Sam

I agree that the whole tendancy towards XMA is probably a bad thing as it teaches teh wrong sort of style - i have no problem with XMA as something to do once you've mastered teh basics as it is possible to actually generate power with some of the technique.... its when you see people starting out learning XMA they might as well do gymnastics. I agree that going back to more traditional values with respect and if you do do kata then doing them properly is definitely a good thing, but schools that encourage that [especially in the UK] are quite difficult to come across especially as a TKD practitioner.

Weclome !!

which one? arent there 2 soundtracks to it?

I hardly ever take any pills other than panadol / paracetamol

good luck with your trainin and welcome to KF.

I thnik everyone has their own experience of this good and bad.... and it really depends on whether you have the will to make it work.

Its amazing so many places put "come do kickboxing" and failto mention that its cardio-kickboxing.... so a lot of peopl end up wasting their time there....

this really deomonstrates how confusing names can be for kicks especially... more so than hands. Just soooo many different names for them

Yeah you have to remember these are all people - especially when you start out people are willing to accept them as infallible - but your right conqueror once you get to know them as people you know they have just the same problems as everyone else.

How long is the interval between your grades? Does it get any longer as you go on?

thats one things kids forget when their teachers tell them off for a fight they didnt start - i was defending myself - i have a right to do that.... they cant punish you for it.

I think that standardisation is a good thing.... but we are learning a Martial Art so variance should be encouraged as well during training.... working with new ideas, etc. However at a competition a standard is needed to judge by, and if everyone does it in a different way and there is no set way how do you judge it?

Just ot point out - people say how can you know a move is effective... well im pretty sure that a knifehand to the throat is effective.... i dont need to try it to no. The trick is keeping it simple - if i find a move I cannot practice because its "too dangerous" or whatever then i wouldnt use it.... locks, grabs, breaking techniques cna be practiced - you can learn to get the hold on a moving target, -and you cna practice applying the pressure on an inanimate object [working on stronger grip, etc.]..... Even stabbing can be practiced [to take things to the extreme] - you practice trying to hit someone moving with a blunt stick..... and you also practice hitting something less likely to die with a sword as hard as you can..... All moves I can think of can be practiced in one form or another.... its just a matter of improvisation, and breaking the technique into component parts.. Use what you know works - why complicate things.

Ok yes on that count i agree - however, living in awe - does not mean you accept anything they say os it is not worship.... 57 battle decorations as a sniper is absolutely astounding, but if i was confused about whether i technique was effective i would still ask and not their word as gospel.... os in that respect hero worship should be avoided, there is nothing wrong with the slightly taller tales either... if anything they above most people have a right ot do so [and im not suggesting you said there was anything wrong with it either].

I believe the post was valid jsut not put that well... Avoid him the best you can.... if it becomes impossible then there is nothing your going to gleam from what people say on here that you will remember if the time period between reading it and the conflict is so short - you showed yourself that all of it just goes out of your head anyway - thats quite natural.

I think its possible for it to work where your both blindfolded - but is relatively stupid to suggest that blindfolded would hold their own against sighted.

Dotn do anything drastic - i partly agree with JusticeZero - just not the postal part Running off to tell a teacher may not be the best suggestion id depends on your school + your teacher.... and how many there are of them. Again - just keep away - doesnst work either - people follow each other - thats life. Eventually you will have to do something to stop them, just be careful its not too extreme.... Oh and a sharp tug followed by a kick to the shins is a good counter for a shove

Losing is an experience you cna learn more from than anything else... or just generally being beaten. Everytime i spar my instructor he beats me, but i learn a lot from sparring him, nad he's always one step a head. Keeping calm is massively important, dont lose you head, and keep an eye on what the other person is doing - are there any telegraphs before they attack, do they repeat certain patterns.... probably going over old ground - but most of the time its the basicvs people forget....in sparring moves are generally limited to the basics as well.

Like has been said if your in alright shape already, its mostly down to just losing that layer of fat over the top of it - which is why everyone suggests the aerobic exercise

Go to a doctor - just easier that way.

Nice- never given one handed push ups a go, so never tried 2 fingers only.... cna do 2 fingers on each hand.... well congrats!!

Hehe - milk losing weight - i can see how the calcium might stop you being hungry - but thats not the best way of losing weight.

wow - quick summary for what is usually a really long discussion

that was POOR!!!! only becuase ive heard it a million and one times...

Weclome!