Fenris-wolf

Wow, seriously in awe of the people here who've been training more than 20 years! I just hope I survive that long! I trained in Seido karate for about 3 years, have been training in MT for just over a year, started Judo a wee while ago but couldn't really fit it in - intend to start again when I have time but am a real beginner in grappling!

Sheesh, if I was 5 inches shorter I'd disappear! lol. I'm only 5'2". Hmm, I suppose I could forget about attacking people in the head and just bite their ankles instead... Hehe, I like that Aefibird. Well yes, I completely understand. But one thing this topic reminded me of was when my trainer was getting me to throw my punches a bit lower and I pointed out that in most situations (although not necessarily in the ring) my opponent's going to be taller than me. He responded that I should always imagine my opponent to be me because I am the best person I am going to fight. Does everybody understand what I mean by this? I'm not sure I can explain it that well but I should point out that Mark's very fond of mind games.

Well, I don't have anything really original to contribute, other people have pretty much made all the points I would have made... But that is a beautifully written post. While it's not "me" I really got drawn into it, very damn good, whoever you are!

Hm, Mart, I like you a lot but try and open your mind a little? I mean, many people do MA for many different reasons - not everyone just wants to fight. I know what you mean but just because you don't want to spend 15 years on one art doesn't mean that it can't be rewarding and enjoyable -not to mention effective- for some people. Also, I'm sure you know that it takes a lot longer than a few weeks to be able to do a good whip kick.

Hmm, that drove me mental for a while - my instuctor suggested leaning over a bath and splashing water in your face and trying to keep your eyes open. It's extremely unpleasant but I have to say it did help. And yeah, it'll go away with experience. Probably!

Ah, nice one Warlock. I'm very found of the theory that everything can be a weapon. And in practice it's safer if you're home alone because anything conspicuous is likely to be picked up and used against you! Personally, I don't carry anything, but then carrying weapons is a bit iffy in the eyes of the law so I generally don't think it's worth it. Um, a bit off topic, but I'll be going to Thailand at the end of the year. I'll be training with friends but I intend to travel afterwards and will probably be on my own - I was wondering about safety precautions. What do people think? Can I carry weapons? Should I carry weapons? I don't know...

Hey, girls have testosterone too! (OK, irrelevant point, but couldn't resist.) Actually I completely agree with what you've said, never mind my perverse sense of humour. I also think (and I know this is off topic and there's a thread about this) but why are people so anti kids learning? So long as they're not being given black belts at 10 and told they can defend themselves against anything I think it's great for their physical and mental development. I really want to get my little bro into MA partially because I want to live through him but mostly because he's a bit aggressive and I think he'd benefit from the discipline. Ahh... Sorry, don't know anything about KFM. Good luck!

Heh heh, cool. Good one!

It's funny how in many of these discussions there are always people who feel the need to make things black and white. Whether you call your instructor sensei, master, doctor, sir or bob, you know whether they are good at what they do, whether they are arrogant, whether they are deserving of their title. If you find them arrogant or don't like calling anyone by a title, find a new dojo. It's strange, I find the topic interesting but it always seems like it turns into a bit of an "us and them" issue for some. Life is shades of grey!

Hey Fat Donkey: Yes.... and yes!

Good luck!

Well, not much of a contribution from me, but... Yes, I want to see pictures of your knuckles! (Am I sick...? )

Beka! Well, Mart, personally I don't really pick men/women on any specific merit, but yes I think it's nice to go out with a MAish. Means they understand when you get all enthusiastic and excited about the idea of learning new kinds of elbows! Possibly (though I've never experienced it) it's also better because they won't feel threatened. But generally it doesn't really matter - why, you looking for a girl?

Wow, I dunno... I think the self-analysis that you're afraid to need him seems pretty good... About all I could elaorate from that is that perhaps you are afraid to need him but you are also afraid to lose him... perhaps you care for him more than you are used to allowing yourself? (I don't know what kind of person you are - I'm very cynical about love so I get into situations like that) Maybe part of you feels that you can't show how much you really care and you're scared that he won't be able to tell and it won't last? This is hard! Hope that was at least vaguely helpful!

