scottnshelly

Thanks White Warlock, I sent him an e-mail and told him to have lunch with me or come over sometime so we can catch up. He recently changed shifts so I don’t see him at work anymore. I’ll ask him then if there’s anything he needs from me or whatever. Thanks for your advise, everyone. More insight is still appreciated.

I couldn't agree more. I thought getting this friend involved with Martial Arts would be a good first step. I've offered, but he's about to go away to college, so he doesn't want to get started just to have to quit when he moves.

Hello, I’m just looking for some insight, or something, I don’t know. About two months ago, I participated in an intervention. My father-in-law has been an alcoholic for years and we finally stepped in and helped him make the decision to go to treatment. Now that he’s back and in recovery, I’m finding myself looking around at others that I can help. I didn’t enjoy the intervention part at all, and seeing my father-in-law going through recovery was very tough. I really don’t want to do that again, but subconsciously now I want to help others. I’ve got a friend; we’ve been friends since 2nd grade, best friends. He’s never admitted to me, but has left hints that he’s addicted to pills. The other day he inadvertently sent an e-mail to me about being addicted to pills. I told him today that I saw it; at first his face got red and he didn’t say anything. Shortly thereafter he asked me if I had any questions. I didn’t know what he was talking about, so I just said no. Then he told me that we should go out to lunch sometime. I think we’re going to try to go to lunch tomorrow. I guess my question is, is it normal for me to want him to go to treatment, or should I butt out? I know it’s not my business, but I feel like I need to help him. I’m thinking that while we go out to lunch he’s going to bring it up, but if he doesn’t, should I? On an ironic note, he was my confidant during the period of helping my father-in-law, now the roles have changed. Night-before-last I had a dream: my father-in-law and I were showing my friend around at the same treatment facility that he went to. It was exactly like it really happened two months ago, except with different people. In summation, should I ask him to get help, should I offer to help, should I butt out, should I feel guilty for wanting to help, etc? Thanks.

Is there a larger space outside that you can practice kata on sunny days? Maybe in the parking lot or a yard of some sort.

Have you seen this? I don’t have a problem with it, everyone else at work couldn’t do it. I was wondering if the other Martial Artists could do it. My hypothesis is that we as Martial Artists will have an easier time because of our amazing hand-foot coordination.

Nice rebuttal. You make some very good points that I am unable to argue. The one point that I can dispute, however, is this one: I have a Black Belt in Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do and American Tae Kwon Do. They are both Tae Kwon Do, both originating in Korea, but with very different forms. In Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do, we learned Pal-gye’s and Tae-guks; in American Tae Kwon Do we learned the Chun-gi patterns. I’ve been to other Tae Kwon Do schools that practiced other forms. This is a very interesting and informative thread.

I’ve been practicing Martial Arts for almost my entire life and Kenpo for a couple years. I don’t know everything – although sometimes I tell people I do. I’m going to give my opinion, limited as it may be. There is no one single aspect that separates Kenpo from any other art; however, this can be said about most arts. Kenpo, as I understand it, is a very open-minded art, much like Jeet Kune Do. I would say that there are some differences that most people would be able to notice if they saw. Most Kenpoka that I’ve seen have a lot in common: striking vital points, using open handed techniques often, low kicks, joint locks, circular and linear attacks and weapon defenses. I know that most styles include these same aspects and this is not all of Kenpo, but these are the differences that I have noticed that separate Kenpo from other styles. If you compared two Kenpo practitioners of different styles you would be able to find differences in their technique, history and philosophy. If you compared two Tae Kwon Do practitioners of different styles the same would be true. If you compared a Tae Kwon Do practitioner against a Kenpo practitioner the differences would be much greater and the similarities would be much less significant. So, although there are differences in the roots, techniques and philosophies of each sub style of Kenpo, in the greater scheme of things they are basically the same style family. Besides, we only have names for styles for classification purposes; otherwise we’d all just be Martial Artists. If that’s the main purpose of having a name for the style, then it doesn’t make much sense to try to over-complicate the classification and create a new style for each little difference.

