cathal

Good luck - what do you have to do?

As my sensei tells new black belts "Ah, good, now you can start your Karate training."

I'm afraid I know little about Wing Chun but I say go for it.

When I was little I was my older brother's unwilling resistance partner. My advice is to be patient with the techniques if you find yourself learning slowly, and to start doing cardio workouts.

If you pay for my plane ticket I'll be there with bells on and bring the booze.

This is right on the money. Check them all out, give them a chance and see how you feel.

I mean no disrespect to your sifu at all, please do not take what I have to say personally. That is a tremendously bad idea. It's only going to cause more problems. If you lose he may just bring around more people to fight you and your peers, and your sifu. If you win the same thing may just happen. This person could be crazy and might bring weapons with him. If you sifu really does teach and practice non violence as the answer then consulting with the local police is the best way to go. Establishing a restraining order is the best first step, then the police are aware of the situation. Then all you've got to do is record when he comes around to bother you and the students, and let the police deal with it. If it ever goes to court your Sifu's credibility will be huge since he didn't resort to physical violence.

I won't get a chance to do this today - but if you could try this and let me know how it goes: For the last technique, drop onto your side and perform a roundhouse. As if from Unsu if you do that kata, aiming to the abdomen of the last attacker. Let me know how it goes.

There are tonnes of things available for sale on the internet, that doesn't mean they're useful. What we have to do as consumers is research the product and determine if it's going to be useful for *us.*

I agree with Jiffy - they come off too one-sided. Do you have any non-biased links for information on these two people?

I think Patrick puts you up at his multi-million dollar YouGetJack-ominium

Since you are strapped for time you don't really have enough time to learn any system well, so it really sin't going to matter. For what it's worth Boxing might be your best bet since they focus just on your arms and punching combinations.

Good job

I get it, and I think this depends upon what you are getting from your training. You're considering another artform because the one you are doing may not be offering all that you want or all you think you want. So exploring another method may help you to get "it". For example Judo while training Karate. If your sensei asks that you not train in anything else then take their opinion seriously, but within context. They may be worried you will walk away from your Karate training.

I had answered as a student who occasionaly is asked to teach from time to time.

I'd be interesting in know that myself.

I agree wholeheartedly. Agreeing to spar with someone in that context could open up a lot of problems like him pulling a weapon on you. Getting seriously hurt, or hurting that guy could have escalated the situation further. You did the right thing, don't bother giving it a second thought.

Absolutely. Flexibility is a really cool thing inside and outside the dojo.

I am definitely saying Yes because if not a point of respect, the organization you belong to may have to take it into consideration when training in similar techniques. Legal issues such as insurance coverage may also come into play at some point as well.

I believe we all go through a period such as this one, when we start to get comfortable. Then we begin to analyze, critique, and begin testing ourselves. It's natural and I believe it isn't self-confidence. I've been able to resolve these feelings by practicing with a competent sparring partner. He and I test technqiues, self-defence, locks, throws, etc. We know one another quite well and trust that we won't hurt one another intentionally.

I've always recommended it, but never to karateka that have just begun training. You wouldn't have to worry about that though.

I can't really decide but I'm real happy with the crescent kick lately since I scored with that recently.

That video was obviously created and narrated by people who have never spent any reasonable, responsible time, practicing a martial art.

For me it's all about scheduling. I've made a deal with my employer to have the time off for class. In turn I agree to work any other day of the week, any shift. This gave them plenty to work with.

I haven't seen Kyukushin Bassai Dai performed like this before. Is your dojo affiliated with any associations, or is it independent?