AikiGuy

Never tried it but it give you my opinion anyway. Since the vest is basically a shield sewn to a shirt, I wonder how well it would fit. My weight has gone up and down as much as 60 pounds before, so I would need something more adjustable than a "shirt". If I gain weight, it would be too tight. And if it does stretch to fit me, then I lose weight, it will be too loose. That's my only problem with the vest. The shin and forearm guards look like they would be great protection.

I have always heard the same thing. I used to do situps a lot (even held an unofficial record back in high school) but I stopped when I heard it could eventually affect your back/spine. The reason is that when you raise your torso completely off the floor, you cause more pressure (specifically torque) on your lower back due to having to support more of your body in the air. It's like holding one end of a broom handle with the other end on a chair. If someone moves the chair, you will feel more weight on your hand and wrist since you are supporting it at only one end. Of course, this is not because it's heavy since you could easily hold the broom handle in the middle and feel no strain at all. Two groups of people feel very little or no strain when doing situps: 1. Young, strong athletes 2. Females I was in the first group when I did these a lot, so I never had any problems with this. Having very strong muscles around a joint can help reduce (or sometimes avoid) joint strain. But eventually, even a little strain can catch up to you. (That's why well conditioned marathon runners can still get shin splints after years with no problems.) You are in the second group, so you have an advantage. Women have a lower center of gravity so less of your body weight is carried in your torso. That's one reason you don't feel any discomfort. That does not mean it won't affect you. It just means it may take longer. Eventually, you could have back problems when you are older. Not everyone has them but most people avoid situps just to be safe. Personally I do crossing knee/elbow touches instead. They are very effective and they work all the ab muscles at once. Sorry for the long post. I hope at least some of this helped.

Sometimes. It all depends on your opponent. This is one of a variety of sparring strategies I have used. But of course that means that when you use it, I would recognize it sooner than someone who has not used this technique before. So usually the more experience a fighter has, the harder it is to "trick" him/her. But I still think this is a good approach for class or tournament sparring. It will still work sometimes even on an experienced fighter. A little too risky for a real fight though IMO.

Wow, that's an interesting situation. I have lots of mixed emotions on this. The first thing to keep in mind it that an instructor has the need and obligation to try to keep his class going (for his sake and his students' sake). So if he wants to do a little advertising by showing off his students, that's normal. After all, if the class folds, your son will have to find another school. I once taught a class on a one year contract at a gym. It did OK for about 5 months, then attendance dropped by about half. I never renewed my contract the second year. Now, I'm not teaching and my students don't have an affordable class to attend. Maybe I should have "plugged" a little more.(?) However the way he sounds in your post does sound a little pushy. I don't really like requiring my students to do anything other than come to class and participate. Everything else is optional. I do know instructors that require extra activities though. Some are helpful and others not so much. Some people require going to at least one tournament before key promotions. Others require placing in the top 3 at a tourney or being a student-teacher for a day. All of these are very enlightening so I see the point. But I still don't like making it a necessary for testing. It is possible that the instructor meant that participating would be like extra credit on a grading (but not absolutely required to pass). In any case, you can always talk to him and explain your situation with the car/schedule/budget, etc. Most instructors just want to know that you will put in some effort even if it's not at every possible event. He may be very understanding. I hope you get this worked out soon.

You have a point there. I have always wondered about the validity of Tai Chi as a combat art. A few Tai Chi students have told me that the art can generate a lot of force once you know how. But I can't see how that can be. I assume there is a lot more to it than I have heard, but still it doesn't really make sense to me because they always do things softly and slowly. At least most styles of Karate and TKD eventually lead up to the point where you learn how to hit with full force. That's why I don't mind starting out softly in training. Then there's your kind of training. The Mantis you mentioned is a lot like Muay Thai (which I tried for a few months). If you don't hit for real, then you're doing it wrong and wasting everyone's time. I can definitely see the benefit of this. It really tests what you have learned. I enjoy this now after almost 2 decades of training but I think it would have scared me away when I first started. BTW, what is a "bridge" in your style? I have never heard that term before.