It’s difficult to stereotype a good Instructor/school. No matter what I suggest as a sign of a good Instructor or school someone could argue. I’ll attempt to do so any way: Good Instructors have a presence about them, almost like they are unapproachable, yet they are approachable. Good Instructors will be more than happy to discuss with you your goals from Martial Arts and how you can achieve them at this school. Good Instructors are able to explain everything that they do instead of ‘do it this way because this is the way we do it.’ Look for an Instructor that can explain their style and lineage to avoid finding someone with self-appointed credentials and made-up techniques. Good Instructors will be open minded to new techniques, rather than limiting your knowledge to just one possibility. You usually leave a good school with a feeling of confidence and feel like you are improving. Bad Instructors will want to talk about prices and contracts more than the curriculum. Bad Instructors will give belt tests on a regular basis regardless of how much you’ve developed since your last test. Bad Instructors don’t know the reasons behind techniques. Bad Schools have way more kids and really young Black Belts and very little underbelts and adults. You usually leave a bad school worrying about having to buy a different belt every other week, a new uniform with lots of patches and paying for a belt test in addition to outrageous monthly fees.

My advice is to look for a good Instructor and school; place very little emphasis on the style. If you have specific goals or reasons for wanting to get started then we can discuss different styles. With just protection and fun in mind, you could learn any Martial Art. If you lean more toward the protection you should find a serious Instructor that teaches self-defense or a self-defense oriented Martial Art. If you lean more toward the fun aspect then you could look for a school that has lots of games, is family-oriented, competes in a lot of tournaments and has a lot of colorful uniforms. It would be impossible for us to tell you which Martial Art you would benefit most from or to list all of the schools in your area, so I would recommend getting your yellow pages and visiting some of the schools to determine which would be better for you. If you need more specific advice, let us know. Good luck.

http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2809

My Instructor’s ceremonies varied depending on rank. The underbelts were called up, the old belt was untied and removed by the Instructor, then the new belt tied on – also by the Instructor. A short congratulations, bow and clap. For Black Belts, each of the Black Belts on the panel gets to ask a question or two to the prospective Black Belt, usually stuff like: “What does Black Belt mean to you?” and “How does being a Black Belt change things for you?” Then everything else is basically the same, lots of bowing and hand-shaking. At my Jr. Black Belt test I was given a plaque for being the organizations first Jr. Black Belt. Then everyone that participated in the sparring signed my newly torn gi, followed by lots of pictures. I watched my Instructor go for a belt test – I think 4th Dan - and at the end they passed around a sake bowl for everyone to share a drink.

Point sparring. Two minutes, stopping after each point to call the points. One point for everything, nothing to the face - except in adult Black Belts, nothing below the waist except to the groin.

Thanks, I appreciate the information. I have a further question on the set that is (I think) three from the end. You do a sharp turn to the 1:30 and do a right front kick and forked tongue of the snake eye strike simultaneously. Then you come down with a crane beak, then right elbow and step back and do a little jig with your hands. This is the part that I’m confused with. I can’t figure out the application behind the ‘scraping’ your hands together, left hand staying stationary and the right hand moving up and down. I’m basically confused about everything between the kick and the knee sandwich. I hope this makes sense. Thanks.

UPDATE: I just got a letter from the Police Department today. The good news is, I get to retest. The bad news is, the test in on July 30, that's a month from now. I've made arrangements with my babysitter to come an hour or so early so I can get some running in before work. Any other last minute advice? What kind of diet should I be on?

Thanks, As far as the runner’s store… what? We have a Walmart and a Payless. I did actually go to Walmart and bought a decent pair of tennis shoes and some padded insoles, maybe that’ll help a little. I don’t think anybody in Walmart would really be able to suggest a good running shoe for me personally, and the Payless is over 90% women’s shoes and 8% children’s shoes (my estimates). I’ll see what they got though. I really just like the way those power bars taste. I can’t wait to try the Snicker’s Marathon Bar, it looks delicious! I don’t know when the next test will be, they only gave me a week notice last time, so I imagine it’ll be about the same for the next one, so I’m just going to prepare like crazy until they call me. It could be this weekend, or it could be next year. I know I gotta get rid of the smokes, but man it’s hard. I’ve cut back a lot since I started all this training (I know, that’s what everyone says). I appreciate everyone’s advice and help. One day I’ll pass that test and come back on here to thank you again.

