bokendowanderer

I dont recommend learning any martial art from books or videos unless you have no choice and have plenty of expeience already. If there well done they can be helpful. I did a google for "martial arts, huntingdon, pa" and had at least 12 hits. Try it, you should be able to find a school and instructor worth the trouble. One thing I do to get the best out of training. When I walk into the dojo/dojang, wether its out in a field or an air conditioned building I leave lifes problems outside. If the girlfriend takes your mind off of what your doing in the dojo/dojang, don't bring her.

I agree completely So! Kajukenbopr! Where did Kajukenbo come from. I had no idea what kajukenbo was until about 3 minutes after I read your last two posts. I did a little google search and found something enteresting. Before I go on, I mean no disrespect to your style or its FOUNDERS. All five of them. Also, since I don't know the relationship of the person(s) responsible for the article I read, if it is not an acurate account I apologize. According to the article, the founders are Peter Young Yil Choo (Tong Soo Do), Frank Ordonez (Se Keino Ryu) Judo, Joe Holck (Kodenkan Danzan Ryu) jujitsu, Adriano Emperado (Kosho Ryu) kenpo, and Clarence Chang (Chu'an Fa Kung Fu) Chinese boxing. Five men, five different style. According to the article, the style was founded in 1947. Only 61 years ago. Did any of these guys have faith in their own style? Why did they think they needed to combine these five styles? What, from each of there styles did they not like, if anything? I'm sure they all had complete faith in their styles. As I do in Hapkido, Bokendo, and Tai Chi, which I study. All have differing and similar techniques. All have differing and similar principals. They all have some techniques and principals that I prefer over others. Both within each style and between the different styles. I agree. If you have no faith in your art and you are finding things that in your opinion are wrong or lacking, or missing or not emphasised enough , then it is simple, you are doing the wrong art. But, I don't believe we all mix arts because we have no faith in one art or another.

OK! Nin Tai, good point on the food stuff. And I think we agree you need a good foundation (base) to build on. Like what you had to say about principals. Technique is important to get that foundation. Once the foundation is there, you need something that allows your thinking to build and help you be creative. Build individuality. If all you are taught is technique after technique the evolution of the arts stops. A strong base founded on concepts helps us to be creative in our own style and in mixing techniques and other styles without disturbing that base. The shooting analogy was right on the money.

I would be willing to bet that if we take a good look into the history of "our" styles we would find very few if any that are pure and never changing. One student learns from an instructor like a child from a parent. Take what you learn and make it better. Styles of martial arts evolve from input and likes or dislikes of those who practice them. All the styles that I have experience in evolved from more than one style and input from generations of martial artist. I agree, you need a strong foundation to build a strong house. But once the house is built, you can always add rooms to it. A martial artist who is not teachable will become stagnant and will stop learning. Stay hungry and you will continue to be saticfied. When you get bored with the food on your table find another cook. Do a little research on your style and see where it comes from.

Nuff said

Does she have any martial arts experience at all. If she was or is involved in another style, we tend to think OUR style is the best. Your instructor, no matter what style, should be guiding you away from "play fighting". Martial arts are for real. If you are training make it real. If no t, leave the play alone. Play fighting brings out improper technique and use of it. On the like or dislike of others, like your freinds and sensei, personally when I don't like someone, the first thing I need to do is look at ME. If I have a problem with others because they don't want to act , do, or be the way I want them to be, they are not the problem. I am. Most other folks are good and want to do the right thing. Otherwise their just bad people. If so, I don't need to be around them. If your friends are bad people, change your friends. Take a good look at the relationship.

Do a search for Tan Tui. These are some sets of generic long fist forms. They are fundamental forms that give good roots and strength.

Started hapkido in 1984 under Dan Rogers (no longer with us). He trained under Grandmaster Choi, Han Young, who trained under the founder Great Grandmaster Choi, Yong Sul . When I started there were no forms in Hapkido. The style is well rounded and has a great variety of techniques, kicks, punches, joint locks, etc. Its not well suited for competition. There are too many rules there. I was taught to use the art for one thing, self defence. In that, there is only one rule. SURVIVE! Forms were developed later for those who wanted to compete.

Tried to learn the sword from books and videos for years and gave it up. Its not real. You need a warm body with lots of knowledge to show you how to use a blade without injuring yourself or someone else. Been involved with bokendo (wooden sword)for about 12 years now. The techniques transfer over to live blades. I have to agree. Get an instructor or it will be futile. Cutting is easy. Learn an art from an artist. P.S. The stuff in the books and videos all makes since know.

I've been involved in martial arts for over 20 years. Been studying Bokendo for about 12 years. To make a long story short, my instructor died several years back and I have not been able to find anyone who studies the same style and have not been able to find any literature on the subject. Is there anyone out there(with knowledge of bokendo or literature on it)? First time on karateforums. Great vehicle for promoting communication and evolution of the arts? THANKS!