parkerlineage

I like it all, except for the line about the 32 year old instructor saying he's trained for 28 years. So what if I started when I was little? I know my training wasn't serious until I was older, but I'm not going to dock those years off my training - my skill level is easily two or three times that of the other shodan in my dojo, because I've been doing it for two or three times as long as them! Other than that, it was an exceptional article, don't get me wrong. I would reccommend it to anybody who was looking for a dojo, dojang, kwoon, whatever.

Really?! I've been mislead about the power of a katana, then. Well, that's good... The problem with using two weapons is that one gets complacent, or thinks that they have twice the advantage, when in reality, it takes much more concentration to use both. When effectively used - which I like to believe I can use them to some effectiveness, two can be better. One issue I tend to see in myself is that it is very easy to use one sword more than the other, just like in sparring with hands. In addition, the swords will sometimes get in one another's way. Thus, I go at my dao-work like I do my hand-work in sparring, with the same mentality and simliar technique. This tends to keep me using both efficiently and effectively.

Hope everything works out for you! I have no advice - in my short two-year dating record, I've been a miserable flop. But, good luck!

Without drills, there is no practice. Without practice, there is no refinement. Without refinement, there is no technique. Without technique, how does one call what they do a martial art? Just my humble opinion.

Well said, KarateK. And I amend my previous statement. Several years ago, a girl who is about my age got me started on the dao. I hadn't seen her since then, but at the last tournament I was at, I saw her again. She was competing with the dao, and I was using double dao, which served as an ice-breakerish thing. She was totally hitting on me, and I thought she was cute, and attractive, but I don't think the gi had anything to do with it. Although I was wearing my sexy silk wushu uniform. I was reminded of that this morning, and realized that I'm not allowed to whine about not meeting karate girls.

If I can grab a Doce Pares person (we have a few in our Kenpo dojo), then yes, though it's a little different. You're not so much supposed to have to block as you are supposed to just not be there. And the beautiful thing about having two is that you can block and counter simultaneously, not to mention that using the dao involves some insane footwork, including kicks. I'd love to spar somebody who was using a katana to see how I fared (not a real one, mind you). The thing about that would be that if I tried to block edge-side or edge-edge, my sword would get cut in half, followed shortly by me (if it were real). So it'd either have to be side-side or just dodge.

That's an interesting perspective on it. I think if I were running a dojo for profit, which I may someday, that would definitely be something to consider. As for people hitting others so hard I would need to worry about headgear, I suppose that makes sense. Perhaps I will require shin and instep gear, though - I'm pretty sure a decent rounhouse or shin kick to the head would put someone out of commission.

Chinese broadswords. http://www.armory.net/item.cfm/RecordId/SH-1011.htm This, but one in each hand. Takes lots of coordination, but they're really effective.

No need to be sorry about it - I got a kick out of it, just didn't put a smilie. Here, I'll make it up to you: Thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to look those up.

TEACH ME TO DO THAT!!! hehe...awesome.

From now on, I'm just calling what I do Jew-Jitsoo and living sticking with that.

Good luck with that (the weapons training) I'm going to change my name to saiandkamaandnunchukuandboandspearanddaoanddoubledaoandkatanaandescrima

Wouldn't the limited range worrry you, unless they were flying kama? Double dao, hands down. Speed, flexibility, and power. I shall dance around your katana like it is...slow. Unless it hits me. Then I'll fall apart and bleed everywhere.

In my dojo, if/when, I ever have somebody test for shodan, I want them to be able to perform and explain: -All kata (7) -All techniques (138) -Any random basic moves or priniples I bring to mind (don't want to count) -How to instruct at leat the basic moves, and basic techniques -10 original techniques, within a kata -At least two or three weapons' basic concepts, with one of those being more extensive in terms of history, uses against other weapons, and modern applications/adaptations -Explain what it means to them to be a black belt, and explain what it means to them to be a martial artist -Extensive physical tests/rigors

I'm not that concerned about injuries. Okay, let's just set this straight: I want to just use the basic MMA style hand gear. Here's the question: Do we need headgear to avoid serious injuries, or will my students be better off or just as well without it?

I'm totally quoting you in my classes from now on, RicksonFan.

I can combine my arts into one fighting method, but sometimes I find it to my advantage to begin a fight in a traditional Karate stance, and fight a few seconds/rounds hardstyle, then suddenly throw a Kung Fu acrobatic kick and move to fluid-circular Kenpo hands. Throws people for a loop. Or, say, move around like Kung Fu, then drop and hardstyle Karate punch somebody's stomach through their spine. Maybe it's dumb, but it's kind of fun.

Krav Maga!! I wish I could take that...kind of support my heritage, sort of thing.

Eagle claw comes from a Chinese General whose name currently escapes me. Google it, if you care. Anyway, it is one of a myriad of animal impersonating styles. It utilizes a variety of sudden, linear strikes combined with acrobatics and very hard to read circular attacks. One thing that sets Eagle Claw apart is that it tends to strike/hit, meaning after striking a point on the body, it will grab, rip, tear, or whatever it can to that part of the body. There is a lot of emphasis placed on controlling your opponent's body through joint locks and pressure points. As for those who say it is lost, I cannot say. I just hope that I'm not learning from crackpots. I like it, though - it's a good supplement to my Kenpo and Ju jitsu. Any other questions I could possibly answer?

You did read a little too much into what I said, but that's okay. What I was saying was that the desire to strike is the Kenpo engrained in my head. I recognize that it's virutally impossible to strike effectively from the ground, and that it's a bad idea to go away from your strenghts. Venting is cool, though - we all need to do it every once in a while.

*kicks dirt again in evny* Why doesn't that ever happen to me while I'm young and single?

I have the untucking problem, too...and though I'm a guy, I'm very self conscious about my blindingly white, hairless chest (sorry for the mental picture), so I almost always wear a t-shirt.

I finally actually watched the whole video. I like it - I don't see how it's Kenpo, but I like it. I'd prefer to see more striking, but that's just the traditional Chinese Kenpo speaking.

Well, my ultimate goal is to move away from point sparring, but I don't want head injuries, or serious injuries to occur. What do you reccomend?

There are two females in my class - one is a fourteen year old girl who never talks to me, and the other is my mom. So, no. Not even in the slightest.