Jiffy

The hardest part is getting the in the door. Then once they are there, most people get bitten by the bug!

Quite often we see athletic and acrobatic movements that look like Martial Arts. They look great on film but are about as effective on the street as laying down and saying "hit me"

Jaymac, I'd like to respectfully say that I completely disagree with you. My phillosphy is that it's more important to find your own way then it is to teach exactly what you teacher taught, because with each time the art is passed on, certain parts are missed/forgotten or just emphasised a different way. Having said that, I completely understand the logic of what you are saying. It's just not the way I would choose to go.

Motivation is a very personal thing. The only thing that is consistant from person to person is that you will need to find what it is that makes YOU tick and concentrate on that. But what it is that makes us tick is different for every person and exactly what makes us all individuals.

Mine is starting to fray now (I've had it for 8 years). I'm not bothered though. If it does, it does. If it doesn't, it doesn't.

I couldn't agree with you more. I think the role of the Martial Arts instructor is huge. Firstly, to answer your question, I believe they must teach the student everything for the battle field. This includes everything from the technical aspect, to strategy, awareness etc... Then, they also need to teach the student how to find the ongoing, changing answers for themselves. Then, as well as that, I think there is an obligation to shape the person into something that reflect what a Martial Artist should be, not just what they can physically achieve.

Congrats. JJJ is an excellent art! Enjoy!

Unfortunately, we do not have access to such high grades in our style (Shotokan). While they certainly are there, we do not have the funds to bring them over.

Id have to say Kanazawa or the like. Not so much actors, but traditional masters that have been around for a long time.

I've seen this same question posed on this forum more times than I can count. The simple answer is yes and no. It depends more upon the school and the student than it does the style. Yes, like any other style Karate can be very effective in a street situation (I have personally proven so), but it is the person that MAKES it effective. Same goes with ANY style.

Oh yeah.... oops.

I know how you feel Zorbasan. If you think that's bad, try controlling them while still teaching them (and everyone else) something. It certainly takes patience!! Unfortunately, they do disrupt the class and that's one of the many things we have to toss up in an effort to keep everyone happy. Juniors do not have the attention span of adults. As you mentioned, when they try, they can do quite well, the problem is, they get distracted easily, and then they disrupt others.

In no particular order, some of the people that helped popularise martial arts over the years. Bruce Lee Chuck Norris Jackie Chan Jean Claud Van Damme (unfortunately) Steven Segal Jet Li Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Power Rangers Joe Esposito (Karate Kid) Gichin Funakoshi Mas Oyama Gogan Yamaguchi Jigaro Kano Ed Parker Cascius Clay (Mohamad Ali) Royce Gracy

Yes and No. With Sai, Nunchuku and Tonfa, you generally hold the handle in normal or reverse grip (pointing handle for sai). With tonfa though, you rotate the main body while holding the handle. This makes the rotating force quite significant, which I find hard to control with the round ones.... something you don't really experience with the other 3 weapons.

I can see your point, but it's an old tradition and old training methods. We too had to sweep the floor before every class. It's not really a case of he wants a clean dojo, it's a case of Martial Arts being integrated with oriental ettiquete and respect, something that is hard for us westerners to grasp the concept of. "Our is not to ask, but to do" This means that you don't ask why, you just do it, even if it doesn't make sence. This theory has been around for a long time. Not just in oriental culture, but look in most Armies. They still today hold these same values, and yes, even in our westernised countries. I'm not saying it's a good practise or a bad practise, I'm just saying that it's a common and well established one. For me personally, I don't teach this way. Partly because I think it has there is more to teaching than that, and partly because that is not the way Sensei wants the class taught. When I branch out on my own though (probably early next year), I will certainly adobt a bit more of this type phylosophy. I think it brings back some of the essence of MA. I just think that we can't quite take it to the level we used to. One good thing about it, I rekon we will certainly have less issues with Juniors being disruptive!

These are great!!! I wonder if Chuck has come across these himself?? I would imagine so. Chuck, if you're reading this, we all love you. LOL

HAHAHA, that's hillarious. Everyone seems to think that by showing a couple of "White Belt Moves" they are going to impress someone who's been training for 20 years and seen hundreds of people like them come and go. Hillarious!

Fantastic Post!! I think you raised some great issues there. Most importantly, tackle this ever growing opinion that somone wanting to make a profit turns them into a McDojo. I believe there is nothing wrong with making a profit as long as your students are still getting good value for money. A dojo doesn't have to be a charity.

I don't think a letter is too pressing. You think about it, if you get a letter, read it and are not interested, just throw it in the bin. It's only if you keep writing to them that would be hassling them I think.

You must weigh up long term discomfort with the increased ability to defend yourself. In short terms, there shouldn't be any long term discomfort.

Seriously, if you're looking for something that's going to give you what you want, I would consider something like Combat Hapkido, Kickboxing, BJJ or Kempo

I'm not sure that I agree with the phylosphy that hands are only for blocking, but I see what you're getting at. Definately though... protect the hands, there is not need to mash them up. And despite popular opinion, there is only one way to stop the knuckles bleeding, that is to toughen the skin, which mean callouses... Callouses can limit movement, but more importantly, are just plain ugly.

What for?? By hitting post, I'm guessing you mean Makiwara Post?? Have a search around all the Martial Arts supply websites, nearly all of them will have one. Before you do though, I would recommend you train for a couple of years. Novice+Makiwara=Injuries!!! As for Kidney Belt, once again, what do you want it for? If you want it for weight lifting, then you should know where to get one from, because if you are not lifting at a high level, you shouldn't be using one and if you are lifting at a high level, you should know where to find one (eg. you have had proper training in weight lifting). Sorry to sound sceptical, but for the two pieces of equiment you are looking for, it seems to scream "Novice wanting to get injured" to me. All I'm saying, is if you're not familiar with these products, I would strongly recommend you stay well away!

Most brands stock stuff that is much the same. It depends on what particular item you are after, but generally this is true.

Yeah, it does actually.