spinninggumby

Pain is definitely a sign that there is something wrong with what you are doing. Pain is a sign that your body is moving too quickly to adapt (or is not used to) to a certain stimulus or sensory input. I am not talking about feelings of discomfort. I am talking about sharp sensations that make you feel like maybe life isn't all cracked up as it is made to be. With this old 'no pain no gain' way of thinking, it will just get you into trouble. There is something to be said about 'warrior spirit' in which you have the will to survive and go on no matter what the circumstances, and surely that has a lot of value. However, going on and training with a torn hamstring or if like your arm is halfway ripped off is just plain stupid, especially by today's standards. That is why so many people nowdays are suffering from their mistakes they made early on in training as they reach their 40's and 50's is that they have overstretched their ligaments/tendons, stretched improperly, put too much stress on certain areas of the body that should not have been worked. Modern science, believe it or not, is not total bullsh*t. Obviously this suffering of worn out body parts is not exclusive to everyone but it is actually quite common. 'No pain no gain' is best applied IMHO if u are talking about the repeated feeling of having your spirit or intentions questioned. If you are wondering or feeling frustrated at the hardships or difficulties you face. That is the pain that you must face, and those negative feelings in which you should turn into positive motivation in order to get what you want. Otherwise, if you are talking about the pain from a torn hamstring, in all honesty when you tear your hamstring or strain your ankle, quite frankly you have lost something and you haven't gained beans, except for maybe the experience and the lesson that you shouldn't work yourself too hard too quickly.

My goal in martial arts is simple. My goal is to have fun. That may sound hokey, but I find hard training and breaking every technique down step by step as a big game, and it is entertaining for me. The goal in a nutshell is for me to turn every foreign movement into something that turns into second nature. From that single step, I find that over time as I keep turning things into second nature, I learn more about myself and I realize my true potential in many areas due to how I put things into perspective in my mind. I realize the changes in my attitude in all parts of my life. Martial arts is not my entire life, but it has affected my entire life. B/c of it I look at every challenge (whether it be applying for a job, doing well on an exam, asking out some girl, fixing the fax machine, whatever) in a different light. And this attitude happens naturally which is why it's so nice. Have fun and try not to worry about the result because the result is just a by-product of the journey that is supposed to be enjoyed. Unless you are training for war. That is a little different. _________________ "Being able to move in and out of styles, movements, and rhythms with ease is the highest skill." - Donnie Yen "If you have to resort to violence, you've already lost" - Rising Sun "The finest steel emerges from the hottest furnace" - a smart guy [ This Message was edited by: spinninggumby on 2002-03-02 20:05 ]

I used to perform each separate kung fu form for an hour straight and that was plenty. Kung fu forms in general are much more circular and flowery (at least in my particular style, Shaolin long fist) than karate or tkd forms, and not that kung fu requires more skill, but at least in my experience kung fu forms have been much more difficult b/c they are not as linear and they require a bit more bodily control and coordination (note: in my case). Even practicing each 'separate' form for an hour each day for a period of about thirty days (about 30 total hours on each form), I felt that continuous practice beyond that amount of time did little to no good b/c if you practice it vigorously enough you will reach your peak and then after that it declines. I really don't see the benefit to continue practicing each form/kata/poomse beyond 30 committed hours, unless perhaps I am too young to see beyond the technical aspect. I feel that adequate proficiency in a form is reached when the practitioner can flow from one movement to the next with excellent technique and ease with a decent amount of speed, and come to an understand as to the reason or story behind every step and why it is there (application, ideology, etc.) Once again, I guess you can't really put a time limit or recommendation, since everyone is different. However, one thing I have learned about forms is that, a lot of times one's outward proficiency is strictly muscle-memory based (like reciting the alphabet). When you recite the first four words of a song you know well, you can easily also recall the next four words in the verse. However, recite the last four words first. It is a lot harder to recall the first four words. Just like in forms. Try practicing a form for 2 years and then try doing it with opposite or mirroring hands and legs (i.e. left kick becomes right kick, left block becomes right block, etc., step to right instead of leg). You will find that it is tough as hell, either that or I need to change the way I practice. I think it's a good idea, via further understanding of the concepts, to be able to become equally proficient in every form from both mirrored sides. I guess that is why so many already have movements which mirror the other but many often times it may not be the case. :razz: [ This Message was edited by: spinninggumby on 2002-03-02 19:36 ]

