ps1

I know this sounds like a cop-out, but I would simply use whatever presented itself at the time. After 27 years of training, you kinda stop think about the specific technique. Things just become broader concepts. My whole focus is using anglular movement to creat openings. I then fill those openings with a strike that is appropriate to the provided distance, timing, and posture. It's really that simple. That may be a simple hook punch...it may be a jump spinning crescent kick. I have to say that hi round house, back, side and even spinning back kicks come as natural to me as low line round house kicks and reverse punches. In all reality, I probably would not do a spinning hook or cresent kick. But it's not because I think they are better or worse, just that I haven't practiced them to that point.

There are certainly many benefits that wrestlers will have when they enter brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: 1. Excellent Takedowns: Compared to the average BJJer, wrestlers takedowns are great. They have trained singles and doubles so much that it's second nature for them. 2. Takedown Defense: Wrestlers already understand how to defend takedowns and are often too low for Judo throws to be effective. 3. Excellent sense of base: Wrestlers spend their time making sure their back never hits the mat. So they are very tough to sweep over with the basic sweeps. 4. Hip and head control: Wrestlers usually have a keen understanding of how to control the hips and the head in order to keep someone on their back. 5. Combinations: Good wrestlers understand how to transition from one move into another. 6. Aliveness: Wrestling is a contact, combat sport. They are used to being in a physical art with one person against another. This is difficult to teach and some people never pick it up. Wrestlers also have several disadvantages: 1. Too Fast: Wrestling training at the typical high school has one speed...GO!! So many wrestlers are baffled when they come to BJJ and drill techniques for an hour. They tend to want too much, too fast. They drill and roll way too hard and way too fast. 2. Don't know when to let go: This is true of everyone, but wrestlers are very bad at it. They will get ahold of your head from any ol' position and just try to pop it like a zit. When they don't know what to do "SQUEEZE" becomes the answer. 3. Strength: This kind of goes in line with the first two. They tend to have trouble understanding that muscle isn't required of a good technique. But this is true of most people who are strong, so ...not sure it's fair to blame wrestlers on this one. 4. Back exposure: Wrestlers give up their back and neck like it's going out of style. They're too used to going to referee's position and sprawling to avoid being turned over. 5. Crappy Guard work: Wrestlers can usually manhandle their way through white belts and even give blue belts trouble. So they often make it to high blue belt and even purple and brown belt without really learning good guard work. This isn't their fault so much as their coaches fault though. All in all, it's not that "Wrestlers" make bad BJJ students. It's the combination of the "meat head" mentality combined with poor coaching that leads many wrestlers down the wrong path in BJJ.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Helio Gracie/Rickson Gracie-->Pedro Sauer-->Tony Rinaldi-->Me Chuan Fa Unknown-->John Kinn-->Dale McGinnis-->Me Karate Unknown-->Rho Byung Jik--->George Anderson-->Bob Magnusun--> Me Aiki JuJitsu Unknown--->George Anderson-->Bob Magnusun--> Me

I can't speak to the specific stance work and techniques themselves because you're doing TSD and my background is Shotokan. However, I can talk about broader concepts. Focus: The whole time you performed, you were worried about where the camera is. You looked at it several times. Always, look at what you're doing and where you're going. Focus on the moment. Kiai (Kihap): In karate, we discuss three purposes of Kiai. Startle the opponent, Strengthen the technique, and assist in absorbing techniques. The first two apply to your form. When you kiai, imagine you're trying to scare a lion. It doesn't come from the throat, it comes from the gut. Allow that energy to flow into your strikes. Look before you move: Some systems do not do this. But many do. IMO, you should always look where you're going before you go there. If I'm going to turn to my right, I look over my right shoulder. If I'm going to turn left, I look over my left shoulder and so on. In Shotokan, we have a concept of zanshin. Tang Soo Do probably has a different term for the same Concept. This concept has several components. But it's important to understand that each and every technique should have this. The first component of zanshin is the "Extension of your energy." This is probably the most literal portion of zanshin. Your body mechanics must be such that little to no energy is lost. You impart all of your kinetic energy into your opponent. That leads to the second concept. The second concept is "Complete and Utter Cutting Down." So each and every movement should be performed completely and fully with full motion and intent. Perform each move of your form as though it's the last move you will ever make. Each and every move should be intended to completely destroy your opponent. The next concept of zanshin is "Impenetrable Posture." Again, this concept applies to each and every movement, the movements between the movements and the moments before movement. You want your stature, your posture, your very being ... to seem indestructible, untouchable, unbreakable. The final component is "Remaining Mind." This is a simple concept. Despite the fact that you are putting all your effort, all your focus, all your being into the current move, your mind shall remain omnipresent. Do not get tunnel vision, be aware of your surroundings, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4. Try the video. Don't read comments, just do what it says. Think of this every time you do your form. One of the single best examples of zanshin was demonstrated in the move The Last Samauri. Tom Cruise is confronted in an empty street and fights off his attackers. But the end of the scene demonstrates him (in fractions of a second) realizing there is still one attacker left. His Zanshin allowed him to survive the encounter. Of course, it's just a movie, but a good example and demonstration that the producers did their homework a little. Ok. So that's alot to work on. Good luck and keep training.

