elbows_and_knees

It really works... good jow does, anyway... I'm skeptical of a lot of things as well - I will try them and see for myself. good jow is good stuff.

ANY MA training can make you healthier. That's just a benefit of exercise. I know what you are getting at though, and you are correct. However, I would disagree with the assertion that taiji will give you the best workout.

people who don't have alot of experience with thai boxing and other styles always seem to say something similar to this. Thai boxing uses several principles that taiji does, including borrowing, absorbing and redirection. Also, it's not called grand ultimate because of it's repetition as a good fighting style. It's name is because it is based on the concepts of yin and yang - it is all encompassing - hence, grand ultimate.

when you have two guys with equal strength, who wins? The one who is superior in all other areas - skill, speed, will, etc. It's not all about strength, however it does play a part. As far as time goes, look at it this way - if you can take longfist for example and become effective in two years, or taike taiji and become effective in 7, you will have more proficient experience in longfist than you would in taiji. However, considering the rarity of finding someone who can teach effective combat taiji, I'd avoid it, as I said.

The PRC has a firm grasp on all MA in china. They basically tell you what is kung fu and what is not. They are big on modern wushu.

true,but these instructors are from the shaolin temple so shouldn't they teach all the applications it has?The shaolin temple today isn't the same as it was back then. The temple is now mainly known for it's performance wushu.

I don't think it would necessarily have to be different, other than in the poundages used. that is the main difference. Training will vary from male to male just as it does male to female when it comes to goals. For example, if your goal is to gain weight, you won't train the same as a guy who wants to focus on increasing his muscular endurance. So, let's start this way - you tell us what your goals are, and we'll help you from there.

I don't have any info on those gyms, but definitely check them both out. If you are trying to teach yourself the punches and footwork, there is always the chance that you are doing something wrong, even if it's something small. As with any other art, training under someone will benefit you more in the long run.

For the purpose of class, you may be able to get away with wearing handwraps. It's good practice to wear gloves whenever you hit the bag, particularly with boxing and thai boxing, because you hit it so much.

I don't think it should be an issue of importance, period. You should spend equal time on both. However, the issue there is class time... not everyone can fit that into their training schedules, which is where emphasis rears it's ugly head. Still, if you train at least three days a week, I would dedicate at least one to kumite and one to kata.

that's just it. the guys at many mma/sport schools get more contact experience in one year than guys I've seen from other schools get in 3. Also, athe grappling aspect. Most traditional schools I've encountered don't train grappling, even though "it's in the system" but merely being in the system doesn't translate to them knowing how to use it... it comes down to who is more practically well rounded. I say practically, because theoretically, the TMA guy is more well rounded. But heck, who on the street will attack me with a spear? Nobody these days. So realistically, they may not be as well rounded due to the lack of grappling.

and you are correct. TKD is NOT a traditional style. However, it's predecessor - not tang soo do, but whatever preceeeded that - very well may be. That's the way that the distinction is made. The japanese do the same. jujutsu is considered a koryu - classical - style. judo is not. Why? Because judo was created AFTER the war era of japan. it came about during the meiji / end of the tokugawa - during peacetime. Judo to the japanese is thus not considered traditional. It may adhere to traditions, but is not a classical style. Here's another key for you. do = way. tae kwon DO. juDO. karate-DO. AikiDO any art with 'do' in the title is NOT traditional. At least, in japanese terminology. I know that do has the same meaning in korean, but I'm not sure if they use the same delinneation that I am about to mention. In japanese styles, all combat / traditional styles are called jutsu. ninjutsu, taijutsu, karatejutsu, jujutsu, aikijutsu... jutsu means 'art'. do means 'way'. After peace time began, martial arts were not needed as an art of war. Therefore, they modified them to make them more appealing to everyday citizens. They then became a way of life... as stated, 'do' means 'way'.

agreed.

any heavy resistance training can cause hypertrophy with the right training format. Why do you say it must be done with isolation exercises? Even when done in phases - like fight training, for example - if you have 12 weeks before the fight, you could break it down into 4 week cycles the first would be mass training. The second would be limit strength - strength training. The last focuses mainly on skill work and plyometrics... refining what you have built. But nowehere would it be stated that the exercises in the first phase must be isoloative. that would actually work AGAINST you in the second phase, as you would be doing an entirely different set of exercises...

strength gtraining DOES NOT have to build mass. As stated earlier in this thread, there are several avenues you can take with weight training endurance strength mass of the three, mass is the only one that will inherently put any significant size on you. Also, bulky does not equal slow. Are you faster than the average heavyweight boxer? Are you a better fighter? If not, then that is one proof for my point, as most pro boxers lift weights.

sometimes, the herbs are hard to obtain and can only be gotten by an herbalist - it will all depend on the recipe. Since there is a chinatown in your area though, price some there.

they have different, yet related purposes. ibuprofren relieves the pain. jow acts to toughen the skin and to break up blood clots that form beneath the skin.

a heavy bag shouldn't intimidate you. What place are you trying to check out?

I really don't know how much only 100 reps will help. I've always be told that you have a technique mastered and as second nature once you've done it 10,000 times. One of my judo coaches trains his main threw 300 reps PER DAY when he was training for a competition...

he was a forms champ in the wka for 5 years. He was also like a 12 time national champ of some canadian org. He's trained various things - judo is what he started with. he's also studied a japanese style of karate and goju. I think he is mainly a goju guy though.

IDEALLY, all MA are that way. IDEALLY, they will have no time to respond. REALISTICALLY, you will get hit back. that doesn't mean that you shouldn't train that way. you juat need to accept the fact that you may get hit. my thai coach helped a kenpo school (they are friends of ours and train in the same building) with a black belt test. the instructor wanted him to spar with his students that were testing. coach dropped one with a liver punch and almost KOed another with a liver punch.... realistically, that can happen. I've sparred someone who promised me he could get the "seven swords" technique to work on me... he has yet to hit me with more than two strikes from that combo.

Accuse you of what? i wasn't trying to accuse you of anything. My bad if I did. What jesus did wasn't peaceful protest. He KNEW he was going to die. He could've blinked an eye and killed them all, but didn't because it was meant for him to die - he had to die in order to save us from our own sins. "for God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have ever-lasting life" isn't that john 3:16?

a kubotan does not have breakable joints like your finger does... I realize WHERE it should be directed, but the REALITY is that you might miss that target. EDIT: Oh, that was in response to hitting them in the throat? If it's life or death, who cares. if it's TRULY life or death, you will be justified in doing so.

get some good dit da jow. also, you may have gone too hard. Bruising isn't good, as it sets your training back - you can't condition that area that hard again until the bruise heels. you should use jow before and after your conditioning.

the katana wielder - traditionally, at least - feels that dulling the blade dulls their soul as well. For this reason, sidestepping is predominant. That's not to say they won't parry if they have to - that's just common sense - but the preference is to movement.