TAZ

I, personally, have only been to two tournaments of which I am in a school that is affiliated with the association. The first one I went to was excellent. The second one was mediocre. The second one had several divisions that consisted of one, two, or even three competitors. For example, at the second one there was a women's black belt sparring division that had only 3 fighters. The sad thing was that the division was so small that one of our 5th kyu's was put in that division. The cool thing is she took 1st. This was a continuous sparring match, not 3-point. In another event called "self defense", there was only one competitor, a brown belt. Naturally she got first, although she could not even remember what to do. Not to mention the fact that she had no technique at all. Anyway, I hope that future tournaments with this particular association will improve. I see great potential for this association.

scottnshelly wrote: I think that being completely forthcoming is going to be the best policy in this situation. I completely agree with this statement. In my experience, with beginning a new style after previously having studied, I found that being upfront about it has pros as well as cons. A pro being that you tend to move up in rank quicker than most, and a con being you are considered a beginner again. Just don't come across as knowing that you know more than you really do. It will eventually bite you in the rumpus! Most likely by having to spar someone with alot of skill. Also when talking to your future instructor, it wouldn't hurt to ask if you could wear your current belt rank. I did and he had no problem. It didn't mean that I was any better than anybody else, it kinda let other students know that I had previous training. Even though I was allowed to wear it, I was still considered a beginner in that system. Good luck!

Thanks guys! Hey, ya learn something new every day!

Do you know what that learning disorder might be? We have 4-5 students that have different levels of learning disorders from dislexia (sp?) to autism (sp?) and sometimes we have to alter what they are learning just a little bit so that they can have a sense of accomplishment. It also helps tremendously for an instructor to have even just a little bit of understanding of the disability and how it affects the learning process of the student. Also, is your student (after 10 years of training) still a white/yellow belt? IMO, I think that promoting someone at this skill level to black simply because of dedication and love of the martial arts, could potentially give a false sense of security to that person if a confrontation would ever arise.

First of all Welcome! Second, is it House of David Karate club or school? And third, beater upper of TAZ? Why? Please be nice!

Two questions. Does this post have anything to do with Chuck Norris? And are you encouraging people to visit the ?website? or watch out for (be careful of) the website? Just curious!

Welcome! Glad to have ya! I have three daughters that are all homeschooled and we're all in Martial Arts (including MOM).

Welcome, fellow Texan!

All Jean Claude Van Damme movies. Don't get me wrong, he is a great kicker, but IMO that's it.

Jussi Häkkinen wrote: In most Okinawan styles the proper way is to tie the belt in a way that it crosses at the back Not to undermine your knowledge, but is this true? I have never heard of that. I think that would be very sloppy looking.

washJeff09 wrote: After receiving my shodan I took a break: A very long break. Even at the time I knew that the shodan was the beginning to truely training in my art, yet for some reason I gradually stopped. Highschool stuff started to interfere, and although I had some legitimate reasons such as no car and we moved, none of these exscuses should explain my break. I think if I was mature enough, there is no way I would take such a long break away from training. I'm now 19, and I am just starting to train again; however, now my passion is just as strong actually I believe stronger than before. I look at my shodan and I remember how hard I worked for it, and it really just inspires me to train, and to be my best again. Kyokushin karate gave me the qualities that make me who I am today. I really wish at the time of my shodan, I could appreciate it as much as I do today, because it would be that much more sastisfying. I think at that time it was more like "sweet, i got my black belt " even though I know I never really ever thought that way explicitly. I just wish that maybe I was a little older where I could really understand what being a shodan means. Did I work hard for it? In my mind of course. Even then I knew at the time how hard it is to obtain a shodan in Kyokushin. Physically I deserved my belt, and I was mentally tough enough to push myself through my personal limits to pass. Yet like I said I really don't think that I really quite understood what was going on, because i was too young and thats at 15. 10 year old black belts? I just don't think its right. Don't be so hard on yourself! Sometimes, in life, there are things and/or situations that you have no control over. Try not to dwell on the "should of, could of, would of" and focus on where you are at right now and where you would like to go with martial arts. Be encouraged!

I've been playing guitar for about 8-9 years. Not much at all for the past 3, though. I play mostly rythym. Mainly self taught. I really miss playing. Maybe when the time is right I will play again.

Isn't Krav Maga a middle eastern martial art?

Or if want to drive a little southeast of there, and enjoy sunny skies and mid to upper 60's, we would love to have ya!

I agree. Kenpo is all about hand position (movement) and footwork.

Congratulations Shogeri! Great insight on many different topics!

A high quality 12 or 14oz. black heavyweight gi (not sure what brand yet). And 5 all expense paid round trip tickets + hotel & car to my old stopping grounds of Maui, HI.

Great stuff guys!

The original question was 'where do you look when you fight'. So assuming that everyone that has responded thus far is not talking about a sparring situation, then yes I would agree that it would be more tunnel vision as a result of adrenaline being activated. But I know that personally when I am sparring my adrenaline does not kick in to the point of tunnel vision. Therefore, IMHO, if I am focused on the center of the person I am sparring, because the torso tells all, I would then rely on peripheral to see strikes coming.

How about a fulltime mom of 3 homeschooled children. Never gets a break. Always being hounded and followed around all day. And for no pay! A mother's love is amazing.

Must not wash belt, grasshoppah!

The world loses another great person.

Starting next week I should begin to learn Seisan. I am currently working on my Bo form. I will be testing for my next rank on Monday.