Kanzashi

We usually get some behaviour challenged kids in class. As they are usually a junior class, they aren't really into sparring and usually do have other difficulties, of which the Sensei is made aware of from the parents. The student is shown the correct way to act by having praise given to another student who is doing the right thing. It's amazing how the others try to get that attention by doing what they're supposed to. For those students who vear off the track, we have "Mat Chat's" with them to help identify the wrong behaviour. It's done in a way so that it's not disciplining, but more of a self realization way; e.g. Hi Billy, you're trying very hard today, but do you know why I want to talk to you? Yes, you're talking is interrupting the other classmates and they can't learn when you're talking. What's the number one rule in the dojo, no talking when the instructor talks. O.k. Billy, what are you going to not do anymore? Great, you're looking awesome out there, keep trying hard."

Hello and welcome. Glad someone older has joined in the miracle of MA. All the people here are quite well informed, regardless of age or rank. Enjoy yourself.

I've enjoyed your posts and your outlook. You belong here. Welcome.

In Canada, there isn't any legislation that would allow you to ask about this. Only recently have emergency workers been told about possible contamination, before you couldn't say anything. I would hope that if anybody had such a condition, they would tell the Sensei at the least, but this is still very much voluntary in Canada. All you can do is protect yourself as best you can. Do they make latex gloves for sparring gear?

thanks guys.

I once swallowed an ant. My friend and I were at the beach when we were young, about 10 I think, and were drinking buckets of water. Mine had an ant in it. My guts were squirming for a week. Love most of what you've all said, except the blue eggs and fresh calfs afterbirth stuff. Can't get my head around that!

I'm a Fire Inspector for a large municipality. Sometimes I can read sprinkler designs, lol

I use Kanzashi because of it's historical origins. A kanzashi is a hairpin, one of those fancy ones, used by feudal japanese women to defend themselves. I hope one day to devise a kata with the motion of using the kanzashi as the final blow. Simple yet sophisticated.

Try some leg strengthening exercises, like doing some shiko or kiba dachi stances for several minutes. Aerobics for lung capacity and breathing, like running or even learning terminology.

Like supergroup7, it's the instructors and people in the dojo that make it. Ours is new, big, clean, airy and has a great area for spectators. The walls are a bit bland, but I understand it's a work in progress, like learning karate.

Pulled muscles, bruises and bumps. Got a pinched nerve in my arm/neck now, so can't feel too well in my right arm/thumb, but I think that's from something else. Limits me in doing some moves without a good warm up. Calluses, if that's an injury. Stiff muscles from doing too much without a warm up or for too long.

Oh yes, the memories. We must have been the last family to get a colour tv. Cable? Ya, we were last to do that too, lol It was the kid's job to change the channel, but slowly so as not to strip the knob contacts. TV now isn't as important, don't you think?

I guess my sense of humour needs more conditioning to poke fun at people. Sorry, didn't find it funny. I must be really boring, lol

O.k., all you brawling guys, how do you expect a girl to fare in a fight? We're talking one who knows how to do MA against another who may or may not be trained? I've only been in one fight, when I was in grade school. Basically a cat fight, lol. What's the flow on this? 1.) If we are up against some B, just because her boyfriend strayed and blames you, how could it be handled? Please avoid the hair pulling thing. Any girl with long hair can take the pulling part, just p's them off more. 2.) Second scenario, getting accosted at night? Best defenses to take against someone who really wants to do you harm? Besides all that avoidance, don't be there, what were you thinking about taking a short cut, etc. thing. Obviously, size and physical strength are at issue. Guys will instinctively protect their 'jewels', so just assume that's out of the question, unless he's really stupid. Give me your best advice.

Women don't want to spar because they don't know how to defend themselves. When I first started Karate, I didn't know the defenses, nevermind the attacks. I would just want to learn the defense part, then attack. Now you can't stop me, they say I'm a tiger, lol