White Warlock

boxers and wrestlers obtain humility in a different way. They get it in the ring, or go to the mat. They boast, they hoot, they waddle about... all for show before they step in and take a beating. It's part of the game of increasing ticket sales. Now, that's on the professional level. On the amateur level, there's much humility. Moreso than i think most other sports because they feel, with every hit or every drop, just how much they still need to learn. Those who aren't humbled, become frustrated and quit. Their pride won't allow them to accept thier limitations.

I would blush, but i kinda forgot how. Yes, that is another reason i do not drink anymore. I truly despise the feeling of losing some of my motor control. In many ways, being even mildly intoxicated makes me feel a little... insecure. It takes the edge out of my edge.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/White_Warlock/alcohol.gif Information provided by Virginia Tech Very few things can compare to the amount of lives lost, or injuries received, due to persons impaired by alcohol. And while it is more likely someone will die due to alcohol-associated accidents than from alcohol ingestion, excess ingestion alone has taken many a life. It is a 'recreational' drug, which means that alcohol isn't all fun and games. There is an inherent risk associated with it, a spiraling risk. Claiming to drink responsibly is a tough claim, especially considering how judgement is exponentially impaired by the level of alcohol intake. I.e., the more you drink, the less you are 'capable' of being responsible. No, this is not a tangent. I think it is directly related to these discussions. Alcohol, like any other recreational drug, seems harmless. But when you 'see' what happens to those who were harmed, you gain a little insight into what 'exactly' it is... a drug.

Shogeri, excellent post. You covered the issue very well. IGM, I stated earlier i was going to discuss my thoughts that semantics are creating a problem here. Here goes, as best as i can do under the circumstances (still exhausted from saving two very large accounts that were on the edge of cancellation... but oh well): As Shogeri noted, principles are the core aspects of offense and defense. They form the fundamental 'understandings' of 'why,' as opposed to 'what if.' They are the answers to the questions presented by children. "But why do we do this?" should not be answered with, "because." Yet, this is the answer that 'techniques' present.. a non-answer. Techniques do not present answers, they merely present responses. If someone does this, do that. Techniques are the 'what if' in the repertoire of fighters, but they do not answer any core concepts. They present a solution to one or more specific instances. Techniques are essentially 'tricks.' They are singular implementations of a concept or principle, presented to apply to one particular 'what if,' with little to no room for alternative application. On the other hand, principles present the ideals associated with any actions. The ideas of centerline theory, linear/circular, interposition, economy of motion, economy of action, rhythm/broken rhythm, altitudes/latitudes/longitudes, physics, anatomy, mechanics, are all 'examples' of principles. As Shogeri noted, you can drill principles into your being, so that action from principles is instinctive and not formulated in 'thought.' As to the idea of perfecting a few techniques... without a strong understanding of the principles, these techniques are rigid. In a 'competition,' these techniques can carry a person very far. Because of the 'limitations' presented in a competition, the ability to apply particular techniques is more readily available because the limitations of said competitions allow for the set 'what ifs' to be presented. However, in a real life setting, where anything goes, there is no room for 'setting.' One cannot encourage a 'what if' all that effectively, nor is doing so a reasonable venture. Therefore attempting to utilize one's liimited repertoire of techniques in a real life setting is to limit ones options while the opponent has no such limitations. I do agree, though, that having a few 'techniques' down pat is a good idea... as long as the principles associated with those techniques is also 'down pat.' This, as you noted, will help get things going when subjected to the adrenal dump.

Patrick & Mr. Mike, good posts. It is, indeed, an achievement to complete the process and obtain a bb. In some ways i suppose i do regret not having played the process in order to obtain one.

