shogeri

Physically you may overtrain yourself, which could have an effect on your outlook, and may burn you out in the long run. However, mentally, one should always be training, one way or the other. Starting out with 2 or 3 days a week sounds great. Then add a day every six months, until you get to 6 days a week. Reserve the 7th day for rest, stretching, and study, and reflection on those things most important to you. Those are my humble thoughts, others will vary.

When I step back and approach the many other methods of fighting, I believe it blends well with those that employ close-in fighting, and works well in the defense of many of those that use distance weapons as well, such as staffs or legs. It also works well with those who enjoy to kick as well, since many of the higher kata can be modified to kick higher {or lower}... There are many knees and elbows, and many heel-palm strikes, and strike downs and so on. I wouldn't trade my past for anything, save perhaps for more jujutsu, grappling, and Taijiquan and or wing chun or Chi Na training.

In the past yes.

Very insightful and thought provoking stories! Thanks!

Neigong means internal work, and refers to training of muscle groups, ligaments, and tendons not usually under conscious control. Neigong is cross listed with the term Nei Jing. Neijing is a Martial arts jing method term that refers to the kind of strength obtained after martial arts training that is able to change direction in accordance to the mind's intent, able to be great or little. Because its movement is within and not external it is called Internal Jing (Neijing). This kind of Jing gathers the whole strength of the body to a single point of power and is called Coordinated Jing Zheng Jing. Other than the above, I do not know much more about it. By contrast, Qigong {which is something I do practice along with Taijiquan and other Internal "work"}refers to breath control and visualization techniques for various purposes - increased circulation to the distal points of the extremities, increased vital capacity, and mental discipline. In the martial arts paradigm the terms Neigong and Qigong have distinctly unique meanings. Thoughout the years, mistranslation has led to confusion and the incorrect use of these terms as synonyms. The following article is saying much of what I am saying as well: http://www.emptyflower.com/xingyiquan/crushing/ken/defining01.html The Taijiquan form serves as my Neigong, and needs be coordinated with san shou and tui shou (Taiji Push Hands) training. In order to not scare people away or give the wrong impression in the sensitive global society we live in, personally, I refrain from using the terms mysterious, or mystical, or "life force", or anything with religious undertones, and so on, when referring to those practices in the Martial Arts. Basically, internal work/skill/art/strength (et al), each come down to the same desired result. They serve to increase the efficiency of all skeletal muscles and allow the body to perform a specific function. The body working as a whole unit. It is the supreme balance between physiology, kinesiogy, physics, and neurology. Ability as such, is invaluable to the martial artist who needs to see and react, as well as not see or think, but react ~ in a crisis situation calling for immediate response to an attack. It is the perfect blend or harmony between being proactive and reactive. The lack of resistance from emotional anxiety and improperly used muscles will greatly add to the overall strength of the entire whole body action thereby improving power greatly. --------------------- Toby: I wear weightlifting gloves when I do my bagwork, solely to protect my knuckles on the rare occasion that my hand slips off the bag, violently tearing the skin off. Later!

Power does not equal muscle strength! For instance, in bowling, someone who can bench-press hundreds of pounds isn't necessarily going to be the best bowler. I am not that strong, nor am I a good bowler. A decent one perhaps. If throwing the ball hard would always knock down 10 pins, I wouldn't stand a chance. With bowling, and with Martial Arts, it comes down to balancing finesse with strength, yielding with guiding, emptiness with fullness, and so on. True power is a reflection of structure and or form. Both skeletal and muscular. The more balanced, and the more relaxed and flexible you are, the more power that will be exhibited. That also means that more muscle groups will be involved in a particular situation, rather than just one set of muscles. Basically too much endurance training, that doesn't include explosive strength training can hinder one's gain in strength and ultimately their power. As Martial Artists we must employ both starting and explosive strength. When it comes to bag training, no matter which type of bag is used, bag training is remains a primary training device for all types of kicking and punching martial arts. When used properly, heavy bag training increases strength, power, speed, and endurance and helps develop sparring skills when a sparring partner is unavailable. However, if used improperly, heavy bag training may lead to bad techniques, bad habits, or even injury. Benefits Hitting a heavy bag is nothing like a real fight since the bag has limited movement and does not fight back. The bag does, however, help develop kicks and strikes in ways that cannot be attained any other way unless you know someone that will move around and let you kick and punch them with full power techniques for hours on end. The movements used when kicking and striking a heavy bag help develop gross motor skills, which are simple, large muscle actions that form the base for any technique. Impact training helps develop a "hit attitude" where a person is willing to hit and be hit. The impacts help you gauge the power of specific techniques. The impact reaction forces help increase bone density, toughen the joints, and strengthen the muscular structure of the body. Another way of developing flexibility and to add 'snap' to your kicks is to stretch using the cable-loop method. Attach a pulley to the ceiling or a heavy door frame, then thread a rope through it. Make a round loop at the end, big enough for you foot, and then hoist your leg up and hold it for a about two minutes. Do this with a front, side and back kick position. This also, aids in balance as well. Every week, one attempts to further the stretch, and of course stretches in between during the week. Kicking {or punching} hundreds of times a day, also helps develop power. View your body as one unit, and begin to tie all the components together, rather than breaking them down into neat little packages, and keeping them there. Because of training, philosophy and methodology, many have found startling differences between the external arts, and the internal arts in regards to striking power, and whether or not it is a) a single unit of power, or b) one that is more dynamic, and explosive in nature. Most internal arts lean toward 'b" since it is representative of the internal application of the martial arts. These are just some of my thoughts, and the thoughts of others on this topic. Others may vary. Good Luck!

