ps1

All in all, I thought it was pretty good. Some of the competitors stunk...but there was tons of great technique executed. You really get to see the power generated in knee and elbow strikes. I especially like the fact that several people were droped by strikes to the body. People often underestimate the effectiveness of these strikes. In contrast, I am always game to see someone KOed by a good kick to the head. Mainly because so many people say it can't be done in a real fight situation. That was pretty darn close to real. I liked it. It's not for everyone...but it's very good. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Kind of a tough question since the purpose of practicing "standard traditional technique" is to learn about your body well enough to determine what "works best for you." After which, it would not make sence to practice it another way. We tend to always teach it in a standard method because that is usually the least complicated way to learn the basics of the technique. Afterall (as I'm sure you know) what works best for me may not work for you.

I agree with Texman here. Grades aren't really necessary. Maybe just a different color shirt for the instructors (so they are easily identifiable). I mean...you know what level each student is at...and they know their skill level. A beginner knows where he/ she is at. All that really matters is that each wants to learn more and work hard doing it. I must admit though...the forum has given you some really great and cost effective ideas if you do decide to go forward with grading.

I don't know how many of you have had the opportunity to attend a seminar featuring Saulo Ribeiro; but the guy is amazing. His seminar is amazingly well organized, his thoughts are well organized, and he is one of the nicest people I have ever met. It might be a little costly, but if you have the opportunity, he is a must see!

huh??? I'm happy that you have such confidence in the art you've chosen. But...what's your point?

Tradition is what you make it. This system has 15 dan ranks. I'm not saying this guy is ligit, just that ranks are not a good method of judging. Train, or at least make contact with him first, then judge.

May we all, one day, follow him to that better place. My most sincere condolences to his family and friends.

I just love to do them. They offer me a type of meditation and focus I can attain by no other means. To those who would argue that kata (forms) are not necessary to learn how to fight...I would not disagree. While kata contain all the fighting techniques of their particular system...for me they have never been about fighting. I just love them.

Thanks Hobbes.

What we call Jujitsu today has been adapted from the various systems of bujitsu (warrior arts of Japan). Unfortunately, written history does not go back much farther than the 12th century or so. Of course, at that time, there was armor being worn. Daggars and other small weapons were also involved with the art. During the Meiji Restoration (and before this actually), the art changed (the warrior class was disapated and a conscrit army was now fully in place). The wearing of armor was no longer needed and the use of weapons was removed. This happened after a period of about 200 years of isolationism. There is really nothing to suggest that the Koreans influenced jujitsu (or any other Japanese art) in any way. It is actually quite the contrary. Many of the forms seen in TKD are of Japanese decent. There are a series of books put out by Don Drager that offer a very thorough history of these arts. They are called Classical Bujitsu; Classical Budo; and Modern Budo and Bujitsu. I would suggest you pick em up for a thorough read.

I would strongly discourage the Atkins diet (complete cutting of carbs) to any athelete. Especially one who is trying to get stronger. Your body will, in addition to fats, break down amino acids (building blocks for proteins). This will limit your gains in strength. Just cut back on the carbs. Don't eliminate them completely. Also, visit https://www.ironmind.com it has alot of great info on strength training.

Pretty sweet. I'll have to give it a try. Do you find it difficult to remove your hooks when performing this?

Some more insight on its history Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art developed initially by African slaves in Brazil, starting in the colonial period. It is marked by deft, tricky movements often played on the ground or completely inverted. It also has a strong acrobatic component in some versions and is always played with music. There are two main styles of capoeira that are clearly distinct. One is called Angola, which is characterized by slow, low play with particular attention to the rituals and tradition of capoeira. The other style is Regional (pronounced 'heh-jeeh-oh-nahl'), known for its fluid acrobatic play, where technique and strategy are the key points. Both styles are marked by the use of feints and subterfuge, and use groundwork extensively, as well as sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. The derivation of the word capoeira is under dispute. One possible meaning is that it refers to an area of forest or jungle that has been cleared by burning or cutting down. Afro-Brazilian scholar Carlos Eugenio believes it refers to a large round basket called a capa commonly worn on the head by urban slaves selling wares (a capoeira being one who wears the basket). Alternatively, Kongo scholar K. Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau thinks that capoeira could be a deformation of the Kikongo word kipura, which means to flutter, to flit from place to place; to struggle, to fight, to flog. In particular, the term is used to describe rooster's movements in a fight. Recently, the art has been popularized by the addition of Capoeira performed in various computer games and movies, and capoeira music has featured in modern pop music (see Capoeira in popular culture). From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Perhaps one style is more effective than the other. It has an interesting history anyway.