My confirmed deepest moment of meditation occured 20 years ago when we were camping. I was 22 and had just woken up. As i jumped off the overhead bunk my elbow smacked the protruding handle of the mini-fridge. I realized i was going to be in severe pain, so i opted to exploit my mental state (having just woken up) and threw myself under immediately. I went on my knees, held my elbow, and began to do that silly 'ohm, ohm' thing. Unfortunately an ugly scene occurred after when my mother came into the camper and saw me on the floor. Not knowing what i was doing, but having heard the loud impact my elbow had made earlier, she panicked (as she is want to do) and proceeded to slap me repeatedly. I don't recall her slapping me (she informed me of her actions after), but i do recall my body shaking uncontrollably... for having been wrenched out of my meditation. I had to park on the bed for a good 20 minutes just to regain composure, inner balance. And the point of all this? If you opt to perform meditation, make sure you do so in privacy and ensure those around you know what you're doing, lest they 'panic' and go off on you. Also, i recommend you study meditation under someone who 'knows' what they're doing, lest you learn 'unhealthy' ways of meditating. Meditation, although seemingly cut and dry, is not. There is a certain point at which you 'carefully' travel past a stage one friend psychologist labeled the 'primal' stage. I.e., as in all things, seek direct professional instruction, not word of mouth, word of written, or video. Every person is different and meditation is wholely individualistic. (( story edited for brevity and clarity of message ))

As Ninjanurse and others have indicated, soul-searching is where you're at now, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. Indeed, i wish more people did it on a regular basis... for resistance to do so means to close one's self out from change... to become rigid, stubborn, close-minded. A reasonably healthy path is not to listen to other people, but to listen to oneself. Gathering all the information others present, and coming to our own conclusions, our own answers. That is how it should be, but it is not always how it is. A few choice words, photos, videos, can undermine our character and change who we are against our conscious will. Every day we are influenced by both positive and negative factors, media not the least of which playing a role in our development. Nowadays, because of the constant flood of information and visual stimuli, it is much easier to solidify and much harder to develop. It is easier, because of this barrage of data, to find ourselves unwilling to listen anymore, and thus to close ourselves out of this life long path all of us initially travel. Essentially, because of so much being presented, it is now so much easier to say, "stop, i'm done. I'm parking my tent and not moving one more inch." I.e., it is a challenge to grow, to develop. Moreso now than ever. I do agree with some of the earlier comments presented. Your having tried and failed is a direct assault on your developmental path. It is presented as an obstacle not overcome. But presentations don't have to be the way you opt to perceive it as. Indeed, i recommend you look at what you're doing now, realize you're attempting to overcome this obstacle by finding a different path, or by gaining a foothold and assailing it. I recommend the latter, for otherwise that incident will always linger as an obstacle, rather than a challenge.

An overemphasis on alcohol, or on the need to utilize it as a social tool is an indicator of a dependency... an addiction. Taking offense to someone stating it is unhealthy is taking a 'factual' statement as something personal, which also indicates an unhealthy association with alcohol. Now, if the persons stating it is unhealthy go overboard and start preaching, yes... there's a reason to be offended, for to preach is to say someone else is wrong, while they are right. I don't drink anymore, nor did i drink all that much in the past. That is my choice, but i am aware of the problems associated with even casual drinking and have watched friends die or become injured due to their drinking while driving, or in combination with certain medications. I mentioned earlier that i've been struck on multiple occasions by drunk drivers. As to the topic of drinking and martial arts, there is no association. If someone comes to class intoxicated, i will respectfully direct them out and then recommend them to alcoholics anonymous, some other alcohol treatment program, or to one of the counselors i have on my list. If they refuse, i will indicate that coming to the class intoxicated is an endangerment to the other students, and shows that the person has a problem which should be addressed. If they refuse to acknowledge that, then it is on their head and i will direct them out of the class every time i notice they are intoxicated. If one day they become belligerent, they will not be allowed back in class until they can prove having undergone treatment. Drinking outside of the training hall is entirely up to the individual and i will not pose judgements on them for doing so. Indeed, i have gone to bars on 'several' occasions with students, instructors, and friends while they order alcoholic beverages and i order sodas. No skin off my back and we all have a good time. Granted, if it looks like one of them is acting irresponsibly when it comes time to go home, i'll be taking the keys and doing the driving. In fact, having 'non-drinkers' with you should be considered a boon, not a bane and i am in conflict with Shotochick's earlier statements. Non-drinkers aren't boring, at least not all. On the contrary, many overindulging drinkers aren't fun. Oh, they think they're fun, but there's nothing fun about flashing your boobies to strangers when you're with your date or boyfriend, or dancing on tables and knocking everyone's drink on their laps, or starting fights. That's merely utilizing alcohol as a means to initiate conflict. An excuse.

