fallen_milkman

Anyone know of any good movie clips of how tai chi looks when used for fighting? I don't doubt its effectiveness, I've just never seen it used outside of some forms my teacher does.

Huh. I thought everyone already did this. Guess that was just me.

I definitely loved this move. Some of the most brutal fighting I have seen in a long time, not to mention a pretty good plot. I would agree there was a lot less fighting than I expected, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as the plot moves itself along during the slower parts.

Man, us young Boy Scouts definitely had them. I can imagine NOT having s'mores when camping! Also, why is it called bug juice? I've had it, just no one knew why they called it that.

Mad props, as the kids always say! er...Congrats!

Well put,Kicks. Very well put.

Good article! However, I don't see a big deal in keeping your rank the second time around if the instructor was ok with it. Just because you need to catch up doesn't mean you need to rush to catch up. If the belt color is less important to you than techniques, then switching back to green should not have a made a difference either. Just take your time, and you'll get the same out of your training. No offense meant, just my side of the coin.

Honestly if they are up for training with you, I'd do it now. That will get you used to grappling, so you will have a jump start on dealing with it. I personally love training with people outside of my style just for the experience. I just wish there were some capoieristas around here that would spar with me.

Huh. I guess I'd better break out my old hackey sack!

Move. Kidding, kidding. I sorta know the feeling, living in Erie and all. Luckily, we somehow manage to have a Grandmaster in Kuntao teaching here. His school is pretty much the only school I would bother with around here. No aikido closer than Pittsburgh, no Shaolin Kung Fu. It's mostly Goshin Jutsu, and I have absolutely no interest in that. Basically, if I were in your shoes, I would buy some videos online and some books. Not as great as learning from a master, but if you have no other options, then what can you do? If you don't think you can learn it this way, then I guess the suggestion to move might not have been as funny as I thought.

Would they have time to use it in a fight? Of course. Dim mak is an advanced form of qin na (or chin na in romanized chinese). This means they will know over a hundred ways to bend you into an immovable position before striking the right chi channels and cavities. It is just a matter of getting the opponent into that position. Easier said than done, but a gong fu master who knows qin na will be quite good at this anyways.

And many more!

Sure did! Thanks a bunch.

I wouldn't be so sure. I've seen them done, and they can be pretty impressive. And this coming from a guy who LOVES his chin na.

I'd say go for it and train yourself. If an experienced person notices a bad habit, all they will probably do is tell you why it's incorrect and tell you what is correct. That just fixes the problem. So I'd say meeting an experienced person who badmouths your skills could turn into a great thing.

We train in weapons for a few reasons. 1. Fun! 2. We actually do train with things we might find on the ground. Staff training all translates into the same movements as with a shorter stick, so the spins and strikes are all the same. 3. A lot of weapon training will give you greater insight into empty hand training.

Gah! Those advancement fees are insane! I am so glad I don't pay those at my school.

No problem. And the second article, and a few of the others, were definitely worth a read too.

Not really too many out of class events. My sifu is also a musician though, and most of us usually make it out to see him play. He's pretty good, I love going and listening.

If you're ever ready, you'll come to them. They're not for everyone, and everyone has their different needs from their martial studies.

Thanks for clearing some of the questions up. I always enjoy hearing about martial arts from those that practise them, instead of reading a website or book.

I am now at white sash. I guess some schools don't test for white, they just get it. Not the case at my school.

A few hours for me, actually. But I am widely known for doing things which should probably be avoided.

A few hours for me, actually. But I am widely known for doing things which should probably be avoided.

White sash is only the first rank in my style.