47MartialMan

I know about it. I was just responding to Steve and his FIRST post

Seriously, those were tricks that I have done.

Lift explosively? Bands? Please explain

Wait a minute-UFC has rules! It is not so "UF"

Same here. Especially from a KMA to a CMA.

MJ-finally someone who agrees with my, my instructor, and a health/fitness relative on this. I had tried to explain this to many people over many years and they look at me strange. Also, whole foods are better than supplements. One has to read the ingredients of supplements, or try to, take the label to a physician and see how they explain it.

* I can make a dove disappear or change into a turtle. * Make a hankerchief become a cane. * Saw a assitant in pieces. * Lay on a bed of nails and someone breah concrete on my chest. * Put out a candle with the force of my punch. * Slice a watermelon with a kanata, while blindfolded, on my experienced subject. * Perform a spear-to-throat demo. * Break ice blocks and bricks. * Balance the family checkbook after my wife went on a weekend spree. * Deal with the emotion of my spouse on PMS

Yes, most of the moves are standard wrestling, JJ, and Judo. The definition of martial arts is the study or application of any method of fighting, or system of fighting under one category. So, pro-wrestling, per some of its methods, can be a martial art. However, just the same as other sport competition, it is used for a entertainment venue. IMHO

It all depends on what MA your are studying, and what organization you would like to be ranked with. I have two Dan certificates. Only one is legitamate... It is my 1st Dan from the U.S. Chung Do Kwan Assoc, and I spent a few years of my life training to receive it. I tested in front of a Black Belt review board that included my Grand Master, who at the time was an 8th Dan in the WTF, and currently is the highest ranked non-korean in the WTF. Also on the board were two other master ranks, (In chung do kwan, that's 4th DAn and up) a third dan, and a second Dan. They put us through hell and back for two days... well for one day, the second day was much easier and was for families to come and see you go through the paces. There were times during my test I thought I would never be able to make it, and even if I did, I didn't think I would pass. I earned that rank and am very proud every time I put the belt on. So why can't there be a test date for you to get the next Dan? My other Dan certificate was given to me by a friend/co-worker who was trying to start his own TKD association in Northern Michigan, and wanted to be able to say he already had another black belt certified underneath him. We worked out a couple of time, but nothing to serious, so he never got a good look at whether I really knew what I was doing, but it didn't stop him from giving me a certificate in his new organization... and this was for 2nd Dan. I turned him down, but he wanted me to keep the certificate, so I kept it and show it to my students to prove that anyone can get a rank... and that one didn't cost me a cent. Why receive it? Why keep it? Why show it? In some organizations, you can test students up to one belt below you, so it would take a 2nd Dan to test you for 1st Dan. Other organizations make it 2 belts above you... I have seen a couple that will allow a 1st Dan to test someone up to 1st Dan, but I think this is very rare. In the long run, the Dan system is based on the school or organizations principles and philosophies and will vary from org. to org. In reality, the belts mean very little... they are a gauge that can serve the purpose of helping you determine how well you are doing within your own system, but some styles don't even use belts. Some only have white and black....This went on a lot longer than I intended..... uh sorry? but I hope this helped explain it. The way of thinking is: If there is a 1st Dan at one school and a 8th Dan at another, then the 8th Dan has 8 times more experience then the 1st Dan. But, that is how a "outsider" incorrectly thinks. So the Belt is the marketing emphasis based per years of experience to earn each higher level.

If I end up in a fight, it's because I could not avoid it. If I kill someone, it's because I felt in fear for my life and was forced into confontation. Yes, most courts would rule in favor for SD. I have to agree that if I kill, it would have to be kill or be killed. I'd rather not end up spending years in court over it, but it's a possability. I have no idea who you are writing to. If they had a choice in the matter and chose to kill someone, they deserve to spend their life in prison. If they did not have a choice, then they did not have a choice... and your nay-saying is irrellevent. But is the discussion on kniving someone that isn't armed? Or against someone that is armed? Is it disarming some with a knife and using the knife on them? What are the specifics per each encounter? Plus, it is all conjecture.

Agreed, the "art" is taken out of martial arts.

Did you save the "paper clipping'?

This infomation, which I had long written and noted, I have received from a Indian friend of mine: Kalaripayit, used by Malayalam speaking people, comes from two words-Kalari-place of battle or battlefield and Payit-training or practice. There are two styles-Nothern and Southern. Like China, the Northern has more kicking-the Southern-circular hand and low kicks. Masters of this art are also physicians. Some have a vast knowledge of healing, including latest medical methods. Others have cultural or folk medcine, called Ayurvedic, per a small village. Almost all of the masters have a knowledge of massage-a key practice before and after training. Beginners have to do this more often before any other training begins. Training is not year round per specifc season it is too hot to train. Before practice begins, there are rituals to be made. Somewhat like salutation in other arts. My friend told me that the master he had, the students had to pay respect to the Master, the earth, and ancestors or the "house". Per as specified, there was kissing the master's feet, touching the ground, and footwork gesture. They also have a moral code to understand. There are pre-"warm up" exercises. Then formal training begins and forms called suvadus begins. After this, fighting methods are practiced. Everything from defense and combinations from the use of arms and legs to unarming someone with a weapon. Weapons are simple from sticks, animal horns, and bladed ones. They have names like urumi and bundi. One has to get accepted or appointed by refferal to study from the particular master that my friend had studied. The art is not forbidden, but forbidden to teach to "common outsiders". It has a ancient history outdating many other Asian arts, including Japanese. There exists old satras (sutras or sudras) written on palm-leaf pages of hierarchy, practices, and the marmadi-secret vital points taught to advanced students. I have much other info and discussions from my Indian friend on this. All of which, and our friendship, were over 3 decades ago.

Arrg....for a moment I thought you were talking "strange" , until I read antonio banderas, zoro-quote.

Brings us back to: A arsenal of many is better than a limitation of one. Back in days, martial artists "stuck" on one. But now, many study more than one. Was Bruce the "pioneer" of this?

Did someone mention velcro?

Thanks Steve, but it would have been helpful to have your first post explaining Chin Na and/or its history. Even a response to any thread. Then a second or third about the seminar.

The secret is not to have one to begin with.

What I freak out on, is not he number of posts. Everyone post a one-liner as a response. But, for someone to come to the forum, and post a link or ad for a promotional campaign as the first post, really had a hidden agenda. And it is not thread/topic discussion.

Yeah, but some "bindings" are old

But you said it is all relative.

Some countries are like that. Unless I base a newly created martial art with religion overtones, the US gov, wont grant jack.