CQC

I'm guessing with the plank thing your body is completely parallel to the floor?

Okay, so this is what I've got going so far. I currently weigh about 190lbs and I'm trying to turn some of my fat (I don't have much, but whatever) into muscle. I'm going for more of a "cut" look rather than bulky with super strength. I drink roughly four litres of water a day. My workout goes as follows: Day 1: Biceps Day 2: Chest Day 3: Back Day 4: Triceps Day 5: Shoulders/Legs I usually do abs every other day and cardio every other day. I think I may be overtraining my abs, but I'm not sure (no soreness, weakness, etc.). My day goes something like this: Wake up (6am): Protein Shake w/cup of oatmeal, or a bowl of cereal with nuts and yogurt. I drink it all within the first hour of waking up. I mix the protein powder with Grapefruit Juice. I've heard that it boosts your sugar levels, and your pancreas will produce higher levels of insulin, which helps drive protein/essential stuff into your muscles, as opposed to letting it be wasted. (Is this true? The little research I've done shows that it is.) Snack: Granola bar. Big glass/bottle of water. Lunch (12-1:30): Pasta (Brown/whole grain)/Tuna/Fish/Chicken/Turkey, Handful of nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc), some veggies. Snack: Yogurt, Apple/grapefruit/Bananna. Work out (4-6): I mix protein with Grapefruit Juice. I drink half before I work out, and half after. Dinner: Red Meat, Chicken, Noodles. Keeping the portions small. What do you guys think of everything? I haven't lifted regularly for about a year or so and am trying to get back into it. Any useful comments are appreciated.

Thanks for the reply, and I'm definately going to check out all the schools I'm interested in. I'd like to train a minimum 4 days a week in the club, so that's a major factor for whichever I'd be choosing. Also, I don't know a great deal about Wing Chun, but perhaps you or someone else does. I do know that it's a Southern Shaolin style like Hung Gar, and because of which, the movements are guarded, close, direct, and unexaggerated. At least this has been my understanding, and this is why I would choose Wing Chun as my 2nd art if I had to pick a Kung Fu style other than Hung Gar. Is there any more ways that Wing Chun and Hung Gar are similar? I know Hung Gar focuses a lot on leg training and is well known for it's intense training. Anything anyone else could tell me about Wing Chun would be appreciated.

Okay, so here's the deal. I may potentially be moving out of province for school within a few months to a much smaller town. I've been looking around that town for different martial arts, however it's considerably smaller in size and there isn't many to choose from. For those that don't know, I practice Hung Gar Kung Fu, Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, Japanese Jujitsu, American boxing, and Filipino stick and knife fighting. Here's a short list of various martial arts within the town: - 2-3 TWD clubs - A Karate Kyoskushinkai club, as well as another karate club, but I'm unsure of the style. - A Canadian Haidong Gumdo Association club (which I'm guessing is just weapons). - A Win Chun Kung-Fu club. - And a high classed American boxing club. If I were to take any of these, I could most likely only take one due to lack of free time, etc. Any suggestions based on the different arts I've taken in the past? I'm leaning towards boxing more than anything else due to hand work, power, and conditioning. I'm good on the ground and can get up quick, so that's not really an issue - I'd rather not go to the ground anyway. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Yeah, he'll definately be able to oversee classes within a few weeks, which is great. In the meantime the other middle/advanced students can help the lower ranks with technique, etc. I'm sure something good will definately come from this. We already have more solid teachers at the dojo to ensure it's survival, so that's great news. Also, thanks for your support..and I'm sure everything will work out!

Thanks for the comment, and I actually went to talk to the sensei in the hospital today. He thinks he's going to keep it open and a few of the 2nd Dan black belts are going to help teach the classes. Also, a friend of his is coming to teach Kung Fu as well, and has been doing it for 25+ years, so it should be great to see what he knows. This is awesome news, and I'm really pleased. I'll probably even help out how ever I can. Thanks for the comments everyone, and monkeygirl, thanks for moving the post!

I completely agree. I've had a knife pulled on me for pretty much no reason (complicated background, but nothing to do directly with me), not even for money. It was pretty scary when the guy kept coming at me with a large knife. I just kept backing away with my hands up telling him to calm down etc., and he kept coming. I didn't really know what to do about a knife attack back then, so I got stabbed (and yes, I know if you fight someone with a knife you will get cut) but it wasn't major, and the knife ended up in my control. For a few seconds I was worried about self-control, wondering what I'd do with the weapon since this guy just tried to take my life. However, I dropped the knife and took off running to my car. Buddy's arm was broken so he didn't feel like following I'll bet. It's just good to know what to do when and if the situation should occur. Better to be safe than sorry.

I completely agree with attempting to run away during a street fight. I haven't had to fight on the street for roughly a year, and certainly don't make a habit of doing so. As for weapon disarmament, I'd only try and disarm him as a last resort. The only reason I'm paranoid is because I've had a knife pulled on me before, so I'd just like to be prepared if it were to ever happen again. I also agree that a few certain disarming techniques are generally all you need, and I guess I'm confident I could handle some weapon like situations if they did come my way. Thanks for the reply guys, it's appreciated. Also, on a brighter note, I may have found a Japanese Jujitsu dojo to train in. Here's hoping!

I was actually considering a form of Capoeira, which is offered. I still have a lot of research to do on this subject, however the art interests me. I used to take Hung Gar Kung Fu at my old dojo (which has now closed down) as well as Filipino stick and knife fighting. Nothing similar is offered in my town, and TKD isn't my thing. I'm not sure what the heck I want to do. A lot of other students are going to another dojo an hour away, to which I can't make it to regularly enough, so that's out of the question. I still have to look around the yellow pages a bit more to find out what's offered and what isn't. On the bright side, it's fun to do some research on many different arts. I'm really opened minded and will at least attend a class before judging it.

