Spirit At Choice

There's the ring of truth to that... I try not to think about the belts too much. It's hard though since so much is based on that thing wrapped around your waist: where you stand in line, what techniques you work on, with whom you work, etc. I made the decided that no matter what I've got tied around my middle, I will forever be a black belt in my heart and a white belt in my mind. I think that may be the only way anyone can advance in MA. Or maybe that's just me.

I'm still a white belt, but I hear things... I think there is a volunteer requirement for different belt levels. A green belt told me she has to give one hour a week to the dojo. There are also written tests that are on the order of knowing the code of ethics (green belt) and personal essays (black belt). For volunteer service, you can assist in a class, or you can do the clean-up days. There's probably other ways to fulfil the requirement. I don't think any of it is about getting free labor. I think that's just a perk for the dojo. I think the reason behind it all is truly that it does a lot for increasing the sense of community and keeping us humble. I hear lots of complaints about the service time, though. That's not a huge issue for me because I have been giving voluteer hours regularly since I was 11.

There are lots of threads on push ups, but I couldn't find one dedicated to push up programs. I did some looking around on the Internet, and just could not find a program geared to a chubby female. One program even stated: This assumes that you are able to 30 push ups at the start. I am interested in collecting some ideas for push up programs. If you have or had one, please post the program and the REASONS you use that particular program. Here is the program I'm currently on, since I couldn't find anything else: Sensei John's Push Ups and Character Builder: Week 1: 6 sets of 6 push ups 3x/day Week 2: 6 sets fo 8 pushups 3x/day Week 3: 6 sets of 10 push ups 3x/day Week 4: 6 sets fo 12 pushups 3x/day Week 5: 10 sets of 6 push ups 3x/day Week 2: 10 sets fo 8 pushups 3x/day Week 3: 10 sets of 10 push ups 3x/day Week 4: 10 sets fo 12 pushups 3x/day (There's more, but that's the first 8 weeks) Sensei John said that even though you don't gain more physically from this sort of training (as opposed to a three-times-per-week program), you build character by making a commitment to doing the program daily. I'm certainly feeling the stress of the committment, but I don't think I've built character from it yet (read: I'm doing it, but I'm whining about it). I guess that comes later.

Eric_, you have way too much time on your hands, buddy.

Glad to have you!

Hey there, and welcome. I'm sure will find us a friendly lot. There's plenty to learn here!

I appreciate the idea, but I don't think a stun gun is the answer for me. Believe me, I have thought about carrying something, but it seems entirely impractical for a number of reasons: 1) I am VERY busy, and would soon tire of having it 'at the ready' 2) I am afraid it would be turned against me 3) I am concerned my kids would find it and hurt themselves I stongly believe that I am targeted because of how I carry myself. I have been abused since the age of 4. As an adult I have been in two abusive relationships, and been targeted by 'bad guys' easily half a dozen times (everything from a purse snatching to a guy who meant me clear physical harm). I think the answer to my concerns is to get confident, walk with my head up, and be able to look people in the eye. I just never learned that. That sort of posture/attitude is foreign to me. But, I can learn it. One of the senseis at my dojo is a woman. She is at times my drill seargent and at times my sister. Mace or a stun gun might be good for high-risk moments, if I can anticipate them. But as a viable permanent solution, I just don't have confidence in them.

I'd definitely look into getting insurance. Also, be realistic about lack of insurance keeping you from getting medical care! I'm glad it worked out for you, but wouldn't you rather spend $150 on a doctor's office call than $500 on an ER visit, or prehaps just ending up dead? Chest pain is a pretty serious symptom.

Thanks, guys. I'll look closely at the BJJ program. I'll see if I can find something like that nearby.

People are unloading their dusty Wavemasters all the time. Check your local Craig's List (https://www.craigslist.com) for used ones. Or, if you have time, scour the Goodwill once a week. I saw one at the local Goodwill on Saturday that was going for $25. That way, if you decide you hate it, you can easily recoup your loss by turning around and selling it at the same price.

