ps1

nope. Sorry. I'll try to check it out though

All I got to see is the fights as they are put on you tube. Is there more to the show than that? What network is it currently on?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyHYSSfojlQ Here's a link. I don't know when it's on tv.

I wouldn't really call kickboxing a purely linear style. It utilizes roundhouse, axe, and wheel kicks. It also has boxing strikes; the hook and uppercut are not purely linear either. Additionally, I think what you're seeing as a limited arsenal is actually what's left when you throw out what doesn't work in their sport. For example, why would a kickboxer need to learn a dragon sweep? It's not legal for them to performa a take down so it is useless to them. I would actually go as far as to say that there are no truely circular techniques. Just unusual angles of attack. Please provide some more systems that you feel are linear. Let's see if we can figure out why they're that way. Same here. Give examples of "circular styles."

I enjoy watching SanShou matches. I think these fighting guidelines help set up some strong self defense skills.

Yes. Iraq. Not conventional hand to hand, but alot of basic holdowns during search & seizure. Additionally, I trained my squad about zanshin to ensure we were less likely to be attacked while on the road.

What kind of injuries are you concerned with. Muay Thai is a very brutal fighting system. It sounds like you've got a good gym but if you don't want the occasional bloddy lip or black eye, it's not for you. It's a full contact knockdown sport. If you want to get into good shape and have phenomenal self defense, you've found the place. If you just want to get into shape, it's probably not for you. If you really can't decide just talk to the instructor about your reservations. I'm sure he'll work with you if possible.

No. It's just kickboxing, not MMA. There were some good knockouts sure, but they could have been avoided if takedowns were allowed. People know this now and won't like watching it. My belief is, in the world of full contact fighting sports, boxing and MMA will end up reigning supreme. Everything else will take a back seat.

Most of the advice given here is very sound. I have a degree in exercise physiology. It's important to warm up with low impact calisthenics first. You want to have at least a light sweat going before you do a stretching routine. Try to stretch all the muscles evenly. Develop a routine you follow so you don't forget anything. Personally, I start with my calves and shins and work my way up the body. I suggest the purchase of a stretching book for specific stretches. It will have pictures and give you safety points for each stretch. You should be able to pick this up at any book store or at amazon.com or ebay. Just make sure it covers static and PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretches. Avoid ballistic stretches where possible. They are contraindicated for the general public. These are stretches that are fast and bouncey. All studies indicate that static stretching is just as effective. The last key is not to expect fast miracles. It will take time for your body to adapt and be able to do what you want it to. If you are just getting into the martial arts you will be surprised how well your body adapts. Just performing the activities every day will help you improve your flexibility. As far as your "legs buckling," what do you mean? Are you trying to go deeper in a particular stance or straight-leg down to a straddle? baronbvp may be correct on this one.

I think I've noticed you say this somewhere before and was always surprised by it. In many systems Red is usually close to black or even a grand master's rank. Do you know if there was a reason it was put so low in the system? Thanks.

I agree 100% I should have been more clear. He told me he's NEVER done self defense. He doesn't know basic escapes from grabs or anything!! It's great that he recognized that and began researching it. But woah!!! For him everything was about competition. I competed for a long time but it was never the top priority of the school. You'd be surprised. I bet if you look at your self defense, you'll see that the movements included reoccur in your kata. Maybe not every movement exactly as it looks when you do it or in the same sequence. But it's there. That's what bunkai is, the movements of kata applied. But you do practice self defense. True enough. But I'm of the opinion that basic self defense should be taught at every martial arts school. Otherwise it's just dance. I mean...NO SELF DEFENSE AT ALL. Digest that thought and tell me ANY 8th dan should not know any self defense.

6yrs

1. $75/mo 2. BJJ 3. 6 classes/ wk. 3-4 hr/ class 4. Member of the Gracie Jiujitsu Academy/ Pedro Sauer team and can train in any Gracie academy in the world. Shotokan was: 1. $60/mo 2. Shotokan 3. 5 classes/ wk. 50 min/ class 4. No perks

My instructor always told me, "Perfect practice makes perfect." First: Ask your instructor how to sprawl properly. Next: Put yourself into the positions that cause your isntructor to shoot. This will allow you two important things. One: You can practice your sprawl Two: You will now be able to set people up to attack when you want them to (because you understand what positions they will attack). Thus, you control the game. Good Luck. Let us know how it goes.

