fangshi

From my experience most boxers do throw long combos and as Seven said in his post that is when I press my advantage . Using quick footwork to get close and on a good angle for attack . Until I see my opening I typically mirror a boxer and wait for a opportunity . My style utlizes quick footwork which more often than not gives me good angles of attack . If I can I am most certainly not opposed to getting close and using a throw or take down as I find hitting my opponent with the ground is VERY effective .

Yes , the slow speed at which Tai chi is practiced can be and is often a target for ridicule . This slow pracice of forms is a delibrate training tool of this system (and can also be seen in other internal and even some external arts ) . In the more advanced stages of the art speed is most definately an important part of it and there are many , many aplications that relate specificly to combat . Speed as applied in Tai Chi results from efficient neuro-musclar firing of the unblocked central nervous system . The slow and deliberate training of Tai Chi is designed for just that purpose. Speed can be broken down into catagories (a subject that would be better suited for an article than a post ) but combat applications for Tai Chi often focus on speed at the point of contact or touch . Speed from one point to another is also important but not as crucial as it would be in a harder system . As with other softer styles of the martial arts training to levels of compitence in a combat situation much time is needed . As well as proper instruction and guidance . But do not let the news clips of demonstrations performed by practitioners of Tai Chi who have absolutely no interest in the combat applications of it fool you into thinking that it is not a viable system .

Does this mean muscular tension through the whole excercise ?

I am revamping my weight training program . the goal being more power . For those of you whom already practice power lifting , do you lift until you can no longer lift (failure ) or just as many as you can do with perfect form ? It is my opinion that a few reps and a higher amount of sets will increase strength more efficiently . And proper form in every rep is key . Also do you recomend a smaller amount of excersizes in this kind of program ?

I agree 100 % This is coming from a guy that is recovering from back surgery .

In my completely biast opinion I think that it would be a good move for you . If you are in to the spiritual side of things Aikdo is great . Typically Aikido schools are loaded with great people , most of whom could care less about being the better fighter and more about being the better person . It will also give you an opportunity to greatly expand the knowlegde of circular movement applications that you have aquired in Goju . It is a great complement to Goju . Good luck

Just a thought but to get better at pushups try doing less of them more often . I know , I can just here people now . Is this guy nuts ? The answer to that not with standing . Try doing say 10 push ups 4 or 5 times a day . (making sure to not over train) I have had people do them every time they walk into a certain room in their house or whenever they turn the TV on or off . Whatever works . Always remember the perfect form is the only acceptable form . Just think that if you can rip off 10 perfect ones a couple or few times a day your gains in strength will lead you to more muscular endurance .

Here is a list of excersizes . It is supossed to be geared to MA's but I feel it is more of a general work out . It will help with muscle endurance and general strength . Take a look and see if there is anything you like . I would recommend that you start with a program like this and work your way up to something more activity specific . This workout should give you a good base from which to work from . GOOD LUCK http://www.barnett-fitness.com/Routines/Routine%20-%20MA1.htm#

How important ? As the martial arts of this era expand ever so rapidly , how important do you feel the philosophy of the martial arts is ? There are so many different methodologies of teaching , do you feel that it is important to also teach the bushido or Buddhist or Taoist ideals as well as the fundamentals of combat ? Do you feel that these ideals help you grow as a martial artist and a person ? Do you feel that schools that do not teach these ideals should , or vice versa ? I was just wondering if students from different schools had different outlooks on this topic , so if your style is not listed in your info could you please post .

With one leg or two ? would the more intensity with one leg sqwats not do the same or better with less reps ? I realize that the balance factor would work the core muscles more but would it take away from the work on the leg muscles ? Do you also do one legged squats along with a high rep of two legged squats ? KK7 I am wondering what would make you say that this routine would not be benifical to power and strength At the intensity that THE ANYNONMOUS ONE works out at , explosiveness and power would most certainly be a result of this excersize . Stamina would seem to be a HUGE factor as well .

Absolultely agree . Takes alot of practice .

Does anyone have a favorite style or specific form they like when studying footwork from other systems ? Here is a few that I like http://trinity.psnw.com/~dlmurray/footdrills.html There are others that I do but it was easy to post this link

Does anyone ever study footwork of other styles ? I have found them to be very useful in expanding my abilities as a martial artist . I train with a group of martial artists from several different styles and we have all learned from eachother . How important do you feel that footwork is in martial arts ? Do you feel you can gain an advantage by studying the footwork of other styles ? Do you feel that mobility is more/less or of equal importance to rooting/grounding ? Do you feel footwork is better as linear or circular ?