This is a good idea. Furthermore, if he insists that you try to explain it anyway, just stall and do it wrong. This will prove that you just can't remember enough to teach him. Tell him you will have to practice those types of moves more and you can try again the next time your instructor reviews those techniques. (But who knows how long that will take! Could be months, or even years... riiiiiight? )

I have a similar model and it does a lot for my flexibility. I have not used it for a while but did for a few months before a test and it improved my kicking range quite a bit. I used to do solo stretching on the floor too but I would get tired so I could only hold a stretch for about 3 minutes. With my stretcher, I could stretch for 15 to 30 minutes at a time while watching TV or eating dinner. It really adds up since that's a month's worth of stretching in one day. It is pricy but if you have the budget for it, you should see results if you use it correctly and consistently.

If you are in a harder style of fighting like MMA or boxing where the participants want to test themselves under intense circumstances, then you're right. You should be ready to get hit. If not, go home. However, some styles like Karate and TKD are usually non-contact or they start out as non-contact and progress toward full contact as your rank goes up. In these arts, the usual rule is "no contact". If this is the rule, then the person was wrong for hitting too hard. Of course, the rules will vary with each school, but these are the most common I have seen in Karate. It should not matter what a fighter thinks his partner can handle. All that matters is the rules of that school. Someone who breaks those rules because they think the rules should be different is a rebel and should be kicked out of the school. Just remember, not every person in MA wants intense full contact sparring. Kids, the elderly, disabled persons, and people who just never got into a fight before are all types who would prefer the lighter contact of TKD over full contact Boxing. Would you go into a senior citizen Tai Chi class and knock down a 60 year old grandmother because she should be able to handle it?

Creatine is still relatively new as far as supplements go, so all info you receive for a while (years) is subject to change with new testing. That said, I think creatine is a good product to use to bulk up. I used it a few years ago and it really worked for me. I did increase in size, strength, endurance, and recovery. Of course I was working out at least 4 days a week back then and it helps to be consistent. Just remember 3 things: 1. Take it according to the label. 2. Take it while you are on a regular exercise routine. Creatine only enhances the benefits of exercise, especially regular vigorous strength training. If you don't work out, it does nothing. 3. Creatine works for most but not all people. Some people's physiology just won't respond to it. About 80 percent of people's systems have the ability to respond to creatine.

Um, maybe this is way off, but maybe he's breaking the rules. At my school, we usually do touch/point sparring with no hard contact allowed. Higher ranks can do contact sparring but it has to be agreed up front. Some people fight hard without even realizing it (no control) and others (rebels) knowingly break rules and don't care. I'm not saying your partner did this, but if you don't know, then you should find out. If I was touch-sparring (or semi-contact) and my partner hit me too hard, I would call "contact" and tell him it was harder than it should be. If he did not stop, there are 3 choices: 1. bow and say you are stopping the match if he will not follow the rules. 2. mention it to an instructor and let him clarify the rules to the partner before continuing. 3. fight as hard as he does (not recommended) No matter what the situation is, you have the right to know why he sparred the way he did, even if none of this happened. As others have said, there may be a constructive reason behind it so don't be offended by it until you know that reason. But you are also expected to follow the rules too. How can you do that if you do not know which set of rules is being used at the time? I have even asked questions while sparring. After being hit hard, I ask "are we doing touch-sparring?" while still circling/guarding. Then you can adjust your techniques or ask him to adjust without loosing time. Just a thought, but I hope I'm wrong.

Elky's right. You may be overtraining your body. The exhaustion you feel is probably a sign to cut back a bit. Most people train a body part 2 or 3 times a week and see good results. It is unhealthy to do too much exercise since your body can adapt and recover only so fast.

