Menjo

I think it does actually in the "fire" section, involving swords.

Energy bars-I tried one once, but it was horribly disgusting in taste...so I like to stick with real food or whatever isnt in the energy bar!

I think the enviroment is much more important issue than obesity. Yes obesity is horrible, but fix the enviroment, you will eliminate the factors that promote obesity, and many many other issues. While I do harm and everyone harms the enviroment in some way by even using a computer or cell phone is somehow hurting the enviroment, I think people in general should be more concerned. More for Humankind really, the earth will eventually heal itself over thousands or millions of years after were gone, so I think we should look at this International and globl issue, rather than focus all our power on individuals. Its like fighting a fire, dont bother with your "wants" focus on saving either the building itself, or the main populace inside it. What I'm saying is being of course, exaggerated, however I think my idea should be thought of in a smaller scale. I agree with many posts above on this topic.

LOL, yea pretty much......... The Quest was pretty much a very sad movie. Hero was an excellent movie if you are into symbolism and layered meanings. It was VERY chinese in that aspect. There are many actions that mean different things depending on the context. Hero had a lot of those (The calligraphy school was a great example), I didn't understand a lot of them, but what I did understand I enjoyed. Aodhan Yea, this is exactly what I think of this movie.

Wow, thanks for sharing that story. Interesting. Do you get anything extra for doing a good job in big situations like that? Or is that expected anyway?

For other hobbies I'm not very active: I've played the harmonica for some several years, I was simply self-taught. I started playing the trombone about 7 years ago, I continue playing it today, especially in Jazz Bands. I practice calligraphy...not so talented though . And finally for the hobbies, In the summer if I have time I build stuff. Anything really, sheds, fences, or anything I can get hired for. I think thats it, but I'm probably forgetting something.

Ok, this seems like that was the case. Thanks for all the help.

That would make sense, however how come this had never happened before with the worse and more painful encounters? I dont think an X-ray is required though, I dont feel any pain and I can run and all that. Thanks

I was recently at a free workout at my dojo, and it was only me and another practitioner there. We ended up doing semi-free sparring and as a result, my ankle connected with his elbow. Normally this would be no problem, as I've experianced different and more painful things than a mere elbow hit... But for some reason unknown to me, my body had tensed up(every single muscle), and for awhile I couldn't see, then I was dissy, and I had that cold sweat kind of feeling for a couple of hours. I also then vomited in a garbage can because I didn't want to puke in the dojo, of course. I'm completly fine now, however I'm wondering if this is a serious problem considering I was only hit in the elbow, or should I just forget about it? Also, what happened? I cant really think of a logical answer to this wierd event... Any help is appreaciated, thanks.

Just Out of curiosity,Have you ever found a hold didn't work for you at a certain time in real life? What did you then do?

Its not really like say that at all, there are numerous reasons why the hands are more effective than feet when it comes to self defence situations(which is all im concerned with). Im not saying kicks should be ignored completely, but im trying to train more efficiently to acheive my goals which means focusing on the most benificial techniques for self defence, in my opinion boxing offers this. I just want to get the point across that one style of fighting isnt the right way or more effective way of fighting. Saying that hands are more effective all the time, does suggest that one is saying that one style is better than the rest. I'm not actually taking any sides on this at all. Just trying to get an idea across. I prefer hands myself, but does that make me somehow more credable than others who use feet? I doubt it. But yea, I thinks its great you've taken up boxing and found a Martial art for you, thats whats really important. Good luck with it

I strongly disagree here. Thats like if someone said fists are not really nessacery, thats pretty much saying that their is only one correct view in martial strategy and kicking arts have the wrong idea. Its like saying everyone only needs their feet to win a fight, and no matter the style, feet are the most important. I think all Martial art philosphies should be considered. This is only a one sided view, and I agree that it is dangerous to kick above the waist in a streetfight,however if kicking is someones main strength, then why only use fists...because most statistics say this and that? No thanks, If I could kick really well( I cant but thats besides the point), I might be more comfortable using a front thrust kick to end it. Footwork is a vital part of training, boxing doesnt ignore those two limbs, it just uses them for footwork. A strong leg which can get into the target area is something I would consider a powerful self weapon.

Thats not what I'm saying entirly. You can still follow what I had said and still use crushing power, Like I had said before...Theres no point of getting into and explaining entire systems of fighting(I wouldn't be able to either). I use speed to get to the target, crushing power to drive through, and speed to get out again before the opponent knows what happened to them. Or if I want to get to a target, I may use my type of training to get into the target zone and follow through with more technques that are more crushing.So basicly, right now my general fighting habits are simply relying on speed to get there, then crushing power to end it. I belive in a combination of "whip" and "baseball bat". My point was that kicks which are more speed reliant kicks, have many purposes other than just feinting. Speed could be used to disarm an assailant with a knife...So could power, but speed would be more likely to catch the opponent off-guard.

