Pacificshore

Chinese Kenpo in the past.........Kara-Ho Kempo now

Welcome aboard

WElcome aboard

Delta: I recall back in the day when I started my Kenpo training, the brand of gi that was popular were the KI gi's from Japan. I use to buy at $35.00 a pop, and nowadays it runs around $135.00 through KI International. Their knockoff ones made in Taiwan/Hong Kong are still reasonable tho

Mart has a point. My student had knee surgery recently, and just got back to training. She had to have 1/2 her miniscus removed. Her knee feels better, and all she has to do right now is strenghten the muscles around her operated knee to provide even more stability. Otherwise, she's fine, and taking back to training at her pace.

If your friend wants to shell out the $$$, then he can buy a Tokaido or Shureido(up to $200). Otherwise he can buy a decent Macho heavyweight, Ki heavyweight, and any other brand for that matter and save $$$. Figure if he's gonna stick w/it for life, he'll go through his share of uniforms.

There is no one particular brand of gi that an AK stylist uses, or many other system of MA for that matter. It just depnds on the qaulity of the gi that most look for, so that means any gi from a Tokaido to a Shureido to a Tiger Claw.

that the Ball and Chain are the wives and kids Juss kidding , but it looks like some kind of modified flexible mace. My 2cents

Welcome aboard, As for your search for MA instruction in NYC, start with the yellow pages within your surrounding area. Check out some of the places that may be of interest to you, and see if you can try them out w/o any obligation. The internet search is fine to research different styles. Costs vary from place to place. You gotta look to see if it's a contract situation or a month to month place. Most here have their own personal opinions on the contract situation.....which is most don't care for them cause it can lock you in for up to a year. As for learning, you want to start out with the basics, and most places will start you out at the basics, at least I hope so. Basics consist of blocks, hand strikes, kicks, and stances. It then progresses from there. Read up on the differnt catagories of the forum and see what peeks your interest. Good luck, and welcome aboard once again

Just FYI, aefibird is a lady .....unless of course you knew that, and the "he" was meant to be a "she", and it was a simple type-o

Whaazupp

Sometimes things other than training occupy your mind/thoughts, and your not even aware of them. Better week next time .

Too Good

You gotta point Canuck, it's up to the media to give equal time and not slant everything. But then again they wouldn't be selling and making their big bucks if they did that

I concur with everyone.

Welcome Mart

Sure they can. In fact there are many "traditional" only tournaments where all the tradtional karate styles meet and compete. Styles like Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Shi-to ryu, Wado-ryu, etc. They compete in forms, weapons forms, and their sparring is done with just a cloth padded glove. No other protective gear is needed, other than mouth pc. and groin cup.

Actually the equipment section would have been more appropriate, but in regards to your question, it depends on the type of sparring gear your looking for. Example, foam vs. vinyl vs. leather. You can almost guarantee that most if not all foam gear will fall apart after time or constant use. The soft vinyl may hold up better, but I'm not certain as I have yet to truely test it. Leather, your limited to gloves, shin/instep, and head gear. I have yet to see leather foot gear made for sparring. I suggest you do a search for sparring gear on the net, you'll hit lots matches. Check out Ebay, you may find most name brands there for maybe less than a martial arts supply place. Check with your instructor and maybe he can get you a deal. Shop around.

Drive over the border and buy up stuff at the local MA store, and bring it back.

Welcome aboard

G, Been good. Still get to pop in from time to time to keep up with the forum . I've stayed in touch with other members of the board who aren't on as much as they used to be. Otherwise, howz things with you?

Sounds like some pretty cool tats. How's about posting some in the photo album

Yo G, I'm still here

Unless your tying it like your shoe laces, then something is amiss So long as it's tied with a square knot, and the two ends dangle equally, then it shouldn't be a big deal. Oh yeah, and it's tied around your waist, and not some other part of your body

Like all has stated, try to keep the entire body in view. Perhaps work on your lateral movement, as well as the "bob & weave" with the upper half of your body. That way it'll give you an angled look at any incoming strikes. Just my 2 cents