lordtariel

This is one my sifu was fond of. Get in a really deep horse stance, now hold your arms parallel to the ground.... now hold it..... for an hour...

Sidestep... then run. If he follows, make him run till he's winded, let him catch up and then work him. Of course, if you can catch him in the kidney with a good side kick after you sidestep, even better.

Unless they train at a dojo or are a cheerleader.

Yeah, I use a 1-1/4 inch white oak straight bo at practice. The sucker's pretty heavy. Toothpick bos literally feel like toothpicks after using one of those. I find that even in tournament, I like using the heavier bo because it keeps me in a combat frame of mind.

Thanks for the replies and the video. I've also read that story about Musashi and Kojiro, that's when Musashi gave up using katanas and started using bokken right?

I used to have to do that when I got in trouble.

If anyone is interested, I finished a really interesting book by Peter Lewis called Myths and Legends of the Martial Arts. It's essentially a collection of legends from many different forms of martial arts such as Akido, Kung-Fu, Judo, Karate, Sumo, Tai Chi and Muay Thai. Definitely worth checking into if you have it at your library.

Like Whitefeather said, just stay relaxed. Keep on the balls of your feet, don't overanalyze yourself and keep up the combos. If your partner is agreeable, start out a little light and then speed it up when you both get a little more comfortable with it. Just remember it's practice and not competition, if you or he mess up, it's just learning.

My sensei's been having us work on a couple of combinations including round kicks.(jab, round kick, reverse punch) I'm finding that I can execute the round kick just fine, but from the point of connection with the kick to the time I actually plant the foot and strike, nearly 3-4 seconds have passed. Any tips on speeding this up without falling on my face? Thanks

Yeah, the first plunge is usually the worst.

Are you actually having some kind of formal match or are you just practicing in class?

The only padding we use is padded gloves. However, we do have mouthguards and cups. Students under 18 have to wear a helmet though.

TKO - Traditional Karate-do Organization AAU - Amature Athletic Union(USA) Karate

I think the easiest way you'll find out this information is to contact your local law enforcment office. They should be able to tell you what you need to know. Here, it varies from state to state and city to city, so what may be legal one spot might not be in another.

A student dating another student isn't that bad, sure it can be awkward if you break up, but how's it any different than dating at work or school. What about if your significant other decides to join your class? Do you tell her no because you might break up and make the class awkward? That being said, I think an instructor/student relationship is a bad idea unless the relationship is already there before the SO begins learning.

Using a weapon like that requires a lot of discipline. That discipline translates into all parts of your life, not just martial skill.

True, but only if there's reliable witnesses to confirm that it was an unprovoked attack.

That's sad. What's even more sad is the article is more about car seats than this growing trend.

My sensei is Eight Degree Black Belt, Shito-Ryu Third Degree Black Belt, Iaijutsu

Fighting is never a good option. If it comes down to it say, hey I don't want to fight you, but if you really want to fight, come to where I train, put on some sparing gear, and let's train.

Here's the thing, it's not the art, it's the fighter. Any style fighter can beat any other style fighter on any given day, or vice versa. That being said, Aikido has some very good applications. I think of styles as providing different tools that may or may not be appropriate for any given situation. The more tools you have in you're toolbox, the less likely you won't be stuck using a hammer to drive in a screw.

1. Making my body flow as opposed to jerk 2. Protect myself and my loved ones 3. Grow spiritually 4. Get ripped

It's not a big deal. Check the posts and chime in with your opinion if it's relevant. Check the forum for a question you have. If it hasn't been discussed, ask. The people on this forum are much friendlier and more respectful than some of the others forums I've been to.

Anyone here watch the ask a ninja podcast? I think it's great. Check it out at http://www.askaninja.com/ or download them from itunes. What do you think?

Just relax, it's a first date, it's not like you're going to propose or anything. If you spend all your time worried that you're going to mess up, you'll be so wound that you won't enjoy yourself. And odds are if she see's you're not enjoying yourself with her, she's not going to respond too well. Good Luck!