ProjectJanus

Sometimes when I meditate, I listen to really slow, chill music. After a few minutes of thinking of nothing, and just relaxing, my hands start to tingle a little bit. Usually, I ignore the feeling and continue on meditating, but tonight, I looked down at my palms, and they were pale exept for large pink spots all over. Anyone know what this is?

Hahahaha.

So more wieght, less reps? Elbows_And_Knees, any news on classes around here?

I actually found a pressure point that is in direct contact with the heart by accident.

I have played hockey for about 8 years and did gymnastics when I was really young, so balance isn't too big of a thing. Also from hockey I have developed tremendous leg strength. I am 14 and can squat about 220 and can do leg press about 240. I do 10 reps 3 times. Elbows_And_Knees, I am glad to hear that your instructor knows of a local place, thanks for asking him.

The UNCC campus is like 40 minutes away. I'll try to find a place closer.

Hmm....I live in Charlotte, I've never heard of it before. Although, I dont take TKD.

I sit in my room with the lights off and meditate. I imagine a small red line starting at my feet, slowly slowly moving up my body. To reach the top of your head should take about 45 minutes. After that, usually my stress/headache/sickness is either cured, or helped.

Sweet! I just have to find a place around here. I believe a man named Chicote teaches classes at a college around here, UNCC. I will go check it out soon, I hope.

I looked through the other Capoeira thread and did not find what I was looking for. I am fairly interested in starting up Capoeira class because I like dance (although I have never danced), and it looks like it would be a tough work out. So here are the two questions I am looking for answers: A) Has anyone heard of a Capoeira school/class around the Charlotte, North Carolina area? B) To do Capoeira, do you have to be 135 pounds and pure muscle? I am 5'11, 185 pounds. Although I do not expect to see me flying through the air any time soon, I don't want there to be 'problems' right off the bat. Any help is appreciated -Project Janus

My suggestion would be to headbutt the punch. It hurts his hand alot more than your head.

Quick question here. I have started learning the first form, called '20 Methods.' There are punches for just about each step of the form. The thing I don't understand is that my Sifu told me that the punches are not to be snappy like most other systems. He said they need to be slow and controlled, and the power will be there. How does this work? How can a punch with no force behind it be effective? The way he also does the punch is very strange. He does not seem to extend his arm all of the way, and his upper torso seems to move with his arm. Does anyone know what I am talking about? =\ If so, please help me!

See, thats the thing, I wasn't waving my feet around in the air for everyone to look at them. I was just sitting on a bench, and she asked what kind they were. I am not going to say "Oh, I cannot tell you." Nope, not slippers. They have laces, and are low-cut around the ankles. They are thin canvas material. They look sort of like the converse, low-cut shoes.

Wow, that is incredible. I really would like to be able to push myself to those limits. Welp, I just got home from the little park in my neighborhood. I went there and trained for about 45 minutes, just going over footwork and things. And of course, there was some family there who stared at me the whole time -_-. I can't wait to learn more! My next class is on Wednesday.

Well, make sure you let me know before you come, maybe we can train together. I am also we dont have to do the chin-to-toe thing. My sifu's, sifu's, sifu had 100 days to be able to touch his chin to his toe while standing up. Imagine that.

Well, today at school I wore an extra pair of my Kung Fu shoes to school. One of my friends-not a very close one- asked what kind of shoes they were. I replied, "These are my martial arts shoes." She proceeded to give me a sort of...disgusted look and say "....martial arts, huh?" And this is not the first time I have ever experianced this. When I told some people that I do martial arts they all laughed at me. Note: I really don't care what people think of me. Most people just say "Isnt that just for little kids?" and laugh. Honestly, where did these ignorant people get the idea that martial arts is just some thing for small children? I could care less if they didn't do martial arts, but you don't need to say anything. Is it just the people around here, or is this everywhere? I really want to spread the word, to end this epidemic of ignorance.

I just got home from my lesson, and man was it great! Randy's school in located in Charlotte, NC. Fallen_Milkman, Iron palm and weapons are offered, but he will not teach them untill you are more advanced. Weapons may be used after about a years training, while Iron palm is taught after you attain the black sash. Today we went over saluting, warm ups and basic kicks and blocks. I started with a kick where you must touch your shoe laces to your outstreched hand by bending your knee up to waist level and extending your hand. Then we worked on a side kick where you must step behind one leg, while doing some sort of X with your hands in front of your chest, then kick waist high, sideways, while extending one hand with your leg and one hand to the opposite side. We also worked on a thing called 3 star blocking and 8 points blocking. Both involve using your forearms to block basic punches. Stances were horse, rooster, high tiger, low tiger, and a few others that I cant remember the names. I can't wait to practice tommorow! Another plus to the class is there is only two other students than I, so the teacher spends lots of time assisting each person. I should be beggining my Tai Chi in a few months. If anyone lives anywhere near Charlotte, I would definately suggest coming out. Sifu Scott says he has a student who drives 3 hours to come to class. Talk about dedication!

