Mu Ryuk

Heh heh Fear me. Seriously though, you bring up a good point. XMA is fine with me...the thing I don't like is the name. It is NOT Martial Arts. It's gymnastics with Martial Arts elements (kicking, punching, weapons, etc). This is fine, but if, and ONLY IF, the Instructor stresses to the greatest possible point that it is for flash, NOT FOR FIGHTING. Yeah, the jumping can get you a point. But it's not going to work in a real situation. I also don't particularly like the uniforms and that damned clip together Black Belt. But I'm a Traditionalist. Before someone says it, I am well aware that the "Traditional" Gi or Dobohk was not used until about 100 years ago (rough estimate) when Judo came about. Then Funakoshi started using something like it to get Shotokan recognized in Japan, and that was it. But come on. Their Black Belt has a clip like a freakin' backpack!! http://www.centuryfitness.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&productId=12075&langId=-1&product_parentId=14104&crumb=13501&categoryId=14104&parent_category_rn=10251 ARRRRGH!!! *End rant.*

XMA? *Runs screaming*

Sorry to sound like a smart *, but tell that to the guys who deadlift 1000 pounds, squat 1000 pounds, and bench press 800 pounds.

So, here's the big question. How high are you willing to kick? I am always hearing that kicking above the waist, or above the fingertips when you stand straight with your hands at your side, or some other measurement, is bad. But how bad is it? For a experienced Martial Artist who is good at what he/she does, I think high kicks are useful. They have the element of surprise and a good target area (chest/stomach). So what is it for you? Tang Soo!

Yeah, it's kind of like people in High School always picking a fight with the biggest guy around...if they beat him, they're a bad *. I've been in this situation, people have started messing with me because they know I do Martial Arts, and the same thing because of lifting. It's just High School stupidity...so naturally it's even stupider when adults do it. Props to your instructor Tang Soo!

Teal, out of curiosity, is the Dojang you're talking about a place in Monterey, California called Bodyworx? I know it's a long shot, but the place you're talking about sounds a lot like Bodyworx.

Striking: Tang Soo Do, Muay Thai, Kyokushin Karate Trapping: Wing Chun Stand Up Grappling: Muay Thai, Judo Ground Grappling: Wrestling, Judo Takedowns: Wrestling, Judo Of these I currently do only Tang Soo Do and the occasional Wing Chun drill, when my Instructor has a whim. I have picked up tidbits of all of these except Kyokushin.

Whole thing is off They both have the Traditional cut with slits down the sides...I'm to fat for this, the slits won't close. I'll have to wait. Oh well

I won't order it from Tokaido. We order from Century. Thanks for the heads up though.

Hey all, Today is my sixteenth birthday and I'm spending the money I got to (finally) buy a good, high quality uniform. I have narrowed it down to two choices, the Century Ironman or the Tokaido Arashi. I want a nice heavy uniform with a smooth texture, not that rough canvas feel. If anyone knows how to tell if the texture is smooth, please tell me...I don't know how to discern one material from the other. Century Ironman: http://www.blackbeltshop.com/iron_man.htm Tokaido Arashi: http://gallery.bcentral.com/GID4782367P2486374-Martial-Arts/Uniforms/Tokaido-14-oz.-Arashi-Uniform-on-Sale-No-refunds-exchanges-Only.aspx Just to note, those sites are only references, I will order the uniform through my Dojang. Thanks in advance. Tang Soo!

Guro Hines is an excellent Instructor...Escrima's just not my thing. I'm an empty hand person, plain and simple.

I will take your advice. As I said, I am planning on doing traditional Hojo Undo/Him Undong, as soon as I can get the necessary equipment...makeshift of course. ThaiBoxerKen- Just noticed that you are an apprentice under Guro Inosanto, do you by any chance know Guro David Hines? He is my Escrima Instructor, but I am leaving the class tonight. Just don't enjoy it.

Confucious say, man who stand on toilet, high on pot. Confucious say, elevator smell different to midget.

I am 5'6 and I turn sixteen tomorrow (September 28th) If you want to see some pictures of me click the link at the bottom of my signature and go to the link on that site that says "For those who want to see pictures of me...not very recent." In those pictures I am about 215. ThaiBoxerKen- I do heavy bag and focus mitt training. I will be doing the Powerlifts when I get back into the gym, but not the powerlifters workout, persay. I am really looking forward to trying Him Undong...if anyone has experience with Hojo Undo, could you please tell me what you think of it? Thanks as always. Tang Soo!