Indeed, having a black belt doesn't make you anything. You and your experiences make who you are. Any belt is merely presented as an indicator that those within your school find you have reached a comparable level of expertise and understanding in the arts. The problem here is ... comparable. Bad instructors create bad bbs, and the cycle is continued ad-infinitum. It's no skin off my back because a person who holds a belt and fails to find out whether what he learned is even effective, or whether he learned it sufficiently to be able to utilize it... is one less potential threat to my security. Now, stated many a time, i hold no belt. Boxers and wrestlers don't hold belts, as do many other arts. All they hold are the wins and losses, or... if they don't compete, the knowledge that they have conditioned themselves. In truth, a belt denotes nothing. In comparison to his fellow man, it states he has knowledge and skills his fellow man does not, but it makes him no more or less than another man (or woman). Unfortunately, some take it as a means to compare to others, when the true goal of the arts is to compare to yourself. Have you bettered yourself? Have you grown? Have you matured and gained a deeper insight into human behavior? Are you able to effectively manage the adrenal surge, better than yesterday? Mr. Mike mentioned some things a BB means to him: 1. I'm the first in my entire family to get one. I am the first in my family to study the arts to such intensity. 2. I told myself that I wouldn't stop until I got one, and countless injuries, jammed fingers, dislocations later...I guess it has something to do with seeing something to completion. I have not obtained a belt and feel no better or worse for not having obtained one. My injuries have been many, my goal always been unobtainable, and yet my motivation has always been higher than that of those who strived for a belt. The external indicator that your fellow man thinks you've reached some sort of goal is irrelevant to me. Trivial, in fact. 3. Countless memories, relationships, experiences along the way. As well, and i do not attribute it to a belt... but to living. 4. Refinement of character...a sort of growing up and finding a purpose...even at my age, I still needed to do that. As well, and again i do not attribute that to a belt... but to maturing. 5. I'm 1% of the 3% I have absolutely no idea what that means. 6. My confidence and self respect is where it has never been. As well, and again i attribute that to development of self, not to a belt. 7. I can teach my art to others, and positively impact the lives of my students the way my instructor has positively impacted my life.As can i... except... And here's where the trip-up is. Without a belt, i am without some official certification of my qualifications. Even with people getting belts left and right, my knowledge means nothing to the layman. In my earlier attempts to obtain investors to open up my own school, i was denied because i had no belt... no certification, no officiation, association (well, that and a mediocre credit rating). Belts do mean something... but not necessarily what many people here are indicating. It means something to the uninitiated... to the lay person. It is a concrete indicator of 'time spent.' In much the same way a man can work 18 years in the computer industry and be passed over by a guy who received his 4 year bachelors degree, so do the belts have an influence on the ignorant. To the question... yes and no. Despite the jeering and the putdowns, the lay person seeking an education in the martial arts will invariably choose someone officially ranked over someone overly experienced. Within the martial arts community, between practitioners... such is the same. So lay or nay, to my dismay, the problem does not go... away. It holds less prestige, but still quite sufficient to ensure the continued fallacious perceptions. Ah well

In all honesty, if you're studying those things in the hopes of getting in the movies, or getting a bit part... by all means. But, if you are doing it to impress your friends or be showy, i find that an unhealthy path... despite the momentary thrills it provides.

Aye, viskous pretty much nailed the issue here. You have an opportunity to learn hapkido from probably the best living source. If, after you train with him, the style doesn't cater to you... then at least you know it was not meant to be. The other thing is that you've already studied tkd. Hapkido is also a Korean art, with strong Japanese and Chinese influences. Because of this link, i'm sure you'll find it a far easier transition as far as customs and some underlying kicking concepts are concerned. Muay thai, on the other hand, would be a further cry from the way in which you've been studying. As to more street effective, i agree with Kill Jill in many respects. But, learning an art that cannot effectively teach you how to fight your way out of a paper bag is a waste of time and money, and can give you a false sense of security. So, i do understand your underlying concern. In this, i will state that the more commonly encountered muay thai is 'sport oriented,' while hapkido is not. A sport oriented muay thai practitioner practices under the rules of the ring, and thus do not necessarily develop a street-applicable approach. On the other hand, muay thai practitioners are, on the average, far more conditioned and thus present themselves as far more formidable opponents than those that do not condition with such intensity. Last, conditioning invariably lands on your lap. If you are self-motivated and can work to condition yourself then the style you practice is not such an important issue. If, however, you are not self-motivated and frequently require someone to 'encourage' you, like a coach or trainer, then a condition-intensive art like muay thai would be your better bet. Then again, the instructor you presented for hapkido is likely not going to be a featherweight when it comes to instruction. I don't doubt he holds to very high standards and will push his students to greater hieghts... IF he is actually doing the teaching. This last point is important. You need to find out if that instructor is actually going to be teaching the courses, or if he simply sits in his office, goes to meetings, or travels to his various schools and lets one of his assistant instructors manage the instruction. If the latter is the case, it would land onto the last option... The last option would be to visit each school and watch the instruction. Both at the beginning level and the advanced level. See what they can offer and which one impresses/intrigues you more.

