Pacificshore

How Do!!

KK: Sounds to me like you've found your niche all along, it just took some time for you to see it

Taking martial arts at a YMCA type facility isn't always a bad thing. Many times those are the kinds of facilities that help keep the tuition down for the student. But as everyone has said, take a few classes and talk to the instructor, students, or parents of students to form your final opinion.

Finally after 42yrs., the Anaheim Angels(formally California Angels) win their 1st World Series

Thanks TeamHavok I too am from a Kenpo/Kempo background, more along the traditional lines. Many questions have come up regarding the Kenpo/Kempo arts, so I thought it would be nice to have some sites up that showed what Kenpo/Kempo is all about. Unfortunately there are very limited sites that have MPEG files showing the various Kenpo/Kempo arts that are in existance.

https://www.lwkarate.com/movies.htm

SV, I posted a URL for an American Kenpo site that had MPEG files showing some of their self defenses. I posted it under the General MA section.

Hey Laurie: I believe the magazine you were referring to in your post is no longer in print. If my memory serves me, the magazine was published by the makers of Tiger Claw equipment. The publishing name escapes me right now. The had 3 separate magazines at one time, but has since made it into one that just covers everything in the MA world. Try going to the Tiger Claw website and see if they have any back issues. I know they use to sell them back when I use to subscribe to one of their magazines. Hope this is of some use.

Why would you have to modify the techniques? Is it because the original form dosen't work in a fight or realistic stiuation?If you have to modify the techniques then is it still Karate?

In my opinion, it comes down to the application of techniques, no matter if it's karate or Muay Thai. It's the understanding of timing, distance, angles, body mechanics, etc. Thai_Kick, you state that you wouldn't see anyone use karate style type blocks or stances in a street fight, that may be true, but how do you know that the karate person didn't just modify their stances or blocks? Again it boils down to application. Also don't mistake static training that happens in the dojo for learning self defense as the end all of karate training. Many times there are sets of self defense techniques to be learned that can come into play at any given moment. What you are essentially taught are basics that allow you a base to work from. If anyone seeks to become a fighter, then as I have said before, choose those arts that teach you to become a fighter in a few months, but if anyone is looking for more than just fighting, then I say take up any form of martial arts that'll offer more than just fighting.

Simply because I like it.............

First of all who's self defense techniques are they? Also are the defenses done in succession, or one at a time? My suggestion is to take each technique and arrange them in a chain of events if you can. That may make it easier for you to remember. Maybe add names to each technique so that you can remember them. Hope this is of some help, and good luck!

The idea about learning a martial art is to defend yourself, but it is also for self control, confidence, self awareness, and the list can go on. As one member stated, you can use only the necessary force to counter any aggression towards you on the street. But when it comes to the dojo, you are all there to learn. Getting hurt or hurting someone is not necessarily learning, and if you or the other person is put out of commission, then the learning stops altogether. If you are of a higher rank and taking it to a lower rank, then you are not helping them learn. Not saying you have to stand there and take their shots or give them anything, but you simply need to understand their limitations to your abilities. Lastly, there will always be someone out there that is bigger, tougher, meaner than all of us.

Relax, breath, move Remember, slow is fast and fast is smooth

In my system of kempo we start with the: Bo@8th kyu(purple belt), and then again at 6th kyu(blue belt) Sai@5th kyu(adv blue belt) Nunchuck@2nd kyu(brown belt) Back to Sai@1st kyu(adv brown belt) Then for 2nd dan we learn all weapons, nunchuck, sai, and balisong

If I'm not mistaken, BB magazine has come out with an issue dedicated to women in the martial arts. I think this is a new magazine that'll come out regularly. The cover I saw had Erin Vunak on it.

Monkeygirl: I read all the martial arts mags out there; blackbelt, inside kung-fu, and the martial art. However, I read only those articles that interest me, and for the most part, lately all 3 have been very boring in my opinion. Like many magazines, sometimes they are good and other times bad. Although the martial arts world is still predonimately male-oriented, I'll read any article in the magazines written by a woman author or about a woman martial artist so long as it captures my interest. A good example would be articles by the late Jane Hallander, she was an excellent author as well as a martial artist in her own right. I too was dumbfounded as to why blackbelt magazine went and allowed the bloussant ad and the male virility ad in their latest issue. After all this is a martial arts publication and I don't see what either ad has to do with martial arts. If I am not mistaken martial arts publications allow people a platform to share their story and art by submitting their stories and photographs to them for review and the hope of actually having it published. They will always have the big names in their magazines because that's what attracts sales. But not everyone in any of those 3 magazines are well known. Bottom line if the article written is good and is by a man or woman, I'll read it, and if is poorly written or boring then I won't bother.

Another way to work/practice your forward shoulder roll is to start on your knees rather than from the standing position. Pick which ever side you want to start with, that'll be the side you will roll with. If your left knee is on the ground, then you'll be rolling on your right shoulder and side. First make sure you tuck your chin to your chest, arc your right arm above your head and to the front of your body, make sure your right arm movement is done at an angle so as to have your shoulder lead you into the roll. In other words, your right arm should be moving towards your left knee. In order to get your momentum going, push off with your left leg. You should stay tucked in tight and roll along the right side of your body. In order to come out of your roll successfully, keep your legs tucked under you until you come to the upright position and then post. Hope this makes some sense. Sometimes visual aides are better than words.

Videos are a great way to supplement your training. But to pick up a system, it'll only show you the moves that you can mimic. It won't be able to show you the proper angle, pressures, etc. of any form or technique. The only way for that to happen is through your instructor. I've found though that if you video tape your own training sessions for future reference, you can also learn from it because you'll understand the intricacies of each movement as it is explained to you by your instructor.

I would suggest that you first start out with one program(kickboxing), and let you body adjust to that particular training. Give your self some time to develop your strength and flexibility through your training. As you become more comfortable with your training program, then go ahead and add the weight training. Start out every other day and pick a body part to work. Also think about what you want to achieve with weights. You can either bulk up in mass, or build to elongate your muscles. One is heavy weight work with less reps and the other is light weight work with many reps. As ramymensa stated don't "punish" your body. Workout gradually so as not to injure or burn yourself out. Good luck!!

I know from personal experience that a good knee shot to the side of the head would work. The last thing I remembered was looking up and asking, what happened?

Anyone who could pull the trigger before I can blink an eye...............

Hello

Very effective close-in range technique!!!

Take some masking tape and tape a star pattern on the floor. Stand in the middle and then work forwards and back on the different angles that the pattern dictates. Remember to also move your back foot as you move your lead foot forward, and vice versa. As you work on your footwork movements start throwing in some combinations of hand strikes and kicks. Hope this is useful