drunken.master

That's a small line to tiptoe. You don't want breath of you training at other schools to come back to your dojo as you would then loose respect in your master's eyes (along with being dismissed). I (personally) would try and talk more with the master about the situation. Tell them you do not want to go behind their backs, but you also want to know what else is out there and that you will be dedicating your serious training to your master and only exploring the other systems for knowledge. After all, you do want to see what else is out there, but may find what you are in is what you really seek?

It will be tough for you to know what is out there unless you get to experience it. If I were unable to try other styles, I'd never know what I liked best. Would your school allow you to attend seminars of other styles? An Aikido clinic on throws, a Kenpo Seminar on self defense, a TKD clinic on sparring? It would at least allow you to try (for an afternoon) other styles without really joining the school.

I agree with your analysis of the situation scottnshelly. Especially at your age, the battle of peers is a lot different than at twice your age. Taking instruction from peers or family is always a challenge. (That is why I train the masters' wife rather than him. It is easier for her to take direction from me I believe, as I am not a part of her life like he is).

Another instructor and I began giving a form to a student last night and this came up. We gave her the first 5 movements of the form and stopped there; saying this will need to be worked before we move on. I asked her to go through it on her own 10 times and then I would come back to check on it. But the expression on her face, you'd think I asked 10,000 times before we can move on.

It is also a show of control. I strike at full speed to the body and face with my hands and feet; but only pull the strike at the last second to either 'tap' the face or lightly strike the body. This is important if you have read on Dim Mak (Pressure point strikes). There are three depths you can strike pressure points. Surface to stun, stronger render unconscious and the third depth can potentially kill when done in a proper order of strikes and depths. Being able to control these strikes (as you can tell) has an utmost importance.

I couldn't agree more.

I am not overly familiar with the rules/codes of Tai Chi Chuan, but as an instructor of Kenpo, I encourage my students to train in other styles to improve their martial arts. I firmly believe that gaining one style is just the beginning. It is gathering the knowledge of many styles that can improve you as an all around student of the arts. To be able to change fighting styles mid-fight can really throw an opponent.

I put him not for his martial arts skills, but because he is know as a "martial arts actor" which was the subject of this thread.

We do that as well. What I think Sam was referring to was disciplne per rank. Not the difficulty of the tests (at least that was my impression)

Plus, they serve as examples to the underlings!

I had someone tossed off their black belt test 2 weeks ago for that reason. I could tell the material was crammed in the past couple of weeks and not the "confidence" level needed to be a black belt. I take promoting my students very seriously, and if they don't feel the same way, they can stay at their rank a little longer. (Yes, even the advance belts)

It is amazing how many people do. (slack)

A blend of Shaolin Kenpo, Jiu-Jitsu with a dash of Chin Na...

In my dojo, after 2nd Dan you must train like your test for the next rank can be any day. The Master likes to spring the test on the next ranks. Could be 2 years in time from 2nd to 3rd. Could be 5. We don't know but are always prepared (and I like it that way as it keeps the mind very sharp!)

It is a great practice to spar all different ranks, ages and sizes of people. I know I learn quite a bit when I fight someone new. Coming up in rank (through Kenpo) I had no idea of the explosive power of TKD fighters. So I began to train with some of them to learn the technique. I feel the more you know, the better you become.

Congratulations. Speed is a factor in kata quite often. There are two reasons for the forms moving quickly in my experience: 1) Nerves (to be understood when going up in rank) 2) Not knowing the form and hoping no one catches the parts you are unsure of (you in general) This is why it is always a good reason to move slow through forms in practice. Do it with breathing. Hell, even at 2nd Dan, I find myself cranking through some of my forms in demonstrations because of nerves. Once I catch myself, I can slow myself down. But this is something in all of us that can be worked out over time. Again, congratulations on your advancement and keep working hard.

In no order: Somewhat Modern: Once Upon a Time in China II Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Hero The Legend of Drunken Master Iron Monkey Classics: Enter the Dragon The Five Deadly Venoms Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin Fist of Fury

The classic formula seems to work. Try to avenge a masters death, get beat down a bit, train harder, then beat them down. Simple formula, but seems to work. As far as the action, smooth martial arts moves that are realistic; but slightly out of reach for the average student. I also like the fight scenes to be smooth (speed in the strikes and blocks) and powerful. Many of the Hong Kong movies (from the Shaw brothers and others) have the formula down great.

Michelle Yeoh, Jet Li, Jackie Chan (entertaning), Chow Yun-Fat

I have purchased several VCDs (like DVD's but crappier) from China to get ideas for Chin Na techniques and for giving me good ideas for basics (when teaching, to keep it fresh). The latest drills I have been running are from a Shaolin fight set I found on a Chinese DVD (no idea what they are saying, but I can pick up the movements). I take what I like and use that to help teach my students.

Heian Nidan is a purple belt form in my dojo. The last form i learnt was "Inglise" (forgive me on the spelling) which is a 3rd Dan form. Very nice and flowing. I am also working on smoothing out "Shaolin Long Fist"

I follow a philosophy of balance. I would defend myself if attacked, but only to the point of controlling the "attacker"... If that means getting them into a lock with Chin Na, breaking their arm if attacking with a weapon, or what have you. But I would always stay in the bounds of what I feel would be justifiable defense. I would not inflict extra pain just because I can. BUT, if someone was going after one of my kids, I feel there would be more stopping power in place. Nobody messes with my children.

Thanks, I am looking forward to reading through all the info here, Patrick. Very nice forums you are running here.

To be honest, it is about 70% American Kenpo, 10% Shaolin (stances, forms and techniques) and then about 20% other styles blended in (Jui Jitsu, Aikido, Mui Thai...). My school likes to take some of the best from all forms and blend them in. I am a huge fan of Shaolin styles, so when I teach, I bring in what I have learned (forms, drills, etc).

I am sure! (We are trained to live in Air Conditioning and play video games! - j/k)