Oh great, another ITF vs. WTF thingie, haha. Anyways either the vast majority or all WTF schools have at least anywhere from some emphasis or total emphasis on the sport/Olympic aspect. This aspect is fairly ineffective for practical self-defense b/c in the sport there are many rules which prohibit illegal, deadly, and practical street-smart techniques (such as no hits to the joints, below the belt, to the back, to the neck, back of head, limbs, no holding, wrestling, etc. etc. etc.). The sport aspect encourages high kicks b/c more points are awarded if you kick or knock someone down with a kick to the head. So in my opinion, WTF schools would not be the best idea if self-defense is your primary purpose. However, it is an incredible and excellent way to increase your stamina, speed, flexibility, awareness, and all that good stuff. ITF schools focus more on the traditional end of TKD and there is definitely much more self-defense application involved (although many WTF schools also incorporate self-defense, just not as much), including some groundwork and training for street situations and the like. And if this matters, WTF sparring advocates more of an upright bouncing stance for supposed increased agility and ease of movement. ITF advocates deep stances (perhaps for the sake of tradition or for leg training) and when moving from stance to stance in the hyungs/forms, there is a bit of a spring in the legs between steps. Actually, if self-defense is your primary goal, I would not even recommend tkd SIMPLY BECAUSE it is not an art that lends all or most of its aspects to self-defense. There are some arts out there such as Brazilian Jujitsu or Muay Thai that emphasize on if-it's-not-practical-we-don't-use-it thing. I know I've probably mentioned this before but I know there will be people out there who think I am one of those people who is just another blah blah TKD-is-garbage-on-the-street but I am a WTF taekwondo student and I LOVE IT, IT GIVES ME SUCH A RUSH so there! LOL. _________________ "Being able to move in and out of styles, movements, and rhythms with ease is the highest skill." - Donnie Yen "If you have to resort to violence, you've already lost" - Rising Sun "The finest steel emerges from the hottest furnace" - a smart guy [ This Message was edited by: spinninggumby on 2002-03-02 16:49 ]

Like I said, if watching real life was fun, then we wouldn't need TV. Actually my favorite type of movie lies with action scenes which are improbable but not impossible. i.e. not flying all over the place and shooting fire from their eyes, but at the same time not just a bunch of sweaty hairy guys with broken teeth in an alley.

Interesting side note and kind of off subject. I know this girl from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and I was asking her about the Gracies and she said 'yes, they are fighters who are always known for causing trouble in places here in public places. they think they can do this just because they are good at fighting'. Hmmm. Whether this is true or not i don't know. Competent or not I have a hard time mustering up any type of respect for these guys if they are just a bunch of walking bloated egos. :lol: There is nothing more pathetic than a man who feels the constant need to promote himself. Except for maybe a bunch of men. Usually the ones that exhibit hostile jealousy when at a disadvantage are the same ones that will brag or boast when given or put in a place of advantage. b/c both stem out of deep insecurity. :angel: As for bjj in general, I would assume that they are unmatched in terms of pure groundfighting but I am not sure about overall street application (What if you have like ten people jumping on top of you at the same time?). As far as I can tell, the 'new' UFC is just a bunch of f**ked up politics that is pretty soon just going to turn into WWF. I mentioned this before but during times of extreme boredom I have put UFC videos into slow motion and once in a while you get this guy who is not even punching the face he is just faking it and going off to the side in a vigorous motion. *Sigh* I guess everything will lose its tradition for the sake of 'entertainment' someday. Loss of tradition is just fine as long as it is for the right reasons.

I would think that what makes an art combative or not does not necessarily depend on the determined or proven effectiveness, but the overall intent of the art/style/ and/or school. If the overall intent of the style or the techniques is for practical application and use on the street, I would say that it is combative. Usually some of the instructors will say 'Our main and only focus is self-defense, our techniques are practical and will work on the street, we do not practice or teach any fancy maneuvers or high-kicking, etc. etc. etc.' but that's just a generalization there But yea anyways just my opinion haha When I think of combative arts I think of wing chun (even though there may be some traditional or somewhat impractical techniques taught for the sake of passing the art down, but for the most part it's pretty much geared towards street use), muay thai (training for the ring but also geared towards street-friendly type fighting), brazilian jujitsu (just in case for some odd and inexplicable reason u end up on the ground ), escrima, silat, and many Southeast Asian styles (?? my knowledge in this area is very limited haha) and many special forces combat classes which may teach a mixture of many different arts. Boxing (American boxing?? don't know official term), I think, is an incredibly effective supplement to any serious self-defense enthusiast's repertoire if it weren't for the obvious 'sport' aspect with no kicking and no hitting below the belt and all all those other illegal techniques which make life worth living. _________________ "Being able to move in and out of styles, movements, and rhythms with ease is the highest skill." - Donnie Yen "If you have to resort to violence, you've already lost" - Rising Sun "The finest steel emerges from the hottest furnace" - a smart guy [ This Message was edited by: spinninggumby on 2002-03-02 11:43 ]

U punk, I was just kidding! Aargh u are making me look bad :razz:

True, fighting one against thirty is incredibly unrealistic, but we all need a bit of fantasy in our lives to entertain us. At least I do, haha. If real life were just like TV or the movies, what's the point of watching films in the first place (granted there are some people that don't like tv or film). It's all about having an escape.

