Mr. Mike

clear you mind before the match. I used to get chased out of the ring by lesser opponents...why, I dunno? But I did. Then I started getting a bit more aggressive...now that doesn't happen anymore.

man, two hours? whoosh! I would be drenched! Congrats. Now you're in for some fun learning.

Definitely keep us posted. That isn't the best news in the world, but keep your chiun up. You can still train and still keep active, just not as intensely as you once did.

well, as for the ufc, who can argue with what the Gracies did? They came and walked all over those disciplines. Still, it IS in the way you train. Given the options, and if you had to stick with only the disciplines listed above, I give it to BJJ.

very well said. I don't think I could pick which is better. I train with both. I prefer to train with the wooden for safety reasons, since I am not as proficient with a blade as I would like to be. Once at that level, I will begin to use one of my two 'babies' that hang on my wall.

our school hosts a myriad of events throughout the year. Everything from picnics, Six Flags trips, cultural visits to other cities, sledding parties, new years parties, etc. None are mandatory, but we like to see as many students as possible go to them for a variety of reasons. The least of these reasons is money. Most of these events are funded completely by the top people in the school. We like to see students come and have fun most of all. It also builds teamwork, cohesion, confidence and shows students that we instructors have personal sides and aren't just MA robots. If you feel like you don't want to go to these events, I would suggest bringing it up to your instructor. If you don't feel comfortable with that, try talking to a member of your leadership team. You mentioned that there are personal reasons. Perhaps those reasons should be cleared up not only so you can attend functions, but mainly to facilitate a comfortable training atmosphere. Hope that helps some.

Good to have you aboard

A big welcome to you http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/legionxs/wavey.gif

our sparring classes are mixed. Mostly men, a few hardcore, some otherwise. The oldest female in our sparring class is 20. the rest are in school. Now, as a 270lb guy, most of them are kind of intimidated by me...except this one exceptional brown belt by the name of Amber. She grins, shrugs it off and gives it back. Great gal. The only place where I had reservations was in the grappling class. I had to grapple Amber and she is about 115 lbs. I was like 'uhhh....' but our instructor just said to get to it. So, I started VERY gently...big mistake...she raked my eyes and gave me one heck of an arm lock. I think it is important to have ladies train equally with the men. Your attacker will not discriminate against you for being a small statured female. In fact, he may choose you over me. So, I say jump in and give it your all and then some.

you also have to consider that most instructors are at the school a good portion of the day and might not choose the best foods...mostly convenience foods. Add to that the fact that they aren't training as hard to get to where they need to be, and you have a slight weight gain. I'm as guilty as the next guy of this. I got comfy in my Program Director position and didn't train as hard and started eating the cruddy foods out of convenience...guess what...I put 15 of my hard lost 70 lbs right back on. But, back on track, I have lost almost 20 lbs since the middle of march onthe Body for Life program. I suggest giving it a look if you have similar weight loss goals. I want to be at 225 by the end of the year. I am 272 right now.

I bring snacks, water/gatorade, extra changes of clothes(you never know), sparring gear/uniform, first aid supplies such as you listed. that's about it. I usually look like I'm moving in the place, but that's ok...I have something if I need it.

now, when you say plans and have the eyebrows raising, exactly what 'plans' do you have? Just be yourself...make no plans and you will have no dissappointment from plans falling apart...just take it for what it is: the biggest high school dance ever. Enjoy yourself.

I started because i used to watch MA movies as a kid and all we ever wanted to be was either ninjas or Black Belts...well, which one is more realistic? So, I recently got back into it(last couple of years) to get my life back on track. I'm still with it because it's keeping me firmly rooted in reality and out of trouble...also helping me to be the kind of parent I always wanted to have and to be. I'm also still with it because a member of my family, my big brother who started at the same time as me, told me that I was too far out of shape and that I would never stick with it. Also told other members of my family that I would drop it in short time. Said I just couldn't handle commitment and all kinds of negativity...well, he quit and I'm teaching now. Hmmmmm....

Ahh, Master Planas. I've never met him, but am familiar with him due to a video set that my instructor had in his cabinet. Cool Deal!

I have a six pack, too bad it's covered in all that unsightly belly fat Seriously though, you do have to work cardio to burn the fat off of the area. Keep up the ab work, but also add some cardio like jumproping, cycling, running, sparring, full speed kata(my favorite!), etc. Good luck, and keep up the work. Don't get discouraged if you just can't get the six pack look...a few years ago I was into the bodybuilding pretty heavily; to the point that I had 4% bodyfat. While I could see my abs, they still weren't the magazine cover perfect abs you see on the newstands. Mine are all lopsided, I have more of a 5 pack...darn genetics.

also done the ax kick to turn off the lights. You shut car doors with your feet... To walk out of work at night, I use my knee to open the small swing handle on the door and in one deft leg movement open the door and swing it out with my foot when you bend down to pick up what you dropped, it looks more like some cool Wu Shu move. when I open the door to the break room at work, I check it with my rear hand then do an elbow and hammer fist just light enough to keep it open and walk through. You find yourself checking your training horse no matter where you are. You start taking days off of work to train extra at the school, or in my case, I take days off of my night job to give private remedial lessons to the underbelts. and you know you're obsessed when you are talking to somebody and all you can think about is the different ways to move in and take control of the situation...most guys look at a gal's chest, but I look at elbows, knee placement, overall position...man, what's wrong with me...have I gone mad?

Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Bob Wall, Chuck Norris, Mike Stone, and the list goes on...

To my knowledge, the only weapon in my system(of which Parker is the SGM) is the Bo. There is a kata we call the Kenpo Staff Set. Also, my instructor has learned from Tadashi Yamashita and is passing Iaito along to us...not as core Kenpo curriculum, but more of an extra curricular thing.

welcome. good to have you aboard.

Ok, so where are all of you Kenpo/Kempo people? I'm just trying to see where I stand in terms of similarity in curriculum. ALso, I would like to know if anybody is going to the confederation so we can possibly hook up whilst in So CAl. Later.

dtstiachi- Would you please post which system you bought into? It would save some of us a good deal of headaches. I would also like to know if it is the same system that I have a few tapes for in which I thought the instructor was an idiot, plain and simple.

Yes indeed...I tease one of my classmates who keep trying to get me to join the Kobudo program. She gets mad when I call it her twirly stick thingy of death.

I train under the IKCA. Grandmasters Sullivan and Leroux. What bodies do you all train under? DO any of you plan to attend the West Coast Kenpo Confederation II? info here http://www.karateconnection.com/seminar.htm

that is awesome. I also post on another message board, but this one is by far superior...the other one focuses on mystical stuff ike energy balls and ninjas and junk like that...I'm so glad that isn't tolerated here. Thanx to patrick and the team for keeping things on a higher level.

try icing them after your workouts...also massage them with something like tiger balm or its equivalent.