scottnshelly

What about confidence to speak in front of a group (comes with teaching i guess) level-headedness ablility to multi-task

Tell me more about isometric exercises. What are the pros and cons? Tell me some isometrics to try at home. How do they compare to weights or other methods of exercise? thanks.

Here's an ancient secret regarding Black Belt tests: Anyone who hasn't tested or isn't about to test, stop reading here. Have an ambulance sitting outside ready before the grading begins. If there is a helicopter pad nearby, that might be better, but you at least need an ambulance and full medical staff waiting. I'm just kidding, that was what everyone told me. I really almost did need one though, mine was tough. Most are tough, because they are designed to push the student to his edge, then one more step. It is a test to see if you are capable of handling real-life situations. My Instructors used to tell me "If you can pass a Black Belt test, you can survive any thing."

I believe fully in the benefits of kata to certain point. I think that they are a great base of fundamentals. Once you have reached a certain point in kata, i think it is wise to move on. This of course will differ upon the student and what he wants out of his Martial Arts training. That may be true about Azato, but who would argue that Bruce Lee didn't have the ability to defend himself (before he went Hollywood). If you want to go down the path of kata, then do it full-heardetly. If you want to concentrate more on self-defense and combat, then learn and master kata for several years, then move on to combat - but never forget that foundation that kata taught you. How does that saying go about the different paths to the top of the mountain and looking at the same moon? The point is, whatever path you choose - kata, weapons, sparring, one-steps, teaching, philosophy, budo or a combination of the above, or any that i left out - go with all your heart and i'll see you at the top. If you have never experienced kata, don't downtalk it. It is very important to most of those that practice it, it is beneficial. If you haven't tried it, you should learn and master at least one, even if it's a beginner's kata. One last point: if kata wasn't beneficial, why do think they've been around so long in so many variations?

No, it's a small town on the border of Oklahoma and Texas, on the Oklahoma side. In other words, it's in America. But you're still welcome to come. http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=xTowJeV.wimQQVd6MsEKU7USFw--&csz=kingston%2C+ontario&country=ca&tcsz=kingston%2C+oklahoma&tcountry=us Starting from: Kingston, ON Arriving at: Kingston, OK Distance: 1517.7 miles Approximate Travel Time: 23 hours 20 mins

That's a mighty long commute from Canada to Oklahoma. If you can make it to Kingston, you'll make it to the tournament. There's only a couple buildings in the whole town. They usually put up flyers or balloons. Honestly, i don't even know the address, i'm just going to drive until i see a couple cars parked in the same parking lot.

I’ve been friends with Frank since I moved to this town in second grade. We spent every day during the summers together building forts and shooting BB guns. He knew that I was in Karate, but never was too interested. We grew apart during high school. Then, he came to work at the same place as me, and I trained him to work with me in my department. We instantly became close friends again, catching up on old times. One day he came across a katana, and instantly became interested in learning to cut things with it. Tragedy struck in early March. He dropped a tv on his stomach while helping someone move. The fall caused his kidneys to shut down and his stomach muscles to start deteriorating. After a week of lying around hoping to get better, he finally went to the doctor. He was 48 hours from death, is what the doctor said. Unhealthy living was the primary cause of all of the problems. He never ate anything but fast food and Chinese food, stayed up all hours of the night and never elevated his heart rate. I’m glad to report that he’s doing much better now and will be back to work on 4/18/05. He told me that while he had all that time to sit and think while he was in the hospital, he decided he wants to start taking Martial Arts. He knows that it will help him get and stay healthy. I’m going to take him to a local tournament in Kingston, OK next weekend (4/23/05) so he can see what it’s all about. I’m really excited to introduce him to – what I hope to be – a long Martial Arts career. The only thing that I’m concerned about is a lot has changed since I’ve gone to any schools around here. All of the Instructor’s from my day have closed down and been replaced. I don’t know anything about these new guys, so I don’t know who to give my endorsement to. Maybe we’ll get a chance to meet some new Instructor’s at this tournament. Don’t tell him, but I’m just as excited to go as him, because it’s been 4 or more years since I’ve been to one. I miss my old friends, mentors, peers, students, protégés and everyone else. Anyway, I am just really excited to convert a long time friend to my lifestyle and I guess I wanted to share it will all of you. Thanks for reading this long and uneventful story.

How about a compilation of great stories that we've heard from those wise Grandmasters have told us. One time, my Instructor's Instructor was telling me and a group about a guy that came into his dojo one night. The guy wore a white belt and asked Mr. Chandler to a grappling match. So, they got into the ring and grappled for a while. Mr. Chandler was starting off going easy because of the white belt. After a few seconds, it became appearant that this young man had some training. He said that they bout lasted for well over half an hour and both came out exhausted and battered. Afterward, he asked the guy why he was wearing a white belt, when by his skills he should be a Black Belt. The guy explained that part of his requirement for belt tests was winning in a tournament. This guy was opposed to competing, so he never tested. He had been training for something like eight years. The moral of the story - that i got anyway - is that the color of your belt doesn't matter, it's your skills, training, experience, etc. This story really changed my perspective of belts and belt tests. Any other inspiring stories handed down to you?

