marie curie

Ok, I think that it can be a bad thing, but like most situations, there are upsides too. I've dated within a club before and broken up- no problems either time! I'm currently dating an assistant instructor of both the arts that I take (we have been for a year and a half) and, though there are little problems to overcome, it really brings us closer and helps motivate us to train harder and more often. I'm most certainly not saying the it will work out for everyone- but it just has for me- and so it won't necicarily not work out for everyone:)

I've been doing martial arts for a while and I did sports when I was younger, so my body has gone through some wear and tear. I recently have had some pretty serious knee issues (like if I have my knee bent and try to throw someone, it colapses, or just doesnt extend all the way for kicks-getting caught on something in there, plus ow for keeping my stances low like they should be for example in forms or tricks). Because of some transportation and insurance issues, I won't be able to make it to a doctor for a few weeks... maybe 5ish. As a bioengineer, I know how fragile knees can be, so I don't want to over do it and I don't plan on sparring/randori until I get an MD's go-ahead. So, here is my question: Which would be better: 1. Sitting out for a few weeks on most drills/kata practice 2. Keep doing what I can, but sacrifice some technique (stances not being quite right, steps being a little off, etc) Your experience and knowledge is much appreciated.

I love doing katas!!! I like how they help me to work on my technique, balance, and especially martial art movement.

Satisfaction at developing my techniques and better executing them

It's really hit or miss for me- I really really like some songs, and find others really obnoxious

Something Coperate Opeth

Maybe you could read up on the founders of other styles and see what they had done before starting their styles. I think that you will find years and years of studying and thinking about many types of martial arts, but I don't really know as I have not read most systems' histories. Maybe you could check that out. Another thought- How do you know that what you are looking for isn't already in existance with masters and grandmasters who have tried and trained in it for years and years. Would you want your students to be getting inferior training?

Yeh, I agree. True, working out regularly helps keep one's energy level up, but it sounds like you are pushing the upper bounds of "regularly", and as we get older that kind of energy expenditure and ripping up of the muscle cells is hard to bounce back from. I started karate when I was 11, and now that I'm 23 I've found that I have to fight a little differently, since I don't have the never-ending energy of a pre-teen anymore. I figure the same will have to happen with more age- adjusting my fighting styles a bit more to compensate. Good luck!

Chuck Norris!

I hope you feel better!!! I know sometimes people don't really understand our taking martial arts. I'm a very strong beleiver in a non-violent approach if possible, but I train tons in Martial Arts for fun and just in case someone angry at me does not believe in a non-violent approach. I think that after the craziness of the money situation and all the change settle things should be better for you. You are in my prayers until then!

Haha Yeh, it was good fun. Thanks for the comments!

I went to a Chinese New Year celebration tonight and there was a guy who had a Kung Fu school and was doing some demonstrations with his students. They did some forms and some technique combinations on each other. At the end he asked if anyone would like to try to come up and attack him. Well, it was two Chinese Kung Fu guys and a bunch of big muscle-y men. So, thinking this could be fun, I went up, stepped onto the stage in my three-inch heels and dangle-y earrings (earning a large roar of laughter which he met with an "Huh-uh. You never know with women" ), and proceded to punch him in the head. Of course, I, first, did a low fake kick to cover the distance, a large strait right punch to the face which he blocked with his right hand crossing his body, turning him, so that I had a perfect shot to the side of his head comming up with a left Kenpo punch. His head flew back hard and, looking as shocked as he was, I squealed, put my hands over my mouth, and apologized. Lots of applaluse.

I used to work with children a lot and have been involved with menoring programs and stuff, so yeh. It is great that you two enjoy each other!!! One thought, though, kids tend to ideal-ize anyone they look up to that much. It may be good to let him know that you are human and make mistakes too, and if he does that you won't think less of him. Thats just one thing I've picked up Have fun with your buddy!

Yeh, Air traffic controllers take it for stress Alaskan Fisherman for danger.... but I'd rather be responsible for others' lives and risk my own than something really really horrible like.....Data Entry!!! *Shout out to fellow adrenaline addicts for whom this kind of work would be tourture*

Opeth... Orphaned land... Metallica... Aerosmith... sweet I'm going to see Opeth in less than two weeks!!! Horrah!

