parkerlineage

The one better than me is always good. One who is polite, respectful, yet not afraid to point out things I'm doing wrong, and help me fix them. I also like somebody who's willing to throw a punch, and take one. A positive outlook and sense of fun is always good, too. Peace; Parkerlineage

In that case, beat 'em. You can't lock up somebody that has the will to fight back, and what better way to kill that will than beating the fight from them? Thanks for the clarification.

I've been training for (as it says under my name) 11 years. Our workout before class has always been fairly intense, and I do pushups, situps, and the like at home, too. I have rather good definition on my arm muscles, and my deltoids are okay sized, but my chest is only so-so, my stomach is still more of a two-pack, and my biceps are virtually non-existant. Why is this? And any advice? Parkerlineage Random info, in case this helps anybody: 6'5", 180 lbs, 9% body fat, 21.3 BMI

As an instructor, I get that a lot - adult students look down condescendingly at me. Since I don't believe in physical harm (as in my body on theirs) as a motivation - especially as a black belt - and verbal abuse is just as frivilous and unfitting, I generally resort to proving my worth through my instruction/technique. They can see that I deserve the rank I have. If that doesn't work, a killer warmup that leaves everybody panting and a little sore - other than you, of course (that is, assuming you're in good shape) - generally proves that you're a force to be reckoned with. But, if you're not an instructor, go with the first option. Peace; Parkerlineage

You obviously don't know my friends...haha...actually, that sounds like a good idea - as in, "Here are my rules. Follow them, or don't bother coming back." That's what I've told them so far, and I'm completely agree with that... One of the main reasons I inquire is not that I plan to give them serious teaching now, but I am going to be opening a dojo at the college I go to...where I'm sure I'll either develop friendships with or already have friendships with a lot of my students. So, let's say I have no choice but to teach friends - how would you guys go about it? Thanks for the advice so far; Parkerlineage

I'm just a little afraid of XMA as a martial art. I don't know enough about it to completely discredit them as an art, but my instructor refers to them as "Flipping screamers - all they do is flip and scream". Of course, he tends to be a bit harsh. However, whomever started this thread was looking for something acrobatic, and if I recall correctly, they were a cheerleader, so I think XMA might actually fit them better... Peace; Parkerlineage

I'm not going to vote yet, because I don't know exactly to what you refer. "Ground and Pound" as in knock them down and beat on them from on top, or from standing, or something else? And in what context do you mean "in the ring?" Like, tourney sparring, or some other kind? My initial reflex would be to vote for both - submission, then drop 'em and stomp/kick from standing...but that's just the Kenpo in me. Peace; Parkerlineage

'ey wingedsoldier... I don't think I've seen you around much. Glad to see another Parker system person around here...may I ask what rank you are (just so that I know what we can discuss?) Keep an eye out for new Kenpo-related threads, and maybe you could help us revive some of the old ones, too. Peace; Parkerlineage

Impressive! Congratulations!

I've instructed our school's karate camp...they didn't have them when I was younger...it should be a good experience for you. Completely immersing yourself in the art makes you so much better...even if you only do so for half a day or so...after 5 days, you'll see a huge amount of improvement in almost every aspect of your art. Peace, and have fun; Parkerlineage

A lot of my friends - including my girlfriend, which I'm sure there are other threads on - have been asking me to teach them, and I'm a little wary about the whole deal. I've been teaching my best friend for a few months off and on now, and he's made it to his 8th kyu...however, I'm worried that if I got a bunch of them together, they wouldn't pay attention, wouldn't respect my knowledge, and somebody would get either physically or emotionally hurt. There are some of my friends that I know would be good martial artists, and others that I know wouldn't be...but I can't very well teach some and not others. And don't even get me started on sparring... Advice? Parkerlineage

I don't know about his skill...but you must be incredible! I can't even get 4 year olds to make it through a half-hour stripe test...let alone a 3 hour belt test...btw...what are your requirements for orange belt, that it would take 3 hours?

