shotochem

IMO, not as much as there used to be. The real value of a belt is to the wearer and the knowledge he or she has learned. To a starving man a stale moldy cracker would look and taste like a thanksgiving feast. To a healthy well fed individual it is merely going into the trash.

You, Vent.....Nahhhh!!!!! I am starting to see the same thing. I understand people have got to make a living...... It seems like all of the recent BB can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag!!! I don't know whats going on they are all excellent point fighters but they just can't free fight or do anything I would consider scary. I thought it was supposed to be a "Martial" art? Too many kids, too few adults. Maybe I'm just getting old and bored and need a change. -Marc

"Lord Low-Kick"..............One accidental kick to the boys' and the rep lasts forever!!! Crusher........ See above Einstien..... Senseis pet name for me when I spaz out (often daily)

I bought the same gloves. From the first time I sparred with them on, I loved them. They are very comfortable and are even better after you break them in a bit. They don't hamper takedowns and throws and protect the pinky finger a lot better than my old gloves.(I broke it when it got hooked in my opponents ghi )

Sonny Rules. Definately get the streetfighter series.

OMG!!!! Rats, Chickens and a FiNN!!! Boy, this cellar is getting crowded!!!

Funny no one has ever managrd to land an ax kick on me to this day. I used to be ripe for the hook kick the first few times I saw it but I generally try not to be in a position to get hit by one. (a couple of shots to the head will do that to ya!! ) As an infighter I'm always looking for those crazy kicks I'm more likely to get hit with a good solid punch.

I resemble that person you are talking about!!!! The way to beat a fighter like me is to use your speed and side step tea sabaki will work wonders. Use your timing. If he charges in a good solid front kick will back him off. If you can upset his balance sweep him. The most important thing is to realize is when you go toe to toe with this kind of fighter, you will be hit learn to exchange and take a few. I do just the opposite with you fast flexible people. I want to jam you if you can't kick me that is 2 less weapons to worry about. I will grab you, I will throw you. I will be all over you like a sweater on a cold day. If I'm in close enough and keep you off balance your punches will not be as effective and you will constantly be defending instead of attacking. Unless you are a real good counter fighter you will be at a disadvantage. BTW, I'm also not a very big person and it still works.

Maybe we could just get rid of the cup all together. Just get one big pot set it to a simmer and mix it up a bit. IMO, there are no techniques that are useless. Its just a matter of how and when under what circumstatances they could be used. Not every technique will work for everyone or ON everyone. That is why they invented guns.......

Thereby invalidating the need for the test itself except as a farcical ritual or rite of passage designed to do little other than convince the student himself that he is ready for a new rank. In reality, ranks are awarded based on subjective opinion. The test serves to create an objective-appearing frame of references from which the teacher can bestow ranks willy-nilly upon his students without appearing to simply hand them out. . True which is why I 've decided not to subject myself anymore. Whenever I step on the floor my personal skill is evident. The belt will not make me any better or any worse. I wish I had realized this sooner as it is quite a bit of a stress reliever. I have recently visited a couple of dojos at the request of a friend to train a couple of classes. I walked in wearing my old whitebelt and had a blast. I have experienced alot of the Japanophelia and suedo-asian Japanese wanna be stuff that I used to laugh aboult while reading. I realized I was taking this stuff way too seriously and it is time to start to enjoy life again. Pretty belts and other insignificant nonsense is only a small part of life. Its about time I cut back and spent more time with the wife and kids.

I accidently took my sons ghi pants with my top. It wasn't pretty . It was like trying to put 10lbs of baloney in a 5 lb sack. Fortunately someone had a spare pair of pants my size.

I wish I had the wisdom befor I got the age. I'm in a similar situation as you Rob only I haven't been training nearly as long. I should have listened to your old 24FC rantings a little sooner. Welcome back and the best to you. (BTW what a cute kid!!!) Marc

Hey, I failed my Shodan. Long drive. Different dojo. Different instructor grading. Paired up with partner from hell. (you know the kind I'm talking about. ) The result is I have absolutly no desire to test again what-so-ever. I still train regularly. I have placed so much less value on the belt as I've seen the caliber of others that had passed which should not have. (you guessed it the partner from hell passed ) People have been trying to talk me into retesting, I don't think I will bother. I have been treated very differently by all after announcing I will not test. I am on the borderline of Otcast and true Heteric. Am I so unusual ? Do you guys think I should test or stick to my guns and not test? I know I can pass easily I felt I should have passed before. It it really worth the headache? Marc

Art is in the eye of the beholder. If you train hard and feel you are a martial artist then you are. Who is anyone else to decide the relevance or merit of how or what you train? When I was asked if I were a MA, I had to think about it. I had never even thought of myself as an artist just one who enjoyed training and when not training thinking about it. That's when I realized I WAS a MA. Some are Monet, or Rembrant, I consider my style more of a Picasso (abstract, ugly at times, and a little rough around the edges.... ).

