scottnshelly

http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html This website is pretty neat. It fits the topic of this thread, so try it out. By the way, I scored 74% Dixie.

Thanks to everyone for the input. Meguro: back then it was a lot of snapping kicks to no target, bicycling, running and several other activities. These days I’m doing a lot of running on treadmills and pavement and stationary bikes. Maybe I just need to exercise my knees a little more? Jarrettmeyer: I hope that this isn’t a permanent problem. Perhaps I should get a doctor to investigate. Thanks. Shogeri: That all sounds great, but where would I find one of these healers in Oklahoma? I’ve never heard of anything like that. Is this common or would I have to travel to India to find something like this? Thanks again to everyone. Any other advice is welcome as well.

Do you mean on a large or small scale? Do you want to develop the ability to focus on a small target, such as a hand pad, or the ability to focus on the teacher standing in front of the class, or the ability to focus on one’s surroundings?

When I was a kid, I competed a lot. I went to a Karate or Tae Kwon Do tournament nearly every weekend. I also participated in bicycle rides and races. After several years of this – and a few accidental low kicks – I started experiencing severe pain in my knees. I went to the doctor; he said that although it’s not impossible for a 14 year old to have arthritis, he didn’t think that was the case with me. Upon further inspection he concluded that I didn’t have adequate fluid in my knees. He injected me with something (Cortaid, calzone, cortezol, collagen, Caligula, or something like that…). At first my knees were stiff, but then they felt better. I also went to several physical therapy sessions which seemed to help. After a while, I seemed better and slowed down on the competing. Now it’s years later and I’ve started to work out really hard again. I was doing fine until this week. My knees are starting to hurt again. Is there anything I can do to avoid having to go through all of the doctor bills and physical therapy again? Does this sound serious, or just like sore knees from working out? Thanks,

Occasionally I get asked if I could ever have my title of Black Belt revoked. My short answer is always “no”. I understand that in extreme circumstances an Instructor or organization may decide to demote a student. My question is, has anyone heard of an Instructor or organization that requires something to maintain Black Belt status? For example, an organization that requires continuous membership or an Instructor that requires constant attendance at class. Again, I understand that an Instructor or organization can demote or revoke based on disorderly conduct or bad representation of the school. My question pertains to losing rank for not doing anything.

I’ve had people harass me specifically because they heard of my martial training. I seem to run into a lot of rednecks that want to test their ability to fight against someone who has already proven their ability to fight, i.e. a Black Belt. I also hear a lot of people bragging about beating trained fighters. If a bully were to approach me, it would be because he thought that he was bigger, stronger or more skilled than me. If I were to announce that I had training, it would only make him more eager to attack. In fact, instead of announcing my martial training while being harassed, I’d be much more likely to say that I’m a pacifist. Then I’d try to confuse them about how they aren’t allowed to attack me because of the fact that I’m a pacifist. One of these days I’m going to get an ink pouch installed so I can spray an attacker and run away real quick.

I was too young back then, but I can remember seeing them at a lot of tournaments. I laughed extra hard when I saw Rex wearing them in Napoleon Dynamite. They really did their research for that segment.

Most of these facts are in fact true, such as this one: But I saw a few that were kind of hard for me to believe. Funny site.

A student that wears a black colored belt represents his Instructor and school. I think that 10 is a reasonable age for a talented, dedicated and tenured student to represent his/her school and Instructor. Being a Black Belt is entirely different. To be a Black Belt, one must have humility, honor and respect. In order to get to the rank of black belt, one must have drive, determination, perseverance and dedication. To become a Black Belt, one must not worry about how he ranks compared to his fellow students. Congratulations on reaching the rank of black belt. That shows that you have worked hard. The next step is to become a Black Belt. I was 14 when I received my first and second Jr. Black Belt ranks in Tae Kwon Do and Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do respectively. I was 17 or 18 when I (in my opinion) became a Black Belt.

Thanks again, that’s something that I hadn’t considered. I still have aspirations of opening a school, in the distant future. I have a family that I have to provide for and I can’t lose my benefits and steady income to risk it all for a school right now. I’m hoping that by starting small – one student – I can build up a reputation and clientele. I used to teach private lessons on the side and that alone brought in a couple students to the school. I know that there is a small group in this area that is interested in learning the martial arts, however, I don’t think that group is big enough to pay my mortgage and utilities. My Instructor taught full time, but he had four schools total, three in other towns each about an hour away. Perhaps after the holidays I can start teaching some of my co-workers. Thanks again for everyone's insight.

That’s why they always say “don’t drink the water and don’t try to break a brick with your head…”

I think the egg part has already been explained in better detail that I could’ve offered. As far as the slow motion part: a single board isn’t that hard to break. One could push on it with little force and cause it to break. This could be done “in slow motion” so that you’re really just slowly applying more force on it until it breaks. That’s my wager.

