Spirit At Choice

There really are a million ways out of a same-side grab. Cuong Nhu requires that you learn a new one for each promotion (at least in the beginning). My favorite is a soft-style method: leaving your wrist as still as possible, use your shoulder and elbow to rotate your elbow over his arm; drive your elbow down on the inside of his arm, breaking his grip and trapping his hand under your arm. You should be moving in close and have plenty of opportunity to knee him if necessary. I like this because it doesn't take much strength, and you can make that step in to him look submissive and take him unawares. However, this is difficult on someone much taller than yourself. The keys to weakening such a grip have already been mentioned: 1) distraction, and 2) get him to pull your hand into his body. Also, feel free to grab his wrist right back to help you maintain your balance while you kick the bleep outta him. But mostly, stay away from this guy, and file charges if he touches you unprovoked.

Yup, that's the one. Thank you!

Quite some time ago I came across a short (5-ish mins?) video on the Internet that depicted a male martial artist training, then showed him walking home and getting attacked. The video was meant to show how martial arts training is ineffective, but the actor playing the martial artist made so many mistakes a well trained practitioner would not make (he did not maintain distance, step offline, or pay attention to his surroundings for example). I was telling my sensei about this and she was interested in seeing it. Does anyone know this video and have a link?

A teacher of mine mentioned liking Aeonflux (sp?). She said there were some martial arts sequences in it and that it exceded her expectations.

Thank you! I'm off for Training Camp tonight. I tested for 7th kyu last night-- it went ok. I didn't "ace" it, but I did well and was awarded my second green stripe. My son tests tonight for yellow belt and first purple stripe. Master John said his First Form is better than some green belts. I am one proud mama! I will be holding you in prayer during your surgery and recovery!

That video was interesting. But as has been stated, not all arts/dojos train for sport fighting only. Even as a 7th kyu in my system I can tell you five things that victim did not do that I am already being trainied to do: 1) be aware of your surroundings 2) trust your gut 3) maintain distance (run away if necessary) 4) get in a stance (he had time to) 5) STEP OFF LINE!!! A common first attack on the streets is a punch to the face. He totally set himself up by looking at his watch when asked, then he got a strike to the head. If he'd been looking up he could have stepped off line. (Getting a victim to look away is a very common pre-strike tactic!) If he'd trusted his gut he could have maintained distance and avoided the whole thing. If he'd gotten into a stance and been loud, he might have made them think twice about targeting him.

I'm thinking the Grand Celestial-ka could perhaps take on Norris... They do, after all, have that belly button energy blast and super-human strength.

Patrick, this is the first forum I found when I was looking for MA information. And having now looked for other fora, I can honestly say I didn't join any of them because they just do not come up to scratch! It's been a real blessing in my life. Thank you!

I am very proud of my arms. I have been working hard to get my pushups good and it is showing in my arms. Even though I am still overweight, I can see some muscle definition. I only hope that the wobbley dangley skin will firm up eventually.

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you.

Welcome!!!!

Good to have you!

Welcome! My style has shotokan elements in it. See you on the boards!

Good to have you! How are the GCSEs going. It is safe to assume that these are aptitude tests for school? Or have I wondered down the wrong lane...

Welcome aboard, you little punster! Check out the games and giggles topics. You might find a sympatico with other members there!

Welcome to the boards! I spent a summer in Minneapolis at the Minneapolis Children's Theater doing and internship. Nice berg. Where'bouts are you?

A hearty welcome to you!

I like the first one. It feels uninhibited like a graphical stream of consciousness. The warrior is neat because he looks like he is experienced, but not yet jaded or scarred. the picture looks like an "off to war" portrait-- pre-battle confidence and concerns mingle on his face. Keep having fun with your art!~

It always pays to research a company you've never used before. For what it's worth, I had a fairly good experience with Superior Martial Arts. Merchendise was well packed, of decent quality, and they did send email notifications in a timely way. They were a little flakey in mailing out the orders: hand printed addresses that were slightly incorrect and took the post office extra time to deliver because of it-- they transposed two numbers of my house number on one box, then put a state code of VA instead of WA on another.

Too bad about the flu! I just am getting over something of the kind. Regarding the philosophy... I guess this is a little late... but what I did was make a tape recording of all of that with some nice music in the background, and I just listen to it over, and over, and over, and over. You can do it in the car, at work, at home, wherever. It *is* a lot. I'm not waiting until green belt to get it in my noggin! I am testing for 2d green stipe on Monday... My kid is testing for 1st purple on Tuesday... then I leave for Training Camp that night. Woo hoo!

Woohoo! What parent wouldn't be posting it all over the Internet! Sounds like a good excuse for Baskin Robbins or other celebration. Congrats to the little guy! I'll bet part of why he could do it is because there wasn't a million parents puting pressure on him...

My kid skipped ranks twice, BUT... the kids' program has way more levels to work through than the adult program; he has a natural talent for it; he did a week-long program in this style before starting formal classes (thus learning many of the techniques); and he is older than most kids starting the kid's program. Essentially they were just pushing him through to his current level. Now he is in an appropriate class and working up one rank at a time.

Sensei's [sic] Gone Wild A movie quite possibly made by black belts who drank just a little too much one night.

Well, she got away, and that's the real point, isn't it? As far as her training is concerned, she's been studying for two years, and will get a black belt in one more... that seems mighty fast. Maybe she's just dedicated, but three years just seems like a very little amount of time to learn *so* much. I think I read on my dojo's website that a dedicated student could reach black belt in five years. Perhaps it varies from style to style. I think I saw a thread about "how many years to black belt" somewhere on here. I'll have to go back and find it.

The same people who drop by this site and say, "Wow. Who has time to write about this stuff???"