monkeygirl

Ah, so you have been visited by the infamous "desk elves". At least, that's how they're known to us in the Western Hemisphere. In some eastern cultures, they are known as "desk assassins". Woo! I spelled "assassins" right on the first try!

Welcome to the forums! Cruise around the different sections and you should learn quite a bit

Well, we have at least 3 TKD-ers... myself included. I like Seoul Survivors.

From what I can tell, yes he is. His school's website is http://www.samasouthwater.org.uk/main.htm May I ask why you want to know? It would help us to answer any questions you have if they're a bit more specific.

Careful Kensai

Welcome to the forums! You've already met Kensai, the local Aikido nut

Awwww poor shoulderrrrr..... Welcome to the forums

I can't think of any sites off the top of my head, but if you ask (or just look at some current threads), many of the members here would be glad to spout off a good 20 sites for you to go to Welcome to the forums!

Welcome to the forums! Keep us updated on your test status!

Welcome to the forums! May you never have to use your skills again

Don't forget to head on over to the Introductions forum so our users can get to know you better

I actually like the "other side" suggestion... Wait a minute...if they're the (e)x-men, we gotta be Magneto...or maybe Mangeto

Thanks for the compliment, Jeff. Well, for about a year now, I've been interested in learning how to use the fans, and broaden my understanding of weapons. We only learn 3 weapons at my dojo: bo staff, nunchaku and kama. My instructor is a pretty reasonable guy and he supported my interest, especially if it could be added to our demonstrations. I don't really remember what sparked my interest in the first place, except that I thought they looked kinda cool. What I didn't know was how difficult it would be to find information on the Internet...or in bookstores...or anywhere. So, over the past few months of searching, I've acquired a small amount of information regarding the weapons. I imagine, however, that it's just the tip of the iceberg.

I am moving this to the Weapons forum, where it will probably get some better responses.

Congrats Laurie! So, you have 3 different styles now? About mat burns: You'll want to use a first aid antiseptic like Bactine. This will relieve pain, soothe (not sting), and fight any infection. Especially on those nasty ones on bare elbows

Recently I've been looking around at my desk, and realizing that it didn't take very long to break a New Year's Resolution. I can only see about a square foot of desk surface under all of the scattered and strewn papers. I know that if I just cleaned it up it would be a lot better, but they're all things I need quick and easy access to, so I can't really put them away. Kinda. Sorta. OK OK so I'm just a weeeee bit lazy. Who here has messy desks? I know there has to be some masterpieces of mess out there. What is cluttering your desk up the most? And now to what I REALLY want to know: who has clean, organized desks? What planet are you from, and how do you accomplish this? I am in need of desperate help, and am sure others could benefit from such wisdom.

Yeah, I kinda wondered how they were choosing them, too. All it did was tick off the people from the other 9 styles...except for those who practice Shaolin Kung Fu, of course

He's sick and on medication. So far, I haven't done anything particularly damaging to him in class...so far. Now that we're on opposing teams, I might have to *ahem* eliminate the competition... You're lucky I'm kidding! Alrighty, guys, let's get crackin' on this team name... Remember: Purple People Eaters is a NO-NO. 'Cause this guy --> wouldn't like to be eaten I was always confused by that name, anyway. Was it the people eaters who were purple, or did they eat purple people? Anyway....

Actually, the chinese "fan dance" is a martial art of itself. It was a disguised martial art, (like capoeira, disguised as a dance) seemingly slow and soft. But if you speed up the movements, they can be pretty powerful. Most people practice with a bamboo fan, but in combat a metal fan would be used, with silk over the metal spines. The fans (or "tessen" as they are called) were considered a mark of high skill, and samurai (even men!) carried them. When I joined these forums (almost a year ago! ), it was to learn more about the fans. If you are interested in learning techniques for the fan, call (518) 459-6869. They have a website but it doesn't seem to work. I got a tape from there for Christmas, titled "Essence of 5 Tai Chi Chuan: Tai Chi Double Fan" taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. He is a Master Tai Chi and Kung Fu Instructor, as well as Master Chinese Calligrapher. The tape is $44.99 retail, and about 2 hours long. The first hour is pretty much his resume and biography, so I fast-forward through that After that, though, it teaches some pretty good technique. As far as purchasing actual fans themselves, I got mine from AWMA... for Christmas, too https://www.awma.com Their fans are pretty cheap, come in several patterns, and they have bamboo and metal styles. Start out with bamboo to practice with, since this will be easier to open and close. However, once you advance to tossing the fans, you'll want the metal ones, since they have the proper weight needed. You can start with metal ones, but it would be a little difficult. One note about the fans: (metal ones anyway) you kind of have to break them in. Not only will you get used to the skill of opening and closing them, but the spines will become less rigid and tight. The best way to learn to use the fans would be to find a kung fu school near you that teaches weapons...they just might teach the fan/double fan. However, I know how difficult that can be...during my search for information on kung fu fans, I realized that NOBODY in my area teaches them! I find it rather surprising that it is SO difficult to find information on this particular weapon, since it was so popular and held in such high regard in the age of the samurai. It's very difficult to find even any historical information, let alone instructions on using it. The video tape is pretty good, though, and provides some background to the fans, as well as the techniques to using them. I believe Shifu Jiang Jianye also has a Single Fan tape, which may be a little easier to practice. I don't know, I just have the double fan tape. Hope that helps!

Laurie: I'm pretty sure it means "hello"

:lol: I would say it's a sidekick, yes, but because it wasn't in motion it looks a little weird. Actually looks like it was probably thrown like a back-leg roundhouse with a lot of hip. This sounds like a website my brother would make....

*forehead smack* Exactly how much medicine are you taking, man? Well, good to have you in the game, benedict.

Don't forget that martial arts are supposed to help you find inner peace, not be the cause of stress There is something seriously wrong with your sensei if he gets mad at you for going through some hard times. Take some time for yourself, do something that you really enjoy, something that relaxes you. Remember that the sun will always rise tomorrow, and nothing that happens in your life is going to change that. Most important of all, take some nice, deep breaths and spend some time with someone who cares about you. We all go through tough times; the best way to get through them is with someone you love.

Congratulations on your certificate! Also, good luck in your tournament...make sure you let us know how it goes

I get it now! Very interesting. Thanks for the explanation!