shogeri

Indeed many aspects of the Martial Arts are entrenched in our every day lives. Very good article!

Forms have their roles indeed, and yet shouldn't be the main focus of the way or style, unless that is all the style is for. Good article!

A good story, much of it hit home with me as well!

Ghein ~ Awesome!

Cross ~ Great article! Very informative.

I have never bruised or broke any bones after 25 years of using insted and or shin... However, without the proper execution of technique, I have on occasion hurt my toes, though not in any bad way, while striking with the ball of my foot. Basically, no matter what one prefers, it just takes practice like anything else.

GJK is good for those interesting in progressing into standing jujutsu, or Thai Boxing, etc. They use locks, and sweeps, and throws, while maintaining a lower center of gravity.

Traditional Uke blocks in Goju Ryu/Naha Te are actually strikes disguised as blocks. They are called striking blocks in many a dojo. A block is not just a block, nor should it ever just end there. It must have a devasting purpose behind it. No wasted energy. It is better to just strike though, and lightly parry as you move in for the strike zones, or as you create those zones. I teach these things as beginner methods, and allow the student to evolve there own usage based upon their own body mechanics, etc.

Ball of foot, not always unless I was kicking a side body shot to the solar plexus, or groin area, which implies I am attempting to be very accurate with the strike. This would be the hardest to master. Shin, being the bigger bone makes for a good weapon when you just put your all into the swing of the kick (as with Thai Boxing). ~ and ~ the instep is good for snapping the roundhouse as in TKD, GJK, etc.

I used ankle weights, and so long as I went slow, everything was fine. But kicking quick was not an option...LOL

That is a good book...I read it once, and was considering buying it as well. The dynamic sphere is really similar to the concepts of the jujutsu circular theory, and the understanding of jujutsu movement, etc. later!

I posted very authentic information regarding true ninjutsu/ninjitsu on this site {feel free to look it up}, of which Ashida Kim is not any part thereof. I have been passed down his book, but it isn't really worth much in regards to valuable ninjitsu information. I know several people who claim to have met him, not much to speak of there either. I suppose one would have to pay him $10k in order to find out. If he were to win, then so be it. If I had ten grand to blow, then I would find the most deadliest person on the earth and the fight would be on. May the best fighter win!

Not quite the summary many may be expecting Push hands is part of several key features of Taiji: Push hands is essentially learning how to listen, feel, lead, and follow. By understanding these concepts, and following them along with the 13 postures of Taiji learned from the form, along with sanshou, pressure point application both on the martial level and the healing level, and various other applications such as silk reeling, and standing qiqong, a person will then, over a long period of time, begin to learn about themselves and about the art. A person, after a long time, is Taiji, rather than someone who just practices Taiji. ...just some thoughts... Later!

If you don't bend your waist/core upward before your feet hit the ground it won't work. The upward motion is caused by dropping the feet up - out, and then back down. As the feet are going down, do a fast sit-up.

If one is using TKD principles then the leg lands forward in an effort to continue the ongoing motion, such a spinning kick, or reverse step-spin kick, etc. later!

The philosphy of the 'way' of the style and how it applies to everyday life and many (if any) of the Martial or Non-Martial conflicts a person may come across. Generally speaking, the MA can be applied, with some modification to most situations that may not even include physical conflict. Conflict resolution. Isn't that what we are working toward in the end? Anyhow...I do not include deep long talks into actual philosophy. The 'way' of a style is no more than 'what a person puts and then gets out of applying the lessons they learned while practicing their art'. I learn alot about myself while practicing, and on the flip side, I learn alot about other people as well. There are many things in my life that operate in the same manner. My family, my job(s), my faith, and all that jazz. Later!

Also you start teaching yourself how not to get grabbed in the first place by practicing Kake or push hands, and various other forms of sensitivity training. Having a partner and taking it slow are some good pointers to remember. later!

With both the Shotokan and Goju Ryu rear roundhouse, I practice and teach, the knee comes up(1), out(2), back(3), and down (where it began - 4). There is a twist of the waist and a snap of the leg between step 2 and 3. However when I teach a forward leg roundhouse the knee still comes up and the leg snaps out and then back down. When teaching rear leg Korean kicks, I do demonstrate that the leg snaps out and then the leg/foot just goes down to the front. Basically, what I was taught and what is shown in the forms. Just my two cents. I used to put my leg in a noose with a pulley and practice the kick while pulling my leg up. Helps with flexibility and form. Later!

