ps1

I enjoy the saho of the two japanese systems (Karate-shotokan, and aiki jujitsu) I teach, for the peacefulness, and respect it brings forth. At the same time I enjoy the tradition of no tradition and total relaxation between student and teacher that are present when i am learning BJJ. For example, it's nothing for a white belt to walk into the academy and say "Tony, I hope you're ready for me to kick your a$$ today!" It's just expected. The Gracie family believes the dicipline and determination should come from within, not from the instructor. Not so totally different from the beliefs of many classical systems.

PS sorry my response was so long. I simplified it as much as possible.

Hold a stance as long as you like and as deep as you like. It will never build power as you are all talking about it. Remember, "power" is a function of physics. And no one here is really talking about power (force/ time) anyway. Power does not have a relationship to impact on an object. What you are refering to is transfered engergy from one moving object to another (IOW: how much damage you can do when you strike something/one). What you are actually talking about is a transfer of kinetic (moving) energy. Kinetic energy is found by multiplying the mass of the object by the velocity squared. KE=mV^2 Therefore, unless you are gaining significant mass from holding low stances, you will not gain power in anything. You will be more physically fit and have better muscular endurance. If you want to increase the energy behind your strike, you must examine the most efficient way to execute the technique (should be taught by your instructor). Once you are very good at technique start adding speed to the strike. Because the velocity element of your strike is squared it increases by a power of 2 as you get faster. For this reason, Drunken Monkey seems to know EXACTLY what he's talking about. The up and down movements are used to get your entire body mass into a strike. The most biomechanically efficent way of doing the technique will also increase its speed. Thus making the transfer of energy very high. ( AKA hurt the target the most.) This is all scientific truth, using the laws of motion and conservation of energy. While I do not doubt there is a chi or ki factor in effect, I can only speak intellegently on what is able to be supported by scientific evidence. So let's get back to talk on stances ehh.

Cathal, All the suggestions so far are excellent!! I would also suggest you take some classes in anatomy and biomechanics. This will help you to better understand the movements within the body and what makes them effective. Most important however, is to give it time. You will make mistakes. As long as you learn from them, you are doing great.

Here are a couple that I like: gheinisch wrote: "A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, "I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it." The teacher's reply was casual, "Ten years." Impatiently, the student answered, "But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?" The teacher thought for a moment, "20 years." When I heard this one it ended like this, after the part about 20 years: "With both eyes so focused on the goal, you will have none left to find the way."

I love your signature line fireka! Martial Spirit, Thanks for the tip. Hope all turns out for the best.

Goju 4, In my school I am the instructor of our black belt students. None of the instructors are forced to teach and none of us get paid. The true teachers do not do it for glory, fame, or reward. They just do it because it feels good. These are the people who will do it when it is not required.

Let me expound about my last point from above. Preforming good technique involves more than just throwing out some kicks and punches. Good technique involves linking a series of movements in a logical with precise timing. Doing this will create openings and dominate an opponent. As different systems have different combinations, I will not give examples (the combos are based upon the doctrine of your particular system). Preforming good technique also, as raven X pointed out, involves understanding the weaknesses of your opponent; and using your movements in a way that will expose those weaknesses.

Siluntsoul, If you are really good at kata/kihon, you should be decent at kumite. Therefore, as already mentioned, start with your mind. If you think you're bad, then you're bad. Think positive. Second, don't think. Relax. As you bow in, feel all the muscles in your body relax. You will move more quickly when you're relaxed. This will put you in control of yourself. This goes for kata and kihon as well. Everything should be relaxed. Last, don't worry about what your opponent is doing. Until the day comes that you can control your opponent's mind, you can't control what he does. Simply do proper technique. Ask your instructor for some timing and distancing drills. It's that easy.

Cathal, As someone who has been studying karate (aka shotokan) for nearly twenty years I can give you some advice. First, the purpose of YOU traing is important. Perhaps your goals and the goals of your instructor are different. In tradition, the only weapons in karate are your "empty hands." Second, you should always feel comfortable speaking with your instructor. If he/ she was training you in weapons and isn't now, politely ask, "when will I learn more techniques for my weapon?" Third, the ranks and times different things are taught vary from school to school. In karate (shotokan) kihon and kata are the core of the training. Funakoshi O Sensei wasn't fond of free sparring. In the most traditional schools, it is a long time (a year or more) before you get to do this. However, if you want more attention on other things, you should consider looking to other schools and ask questions about the things that do and don't interest you.

Bart, No!! It is absolutely unnecessary to teach in order to achieve a respectable level of skill w/in a given martial art. However, it is absolutely necessary to teach in order to become an expert of that same martial art. In teaching day in and day out, you will be forced to focus on every aspect of each technique. From the smallest intracacies to the most obvious details. You will see things you naturally do correctly that others seem to have trouble with. For example: take the time in class to look at the allignment of peoples knuckle to their wrist. The proper allignment may come natural to you, but not to others. Moreover you learn a great deal about application of said technique. You'll see different techniques used at absurd times. This also needs corrected. There will be many questions you are unable to answer. You will need to seek the answer, and you will lean and grow. I think you get the idea. If you study a Japanese system; look up "giri" and "on", this will give you another reason to teach. Sunrunner, If you have been taught that "Sensei" most literally means "teacher," you have been misled. This is the definition most accepted in America. In fact, "Sensei" is "one who came before, father," or "pointer of the way." Remember that most Japanese is spoken in idiom. This is the reason for the comonly misused term. In Japan, it is highly disrespectful for a person to refer to themselves as Sensei.

The fundamental problem many students face when studying more than one system is lack of doctrine. Every martial system should contain some sort of doctrine. For example, the US military doctrine is that strategic bombing is most effective, followed by a strong ground insurgency. Therefore, the Airforce gets the most funding for training and building of weaponry. Your training should be similar. You should decide on a specific way of fighting. Be it trying for the knockout punch, strong takedowns, or base attacks; decide how you would USE your system. Anything else you learn should be used to augment that doctrine. Those things you do to set up your main fighting element are called strategies and tactics. For example: If you are the kind of person who would rather wrestle around then strike you may prefer to learn grappling and adopt that as your main fighting system. However, you will need to have a strong fundemental grasp of punching. This can get you in close enough to make your grappleing system effective. OR If you prefer to Kick to vital areas. A strong kicking system (TKD) may be your choice. However, you will need to have some idea of grappleing in order to create space between you and your opponent and make your kicks effective. The moral of the story is this: Figure out who you are and how you perfer to move. Then stop collecting techniques. Anything that does not fit into YOUR doctrine is usless to YOU! *note* Instructors remember, one mans trash is another mans treasure. Just because it doesn't fit in your doctrine does not mean it's useless to others.