fangshi

Not in Canada anyways . Not sure about other countries.

Not sure what the laws are like in your country but in mine , as far as breaking the law there is no distinction between applying martial art techniques or just plain old street fighting . Assualt is assualt. Plain and simple .

Actually Ki is more of a traditional eastern medicine concept . As some of the eastern spiritual practices tend to be more holistic ( mind and body) than their western counterparts they do include concepts of Ki or Chi or Prana or whatever name you wish to call it . Sometimes I think people mystfy things that they do not understand and do not wish to . Ki is somthing that exisists in all people it is not magic or evil or holy it just is and if people wish to project anyone of these meaningless perceptions on to it than it may change the perception of Ki but not the reality of it . It is simply the energy within . As far as the whole throwing of chi balls and tossing people around the room with this imaginary superpower thing , well , people claim that it is real but from what I have experienced in my life it is just people talking . Looks cool in the movies though .

OK I know that people are going to jump all over me and my intention is to ask opinion rather than give one but how far of a reach is calling Ki the Holy Spirit . My wife is doing her semi regular christian push on me and in my limited understanding of the whole thing one has to pray to devlop the Holy Spirit within as one has to meditate to develop the ki within . I don't know and I am sure someone will tell me how wrong I am but it almost sounds like semantics to me . Please do not get angry at this post as that is not my intention in anyway.

They are both strong powerful arts . As to which one is better , well that is a bit in the eye of the beholder . I have spared against people who have trained in both . Not sure about the roundhouse vs forearm comment . Took a good solid roundhouse by an experienced Muay Thai fighter in the ribs once . If someone can throw a forearm strike harder than that I want to see it ( done on some else LOL ).

I train with a group of guys , many different styles . We simply rent time from a near by Tai Chi school and basically just explore eachothers styles . We have enjoyed it over the last two years and look forward to a long lasting training partnership with eachother . The only prerequisite is approx. 20 yrs exp. in the martial arts . There is no real program or adgenda we just go with the flow . Well today we welcomed our 9th member he has lived and trained in Tibet and India and has recently moved to North America . He has experience in many styles but today he showed all of us including our one friend who has 30 plus years in Judo , Jujitsu and Shotokan exp . a thing or two about wrestling . His style is called Amaree (I think that is how you spell it ) . I know one solid fighter does not a solid style make but this guy has got an amazing knowledge of grappling and throwing techniques . As he explained to us it is a tradional form of Tibetian wrestling that is still popular today . I tried to google it and got very little . Does anyone have experience with this style or at least know if that is the proper spelling of it or if ther is a more popular name for it in english . I would love to know more about it . He has said that he will pass on his knowledge of it to us or at least some of it but I would love to be able to learn more . This guy went toe to toe with an expierinced and accomplished judoka while giving up at least 60 lbs and did very well for himself . there was give and take but we were all very impressed with his style . Very fast when in transition from one technique to another , deceptively strong and was absolutley always in control of his body . Most of the movements were basic to that style of combat but the applications and transitions were sometimes unique . Along with a few things thrown in that most of us had to think of where he was going with it . It was very cool . If anyone can help I would appreciate it .

I think thats the one that I described but it has been a long time since I have seen that one . My favorite movie kick is the Rothrock kick where someone grabs her in and her leg goes all the way back and lands on the top of his head . Almost looks like a yoga move .

Find a great teacher . VERY important. Yes there must be interest in the style , does it have within it the elements that you wish to learn ? If you can find both then you will off to a great start . Good luck

Not exactly sure if I am thinking of the same one as you are but you see a lot of the front stretch kick or stiff legged front kick . Looks good in movies . Not sure how effective it would be .

Good eating and lots of cardio are needed to achieve that ripped six pack look . I know of many MA's who have great strong abdominal muscles that were hidden until proper nutrition and cardio programs were implemented . Good luck !

I know this is off subject (well kind of ) I was reading in his bio that he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of fame in Canton Ohio . In all the places in all the world I would have never guessed in a million years that it was in Ohio . Not that I have ever really followed those kind of things but WOW ! Thats a new one for me .

Perhaps better to find a personal "style " more a group of techniques that fit your own abilities . The ones that really work for you . And then incorporate them into your personal application of the martial arts . Often techniques from different styles will be more productive for a certain person and if you find that for yourself than good for you. But to come out and announce to the world that you have founded a new innovative perfect style that is original to you , with its own phylosphies tactics and techniques . Well then you need to be sure that you are stating the truth . And for that my friend you will need to be doing research for many many many years.

Do hand stand push ups count ? They work that whole shoulder - trap - lat area . Oh by the way military press.

I personally have not heard of the gentleman , however if you tell me your location (personal message if you wish ) I will contact a few friends and see . I have many contacts in Canada and the mid-western United States and a few scattered throughout the rest of North America.