I like your wrestling comparison bushido_man96. I think you're correct. I really understand where you're going with it. The only problem is that wrestling is and always will be a sport. It's practiced for the sole purpose to go against others and see how you fare. Many martial arts not only don't compete, but actually frown on any type of competition with others. I would actually say that many types of martial art competition have just helped serve to water down the art. Case in point: I went into a martial arts school that turned out many state and nationally ranked competitiors in both kata and kumite divisions. It is a Shorin Ryu school (I'm not saying Shorin Ryu is bad, just that, on the surface, it's a pretty traditional system so the school sounded legit). I went in and took a class. The students had great sparring and forms. Everything looked locked tight. After the class I asked the instructor if he could demonstrate the way he percieved bunkai and correlates it with his self defense. This guy is an 8th degree under a pretty big orginization and he told me that he's recently purchased Gracie Jiujitsu tapes to learn his self defense and he was never taught bunkai. I thanked him and politely excused myself, never to return. Because his students were asthetically pleasing, he kept getting promoted. Terrible. Shame on his instructors and shame on him for not admitting his faults and defincencies before then. Ego like this is what waters down the art.

It's definitely true that once you know how to do stuff it's less intense from the cardio sense. That is, it becomes less of a sprint and more like a marathon. You'll learn to move super efficently and, therefore, be able to do it longer. It's great and I'm happy to hear you like it. Congrats on member of the month by the way! Well deserved.

Children, having no prior experience in martial arts, have no way to water them down. It's the instructors who look to make huge profit off of the innocence of children and naivety of their parents that water down the arts. I was watching Regis & Kelly one morning (I can't believe I just stated that publicly) and saw a 6 year old black belt. She was able to do all kinds of fancy stuff and hit pads really well. But I have no doubt that I could pick the child up by the throat and slam her to the ground killing or severly injuring her. She has no place wearing a black belt. Not to mention that, at 6 years old, she lacks the critical reasoning skills required to formulate strategies. All she can do is regurgitate information...and that is not a black belt. I started training when I was 6. Now I'm an adult and am quite skilled. But it was my instructors that nurtured me and made me that way. I was not allowed to earn black belt until I was 18! But it was worth the wait. Don't point at the children...point at the instructors of McDojos whose only interest is how full their pockets become!

Great vid. Thanks Sohan.

Generally, I'm with Sohan on this. Personally, I do not promote anyone under 16 to shodan. Don't get me wrong...their kata and ippon kumite is usually good. But they don't have the general physical development necessary to defend themselves against a full grown adult. I've had alot of young BBs argue this with me. But when I simply picked them up and started walking around with them...they began to see it differently. That said, I certainly respect the rank you've been given by your instructor. I would never tell someone else they do not deserve the rank if it was awarded to them.

I think it usually depends on who you see. In general, the more interactive the seminar, the more you will learn. For example. I was at a seminar with George Anderson, he put us through a bunch of drills and taught some ippon kumite but overall, I felt the same as you about it. Don't get me wrong, they guy is a wealth of info...but a few hours with him wasn't enough. On the other hand, every BJJ seminar I've been to has been quite productive. I always come away with at least one thing that revolutionizes the way I do things. It's all because these seminars are designed for the people there to ask questions and become interactive.

Great job!!! Well deserved!

I don't have any personal experience studying CKD. But I sparred a couple CKD guys a few years back. They were very solid. We were using knockdown karate rules too. I was rather impressed. Both had earned their BB from Chuck.

The first color is usually white and the last color is usually black. There could be any mariad of colors in between depending on where you train. In the orginization I studied it was as follows: White, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green, Purple, Brown, Black Of course the degrees of black come after this, but there is no appreciable difference in the belt. It just looks older due to wear and tear. Some systems use stripes on the belt to differentiate between the dan levels.

Good to see you took the time to ask him. See...Karate just helped you get over your shyness a little. Well done. Welcome to the forum.

Nice read. I don't necessarily agree with everything, but it would explain the differances nicely to someone who knows nothing about martial arts.