Fairfax_Uechi

Tae Kwon Do is probably the most popular martial art, and also is know for it's kicking. I would ask you why you want to study martial arts. I ask this as since there are MANY MANY MANY horrible TKD schools. Don't get me wrong, like everything there are some good and some bad, but since it's so popular that the numbers have just resulted in so many folks in the style and a push to sport as opposed to a focus in self defense. [note to those that study TKD, this isn't ment to be a flame against the style but just my observations based on what I see in my area] SO, if you're looking to get in shape, do a lot of kicking, and are sports focus look at TKD, but shop around for a good dojang. If you're looking for something more "hard core" I'd suggest you get on the web and do some searches for different style. I can tell you that Uechi is mostly a striking and grappling style with some kicking, so I can't recommend it to you if your goal is mostly kicking.

How long have you been training? If you have any significat time in the dojo you should be able to know what you need to work on. For instance stretching, kata, hojo undo, prearranged sequences, sparring techniques. In my case, I do some cardo work to warm up. I then do my warms, kata, and then whatever else I need to work on. Before going into the gym, I plan my workout. I ALWAYS know exactly what I have to work on. This way my workouts are very efficent.

Actually many of us consider someone with about two years of training the most dangerous. They have enough skill and speed to inflict some serious damage, but often don't have a great deal of control. This makes for a very bad combination. Anyone can hurt you, but someone strong and fast using pretty good technique with little control is really dangerous. We spend a lot of time with beginners doing "touch drill". Teaching them how to control how far they'll go with a strike. This is important not only for the sparring partner as they get older but also for the person so they don't hurt themselves as they get speed and power. Afterall, I can pull a punch 1" from you, or let it go through you, the only difference is where I plan on it stopping. That in how bad it hurts you.

Well it sounds like you have the answer inside if you dig deep enough. Without promoting a single style, I would suggest you research different styles. First, start by thinking about what you like about each style that you studied, and what you didn't like. From there do research on the dojos near you and try to find a Sensei that is a good match. Also don't just look at commercial dojos. Look at places like health clubs, YMCAs, rec centers, and even online for folks that teach out of their homes. You'll be suprised what you'll find if you do some research. To help you get started, you might want to look up Uechi-Ryu. We have many folks that teach out of clubs and their home, and we're mostly a stand up style with a lot of grabs and in fighting. Check out https://www.uechi-ryu.com for a list of dojos. If Uechi isn't a good fit for you or you can't find a dojo, you might want to look at the other Okaniwan styles.

Congrats. So do you feel like you need a rest? Or are you so pumped that you're ready to raise the level of your training. In my case, I've had both happen. Normally right after a promotion I'm wired, then I need to come down some to recharge. Then it's back tot he hard work. I ask, as I'm sure many folks here are different, and I'd like to hear how folks react after their tests.

Well said. I have several friends that train in TKD, and it amazes me the things that they do. They do some beautiful things, but many of them, I'd never consider in a situation where I had to bet my life. I'd rather rely on the basic blocks, kicks, and "pointy things" of Ueichi. We may not have a lot of flash, but like you said, we have some very nasty stuff that can really work well. As far as how folks train. Most of the Uechi folks that I know train pretty intense, and I'd say they can hold their on to most folks. You're right about the body conditioning it really comes in handy with the in-fighting that we also do. One thing that's very effective is how we do a circular block, grab someone then pull them along. Not something most punks that you'll encounter will expect.

Good luck. Take it a day at a time, and let your body heal. From there, if you love it, you'll find a way to work around your limitations without imposing serious harm to yourself. Listen to your heart, your Sensei, and your doctor.

Congrats!!!! Just keep training hard. If you Sensei is any good he/she will make sure you're ready before inviting you to test. Keep up the god work.

There is a classic fighting arts, or classic martial arts magazine that I've seen that seems pretty good. It's fairly expensive and fairly short page wise, but it seems ok. I've looked at it at Borders, but haven't purchased a copy as I always seem to be short of cash when I find a good copy.

They could do that, but you didn't disclaim that Black Belt mag is just so so. They ususally have one good article, lots of ads, and lots of the same stuff from month to month. I personally pick it up once in a while, but wouldn't subscribe as most of the stuff is the same month after month.

I'm not sure what you're asking. Basic physics has a formula Force = Mass times Acceleration. In other words the more speed and the more mass you have the more force you'll generate. So it always gives me a chuckle when folks debate this. Based on F=MA, both have an equal input into the equation. In other words, say your punching. You can generate so much power say 4 units. Lets say your mass (or the amount of power you have, for this example) is 2 units. And lets say your speed is 2 units. So if you can increase your speed (or more correctly acceleration) one unit, and keep the mass the same, the amount of force you generate from 4 units to 6 units. Likewise if you increase your power increases but your speed stays the same, you generate more power. In other words, they have an equal affect. Now the key is that it's very hard to increase your strength. It takes lots of time and effort in the gym lifting weights correctly. Do it wrong, and you waste lots of time. But if you can do it, you can generate more force. Now, many very strong folks are slow, and unless they work on speed they won't get faster. Likewise, most folks who don't train for speed are not incredibly fast. So for most folks it's easier to increae speed, hence it seems to have a greater impact. So with all of this said, if you can increase both speed and power (and it can be done) you can generate a lot more force. Just looks at baseball and football players. They train hard and are getting stronger and faster every day. So if you can, do both and you'll be strong and fast, and pack a wicked punch and kick!

