Hannibal

Thanks to all that have put your thoughts out so far. I have read the thread mentioned and found som interesting comments. I was not asking what other people goals are in order to argue them. I have my opinions and goals and I respect other peoples opinions, I am just why people take up martial arts. The reason that I train is to know myself. And learn more about who I am. This does not mean that I spend most of my time meditating instead I strive to push myself and find out what I am made of and how I can improve.

A lot of people only take advice from people who they respect they often seem to value the persons attention rather then the advice. If someone that you do not like gives you some good advice you may disregard it. Monkeygirl do the right thing some people will respect you some wont. teach the best you can and always try to learn more. I have been teaching for 10 years + now and still have a lot to learn every few months I still improve (this is evident in the speed tha my students learn) and they are doing well. At 35 with my experience am I good enough to teach no, not really. I just try to help others be the best they can.

In my opinion you should always be able to watch a lesson before joining a school. Each school is different and when you change schools it is important that you feel like you fit in. The way that I would judge a school is by looking at the students and fighters they produce (I am obviously focussed on fighting) are they humble? Are they good sports? Are they the type of people that you would want your kids (if you have any) to learn from? Anyhow that is my rave, most MT schools are relaxed if this one is not then it may be time to change.

One of the most famous Judokas only specialised in 3 holds and won many opens in Japan ( sorry I do not remeber his name). In all the TKD tournaments I have seen they pretty much use roundhouse, side kick and sometimes back kick the majority of the time. Some people use ax kick as well but not many. The point I am trying to make is that much of the time spent in TKD training is spent on kicks they do not use when they are fighting. So how much use are the techniques? For fighting I would say not much but then that begs the question what is the purpose of the art? If it is to fight then I would say it is not the most efficent use of training time to use moves that are not used when you fight. Personally I would focus on 2 or 3 things that worked for me and then I would learn how to counter those and then learn how to counter the counters. The same way I did with boxing and all I really use in boxing is my right hand with a jab or hook here and there to disguise the fact that I only have a right hand.

Hi all, I just wanted to gather thoughts on what you think the purpose of martial arts is. Do you think it is to learn, to be humble, to understand oneself, a path rather than a goal. What are your thoughts?

I think that there is a huge difference between sparring and fighting. Sparring should be all about learning (eg learning testing and refining) fighting is all about teaching (ie showing everyone your skill). With sparring most people spar too hard and don't realise that they should be learning and testing. In a "safe" sparring environment you should be able to test and experiment with out the fear of getting a beating. If you don't care for sparring that is fine but if you are doing a martial art to defend yourself then you should test how much you know. How can you be a brown / black belt etc with out knowing how to fight? And how can you teach others how to fight?

In general I have found boucing to be ineffective. In my first style I was taught to bounce and use it to move and it worked for me in this style. Then I tried a harder more fighting focused style and got my beans from someone who had not done much and many others who had just been around a little while. This was because I bounced and moved around a lot. Now I do not bounce but I step and move fast. And I love to spar anyone who bounces. The main issue I have with bouncing is that if you kick the legs when they are in mid bounce you can kick them all over. like anything in life test it and understand it. If it works for you then use it if not leave it and move on.

Some ideas 1) kick a soft bag that wraps around the shin when you kick - this will help deaden the shin 2) Rolling pin idea or a glass coke bottle 3) Hit it with bamboo - start soft and increase your tolerance 4) Have a pot of boiling water dip a cloth in it squeeze out the water let it cool a little and then rub up and down until the water cools repeat 5) My favourite everytime you get hit (esp if it hurts) say to your self that was nothing and smile. Smiling releases seratonin (cant spell it) which is a drug that helps to relieve the pain) Regarding deadening the nerves - this is not the way the body works. The message is still sent to the brain that the shin is hurt but the brain is a bit more used to it so it "ignores" the messge.