major_motoko

Hi, Try these books (links go to Amazon.com) Zen Kobudo Zen in the martial arts Zen in the art of archery motoko

I agree with Scorcho, when I spar it is mainly in a relax fighting stance (like a half zen-kutsu-dachi) but as I move between techniques I do find myself moving between back stances and even kiba-dachi (horse riding stance). Back stance I use when I do kicks with the front leg, kiba dachi can be used for side thrust kicks, or just to move into your opponents space. But when you spend hours in the dojo in long front stances or horse stances, that is primarily good for building strong leg muscles and good balance. osu motoko

Hey no problem Stanic has some really cool stuff on his site, worth checking out. motoko

This clip shows a couple of throws in Kushanku kata. http://www.karate.org.yu/kushanku%20web1-1.mpg osu, motoko

Hey fireka, of course you are still a martial artist! I like to think that a big part of being a good MArtist is your atitude and mindset, moreso than how good your technique is or how often you train in the dojo. If I cannot get to the dojo because of work commitments or whatever, I train at home and that training is just as valuble to me as the time spent in the dojo with Sensei. Would it not be possible for you to arange the occasional "catch-up" session with your Sensei, say once a month or a few times a year, for a very small fee? That way you can train at home most of the time, but still get your Sensei's help if you are stuck on any particular kata or technique. Just a thought. Good luck! Hope you return to MAs when you can Osu, motoko

I'd love to see more sport martial arts on tv.. on the few occasions I've seen Judo/TKD/Kickboxing matches on TV I've really enjoyed watching them. Eurosport used to show lots of that sort of thing, and Sumo, but recently they only ever show K1 and even that's not on until 1am! The only other time we see Judo/TKD is during the olympics.

I totally agree with you, especially the last part! Most guys aren't expecting a woman to be able to kick them across a room or put them in a arm lock! If a man attacks a woman, it's cos he thinks she'll be an easy target! A woman can do any martial art (even.. I kid not.. Sumo!) You should choose your art to suit you whether you are a man or a woman, strong or flexible, short or tall - all these things can influence which art suits you best.. NOT YOUR GENDER! Also choose an art you enjoy the most I train in Wado-Ryu and when we practice self defence techniques I usually get my training partner to attack me in a way I think I'm more likely to be attacked as a woman. For example, we were practicing how to get out of being pinned down on the ground.. now for me, it was a rape escape technique, for the guys in the class, it was simply a fight which had gone to the ground and they were being pinned down and punched or strangled.. different persepectives.. same art. Have you seen Jane Couch? She's had to fight ('scuse the pun) just to be allowed to box in a professional women's boxing match!! motoko

My friend is a Sargeant in the London Met Police. She has trained mainly in grappling and restraining techniques like Jujitsu and Judo. As far as she has told me they are not taught ANY striking techniques (other than the police baton) as it would be seen as overly agressive behaviour. They have CS spray, batons and handcuffs and in some cases stun guns. They are not meant to punch people (although I have seen it happen when an officer looses his/her cool) She does a mean thumb lock! Just thought people might be interested to know motoko

If we have a mixed belt class Sensei will say the techniques in Japanese then followed in English. That's so the lower belts can learn the meanings. When it's a higher belt training session however, all Japanese is used for techniques and we are expected to know what it means. When (only occasionally ) we all stare blankly at Sensei, he'll be nice and remind us of the English meaning. (Sometimes it's the other way round too ) I personally think it's really good to use the Japanese words, it adds a bit more depth to my training. I love Japanese culture anyway, so learning new words is interesting. osu! motoko

Thanks girlfight! I guess that's also where we get "Hanshi" from too? chani

ok, so I have found out that the two symbols on the left are "Bu" = Martial or War and "Shi" which together makes "Bushi" = A warrior (samurai) The third symbol is "Do" = way. I guess that's pretty obvious then Does anyone who reads kanji know what the middle symbol "shi" can mean on it's own? I know shi can mean "four" or "death" depending on how it is written but how does that fit into this context? motoko

Hey there, does anyone know anything about the Kanji characters for Bushido? The kanji looks like this: http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/graphics/bushidou.jpg Does anyone know what the single characters themselves mean, and how when put together make the words "way of the warrior" Thanks! motoko

