Kaminari

Not necessarily. An expert still has the ability to improvise, etc., to a greater degree than the inexperienced fighter. Plus, the inexperienced one wil more likely end up hurting themselves because they haven't been trained to handle the weapon.

The feeling of accomplishment you get after a MA class. Sunsets. A warm cat sleeping in your lap. The smell and look of a long walk through the forest.

It can't hurt to get a running start.

Hai, Boku wa nihongo de hanashimasu. Too bad I can only type in Romaji in the forum. I love the language, though!

Congrats!

If I had the chance, I would most definitely choose Kyokushin over my current style, but there are no schools in my area. Also, (not to bash KK or anything) not all martial artists who train hard win. I've seen a Judo (or Jujitsu, I can't remember) practitioner defend himself against ten other martial artists at the same time. Yes, training hard can be and very often is a great way to train, but not the only effective way.

Saw one where one guy, after a couple of lazy blows between the two, put the other in a headlock and started punching the guy in the face, over and over again. People just stood around them, watching. It was over about ten seconds later when the guy getting his face beat in fell to the ground, almost unconscious.

I'm more of an aggressive/charger, although I'll wait a few moments at the beginning of the match to gauge what kind of fighter they are (aggressive/defensive).

I first got into it for, most importantly, a healthy, active hobby, and also for self-defense, but that wasn't as important. Now I don't think I could bear not to. It's so addicting!

Congratulations! It's good to hear that you're motivated to work harder.

I am happy. The classes are relatively small, which I like, it's inexpensive, and the people there are awesome.

I thought it great in Identity when he fights the guy using a pen, and thought it funny when Jason uses a magazine as a weapon in Supremacy.

Raspberry/banana/strawberry (and sometimes apple) smoothie!

Hmmmm.... That's odd, I always thought Osu was a contraction for onegaishimasu. Ohayo gozaimasu means, "Good morning" in Japanese.

I had to leave the first dojo I studied at because of a move to a different state, and didn't take up training again for several years. I'm now back in it, and beating myself up for not finding the dojo I'm at sooner.

Mongolia? Wow. I wish I lived somewhere remotely interesting. U.S.A. here.

Mr. Mike- exactly what I was thinking.

We train at a local health club, so my fee of $50 a month is only to pay rent and to maintain the floors, etc.

I know it was mentioned before, but I'll say it anyway: It depends on the instructor. I know when I switched from my old style of Karate to Shito-Ryu, I was able to keep my rank, because of the similarities in kata, etc. The most likely outcome will be that you have to start as a beginner, but you'll be able to grasp the concepts and be able to learn things much quicker due to your previous experience.

I know it has been mentioned before, but I'll say it again, the majority of the test is mental. You know the techniques and forms, for you to be testing shows that you're ready physically. The best of luck to you!

Some things remain strictly Chinese. Some places, such as many Shaolin temples, will not let someone who is not Chinese study. Other times you have to dedicate yourself to living the life of a monk to be able to practice and learn under them. Some schools are purely traditional, but that number is small now. Most schools have adapted certain things, changed the way things are done, like rules, etc. In a way, yes, they have. It used to be that no westerner (only one of Chinese descent) could learn the Chinese arts. Today it is very different, and there are MA schools of Chinese arts all over the world, open for everyone. In another way, they still retain traditional ways of doing things, traditional techniques, forms, etc, that have not been altered or "Westernized." It all depends on how you look at it.

Might work, might not, then again, depends on the situation. Some things will work some times and others will work other times.

Thanks Hudson.

A while back I was in class and everybody was in line to practice flying sidekicks against a tall bag. My first one wasn't too good, so, beating myself up for the poor technique before, I got to the front of the line again. I did the kick, and had absolutely great technique (everybody clapped). I got back in line with an odd look on my face, according to my friend, and he asked me what was wrong. I said nothing, and he went back to watching the other students. Turns out, I completely threw my back out and couldn't do much of anything for the rest of the class. Another time I was testing for my yellow belt, and was asked to throw a front thrust kick. My foot came about two centimeters away from my sensei's nose, and he had a surprised look on his face. I thought it was pretty funny, and luckily kept myself from laughing.

Enjoying pain: For me, to a degree, yes, I do enjoy pain. It tells me that I'm getting something out of what I'm doing. To me (to a certain degree, of course), pain does not hurt, but merely a feeling, therefore it's not necessarily a bad thing. You should get used to some of it over time, as your body adjusts to what you're doing to it.