shotochem

ShotoChem I find your attitude equally disturbing RB, As you get older you see more and more that you find wrong with the world. All is not as they teach you in school. The world is not always warm and fuzzy. My grandparents had pearl harbor. My parents the bay of pigs, cuban missile crisis, and the assasination of both Kennedys and Martin Luther King. They served in Korea and Vietnam. They went through segregation then integration. Ive seen the hostages from Iran, the cold war, Reagan being sho,t the challenger being lost and the Berlin wall finally coming downand the first gulf war. Every morning for 3 weeks I would drive to work and see a plume of smoke where the WTC once stood. When you live a little longer and experience a little more you will be suprised at what is really disturbing....... I hope that you and the younger members of this forum get to live in a happy peaceful world in the future. I just cant help being a slight bit on the pessimistic side. That being said, perhaps I should stay away from serious topics and stay with something I enjoy discussing MAs!!!!! (Politics are too depressing )

"We are happy that it broke up," government employee Abdul Jabbar al-Quraishi said. "God wants to show that his might is greater than the Americans. They have encroached on our country. God is avenging us," he said. Lets see if Allah can stop a squadren of B52s, F-16s and a few of our Un-HOLY cruise missiles MADE IN THE USA

Perhaps he was just playing around enjoying himself. Not everyone takes their MA seriously some do it for a fun hobby or excercise. As long as he wasnt being offensive or demeaning to anyone else its no big deal. Some people are just more acrobatic than others. He could have just been working on those fun crazy techniques in the only place he could safely do them ......in class "I am delighted to have you play football. I believe in rough, manly sports. But I do not believe in them if they degenerate into the sole end of any one's existence. I don't want you to sacrifice standing well in your studies to any over-athleticism; and I need not tell you that character counts for a great deal more than either intellect or body in winning success in life. Athletic proficiency is a mighty good servant, and like so many other good servants, a mighty bad master. " -Theodore Roosevelt

Try Shawn Jeffersons site it has some pretty good stuff. http://www.24fightingchickens.com/shawnjefferson/ For kata info check out shotokan planet http://www.24fightingchickens.com/shotokan/kata/index.html Lots of good stuff

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I know of an exellent Aiki teacher. Ive observed a few of his classes and I like what he is teaching. The concern I have is that they are very physical with many locks throws and strikes. The hard striking is similar to what I learn in Shotokan, Im looking for something to flow a little more and learn a little more finesse and body movement to incorparate into my MA. Ive become interested in Sabaki type movements and evasive countering. (the knees are not getting any younger ) I leaning towards the Aikido side my old sensei used to do Aikido as well as Shotokan and he would throw in a bit for variety. It was interesting and fun. Im falling under Kensai's evil spell!!!!!

The more I learn the more I want to learn in MA. I am considering expanding my MA to Aikido in addition to Shotokan. Would they complement each other? My other choice is Aki-jujitsu. What do you think????

Injuries... Dont say that word. Ive had the worst stretch of luck lately. I twisted my knee, and dislocated my shoulder all within the same month. The knee happened when my toes got caught in the mat and I fell over myself (so much for catlike agility) and the shoulder when I fell on the ice while shovelling. Ive also broken a couple of fingers and toes my first year due to poor blocking technique. Most of my injuries are self inflicted If I could do this to myself I cant imagine what wrath I can unleash on the enemy

I generally use option A most of the time. I keep the front foot pointing foward (its easier on my knees ). I am not square with my opponent, I keep my stance high leaning foward or back depending on the attack or defense. I do not keep my rear leg facing foward I shift it according to attack or defense its usually moving from 45-90 degrees. Im more of a counter puncher.

I dred the spinning back kick. It never seems to be technically correct. It looks and probably is more of a spinning side kick reverse roundhouse hybrid thing. Its not a spinning back kick Im sure, but boy it really confuses the hell out of people when I use it in sparring. I wish I knew what it is so I know what to call it

Hi Guys,(and Ladies) Thanks for your replies. I was feeling like I just hit the wall. It has been the longest rut in my training to date. After a while you just think is it worth it or will I ever get back on track. I worked more on mechanics than power and just went through the motions. I now realize that by doing this it seems like I have improved myself along with my health . See, sometimes ya learn something without even knowing Theres nothing like it just feeling right.........

HI Everyone, 2 weeks made the difference. I just recently considered quitting. Too many body parts injured at one time. Twisted my knee, dislocated shoulder and because of that a sore back. I went to class and trained at 50% of myself. 2 months of dealing with the pain and being frustrated at not performing to my own standards. I felt like I was moving backwards instead of foward. I decided once and for all to take time off over the holidays. After a 2 week rest...... I went back still not myself but not as bad. I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I decided to stick with it a little longer . 2 weeks later..... the punches are faster and the kicks are thundering again Im almost back to my nasty old self again. I was wondering, have any of you ever considered giving up MA? Why? What did you do? How did you overcome your injuries? What made you not give up? 2 weeks can make a difference.......

OUCH!!!! : I never could do it. I still cant do it. I still can kick to the head without difficulty. I read the Kurtz book its quite good. I use his stretches for warm up and downs. Ive gotten closer to a split than ever but I was able to kick to the head before I started. How important are splits really??? Kickchick?? Just wondering, I never felt it was a big deal in reguards to my training.