Okay guys, I have a huge problem. My sensei has gotten into a severe car accident and won't be teaching any more. As a result, the dojo has been closed down. All of the arts I've learned I've learned from there..and I'm very hesitant to go to another dojo for fear of lack of quality. Therefore, I'm looking into dojos that I know are great, despite them not specializing in the arts that I currently take. I'm a worst case scenario kind of guy, and I would like an art that would prepare me for any situation. I know effective weapon disarms, however I feel the need to know more. That being said, he's a few dojos/clubs I'm looking into. One is a Muay Thai/boxing (American) club. I know my kicks could use work, and I'm extremely fond of boxing, as it's one of my current arts. I've found myself boxing in street fights rather than taking people down. I've only practiced BJJ for a short time, my skills are probably average, however I'm scared to take someone down for fear of weapons etc., and me not being the best on the ground. I can manage standing up just fine, and my boxing skills are extremely fine tuned. Also, if I were to join this club I would probably get some ring time, which is always good. However, they don't teach weaponry disarmament. If I were an above average MT fighter, is there any action I could take against this? I know it wouldn't be anything like my old Japanese Jujitsu if it even exists. Looking around at other arts I'm beginning to doubt the effectiveness of my old art against a skilled opponent. A lot of Jujitsu is extremely close, however if someone is throwing 3-5+ punches at you you're not going to try and grab an arm, as you'll most likely get nailed by another punch. I'm also considering Budo Taijutsu, as it is well rounded but is 45 minutes away, and I would probably only be able to go there a few times a week. Finally, is there any arts you guys recommend me to look into? There's no local BJJ or JJJ club, otherwise I'd probably enlist in that. TKD isn't my style, and I'm not a fan of remembering katas. Yes, I'm rambling, but any thoughts or ideas would be helpful. Edit: maybe this should be in Getting Started in the Martial Arts.

I think you should definately talk to your instructor about it. If his mental age is that of a child, he may not completely comprehend what you're telling, and may act like a child even more because he knows it's bothersome to you. The bottom line is he'd probably take words from your instructor more seriously than if it came from you.

Wow, I really didn't know Budo Taijutsu teaches so many weaponry disarmament techniques. I'm considering taking it. Is there any other qualities it has that other martial arts may not (although I know all have their own strengths and weaknesses).

Great post, and I completely agree with you. Honestly I think a good sensei would see the importance of sparring and testing out learnt skills in as close as a combat situation as possible. Because this didn't happen in the above case, I agree that the students would probably get schooled in a real combat situation, even in a tournament styled setup. I have 2 short stories relating to this. We have a girl in our dojo that's a blue belt. She's very skilled with executing punches, kicks etc..however when it comes to sparring, she flinches and turns away everytime someone throws a punch. Another girl (call her Kate) in a different dojo was set to spar against an opponent in a tournament. The fight started off okay, until the other girl landed a few hits on Kate, mainly towards the face. Kate didn't even block after that, she just flipped out and started screaming and wailing her arms. I'm not saying that this would be the case in all inexperienced fights, but sparring definately gives you fighting experience and helps with what one might encounter in a street fight or even a tournament fight. In the end, I think it all comes down to who's teaching the class and how effectively/methodical they're doing it.

Thanks Justice, after researching I'm pretty sure I don't really want to do this art. I take Jujitsu and weapons classes now, so I doubt that I'd benefit greatly from this. However, I am extremely interested in the "sneaking" aspect of Budo Taijutsu (which I'm told exists), which is why I became interested in the first place. Do you learn any of this in the classes (for those of you who may practice the art) or is it basically over looked/is not existant?

Haha, I'm really pleased it isn't present here either. People have tried to start up similar topics only to be shot down by more serious and knowledgeable members. When things do get out of hand, however, you have the Admin and Moderators. I also thank everyone that keeps the garbage off the forums, it makes for a much better learning environment.

That actually sounds really cool. I would absolutely love to have something similar - tattoos with meaning are definately where it's at.

Yeah, apparently Bujinkan is just another style of Budo Taijutsu, and with a solid background it seems. As I do more research, I'm beginning to see some major similarities between Budo Taijutsu and Japanese Jujitsu. Does anyone actually train in Budo Taijutsu, and is it very similar to Japanese Jujitsu? If so, how does it differ? I don't want to take an art that I'm basically already taking, but with weapons.

Anyone know if there's any katas involved with Bujinkan? I haven't seen it in action, nor do I know much about the training and "visual" aspect of it. There's a place that teaches it here, and I'm looking into it.

Hey, welcome to the forums!

We training wearing casual everyday clothes as well. We have a club t-shirt, and most people wear track or kung fu styled pants, but everyone wears generally the same thing. I personally think it's important to train in combat scenarios that are as close to real combat scenarios, this includes clothing as well. In BJJ, many techniques are quite different with a Gi. You just need to learn to adapt or add to your training and make it a bit more practical.

I'm up in Canada as well.

Paleki Pretty neat site, and kind of random.

You should get something on your upper shoulder, so you can view it regularly yourself, and because skin there generally stays the same throughout your life, so it will ideally always look good. As for what you should get..I have no idea. All I suggest is something super unique, and not so much with the Chinese/Japanese symbols, they're kind of over-rated. You should hit up a tattoo shop and see what kind of styles may appeal to you, or tell the artist there what you would like to get, and have them help you design it.

aefibird, is there an official charity website? I did a quick google search, but couldn't find anything.

My dojo is less than a five minute drive, and I practice all of my arts there. I'd probably travel over an hour for a good class, though.