cheeks

1 - it depends on whether the teacher adapts his martial art towards competition rules.... 2 - theres no such thing as being 'too external or internal' and there is no waty you can critisise a style on that basis 3 - if you have found a local club that does lau gar then give it a go, and see what you think....

same here, in my kung fu class we dont do any kiais...dunno what its like for other styles though....

only 1 black belt in my kwoon, my instructer. me and two others are next with brown belts. (i do Lau Gar Kung Fu)

i think that the hardest bit is the mental aspect, eg from being a high belt in one style, to becoming the beginer in a new style. it is a fairly difficult transition to make. especially if there is a particular technique to do which your new instructer says is useful, but you know a better way from your old style but once you have adapted, then it is easy to be able to change the techniques for each style

the rings are a traditional method, used to condition the wrist and forearms. you wear them while doing the forms

according to a biography, yes he did. he took it very seriously, yet when he taught students he only taught physical techniques.... why is this crucial

i would say go for it just remember you cant throw your karate opponant in sparring, and you cant kick your judo opponant in the head, unfortunately...

without physically watching you do it, there is no way i can give a proper diagnoses on where your technique is going wrong... 1, talk to your doctor, you may have hurt your neck somewhere else and the reverse punch is aggravating your injury 2, talk to your sensei, he is the only person who is able to give you feedback on your technique.

less weight at higher reps, makes your muscles more effiecint, and hence, increase stamina like kaminari said. to get your muscles to 'show more' you need to get rid of any excess flab, by aerobic training (running, cycling, swimming) for 30 mins 3-5 times a week

none of these can give you a complete work out, running improves fitness, but does nothing for upper body.. weight training makes you strong, but wont help you loose weight. you need a combination of aerobic training (run/swim/bike/etc) and strength training (weights/gym/pushups/situps/etc)

good points... - increase fitness - improve cardiovascular - used as part weight loss - works the quadraceps - strengthens the knee joints - low impact on joints - etc, etc.... Bad points... um, dunno.

the problem is that loads of old people and new age hippies take it for its healing benefit very few people get to see or take part in a class that has martial application

That is a real technique, we use it in Lau Gar as part of double punches. also i have seen that block in karate as well, although they use it as a hard block, whereas at Lau Gar we do the relaxed pushing you described

you need to find out which organisation ran the tournement, and then have a look on thier own website - and it may not be the same organisation you are part of. hope this helps

http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/2000/02_00/fredericson.htm and another more detailed link if you are interested...there are examples of stretches further down the page.