Hello Ken, Since this is the real world and it is for keeps, I would goad the sob into hitting me in front of a few witnesses at work. If he hits you he will get fired, if he dont get fired you can call the police. He will then be arrested for assault and battery then he will be fired. Most respectable companies do not want to deal with violent felons on the payroll. MA is not the answer to your problem. If you want to learn MA do it for yourself not to get even. It takes years and hard work to be proficient enough to take someone bigger and stronger than you with a natural agression and tendency to fight. Try to beat him with your brain and legally. One day some bigger nastier guy will not take kindly to his BS and not be as civilized as most of us are and he will get what he deserves. Just be smart, take care of yourself and your family

If anyone asks I just tell them I just started tae bo last week, if you dont watch out Ill pull a Matrix on you!!!! Then stand in Daniel-san like crane stance and give the ol Bruce Lee yell!!! I take it lightly people just dont understand. Just dont let them know your true skill level. There is nothing like the element of surprise Sometimes we take ourselves just too seriously.....

Here is one of the sites I was looking for...... http://www.rickross.com/sg_alpha.html There should be some very familiar names on this site. Look under C for chung moo Quan its the same guy.

Hi, The person referred to in the article AKA "tiger Kim" also "Iorn Kim", is the founder of CMD(chung moo do sp??). This organization is listed with the US govt as a known cult. I will try and find the link (I lost it on an upgrade) It is a sight by the US govt listing all of the known cults and suspected ones with a history of all the alleged and litigated offenses. Thats if the link Queen dont beat me to it

I enjoy taking seminars. I find that I can learn quite a bit from a different high quality instructor. Another thing, Ive learned just as much on the dojo floor before and after class from the many skilled karateka who were also taking the seminar. With all that avalible knowledge, skill and diversity how could you go wrong? MonkeyGirl, take a few seminars you will enjoy it and learn alot

Welcome inquisitive one, I can honestly tell you Ive been there myself. I can tell you MA will help you get in better shape and give you relief from the stress of everyday life. But....... it takes more than MA to turn things around. You just have to suck it up and say to yourself thats enough!!! look what Ive become, leave it behind you and move foward and dont look back. Get mad at yourself and use it to drive and motivate you. The only limit you have is yourself. There is nothing worse than dreading to get up in the morning. Look in the mirror, if you dont like what you see, turn yourself around. Look at your first post as being your first step, the only place to go is up I discovered this at age 29. (im 34 now) You can too!!! (Disclaimer: WARNING!!! I am not always sensible and understanding, I may revert back to my prior insanity and any given moment.)

Hi Pyros, I study Shotokan, in our dojo we are required to wear hand and foot pads along with a mouthpiece. Adults have the option of wearing headgear and a cup for the jrs. it is mandatory. When we free spar we allow light controlled contact to the face. We are allowed to go hard to the body but we tend to go 30-50% depending on who is paired up. Our goal is control and accuracy it would not be a good idea to go 100% contact.(there would be no students left) It is quite easy to hit hard and do damage ,it is quite another to do it with control and percision. We allow sweeps and do not really grapple as we are a striking art. As for injuries.... Ive had quite a few and they were my own fault. Most injuries are due to bad form and improper technique resulting in you hurting yourself. Of course when you miss a block accidents do happen

JAMA is a great publication. I have a hard time trying to find it. When I find it its at borders. Now that the link Queen strikes again, I can actually order it online Thanks KC

Hi everybody, I think it is good to take time off occasionally it helps you mentally and physically. Ive been out for a couple of weeks due to injury. I trained at less than 100% for a few weeks then just decided I needed to heal. Im like a caged animal waiting to go back. Im trying not to reinjure myself. Happy New Year to All

Hi Sai, I would say recovery time takes almost twice as long as when I was 18. I also believe if I were younger I would not get as many of the nagging annoying injuries like the pulled muscles,tendon and ligament strains and arthritic reminders of all the bones you may have broken. Im not saying it doesnt happen to younger MA, I just believe it happens less of a degree than with us "less youthful individuals".

I echo what ZR says. Its not easy putting in a 8-10 hr day at work then train especially when you have a wife and kids. I find that at 34 I am stronger and in better shape than when I was 24. The down side is we cant take the abuse on the body the same as when we are younger. A big difference Ive noticed is that the older students tend to have a lot more patience and poise than the young and eager when sparring. The younger ones tend to fight with reckless abandon. The old ones are more cool and calculated. In fact the over 45 group tend to know and use every trick in the book with ease and minimal effort. They are more in tune with what their body can do and work with it. I find myself somewhere in between I still think Im a kid but Im getting a lot closer to the old side....... I guess with age comes wisdom

OH NO!!! Im 34!!! Its a wonder I made it this far I still feel like Im 20 only it takes a little longer to heal Hey next year Ill be old enough to run for president!!!!! Your votes will be appreciated

No!.... be nice..... if you dont have anything nice to say.......... They have cool commercials???? BEWARE OF THE MONEY SUCKING MACHINE!!!!!! They are very much into long term contracts and are quite expensive. As for overall MA quality........ Supersize it for $100 more and would you like fries with that????? (sorry I couldnt help myself )