Generally it comes from too many years of not needing to prove they can actually fight. Too much belief in the "one hit, one kill" type of theory. Meanwhile they gain weight year after year and marvel as the power of their punches go up. Of course your punching power went up...you've added 50kg of mass!!!! Too bad you'll never catch the guy to hit em' Seriously though, it just depends what you're looking for. If you want the instructor who will be on the floor sparring and moving with you day in and day out...he's probably not the guy. If you are ok with letting his students beat you up day in and day out, while you soak up his knowledge...you're probably ok. There's a belief out there that martial artists should be some sort of mystical being. It's so not true. We are all subject to the same demons, tormentors, and problems that everyone else has. As a student, your job will be to decide which vices you're willing to tolerate and which you are not.

Solid.

Well, I can say that Caldwell Shihan is highly respected within the Kwanmukan. He's very well known as a master of kobudo (okinawan weapons). He's lived in Okinawa and speaks the language fluently. Very intelligent man. You're likely to get a very traditional karate, kobudo, jujitsu hybrid. The base martial arts of the Kwanmukan (the main organization through which he is affiliated) is Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do. I know this becuase I am a nidan within the organization. The other arts within the organization are Aiki Ju Jitsu and Kobudo. Now, he's likely had training in other arts as well, but that's what you'll learn there. So, if you're looking for brazilian Jiu-jitsu, he does not teach it. He's affiliated and certified through the USJJF (https://www.usjjf.org) and will likely sell you on their system of jujitsu. But it is not BJJ. I have a shodan in Kwanmukan Jujitsu as well and have competed, even took runner up at their nationals, in their jujitsu events. But it is not BJJ. I'm a 4 stripe brown belt in BJJ and know the differences very well. So, to answer your question, he is an extremely legitimate instructor and master martial artist. Just be sure it's what you want. If you want brazilian jiu-jitsu, he does not teach it. In fact, the kwanmukan actually looks down on BJJ and training it got me kicked out of the organization.

Sounds like you'll be much happier in Kyokushin. Go for it!

The Best Karate series by Nakayama is an excellent series. They are inexpensive and you can select the volume you want based on the kata you need to remember. They even contain tips on bunkai. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Best+Karate If you get the used copies, they are extremely inexpensive.

I am a nidan in Shotokan and a Brown Belt in BJJ. You can train both without getting them confused. They are an excellent mix and have been used effectively by Loyota Machida in the UFC. Do both.

Nice match pittbull. How long have you been training...how long a blue?

That's the biggest problem with novice divisions. They never know when to tap. People underestimate that exact kimura. Even Renzo Gracie had his arm dislocated with it. I understand that you feel bad. But you really shouldn't. Now you know to tap if someone has you there

Can't play the video

No I didn't. He doesn't roll at seminars and there was no time for privates. I would have loved to though.

You're quite lucky!! Thanks for your replies to my question. Please tell me you got his autograph or a pic with him...right? signed my "signature belt" right beside his brother's signature (Royler) Edit: I don't know how to get the pics to show up...but you can follow the links if you wish.

The seminar focused mainly on standing attack defense (Front chokes, chokes from behind, lapel grabs ect...). I really enjoyed that the most. We did about 45 minutes from the top of the half guard that I could have done without. Half guard isn't his specialty. From the ground, I would much rather have done stuff from the closed guard...it's what he's known for. But the simple fact is that I was on the mat with a man who changed the landscape of martial arts.

I trained with Royce Gracie today! Really cool experience. Really nice guy! That's all I have to say about that!

Explain how this would be different than any other large martial arts organization!? Why does it deserve ridicule while others get a free ride?

Some of the best guys in the "business" have advanced training in BJJ. Chuck Norris and Dan Inosanto are two of the biggest names that also have black belts in BJJ. Bruce Lee had trained in Judo with Gene Lebell and, in my opinion, would certainly have trained BJJ too. When you train the art for some time, it really just makes sense. Not saying its better or anything (it is for me...but not everyone), just that it makes alot of sense.