Musashi Morihei Ueshiba Oyama just for their reputation. Then I'd track down the best striker, the best grappler, the best with bladed weapons, the best with escrima, the best over all trainer, the best with soft weapons, the best Kenpoist, etc. Then if there was still time I would want to train with the founder/soke/best of each major style until i had mastered each one. Then if there was more time, I'd train with myself for a few years, then go back to the others for more guidance. That's why i'm turning to vampireism, so i can be immortal. Ashida Kim's books didn't teach me to be immortal like they claimed, so now i'm drinking blood (just kidding)

Let's make one large list of positive attributes that we get from the Martial Arts. I'll start with a few and let everyone else add the rest. Respect Self-confidence Honesty Integrity Now you go.

Anyone on here from Oklahoma? I was just curious.

Thanks for the replies. if I understand what you're saying, you're saying that a skilled striker usually doesn't fair well against a grappler. It seems to me that the striker could adapt to fighting a grappler without necessarily going to the ground. And if that's the case, then why are people who train exclusively in a striking art so confident in their skills if anyone with a little grappling training could beat them? I think someone with adequate training in a stand up, striking art should be able to beat someone who's a grappler. This just disappoints me. Here i was with a high level of confidence when all of a sudden i'm hearing that if i cross a wrestler, i'm going to lose in the long run. Of the fights that i've seen where a striker is fighting a grappler, it seems that the striker always tries to play the grappler's game. As soon as they clinch up, the striker will start trying to grapple, even though he has no training. How about instead of going to the ground, finishing it off with a good kick to the head. I'm done rambling.

Here in Oklahoma, you can't carry any weapon with malicious intent. You can carry a weapon (except gun i think) to or from training or competition. The only thing is, if you get stopped and have a sword on you, how can they prove that you aren't going to training or competition. Now, you could get in trouble for hitting/cutting somone with a weapon, or even planning on it. As far as blades, i think there's a 4" limit on blades here. But no one has ever confinscated any of my long pocket knives and i've shown them to several police officers. just check with your local authorities and don't make a fool out of yourself trying to carry as many weapons as you can like a Ninja Turtle.

One time i was at the movies with some friends when we were suddenly ambushed by a large group of gangster wannabes. someone told me that i should be able to go beat them all up because i was a Black Belt. i told them that i couldn't because i didn't have the belt with me at the time. they was all confused. pretty funny stuff.

In addition to the still unanswered questions above, i would like to know your extent of training as well as the other kids that are going to be playing. Are you the only one with any training, or is it the kids class from your dojo? What do your parents think of this? Have you told them? Are they willing to supervise? Who's going to be facilitating this, you? Are you going to compete also if you judge? With only 8 people, how many judges will be judging each bout. Is everyone going to agree to take a shot to the face? Is someone going to go to the authorities or parents if they lose? Who's going to set up the rules? Who's going to be running the consession stand and selling t-shirts while all this is going on? Where can i watch this madness?

I'm in the final pages of one of the best books that I’ve ever read. It will definitely be re-read over and over again. The book is called Secret Tactics by Kazumi Tabata. The title is sort of misleading in that it isn't just a list of secret tactics. The name kinda conjures up Ninja type stuff, but it's not. The book is actually a compilation of essays and excerpts from books from 14th and 15th Century Medieval Japan. It is broken up into three parts, The Seven Masters, Leadership and Enlightenment. “The Seven Masters” is seven or eight essays from seven of the most renowned essayist of the time, including Musashi. These are just a generalization of a book that each wrote, not the entire book. For instance, it has a few of the best chapters of The Book of Five Rings. “Leadership” is a compilation of essays and excerpts regarding leadership. It tells us how a general should act, how an emperor should lead his country and how to manage a business. There are several books in this part. “Enlightenment” takes a look at the more spiritual and mental side of the Martial Arts. This isn’t a step-by-step instructional on how to meditate, but it does give the reader some insight to spiritual, mental and physical development. All in all, a great read. It’s about 135 pages long and every page is action packed. You know those catchy little quotes that everyone is so fond of, every page is full of those. You could take any one sentence out of that book and use it as a signature or daily affirmation. If you see this book in a bookstore or library, by all means, get it. If you liked Sun Tzu’s the Art of War, you’ll love this one.

I'm not very knowledgable when it comes to UFC, i haven't seen very many fights. My question is, has there ever been a fighter in the UFC that had absolutley no ground training prior to the fight? It seems like everyone on there has a MMA or Jiu Jitsu back ground. I know that i've seen some that are stronger standing, but they all seem to have had some ground work. How would a person that has no ground training fair in the ring? For instance, say a person trains their whole life in Kenpo, Aikido, Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, or any other punching/kicking style, would they be instantly beaten by a MMA guy? On a side note, i would be much more interested in watching a fight between two classically trained Martial Artists that have devoted their whole life to one style say Tae Kwon Do vs. Monkey Kung Fu or Wing Chun vs. Aikido or Kenpo vs. Muay Thai.