Oh yes, that's a can of worms indeed. I agree, in general (especially the extra-PC thing - honestly!), but I dunno... You don't need to say there's something lacking in boxing to make you're point. Every martial art (or fighting sport if that floats your boat) has strengths and weaknesses, boxing may be a little extreme, but it's certainly not "a shadowy reflection" of other MA! Also, I must point out that both Thai boxing and fisticuffs have been around for a loooong time, so what exactly is meant by "traditional"? I suppose MT has changed a lot... No headbutts, gloves, mouthguards etc, but having said that how many karate classes train the way karatekas did 100 years ago?

Well, we call our instructor by his first name - it's VERY informal. He is our instructor because he was the most qualified (has trained in Thailand for a couple of years - yes, straight- and I guess had the most experience) and was willing to take it on. But just because he doesn't have any fancy "degrees" doesn't mean he's not a really good instructor, he's the most dedicated man I know! He picked where he lived to be near the gym, he takes two training sessions a day Mon-Thur, Saturday and Sunday mornings, will have Friday and lunchtime sessions with you if you need it before a fight... The man's crazy! (He also works full time and gets no monetary gain from his effort) Not to say I have a problem with grades or titles, I have done both Seido Karate and a little Judo and it doesn't bother me, so long I am comfortable within the environment.

Haha. Well, (a) I've seen them put them on, (b) I've talked to a few of the guys at our club about it and © I've helped them put them on at fightnights.

Hm, I'm not too great at these kinda moves , but some people I know are pretty good - all I advise though is to practice with someone who knows how to do it. It's hard to work out what you're meant to do from pictures and instructions, and easy to hurt yourself without help

Three shots a class? Hmmm... As for cup-movement, most of our guys (except for the ones who think movement is worth not wearing a g-string) wear cups that are actually tied around the back - they always wear them when fighting. They're meant to be pretty good once you get used to them

Yeah, if I've only got those two choices I'd tend to go for punches because they're faster, I'm more comfortable with my ability in punching than kicking and my body shape lends itself to punches (avg height for a woman, which makes me short , broad shoulders). Also, I would tend to go for the body if I could simply because when you're pumped up on adrenaline you can have blood going everywhere from head shots without feeling it (it's hard to knock someone out!) but you know when you're winded! Also not overly fond of the idea of breaking my fist. But having said that if there's a really obvious opening, I'd quite like to beat the crap out of their legs - I've seen people unable to go on from beaten up legs. And of course I can get a lot more power in lower shots, so while I enjoy kicking people in the head in sparring (hehe) I wouldn't try it in a streetfight. Wow, that was long!

Ahhh. Thank you Treebranch, very succient and accurate! I wish I'd said that...

Yeah, we have a booklet thingy our instructor gives to people when they're considering entering the ring. Uh... Has some sets of drills we do (thai pad drills, focus mitt drills and knee drills), advice on how to be a well-rounded fighter, LOTS of stuff on analysis of different fighting styles (aggressive fighter, elusive, counter, tricky, universal), related to this a lot of information on fighter psychology -our instructor is big on mind games-, finished off with some self-analysis tables and a whole lot of different "battle tactics". I think he got a lot of this off a specific website, don't know which one. Quite a lot of quotes from Sun Tzu, The Art of War! Dunno if that helped at all, hope so. Good luck!

Ahh, just reminded of something my instructor once said. I was talking about how I think dancers would just pick up MA so quickly and he said "What's the difference between a dancer and a fighter?" Which I thought was really interesting.

Haha, it's funny though! And yeah, Beka, I know what you mean - to be completely honest, if I were raped I would have no interest in being dragged through courts and forced to listen while the disgusting... person... stood and told everybody I'm a lying sl*t. I'd be more inclined to try and make sure there was one less incurable b*stard in the world. But then, I feel quite strongly there. But what I meant was yeah, women have to deal with that crap in the public eye (unfortunately a lot of that is due to the horrific number of women who LIE about it - my friend does criminology and I was disgusted by the statistics), but at least their friends and family will generally be supportive. If you're a man, no one wants to acknowledge what happened to you, there aren't the millions of support groups, you're encouraged to "cope", deal with it, not make people uncomfortable. The same kind of thing as women put up with but more extreme for many reason, not least that since most men would be raped by a man, both themselves and friends/family are quite possibly also have to deal with misplaced homophobia. Mm, depressing