Juniper

(Isn't the ultimate purpose of martial arts to learn how not to fight? ) I do agree, though, that if the martial application of Tai Chi was being taught, the forms that are out there would definitely improve. I'm growing more and more concerned about this "feel good" and "improves the health" Tai Chi industry forming when the true application of the art is very martial and very deadly. It makes my teeth hurt when I see those stupid arthritis pain relieving ads on t.v. that show people practicing Tai Chi , knowing full well that this is stylized stuff that does not even come close to illustrating what truly practicing the art is. Finding a good teacher with many years of experience who understands this is very difficult nowadays.

My Sifu is simply amazing. I had to sit out sparring classes for the past month and a half because of a nasty thumb sprain. So, I got to just sit and watch. I learned a lot just watching him. The most amazing thing was that he wasn't throwing any fancy things like spinning tornado kicks or anything like that. He was doing all the basics that we learn in class. Watching his movement and clean technique inspires me to do the same. Hopefully, my thumb will heal soon so I can get back on the mat for sparring class.

Initially, I did it to lose weight and learn self-defense. Nowadays, I find that my practice helps me to feel some sanity in the crazy world we live in. I shudder to think what my life would be like without it.

I like to go to class about 3-4 times a week. Home practice involves stretching, practicing forms, doing the basics very slowly to feel the technique, and some strengthening exercises. I just like to be constantly on top of my practice. My fear is that if I take more than a couple of days off, I'll get lazy and fall behind and start to forget stuff.

On one hand, it might be funny. On the other, this is totally sad. Things like this add to the further degradation of what it means to be a black belt and denigrates the hard work and the many years of practice and dedication of the people who actually have earned one. This is just as bad as buying a fake Bachelor's or Master's degree certificate from a University.

I would have loved to have trained under Morihei Ueshiba. I love not only the style he taught but his philosophy resonates with me very much.

I have a bad left knee that has had two arthroscopic surgeries, and a kneecap re-alignment surgery. That was six years ago. I started practicing kung fu about a year after my last surgery (the knee cap one) and my knee has been stronger than it has ever been, even after having to go through physical therapy. If you pivot properly for things like roundhouse kicks, and keep your hip aligned over the heel of your foot in your stances, you should be fine. Get good extension on your kicks, but don't overextend the knees. Hope this helps! Juniper

Oh yeah, one more thing -- you can hardly wait to check in at the Karate Forum to see what's happening now!! Juniper

You know you're obsessed with martial arts when: You practice your tai chi footwork while waiting in line at the grocery store or talking to someone on the telephone. You have a special pair of practice pants for home practice only. When waiting to get into the courthouse for jury duty and the police officer hollers for everyone that is waiting to move over to the side you yell "Yes sir!!" (and people turn and look at you like you're some kind of nut) You dream about the dojo and the people in it several times a week. Everytime "Enter the Dragon" comes on cable, you just have to drop whatever you are doing and watch it to the end. Your watch is set to "dojo time" so that you are NEVER EVER late for class. Juniper p.s. I'm guilty of all of the above -- every single one of them.

This is an awesome article. I can affirm from personal experience that it is true. My son has ADHD and practices martial arts. All I can say is that his practice has helped him immensely. In fact, he said to me the other day, "Mom, when I am in school, I think of kung fu class and that helps me to focus and stay quiet." When I heard that, I was so proud of him. He made the connection by himself.

I find that I tend to be a little bit of both -- depending upon who my opponent is. If I have someone who just wants to dance around and do nothing, I'll start something up. If they take the initiative, okay, I'll counter and strike back when I can, and initiate some moves myself. I find that I enjoy sparring more with someone who is the latter. People who just dance around and don't want to commit to anything drive me nuts! I'm with Cathal -- I love in-close fighting too. Especially the tall guys -- go for the body!!

I guess whether I like it or not, politics is everywhere. I had been hoping that stuff like this wouldn't occur in a dojo, but apparently it does. But on the brighter side of things, I've been absorbing all the wonderful advice that people have been posting here in response to what has been going on in the Tai Chi program at my school. I've been inspired to take my Tai Chi practice to a deeper place and let go of the "petty" stuff happening around me, and support the daytime teacher in my own way. If anything, I figured out that I can be my own role model and behave the way I feel a true senior student should behave. I'm happy to say that for the first time in a couple of months, I have found joy in going to class again. Thank you all so much for inspiring me to keep going. In another vein, I heard in the past couple couple of days that our head instructor got mad when he found out what the evening senior students were doing and apparently he lectured them and told them to stop treating the daytime people like they were "second class citizens." I ended up not having to say a word to anyone. (phew!) Now, all of a sudden, they are sweet and nice to everyone! (I wondered what was up) Juniper

Greetings Everyone! I am new to this site and still haven't quite navigated through all of it. I have already posted a couple of things in the past two weeks, but haven't properly introduced myself. I live in Michigan and I practice Kung fu and Tai Chi. I earned my green sash last Fall-- which I am quite proud of because that was a rank I never thought I would ever attain to! I had figured maybe I'd get there in my next lifetime or something like that. I have a husband, two kids (one girl, one boy), a dog, and two cats. My martial arts practice is my passion. I also lovingly tend to my garden and indoor plants (even though my black cat loves to eat them every now and then). I also love a good martial arts movie (favorite one so far is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), and love to study the works of Morihei Ueshiba. I have become a big fan of this forum -- I usually don't find myself posting much over the internet. But I am quite happy to find other people like myself who are passionate and dedicated to martial arts. Peace and Blessings to All -- Juniper

Five years ago, I enrolled my daughter at the age of 5 in a junior wushu program at the school I've been studying at. I never regretted it at all. I agree with everyone above that it is critical that they have a good teacher -- no matter what style is being taught. We've been blessed with a great program in which the teachers actually teach self-control and self-discipline and truly care about the kids. They also cover things like what to do when they're in a situation in which they are being bullied, or approached by a stranger. I never once felt like they were just babysitting the kids at all. They have an opening and closing ceremony, and there is an emphasis on the history of martial arts and the specific traditions in the art (i.e. they learn the story of Bodhidharma in his cave). There is also an emphasis on respect for one another and respect for authority figures. Not in a, pardon the term, "hard *" way, but always with a firm but gentle approach. Choosing to enroll your children in a class depends on what your kids are like, too. Are they able and or willing to focus and pay attention to the instructor? Do they show a desire to attend such a program? Are you willing, as a parent, to back up what they are taught in class? I had a conversation today with a karate instructor who teaches in a local parks and recreation department program and she is having a hard time trying to teach the kids respect for the art because the parents tend to treat the class as if it were a gymnastics or dance class. I hope what I have written has been of some help -- a great teacher with patience and care for the littler ones is very important. p.s. my daughter still practices, and my younger son (who will soon be eight) practices, too.

I'm always getting thrown all over the mats by my teacher -- for some reason he just loves to toss me everywhere! While it makes me improve my falling skills, it can be a disconcerting at times. But that's a good thing -- one never knows what life will "throw" at you anyway so I guess always be prepared, right? For this reason, I consider it an honor and a priviledge to be tossed all over the mat by my teacher. I admit it, I love every moment of it.