Sam

i believe he is a self promoted 9th degree when he started his own TKD group

yep the only thing weights affect is your flexion.... simply becuase they increase your muscle size... they do not hinder flexibility training. Secondly - the only this i know of that really does hinder it is cycling

it works to a point when you do full contact.... so long as u allow a lot of moves as well... grabs sweeps, and some clinch / ground work in tehre it cna be very helpful just the experience is interesting.

yes, but they can be... and there are occassions where they may be worth while

i dont think anything involving the finnesse of a thumb lock or anything requiring fine-motor-skill to work is a good idea... the necks an easy target.... and failing that the arms.

I understood why.... the example were good too - nice to see we're on the same wavelength on this one

ok just out of interest - i cant find much on this... so i wouldnt mind a link or something to where i can read more about it, and read some proof.... Thanks in advance .

yes but "emanations" of an electric field from the body soudns a bit strange to me... maybe a couple of millimeters maybe a centimeter.... but a couple of feet ?!?!!? even 1 foot seems to far for me to udnerstand where the energy to support that comes from

and trainign methods to training methods

fair enough my bad... as far as i have been taught - the 2 difference were over a literal interpretation [catholicism] and a sub-textual one [protestantism]. But like i said my bad if i was wrong

also - try it when its not just a bespoke attack.. . try and work it into a sparring situation or something [if applicable]... maybe if you have self defense lessons specifically look at using it against an attacker who doesnt throw a specific technique.

to clarify: garth_barnard.... my SD training doesnt start with that.... but i know what u mean.... generally a lot of TKD SD does start in that way... .and TKD IS NOT predominately a sport.... the majority of Dojangs are sport orientated but the art itself is not.... I agree that WTF the style is sport orientated Also im not being rude here but i would prefer it if i wasnt talked down to... I constantly put forward that idea that a lot of your effectiveness is down to how you train.... which is what ur suggesting.

ok - guess we dont really get that over here in the UK... not being as many guns around......

i think its teh combination of having set goals. with the whole enjoyment of a workout... and just general fun

physical is most important ot me. Im naturall a very passive and calm person so have little need for the calming influences.... although i find the spiritual side intersting

also - you can make ur own.... its not that hard to make a basic one.

Then i guess we're agreeing ot agree lol I have no problem with WTF style TKD, i would just prefer it if TKD wasnt generalised by that standard.

kchenault makes agood point -although we may suggest cool ideas sometimes.... you have to live with it for the rest of your life.... one thing i would suggest as a general rule... make sure its "timeless".i.e. it will have the same meaning when ur 60 as it does now !!

a bouncer at 15???!?!?!?!?!? anyways - good luck with stickign it out at the job

Before i gave mine away when my sister picked it up it gave her a really nasty scratch just below her neck.... which is now scarred.... I think the most animals do the whole peeing/pooing on you thing...

yay.... any other UK people out there up to posting to just make a presense known, lol. Its nice to see the variety of people on here

So i guess again the general consensus is that Judo can be effective and is generally effective as a Self -defense system so long as you train properly

Yes i agre... im just saying that the ART itself doesnt necessarily encourage that..... that generalising the art based on sport dojo's seems a bit single-minded.

Street fighter was pretty poor - that flying kick out of the elevator at the end.... hehe

but what about teh infamous and much discussed "boards dont hit back"