Last night when I visited u guys at the Morningside Academy during ur wushu rehearsal I gave Leigh (one of your classmates, I think you know her?) a book on wushu that might be able to help, but I'm not sure. I haven't read it thoroughly yet but u can ask her about it if u want

Owthathurts: I'm from ur old wushu class LOL Don't know if u remember me Peace

Some goths are smart, some goths aren't. And almost all teenagers go through a phase where they need attention, whether they dress up in black capes and horns or wear Britney Spears outfits. The goth that lives right across from me is extremely close-minded and unwilling to accept facts and develop or grow as a person. Your label or so-called group that you belong to just isn't as important as the individual inside, just as the style you 'belong' to isn't as important as your spirit or attitude. Funny how such cheesy BS can still make so much sense.

Rejects with money?? I resent that! I am a broke college student who lives off Top Ramen and Oreos

Yeah, you can get them online or if there is a Suncoast Video store close by they should have an Anime section with DVDs or videos with original Japanese dialogue with subtitles. Also, you can try looking around for import shops. Try http://www.animenation.com to order online or get more news and stuff on Anime, it's pretty coolio They provide updated news on new DVD releases and the like. Side Note: Sometimes the Japanese DVDs sold online do not work on American DVD players, unless ur DVD is multiregional. However, it is unlikely that they would sell u an Anime DVD with English subtitles available and not make it compatible with US DVD players. Actually I just realized that I don't even know if u even live in the US, haha, but anyways. Usually this is rare but I would check just in case _________________ "Being able to move in and out of styles, movements, and rhythms with ease is the highest skill." - Donnie Yen "If you have to resort to violence, you've already lost" - Rising Sun "The finest steel emerges from the hottest furnace" - a smart guy [ This Message was edited by: spinninggumby on 2002-02-28 12:12 ]

Scorpio and also the Sheep or Ram or something (one of those wooly barnyard animal thingies)

Jerry Trimble! Jet Li's final nemesis in 'The Master'.

The BS meter has just gone up another notch.

Wow Ryukyu u must really enjoy Enter the Dragon

Not only do boards not hit back, boards don't move either and are not elastic and made of 70% water. And boards won't ever surprise you by pulling out guns or stabbing weapons amid battle. :razz:

If you have good strong kata and good or excellent basics, that may 'predispose' you to faring quite well in a sparring situation but if you have not had any or much experience in sparring or unpredictable real life situations, good strong kata alone and intense training in basics alone will not suffice in order to ultimately maximize your potential in sparring and/or practical application. _________________ "Being able to move in and out of styles, movements, and rhythms with ease is the highest skill." - Donnie Yen "If you have to resort to violence, you've already lost" - Rising Sun "The finest steel emerges from the hottest furnace" - a smart guy [ This Message was edited by: spinninggumby on 2002-02-28 10:40 ]

I once read that duct tape is the most useful man-made material in the world

Spooky Dog: I remember the 31 Jo Kata! That is like the one thing that I remember out of my 8 years of aikido training LOL besides the rolling and hard falls on the tatami mats. I learned some staff forms in kung fu too so sometimes when I practice or mess around at home I get some steps mixed up between styles, LOL. I miss those days back at the dojo, even when my instructor (6th dan highest in USA, lol) force-stretched me . If you or anybody else is interested here is their web site (they probably didn't have this site up back then lol). http://seattlekisociety.com

Look, uh, whether or not ur birthday is important is beside the point. The important thing is that you get cake. And more cake. All the cake you can eat. :bdaybiggrin:

My grenade launcher.

Hiya spooky dog. Glad to get to know u too You're actually not quite what I expected, but that's all good cuz life is all about surprises! hehehe It's great that you find such a great interest in Aikido. It is one of those styles that often does not go as appreciated (and is often misunderstood or miscredited/undercredited) as some other arts such as muay thai or karate or boxing and the like Look forward to ur posts