He stated 'mediate,' but i gather he meant meditate.... Chris05, could you clarify what it is you want please?

He hasn't really been back since he posted that query.

My Dojo has turned out a commenwealth champion! That's nice, but that doesn't dismiss my point that strikes are included in judo at the later stages. If your instructor is not presenting such, then it is likely he has foregone some of the self-defense/combat training for more of the 'competition training.' Ahh, okay... because you end everything with exclamation points, it's hard to determine whether you are asking a question, presenting a thought, or screaming an opinion.

Get a different teacher Well, if you've never studied striking in the judo you've been subjected to... this would merely be speculation, would it not?

agreed.

What? No option for 'often?'

As stated earlier, the name of 'ninja' was presented at a much later time than when such things were commonplace. At the time, they were interlopers, assassins, spies, sabotuers. Their skills varied, as did their roots. Historical information is available on the Iga and Koga clans, samurai families that eventually specialized in such activities. But, these were not the whole of the spectrum. Logically there is a lack of historical documentation on such activities, or on the participants of such things. What is important to know... is that they failed in their objectives far more than they succeeded.

Well, that's just the point, isn't it? Because most everyone has forgotten what chi meant, it has become a catch-all... a filler for all our suspicions and dreams. We feel a breeze against our skin and it must be chi. We feel empowered and it must be chi. We sense someone nearby and it must be chi. We have an urge to go to the bathroom... and it must be chi. It is not a catch-all, or at least it wasn't initially intended to be perceived as such. Let's discuss things in a more informative approach. This whole 'feel' and 'sense' approach to discussions is not really giving insight, nor is it presenting anything tangible: The Chinese character for chi, or qi, stands for air. This is not something to be taken lightly. It is, in fact, the basis for the belief associated with chi. It was initially believed that air, wind, the flow of air, was a force... a universal force. It was known that we inhaled and exhaled, and in the process we consumed and released this... chi. It was noted that when we exhale chi in just the right manner, we create sounds... some of which allow us to generate more power (kiai, etc). The biomechanical understanding of this was missing, and thus it was attributed to the chi... this universal force that can somehow be channeled, or directed, to influence others and strengthen our own actions. The belief went so far as to present that the words we express are empowered by chi, and thus we can develop a stronger persona of ourselves, influence others, merely by gaining a better control of this chi... this air. Physical manifestations were attributed to chi, in such things as 'hyperventilation' and 'hypoventilation' being examples of bad chi. Such physical manifestations encouraged a flue of 'presumptions' that chi somehow influenced the entire body. Diseases, often obtained via the air (chi), were attributed to bad chi... both within individuals and in regions or areas (aspects of feng shui). Essentially, lack of knowledge played a strong role in the development of later perceptions on chi and how it influences the individual and their environment. A huge interference with the understanding of chi comes from our Western preconceptions birthed from medieval occultism. It has, essentially, tainted our understanding and thus presented this wholey false perception that chi can be 'summoned' or 'invoked,' or that objects can somehow attract/direct the flow of chi. Because of its foreign roots, and the problems associated with attempting to describe intangible 'concepts' through the fallacies associated with language differentiations, chi is unfortunately relegated to an ubiquitious metaphor for magic. To further complicate this, in our more modern struggles to cope with the clash of science and 'belief,' our foreign perceptions of chi have gained the forms of energy or of a being, like electricity or a god. Chi, or qi, was initially conceived as a descriptor for those intangible influences. It was air, wind, the noxious gases released by volcanoes, the bad breath of an unscrupulous businessman. In time it began to merge with the religions, imparting a 'basis' for all that is unknown, untouchable. These are the roots. Where you take them from here... is up to you.

