Kaminari

Actually, it's the fast-twitch that is trained by doing heavy/explosive movements, and the slow-twitch (for endurance runners and such) that is trained by doing lighter weights and more repetitions. Otherwise, that's a good program to start off doing. Once you've gotten into it for a while, see what works best for you, as doing one exercise for you might have more benefit than it will for someone else. Everyone is hard-wired differently. So, for your purposes, with regards to weights, lift heavy with fewer repetitions, but still do some cardio work, like swimming or sparring, inbetween lifting sessions to keep your overall fitness level up.

It's a basic principle: You want to be better at pushups, you do pushups, you want to get better at sparring, you spar. Hold your side kick out as high as you can for a period of 10-15 seconds, then rechamber, and repeat a few times. Do this every day or every other day, and you'll get better at it. True, it's not practical, but neither is the ability to stand on a basketball on one leg while kicking with the other. However, the balance gained from doing so is very valuable. Likewise, the strength in the hip flexors and flexibility from holding a side kick are valuable.

I follow the Everett Silvertips, just because they're the only games I can go to. I used to play hockey when I was younger, so I've always been a fan.

Does anyone know anything about/practice this martial art? There's a place near me that teaches it, but I really don't know much about it, and their website doesn't go into any detail. For example, do they practice forms? Any kind of sparring, etc.? Thanks. -Kaminari

Well, by the time the students in my dojo reach testing time for shodan, they know anywhere from 30-45, maybe more kata, and they choose a certain number of them to perform. I think it's less than ten, maybe around 5 or so, but then again, I'm not sure, as my friends don't really talk about their tests for shodan much. I know that you also have to do some kumite, but I'm not sure as to how much. Speaking of which, that reminds me of a story my sensei once told me about a guy testing for his shodan a few years ago. One of the testers asked him to perform a kata of his choosing. The guy shrugged, and performed Kihon kata dai Ichi, the first kata we ever learn. Well, he just went through the motions, sloppily, and he failed the test right there. Because the kata had less complicated movements and techniques, the instructors expected much more and were able to find more flaws. I just thought that was an interesting story.

I don't think I could list all the kata we learn in my style. I think most of the black belts in my class know anywhere from 30-45 kata, and sensei knows around 65, I think. Seito Shito-Ryu is widely known for it's number of kata.

Krav Maga is not unisex. In fact, I don't know of any styles that are only for men or only for women. It is also common for warmups to happen before doing anything in class, for a very good reason. Stretches will keep you flexible for the class, and decrease your chances of injury (pulling or tearing a muscle, etc.). Exercises like pushups and situps are part of basic strength and endurance training. In any martial art, these two things are important. Plus, situps are especially important because they will strengthen your core, which is essential to all martial artists, as your power doesn't only come from the shoulder in punches or from the legs in kicks, but from your whole body. The stronger the core, the stronger your techniques will be.

Tomari Passai, eh? Haven't heard of it before. I'll have to ask around at the dojo, but I'm pretty sure no one there knows it, as most of them only study the Seito Shito Ryu kata, with the exception of a couple of people.

I recently learned the kata Anan. I particularly enjoy it because all the hand techniques are, for the most part, open-handed. I also recently learned Itosu Rohai Nidan, which is interesting, as some of the foot positions are odd. However, I don't really think I'm "on" any particular kata.

Well, you need to know what your options are, first. Check out dojos/dojangs (martial art schools) in your area, and make a list of the ones you can get to. Go watch a couple classes at each one to get a better feel of what you can expect from each one. Some instructors give free intro lessons so you can see if the art is right for you. Then, once you've found a school you like, you need to get there, obviously. If your parents are hesitant about taking you to class however often it is, you could counter with reasons such as: 1) It's good for you (healthy hobby) 2) Get you out of the house/help develop some social skills 3) Martial arts teach discipline, patience, etc. Anyway, let us know how things go! If you have any other questions you'd like to ask me personally, PM me. -Kaminari

OK, OK, I get it, dragondoor.com. You guys are persistent.

Thank you, NinTai.

Just was wondering if anyone knew where I could get some kettlebells. Also, does anyone know anything about kettlebell exercises? Thanks much. -Kaminari

Basically, the premise of the story is that someone steals Ong Bak's head (their god or whatever), and they need to get it back before the big tournament in a few days. So, the main character goes to find the head. The plot isn't the greatest, and the acting isn't very good, but the stunts and fight scenes are unreal.

I think that a sophomore is someone who's in their second year of high school. Prom is the biggest dance of the year, and I've heard that homecoming is the second-biggest.