lordtariel

This is actually a really good idea. One of my friends teaches an aquatic tai chi class. It's tougher than it sounds. It's a great way to work on your balance and the water adds resistance to your movements.

I'd probably go for a stomach shot. Stopping short is ok, but it's important to sometimes get hit when you're training, even if it's just light. Maybe see next time if you can pair off with another guy than with a woman.

Plyometrics... That's a dirty word. Despite that, I agree that I've found they help quite a bit.

See if you can get your hands on a copy of Yang Jwing-Ming's "Tai Chi Martial Applications." It's a pretty good book on the breakdown of some of the martial applications of Yang style tai chi. As for going up against a MT/BJJ guy, I think it would be possible, just not likely. The amount of martial training required for the tai chi stylist to be able to hold their own would be far greater than their opponent. Then to top it off, you'd need to find an instructor with the amount of knowledge necessary for a bout with someone in another art.

You need to go and watch their classes. Not just a beginner class, but an intermediate and advanced as well. Does the person spend more time with the advanced students than the new students? Is it the other way around? A good way to tell quality of instruction is to look at the students. Do the advanced students look solid or do they almost fall over when they try and do a simple kick or punch?(It's more common than you think) Do the students just dance around and play tag when they spar? This isn't necessarily a big deal for some people if they are just doing it for fun, but if you want self defense application, some contact is necessary. Talk to the instructor as well. Any mention of knowing "secret art" is a major red flag.(This happened twice when I was looking) Ask him how long he's been training and what organization he's with. Then contact that organization or look for him on the website. Check to see if anyone has at least first aid training as well. I think this is essential in a contact sport environment. Also, look at the payment options. Do you have to sign a contract?(most places do) Can you get out of the contract?(family emergency, injury, ect) Does it automatically renew itself at the end of it's life.(Bad) How many classes a week can you go to for your money? Just a few ideas of what to look for.

In our school it's typically around 4-5 years. Can get it in about 3 1/2 if your really serious about it.

From what I understand(There's myths all over the place about this), the colored belt system didn't exist until the 1930's and was developed by Jigoro Kano(Founder of Kodokan Judo). It was later adopted by most of the other systems out there around the world.

Also, make sure the foot you're standing on is at an angle, not pointing straight ahead. It will give you a more stable platform to balance on. Balance is just one of those things you need to practice. It will come with time. I don't know the kata you're doing, but slow the transition onto the one leg stance down and that should help as well.

Welcome to the forums.

http://www.byrontaekwondo.com/Forms/Dando.shtml This page has a pdf with the moves on it. Is this what you're talking about?

I would talk to your sensei about your doubts.(Politely of course) Tell him you're uncomfortable with learning from a 12 year old. Personally, if they know what they're doing, it's not a big deal for me. In regards to your other concern, there's nothing inherently wrong in mixing styles as long as your instructor understands the differences. The old masters traveled all over the place training with other people. They incorporated what worked and discarded what didn't.

One of my friends in the dojo was cleaning out his garage and found a ton of Kung Fu Magazines from the early 80's. He gave the entire stack to me because he knew I would be interested in them. It's interesting to see what's changed over the years. The ads in those magazines are great as well. I especially liked the "Chuck Norris Action Pants"

That's how it went for me. I used to be lousy at sparring, but the more I do it, the more comfortable I am with it. Keep your sparring simple so you don't have to think about it. Welcome to the Forums by the way.

Welcome to the forums.

Welcome to the Forums.

How about a nature walk? Identify some of the trees, animals, and plants around the lake. Not exactly Karate related but whatever works. Relay races and such work well.

Make the students do things that force them to think. Create new combinations of basic techniques and drill them in multiple directions and with variations etc. If the student is busy thinking what they have to do all the time this will not only be a huge benefit to their training but also wont give them enough time to get bored. Don't give them too much time to figure the combos out either. Show them once quickly then make them do it. It's the basics so they should be able to figure it out without much help. Then when it looks like they've just about got it, jump to another one. It'll drive them nuts and keep them paying attention because they'll know they don't get much time to get it down.