I've experienced this on many an occasion in my ma history, especially after having received a debilitating injury or having experienced yet another disturbing scene at a school. The thing is, it's in me... whether i practice or not. It is something i do, or did... it's part of who i am, like writing or drawing. It is an expression of me. All that silliness out of the way, your lack of interest is common and it will come and go as you study. Mostly it hits because you feel you've reached a plateau, but it can sometimes hit merely because the actions become a chore rather than a pleasure. It has become a task, something that must be done rather than something you enjoy doing. I encountered a similar problem when i started writing for money. I loved to write, but when it came down to working as a journalist i had a spurt and then a lull. I found my love became a chore and i lost motivation. I simply stopped working as a journalist. But, i didn't stop writing... and that's the real point of it all. I suspect that if you stop going to your class for awhile, you'll find a lot of the bugs in your head will cease and you'll have the opportunity to reflect on what it is that is causing you to lose interest. I don't suspect it is merely the arts. It may very well be the environment, the macho games being played by others that force you to play along, or simply the monotony of the routine. Whatever the reason, you've studied for quite a long time and there's absolutely no reason for you to feel 'obligated' to continue your studies. Life 'should' be about what you 'want' to do, not what others make you feel you 'should' do. Yes, that's a contradiction, but so is this. Seriously though, it is... how can you hate to practice what you love to do? Burn out is sometimes the case, but sometimes you need more stimuli in your life, or it could very well be that the arts are interfering with other goals and aspirations. It may be cutting out too much time for a relationship, or it may be that the relationship is demanding more time of you and causing you to undermine your own interests in the arts... just to keep the peace. In all things, the root of the answers is within you. I recommend cutting it out completely from what you do for now. If after a time if it becomes a thing of the past, so be it. If, on the other hand, it starts nagging you... or you find yourself bitter at your spouse, your job, or your little dog Toto... then realize that these other things in your life actually 'encouraged' you to throw something out because they were demanding it. Also realize that such things create resentment, and to recover and heal from such circumstances, you must set boundaries. Good luck in your endeavors. We are not as simple as we wish ourselves to be.

This is not correct. It is not readily presented at the onset, but they do study strikes.

Just my 25 cents. Aikido and judo actually complement each other. TKD and hapkido are Korean systems, while aikido and judo were birthed from similar styles, albeit differing approaches. Nonetheless, aikido reinforces many of the underlying principles behind judo and it can help you develop a keener understanding behind the techniques applied in judo. The problem with many starter judoists is they go for the strength/force approach. Having aikido as an influence will allow you to see far more clearly that is not where the 'power' is generated.

Frankly, i don't consider it as much a style, but an approach to jujutsu. I.e., the way it is practiced and performed, modified by Jigoro Kano to ensure that it can be practiced full-on with relative safety, allows the practitioners to be better conditioned, better in-tune with their body's mechanics than the ju-jutsu practiced at the time. Do also note that many jujutsu styles merged with the Kodokan, and thus today's judo is a bit more 'expansive' than merely 'one' style.

He is considered a vanguard of kyokushinkai. Essentially someone who has demonstrated what the art 'can' do. 2nd place in the '99 7th World Open Tournament 2nd place in the '95 6th World Open Tournament Champion in the 98' 30th All Japan Championships Champion in the 97' 29th All Japan Championships Champion in the 96' 28th All Japan Championships 2nd place in the 94' 26th All Japan Championships Champion in the 93' 25th All Japan Championships He is also only one of a handful of men who have completed the 100 man kumite. His results are impressive. Note that it is a requirement to 'win' at least 50% of your bouts with the 100 man kumite: Time per Kumite 1 minute 30 seconds Time Started 11:38 Time Finished 15:42 Total Fighting Time 3 hours 20 minutes 40 seconds Total Spending Time 4 hours 4 minutes Results 58 wins, 42 draws, no losses Ippons: 16 (Ippon: 2, Awase-Ippon: 14) Wins by decision: 42 (Waza-ari: 15)

Well, the truth is... assailants, criminals, thugs, bullies, come from all walks of life. Some have no formal training, others have plenty. I agree that confidence is important, and being effective even moreso. I, however, do not agree that it is the 'only' reasons a person should train in bjj... or any art for that matter.