It's good to get exposure to other methods and techniques, even if it's only for a month or two. If you enjoyed the class and the Instructor, and if you have the time and resources, I would encourage you to attend and learn as much as you can.

Thanks for the information. I have only learned Long Form 6, and I learned it mostly from video. I’m still working on some of the applications. I would like to learn the other forms some day. I’d love more information on these Kenpo forms, such as more specific details of applications in Long Form 6, mostly toward the end. How important to do you feel these forms are to one’s development in Kenpo?

Thanks guys, I’ll try to respond to everything, but I’m sure I’ll forget some things. As far as the treadmill, I’m pretty broke; not looking to spend more than $100 on it. Everyone around town wants about $600 for a used one. I’m just going to be using it for a couple weeks until I pass the Academy. As for the stroller thing, my daughter is at the age where she’s too young to go running with me and too old to sit in a stroller for more than a couple minutes – she’s terrible two. She wants to be independent and walk, but she’s just a little slower than me. My weight: I used to maintain 135 when I was 14-16. I got out of competitions (Tae Kwon Do and bicycling) and then I got married, so my weight has increased. I’m guessing I’m around 190 now at the age of 21. I’m not obese, but I have gained weight from eating regularly since marriage. I took the test about two weeks ago (day before Father’s Day). I passed the pushups with flying colors, but failed the situps. I did 30 instead of 40. I know I would’ve failed the run if I had made it that far. So I just really need to work on doing faster situps and running better without neglecting my pushups. Also, I was running pretty regularly for a couple days before the test, and my shins and knees hurt me really badly. I am a frequent smoker (half a pack a day) so I figured I would get out of breath first. I did get out of breath, but my shins and knees slowed me down the most. What can I do at home to increase my shin/knee strength in between running? I don’t have one of those home gym things. One more question, while we’re on the topic, what about energy/power/protein bars? When I raced/rode bicycles I used to carry a power bar or two in my pack and eat it about half way through. Now there are so many options, I’ve been sampling the different ones, do you condone these? Which is your favorite? Thanks again.

Great idea! I’m just trying to achieve (and surpass) the Police’s standard physical fitness test: 40 situps in 60 seconds, 30 pushups in 60 seconds and 1.5 miles in 12 minutes. My schedule is full; I am home alone with my daughter from dawn to noon, then work from noon to sleep. I can’t leave the house to go running during the week and I’m still in the process of buying a treadmill. The running is my weakest right now, so I should be working on that more. My only option for running during the week is going up and down our stair case in the house. Again, my goal isn’t to be in a bodybuilding magazine, I just want regular fitness in the few minutes of the day that I have in between diaper changes and folding laundry. Monday – pushups 30, 20, 10 Tuesday – situps 40, 30, 20, 10 Wednesday – cardio Stairs – 5 times up and down, 3 reps. Thursday – pushups 30, 20, 10 Friday – misc. Dumbbells, medicine ball, etc. Saturday – cardio Jogging Sunday – situps 40, 30, 20, 10 Thanks

Everyone is correct about the myth of the 'lethal weapon' thing. On the other hand, someone with training can inflict more damage than someone without. As Black Belts, we are supposed to be the best at self-control but if someone with years of training loses control, it can be bad. A fellow I once knew is serving 8 years for beating up his wife. He was a 5th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo. While he wasn't prosecuted more for being a Black Belt, he was able to beat her up worse than a layman would have, hence he got more time. There are no laws - that I can find - that say 'it is illegal for a trained Black Belt to threaten or attack someone else.'

I am trying to get into shape to become a Police Officer. I recently came up with a workout schedule. I was wondering if anyone else on here has one, so I can compare mine to yours and see if mine's anygood. Thanks.