Well other than a closet full of Gi's, a wall full of belts, and certificates, and lots of martial arts books, NOTHING. Actually, I've learned a great deal. Besides learning my art, I've learned how to be a better person. I'm still learning, and I will probably keep learning as long as I live. To me, Martial Arts are now a great part of my life.

It really depends on the style. In a style like Uechi-Ryu, it's fairly easy as records are well kept, and the community is small. In my case, I can trace my lineage back to 1897, and Kanbun Uechi's teacher. (Shushiwa). But in other styles, I'm sure it's much harder. And I'm sure in sytles like "Bob-Ryu" lineage doesn't mean much as the self proclaimed "Grandmaster" doesn't care about his lineage as he (or she) is the founder.

Well said. I think someone here or another forum said it best. There are no defensive moves, only counter attacks. That is true if it's done right!!! As for Bunki, the moves are actualy the same. You just have to adjust for the other person's move. As for Sanchin. Well what more can I say. "All is Sanchin". Sanchin, has strikes, foot position, and blocks. Everything else in Karate is "extra". By that I mean that if you are an expert in Sanchin, you don't need other techniques. You might want them, but you don't need them. Oh yea, done right, Sanchin, will condition your body, and will teach you keep everything "hard" except for the limb your moving which is "soft" during the move, then hard again.

My personal opinion and the one of our dojo is to condition slowly. TAKE YOUR TIME and do it CORRECTLY. Many folks mess themselves up permenantly by conditioning like fools. In other words, if you do a little conditioning each day and increase the intensity a little at a time you can build up pretty quick over a short time (a year to a few years). As other have said, it's not worth it to screw yourself up. But to me it's worth every second to do it right. As for the sand. I do other conditioning, and keep wanting to do the sand bit, but I haven't spent much time doing it. (I've done it a few times). So like everything else, YMMV.

Tell that to some Pancrase fighters Please explain. I'm not sure what you're saying here.

Well I know that my Sensei is one of those folks who can break boards with his finger tips. He's very big on conditioning and doing it very slowly so you develop strength and ability over time without hurting yourself. It's amazing what he can do with his hands. I'm no where near where he is, but I don't fear using a finger strike if needed. And under the right conditions (in other words if I really had to hurt someone - such as someone or a group attacking me with a weapon), I"d use a finger strike in a second. I agree with his approach (even though sometimes I get banged up trying to push it a little to hard).

We have a saying in Uechi that "Kata is Kata" and "Bunki is Bunki". Bunki is the application of kata. I personally find that the more kata that I do that the quicker, stronger, and more focused that I become. When I take time off from training it takes a couple of weeks to get back to where I was, and I can easily see the difference. I think if you try to use a sequence of moves from a kata in a fight you will get hurt pretty quickly. Kata to me is to practice the moves to make them automatic not to learn a bunch of moves that aren't practical. An example of this is that I do kata at all speeds. Sometimes I work one move over and over and over. Slow, super slow, and even slower. Then I'll do them really fast. The idea is that slow I work on technique, and fast I work on speed and power.

In the Washignton D. C. area there are tons and tons and tons of McDojos. And then there are many good dojos. So Martial arts are very popular here. In Uechi-Ryu Mass. is the most popular area due to the influence of George Mattson who was the first American to bring Uechi-Ryu to the US. Michigan has a lot of Uechi folks due to James Thompson. Florida, California, and a few other states also have many Uechi folks. The DC area has several "flavors" of Uechi, and Richmond and the areas around UVa have many Uechi folks.

I've never heard that. But I've heard that closed handed punches are for "baby" fighters. By this the person who told it to me was stating that a more advanced fighter will use open handed techniques once he or she has mastered them. As for this discussion. I've been away for a week or so sho haven't had post. But I guess that most of the posts are from folks who don't condition their hands for these kind of strikes. In my case, I've been conditioning my fingers for years and am now finally able to strike pretty hard with the finger tips. Also, as discussed, finger tip strikes are not for hitting hard objects. Palms, chops, and other strikes can be used first!!!

One thing I didn't see listed here is that some styles don't have formal testing requirements for colored belts, but a very formal procedure for the Dan ranks. So some instructors use the color belt testing as a way for the lower ranked students to get used to the process and feel comfortable for when they test for Shodan. Put up students when they are ready. Sure some fail due to choking, but it's very rare in the environment that I describe.

I don't buy into much of the whole sacredness of the gi and obi thing. But I think that's just ridiculous hyperbole and obviously not what he was trying to convey. I agree. I think there's a huge difference between washing an obi and being dirty. In our dojo the tradition is that we don't wash our obi. I know of one student who has, and he's told our Sensei. Our Sensei didn't approve, but he also didn't make a big deal of it. Personally, I don't wash my obi, but if it was covered in blood, or really dirty, I'd clean it by hand like others have suggested. I would never wash it in a clothes washer. But that's just my opinion. For the originial poster, I'd say what a few others have said and talk to your Sensei. He or she will notice if you clean it, and if they don't approve it might not be a good thing if they are hung up on this. (and as you can see from this discussion, some folks really care, and others don't, so find out which camp your Sensei falls into).

Uechi-ryu has a great deal of open handed techniques, and many "pointy techniques" (Shoken aka one knucle punch, and Harakin - middle knuckle supported by thumb). As others have said, there is a great possibility of damage to the hand if you do open handed techniques incorrectly. We do conditioning and lots of it, and it takes years to be able to really apply the techniques well.

Thanks, I think this was the one that I was referring to. I saw it at Borders, but didn't pick it up as I was killing time, then realized I had to run.