I’ve been thinking a lot about teaching lately. I’ve come to realize that a school is probably not in my near future, but I’ve got the teaching bug. I know of a couple people that seem interested in learning. I’m considering asking them if they’d be interested in learning in a one-on-one type environment, either for free or for very little. I don’t want to make money from anyone; I just want to spread my knowledge that was generously passed on to me. I’ve got it in my head that if I start teaching one person, then he’ll tell his friend, then he’ll tell another friend and pretty soon I’ll have enough people chipping in to rent a building. Has anyone gotten started by teaching just one person, then using the “tell-a-friend” method? Thanks for all of the advice so far.

Welcome to KarateForums. This is a very friendly community, kick your shoes off and stay a while. I don’t think that anyone is doubting the validity of your style, and no disrespect was intended. We are just not used to styles being a modern invention. I certainly appreciate you taking the initiative to come on here and give your side of the story. What are some of the characteristics of Nel-Son Ryu? Does it have its roots in an older style?

I think that self restraint is one of the most important tenets that we learn in Martial Arts. Self control is more difficult than punching someone in the face.

I’ve studied Tae Kwon Do for over 15 years and I’ve never done, or seen an Instructor do, any of the kicks that you listed. Those may be part of a curriculum for other classes, but none that I’ve attended. I think that this is a good example of the fact that Tae Kwon Do has gotten a bad reputation for having an excessive amount of jumping and spinning kicks. In answer to your initial question, I think that most of the kicks found in Tae Kwon Do are exclusive to Tae Kwon Do in some aspects and common in some aspects. Most styles have similar kicks, but there may be some elements that separate them from Tae Kwon Do’s. For example, in some Tae Kwon Do classes, the front kick is chambered with the knee coming straight up; then the foot is extended with the toes stretched back so as to kick with the ball of the foot in a snapping motion. This is intended to snap out and back swiftly and hit a small target. Some other styles, sometimes, use the front kick as a push with the entire bottom of the foot to a broad target. Another example: I studied Tae Kwon Do under my Instructor for several years, and then he started teaching me Kenpo. In Kenpo we had a wheel kick which was very similar to Tae Kwon Do’s roundhouse. There were differences outside of the name though. In Tae Kwon Do, the kick was chambered the same as a front kick, then the base foot pivoted and the hips rotated for the kick to extend. In Kenpo, the kick was more of a swing. In the chamber, the knee was pointed a little more downward. There are many different styles of Tae Kwon Do. I can’t speak for all of them, but the ones that I have never been taught any of these aerial, spinning kicks. I think that these types of kicks are more likely supplemental to a style, rather than a part of the curriculum. I don’t know why they are more associated with Tae Kwon Do, maybe because Tae Kwon Do does include more head kicks than some Japanese and Okinawan styles.

Jason Sasser. Has anyone heard of him?

Try this book.

Sometimes I see Martial Arts capitalized and sometimes I see it in all lowercase. I used to argue with my English teachers in High School over this. Does anyone know the correct answer? Should the word Martial Arts be capitalized or not? Also, the same question for the specific arts – Karate or karate, etc. Thanks.

I am a much bigger fan of the BOB (Body Opponent Bag). It is a little more realistic and provides the same amount of versatility; you lose no function compared to a hanging bag. The only thing I don’t like about the BOB is that the base can get in the way, and if it’s not filled to capacity with water, it can topple over easily. Of course, when compared to the ones in question (according to White Warlock) the BOB is better in all aspects. I’d rather stub my toe on the base of a BOB than to step or fall on one of those bars sticking up.

I have heard a lot of recommendations on Hagakure, so I decided that I would add it to my ever-growing book wish list. I went to the store to look at it and noticed a couple different translations. One said it was basically just the highlights of the original. My question is what is the best translation of Hagakure? I want the one that is closest to the original. Thanks.

I have listed my recommendations on a couple other posts; such as the Martial Arts research library Sticky in General Martial Arts. I think that reading is the second most important facet of training. I stopped attending a Dojang/Dojo (not by choice) almost five years ago. Since then, I have started reading and I think I have progressed more in these five years as a Black Belt than I did the first 10 years. When you go to one Dojang/Dojo, you only focus on that material. When you pick up a book, you can read about another style. As with videos, I tend to stay away from instructional themed books. I like to read about Martial Arts, but I prefer not to read about how to do them. I prefer books regarding the histories, philosophies and theories of the Martial Arts.

I’ve never tried one of these models, but I’ve worked out on Century’s Cornerman. The major difference that I can see is that the Cornerman doesn’t strap the bag down, it hangs and swings freely. I guess you could untie this bag and get the same effect. I can’t answer your questions regarding the specified model, but as for the Cornerman: 1) I never noticed any sound through the floor, but we were in a large building with a pretty solid floor. 2) It was very stable. No one was able to knock it over or anything. If you get it, let us know what you think. Good luck.

I’ve seen these, but never seen one in action. Is this primarily used for thrusting, swinging, chopping, etc? I know with a bo you can jab with the end or knock someone over the head; how does the eku differ?

All great suggestions so far. I would just add a few bullets with things like: • Self-control • Discipline • Respect • Self defense • Fun Things like this will get parents’ attention for their kids.