ZR440

The partying didn't have that kind of effect on joints and ligaments. Sports and recreation pretty much did the damage. I had the work hard play hard lifestyle for a while, but now it's just martial arts to stay in shape.

Re: 30's being the ideal age (by Kickbutt) Yeah, even though age 31 has it's advantages, I wish I had the knees and ankles of a teenager. I thought you would have mentioned something to that effect...especially since you are a few months older than me.

The abdominal exercises that the chiropractor suggested was in addition to some hamstring and gluteus strengthening, due to the fact that they attach to the lower back. No light beer for turkey day. I need the real stuff to watch my beloved Lions play ball.

I recently had to go to the chiropractor for a lower back problem and since then I have noticeably increased the height of my kicks. The explanation behind this newfound energy is that a misalignment of the vertabre can scramble the signals that the brain wants to send to the legs. I was afraid the doctor would place me on injured reserve for a while, but he said to keep on going to KSW. Unfortunately, he said I need to start working on my little beer gut in order to keep the spine aligned. So now I have switched to Molson Canadian Light! Ha!

There are a good number of KSW schools in Michigan, one of which is run by Master Simonds in Sault Ste Marie, MI and Canada. But it is true that KSW isn't as popular as the other arts, maybe because of the less glamorous name or dropout rate leading to black belt. Due to the number of techniques required (two hundred seventy something) many do not reach the level of KSN Doug. But KSW is more than just kicks, hand strikes and joint locks. It also involves breathing, meditation and Ki. It's a very comprehensive system to say the least.

Have you ever thought of Kuk Sool Won? High kicks aren't quite as important as the proper technique of kicking itself. It also emphasizes flexability and conditioning, which will impove the whole process. Good luck.