Thanks guys. ThaiBoxerKen - No, I don't want to become a better powerlifter. I left that behind when I returned to the Martial Arts. I'm looking to become a better Martial Artist. When I mentioned neck strength, I didn't mean plyometrics for neck strength...I meant just plain neck strength. Strong neck + getting hit in head = unpleasant, but less damage than if you had a weak neck. Though I'm sure you all know that. I have just started running...a lot...I run three miles to the Dojang every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and three miles back on every Monday and Wednesday. My body is not used to it and I get very sore, so I have decided to hold off on the gym work. However I think I have found an answer. 1. Lots of bodyweight exercises. 2. Him Undong (same as Hojo Undo, for those who know what it is.) Most of the equipment is quite easy to make. Once I lose another forty six pounds and am down to 140, I will get back into the gym. If anyone has suggestions for Him Undong training, or any kind of weightless exercises, or running, I'd like to hear it. This is what I have planned for bodyweight exercises. Upperbody: Pushups (All types that I know...Standard, tight, diamond, diamond in front, reverse, Hindu) Pullups/Chinups Dips Neck Bridge Captain of Crush Grippers Lowerbody: Squat jumps (starting from crouch) Leap turns (run a short distance, turn in midair, crouch and jump to where you started running from) Squat Thrusts Hindu Squats (if I can figure them out...heh heh)

Shane- A little bit off topic, but where in Washington State are you?

Thanks very much Jules. The cardio thing is set, as soon as my workout at the gym ends it's a one mile jog to the Dojang and then classes Just to note though...for things like powerlifting and strongman, it IS about the weight you lift, not about the reps you do. Just wanted to show that I know something...not a complete dunderhead...I'm dangerously close though Can you suggest any exercises for neck strength aside from Neck Rolls? By Neck Rolls I mean lying on the ground, arms out, shoulder blades down and head up, so the neck has to support itself, and looking to the left, say, 25 times, then to the right 25 times, then to the center 25 times. Thanks again.

As some of you may know I did Powerlifting for about eight months. Since I have lost so much weight (forty two pounds, halfway to where I need to be) I have decided to start going to the gym and lifting again, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. This will not conflict with the classes I take. The lifts I used to concentrate on were: Deadlift, Squat, Military Press, Bench Press, and variations of the four. Military and Bench are still good for me to use, as well as some Squatting and minimal Deadlifting. But it's a different kind of strength I need now. Pliometrics. Any suggestions for Pliometric exercise? The parts of the body I need help with exercises for (from the neck down): Neck Lats Traps Biceps Triceps Abdominals Hamstrings Calves I know how to do base strength for the rest, and some of this. But I know NOTHING about Pliometrics for ANY part of the body. Nor about strengthening the neck in any safe way aside from neck rolls. Help please, and thanks in advance. Tang Soo!

I second that. It's depressing that things like this happen. Bleh.

I've never really..."Practiced" the Kiai...I just kind of do it. Always have, since I started when I was three. Just let it go. Don't do those Kiai's you hear at tournaments that are ten seconds long. "AYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" A Kiai should be a short sound, almost like a bark. "HAI!" or something. Pretty much anything that's not a word works

Excellent article White Warlock, really enjoyed it.

Welcome to Karate Forums I too am a big guy, 5'6 186 pounds.. However, when I returned to my Dojang in early April, I was 5'6 228 pounds. The style you choose depends on whether you are content with the weight you are and want to use it to your advantage, or whether you want to lose that weight. Above that, however, just look around and see as many classes as you possibly can. You may find something that's perfect for you and you would never have thought of it before. I wanted to lose weight, but Tang Soo Do has always been the right style for me, and the weight loss just comes with the territory. I wish you luck. Tang Soo!

True, but hang on a second. It sounds like the Sensei's legal title is "Advisor", meaning he doesn't have real power. From what Ti says, it sounds like he does have control over the rest of the class and he has earned their respect. Some people are just plain irrational, and this lady seems to think that since he's not "technically" in charge, he can't tell her what to do. I'm sure you (Shorinryu Sensei) and many others who have trained/taught for a long time have met people who just cannot be reasoned with. It happens, unfortunately.

We absolutely love Tang Soo Do and our school. We like what we're learning, it just so happens that our Instructor is a kicking kind of guy. Mr.Beeson (one of the Cho Dans) incorporatres more hand work when he teaches. No, there are very few schools here actually...it's sad really...no Judo, no Muay Thai, no Kyokushin, no Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Nothing I want to do aside from Tang Soo Do, in other words. I will not leave my Dojang. We learn a lot there. I recently recievied permiossion to do hard contact sparring outside of class. Our Instructor encourages cross training. I think we are very fortunate to have the kind of Dojang and Instructor we do. Tang Soo!

Hey all, I've been wanting to pick up Boxing for a while, as our Dojang (Tang Soo Do) doesn't focus very much on hands. Unfortunately there are no Boxing gyms closer than Santa Cruz, a forty-five minute drive if there's no traffic. I know the basics of Boxing...keep your elbows tucked in to block body shots, pop your hands to block a punch at the head, make sure you keep your head low and your chin ducked. So my question is: Can I teach myself Boxing with knowledge of the basics? I have permission to Box in the Dojang as long as we don't get out of control, we have focus mitts to do drills with, a heavy bag, and we can get a speed bag. I also know some people who can help me out a little bit. There are at least two other students of the Dojang (both Cho Dan's) who want to do Boxing. Any suggestions, criticism, or calling me an idiot? It's all appreciated Tang Soo!