Menjo

work on your basics and stances, those "fancy moves" become very simple once you understand the concepts and know how to execute them. Do the kata slowly also to get it "set" into your mind,

I find how MMA take from TMA kind of contradicting.

Yes, but shotokan uses ALOT more than just hand techniques. Same with taekwondo. Even generalized; shotokan is more about body connection than hand strikes, but yea good points

Yes, however it would take massive amounts of man power, money, time, and organization.

Odd how you use the term "player"

i also dont like the concept of point sparring as alot of other members in the organization, so after the official matches we always hold a small unofficial tournment with alot more contact.

Endorphins are the body's natural 'morphine.' It is an inhibitor of neurotransmission, and thus acts as a pain reliever. Interestingly enough, distractions and interaction increases endorphin release. So while an interactive classroom setting would be a great environment for learning while being pumped by endorphins, a sit-down solo setting is not. In fact, this presents the issue commonly encountered in the classroom by teachers who have invigorating classes, but have poor test scores. The students come to the class hoping for an endorphin kick, and so their bodies jump the gun and shoot out endorphins, in the manner of the Pavlovian salivating dog effect, only to find they must 'sit-down' quietly and focus on completing a test. One instructor i read about found a great middle ground. By interrupting the testing process for 5 minutes every 10 minutes or so, and starting up a light-hearted chat about a particular question on the test, he would help the students to perceive the testing process as a social activity, which oddly enough allowed them to treat the test itself as a distraction, rather than the focus. This, in turn, presented higher test scores. As to doing katas and such revitalizing you, stretching increases blood pressure and heart rate and also flexes muscles and joints. Yawns do so as well. Thus stretching out is, in many ways, an extended version of a yawn. You'll notice that you yawn in the morning, which seems to help you wake up. You'll notice, as well, that you yawn at night while 'trying' to stay awake. You may also notice that when you yawn, you don't just do it with your mouth. Your entire face gets into it, and sometimes even your arms and torso... an extended stretch. Ergo, it does not have to do with the endorphins. A disclaimer: do note that studies on endorphins, and on yawning for that matter, are still being conducted and that most of the studies are in relation to the pain relieving effects, or on behavioral issues associated with self-injury. The effects of endorphins is a 'barely' covered topic that i've encountered in only a few teaching magazines over the years. Too bad, because i think it's a viable topic of research when posed in the instructional venue. Problem is, pharmacologists have more money to toss into research than educators do. I think ill have to take your word on it

Interesting statement actually. I find when im up all hours of the night and morning with homework ill do a kata or two to revive myself so i dont dose off. I also do this during the day.

depends on what the judges think, but remember the rules are totaly different in different regions...

This ratio may apply when one is just beginning to learn a particular martial art, but the ratio should gradually shift in favor of the physical until the latter is proportionately greater and ration goes the reverse, as one becomes an expert fighter. Martial art is a physical art and as such it involves more of physical activity than a conscious, deliberate and calculating mental activity. The objective in developing efficiency and mastery in a physical art, like martial arts, is to make your expert and acccurate reactions to an attack in an automatic, reflexive, second-nature, habitual, subconscious and instinctive fashion, without undergoing the hassle of too much conscious thought on when and how to make them and step-by-step reasoning. Mastering a martial art is very different from mastering a science or analyzing and solving an abstract problem. Thats a really good point, well said too.

maybe, but it doesnt hurt later like when getting drunk.

at around 11pm or early in the morning, 5:30am

Congrats, good luck with future training.

ummmmm, it seems everyone wants to get an opinion in even when most of the points have been said and a generaly answer has been found been agreed not to be found. But i do it too so who i am to blame...I agree too the first answer had a good outline.

i have a couple of times, great fun.

Yea but i cant say anything because i soemtimes try to get my say in even when its already settled.

lol, kinda ruined my point there

Thats really cool, that you could have that opportunity. I know id like that life style more, i get frustrated with some of the people in the class. However our sensei doesnt tolertae that however still.....

Welcome , thats quite along time in the MA community.

Hello and Welcome

neat topic, im pretty sure theres probably more females that havnt answered the poll though......

Similar situation here also. I also found it really broadened my view of the martial art world as appose to my own little world of single minded ideas. Smart topic though.

Are people naturaly born with storng or weak knuckles? I dont practice it but recently i have been able to punch pretty much anything as hard as i can with out any pain. the wierd thing is that i have never did fist conditioning before........just thought it was kinda strange, hopefully not a bad thing...can anyone explain the situation or any help?

try google of course

i always find those moments before i go to gradings really tense, so good luck!