baronbvp

Now that's awareness of your surroundings!

True, Bushido Man. There are a lot of great posts in here with some very well thought out points. I'm glad to see so many have pondered the question. In my opinion, the revolution in MMA will inspire the organizations, teachers, and practitioners of other arts reevaluate and update to stay relevant and effective. For example, I hope to see the return of karate's grappling like in Ian Abernethy's books.

19! Oh. Nevermind - you'll be fine, KyleM. I'm 45 and can now kick only people whose faces are at my waist. Way to go with the kicks. Make sure you work on your static and dynamic flexibility. If you get a Thai hanging heavy bag for home training, you'll really like it.

I understand what you are saying, but I disagree. Boxing is a martial art. So is fencing. So is modern-day gunfighting trained by the pros. Those don't necessarily have the spiritual or philosophical aspects of a "true" martial art. Would you agree? How can Muay Thai be a martial art, and BJJ a martial art, but not a MT/BJJ hybrid used in MMA? I think that is exactly what Lee was trying to do: find what is most effective, discard the rest. He hated limitation, I'll give you that. But IMO, a combat-effective fighting style, trained and leaned to the level of an art, is its own animal. My JKD school trains much more than MT and BJJ, and they don't use the term MMA, but it is in there. My instructor isn't focused on training ring fighters, but one could certainly do that with this training if they were so motivated.

Welcome, Johnny! Best forum around.

Hey Budz2fast4u, welcome aboard! You will love this forum. Lots of great folks and great topics.

Welcome to the forums! You chose the best.

Welcome, Full Tang! You sound like a life-long enthusiast already. You'll like the forums.

Welcome, you will love it here.

Marie Curie's signature: "You suck - train harder."

I ended up getting these and really like them: http://www.karatedepot.com/cl-sh-09.html

Mine is black because it's understated yet has a slightly evil look to it.

KyleM, welcome to the forums. How old are you now? Your flexibility may have decayed some over the years. If you are sparring, most styles keep the kicks low. I'm guessing you decided your new style was Shotokan? Low kicks keep your groin and support leg more protected. High kicks are for show.

Very cool.

I got tired of hard, caloused feet and so did my wife. So I started training in shoes and I love them: http://www.karatedepot.com/cl-sh-09.html

Spring Break training today: Layback downs after waking: 3x10 min Corona lifts: 3 Lap swimming observation of others: 2 Vodka tonic liver massage: 3

Sensei Tom, I don't know the names any longer but it sounds great. I'm on spring break at a condo in North Carolina, so I'll see if I can work this into my plan.

I've never been a belt guy and now practice arts/styles that don't do belts. Or gis or ceremonial bowing, for that matter. Good for you, throwdown.

We are Borg. Resistance is futile.

I thought I got to 970 posts only to have black awarded early and then end up back with no belt. Where's my gold gilt WWF/UFC belt! Great joke, Patrick and other moderators. April Fools never even crossed my mind even though I'd been messing with my kids all day.

Belt of no belt. Belt of all belts.

bearich, could you elaborate? What is the difference in your mind between a martial art and a fighting style?

Sure! It's simple and to the point. (Great job, Marie.)

I'm about 30 posts from black. If I don't pay $5, what happens to my belt? Does the old system still accrue, or do they go away?

You have no way of knowing if this is the case. It takes 7-10 days to incubate a cold. I think you should assume you have contaminated someone else. Thank you for being honest here, but I find your logic flawed. The person(s) who are sick are the ones passing illnesses around, no matter how old they are. Sickness and infection in schools and gyms get people sick - infections including respiratory, athlete's foot, norovirus and staph. I know for me personally, I don't want anyone else's germs on the mat or pads or training implements or whatever. I don't bring mine in to share with others. Remember, some others who train may be immuno-compromised. IMO students and staff alike should train at home if they must train when ill.