As someone who's been on the road you're on, I can tell you you're wrong about your bjj assumptions. Wrestlers actually tend to suck at BJJ and don't usually train long enough to get good. This is because they train too hard and get injured or simply can't cope with getting beaten by smaller, weaker people. Smaller people actually tend to have the best jiu-jitsu because they can't depend on strength to bail them out of a bad situation. Additionally, being wriggely doesn't really get you far against someone good...pressure points are useless. Keep in mind that I wrote a 10 page thesis on "Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is Ineffective." I talked about the same things everyone else does...multiple attackers, getting hurt landing on the ground, pressure points, eye gouging, groin striking ect...That was back in 1997 when I graduated high school. Here I am 16 years later getting ready for my black belt in BJJ. My point is I made decisions by just watching it. I hadn't experienced it. After being in the war, I started and never looked back. All I can say is I was wrong and blind on all my comments. What you're correct on is the cost. BJJ tends to be very expensive. I'm not entirely sure why. I think alot of practitioners try to make it their sole job. Personally, I do not. I only charge $65/month. But the school where I trained was $120/month. It is pretty common unfortunately. Lastly, despite my personal biases, I wish you luck in your training. All that really matters is YOU ARE HAPPY in your training.

I hold a 2nd degree black belt in Aiki JuJitsu with 8 years of training in the art. I hold a brown belt in Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with 9 years in the art. Here's the Cliff's Notes of my observations. What are your goals? In Japanese Jiu-Jitsu systems you will find it much more organized. There will be alot of defenses for standing attacks. You'll learn throws, but they are usually not taught or practiced in the depth you would find in Judo or BJJ. Usually, there is little to no live practice of techniques, but this can vary from school to school. Some have tons of sparring, others have absolutely none. The techniques are usually OK for self defense, but are rarely practice in an uncooperative manner. Heavy emphasis is placed on aesthetics with a huge focus on form...this is not to be confused with proper body mechanics...rather how the move looks. focused on about Ranks are earned with a similar frequency to Karate.The average black belt takes about 4 to 6 years. In BJJ there are some differences between schools. The fundamental techniques of the art are the same from one school to the next. However, you will find a sport school usually has extras such as the upside down guard, 50/50, and such. More "fighting" oriented schools will focus more on takedowns and remaining on top position. Again, they will teach guard and stuff from the bottom, but will not usually be as skilled here as they are from the top position. "Self Defense" oriented BJJ tends to teach defenses against punches, kicks, standing grabs, and weapons in addition to everything else. In addition, they tend to have better closed guards than "fight oriented" schools. Each one focuses on takedowns in a similar manner. Wrestling and Judo style takedowns are interweaved with an emphasis on easy to execute and high percentage. The biggest focus is function over form, with the importance being on using the body to make the technique work, rather than how the technique looks. For this reason, a person may learn a move several different ways while training over a number of years. It is up to that person to learn what works best for them. Some, but not all, emphasis is put on being able to defeat people of a lower rank than yourself. Ranks take a long time to earn. The average person training just 2 or 3 days per week will probably take 10 to 12 years to earn a black belt. Because of this, it is not unusual to see a purple and brown belts teaching. Beware the "MMA" school that does not have an instructor who specializes in BJJ (any BJJ instructor WILL be able to tell you their lineage and produce proof of rank, there are no exceptions to this). They may know submissions and such, but will not know them in near the depth of a BJJ trained artist. In the end it's up to what you want. Structure, Formalized, Lot's of standing one step sparring and throws, traditional weapons defense (sword ect...) and some weapons use, lots of aesthetics...go with the Japanese systems Competitions, fast paced, informal, lots of sparring, integrated self defense over time, very long waits between ranks function over form....go with BJJ

Like I said, I've not seen anything goofy yet. Seems pretty solid. I'll keep my eyes open though. Hi Art, The most important thing, especially for someone like yourself, is that you have fun and do something you believe in. You should feel like it's something you would like to do for a very long time. That's really all you should look for in a school. That said, is this something you could believe in and do for a long time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSzSflkns8

In Shotokan we had "Shodan-Ho" then Shodan. In Chuan Fa we had a black sash, then a first degree black sash In BJJ you earn black belt and, according to the IBJJF, get your first degree black belt after 3 years at black belt. In aiki-Jujitsu we just had shodan

There is no right. There is no wrong. Asthetics are useless. What matters is what works for you. All anyone else can show you is what works for them.

Oh yeah. Chuck Norris is very much responsible for many of the Gracie's original work visa's when they came in from Brazil. Pedro Sauer has some amazing stories about it. Norris trained with the gracie's first in Brazil while filming one of the MIA movies.