White Warlock

"You may learn and grow from all things. The catch... is to recognize such... and then to accept the growth."

I would advocate no stance at all. Just get busy and allow yourself to transition through stances as you perform the necessary damage to remove your enemy(ies) as efficiently as possible. I.e., stances 'telegraph' your intent. It is best to commit the initial assault from 'whatever' position you are in and allow stances to occur while in the process, as opposed to in preparation. And as to what stance(s) i would be transitioning through, that depends entirely on opportunity, or the windows of opportunity the opposition provides for me.

Thus why i recommended the minimum of three days a week, one hour per day. Frankly, i think that is minimum, and is a far cry away from seven days a week, four hours a day. I.e., one is three hours out of a total 168 hours, while the other is 28. One is 1/56 while the other is 1/6. Obviously, huge differences there. Nice chat. Later

I didn't perceive your response as rude (well, except for that 'absurd' remark). What we have going on nowadays is a grand dilution of training and conditioning. People are being introduced into the arts as if such 'studies' were Friday night outings. In truth, it's school. It's education, and such things don't become ingrained if you don't practice regularly, and diligently. Practicing for 1-2 days a week, an hour or less a day, causes the student to spend an inordinate amount of time 'rehashing' their studies in class, repeatedly, and thus gaining very little ground. Mind and body memory are tricky things and vary from person to person. But research has repeatedly demonstrated that actions and thoughts are generally not stored in long-term memory unless it is traumatic, or unless it is repeated within three days, and again repeated (i.e., three washings within a 7 day time period). Getting things into long-term memory is the first step to getting them into muscle memory. If you cannot recall the actions consciously, it is not likely you will recall actions subconsciously, or instinctively. Practicing the arts is not about reading a book, it is about memorizing each and every paragraph of that book, so there's a lot of rehashing required. If you pick up that book once or twice a week, read a chapter and don't review the previous chapter, you're going to find yourself somewhat lost everytime you pick up that book. Take that a step further and consider the need to 'memorize' each and every paragraph, and you'll see that once or twice a week is grossly inadequate. In the old days, and what is still done in traditional study groups, is 6 or even 7 days a week of study, for 2 to 4 hours of each day. That's how i studied for a time, and the knowledge i obtained from that was invaluable and an immense contrast to the days i used to practice with the mentality that it was an occasional pastime. But, you do have a point, in that it truly does matter the 'intent' of the practitioner. If all they want to do is stretch their bones, and utilize martial arts as the tool for such, or all they want is some means to be in some social setting on occasion, then once or twice a week is absolutely fine. Also consider, we are talking about the student, not the master. Once you've obtained a firm grasp of the basics and are then studying the esoterics, slowing it down a bit is not going to cause you to 'lose' what you've already learned. As the old saying goes, "it's like riding a bike."

Out of what? Real fights can teach you what 'not' to do, but they rarely give you insight in what 'to do.' Essentially, fights are about who makes the bigger mistakes. And, mistakes are plenty. Training videos (you said watch, so i'm assuming here) vary depending on who produced it, what is being presented, and how they are presenting it. As to what you can obtain from a training video... that really depends on a lot of factors. If you are completely new to the arts, you will get just about nothing out of videos. You need to 'experience' the arts before you can understand what it is you are 'seeing.' Otherwise, it all just looks like ballet poses and your performance will be no better than dance steps. Videos are great utilities for reviewing information, not for 'learning' things outright. Working out with a practiced partner, under the guidance of an attentive and skilled instructor, puts to shame the cute little pics on your television screen.

Not completely bogus. As well, if you do not practice it, you cannot readily defend against it.