My Sempai and I were talking about this the other day. We said that although we enjoyed practicing spinning kicks and fancy head kicks - should we ever need to defend ourselves on the streets, we would always rely on the good old maegeri/mawashi/hiza/kin geri kicks to the mid or lower body. They are fast and effective. Spinning kicks, lovely to look at, looks great in tournaments, but are they really practical?.. perhaps only if you are extremly good at them! Just MHO motoko

Tal, may I ask where abouts in the UK you train? I'd love to find a kendo dojo in my area. Thanks, and congratulations on the shodan grade..very cool motoko

In my school, yellow is the third belt (9th Kyu). Red was first after white. The school holds gradings every three months, so it took me 6 months to progress from white to yellow. There is no rush. Your instructor will ask you to grade when he thinks you are ready. i know it's frustrating, you want the next belt so badly, but have patience, you'll get it in the end Osu, motoko

Hey Tal, I was just gonna post that myself . Yes I believe Caopoeira "bouts" are called games or "the game", but I still wouldn't call Capoeira a sport anymore than I would say karate or JJ are sports. But it does reiterate the point that I think most people on this thread are saying - the semantics aren't really important. "System" is a good alternative to "style" Treebranch. I may use it myself But at the end of the day it doesn't bother me one way or the other what you call it.. except when people call MAs sport!! But that's probably another thread! motoko EDIT: Woo! 100th post

Yeah, I pay per class as well. I pay £4 for an hour and half session which I think is very good value for money. I would be happy to pay monthly as I do go regularly, but I don't think my Sensei is very comfotable with the whole money thing. The other day one of the kids went home early from class (about half way through) because he felt ill. Sensei gave the class fee back to his mum! motoko

Don't mean to offend anyone.. but it sounds like the kind of kata an X-men fan would make up I have never heard of it. What is it? I have never seen it in a list of Goju katas. I am not doubting it's existance, but I would really like to know what sort of kata it is. Thanks, motoko

The Samurai used to say which "school" or Ryu of swordsmanship they were from. Certain schools became famous for their effectiveness and their individual "style" of techniques. I'm not sure that works today tho, as if you are asked "what school do you train in?" you're more likely to say the name of your club "Jim Bloggs Dojo".. not Wado-Ryu. Style/system/form surely it all means the same thing? If we call our training martial ARTs why not call them styles as well? But I see what you mean, some people feel calling it an "art" is degrading to the techniques and effectiveness. They think it's like saying karate/kung fu/jujistsu etc are just pretty dances/artforms.. not effective combat systems. I say.. whatever.. if my technique works in a fight, I don't care what you call it!

I was 15 when I started karate. That's a while ago now I started Iaido at 17, which was an exception on the Sensei's part as he usually didn't let anyone under 18 train with a sword. For some reason he trusted me haha! motoko

I'm kinda unsure about the whole thing. I used to teach white belt kids and I have to say, most of the under 12s really didn't get what it was they were doing. They didn't really understand at all I'm sure there are exceptions but I think below 10-12 years old, it's all just fun and games to them.. which isn't a bad thing.. it just isn't really martial arts. Hope I haven't offended anyone who started young (I started at 15). Perhaps it all seemed fun to you at first, and then when you reached a certain age it suddenly made sense, and because you already knew the basics, you could then become a great martial artist?

One thing you need to look out for Wilko9999, is that in the UK I think under law now you need to have proper coaching before teaching children any martial art (considered "Sport" by our government). You need to have done a MVQ level in coaching and First Aid. Please check up on this before to make sure. I could be wrong, just read that somewhere. Renketsu is that right? As for a dress code, in the dojo I personally don't agree with training in t-shirt and shorts. I think a Gi should be worn at all times. If you want to be traditional anyway Good luck! Motoko

Hmm, haven't trained with Tonfa as yet, but I've practiced Sai vs Bo and it works quite well. As with Tonfa, most karate blocks can be done with a Sai, so you've got a good range there. You do need to watch out for your fingers tho when you block a swing from a bo or ouch! As far as range goes, again I must stress that I've never trained with Tonfa, but I have practiced changing grip on the sai and striking the opponent with the "blade" end. This means that you can stay a good distance away and still get a strike in. And the best bit with the Zai, the tines (prongy bits ) can lock up the opponents Bo so they can't come back for another swing at you. motoko

I love that site!! So many great video clips!

I have read about a place in NY that is a Budhist meditation centre/school, that also has martial arts classes there. I think you can live there for the duration of your training. But I don't think that's quite what you want, unless you are into the spirtual and internal side of it as well.