Jiffy

I'm not sure if anyone here has actually used a leg stretcher before, but I have, so I can tell you that, while you will definately stretch your legs apart further with a leg stretcher than doing it on your own, I believe that type of stretching is excesive.

This sort conduct from instructors is copletely unacceptable. Not only is it dis-repectful and dangerous, but it also gives people (like yourself) the view that all instructors are phsyco's. Trust me, they're not! I have been teaching for 9 now and not once has a student complained that I have gone too far with them, I treat all my students with respect. My advise is to get straight back into a respectable school as soon as your injuries are healed! As previously stated, make sure you do your homework! but don't leave it too long. What often happens is if you leave it too long, your bad experience is the only thing that embeds itself in your mind and you never end up going back.

If you do get this, just ask them "what does a someone with a black belt look like?"

I quite like Steven Segal, but I won't get into that, I guess that's a thread for the entertainment section.

Welcome to KF Peter!

Welcome to Karate Forums. Have a good time while you are here.

Welcome to KF! Enjoy your stay!

Also, you can FIND a martial arts related purpose to a game, remember, martial arts is all around us. In the example of dodge ball, I ask them what it has to do with martial arts. These are some things they may come up with... Learning to move out the way, learning to look for the gap, learning to move as soon as you see a gap, learning to move fast, learning to react quickly, hitting a target, learning strategy... etc etc etc. These all relate to Martial Arts.

Dynamic stretching?!? Do you mean Ballistic Stretching? If it's what I think you mean BE CAREFUL! Balistic stretching (bouncing in a stretch) has been identified by many sport authorities as dangerous and has been phased out. Now it should only be used for sport specific stretches and only by those experienced in safe stretching. Better to stick to static stretches held for about 6 seconds at a time.

Just to strengthen the replies, excersize your back! What happens is that when you only work the front and not the back, the spine posture is compromised and can result in back ache. Rest assured though, you are one of MANY that make this mistake!

Remember a couple of things... 1) you are limited to some degree by your body type. 2) check your diet. Best thing.... speak to a dietition. Most local sports accademies (eg. here it's the Australian Institute of Sport) you can speak to. 3) Remeber what muscle building actually is. It's the process of using the bodies improvement mechanisms. What happens is you work to break down muscle tissue. When you rest (and with help from the right foods), the muscle rebuilds, but each time a little stronger (and in many cases, bigger). You must allow the muscles to rest or you won't get anywhere. If you want to work out every day, just alternate the muscle groups, don't work the same muscle groups every day.

I would take on a student with passion before a student with fitness and abiltiy ANY DAY! Fitness, Natural Ability, Good Body Type, Strength and Speed put together are still not as important to me as heart. Definately start training again!

Actually, that's a really good idea! Not only will you avoid your disadvantage, but weight can really help with ground grappling, especially during hold-downs.

Certainly makes sence. To explain further to those who don't understand... The flicking towel is a commonly used expression in Karate. If you think of the crack at the end, that is the realease of energy at the end of the technique. As you all know, even though it is a soft towel, it still stings. Karate takes this same principle and applies it to it's kicks as well as other techniques, but it does take practise.

Same here. In our school, the sleves are cut for weapons class. Have not come across ready-made ones as yet.

In our school, we have only one Sensei (the head instructor). Anyone else that teaches or just helps out in class is addressed as Sempai... or at least they should be (sometimes people forget).

huh?!?

Definately. We used to have a saying in BJJ. "To learn is to tap". For those who don't understand: When someone gets a good lock/choke/hold-dwon on us, we tap for submission. By losing, you learn what you did wrong and it sticks in your mind. So in short, if you want to learn to grapple, train with someone in grappling that can make you work for a while then get you to tap.

Me, personally I don't believe you did. I do believe in inner power, but whether or not it is "Chi" I'm not so sure. In your case, I think what you did was train your body, not your mind. Your physical prowess seems to have improved which often can be attributed simply to "Muscle Memory". Having said that, greater state of mind is often a side effect of improved physical ability.

hehehe, true. Personally, I'd rather put a block in the way.

I would say it is possible. ICHF Combat Hapkido has 38 disarms just for a same side wrist grab. (eg. They grab your right wrist with their left hand) While it's obvious that not this many are needed, the idea is to give you a huge range to choose from so that there is something there for everyone.

HAHA, I like that one. Think I might use that.

HAHAHA, so true!

Welcome to KF! First thing to remember is that doing something is better than doing nothing. Find the local schools in your area and just have a look around. Find one that will let you pay on a casual basis and make them well aware of your situation. Then once you move, you can look for a more permanant solution. In regards to your age, forget about it! You are still young and there is still HEAPS of time to learn a lot and generally enjoy yourself. We get a lot of students begin as adults and most of them do quite well. Infact we have a couple that started in their late 40's/early 50's and they are both black belts now, so really, don't worry about it! Just look toward the future and get into a dojo for some fun!!

At the end of the day, look at the TKD and Karate (if any) schools in your area. While you now know that you are better sticking to one of these, the culture and other things you are looking for come down to the individual school. When you do go, ask lots of questions!!