Drgnslyer

Myself, I've always said 'sensei' for who's teaching the class, and 'sempei' for the other black belts in the class....why? It's all I've known to do...where I train that's the way it is, simple as that.

A year's worth of training karate will help your conditioning, but it's not going to absoultely change your entire physique as well...it took me a good two - three years before I experienced a noticable difference in my flexability, especially through my groin, hips, hamstrings, and other major leg/lower body muscle groups. I also echo Nurvingiel's comments, well said

can be worn outside the uniform??? *doesn't want to ask* A cup is better than no cup, a higher end cup is worth the extra $ because -if- you get nailed in the crotch, it won't hurt as much *better fitting, more comfortable padding around the rim, better distribution of force* I havn't used that type specificaly, but at first glance it looks pretty solid.

Thanks! Trust your heart man *or whoever else reads this with the same situation* It's your life...I know and understand my situaiton well enough to determine that my girlfriend is the right match for me, and I'm willing to go through a ton of ....junk.... to be with her *as in living with her, and starting our life -togeather-, because in my eyes, any sacrifice is worth it. Ultimately only you can determine that for yourself.

*grins* perfection clearly isn't one of my strong points

when I used to play baseball, it helped a ton in terms of conditioning and reflexes...as well as my depth perception....I'd be able to know what trajectory the ball was coming in to the plate with more times than not, and be able to know when a pitch was going to be a strike, or if it was going to be a ball *even close ones where the ump would take a good 10 seconds to make the call...and in baseball..that's a long long ten seconds* More importantly though, was the condition I had my core and abdominal muscles in...in 2001 I was in a very nasty car accident, I was asleep in the back seat wearing a simple lap belt in an old 89 ford probe...i ended up rupturing my abdominal wall across the entire front of my abs, but I was told that because they *the muscles* were conditioned as well as they were...they were able to take the vast bulk of the pressure of the force of impact *70kph into the back of a stationary super-b milk tanker truck* and save my internal organs *spleen, intestine, and so on* from becoming soup. I'm alive today because of Karate.

I'm a massive *and I mean massive* fan of the book "Budo Theroy" .....not a ton on historical stuff as in a textbook would be...but on the origional theroy behind traditional karate....WOW It's an incredibly heavy read if you really get into it, and is a massive amount of information for a book it's size...and ultimately only scratches the surface of the theroy behind the technique...but once you have the historical information of people, places, and dates, check this book out for the meaning behind the theroy of katate.

I echo that...it's always been in my training to have any fight over either before it starts, or within seconds of the first technique thrown...not dragged out over a couple minutes.

how did the rest of the test go? what were the best things from it?

our brains are quirky at best...lol I've been through a long, trying period of depression in my life...and have experienced many of those negative focused thoughts... I've also *as dorky as it may sound* imagined myself as a king with a large castle ontop of a mountian (even though it would be difficult living up top...but not beyond the timberline) Our imagination will do lots for us...it's what helps us create the greatest parts of our lives by forcing us to think outside the box.

Nice illustration :D This is absolutely true *the theroy behind it at minimum*

For myself, I havn't seen a huge amount of the new karate *bright colours and so forth*...I found a traditional club here in town, and have only ever trained with them. Now we use the new kimute gloves because we have to for competition, but in tournaments or training I've never personally used padding for my legs or arms...IMHO you need to know what a block genuinely feels like, and I feel it brings you closer to the reality of what you're doing...combat...instead of trying to distance yourself from the experience. *again, that's just my opinion....I might just be firmly rooted in "old-school" mindsets* I really don't know if I could take anyone seriously at first glance in a tournament if their gi was neon blue, or yellow, or even black for that matter. Especially with 'sponsor' labels on the gis...on my gi all I have is the juka label, and a 3 inch crest on the left side for my style...and that's it. I remember the first time I saw someone's gi with about six labels sewn onto it, and I couldn't understand why they would do that...but again...old school mentality i suppose. Karate does end up becoming a business when you increase the volume...but (again my opinion) it's up to each individual sensei to make sure their students are being taught the philosophy behind the technique, and the mentality that one needs to advance through their training. ***end rant***

hehe, good luck bud, i'm sure you'll do great on your test.

After looking at the thread discussing the toughest jobs...what do you think is the easiest job where you can make a signifigant income? I mention the income because some easy jobs pay you nothing but minimum wage...because they're hardly considered jobs *not that all minimum wage jobs are as such..but used in the hopes of getting people to think about it a little bit.* For myself...i'm going to have to use my own job as an example...I've worked in retail sales/management for a decent length of time, primarily in selling menswear...however I've just started working with a large mattress company that pays quite decently, low end being 55k+ annually, up to 140k for the top salespeople. *canadian dollars* Essentially...as I told a friend yesterday, I lay people down on beds, and occasionally I lay down on beds, I get paid well, and everyone keeps their clothing on. Thoughts on other jobs?

IMHO not nescessarily....I've met *and even once* lived with deadbeat dads (not my own however, thankfully), and can attest that having a child will not on it's own make you a "man". I agree that it can have a strong impact...but it's not a 'ticket' to manhood, and shouldn't be seen as such.