congrats!

As we all know, both styles are classified as internal. There are two various levels one can achieve in Taijiquan, and indeed many systems. At the highest level, one becomes Taiji. At the lowest level of Taijiquan training, one is prominent in yang, or the external manifestation of skill and technique. As a person progresses, they move from being mostly yang to one where there is balance between yin and yang in all of their movements. A harmony if you will. The yang movements of Taijiquan represent large physical motion. Taiji Boxing, is just another loose term to referring to the fighting principles behind Taijiquan, which may or may not involve the higher level of internalization. Taijiquan also employs many Shiao Chiao or Chinese grappling techniques similar to those of Aikido and Jujutsu. As one progresses more toward internalizing their Taijiquan, meaning to balance between yin and yang, their sensitivity and awareness increases, and the physical movements or responses to stimuli need not be as large due to the training of harmony between body, mind, and spirit. In most external styles, the emphasis remains with yang. Here are some ways in which Aikido has been described: "His movement seemingly was very small", this has been noted of many Aikido and Aikijutsu Masters over the years, and has also been noted with those Taijiquan Masters as well. They {TJQ and Aikido}understand and apply ki/qi differently, but with very similar results. In both systems, the techniques used {throwing, grappling, redirection, etc} require a sensitivity and or awareness to how your body is aligned both geometrically and structurally, and when aligned properly you feel the muscles and tendons in accordance with your posture. That posture will change in the course of executing the technique, but still remain true to its foundation, form, and structure. Moreover, you will also notice and become increasingly aware or sensitive to the skeletal structure of your opponent, as well as the space between and around you and your opponent to fight effectively. All this sensitivity is not too dissimilar to surfing where you have more of a proactive understanding and application of the movements, thus flow with a variety of factors and motion to where you're so on top of it that you're riding with the wave without thinking. Or perhaps those people who play table tennis, and remarkable know, when, and how to respond to the ball coming into their area before it even gets there. Basically it comes down to training the mental and muscular reflexes in your body to move in a particular way given a particular stimuli. Well, that is what I know for now. Hopefully I clarified what I was saying. Later!

Great article!

The kata of shotokan (and other styles), and the single man drills can be done alone, but the applied kumite or bunkai obivously cannot. Just as the hands on application of jujutsu cannot be either. Jujutsu is designed to be a partner style. The Martial Arts for that matter deal instrinsically with opposing and complimentary forces. I would suggest finding a partner, or advertising somewhere that you are looking for one. good luck!

I agree that the basic understand is: 1. Private lessons are the fastest way to learn the martial arts. 2. Through private lessons you can attain a higher skill level in a shorter time frame. 3. The best method of learning is to go to regular classes, and take two or private lessons a month. 18 months of private training could very well yield a black belt in what I teach. However, it would still be very grueling and or demanding task, both physicall and mentally. It would be drenched in two man fighting drills, and single person skill training as well. They would have to put in 5 to 8 hours a day of their own time in addition to the 2 hours a day 3 to 4 times a week from me. They would have just a Black Belt, not a shodan, or higher, or even instructor certification... Later!

It's a great martial art when taught as such. There are many great Taijiquan schools out there. There are some kung fu styles that come close. At the higher levels of aikido, one also comes close to the abilities of a Taiji Boxer, but with fewer strikes. Aikijutsu might come close.