As a green belt, I had a string of injuries, then had my first child. All of that kept me out for 5 years. As soon as I was healthy and had a little time, I went back. It took almost a year to feel like I was back to the right skill level, but I never regretted it. Another few years and I took my Black Belt test. Now I have 2 jobs, 3 kids, and a bird so I go when I can. I always feel rusty after taking off for a few months at a time but I think that's normal. I don't think I will ever stop permanently.

Wow, that's a tough spot to be in. It is quite reasonable if you decide to leave since, as others have said, you are not getting what you paid for. But still, it gives you the problem of finding something else that is equally convenient and fulfilling. If you are wrestling with the decision to leave, I suggest this final attempt to salvage the situation you already have before moving on. Talk to some of the senior students or other instructors there and see if they know what is going on. If this is only a temporary situation for your sensei, you should know. Perhaps then it will be worth waiting a short time to see if it gets better. Then again, you may find that this happens all the time and has for years. If that is the case, the frustration you feel after only a few months will only increase after say a year or so and you will absolutely hate it! Then if you leave, you can do so without guilt since you really tried to understand the whole situation and give a fair chance to work out. Either way, having this question answered may serve as a tie-breaker in your decision to stay or leave.

<> Ok, if you work in a tux, what is your job and where are you when you think a fight may break out? There is probably an alternative answer to fighting but it depends on your environment. For now, I would just point out that even a tux can be sized for a looser, more comfortable fit. I see labels like this on jeans all the time. You can buy jeans in the normal fit, relaxed fit, boot cut, etc. So why not a tux?

Cross, you have some very good points and everyone should try different styles to be well rounded. However Gzk and Bushido have some good counter points to some (not all) of what you said. I will add my own point which is not really a disagreement but more of an answer/explanation to your question of why people look first to their chosen style for answers. The reason is because it is easier. Most people join a dojo because there is much knowledge collected in one place so it is a quicker way to find most answers. It's like going to a tiny local library one block away to research a topic instead of hitting all of the huge county libraries that are all several miles away. Of course the county options will give more answers to some questions, but is today's question worth spending 10 times more effort and time to possibly get 2 or 3 more options? It's the same reason I buy expensive gas from the place in my neighborhood when I know of at least 3 places that have it for 20 to 30 cents less per gallon. It's just more convenient and I am way too busy to drive 30 minutes to save 5 dollars on a tank of gas. So back to MA training. Most people, including me, think that less knowledge that is easy to get is better than lots of knowledge that is difficult to get since they may never get it or have to give up other things (time, money, extra training, etc) to get it. It all comes down to balancing your life and all of its endeavors, not just MA. Of course, your answer is still the best way to go if you want to expand your knowledge. It's just impractical for anyone other than an avid tournament competitor or professional fighter. Sorry if I am so long winded today.

Well...most of the time there is nothing you can do. But like many extreme conditions we train for, there are a few things you can try. They may work or they may not work. It's a gamble. Once when I was a teenager, two guys tried to jump me because one had a grudge against me. When they approached, I said to the one with the grudge "Why do you need help? Can't you fight me alone?" I ducked and dodged for what seemed like 3 minutes (probably only about 30 seconds) while constantly attacking his sense of pride. Finally my psychology paid off. He wanted to prove to everyone how tough he was so he told his friend not to help him. That's all I wanted! He was bigger than me and I did not know any M.A. at that time, but at least it was fair now. We rolled around for a while and I came away with a bloody nose and he had a big knot on his forehead. I didn't mind though because I earned a little respect and I did not end up in the hospital which is probably what would have happened if it was 2 against 1. Of course, there are many situations that cannot be helped. But many of them do have alternatives that are less painful than others. They are just hard to see in the heat of the moment while fists are flying at you.

In addition to what has been said already, I would suggest that you just drill your weakest skill like crazy up until your test. When I took my dan test, my weakest skill was throws, so half of each practice session concentrated on throws. Let everyone in your dojo know you are looking for sparring partners just to brush up and see who wants to join you. Use lower rank partners to try out new combos and experiment since you will feel less pressured, and use high ranks to practice things you already know to stay sharp. Also bag work helped my sparring a lot. I would practice combos on the heavy bag and see if I could maintain or end up in the desired position. I always tried to do this at home so I would not give away my ideas since half of sparring success lies in the element of surprise. Good luck on your test!

