Aodhan

Hrm. Ok, had to look to see what sig I still had on. It's a quote that I really love, talking about making your dreams reality. The other ones I use on various boards are: "A black belt only covers two inches of my butt. The rest I have to cover on my own" - Royce Gracie And: "Pain is temporary. Glory is Forever. Chicks dig scars." Aodhan

Not gotten my first credit card. Ruined me for years. Aodhan

I think Sohan nominated me to be funny. This is the first I'VE heard of it........ Aodhan

Mine is the name I used when I perform Irish Dance at Renaissance Festivals with the group that my wife and I started. Aodhan

Free weights. Not only do you exercise the target muscle, but you use a whole lot of supporting/minor muscles to stabilize the weight, etc. Also, a multigym locks you into a specific path for the movement, whereas you can adapt freeweights/dumbbells to any movement you want. Aodhan

http://www.sho-kyo-ryu.org/ Even if they aren't near where you will be, they should know of other dojos in the area. Aodhan

uhm... You spend WAY too much time observing animals. However - "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog" (Give me a break. It's late.) Aodhan

"525,600 minutes! I listen to anything from techno/rave to heavy metal. Anything with a heavy beat, especially when I'm teaching XMA. Aodhan

Also, don't stress so much about the word "teach". You have the impression that you are going to be thrown in front of the whole class, and expected to teach a lesson. Very unlikely. What it will probably be is something like "Hey, cnada, come over here and show newbie white belt how to do a good high block. Work with her for a few minutes". They won't (Or at least shouldn't) throw you into the deep end, but work you into it gradually. Aodhan

Got a commodore VIC-20 when I was in Junior high school. Taught myself basic, never looked back. Trust me, I wish I hadn't goofed off so much in college and gotten the kines degree completed. I've been a jock my whole life, but I also have competed in chess, bridge and scrabble, and program for a living. Oh, and perform in ren faires. I'm a living dichotomy Aodhan

Yeah, she is from Englewood Colorado, which is near where my parents live now. But, when I graduated high school, she was 11, and 13 when I quit swimming. I saw her at a few of the high school meets I went to after that, but never anything more than that. My only claims to anyone famous are: Competed with Lance Armstrong as an age group triathlete (Yes, he started in triathlons before cycling as a main emphasis). He generally kicked my butt. Summer security guard for the Broncos training camp. I have photos with Rich Karlis, Vance Johnson (Absolute idiot), Karl Mecklenburg, John Elway and a few other minor Bronco players. Did an 11 board break at a demonstration in front of Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. I still have the board he signed for me. Currently doing agility training for an NFL signee for the Az Cardinals. Aodhan P.S. It just occurred to me, it's MIDNIGHT where you are! Go to bed!! I am, I have a golf tournament tomorrow and Sunday. (Yes, I really do compete in everything. )

I swam in Colorado. 1500 free, 200 and 400 IM, and 200 fly. Oh, and the relays. First competitive meet I was 5 years old. I was going to practice in my second year of college, and just all of a sudden couldn't stand the smell of cholorine any more. 17 years total. I also occasionally swam 100 breaststroke, 100 back, things like that on a fill in basis. Aodhan

WOW!!!!! 35 years is a LLLOOOONNNNGGGG time. That is longer than I have been alive. Just Playing.. Nope, he's just a kid. Try 39 or 40. That's when things start to hurt... With respect, Sohan Uhm.... I AM 39. I started competing in swimming at 4 years old, and been competing all my life since. Longest competitive hiatus, 6 months. (Had a schwannoma removed from the elbow). Aodhan

Yeah, I saw that. Sohan is right, though. All other things being the same, any change no matter how insignificant it might be, is probably related to the problems. And, it is possible to work out too much and not allow your body time to recover. Aodhan

Meditation is basically a time for reflection. Some people listen to music, others have mala beads that they use, things vary. The basic thing is to get into the same habits, so that when you do medititate, you are already conditioned to get in the mindset easier. I don't do a lot of meditation personally, but I do a lot of visualization exercises and border on self hypnosis. I've done these throughout my competitive career (35 years and going strong... ) Aodhan

Exactly. One odd question... You didn't stick your shoes in the oven/dryer/microwave to dry them did you? Some of the foams used in the cushioning will break down under high heat. Aodhan

Bah. None of you mentioned me, so I don't want to meet anyone! Heh. Aefibird, Scottnshelly, white warrior, adam d. huntley, balrog. Aodhan

Good point, Heather. Aodhan

If you can break them up, have once class at 2:30. The second class gets to sit in the practice room around the sides and do their homework. Then when they get up for the second half, the first group can do THEIR homework. That might be another option for you. Aodhan

Wow. That's a lot of white belts. I recommend a chair and a whip Seriously, I can handle up to about 25, maybe 30 white belts at the 8-12 year old range. More than that, you start needing assistants. The kids in the back can't see, if you go to the back the kids in the front turn around, etc etc. Either break the class up into sections, or get some assistants. If neither of those is an option, then number the kids. Have group #1 on the floor for 5 minutes doing a drill, then send them off to the side to get a drink, and do the same drill with group #2. Keep switching back and forth. Make it a competition, even. Aodhan

Three questions, the first being the more important: #1 - When was the last time you changed your shoes? Most modern running shoes are only good for about 3-500 miles of running before the cushioning is almost shot. #2 - Do you stretch out after running? Especially if you do trail running, you are really using your abs and low back for stability, and can be putting a lot of sideways tension on the knees. #3 - Ever had a good running store take a look at your stride and recommend shoes for pronation/supination or anything? Fallen arches/orthotics? Also, what kind of pain does it seem to be? Muscular, bone? Is it deep in the knee or superficial? Front? Back? Side? Achy, dull pain? Sharp stabbing? (Sorry, I get carried away sometimes) Aodhan

On the street? None. Especially with MA training, there are way too many situations that you can get into that will really mess you up legally if you pull a weapon, even in self defense. I don't even have a kubotan keychain. Aodhan

Although it might be possible to learn a standup/striking art from tapes, I don't think that there is any realistic expectation of learning a grappling art from video material. There is so much involved with weight shifts, counters, movement, etc. that requires feedback from a partner and instructor that the video just can't convey. You said you wrestled for 8 years, so obviously you got to a fairly proficient level. Look back at it, do you think you could have gotten to that same level simply by watching video? Aodhan

Most attacks end up on the ground only if you let them. However, if it is ground work that you want, then jiu jitsu would suit you more than judo. Aodhan

It depends on the system. Many recognize 4th dan as a Masters level. ATA is 6th + 1 year of preparatory training. Not sure about other systems. Aodhan