I went to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/statute.html and did a search for the word "weapon" and for "sword". Neither produced any statutes stating anything about a sword, except a cane sword and nunchaku. SECTION 1. Section 12020 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 12020. (a) Any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any cane gun or wallet gun, any undetectable firearm, any firearm which is not immediately recognizable as a firearm, any camouflaging firearm container, any ammunition which contains or consists of any flechette dart, any bullet containing or carrying an explosive agent, any ballistic knife, any multiburst trigger activator, any nunchaku, any short-barreled shotgun, any short-barreled rifle, any metal knuckles, any belt buckle knife, any leaded cane, any zip gun, any shuriken, any unconventional pistol, any lipstick case knife, any cane sword, any shobi-zue, any air gauge knife, any writing pen knife, any metal military practice handgrenade or metal replica handgrenade, or any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slungshot, billy, sandclub, sap, or sandbag, or who carries concealed upon his or her person any explosive substance, other than fixed ammunition, or who carries concealed upon his or her person any dirk or dagger is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison. However, a first offense involving any metal military practice handgrenade or metal replica handgrenade shall be punishable only as an infraction unless the offender is an active participant in a criminal street gang as defined in the Street Terrorism and Enforcement and Prevention Act (Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 186.20) of Title 7 of Part 1). A bullet containing or carrying an explosive agent is not a destructive device as that term is used in Section 12301. (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following: (3) The possession of a nunchaku on the premises of a school which holds a regulatory or business license and teaches the arts of self-defense. (4) The manufacture of a nunchaku for sale to, or the sale of a nunchaku to, a school which holds a regulatory or business license and teaches the arts of self-defense. (3) As used in this section, a "nunchaku" means an instrument consisting of two or more sticks, clubs, bars or rods to be used as handles, connected by a rope, cord, wire, or chain, in the design of a weapon used in connection with the practice of a system of self-defense such as karate. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=9296666254+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve

This answer is going to vary by region. In Oklahoma, it is illegal to carry any weapon with malicious intent. It is perfectly legal to carry a weapon (not sure about guns) to or from any competition or training. That means that you can take a sword to your Dojo to learn how to use it; you cannot take it to the mall for self defense purposes. You can take a sword to a tournament; you cannot take it to an enemy’s house to threaten him with it. The best way to find out for your specific area would be to contact your local Police Department. Your Instructor may already know the answer to this.

Thanks again, Another question that I have is about rank certificates. I am certified to teach in what my Instructor called Tae Kwon Do. It was really a mixture of Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo and various grappling styles. I am not a big believer in style anymore though. I do like the idea of belts and ranks, but I’m not sure what style I should put on the rank certificate. I feel that if I teach someone techniques from several different styles, that doesn’t make them certified for one or all of those styles, it’s a mixture. I’m not talking about MMA here, by the way. My philosophy is styles are finite; we shouldn’t limit our knowledge to just what one style says we are to do. I like Tae Kwon Do for the overall structure and kicks, but Kenpo has very effective self defense and vital point strikes. Just because I teach someone how to kick and gouge eyes doesn’t make them a Black Belt in both styles. I also hate the idea of making up a new style just for teaching purposes. I don’t have anything new to offer that would necessitate a new style, just more like a ‘greatest hits’ of a couple already famous styles. Has anyone else run into this? How should I handle the issue of style? Thanks.

First let me say that I have no formal training in Iron Palm. I have been interested in the Art for a couple years and have been researching it like crazy. From what I have gathered there are several strikes used to strengthen different parts of the hand. The most common are, palm, back of the palm, finger tips, fist and knife hand. Most people say that you should raise your hand and let it fall onto the bag; others say it’s okay to strike the bag. The most important thing to remember is to take things slowly. Start off with just a few strikes on each hand, and then build your way up. You can do some serious damage if you go all out too soon. Most sources say that you should use a dit da jow before and after each session, but I never have and I’m still alive. Shop around on the world wide web for some better information, maybe a video. Also, the most important thing about it all is to buy a decent training bag. Start off with mung beans in a canvas bag, then gradually work your way up to pebbles/rocks. I’m still on the mung beans after a year and a half and in no hurry to get to the rocks. Play it safe.