Your karate is going to be quite a work out . To begin with I would mostly focus on your basics . Put as much energy as you can into them . With my beginners I typically tell them to do the in class warm up at home for the first little while along with endless reps of basic movements infront of the mirror . Our warm up is a very well rounded workout in itself , as it is in most of the schools I have seen . Dynamic - full range excercises to start then stretching then some strength and calestetic work . After you have that down you can begin to add aerobic and anaerobic excersises along with stretching . Basically any exercise that addresses the areas you feel are lacking . Important to start slow , don't want injuries . But the most important thing of all is have fun !

I too prefer the conservative kicks . Typically nothing above the solar plexis but if the right angle comes along a higher kick is not completely out of the question .

Ouch I can see how the orthodics would help in your case . Have you ever looked into accupuncture ? I am sure your doctor has given you plenty of stretches and excercises . Have you tried picking up something like a sock or nerf ball with your foot and then flicking it away . This would strengthen the arch and the small muscles than control the toes . I am thinking that added strength may help support the weekened tendons . If you try it and it hurts too much stop as I am not a doctor but I hope it helps in some way Good Luck with that

First things first , ask your your doctor . A professional opinion is always a good place to start . But coming from a guy that has had his fair share of injuries . Start with ice , heat , stretching and other full range of motion exersices . From there things like ultra sound , acupuncture and other deeper tissue theorpies . Strengthing the problem areas and the surrounding muscles is very important . There needs to be a balance of strength . There are several excercises to strengthen the foot . In order for me to keep this less then 100 pages long could you pls be more specific as to the foot pain . Is it ; anterior tibial - vertical movement posterior tibal - arch support peroneal tibial - horizntal movement extensor - raise toes flexor - stalize toes on ground WHICH ARE ALL MUSCLES -- OR-- achillies tendon extends calf to heel used for running jumping etc... --OR-- ligament - holds tendons in place - provides strngth and supports arch (plantar facia ) and others like medial and lateral ligamements on inside and outside of foot provide stability and strength while raising foot each one of these would have its own specific excercise I would be happy to help if I can but if you could narrow it down , that would be great

Ever heard of spinning ? Take an advanced class .

As far as diet goes , don't go crazy on one of those fad things . Just be sure to watch a few of your dietary intakes . Fat , sugar , and salt are not good to overload on . Trade poor sources of nutrition for good ones . ie whole grain high fiber instead of high sugar carbs - whole wheat instead of white for bread and pasta - oranges instead of orange juice . Lean or vegtable sources of protien instead of fattie or greasie . Skin off chicken instead of on - lean beef instead of regular . Tofu or other bean protiens if you like them are lower in fat , but they are best paired with a solid carb like a whole grain pasta or rice . Choose your fats wisely - Olive oil over margerine . Also important to watch portion sizes . If you eat until you are 3/4 full you will be full as it takes time to feel full . This is part of the digestive process . If you eat untill you feel stuffed than your stomach will have a difficult time breaking down the food into useable components before they are stored . An example my professor told us was to put 10 crackers in your mouth and then try to swallow quickly . Doesn't work very well . You do need to find a dietary program that you enjoy . There are a million sites on the internet for recipes . As far as exercise aerobic and anaerobic in combonation works well as one burns fat (or the calories that contribute to fat storage ) and the other builds muscle . Muscle take more energy to maintain so it burns calories which contribute to fat . You also need to find an exercise program you enjoy . GOOD LUCK

Yes variations make exercise fun . And thanks for the well wishes on my injury . I am having a double laminectomy done on Tuesday . Hopefully it will get me back in action as apossed to watching from the sidelines . I am kind of going nuts , with not being able to train . Looks like it may be a while but I am determined to get back to it in any form I can .

It was meant as one in a light hearted sort of way . Before my injury I was working out quite hard (or so I thought ) . Not as hard as you apparently but everyone has different goals and mind sets . Once my recovery is complete I will try your sequence . But like I said probably one set to start with . And probably not for a while . I do like the sound of the workout and I was doing something like that before I got side tracked with injury . Instead of the sprint I did 50 m in the pool then the burpees . Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things soon . I do have one question though , what is the difference between a burpee and a swat thrust ?

As you can imagine looking over at the styles I study I am a circular guy . Best to do both in a balanced fashion , for me that NEVER happens . I do want to learn a more linear style but have yet to do so . So until then I will be circling and spiraling my way through life .

I assume you're talking about the knuckle/fingertip pushups? No, they don't cause any damage to wrists or fingers. I was talking about the inter laced finger push ups . I agree that Knuckle/fingertip pushups do not cause any damage when done properly.