I'm having a blast training for the tournament! My thighs are killing me, but my back stance is looking better and better. Jakmak mentioned bunkai... how do judges assess your comprehension of bunkai? Do they ask you questions, or do they expect to "see the invisible opponent" during your performance? Solar_kid, those are helpful points. Thank you very much; I'll keep them all in mind. I am not very fast, and I still wobble, and my knife hand blocks are not crisp (my hands bounce around when I try to stop them) I keep sneaking in to the upper rank classes and watching them do their katas. This is very exciting. There is also a weapons division. I'm thinking of learning a weapons kata so I can perform in that division too. Just for fun, though. There's no way I can achieve a competitive kata in onoy four weeks.

*fluffing my bright red hair to show off dangling earrings* Right here! Although I doubt I could hit you. I might try to whip you with my white belt, though. Marie, that's a neat story. Great one for the grandkids some day, eh.

Greetings. Pleased to meet you. I'm sure you will find this site beneficial. There is much to be gleaned from the collective wisdom presented.

Cute! I once had Judo defined for me as "the art of hitting people with the ground."

Is this thread supposed to make sense? I'm laughing, but I don't know what I'm laughing at!!!

Has anyone ever learned the Rape Escape system? https://www.rapeescape.com They seem to think they are offering something different than other women's self-defense courses. But, there are no nearby classes, and the CD set is $100. I got into martial arts to learn self-defense, so when I read about Rape Escape it really caught my eye. I am one of those gals who tends to get targeted. (It must be something about how I carry myself, I guess.) And I would be interested in learning a street-fighting self-defense system even while I am moving through the ranks of my MA system. Does anyone have any inside information on Rape Escape or any other women's self-defense systems?

As a student, I know how intimidating it can be to hold targets for a powerful kicker. I once got knocked completely off the Wavemaster I was holding, and had my glasses knocked clear off my face. Scary as it is to be on the receiving end of that, it's all psychological. I was not hurt. Since he seems to have targeted you for some reason, it might be best to let another instructor, or the owner, sort it out with him before you engage him. Or at least have another person present when you talk to him. If he's afraid of you, regardless of if it's reasonable, it is a very real fear to him. So, just be considerate of that. Good luck!

Hi Dawson! Welcome to the boards. You might what to post something in the Japanese Martial Arts section with "Shuko-kai International" in the subject header. However, if you get a really good feeling off of your research and interview, go for it! Listen to your gut and follow your heart. All the best!

It began as self-defense. Now it is a way of life. The code of ethics suits my personal belief system very well, and the entire concept of discipline of mind body and spirit is just plain good policy. I find that my MA training complements my personal road. Spirit At Choice PS- Cape Town??? That's a rough berg. My aunt and uncle live there. She's been robbed at knife point TWICE.

It's perfectly natural to have that concern considering your experience. This is a common thing for people: we know what we *don't* want based on what we experienced. I would suggest that rather than ask the sensei of a prospective dojo anything regarding expedition of ranking, why don't you just tell them one of the reasons you left your TKD studies was because of a concern over premature advancement. That way you make your statement very clearly without puting the sensei on the spot. Likely, the sensei will ask you if you have prior martial arts experience. When you say yes, (s)he will ask about it and ask why you left/transferred. Once you've made your point, the sensei will probably explain the procedure for advancement so that your concerns will be addressed. If your concerns aren't addressed, just ask, "How do you determine a student's readiness to test?" and "What is the average time between testing periods for a student who trains x times per week?" I suspect that the dojang you were at was trying to increase revenues by collecting test fees, and trying to keep students happy by advancing them so they don't feel like they're failing all their tests. It's been known to happen, unfortunately, based on what I read here. Best wishes.

Do you learn a set system? How can you pass along an art that "discards" techniques. (I'm a total newbie to MA, if you didn't guess.)

Welcome!

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Welcome!

Cuong Nhu dojos don't seem to be entirely uniform in their use of belts. Adult belts at my dojo are thus: White White + 1 green stripe White + 2 green stripes Green Green + 1 brown stripe Green + 2 brown stripes Brown Brown + 1 black stripe Brown + 2 black stripes Black Children have more colors and stripes. They join the adult program when they are 13.