussion...) is employed to create a snap and a rotation, which causes the circular edge of the bo at the tip to "cut" into the opponent. This is at the more advanced levels, of course... As far as the Matsumura weapons lineage...correct me if I am wrong Shorinryu Sensei, but I think that the Matsumura family had its own weapons system?, which I'm sure continually changed and adapted as each successor trained under other people as well...the ryu system was never a part of Okinawan te tradition, and that was even more true of kobudo. Is your Kuda Sensei Kuda Yuichi? I just saw his name in a book I was reading and was wondering if he is the same one, as he was a student of Hohan Soken. 47MartialMan:As much as I would like to say that all of what I posted up there was from memory...only about half of it was. The other half I doublechecked with Mark Bishop's Okinawan Karate, John Sells' Unante: The Secrets of Karate, and part of an old manual my old instructor wrote and gave to me years ago (it literally has over a hundred works cited...). I find John Sells' book to be one of the most exhaustive ones out there that detail the evolution of karate and various styles in existence (and non-existence).

If you really wish to get advanced weapons studies, I recommend that you get quality weapons. Places like crane-mountain, weapons connection, shureido and murasaki kobudo make some pretty good ones. Definitely get a pair of handmade sai, as the balance is so different between a pair of handmade sai and the cheap, mass produced ones. Weapons bought from these places can easily last a lifetime. If you've been training with an instructor for 10 1/2 years, it strikes me as odd that the teacher will not show you any more forms than that. I would recommend seeing if there is a traditional Okinawan school nearby, they almost always teach weapons and probably would not mind if you attended their weapons classes. As far as online resources...I can't help you...but I wanted to give you those two points of advice anyway...

The punches in question probably have a lot more pushing power than punching...otherwise the person would have been hurt. Now as far as distance goes, I'm sure there was some (a lot) exaggeration...

I think the bo is a lot of fun, and has a lot of in-depth application. When striking, think of using the very tip of the end (the circular part) as a blade. A rotation of the bo at the end of a strike coupled with a snap can cut into an opponent. That's something that many people do not realize... In addition, there are an endless amount of striking and grappling applications that can carry over into the use of the jo, the hanbo and the nitanbo (basically, 4,3, and 2 ft. versions of the bo), making it an easy and more likely weapon to mimic using whatever is at hand during a combat situation. That's my short version...

In my opinion, it would be very difficult to use simply because the principles you use for both weapons are pretty different. As Shorinryu Sensei mentioned, the katana is a two-handed weapon. The katana (even if you had a shorter one, like a kodachi or a wakizashi) is used for cutting. You really rely more upon it's sharpness and the weight of the sword(minimal) and your body structure and weight to apply the cut. The tonfa on the other hand requires a lot of snap and whipping to employ it using any sort of spinning technique or a strike for its energy transfer, which is quite the opposite of a katana. It wouldn't be impossible I suppose, almost anything is possible, but it would be extremely difficult. More difficult then weapons that are seemingly two weapons at once, such as the kusarigama, in my opinion. I don't know if you meant simply using the tonfa as a small shield and the katana to attack. In which case, why use the tonfa at all? You'd be able to attack and defend more effectively with both hands on the katana.

It is good to offer variety in your workout every once in a while because your body gets accustomed to a routine and the benefits become less...but if you are bored after only two months, then you have a long road ahead of you. That being said, Pull-ups are good. There are many variations of crunches that you can do (and variations of push-ups). You can do pushups with your hands close together or your hands far apart. I for one do a lot of push-ups and crunches (varying kinds of each). I also do a lot of weapons work every day, so that adds workout. Furthermore, I do a lot of kata, so that adds cardiovascular training. Lastly, I do a lot of traditional Okinawan training, which includes using gripping jars, stone locks, chi-ishi for finger/hand/wrist/forearm strength and iron sandals for leg work. These are all pretty low weight/high repetitions work because I'm just trying to stay toned rather than bulk up.. What kind of workout are you looking for? If you wish to really drop body fat, pick up running, biking or swimming. I would recommend the last two more, as running can give you some joint problems. You can also do squats (bend your knees, keep your upper body straight) as well. Really, I'm rambling at this point...again, what specifics are you looking for?

Of course...I am a complete idiot as the one who I was thinking of (or rather not thinking of) is long dead... Can you tell me about Jundokan? Anything (background, some "style traits", etc.) is welcome...I don't know much about it.