This is one of my favorite drinks. Orange-Lemon-Lime Aide Juice from 5 Lemons Juice from 5 Limes Juice from 5 Oranges 3 Quarts Water 1 1/2-2 Cups Sugar

Fair is fair I suppose, here's a non-veggi recipie. I've tried a few variations to try to make it vegetarian but it needs the meat for flavor(It's really bland without it). I use a mixture of half and half and milk because I like it thinner, but you can use all half and half or full cream(way to thick for me) if you like it really thick. Wild Rice Soup 3 Cups cooked wild rice 2 Cups cooked ham(cubed 1/2") 1 Cup chopped carrots 1 Cup Celery(Sliced 1/2") 2 Cups 1/2 and 1/2 2 Cups Skim Milk 1 Cup Chicken Broth 1/4 Cup sherry or Chicken Broth 1 Medium Chopped Onion 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/4 Cup flour 3 tbsp melted butter In soup pot combine all ingredients except flour and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through(15-20 min.) In small bowl stir together flour and butter and 1/4 cup of soup broth. Stir flour mixture into hot soup. Continue cooking until thickened stirring occasionally(5-8 min.)

Everybody is going to be different. Some people fidget, some people start looking at other stuff, some people pick at their toes. Do little things to keep people on their toes. Sometimes my sensei will keep a tennis ball with him and throw it at people(not hard... if they get out of the way you could break a mirror ) that look like they're not paying attention. If you can catch it or get out of the way, obviously you're paying enough attention to business. Other times he'll jump from working on a kata to a few sparring drills then back to kata. Just keeping us on our toes seems to work well.

Actually, in this day and age of contracts the student can't necessarily quit if he wants. Also, I think a sensei should have an influence on a student's life, but he shouldn't be allowed control it. He has the right to say he won't teach if you're doing a second art, but they shouldn't be then allowed to force you to keep the contract you've signed. If a student practices another art, it should be a separate art and not used in the other class. It's not to say they can't integrate things, but if you're in a Karate class, you should be doing Karate in the class, not some other art.

I was fortunate that I found an instructor in tai chi who new some of the martial application behind it. It's been really good to teach me to adhere and redirect force. I've found that some of the principles I learned there are bleeding(figuratively ) over into karate.

Chicken and Dumplings: Can be done vegetarian, vegan or meatetarian. For the Dumplings: 2 cups flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 stick (4 Tbsp.) margarine(or Vegtable Shortening) 3/4 cup soy milk or regular milk For the Soup: 1/2 stick (4 Tbsp.) margarine(or Vegtable Shortening) 1/2 cup onion, chopped 1/2 cup celery, chopped 1/2 cup flour 1/4 tsp. celery salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 8 cups broth(un-chicken/vegetable/chicken) 2 medium carrots, diced 1 roll of Chickettes, torn into small pieces or 1lb chicken breast 1 bay leaf • Combine the dry ingredients for the dumplings in a bowl. • Mix the margarine with the dry mixture until crumbly. Add the soy milk, stirring until moistened. Add more soy milk, as needed, if the mixture is too dry. • Knead the dough for 30 seconds on a well-floured surface, then roll to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 1/2-inch squares. • Sauté the margarine, onion, and celery for the soup in a large saucepan until the vegetables are soft. • Add the flour, salt, and pepper to make a thick paste. Slowly mix in the broth and bring to a boil. • Add the carrots, Chickettes/Chicken, and bay leaf. • Add the dumpling squares one at a time, stirring gently. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. • Serve hot.

I used to be a rabid carnivore but now I'm a (mostly) reformed vegetarian. I eat a little chicken and fish now and then, but that's about it. I'll put a few more recipes in when I get home tonight.

What I do is actually write down what I did in class in a journal. I started doing this when I was a white belt, now I have pages and pages of different classes for various experience levels. If sensei tells me to lead a class, I've got lots of examples to draw on. Sit in on a few classes for the age and experience level you are going to be teaching. Take some notes and see what people respond best to.