That's because most people are wearing ill-fitting gis, or over-tight pants, and the things hang-up on the kneejoint. I prefer loose-fitting pants or stretch pants. Credit that to Bruce Lee and the ensuing emulation. Beginners and intermediates do plenty of this, partly because the majority of schools teach defense before offense. Go figure. I mean, seriously, go figure. Teaching defense before offense is as odd as the horse before the carriage. One must follow the other, lest you don't learn 'exactly' what it is you are to defend against. ??? If made obvious and dramatic, setting is a clue-in to your opponent. A telegraph, but if done right, and in transition from one action to the next, setting is perfectly acceptable and allows both more power to be generated and the ability to transition to the next set, as one would do if they were attempting to play through in a pool game. Indeed, i've seen this as well. One argued to me that it was because they don't have strong close-in skills, and thus didn't want to get caught in the opponent's strengths. I haven't seen this much. showing off, intimidation, trying to gauge distance... overall n00bness. Yes, i've seen this plenty of times. As was taught to me, go bullwinkle (thumbs to side of head, fingers outspread), make a fist, and then create the victory sign by bringing your elbows together and in. I haven't seen it in any particular style over another. This has a lot to do with training, in which many skills focus on performing 'one' or the 'other,' these being linear or circular, and not a transition back and forth from each to set, strengthen, and maintain balance. It may be funny, but this has to do with many practitioners, and non-practitioners alike, that are simply unfamiliar with the way their body and mind are affected by adrenalin. In this case, tunnel-vision occurs, allowing the person to be able to focus better with the 'immediate' threat, but losing peripheral awareness as a negative side-effect. Practitioners need to 'experience' the effects of adrenalin more often, and learn to both utilize and prevent limitations created by this natural super-drug. That's pretty much the only way to break this habit. Many things cause people to do that. One of them is lack of confidence, combined with fear. Another is early-on training in sports, such as football or rugby, that provide an unrealistic expectation of such things. Yet another is when someone does not have striking skills, yet holds strong confidence in their grappling skills, so they 'hope' to avoid the striking ranges by 'rushing' in to their range of strength. Obviously, in many cases this backfires... but not in all. Not all shoes are made equal. Some shoes i've worn were simply a bad idea to fight in, being they had flat soles, could fall off easily, or extended my height, increasing the possibility i could twist at the ankle and fall. Women, especially, encounter this last problem. Again, not all hats are made equal. If your hat is set firmly on the head, this may indeed be an exploitable accessory. However, most of my hats sit loosely on my head, so if someone were to try and exploit them, it would merely backfire, causing them to waste one action, possibly be distracted for a moment, and provide for me an opportunity that i may have desperately needed. It may also serve as a barrier to my hair. Something the opposition would have to struggle with in order to 'grab' my hair underneath the hat. Such a delay may create sufficient opportunity for me to recognize their intent and counter. Agreed, and this also falls into the habit of people to 'prepare' before entering into physical confrontation. Don't. Don't prep. Just get busy, right from whatever position you are in. Make the assault and follow through by 'transitioning' from one stance to the next whilst setting for the next assault, and the next, and the next. No commercial interruptions, no photo shoots. Just do it. Nike.

Yes, a very good point Manabimasho1. By breaking down your classes into 'bite-size' chunks, and spreading them throughout the day, you can provide more quality instruction AND house more students. It's funny how we all just took that one for granted, eh?

Ah, thank you Mr. Bishop. I thought i recognized that name, it was itching the back of my head. Your site provided much of the information i was hoping to obtain. Interesting how won hop kuen do was birthed from kajukenbo. I had found that system very interesting. Also noted how Ed Parker practiced under master Chow, who in turn, was one of the 5 founding developers of kajukenbo. For years i had found roots to many "American" styles crashing into Hawaii. The information you provided cleared up a lot of the loose ends and it does seem to be one of the systems i should obtain teacher instruction in. Btw, your articles were very well written and have been a joy for someone like me to read over the years. Yes, over the years, as i recognized some of the ones you have posted on your site. Definitely welcome The best multi-denominational ma site i've found so far. Very well moderated (although i cringe on that point at times).

Then again it sounds like you're talking about competition, as there really is no, "getting used to" in live (or what many like to call, "street") fights.

Hi, Old is not a significant indicator of whether you have any physical issues that limit your ability to physically practice. If you are out of shape, then i can tell you once a week is a good way to 'injure' yourself, as you'll never receive sufficient exercise to get in shape or limber up. An absolute minimum of 3 days a week, 1 hour per day, with a fifteen minute warm-up and a 15 minute cooldown is what i recommend if you are out of shape. If, on the other hand, you have physical injuries, and/or your goal is not to get in shape, the circumstances would need to be clarified in order to receive some guidance. All in all, however, the best advice in such a case... will need to come from your doctor.

Pretty close there Menjo. Essentially what i'm saying is that you may be wishing something, and they may not be. In this you may be perceiving something as salvageable, when it is not. If both parties truly do not want the relationship to continue, then their suffering (truly, that's what it would be) should end. Some people get together out of convenience, others out of lust, or love, or simple infatuation. Few consider whether there is any friendship, and thus attempt to continue on with their 'relationship' completely ignoring, or failing to develop, a friendship. Because, when all other interests subside, a great friendship will hold two people together. It may be wise for you to step back and 'look.' Actually 'look' at their relationship. Is there one, or are they merely two people who happen to share the same roof, and the same kids? A real question to ask yourself (not them) is, what are you trying to save? What part of their relationship are you trying to salvage? Is there truly anything 'left' to salvage, or worth salvaging? I mean, we've already talked about how you should simply get them referrals, and step away... but i'm thinking about you spending a little time to learn from all this and examine what truly matters in a relationship, by taking this situation as an opportunity for inner growth. You may learn and grow from all things. The catch... is to recognize such... and then to accept the growth.

