aefibird

Ooops, double post.

Naw, just 6 days... Usually, just the regular time for having a bath. A guy who has a full body suit told me that sitting in a boiling hot bath for half an hour or so is the best way to prevent scabbing - no lotion needed afterwards. He said that a Japanese tattooist had told him to use the hot-bath method. However, I usually use Hemp Cream or baby lotion afterwards to keep the tattoo moisturised.

Most Embarassing MA Moment Thread See my post about most embarassing MA moment, for a description of my goof-up in a tournament...

I agree! He sure comes out with his next books quickly. I have all of his books and it has cost me a small fortune... Monstrous Regiment is great - possibly the best 'adult' Discworld novel that he's written for a while. My other faves of his are The Truth, Interesting Times and any with Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg in them, especially Lords and Ladies. Lords & Ladies was the project I did for GCSE drama, along with a few other people. I played Granny W, as well as The Bursar (too many characters and not enough actors to go around ).

How much??? That's ridiculously expensive...

I've had the inside of my arm done... doesn't hurt at all...honest!! On a side note, what's people's preferred methods to prevent scabbing on a new tatt? Personally, I prefer to sit in a red-hot bath (as hot as I can stand it. Then I have some cream from the Tattoo Hemp Company that I rub on it. Doesn't scab over at all and it keeps the colouring longer too.

OK, thanks!

Yes, I agree $500 is very much a rip-off. For my karate Shodan test I paid £45 (about $60). That covered the 3 hour training session previous, the actual testing, the fancy certificate (which is HUGE), registration of the grade and a new belt (which was a bit of a cheapie belt, but...the thought was there...). When I test for Nidan (in about 18 months to 2 years time, hopefully) the test fee will be £45 again, unless they've put the prices up by the time I test...

Hi Will! Welcome to Karate Forums.

Heh heh, Terry Pratchett is GREAT! Which one are you reading? I've just finished reading A Hatfull of Sky, which is one of his 'childrens' Discworld books, but is actually a cracking good read for adults too. Sometimes I think that my house is really just a library with a bed in it...

...that reminds me of the old MA joke: How many martial artists does it take to change a lightbulb? Answer: 10,000. One to change the bulb and 9,999 to stand around saying "well, that's not how we do it in MY dojo!" Good advice, though, Kicks.

Hi Fiona, welcome to Karate Forums! I hope you manage to find a good martial arts school in your area.

Ah, I think I'm just a freak. I'm the only person I know who likes L.S. tea - everyone I know who's tried it thinks it's gross. Drink of choice this particular minute? Tsing Tao beer, courtesy of my local Cantonese takeaway!

Feel free to nick as many of my questions as you like! I'll try and think of some more too. If you want me to send you the crossword (it's a Word document, btw) then send me a PM with your email address and I'll pass it on.

Ah, so do all the tests have the same material in them? Or is it the KSW curriculum broken down into sections, one section for each test? (eg, a forms test, a sparring test etc etc)

That's why I said it can be more motivating working out with another person, not it is more motivating. Some people prefer training together, some prefer training apart.

Certainly wasn't me, either!

Oh, you try it first and we'll all come visit you in hospital...

On certain websites, I've seen Yip Man's name spelled as Ip Man, along with Yip Chun (Ip Chun) and Yip Ching (Ip Ching). Is this a mis-translation or an accepted alternative spelling or does it just depend upon lineage as to how Yip Man is spelt or is it something else entirely? Thanks.

Well, firstly, as I've said before, stances aren't stationary (yes, even in Shotokan! ); they're a momentary placing of the feet and a transition tool. Deep stances can help a student learn how to use their body correctly to move between the stances. Secondly, Shotokan isn't just about deep stances. Thirdly, not all of the stances within Shotokan are deep. There are good and bad instructors of Shotokan, just as there are good and bad instructors in all styles. Please don't tar them all with the same brush...

As you have several tests in KSW for black belt grading, if a student isn't good enough for that rank after, say, the first or second test are they allowed to persevere with the other tests in case they improve, or must they go back and work on their techniques before being allowed to retake the first/second/whatever test? Hope that made sense, I think I'm having a bit of an illiterate day today. Too much beer last night, lol!

Hey, if you want to do TKD, then GO FOR IT! Just make sure that you find yourself a good instructor; don't just join up with the first dojang that you see. Unfortunately (as in most MA's) there are 'teachers' out there that give TKD a bad name. It would be a shame if you switched styles only to end up with a useless instructor. Good luck in your TKD training!

Dean, I know how you feel! I'm very very naturally inflexible (about as flexible as a brick ) and I've had a long and uphill battle in my training to become more flexible. Some days I 'have it' and can really stretch out and others... well, on those days it's just better if I try to kick someone in the kneecaps rather than the head! lol, not quite, but I'm sure you know what I mean. However, I'm a lot more flexible than I used to be! So, keep on persevering and I'm sure you'll get there. The hardest kicks for me to learn/perform were the reverse roundhouse kick and spinning back kick.

If it comes back again then have a chat to your doctor about it. Better to be safe than sorry... Also, have you noticed a pattern of when the pain occurs? eg, after doing more of a particular excercise or technique?

Yes, waaaaay too much info for my liking... I shall refrain from talking about how painful it can be during 'that time of the month' and only point out that it really does hurt women to get hit in the breasts. Plus, I've yet to find a comfortable-fitting ladies chest guard, especially one for a person larger than a B-cup. I go without chest protection nowadays, as I find most ladies chest guards rub or dig in or are just generally too uncomfortable and bulky to wear whilst sparring. So, we don't actually "have it well not having to deal with those things."