Hey, I started looking around for the web's input, and they dont seem to agree Here is what I found: TKD instep http://www.ehow.com/how_12881_perform-roundhouse-kick.html Karate ball / instep if to neck or thigh http://www.all-karate.com/147/high-roundhouse-kick-jodan-mawashi-geri http://www.all-karate.com/148/middle-level-roundhouse-kick-chudan-mawashi-geri Kenpo top of foot http://www.bakerfamily4.net/kenpo/kicks.htm Muay Thai Shin (but thats specifically for the Muay Thai version) http://stickgrappler.tripod.com/mt/kk1.html Karate Q, Some Korean Style A Heel (guy doesn't konw what he's talking about, but I figure I should report all my findings) http://experts.about.com/q/Karate-332/round-house-kick.htm?zIr=1#r More Muay Thai Any part of leg/thigh/foot http://www.subfighter.com/article933.html

We worked some on this Monday because I asked my teacher to do it He paired me with someone 10 inches taller than me (I'm 5' 4'') and I worked my passing his leg while simultaniously defending for the punch/hand strike/etc. and attacking at subtle angles (that was a big problem of mine- the angle at witch i was comming in was way too big). Once I was in there I at least had a fighting chance (haha- a pun), whereas without getting in there I could only defend.---Wahoo!!! I also found out that from a point closer than he could land a hard kick, I could still land a good kick on him. And yes, then I had to deal with his inside fighting skills after I made it in, but as much as he doesn't stink at the short game, I stunk less and for a chick going up against a guy we lovingly call "frankenstien", stinking less was awesome. Thanks for all the advice! More is welcome at any time!

Well, I grew up in the backwoods of WV, so I have a healthy respect for creepy crawlies and copperheads alike, but I definately don't fear them. I've jumped out of an airplane and been yelled at by Chinese army miles away from civilization (I didn't do anything but someone I was with was being a jerk). I work with semi-hazardous materials and that is cool.... But I totally almost had a panic attack once when I had to drive an Impala!!! Oh my goodness!!! It's like - I'm driving in the middle of the road and the cars to my right and left are just sooo close!!! What if I sneeze!!! (I'm used to Cavalier/Civic types) Then I went through a tunnel...Then I took a break. Also, I have the normal fear of loosing my Mr. ....but that Impala! ~Shudder~

I'm a girl and 23 (Just a couple of days ago ) I had my licence...but then my gym bad developed a hole along the seem.... Hopefully I will make it to my homestate to get a new one soon.

I agree with everyone else, career first, but why not just pick yourself an order- like 1. (Maybe Career) is most important and I wont let the other things get in its way at all 2. (Maybe MA) is good for me and I enjoy it, so I'm going to work in my training around my carrer as best I can. I'll make sure that I can do this thing (X) hours every week. 3. (Maybe Majic) is a something that I really love, so when my other priorities allow, or when they both aren't taking up a specific block of time I'll do this, and make sure that I get to do this thing that I love at least (X) hours each month.

Hey I listen to metal! As for right now I like Symphony X, Nevermore, Opeth, Fear Factory, and Orphaned Land For 80's music I'm kinda partial to hairbands- Motley Crue, Warrent, Whitesnake, and Old School Metalica, Arrowsmith

The "You suck train harder" is kind of the motto at my Kaju class- It helps to inspire us to keep going The Lao Tzu quote is something that I've liked for a long time, but I find to be more and more relavant as I grow older.

Hey I'd say that Judo is the better workout. BJJ is more technical. JJJ is kind of in-between. But, for real, I agree with SubGrappler, the workout and quality depends on the instructor and the group of other students.

I've been working on this, but as I try to move to an off-angle, my opponent adjusts to keep me to his front or side. If I do it when he is striking, it seems to work better, but I definately have to work on my speed to be very affective, because usually the kicks have a follow-up hand technique that he is all ready to use on me. I've always worked in a lot of feints to get past....so my usual opponents aren't biting the bait so much anymore Wearing them out is a good idea for a real fight I hadn't really thought of, because all of the people in my striking class have two hours of BJJ afterwords, so we all try to conserve energy. Thanks! I'll try these out tomorrow at class!

Hey, does anyone have any suggestions on how to get past kicks and into an opponent when their leg is longer than yours and their arms are longer than yours by a bunch? Every time I come in, my long-legged opponents kick, and I can't get through without either sacrificing my balance by blocking with a leg, or sacrificing both arms to defending. My training has mostly been in a style of karate that doesn't stress kicks so much, and most of the people in my new style have done a lot more TKD thank me (I only did four months), so in addition to having the arm reach, they have and really know how to use the leg distance.