I can defitnaly agree to that. nah. I'm tyson's size - about 5'10 and 225 - 230. I lift weights constantly. Even without proper technique, I would give hell to a guy that weighs 150 - 160 by sheer strength advantage alone. I am an average size, but still much bigger than this opponent. That is why there are weight classes in organized fighting. I've had a judo match against a guy I outranked, but he was 6'3 and weighed 335. He gave me a VERY hard time, just because it's hard to work with his size and strength. my last kickboxing match was against a guy who was 6'3 and 300lbs. We fought to a decision because I couldn't KO him. He was just plain too freakin big. I kicked him in the head and staggered him, but I couldn't drop him. And I'm not a little guy. Look what tank abbot did to a lot of trained guys in the early UFCs. I can see your point here. Well said.

No. Thats like saying jabs only work if someone reacts to them.... Theres no argument here, I'd have to explain entire systems of fighting to be able to get a clear point across on this subject.

If trained properly, this shouldn't even be a problem. Getting your leg grabbed means you didn't properly execute your kick. Guess what thats means...train harder or train more. The reason why you dont see these kicks often in MMA is because of he way they train, I'm not saying its wrong. But the way they kick gets power in, but it also leaves alot of room for getting their leg grabbed. You make it sound like throwing a powerful kick is a bad thing. If I can't throw it full blast, why would I use the kick at all?Well for your last statement, theres many answers to that. I'm sure you can think of a couple right now. I guess my wording wasn't done well. I'm just saying that often because some average MMA fighters only focus on power, things can get sloppy, and they forget the text book technique which brought them the power in the first place. I never meant to say that powerful kicks are bad, thats absurd...I just mean, alot of time people think power is the end all of fighting, this often leads to leaving their leg open to counters. Hope this helps my statement.

Indeed!!!! Congrats!

If trained properly, this shouldn't even be a problem. Getting your leg grabbed means you didn't properly execute your kick. Guess what thats means...train harder or train more. The reason why you dont see these kicks often in MMA is because of he way they train, I'm not saying its wrong. But the way they kick gets power in, but it also leaves alot of room for getting their leg grabbed.

that's not true. as for the original post though, good job. I think most newbs start with that "I gotta win" mentality when it comes to bjj - that is about the only thing that keeps them alive while rolling, as they don't know as many, if any techniques. As time goes on, they learn more and will typically automatically learn to relax. It's all a progression. Like I said, its a progression that I've been through myself. No, technique will not always win over strength. I agree with you there. A good technique means good solid strength, so I say it would. Unless your fighting some giant...or an animal, but for the average person or Martial artist. Not to mention, I think the RIGHT technique will win over strength, this requires strength on your own side though. I also believe the second part is a more fair response, Example: If a really hard kicker is going to be able to smash through one of my blocks, then I must use a different technique to survive, perhaps moving out of the way...theres technique in stance also.

I agree, tournaments are apart of training its specialty training. Learning new aspects of Karate such as being under pressure and keeping your composure, or when sparring, you get to spar agaisnt many different types of people and abilities. Thats what Master Okazaki pretty much said when he was at a local clinic. Unfortunatly, I cant decide if I want to attend tournaments,as I think we only have 2-4 a year, including the National competition. My belief is that Karateka have to earn approval of their instructor to participate in any tournament like event in that martial art, since they are representing their own dojo, it only makes sence not to embarress yourself with students who dont train hard and seem to get into "advanced" levels.

Indeed, I wish alot more was known about him.

If im not mistaken, Kahn or in this case kan means king or ruler. so, Shotokan would translate roughly into "the king among the waving pines". if you were to stumble upon such a creature such as a tiger in a forest while meditating on karate, you would so inspired, i know i would, as to adopt its image as your mascot. The King among the Waving Pines and picture a tiger walking among the pine trees under a moonlit sky...the tiger doesnt seem like such a bad idea now does it? This is a completely different "kan". The "kan" of "ShotoKAN" means "hall" or, basically, "studio". It basically just implies that this is the place where "Shoto"-type karate is practiced. The "rolled tiger" is a play on words in japanese. The tiger itself was not meant to be a symbol of Shotokan. It was just an interesting piece of artwork chosen for the cover of a book. yep, agreed with the first part Menjo- What are these comments supposed to mean? Don't you agree with the comment about the rolled tiger artwork? I've heard that one before and I thought it was true. Isn't it? I just didn't agree with the second idea, I dont disagree either.

I wouldn't say he was the most feared but defitnaly one of the greatest. However even experts will agree that he did pick and choose his battles, for reasons only known to him. Also I believe it was over 60 battles and duels won, however I could be incorrect?

I dont mean to argue and I'm sure you know this, however I believe that the deeper things are acheived through the simple things. If the deeper things are given and not achieved, then the deep loses its depth. Also, simple things are often overlooked, as they(yes i'll say it)...always... have a deeper meaning . I know what you mean though, it just takes time to get to those "deeper" things. Just some thoughts.

Ask your instructor. Theres endless ways of little drills a good instructor can teach to develop various parts of the body. Train harder during class. Also in no way is this an attack on you but: you said "basicly, its my only real weak spot right now", if you are having trouble getting a basic left punch down, then chances are you should be aware of your training habits more often. You may notice some bad habits or such things like that.