Kudos to you for realizing that this is very important in defense preparation. Not many think about that. I started asking myself those questions many years ago and I have actually changed several behaviors because of it. I actually buy clothes based on how well I can move and fight in them. Especially shoes! I only buy dress shoes with rubber soles so I won't slide around in a fight. I don't prefer very thin material for pants even in the summer because they tear too easily. I don't buy or wear jeans that are snug because I would rip them if I kick. That would be very distracting in a fight. This may not be a popular opinion, but you could always just stop buying clothes that are not "combat ready". Eventually when your old clothes wear out, replace them with looser jeans with at least one or two deep pockets preferably with velcro/buttons for your valuables. But for now, I would agree with the poster who said things falling out of pockets is not really a major concern during a fight. Good luck.

What time of day do you weigh yourself? Is it the same time each time? Most people's weight can vary from 1 to 5 pounds from the time they get up to right after the last meal. Not everyone remembers to consider this when weighing in. Not to mention that the average person wears about 5 pounds of clothes/shoes. So try to dress (or not dress) the same each time. If you have already ruled this out, then the advice already posted should help you out. Steady workouts (not necessarily intense) and proper nutrition including ample protein each day are two of the best things you can do. Good luck.

Good advice, Bushido. Many people try to work out things at home when the fastest way to find a solution may be to ask the instructor. He/she is there to observe and correct you, so the sensei may already know about the problem you are having. That said, another thing you might try is the boxer's approach. When they punch with the rear hand, they twist the torso, drop the back knee down a little, and pivot slightly on the back foot (on the ball). Keep the front knee slightly bent too. I'm not sure if I am visualizing how you are doing it currently, but this may help. It may also take the pressure off the knee. This is good for a sparring stance, not really for a kata type stance.

Yep, they're right. Every comment here is correct. I know that's not what you want to hear, but you HAVE TO heal first. No matter what happens, healing from your injuries just became your first priority! If that means postponing your test, your training, and even taking time off from work. You WILL do serious injury to yourself in a BB test because you want to do well and you know the standards are high, so you will push yourself very hard even if your body is saying stop. I have been there too. I was injured in my green belt test, but finished any way. My shoulder still bothers me 15 years later. I delayed my blue belt test due to injury, and delayed my black belt test due to personal issues that did not leave me enough time to train properly. When I took my black belt test, I wanted to shine! I would not be happy with barely passing, especially if I thought the instructor was giving me pity points. No one in his right mind will say you should go ahead with the test until you are fully recovered as much as possible. Don't do it...DON'T DO IT...DON'T DO IT !!!!

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Hey, a fellow Goshin guy. Glad to see we're still around throughout the country. If you ever make it to Ohio, we can do some training. I'm sure our curriculum is very similar.

Haven't used a sectioned staff yet, but I would like to. I have used nunchaku extensively and my preference depends on whether I am doing a demonstration (in class or tourney) or fighting (real or practice). I prefer the traditional rope type of cord for class and demos. It moves more smoothly and it's quieter. For a more realistic combat situation, I would rather have a heavy chain. Mostly because it is harder to break or cut. Especially if I have to fight a bladed weapon, one hard swipe could destroy my weapon.

I went with black to match my gi. I am hoping it makes it harder to see subtle hand and foot movements 'cause it all blends together. For example, if I raise my foot straight up to do a front kick, a red boot will stand out and be seen quickly, but a black boot will blend in with the black pants behind my foot. I don't really know how much that helps my sparring but that's my logic. BTW, I almost went with red just because I liked the color. The bottom line there is get what you want and enjoy it because you have to live with it for years to come. Yes, I know that's two opinions. Just wanted to be fair to both sides of the question. Each way has a valid reason so you really can't go wrong (unless you overpay, lol).