You know, at first, I voted no, but then, as I read through everything...I think I'm going to say yes. I'm 17. I've been training for not 5, but 11 years. That's the third longest in our dojo. Due to age restraints, it took me basically 10 years to acquire my...shodan, right? (1st black). I tested for my shodan with a guy who was going for his...nidan (2nd)...this guy is a great martial artist, and I respect him very much...but I've been training for 4 years longer than he has. I think he deserves the rank...but I'd say I deserve it, too. If I had started when I was 16 instead of 6, I'd be a...whatever third dan is...now. So, yes...if you've put in the time and you've got the skills, I think you should be able to wear what you deserve. On the other hand, I think you need to be able to demonstrate the maturity (both physically and mentally) needed to have such rank. If you started when you were two, you shouldn't be a nidan by the time you're 12. I still think 16 is a good age for shodan, but I would also say that, if you've put in the time, you should have the opportunity to accelerate your rank-getting until you catch up to where you would be. Peace; Parkerlineage PS. I was essentially a first kyu (they called it a junior black belt, but I was a glorified brown belt) for four and a half, five years, before I got my shodan, thanks to the age requirements. I've known all the nidan requirements, however, for about two.

I think the lack of response mostly stems from the fact that Kenpo practicioners are few and far between on this forum. There are a lot of people who have learned some of our forms from videos, or seen a demo or been to one class or something, but I've yet to run into a mass of rank and experience other than a few. I try to stand up for us when I see it needed, but again, we're vastly outnumbered. Every time I start a good thread, it runs for a few days, and then nobody posts on it anymore. *sigh*...yet we struggle on...or something. Peace; Parkerlineage

Kneel before their wrath... Just thought I'd say hi, Chaz...

Wukentaejumuay-shupokwanjitsutai-do The core of Kenpo, the circles and weapons of Wushu/Kung-Fu, the throws of Jujitsu, the realism of muay tai, and the kicks of Tae Kwan Do. It makes a really funny name, too.

Haha, didn't think so. Sub Level 4? No, I hadn't, but when you mentioned it, I looked it up and learned a very little bit about it. I don't think there's much of it in what we do...care to fill me in a bit more on it? Peace; Parkerlineage btw, what rank are you? You seem to know quite a bit.

scottnshelly: It's the second to last (if you don't count the hand isolation). Envision, if you will/can... Your opponent is holding the gun in front of you (I believe). In any event, you turn to face him. You parry the gun to the outside, kick his knee and eyestrike, then land with the crane on his elbow. You then step back and use your left hand to pull his arm up, and your right crane against his elbow as leverage. This was a lock from the technique Defying the Storm. It will leave your opponent with his arm bent behind him, elbow up, with his wrist pointed toward you, hand bent back toward his elbow. Here is where the 'scraping' comes in. Your left hand remains stationary, since there happens to be a gun a few inches away from that hand. Your right hand comes up and grabs the gun by the barrel, from the bottom, so that if you held your hand up in a fist (thumb toward you), the handle would be pointing away from you and up. So, you have the gun now - the position the lock has put your opponent's wrist in is not condusive to gripping, so it's easy to take. You then circle your hand all the way around, and strike the back of his head with the butt of the handle as you knee. Helpful? Let me know if I can explain more. Karate25: I don't know. Huk Planas and Frank Trejo are my instructor's instructors (more Master Planas than Master Trejo), and I know Master Planas was Master Parker's highest non-honorary ranking person. Hope I helped you? Peace; Parkerlineage

(very immature voice) Eeeeeeeeeeeeew!

Haha, I'd like to think so. I'd tell you to look up my instructor, but he's still a little stuck in the stone-age, and if you put in his name online, you get... Wow. Smack me with a bo. We finally got a bloody website!! (Kind of!) http://kenpokaratedvds.com/bio.html It's not terribly great, granted, but it's something! Anyway...there's my instructor... Peace; Parkerlineage

I wouldn't say it's "more lethal" than anything...just trying to defend it. And, I have heard many...many times that our dojo is much more high-impact than most others. In any event... Peace; Parkerlineage

As long as you don't exact your anger on your fellow practicioners directly, it should be okay. Beat the tar out of a bag...kill invisible foes...push yourself to the point of exhaustion...let your anger flow out of you in a constructive way...it's when you let your anger creep into your sparring/technique drilling, and start hitting people out of anger that you have problems. Otherwise, it's a great way to relieve stress. Exercise, any kind, is proven to do that...and MA are (is?) no exception. Peace; parkerlineage

I wouldn't sweat it, if I were you. I'm one of those that started when I was six, but I've seen a lot of very skilled martial artists that started when they were much older. Heck, one of the best people in my class started at mid-late 50s, and two were in their 40s. It's never too late. Okay, maybe if you're in a rest home, it's too late. Peace; parkerlineage

Does anybody know of a way I can put a movie of my black belt test on either this site or another online? It's 3.25 gigs (I use a very high-quality video editor, added text/music...and as a result...you get massive files)...so I can't exactly attach it to a post or something. Thanks for the help; Parkerlineage

Oh, and... Your brain-gun, after you call the police and run away.