equaninimus

Have you a system of community clinics in your area where you can be seen on a "sliding scale?"

The problem with the WTF seems to stem from its connection to the crooked world of Korean politics.

I try to go four nights/week. Obviously, I'm not there tonight.

I'm glad that is available on line.

You detect a great deal of McDojo cynicism. Not all McDojos are TKD. There are three of them within a ten minute drive from where I live, two TKD, and one Isshin Ryu.

In Wado, we tested in front of our sensei and the senior dan grades. In Shotokan, it was usually at a camp. In Aikido it was under the sensei and his senior dans. In Naginata Do, just the sensei. In TKD, before a panel of senior dans. In Seibukan, at the last class wit Shimabukuro sensei this summer in Okinawa, he handed me a certificate. I didn't know I was testing!

Mugged thrice whilst living on Baltimore. Twice at gunpoint. Once with just one assailant. Gave them my money, backpack, etc.. Still alive. I made the decision not to resist. My life is not worth a few dollars and credit cards. I also experienced a certain amount of derision from my fellow "martial artists," who had never been in the same situation. I lost most of the respect I had for these indivisuals. The important thing is to know when to fight, not merely how.

Whne transitioning forward, the front leg remains bent as the rear leg is bent at the knee as well. The (newly) rear leg straightens on completion. When moving backward, the rear leg bends during the transition. Raising up wastes motion. It is easier, I guess, and for those schools that depend on large numebrs of students paying lots'o'money in theer BB clubs it is probably better than discouraging people by actually making them train.

SPAM!!!!!!

Good oyo should still be similar to the thechniques in kata, while not adhering blindly to external form. The Naihanchis are great examples of this principle.

Toast, where are you in Maryland? I trained with the TKD club at UMBC.

Indeed. Our black belt classes consist mainly of working with techniqures drawn from kata.

Do you have documentiation or other sources that state this?

Then, after doing jail time for manslaughter, their family sues you. I would advise consulting with your attorney before you go "hunting," Tal.

Bicycling and rowing are far better aerobic exercises, and far easier on your joints than running.

Shotokan is notoriously hard on knees and ankles. See your doc, and see if you can get a PT appointment as well, to learn some ankle strengthening exercises.

Tomiki Aikido has competitions.

I'm in cmplete favour of attractive female students practicing in the "traditional" uniform, i.e. : loincloth or nude.

See above.

I owuld also start tehm at about $150.00/month, with upgrades to Black Belt and MAsters Clubs leading to $500.00/month. After all, if its that expensive, it must be worth it, right?

Interesting thread. I would actually not have thought about doing business. My advice would have been kinesiology, with a business minor.

There is a thread on the film here: http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=11092

You are part of the Oyama lineage, I meant nothing disrespectful, although I really do wonder why those who practice the Oyama styles who post on this board are so defensive. The advantage of Karate trainig is knowing when and when not to fight. i too have been attacked by a drunk wielding a bat. I won. I was lucky. Like I said, I didn't mean any disrespect. You went ballistic over a comment about the unreality of tournament sparring. I apologize if I have offended you. It is obviously a subject that you have much emotional investment in . I'm not overly fond of tournaments in general. I think they lead toward one becoming more concerned with winning than with practicing. I also think they tend to make one confrontational. I may be wrong. I'm a grad student. I wake up each morning knowing I'm wrong, and have to wait until my first seminar to find out what I am wrong about! We do kumite with a fairly high level of contact in the dojo, as well as kotekite exercises, so I understand that getting hit the first few times can be frightening for the average person. I also understand that for some people this level of contact is a validation of their manliness, or a way to push away their insecurity. Me, I think it hurts! I value blocking/avoiding, and therefore not getting hit! Have a good night.

I've been mugged, have you? It was a surprise every time, either from behind me, or a gang of kids came from around a building and surrounded me, with a gun to the back of my head. I doubt your "full contact look how manly I am" training would have made much of a difference, though it might have gotten you killed. I gave them my wallet. Very little is worth one's life. I am unsure what you are tring to say in the above sentence. Would I assist someone in danger? Certainly. I have in the past. I never said that contact sparring was not worthwhile. Last time I checked this thread was about kata. I really don't understand why the Oyama types are so defensive.

I don't know of many street atackers who assume a kamae and spar. Most atacks are attacks from behind or with weapons, or at close quarters. The only advantage the Oyama folks have is that they know how it feels to be hit. That is a big thing that many McDojo types know little about.