I completely agree...there is always much more meaning behind Kata than what you initially see...but keep in mind, you've only just begun...be patient, and trust your sensei to teach you different things when you are genuinely ready. At times they might not seem to have those sorts of things in mind, but they're saving it for when you will have that much more of a grasp regarding what they're trying to teach you. Baby steps, learn to walk before you can run. Martial arts training becomes a way of life, don't worry about it so much, and keep yourself focused on what you're being trained now...the rest will follow in due time.

Great things are worth the effort it takes to find them. I'm not a fan of the 'showboat' martial arts demonstrations, or tournaments. In my experience, I'm peachy with 'no contact' kimute...it never really is literally no contact...but it is difficult to score clear points when you have to pull your punch within an inch of your target, going full speed and power against someone who clearly doesn't want to be scored against. IMHO it shows controll behind strong, practical technique...so in that light "no contact" kimute is great in my books..but that's just one man's opinion. regarding all the flipping kicks, jumps, and dramatic technique that's been displayed...I see it as a little much, and a little overbearing...but again, that's just me...I realize I'm fairly traditional in my training.

haha..i've seen that all too often...and even seen some 10 year olds catch you off guard with a piece of incredibly sage insight into a problem.

hehe...too true My girlfriend had the whole headgear setup back in grade 8/9, and wasn't the 'hottest and most popular' girl in the school that all the guys drooled over...but times do change *and to boot, she's not self centered, nor does she like shiny jewlery (don't know how I lucked out on that one)*

didnt' read the entire thread..but the title makes me instantly think of those old bruce lee flicks. anyways...people in general will run their mouths to get a reaction...like this Learning how to not let it affect you helps a great deal. Have faith in your sensei...and if ever for whatever reason you can't bring yourself to do that *ie, this is not implying that you don't*...then mabye find a new sensei that you can have faith in. Once you have faith...anyone can say that they beat him up once...because at this moment, legitimate or not, it won't matter.

...IMHO it's useful to know the lineage behind your sensei...but that should not dictate how effective that individual is personally. Ultimately I feel it breaks down to how receptive, and / or how innovative that person is...if they come from a "weak" lineage, it would likely pay to be a little innovative, and vice versa, if they were from a very "strong" lineage, it would pay off to be receptive. A case by case thing through my eyes.

ahahaha...that's awesome *provided a deadpan delivery* I've broken a friend's finger while 'playfighting' same scenario as many of you have had..they want to see what all this martial arts stuff is about...they throw a really, painfully slow hook, and you feel like you're swatting at it instead of actually blocking it at full power...but their fist isn't tight, and you break their finger...*well, that's what happened to me at least* With someone who doesn't understand the scope of martial arts training, and the meaning of repetition in your training, you'll usually have an unfair advantage..and even if you "swat" at a punch coming in, you're still using more speed and power than most untrained individuals. Agreed...with time and patience comes controll

Sounds like a pretty serious situation for sure. I have to agree with what everyone here has said *mostly....a baseball bat is probably a bit much * Ultimately, make sure you stand up for yourself, with the confidence that you will not be walked on. Keep in mind, as most have suggested...talking to the authorities is a good course of action, and is part of standing up for yourself. In the training i've recieved, and IMHO a good practice, is to primarily avoid a fight..but if you're ever left with no alternative action...use equal force to what they're using *or their intention*...if they come at you with a big rock, and are serious about using it, don't be afraid to break an arm *one of theirs...not your own if at all possible* You don't want to hospitalize them, but enough that they understand that it's simply not worth coming after you anymore.

Well...may be a bit late for a reply..but here goes anyways. IMHO it's highly debatable the method to the madness in martial arts more often than not...I know for myself, I started to train because I was a wuss, and I needed to learn how to defend myself... I know now that I keep myself in martial arts because of the lifestyle I lead when I'm training regularily...I feel better as a person, because my body is in better condition. I eat better, and I spend less time lying around because I have more energy in general. The side-effects of training motivate me in themselves. Yes, I thoroughly enjoy competition...I thrive on it more often than not...and yes, it does give an acceptable arena to test your skills with other skilled combatants...but it is, again, IMHO, not the end..but a means to it. Regarding the girl...only you can determine that....ultimately listen to yourself...My girlfriend went away to sweden *from western canada* for ten months on an exchange for her forestry degree in her third year...it was an incredible opportunity for her...long distance has been no problem for us...we've done it for nearly four years now...at the time of her exchange starting..two years...but different continents...that was rough. We talked about it however, and came to a mutual understanding that it would be pointless to try and find someone else who would work as well for eachother...so I bought us a couple webcams with a mic in each, so we could not only talk, but see eachother as well while we did...it cost a few hundred to start with..but saved probably a thousand +++ in phone bills...plus we still got to "see" eachother on a daily-weekly basis...depending on our schedules. ***the two of us are seeing much more of eachother this year in person...started long distance because of her going off to university, but ths august we get a place togeather for her next year at uni, which we're both incrdibly excited for*** It might be a good idea to take some time off and explore life, and your mind...but again, only you can really determine that...this is just the meandering of one person here

little late for me too, being north of the border...but happy gobble gobble day to you all!