I have taken glucoseamine for years and it has made a difference for me. I'm finding that a little common sense goes a long way. I'm starting to realize that I'm not 18 anymore. I can't do the crazy stuff as much as I used to without after effects. It's just a change in mentality. My Sensei always tells me "you not 20 yrs old don't try to fight like one. Keep it simple, use you head!!! Ahhh!!! not for blocking for thinking!!!!!"

Hi All, As you all know MA tends to produce a lot of wear and tear on the old bones and joints after a while. Aside of willpower and Ibuprofin what do some of you older guys do to keep up with the kids? Recently, I modified my training schedule to every other day or 3 days a week but never consecutive days. I can't believe what a difference it has made. I had almost forgotten what fresh legs felt like. I have also decided to eliminate many of the crazy excercises that are not meant for those of us who are not kids anymore (ie. anything that resembles squaty,kicky, duck walky-like movements and requires more that a 360 degree movement). I havent pulled a muscle or thrown anything out since. Could I really be getting smarter???

A cold one (or 2) after a long hard training session has been known to have mysterious medicinal effects .

Hey, I thought it was just me!!! I get real cranky when I don't get my classes in. You just feel lousy and don't have the same amount of energy that you do when you train.

The Shotokan version has more of the softer and circular movements that are normally not as prevelant in Shotokan as well as Sanchin style breathing in the latter half.

Gentlemen, May I jump in. I have been training in Shotokan for 6yrs now and have just joined up with an Okinawian Kenpo group. I believe I can give some firsthand info on this one as I am cross training. In regards to Shotokan, it is not a weak style per say as it has very powerful striking techniques. It is however very linear in it's movements and in a restrictive way very platform dependent. I noticed these differences when I actually sparred with my new group. The rules were different the results were way different. In Shotokan you can't attack to the lower limbs and groin and most sparring is controlled and rarely full contact ( I know we do hit each other but not this hard ). Okinawian Kempo not only allows low kicks and grion strikes, it encourages them. They go all out full contact. They wear full armor ( face shield, chest protector, groin guard (make sure it's a good one!!!!), hand and foot protectors. The sparring includes stand up fighting taken to the ground until finishing. Joint locks, choke outs, submissions. OK also uses a more diverse arsenal of hand techniques for day one than you do in Shotokan as the more advanced hand techniques are not really used all that much. Shotokan= empty hand no weapons. OK= we like weapons and anything else to pummel you with. The weakness in the OK system IMO is that they are not as strong in their stances and do not have the explosiveness of the Shotokan karateka. I seemed to have success when I drove in on my combos to get in to sweep where I was less likely to be swept due to my stronger stance. But.... They are very good on the ground. Most Shotokan guys do not want to go there with them. I'll add some more later when I think of it. I have to go to work. Marc-

Whatever they were doing it really convinced me. I am now officially cross-training with these guys until I can make up my mind on which style I will stick with. I can't wait to take my old white belt out of the closet and try it on again. It is a breath of fresh air.

Hi all, I have come across a dojo that teaches Okinawian Kenpo and am interested it watching a class or two. My question to all is what is the major difference between Shotokan and Okinawian Kenpo? What about Kempo and Kenpo? I really have not had much exposure to this art but from what I am reading without seeing It interests me.

I'm more of a counter fighter by nature. I use my kicks to set up my punches and defensively to back my partner off. The last couple of sessions I have been working on a new concept for me.I try to continiously keep my partner off balance literally. I've been experimenting with ways to upset his core by not letting him get his weight set, keeping at an advantageous angle, jamming, sweeping and circling more. I am having surprisingly good results as this seems to be working on those faster, younger, kick happy opponents as well as a few of the big monsters I get paired up with. No luck with the Sandan who has been training for 25 years though !!! (He's the one I picked it up from)

I've been told that Kanazawa Sensei learned this kata as a child. I do not remember where he learned it from. When he visits again I will definately make a point of asking him. You have peaked my curiousity.

I have said many times it is better to be a really good brown belt than a crappy BB. I practice what I preach.