A lot of people incorrectly learn how to do double-legs, and thus they bend over when attempting such, exposing their neck to a lock and a reversal. The correct approach is shooting while maintaining a proper relatively upright posture, knees bent and then straightened, usually with a slight forward, side, or backward lift, or even a forceful forward, back, or side lift, although this leaves opportunities open for additional reversals. There are more ways than one to do a double-leg, let's get that clear. A single to a double, a double under and then over (attacking the achilles first and then after creating imbalance sliding up to the calves or higher, usually performed from straight-on), a double-up (usually performed form the side, you force the legs together and scoop the person up), etc. Yet, in all cases, it is essential not to bend the torso over (a slight bend may be acceptable, for dealing with smaller opponents, but a risk is associated with it), and instead bend at the knees, one with knee to floor, and the other with foot still placed firmly to ground. In this, the head is usually placed 'firmly' flat against the side,front,back of the thigh or hip, to prevent a capture of the neck. Also, usually, at least one hand leads the opposer's (uke's) arm away from the entry with one arm, similar to opening a curtain, then that arm drops down to strengthen the hold created by the first arm, which needs to enter 'deep' in and around the leg(s). A note: attempting to lift 'at' the knees is not a good idea, as the opposer can quickly drop on his knees, close the space behind the knee (a joint), and trap your arms. Better to aim just under the calves or just under the thighs. depending on what your ultimate goal is and the angle of assault. So, basically what i'm saying is, your postulations are based on the belief someone would commit to a leg takedown incorrectly. In such cases, a multitude of opportunities arise. After all, windows of opportunity are essentially errors committed by your opponent.

In your honest opinions, have the various base systems been merged fluidly, to create an mma system in kajukenbo that is more than mere 'techniques'? I ask this because although i can read info from sites (which i've done a little already), and can visit a school, it would only be after months, possibly years, before i would be able to 'feel' this art's path. In this, i'm hoping for insight into such from those who have been studying thusfar. thanks again.

Okay, let's clear one little bit up. There are no more shoalin temples. What is going on nowadays in China are 'marketing' manuevers by talented wushu practitioners. Frankly, the Chinese government would not stand for a rebirth of such.

Hmm, so if i were to look for a kajukenbo school, what would be the things you recommend i look for? I.e., of all the systems out there, this is one i've always held an interest in actually obtaining a 'rank' in (shudders at the thought).

The UFCs, as a whole, were affirmation for me, after having argued for at least a decade prior about the errors of test tube training and the lack of respect stand-up arts had to groundbased systems such as wrestling.

I wish you all the luck. A note is that 'kenpo' schools vary substantially, as the name 'kenpo' for a time was used almost as liberally as the word 'karate' (but clearly not as liberally as the words, 'kung fu").

Yep.

I hope you include your self in that regards maki Hehe, indeed, which is why although i initially made single-sentence unsubstantiated opinions, i later realized this discussion, because of the misnomers presented, required a more informative presentation. Thus, the reason why my later posts here were 'paragraphs of information.'

In this case, however, there is a dependent around... so you're not merely defending yourself or a 'buddy.' One of these persons had previously made 'sexually connotated' actions at the bar, which means there is a large possibility they may, after handling you, commit a crime against her. Also, your approach shows a lot of 'assumption,' in that you 'assume' you can handle both of them. Yet, my experience has taught me that assumption of superiority often results in 'underestimation' your adversaries. This, in turn, may result in your demise, and that of your girlfriend. Another thought. In your story you show remorse because 4 gang members attacked you guys and you had to permanently disable one. My thought is... why? Why feel remorse? I've dealt with plenty of criminals and i can tell you right now, you should not feel remorse. Those who wish to do harm to others do not fall into the same field of consideration than those who are brought to a situation where they must, or can, do harm. I.e., a criminal (or in this case, the gang members) would have taken their first opportunity to make you and your friend permanently disabled... or dead, so why feel remorse that you may have caused them permanent injury... when it was they who not merely provoked, but as well struck first? Essentially, you show mercy to those who are willing, or capable of, showing mercy to you. In all other cases, it is a choice on your part... but whatever choice you make, have no regrets.

It's an mma. Pancratium is the name of an ancient no-holds barred competition, not an actual system (i.e., an UFC of ancient Greece). The fact a small group of people decided to mix and match techniques and call it Pankration is a mere marketing ploy. Here are two links to previous discussions: http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=16050 http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=14337

Can you read Kanji?

Yep, glad i found it just now. Some other good sites out there btw.

Thanks.