Humility and respect. If you lose, accept the defeat and learn from it, do not show any emotions or reactions. If you win, remember that your opponent lost, don't show any emotions or reactions. By this i don't mean walk around with a poker face, but just don't get upset and crazy if you lose and don't rub it in your opponent's face if you win. Always bow and shake your opponent's hand before and after any sparring for forms competitions.

I usually get the opposite of 'show me something', although i do get that too. Most people want to show me something and ask what it is 'in Karate'. like a sloppy leg slinging kick or a dorky one-legged stance. Then i get the 'can you do...' also. 'Can you break a board on your head?' 'Can you push this house over?' 'Can you break this counter top in half?' If someone asks me to shem them 'Karate', i just stand there. They usually lose interest right there, but if they ask what i'm doing, or why i'm not moving i tell them that i am doing 'Karate' by controlling my desire to punch them. 'you see, self-control is very important...' then they lose interest. I usually don't put on a performance for people wanting to get a free demo. they'd be disappointed that i can't do a flip while shaking a pair of kamas.

My parents' preacher came to our school for some lessons. He turned out to be a real jerk and a fake though. He tried to teach me boxing and i ended up breaking his nose because he was hitting me just as hard. I also taught several people that i went to school with and such. Like everyone else said, don't take advantage of it, just teach him/her and treat him/her like everyone else.

I've always been a big advocate of smoking. I love to smoke. What i hate are the smokers that say they're going to quit and gripe about how bad it is for you and then light up. I also hate those that say they 'stopped smoking' but really mean they stopped buying cigs and ask you for one. There's this guy at work that hasn't 'smoked' in years, but somehow bums a cig from me on every break. In conclusion, if you don't want to smoke, don't. If you do want to smoke, do it. don't tell me what to do or not to do, i guarentee if my wife can't get me to quit, no one else can. thanks.

I was just wondering how everyone here came up with thier login name for this forum. i'll start: i'm Scott. my wife is Shelly. We started dating when i was a freshman and she was a junior. All through school we were 'Scott and Shelly'. Everyone talked about 'Scott and Shelly'. We were always together, no one knew just one of us. Still to this day, our house is Scott and Shelly's house. Most people run them together to sound more like Scott'n'Shelly. It stuck, so that's what our first e-mail address was 'scottnshelly@'. That's what my username has been ever since. not that interesting, i know, but i'm sure some of you have an interesting story behind your username.

Get two cinder blocks and set them about shoulder width apart. Then stand on them, one foot per cinder block. Practice doing your kicks slowly from up there. The only real difference is now you're elevated so you know if you get off balance and will quickly correct it. After a while you can move them around or even stand them on end to make a smaller standing place. This exercise will also help you with bringing your kicking leg back to the same place. Also, try hopping around on one foot. Experience and practice are the biggest factors of balance though. good luck.

Most Instructors would encourage it, however, there are some that would be offended. You should ask; just mention your interest in broadening your horizens. After 10 years of knowing him, you should be pretty well able to judge his reaction after a couple sentences. The only thing that might make him mad is if you were going to go to another school of the same style. If your sensei finds out that you've secretly been attending another class - especially another Gojo Ryu class - he might be offended. Just be open and talk to him. Let us know how it goes and stuff.

Martial Arts are not widely practiced (this can be a good thing or a bad thing) and that causes ignorance and stereotyping. When someone from up-North comes down to Oklahoma, they start making assumptions that all rednecks dip, hunt and drive a big, loud trucks. I don’t do any of that. They don’t know any better, because there are no text books on what rednecks are like, they’ve only seen movies like Joe Dirt that gives us real rednecks a bad name. Think about all of the stereotypes for law enforcement officers. I’ve never met a cop that sat around eating donuts all day, in fact, quite the opposite is true of most that I know. The fact remains that everyone is ignorant in most subjects and people will make (wrong) assumptions about everything until they are learned in it. I think that in general, everyone learning Martial Arts, even just a little, would be a bad thing. We are an elite, select few that are able to train. People don’t want to do Martial Arts for the simple reason that it’s not easy, not because ‘it don’t work’. I do think that people should have a little more knowledge about what we do and don’t do, but then again, that’s part of what makes us so mysterious. If I have to take a little stereotyping to remain in an elite group, so be it. But in answer to your question, yes it does get annoying. My wife’s cousin used to always call me ‘Kung Fu Master’ in that annoying fake Chinese accent – you know the one I’m talking about. One time he even yelled it out of his truck window out on the busiest street in this little town. For some reason, he doesn’t do that any more. I also don’t understand the whole ‘knife hand’ thing that everyone so commonly associates with Martial Arts. Is there a popular movie featuring a Karateka that only does open hand techniques? When someone asks me how many boards I can break I give them Bruce Lee’s answer “boards don’t hit back.” I usually try to downplay my experience and knowledge to little more than reading a book and watching a class or video. I’ve found that once the cat is out of the bag, people will talk your head off about it.