Certainly I meant no offence to you and had no intention of causing anger in any way . As I stated my post was non technical and I was basing my post on the consistancy of the way the tems are used in north america and the few european cities I have visited . Walking down the streets of any of the cities Of the above mentioned countries Schools with The word kungfu in them are different styles then those of the schools with the word gungfu in them . So in that way there is most certainly a difference . Some of the "kungfu " schools that I have seen most certainly have long fist forms within them . Once again I meant no offence to anyone and was not speaking on the technical translations of the chinese language .

I do agree with alot of what has been said above but for a non-technical explaination of the terms and how they are used ( although not correct they are used with consistancy ) . Kungfu - Typically used to describe northern styles of CMA . Mostly the shoulin and long fist forms as well as some newer versions of CMA . Characterized by high kicks . Can have various phylisophical levels attached. Gungfu - Typically used to describe southern styles of CMA . Mostly versions of shoulin and what has derived from them. Characterized by the lower kicks. Can have various levels phylosiphy , not as much in North America & Europe. Wushu - Typically used to describe the sporting aspect of CMA . Taught in the education system as well as in seperate martial art schools. Alot the way Judo is in Japan . Ussually these styles have been taken from various other CMA . Ussually the techniques that are more stylish and do well in competition. Characterized by beautiful flashy movements . Very grand and sometimes over done . Very entertaining with lots of competitive aspects. Ussually very little use of phylosophy , Although some do. The toaist martial arts typically fall in a different catagory as their focus and execution are very different . Ussually just called the art without any other descriptive word being tagged on to the end. For the most part the style is characterized by it's phylosophy . Some more than others , in some schools the health aspect has replaced some or all of the religous aspects of the arts but that has more to do with the teacher than the tradition .

Foot work ! Attack on angles . When training with large people I have found that speedy foot work puts me in the right position to attack. Keep in mind that their reach is an advantage because they can cover greater ranges but when they extend to the full range they have a longer recoil and recovery time . Just a split second and speed varies from person to person but if you are in the right place at the right time a split second is enough to press your advantage . Does that make sense ? Hope it helps.

LOL ! Thats the best advice I have ever heard

I like hooks . They are very cool . A bit clumbsy to work with at first but once you get control they are great. My favorite is the phoenix beak hook , not as well known as the tiger hook but still my favorite . Very versitile and hard to defend against. As far as practical for defence I will go with the baton.

Personally I have trained in aikido for 13 yrs. Aikido can be very effective as a combative style . This is where the BUT comes in . But in order for the techniques of aikido to be effective Against trained figthers The Aikidoka must be VERY proficient. Basically to the point of perfection. While training with my sensei's sensei I had the honour to meet a great guy (a liitle strange but thats why he is so great) No matter what technique the sensei would instruct us in this guy would only do one particular technique. All direction throw (advanced) . After many many push ups the sensei finally just let this guy do his one techniqe over and over again . It go to the point where he was so proficient at the one technique that many including my sensei felt that he had perfected it. Well one night after recieving the results from senior level promotions a large group of us went out to celebrate. Sure enough some chuckle head with a group of friends all wearing the local boxing gym jackets over heard our conversations and chalenged any member of our group . After listening to a great deal of ego and insult my friend accepted the challenge . The boxer threw two punches , the first was a jab that landed to the nose and mouth area . The second was a cross. Well guess what? My friend applied the one technique he had practiced for year after year and sure enough the boxer was thrown and slamed to the ground in a pin. The moved resulted in the boxers arm being dislocated which ended the discussion quickly. Aikido in the begining and intermediate stages is probably not a overly useful tool in street self defense but a mastery of it is very viable. You just have to decide if the commitment is something you are in to. Applied with other arts knowledge of aikido at any level is useful. There are several applications that take very little time to learn that are very effective . Well thats my two cents . It may not be worth two cents but there it is none the less. _________________

Not that I have ever had the opportunity to learn the shurikan but I do enjoy my throwing knives. The only thing is I have no idea how effective they are as a weapon. The target I use never moves so it is pretty easy to hit the target but never in a millon years would I try it on a person.

I agree 100% and so did my friend (the next day) .

Heel injuries do take time to heal . Ice is good. As tufrthanu suggested an Xray may not be a bad idea if it worstens or persists. As for falling out of shape , there are a millon ways to exercize without pounding on your heel. Weights , swimming or just sit ups chin ups and push ups . There are lots of others . Get well soon!

Anonymous One , Are we not supposed to help those who need it ? Does it matter where you put fault or blame ? Do those who are lost or make mistakes not need help the most . I see the point you are making and a lot of the weight issues we see today are directly related to poor choices NOT everyone of them . Alot is pyhsiological and/or mental. These people need outside help from professionals . Cloud Dragon your job sounds deppressing. I am sure you are great at it but Wow . Sounds like you have alot of rough days at work. Kit Sometimes listening is the best way to help. Be a good friend . And get professional help for your friend and for you . There are lots of good groups and literature on supporting someone with an eating disorder.