Ti-Kwon-Leap

TOP TEN REASONS FOR BREAKING BOARDS: 10. It impresses the hell out of folks. 9. It gives a student the chance to strike his seniors in the fingers and then watch as they try to pretend it didn’t hurt. 8. It reduces clutter on a planet that clearly has too many trees. 7. It punishes jerks who think they can break boards without proper training. 6. It gives people the ongoing opportunity to use the “Boards don’t hit back” slogan. 5. It demonstrates that we are higher on the food chain than trees. 4. It gives the ever humble martial artist the confidence and knowledge that they could snap the average person’s neck like a twig. 3. It supplies motivation, lest you didn’t feel like jumping over five or so hunched over people. 2. Did I mention it impresses people? 1. The smaller chunks fit so much more easily into the newer woodstoves. [ This Message was edited by: Patrick on 2002-05-03 09:22 ]

Any advice on how to gently inform ones Sensei of his profound ignorance???

Ask him about taking a private class with him to work on the finer points of what you have learned so far. Tell him that you wish to make further progress towards perfecting the movements. He will probably let you know if he thinks you need it or not...

You would be doing yourself a disservice if you tried to fully immerse yourself in more than one art at a time. However, casually learning (on a limited basis) styles not related to yours would be beneficial to round out your knowledge not only about what your options are in combat, but how that style relates to yours and how to defend against it.

There is a book available at your local library if you are in the US Called Good Bye To Bad Backs by Judith Scott This book has several stretching & strengthening regimens starting from beginner to advanced. It's sort of a Yoga/Pilates/Ballet regimen with particular attention to the Psoas muscle which she claims needs to be strong and flexible to avoid repeated back injuries. The Ball exercises that KickChick eluded to are a great way to achieve strength and flexibility. I would advise an appointment with a physical therapist to asses your situation to avoid possibly re-injuring or prolonging recovery. Hope this helps!

I was around 11 and started with judo and aikido. I'm 40 now and still feel like a kid.

Welcome. There is a weath of knowledgable people on in these forums. enjoy!

I dwell in the present moment, develop the flow of energy, cultivate inner awareness, marvel at the miracle of life, contemplate infinity, you know, the usual stuff

P.S.... no high kicks or strenuous stretching till the pain is gone. you don't want to develop gradual onset injuries! This occours when you don't let a muscle heal adequately and what ends up happening is the tendons and or ligaments bear the brunt of the load and end up getting damaged.

The first thing you should use is what I called "the cold cure". It is something I learned when I was a hardcore weightlifter. First, get some ice cubes and put them in a ziplock bag. Then, ice the hamstring until it starts to numb ( there will be an uncomfortable period while this takes place). while numb massage the hamstring until the pain starts to return then replace the ice and start the process over again. after subsequent icings alternate massage with SLOW,LIGHT stretching. Believe me, this is practically a miracle cure. DO NOT do any violent movements while your muscles are iced! you should return to workouts SLOWLY! Give yourself an extra 15 minutes to do light movements before class i.e. baby kicks or bicycle while lying on your back. Also, inform your teacher of your injury so that he doesn't yell at you for moving a little slower. Good luck!

snip-"Producing people of character who were gentle, good mannered, excellent strategists and extremely capable of defending themselves and others. " No school is complete that doesn't stress the higher ideal (IMHO). Thank you for that article, KickChick. You are always inspiring.

If you tell a small child that the Easter bunny exists, that child will believe it. Religion seems to divide people like nothing else on Earth. More death, torture and mental anguish can be attributed to religion than any other reasons combined. What needs to be taught in schools (and at home) is tolerance and understanding. WWJD???....well he wouldn't comport himself like some of his followers

As far as I know, you can still do an internship in the shaolin temple...http://heming.topcities.com/welcome.htm

Well, I guess I could explain it best in story form: I'm in the backyard having a barbecue with my martial arts buddies when someone asks my wife where I am. She simply replies "oh, he's in the backyard talking chop!"

speaking of the X-factor simple sugars (soda etc.) use up the body's supply of insulin leaving you high and dry when you need it most. Food fact: the carbohydrates in vegetables are assimilated in as little as 10 minutes. Think about that next time you reach for a candy bar for quick energy.

What you are describing Jack is becoming like water; a sympathetic yin/yang state that is almost telepathic. This is what Bruce Lee spoke of and is the esscence of aikido. It is slippery and hard to attain but it is pure gold!

If the hapkido master were built like mike tyson I would have to put my money on him. These sort of fantasy matches are pretty funny, because they deal with so much speculation. But generally speaking, martial artists in general cannot stand toe to toe with a heavyweight champion boxer. A martial artist would have to "chop down the tree" with kicks from the outside. and would have to have extraordinary mobility.

If you are fighting an opponent that you are afraid you will do serious Van Damage to, take an oppourtunity to work on positioning, footwork and keeping him off balance. It will take your mind off feeling like a wuss for not pummeling him

In non-contact sparring the only thing missing is the follow through. You still aim behind the target, but you stop short. Non-contact sparring definately helps you to learn how to react in a real situation, but in my opinion, nothing can prepare you for the real thing like contact sparring. Non-contact sparring lacks pain and the forces which change your balance (stop hits, actual leg sweeps) that ultimately dictate the outcome of any confrontation. However, I can tell you that when I was a young teenager I practiced nothing but non-contact sparring on people, but I trained full contact on heavy bags, etc. and when I had a 250+ ex- marine charging at me I knocked him clean out with a single kick to the head. (no, I didn't flinch) So in answer to your question yes non-contact sparring does help in a live situation but if you plan on fighting full contact, train full contact.

A basic understanding of aikido/judo/jiu-jitsu as well as groundfighting(wrestling) skills are also essential as most fights end up on the ground. a kickboxer alone doesn't have a prayer against a groundfighter who can intercept his attacks!

Welcome! I see what you mean about your posting style: i.e. "multiple attackers" it was funny, provocative and poignant. Please don't edit yourself, we can take it!

Thanks, KickChick! The differences mentioned are pretty much what I thought was the case. Luckily, my teacher emphasises sparring only in the designated sparring classes (optional) and aside from the difference in forms, there is a definate emphasis on developing ones character and all that implies. I spent a bit of time watching the way classes were taught, and master Maharjan's teaching comes from the heart.

I'm afraid I don't know the difference between "Olympic style v.s. traditional. We do spend a good deal of time on traditional stances, kata and step sparring...maybe you could enlighten me?...

Sushi, Sake (served hot) & edamame!

The proper response would have heen to sic some of the Jr students on him. (they cannot be prosecuted)