This is what I found at https://www.capoeira-angola.org/history.htm Capoeira Angola has its roots in Bantu tradition and was used by the enslaved Africans of Brazil as a form of revolution. In keeping with African war strategies, Capoeiristas masked the art's effectiveness from plantation overseers. Then and today, to uninformed onlookers the art appeared to be a harmless demonstration of dance, acrobatics, play and music. Authorities eventually learned of its power and outlawed the practice, with death being the penalty for involvement during the period of slavery. So troublesome was Capoeira that, during a later period, a few penal colonies were constructed primarily for the imprisonment of capoeiristas. For years Capoeira was practiced in secrecy and was not lawful to practice and teach until after the 1930s--about forty years after the abolition of slavery. Copyright © 1996-2002. International Capoeira Angola Foundation. I don't know about its effectiveness.[/i]

Evilgollum, Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect. If you believe you are doing something just like the video says... chances are good that you are not. Inevitably you will be practicing techniques incorrectly. Then you will become an expert at incorrectly performing a technique. It is important to understand that in the martial arts a fraction of an inch can mean the differance between landing a devistating blow and failing to do so or having your throat slit open and earning just a scar. Trust me when I tell you that you cannot possibly fathom what I am saying when I tell you that. Not until you've used them on a battlefield (or a similar life/ death situation). A video can not grab you and place your fingers in the correct position or raise you knee a fraction higher or fix the angle on your base leg in a kick. Nor can a video determine when you are ready to move on to the next level of your technique. All a video/ internet learning will do is teach you how to look pretty. If effectivness is your goal in anyway...seek out an instructor. There are no shortcuts to get around this. Please feel free to have your friend consult us as well. PS1

In Chuan Fa there are 3 (very long and complicated) animal forms and 2 weapon forms to earn what you would call first degree black belt. In Karate: 9 empty hand and 2 bo. Of course there are other requirements. But that's the number of kata required for each system (Poekoelan and Kwanmukan respectively).

I utilize a PAR-Q. I learned to use it during my college career. It's very basic and if certain critera, outlined on the form, are met...I require a doctor's permission to practice.

I have noticed a great many signatures since I started writing in this forum. Some are very self evident... others are not. Please, for those of you who have chosen to put your signature in another language or that has other meanings... let us know what it means and why you chose it. I'll go first. The first signature I had was "Dulce Bellum Inexpertis." This is Latin. It means, "War is beautiful to those with no experience of it." I learned it while serving in Iraq. I friend taught it to me. My current signature, "Jikishin kore dojo," means "The direct mind is your place of training." Basically, this means keep your mind on what you're doing...the body will follow. I read it in a book entitled, Moving Toward Stillness, by Dave Lowry. He is among my favorite authors on traditional budo. Ok, your turn.

NO WAY!!! An "on the fly" surprise professional fight would be an extremely poor idea. It can take months to be properly prepared for a professional fight. The proper Macro and Microcycles would need to be prepared. Nutrition, rest, balance...there are just too many variables. As an atheletic trainer...NO WAY. The theory is good...in practice it would not work. Think about it this way. If a champion boxer did not train for a fight...and then was given 10 minutes to prepare... he/she would be smashed. I don't care who it is. This is all assuming the fight is full contact. If it's point fighting...okay...maybe. No reputable coach would put their fighter in such a postition anyway.

Congratulations! I'm glad you found an art you can fall in love with.

Everything on the website seems to be in good order. I just need to add the following: "When Chuck Norris was born, death by roundhouse kick rose by 13,000 percent." -unknown- and this testimonial "During the filming of an episode of Walker Texas Ranger, a lamb was still born. Chuck brought it back to life by rubbing it with his man-beard. As a crowd gathered to see the miracle Chuck roundhouse kicked it. It died instantly. He just had to remind everyone...Chuck giveth...and good Chuck...he taketh away!" -unknown- You know...Chuck Norris really is a great guy. But these really are some funny jokes too.

Ben Martin!!! Did you not see Terminator 2? T100 was very afraid of the T1000 model. Come on...I expect better from the likes of this forum. What about the likes of Hulk Hogan and Brutis "the Barber" Beefcake?

Orion!! Royce Gracie would readily admit...along with most others... that Rickson Gracie would kick his behind:)

Does anyone else feel old when you see people post that they "weren't alive when KK was released"?

Anything with Jean Claude Van Damme!! American Ninja Series 3 Ninja Series The entire Blood Sport Series 1-90000 I guess most martial arts movies give the MA world a poor image in so much as most of them utilize violence as a selling point.