Quick tip - Advertise on the back of your local newspaper. Its the cheapest way, and plus, everyone who looks at the person reading the newspaper will see your ad. Tips like that may help. Good luck.

Well, tommorow I am starting my first Long Fist lesson! I am being instructed by Sifu Scott Schneider, who was tought by Master Randy Elia, who was tought by Grand Master Peter Kwok. Sifu Schneider says that Grand Master Peter Kwok brought Long Fist to the east coast from China, while his brothers went to the west coast. I think this is going to be a large change from Gumdo. The sash system is very different, and it takes about 4-6 months to get your second sash, and the time only grows from there. In Gumdo, it was 2 months per belt and 7 for BB. My Sifu teaches Traditional Long Fist, Chin Na, Taiji, Qi Gong, Iron Palm and weapons. He says it will be about a year before I am allowed near weapons. He teaches spear, bo, dao, straight sword, I beleive he also said something like 'Dragon Umbrella' and some other style of Cane. I am very excited, as my first lesson will be tommorow! I will let you guys know how it goes!

Hmm..you should continue to search. If you have any questions most should be answered here by my super long post http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=22086&start=10 Any other questions? Feel free to post and ask.

Yeah, he trains in the same Dojang as I.

I play paintball, and am starting rugby and boxing.

I take Haidong Gumdo and Tang Soo Do in Charlotte, perhaps I go to your school. What Dojang do you belong to?

Well, looks like I answered most questions.

Sure, how about a bit of history, is this a bambo with armor sport or an actual bladed weapon (both). From what I've googled it does not seem to be main stream. I appreciate any info you can share. Well, there was a link provided with a background on Gumdo, so I will go to your next question. During class, in our school atleast, the white through orange belt uses a wooden mok-gum sword. During this period you usually learn forms 1-4. Once you get your green belt you are required to purchase an imitation Korean long sword, which was $150. Once you get your red belt, you are required to purchase another sword which is very light, and has a slight edge. This sword is used to focus on technique and is also used for cutting fruit for demonstrations. Once you have gotten your black belt, you may purchase a fully functionable sword, which I am not too sure of the price. I think that the terminology is relatively easy. As you are a 5th Dan, I am assuming you know how to count to ten, which is also frequently used in Gumdo. The forms for white through thered belt are all labled Ssang Soo Gumbup- then the name. An example would be Ssang Soo Gumbup Chilbon. Then from the red belt to the black belt, they are called Shim Sang Gumbup. Then depending on what rank of black belt you are, forms may be named Yedo Gumbup, Bon Guk Gumbup, Jang Baek Gumbup, Haidong Gumbup, Um Yang Gumbup, or Ssang Gumbup. To get into the basic stance, stand with your feet together, and pivot on your heels so your feet make a 'V' shape, then pivot on your toes, so your heels are shoulder-width apart with toes pointing slightly in. Pivot on your heels again so your toes are facing out, heels slightly more than shoulder width apart. Then pivot again on your toes so your heels are facing out, toes in, about double shoulder-width apart. The easy way to remember this is saying the syllables of Haidong Gumdo along with the movement. So Hai- then you enter the 'V' stance, then 'dong'- toes in, heels out, and ecetera. From there, bend your knees inward, towards eachother. Keep only about the space of two fists allowed in between your knees. The basic cuts are the center (Jung Myun Begi), left and right cuts (Jua Wu Begi),triple cuts (Sahm Dan Begi),accross the waist (Hury Begi), and 45 degree angles, over the shoulder. There are also other basic stances such as Dae Do Se, Dok-lip Se, Ja Yuon Se, So Do Se, Jo Chun Se, and Ji Hah Se. Don't be too worried about learning the names right away, they should say the name of the stance and repeat the stance over, and over, and over again. A few lessons and you should remember them. Gumdo is NOT based on point-based sparring. Sparring is a part of Gumdo, but not a large one. Sparring armor is quite costly, and looks just like Kendo armor, and uses wooden Shinai, like Kendo. Also, along with each form, there is what I call a "one-step form". These usually emphasise important movements of the form. Well, sorry for making this such a long post. Hopefully you learned what you were looking for. If tought right, Gumdo can be a very great looking art, along with a powerful one. Another art that goes along with Gumdo is Sword Dancing, a very flowing, beautiful art.