I went to grappling and wrestling with my step-son (I am just 10 pounds heavier), and he kept yelling, "foul, foul...you can't do this or you can't do that..." "I said, geez, at this rate, I may as well, just crawl up and let you pound on me." I was only using Jujutsu and in-fighting, and locks I work with, and there are not many. The moral of the story, is that it is very hard to teach yourself that there are rules in sport tournaments, when you have worked so hard to move away from that mindset in the first place...lol I wrestled around with a nephew once(who was quicker and stronger in grappling), no MA. I wound up, fighting dirty to get him off of me, since I was so afraid to hurt him with anything specific. He locked me down twice, since my bursitis kept flaring up. I walked away, and he limped away, bleeding all over the place... Neck cranks hurt regardless of whether there are rules. It is good that they are not in competition, and yet it is still realized that out in the street they are effective. Over the years, he boasts, but I say that I don't play anymore, and that's its only business, and the business is either crippling or putting him down. Needless to say, he doesn't want a re-match. Perhaps, I am getting to old to play games. lol

If inner power is the complete harmony between form, function, intent, balance, posture, and so on, which in turn can be understood in a way to apply it in combat, or to healing, then that's what it is. We can also train ourselves to be sensitive to the sensations (electro-magnetic, temperature, etc) that are on and just below skin level, then that is good too. However, in the meantime, I am personally beginning to try to stray away from the term chi/ki/qi until I can figure all this stuff out in a way that I can articulate it to others in a non mystical or metaphysical, philosophical way. Later!

It's okay to compare and contrast, and give opinions in threads such as these. But in many respects, it's not fair to say that one particular style will always win, or lose, or always does this or that. I have learned, and still am learning ~ that sweeping, all inclusive statements do little good for the communication of the forum. TKD(and other styles), depending on the persons skill and aptitude, and how such style is taught, will be contributing factors as to the individuals capacity to survive, thrive, or "dive" under duress, or in a combative situation. To me, there are not guarantees in life, save for life and death (and taxes...lol)

Traditional Jujutsu and perhaps some roman greco wrestling... A true Jujutsu instructor, is supposed to teach ground fighting as seen in BJJ, or at least something close to it. Good luck!

I agree that Ba Duan Jin is great as a predecessor to Qigong, or it can be used right after as well. Later!

I practice traditional Japanese JJ concepts along with MT, Naha Te, and Taijiquan. From time to time, I may put in some roman-greco wrestling, and some western boxing...Not BJJ though...

gee, I always that it came from naha te...

For over 25 years now, I know that a mistreated Century MA Colored Belt will tend to wear out pretty quickly, sometimes regardless of how well you keep in maintained. Most of those I just pack away and not use, stay healthy and un-worn.

When practicing and or teaching, Okinawan Goju Ryu Shoreikan, off and on, since 1989, I must say I was instructed to {and teach others to}, and use the 'ribcage' as a guide. Now when I practice TKD, and Shotokan, I do so at the waist. The top of my fist lies parallel with the bottom line of my lower chest. When sparring or fighting, I keep my hands up and out. I keep my arms bent, and relaxed, one hand out and slightly above the other. Either opened or closed. Sometimes one of each. I combine the hand placement of both karate, kung fu (wing chun), and Taijiquan, along with many principles from western boxing. When striking, I move with my waist first, not my shoulder. I strike with my whole body, and upon contact I swing my waist back, placing my hands back into a "fight ready" position. The last part, is not traditional GJK. Traditional GJK tells me to power on through, and then rechamber my fist, no more than fist distance {laterally} from my ribcage. Later and Good luck!

When you kick or knee someone in the knee (side front or rear), thigh, shin, lower abdomen (around naval area), kidney, or their lower back, you are taking one or more "weapons" away from them. Essentially, low kicks (or strikes) are designed to cripple your opponent. No legs, just as no arms, makes for a more cooperative opponent. Low kicks, unless you are naturally fast, flexible, and proficient, come in combination with, or just behind another strike which pulls your opponents attention away from what you are about to do. If you are naturally fast, flexible, and proficient, then by all means take out their knee outright, or keep trying, alternating between each of them, until you continuously find an opening on one of them. Leg reaps, or sweeps are also effective when combined with a strike (also dubbed a strike-down). Shoot for joints, and or major veins or arteries. Good Luck!

Be a savvy consumer and shop around! Good luck!

I have, and feel it's a good choice. Good luck!

Ten is just an abitrary goal. I picked up on the concepts of internal martial arts quickly, even though I have practice external, most of my life. One (on average) begins to show signs of marked improvement, in between 4 to 7 years. Dedicationi is one thing, internal development another. That is it takes longer to cultivate our internal strength on the highest of levels, than it does external physical strength. The masters of Taijiquan created the system, so that the internal aspects, would, over time manifest themselves, based upon the individual, of course, while in the short term, they learned, push hands, san shou, Chi'Na, and Hao Chuan. Either way, they would walk away an effective fighter. Efficiency in Taijiquan comes with time, and internal cultivation of power. I am not talking conclusively, or in absolutes. The Martisl Arts can be just as dynamic as people are, so long as people do not limit the Martial Arts like they do themselves. Later!