Jack

Thanks Ramcalgary, thats really nice of you to start this thread I would like to wish everyone a great Christmas and new year. Not everyone here is Christian, there are people from loads of different religions and some atheists (like me) but still, Christmas time is a great oppurtunity to appreciate all of the good things in life, and be with your loved ones. Make the most of it everybody and as ram said, enjoy life

Thanks everybody for your understanding and caring replies. I cant express my thanks enough to all of you, you are all great caring people... thanks:) Sai and Joanne, I'm so sorry to hear of your losses . Someone I know online has a mate with a brain tumour that could pass away any day now, its so sad to think about how people can die if they have not lived their life. I can deal with my cat leaving, she was old enough, but its when people still have not got out and seen the world and done everything they want to and still go, thats what I find saddest. I wish you all the best with all the new kittens and we are looking into getting another. Thanks again

Thanks Dougle Well, I believe you can apply for a Driver's liscence at the age of 17 over here in the UK

Sorry I know this may not be a very pointful or engaging post for many of you, but I feel like letting out some of my emotions. Really this is just a rant. I have had a terrible week. I wake up on Monday, get dressed, do my hair, come downstairs ... and my mum tells me that my dear cat Rosie has passed away. This was really upsetting. I said my goodbyes to my poor cat and left for school. Now, yesterday (Tuesday) my girlfriend who lives away atm tells me that someone that goes to her school was involved in a serious ski-ing accident on Monday night and that she just found out. She was really upset, and I was kind of upset, but kind of OK. But now today I was in PE when it finally sunk in that some poor innocent 10 year old girl had died. Its absoloutely terrible, she didn't even have a chance to live her life. I had to go home early because I was so upset and couldn't concentrate on my work. I really don't know what to make of this all. I can understand my cat's passing away; she was old and had lived her life, but this poor girl! Its so unfair how someone so young and innocent, someone who still had things to do, places to go and people to meet, could tragically die in such a terrible and cruel way. I'm not expecting your sympathy, I just feel so sorry for the family of that young girl and I felt like I had to write something about it. Thanks for letting me rant. Take care, have peace, and live your life as much as you can. Jack

Some of the simplest ones can often be the most effective. I like confusing the opponent with a series of Jabs and crosses then taking them by suprise with a front kick or roundhouse. Also, it can work the other way round. A couple of kicks and then close it with speed and hands.

Another key thing for turning a weakness into a strength is visualisation. Visualise yourself doing that spinning kick, doing that break, performing that Kata, then go for it!

dude, I DONT WANNA KNOW! LOL

http://www.turtlepress.com/library.asp See the "For Instructors" section Good luck!

Thanks for the kind word Sai (sorry, do you mind if I call you that?) but the phrasing itself comes from Sun Tzu's works "The art of war" I was merely trying to pass on some of his knowledge, and in doing so its hard to not use his terminology

Haha Bon, good one btw I already have someone... anyway! I do what everyone has said already anyway (Except Bon, heh) and Sai. Mabye I should work on squeezing some tennis balls to work on the grip. ROFL, whatever I type today seems to come out meaning something completely wrong :/

Thanks for letting us know Sai

I sure hope not. In the last 2 months my knuckles are starting to be able to crack when I press on them. I would really like to know the answer to this question too, please.

Hey something I've noticed for a while but never mentioned before... I seem to have pain in my forearms sometimes. When weightlifting, there is a sort of sharp ache in my forearm, which I also experience sometimes when punching quickly. Any ideas what it could be?

You attack that weakness with unrelenting forwards momentum, always throwing your inner opponent off balance and strengthening yourself until that weakness is no more

Welcome to the boards Minh I look forwards to seeing your posts. Peace.

oh, lol, sorry I completely misunderstood. I was not with it at all yesterday.

Yep, the best of luck to you. Do Karateforums.com proud! Well, more importantly have fun and meet some new people

My dreams are far too weird to make any sence out of at all. I mean, just the other night I dreamed that I was put in prison (and no I have no idea why) but the prison was quite nice and I got to pick my cell, which had its own comfy bed and TV. And then i went up to the martial arts room in the prison and trained before some boxers came along, so I went to the prison's full-screen cinema, before returning to my cell which I had now grown bored of and so decided to move cells to the nice one at the corner with the good view... So for me, dreams don't mean a whole lot. hah.

ermm I will try to understand this and provide my answer. My controlling elements of my life are for one my desire to make the most out of my life; to train hard, to have fun, to make others happy and to try and do my little bit to make the world happier for people. Another controlling element would be Jen. I can honestly say I love her with all of my heart and I could not imagine a world without her. Another would be my parents and friends which always have a slight affect on behaviour. So, I suppose I could say that the controlling elements come from friends, loved ones, and most importantly from yourself and your own heart, your own mind and your own desire to do whatever. Those are what control your life in my opinion Peace

Thank you all for the good wishes and congratulations Patrick, I've replied to your PM. Forgive my lack of competence at the moment, I'm not really with it today

Well it isnt a strict fighting game, but I would have to recomend Shenmue and Shenmue II on the Dreamcast. In my honest opinion, these two games could be the complete best games ever. It has such realistic characters, a great innovative plot, martial arts, roleplaying, everything. It is such a brilliant game, I suggest if anyone here has a Dreamcast, you pick up either or both of the Shenmue games

I'm not sure of any answers for your questions, but personally, if I had to pay that much for a belt I would simply leave the club. Is it really worth so much of your money for that belt? Its the dedication and skill that makes the practicioner, not the belt. If I were you, I would search for another club to train at. Just my humble opinion Peace

That looks very interesting and promising, however as Jiggy mentioned it cannot claim to accept all of the good things from the martial arts, since it apparently lacks Throws, locks, and groundfighting. Still, looks like a great system you have there

If you think you can or you can't, either way you're right. Keep practicing and you'll get it. Also try improving some of the things involved. Try spinning on one foot without the kick, and work on your balance. Some other people will give much more helpful advice I am sure

Yep its a great place, thats for sure By the way, thanks to my birthday today, I'm now 15