Jiffy

Thanks for that. That's what I was trying to say, but couldn't think of the right word...

Hi All, I was browsing the website of my old Jiu Jitsu school and I found this little gem sitting there. Do you agree? "Jiu Jitsu can be compared to playing a musical instrument. The simple basics are first learnt, practiced and if possible perfected. After many months of practice, no one would expect to be a Concert Pianist, but should be able to master simple tunes. The same applies to the art of Jiu Jitsu. It takes time and practice"

This is good when going from something like Shotokan to BJJ---they are two different arts. But when going from one shotokan school to another, you might expect that your rank would be somewhat recognized. I went from one TKD school to another, and started from scratch. It did not bother me, because I knew where I stood, as far as ability and technique. But I can understand why it bothers some people. Sure, it is just a rank, and everyone says it doesn't matter. But when you work that hard to achieve something, I can understand why some people get upset, when they have a great achievment like that discounted by someone else. Yeah, I suppose I can see your point, but I can also see the point of the instructor that won't recognise the grade.

Remember, Aikido is a humble art. Be humble and as you said at the beginning of your post, be patient. All fellow students will be able to help you in some way, even if it's showing you what NOT to do. Look at what you can gain from each experience. Despite the minor issues of your partner work, it sounds like you have a great dojo there! Good Luck!

Great to hear you grappled. I gather this is your first time?? Grappling is great fun. There are two things I would say as tips for beginners.. 1) never be afraid to tap. If you don't tap, you don't learn. 2) Relax! First of all you will be much more effective if you are relaxed and you will not run out of breath. Also, here's a little excersize for you... Get a brick. Weigh it. Then get a plastic bag and fill it with water till it weight the same as the brick. Pick the brick up. Move it from hand to hand, just kinda play with it. Then, do the same with the bag of water. You will find the bag of water is much harder to keep hold of! You are the same. The more flexible you are, the harder it is to put a lock on your or throw you. Well Done!

Darn. I was just going to show off my Japanese skills and say that. HAHAHA, yeah I thought I would do the same. The forums have been great for filling in the gaps in my Japanese!!

YMCA are really quite good. We used to train at one of those years ago. The only thing is they may require you to have really good insurance.

The straight sword. I just think that while the broad sword is an awesome weapon, it would take a lot of skill to use it in combat.

Definately - Katana

The advantage of the dao of course would be that it would be more physically traumatic due to the variance in the blade. As you said though, would make a lot of mess!

Mate, if that was me, there would be nothing left to hang out with.... If someone attacked me with a sword, friend or not, they'll be lucky to keep the limb they attack me with.

I was just thinking..... on my website, I have "Benefits of Martial Arts". I might use some of these on there.... thanks guys.

Ninja's can read minds??? Damn, they must be really good with gambling and blind dates!!! Especially with blind dates because if they are ugly, the girl wouldn't know.... hahahaha http://samourais.free.fr/Ninja_010.jpg

Shotochem, I agree with you whole heartedly. I too have studied multiple arts (see under my avatar) and each time, I have started at white belt. As you said, grade is in the eyes of the beholder. I would much rather start as a white belt and be taught like I was a complete novice than wear a black belt just to inflate my ego, but then miss an important part because it was assumed I knew it (or if having already done the style, miss an interesting way of doing things differently)

hahahaha. GOLD! For me personally, garlic prawns are the weapon of choice.

Sad Zorbs, just sad!!

That's exactly right.... who watches the watchers??

Elbows and Knees, you raised one great point I wish to agree with.... pain tolerence. All pain compliance (locks, pressure points, arm bars etc) rely on pain. Pain is an emotion and is therefore controllable. The amount pain inflicted will be a direct result of the persons pain tollerance as well as their physical make-up. There are no guarantees that these will work. In addition, I too have dealt with many people high as a kite on drugs, and trust me, these people feel no pain. It once took us 4 guys of about 90-100+ kgs to hold a girl of about 75kgs to a hospital bed.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. The genuine BJJ black belt is a difficult one to achieve.

I love a gilloutine choke or triangle choke, mainly because I am usually on the bottom.

Hmmmm, interesting info. BTW - I didn't mean he started, I mean his students did, therefore, it was his style..... to some degree.

Doesn't look to bad. The translation is "School of Hand". Pop in and see what you think.

For us, it isn't. Hein Shodan is first for us. (of the colour belt katas. We have "Kihon Kata" before that) yeah, same for us. i was just wondering why heian nidan was originally the first one, before funakoshi changed it. Me too considering..... Heian Shodan = Peaceful Mind, Beginner Step (sometimes 1st Step) Heian Nidan = Peaceful Mind, Second Step Heian Sandan = Peaceful Mind, Third Step etc etc If you do it the other way around, second step comes before beginner.... weird.

Sounds to me like you are just bringing your feet and knees together when stepping. This is to protect the things you value most....

Definately. A great audience to proof read your article.