Jesus did not use reiki...it was all God working through Him. Ki/qi is a physical manifestation of the energy within us. It could be better termed as 'work' than energy. BTW, I am an Ordained Christian Minister who follows the paths of gifts God has given unto me, one of which was the capacity to learn and teach the Martial Arts. Later!

I am not. Not long ago, a man came into the restaurant and held us up at gun point. Mostly, he pointed the gun at me since everyone said I was 'da man' when it came to giving out money. He got what he wanted and left. In an instant, I tuned him out, and my emotional mind went blank, as I was always bullied as a child, and quite frankly could do nothing if he did shoot me, in the end I would either be hurt or killed. You give bullies what they want: if they want to fight then fight, if they want money (especially if it's not yours), then give it...and so on. He said hurry, but I made no quick or sudden moves. Best to never talk or say 'Please don't hurt me, or don't shoot me, etc'...These phrases actually kick their emotions into over time, and could make things worse. Nobody likes the whiner... The concept here was ~ no fear. I fear missing time with family and friends, and vice versa, than death. Sun Tzu, and Bruce Lee, and Chuck Norris, and all the greats and not-so-greats have much wisdom when it comes to conflict resolution. Gee whiz, even Jesus Christ has much to say in this regard. Anyway, take care!

Bushido...you are adding in much of what I leave out...I believe we are on most of the same ground with these concepts. The TKD taught around here is sport based. Certainly it has Martial Application, however, when you consistently teach someone point sparring and form memorization for the sake of moving them up in rank, then that is not what the original Martial Art application was meant for. I believe in teaching Martial Arts for the saking of teaching others how to dynamically express themselves in a "live" situation where the principles are consistent, but the techniques are endless and forever flowing. Sorry, I got poetic for a moment. Anyway, I too realize that pushing something off as a healthy alternative to, say, aerobics, is just a marketing/advertising gimmick, since when MA is taught correctly, the student will learn to do things and use muscle groups that they would not normally use in everyday situations. When I watch UFC, and things like that, and when they get down and dirty, all I think is 'See, when applied correctly, the Martial Arts do actually work." On the flip side, I enjoy watching K1, and boxing more than UFC. Basically because when I watch sport it is one part of my brain, and when I watch UFC, another, and when I watch Martial Art movies, still another... Catch up with everyone later!

The philosophy of the martial art form is usually expressed by the instructor. Either they teach it as a sport with some Martial aspects or application, or they teach a method of fighting that is true to the concept of Martial Art. Both are fine (Martial Sport & Martial Art) to learn and apply in everyday life. But they are oil and water when it comes to actual application on the street. The Chinese Art can and are often used as they need to be. They are also viewed as a sport in some instances just as other styles are. All I am saying that a person needs to investigate and research the schools in their area, and understand which instructors teach the sport applications, which teach traditional, which ones teach for combat, which ones teach primarily for health, and so on. Find an instructor that matches your wants, needs, and expectations and then move forward from there. If a person doesn't know what they want, then they should find a school, or find someone who has some decent references, and jump right in. Also, just throwing people together and saying "fight" is not all there is to being a fighting art. Forms, two man drills, fighting principles, physical training, as well as mental training all play part in any style a person chooses. Later!

Sparring, two man drills (such as sanshou), along with sticky hands (chi sao, lap sao, pac sao), and form practice and application are just as important in CMA, as they are JMA/IMA, etc. Without these, then just practicing the form(s) and doing breathing or qi exercises, amounts to little else but calesthenics. One must diligently perform all aspects of the Martial Art in order for it to be considered 'Martial'. Making CMA into a sport, just as they have done TKD, has done little for it's true intrinsic value, which will be wasted if not applied correctly, for the proper amount of time. So far as the video put into place on another thread ~ goes: It is so apparent that the goofy looking 'kickboxer' fellow' is being out skilled by the wing chun. I would be embarassed to call myself a kickboxer. Later!

Kata has a purpose...when no one is available...sparring and bunkai or two partner drills are even better. later!

It took me 3 months to heal my first time (10 years ago)... I jumped right back in after my second time, and on occasion still got hit there... It took about 2 months the second time for the uncomfortableness to go away, and about six weeks for the the pain to subside before that. It still may not be healed...who knows... The second time was only 7 months ago. I am nearing 40 years old at this point. Everyone is different, so it's best to consult with a doctor if you are not sure. Good luck!