jaymac

Isn't this what we want from our children anyways, to defend themselves. Maybe a jr. shodan cannot adequately defend himself/herself against an adult shodan, but don't you think that a child with some Martial Arts experience has a better chance against a would-be-attacker/abductor, than a child without MA experience.

Good advice from everyone, Muay thai is an awesome sport. You will get in great shape, you will learn great self defense, you will get hurt. Maybe if this is the only place you have looked at, shop around a little longer and see what else is available to you and compare them all, then pick the MA that is right for you.

I am using this to gain my 1000 posts. I really have had a great time discussing Martial Arts with everyone here. You are a fun group of individuals. Now go find something good to drink and toast to yourselves!

I usually just eat cereal. I work nights, so when I come home in the morning, I am hungry but don't want to put too much in my stomach before I sleep. However, what I would like to have every morning is a ham/cheese/green pepper omelet and toast. That is what I really want right now too. Gotta go>>>!

Can you believe that Cowboys game. I thought they had it in the bag. I guess that is why you play the full 60 minutes. That was awesome. I do feel kind of bad for Romo though. Do you think T. Owens will be there next season?

Isn't if funny how many people started as a child, and yet we have posts that complain about children taking classes or achieving shodan before becoming an adult. I wonder how many people achieved a black belt as a child. I know I received my first one at age 13 and my second at age 30.

I am the Joker.

I am Flash. That was cool. Thanks Patrick.

I love these ab exercises. I always feel it the next morning.

I have to admit that I didn't look at any of the sites, but I already know enough about those styles to say that muay thai is an unbelievable style that will get you in great shape. I actually practice Shotokan, but if there was a muay thai training facility in the area, I would be there.

Century used to sell a video that involved a work out routine. It was pretty good from what I saw of it.

I would have liked to have gotten a new tokaido gi. I would love it to be black, but they only make white gi's.

If a person is just using early kata as a stepping stone to advance from lower ranks to higher and not continueing in their practice, even at black belt, then one cannot become a proficient teacher to others. The best way to learn about the martial arts and yourself, is to teach. You have to practice everything you have learned from white belt on up.

1. $40.00 / month 2. Shotokan 3. 4 Classes a week (you are expected to attend 2) 4. No real perks unless you are a paid instructor.

Ok I have one, you know the kid who plays Reese in 'Malcolm in the Middle,' a few years back I read that he was a red belt in Tang Soo Do. He was passionate about it. By now, he must have a black belt rank. Sorry, I don't know his real name.

Well said. Shodan is the beginning.

I train primarily bare foot. When I practice outside, I wear sneakers. There is not much of a difference. Again, as I said earlier, a person in a true fight is not going to worry about loose clothes, tight clothes, shoes, or no shoes, your training and adrenaline will take over and you will do your best to defend yourself. Anyone who begs to differ, has never been in a true fight.

I think a person should be individually judged when it comes to shodan ranking. I have seen some really mature 15 year olds who are deserving of rank, and I have seen some really immature 50 year olds who are not. If everyone has posted once or twice in this KF and (I know many of you have) that a belt is just a piece of material, or it just holds up your pants, then why do the answers change for this type of question. I think the individual in question acted very mature for her age. Why should she compete in a lower ranking class because she is younger. That is not fair to those students competing who are not as experienced. My advice to her would be to look at the divisions of a tournament ahead of time to see how she will be placed in a catagory. All tournaments have flyers and alot are now online so you can get an idea of what the tournament will be like before you actually get there and pay money to compete.

My instructor has given me a few of his martial arts items, and I guess those are memorabilia to me.

That was a great piece. Now after just watching Ashida Kim and then this one, I wonder if we could talk Ashida Kim into getting into the octagon with Florian. I wonder who would win?

I don't blame children for watering down martial arts, I blame the individual running the school. Martial Arts has a place for everyone of all ages, just as any sport does. Look around, kids are fat these days, and so are a majority of adults. Many people do not join Martial Arts for the harsh training. They join for self discipline and the physical part of getting up off the couch and away from the computer that is on 24/7. However, I do feel that a serious instructor should accommodate to all his students and offer a class for the more serious individual who would like to train hard, work hard, and not worry about the color of the belt that is being tied around their waist. If an instructor is not doing this and giving in to the mcdojo type training to only fit the children, then isn't his/her fault?

I wake up by way of cats. They do not let me sleep past 7:00 a.m.

I got the movie for Christmas. I can't wait to watch it. Hadn't had a chance yet though.

There are so many posts on this topic that I dont have time to see if I even responded. However, I could not imagine not having or practicing kata. What a great way to train. I love practicing even my most basic forms. Mentally, kata practice takes you away from alot of stress and opens your mind to better training.

We do alot of push ups / sit ups. I think I may be up for Sandan in the next year. I have alot of conditioning to do before that test. It was designed to be tough, but the next day, it is always worth the effort.