Fairfax_Uechi

The best thing I learned was how not to fight. So true. Fighting is so over rated. Just think of all of the bad things that can happen. Physical damage (teeth, eyes, bones, etc), legal implications, etc. Not to mention the emotional scars. Better to avoid fights if at all possible. But with all of that said, I can and will fight if my life of somone else's is at risk, or if I feel that it's the only option to not get harmed. Knowing how to fight, be willing to fight, and knowing the difference are all different things.

Good point, but one that people should consider about some of the best training. Many excellent instructors teach for the love of the art and not to make money. These folks don't advertise, and teach out of homes, gyms, rec centers, etc. Finding them can be work, but the quality of instruction is often much much better than the McDojo at the mall.

Well I'm sorry to hear about your situation. But as others have said, if the Sensei won't take him back you're probably better off. I can understand that it causes him administrative work, but you can never have enough good will when you're in business. Something this guy must not understand. Anyway, congrats on 1 kyu, and good luck finding a dojo for your son. As you figured out, you and your son are different people and your needs can be different, hence the need for different dojos and/or styles. I'm glad you're not forcing anything on him, and hope that you used this as a lesson to teach him that some things are beyond his and your control (the instructors decision). While painful, it's a great chance for him to learn about how life works, and that things aren't always right.

Just an FYI, but circular punches for the most part are not as effective as a linear punch. They are slower and take longer to get to the target. Now don't get me wrong, there are places for them, but as far as techniques go, they're not a primary weapon IMHO. As for the circular vs linear, both have their usefullness. And likewise, a smaller person has to deal with power issues in a different way. For instance in Uechi, we teach our smaller students to close the gap quickly on a larger person. A 100lb woman is going to have little chance of taking a full strike from a 200lb man or woman. But if they close the gap and use good technique, they use their training as a huge advantage. As said many times, the right style is the one that is suited best for you, taught by the best instructor for you. Finding this is often hard, but if you take the time, well worth it. To the originial poster, I'd suggest you keep this in mind, and talk to lots of people and look at lots of schools. We can offer suggestions, but unless someone is in your area and meets you, we can't give you all the information that you need. So please take everyones input and use it to form your own well informed decision as you find the right dojo.

I agree. That's why I try to avoid Massachusetts and similar states that REQUIRE you to flee instead of defend yourself. Better to be in Texas or Virginia where you can rightfully and legally defend yourself as long as you use common sense. (.i.e don't kill or use excessive force unless its life threatening, just enough to ensure your own safety.)

Thanks for your well thought out commetns. I didn't think you said anything even close to potentially offensive, and I'll try to do the same. But I will totally disagree. I condition, and condition hard. I train for many reasons, with one being self defense. And if someone attacks me, then I'm going to defend myself. If I have to hit someone I have no intention of getting hurt, if I can prevent it. Conditioning IMHO helps prevent me from getting hurt. As for your comment, that it would be bad if I hurt someone with conditioned hands or feet, I would ask how would anyone know? If you look at my hands, you wouldn't have a clue that I condition them. Actually, you'd be suprised at them, since I work in an office, and take extra care to take care of them, you would think they were the hands of a doctor (which some folks have asked). Anyway, one thing about martial arts is that there are many different styles, approaches and ways of doing things. As long as folks know the risks and rewards, then I think they can make smart decisions. What bothers me is when they get bad information or just blindly follow their Sensei.

I agree with the others, except that I would offer that if your goal is to earn your black belt, then set the goal. But also set smaller goals to get there. You can do it. If not, others wouldn't have either. IHO, your focus should be to learn, learn, learn and learn some more. Then set a goal to earn your first belt, or return to the rank that you earned as a kid. From there set other goals to get to the next rank. Before you know it, you'll have learned a lot and you'll have reached your ultimate goal of earning your black belt. At this point, you'll learn a big suprise. The suprise is that Black belt is just the beginning, and that there is a great deal more to learn!!!!! But don't even think about that now, or you'll never make it. Take your time and keep plugging a step at a time. And good luck, you can do it.

I thought the way they said TKD generates this much power, Karate this much, etc. was pretty lame. You can take a good TKD guy like the one on the show and he can generate a lot of power, take another and they'll generate almost none. Same thing for the other arts. So unless you had some incredible folks with great unique techniques I don't think you can say this art is more powerful than that one (as we all know about when we discuss the various strengths and weaknesses of arts in a "real" fight"). What I found very useful was the way they showed the forces hitting someone. When I took my CPR class we were told that advanced martial artists should take the advanced CPR class as we could stop a heart with a good strong punch. This show helped confirm that. I also liked how they showed the bones breaking. One thing we go over and over and over in Uechi is protecting the ribs. Seeing how they are fairly easy to break, I think really added to my insight. Now I can picture what would happen if I applied technique at full power. (Not a pretty thought). Overall, I thought this was a good show. Consider the intended audience, consider the producers, etc and the mixuture of information and the mixuture of entertainment was pretty good. Could it have been better? Sure. Could it have been worse? Of course. In my case it was worth recording on the TiVo and then watching!!!

lWhich are you looking for? The key will be to find a dojo that suits what you're looking for. In our early ranks we teach basics, but later on we're mostly self defense. But we also teach some sport for those that want to compete. Some dojos are mostly sport, others don't want anything to do with it. Frankly, I used to think that sport was a waste of time, but now I look at is another supplement to my training.

what is YMMV?Also you should really start up that thread about conditioning in Uechi ryu as mentioned on the finger tip strikes thread,I think it would help everybody with their striking training.YMMV - Your Milage May Vary - (sorry geek speak). Sorry, I didn't see your reply. I've been so busy it hasn't been funny. I'll have to look at the other thread when I get a few minutes.

If you haven't already selected a school you might want to look up Buzz Durken (or Durkin I think). He's a 8th degree Black Belt in Uechi and if he's fairly close someone who you can learn a great deal from.

Why do you say that? In my case, I have no intention of every harming anyone but I condition my hands and feet. I also have a job where damage to my fingers and/or hands would be a major nightmare. The key is to be smart about how you condition, and do it in a way to prevent damage. As for why I condition, well, why do you train in martial arts? In my case, I train for many reasons. Health, exercise, mental workouts, and of course to be able to defend myself it I ever had to. And if I ever had to hit someone, I want to make sure that I don't get hurt. Anyway, I'd love to hear your logic. FYI, I'm mostly curious, and want to hear a differing opinion.

Interesting. My understanding was that it was Movie-Ryu. A mixture of this and that. But it wouldn't suprise me if they had some Gojo. I do know that the circular blocks (wax on/wax off) and the paint the house (up/down wrist strikes) are used in several Okaniwan styles, including Uechi. So, it wouldn't suprise me either way. But, I'm willing to bet, that like all movies, the goal was to look good on camera not be true to any one art.

Where are you training with him? I've heard that he teaches in Manassas, Va. Is this where you're going to train with him?

Yeah it's in that list... Actually Shohei-Ryu and Uechi-Ryu are slightly different. Not enough for someone starting out but enough for someone who's been around awhile and trying to avoid the politics. For those that care, the name difference was due to a split in the 1990's when Kanei Uechi died. Several senior student's left and broke off. Since then, the only real differences are some minor training methods, and some extra bunkai if I'm not mistaken.