I wish, when I was in the Army, that I had the training and knowledge that I have now. I wasn't in combat, but could have easily been sent to "Nam at any time ('72-74). The hand to hand training I recieved while in the Army was a joke, and basically emphasised pure aggression over any sort of effective technique. In that respect, things haven't changed too much...for about a month or two during my "unarmed combat classes" (which unfortunately was a generous title), I would wrestle the instructor during off times every other day. He was a Marine cop that outweighed me by 50 pounds and has an inch or two taller. I pinned him more than he would pin me, even playing by his rules...He only half-jokingly told me that nearly all of the combat techniques they learned were simply grab to the groin and pull...Of course as a cop, he knew some verly effective restraining maneuvers, but like most cops/law enforcement/special forces, he had little understanding of the theory behind it (and had a harder time improvising). My friend in the army said they would have to learn this mantra "Two (bullets) to the chest, kick em' in the nuts, two to the head."...

Shorinryu Sensei, I'm flattered that you appreciate some of my posts...both you and 47MartialMan have been training longer than I have been alive...I have simply been blessed by wonderful circumstance to have had an excellent instructor (who really loved martial arts history and comparative studies of martial arts as well, which is probably where I get all this from) when I first really began doing martial arts and have had encounters (and good instructors in general) with excellent martial artists along the way. At any rate, the difference between Shorinji-ryu, Kobayashi-ryu, Chubu Shorin-ryu, and Ryukyu Shorin-ryu and plain Shorin-Ryu... Shorinji-ryu (and variations) as a rule, with some exceptions I'm sure, are mixtures of Japanese and Okinawan karate. From what I've read, they stem mainly from Japanese students of Kyan Chotoku. One of the main students of his was Joen Nakazato (not to be confused with other Nakazato's in karate) Kobayashi Shorin Ryu is one of the 4 main branches of Shorin Ryu (that term used by Chibana Chosin) and has three main branches of its own. The three branches came about because before his death, Chibana Chosin promoted 4 students to the rank of 9th dan but never appointed a successor. I believe the 4th one was kind of old, so he never started his own Kobayashi system. The kanji (chinese characters) for Kobayashi and Shorin are the same... Chubu Shorin Ryu is a result of the failed efforts to unify karate on Okinawa (the style system and attempts at unification of karate even now are less that 70 years old...). One of these organizations, the All Japan Karate Federation branch on Okinawa fell apart, and the members of the central area (literally, chubu) became known as part of Chubu Shorin Ryu... Shorin Ryu refers to just the general style of Shorin Ryu on Okinawa (usually based on students of Sokon Matusumura) OR it could be what Shimabukuro Zenryo (or Shimabuku, not to be confused with the thousand other famous Shimabukuro's in karate) called his style before he joined the All Japan Karate Federation and later became known as Chubu Shorin Ryu... Ryu Kyu Shorin Ryu...founded by students of yet another Shimabukuro...this time of the Eizo variety...His teacher was Kyan Chotoku, I believe. As far as the practical differences between the ones that you asked me... Kyan Chotoku was more of a tomari-te practitioner, which meant his things were a blend perhaps of naha-te and shuri-te techniques...tomari-te has for the most part disappeared, as it was blended into shuri-te. What does all this mean? The differences are probably not that much. The more japanese ones (shorinji ryu) are probably a little less "purely Okinawan". At their heart, their principles are most likely very similar, with different flavor. For example, I trained for a year in Matsumura Shorin Ryu (I'm a Kobayashi Shorin Ryu guy myself) and they had a different flavor to doing things. As Shorinryu Sensei can attest, their stances were a little higher than Kobayashi stances and some blocks were taught using both bones of the forearm rather than one. However, almost everything between the two was immediately recognizable (kata, techniques, and most of all, principles). A long, ranting answer to your question...but if they are taught properly, I'm sure you wouldn't find too much difference between those styles.

There's actually some movements in the Yamani Ryu (Shorinkan version of it anyway) versions of the Nakaima Kenkou sai kata where someone would put their index finger around one of the tongs and the centerpiece...obviously none of these are blocking techniques. One of the biggest mistakes that I see people do (and actually, in all weapons, not just the sai) is that they have their hands placed so it does not reinforce the weapon. For example, they may not have the thumb pressed against the moto (center). A lot of this stems from the fact that mass produced sai have a big bubble there, so it feels awkward to do so.

I thought we would've been referring to Taira as well...is that the Taira who trained under Mabuni Kenwa?

I've observed that many self defense classes offered at battered women shelters or just community centers in general are usually not effective/practical. That isn't the case for all of them, I'm sure, but just what I have observed.

Forgive me...I'm searching for your point and I can't seem to find it...

I'd like to say that you can use circular movements to make a line, and linear movements to make a circle...but never use a circle to make a circle... This isn't a facetious post, by the way, it is actually on topic...

I was pretty darn sure that it was...but these days, you never know...

I'd say the bo and its variants (nitanbo, hanbo, jo) are probably the most flat out practical, since you are most likely to encounter a situation where you have to defend against or attack with a "bo-like" weapon. That being said, I still train in a wide variety of Okinawan weapons (and iaido), just because it helps me grasp different principles better.

In that case...python probably wouldn't be the person to ask for help then...

Um, this is a joke, right?