Brandon Fisher

Well a joint lock can break the bone depending on how far you push it. They may feel it and they may not but they will later. At least in a reality situation if that joint is broken they can use they limb very well. At least if it is a wrist, elbow or shoulder.

Thats the element that changes it. The bone breaking

One of my black belts is like that I have seen some top instructors use joint locks on her and she just stands there and smiles.

I have seen GM Alexander from a distance and whoever said he has a pressence when in a room wasn't kidding. He does have a very hard look to him in person more so than in pictures I think. As far as his ability I can say I have never had the opportunity to work with him. But age does play a factor and I noticed last time I saw him he was not walking real well.

I love practicing and performing kata. It is what helped me improve my technique. I agree a well run kata can be absolutely beautiful to watch.

The problem with joint locks is if you break a bone then there can also be legal issues with it also. I agree with using holds in security of any type. Joint locks are second option in my mind.

I agree on the Jason Franks thing it was a little shocking. I am going to be 30 this year and I am a 5th dan. I could test for 6th but I am going to wait at least 3 years that will put me at 6yrs in grade.

I am a firm believer that to apply a joint lock the attacker must be caught off guard and off balance or must be struck with a kick or a hand strike of some sort to setup the locks. So I agree a mix of striking, kicking, grappling and locking is really the best bet. Knowledge of all these better your chances in a reality situation. Especially if you don't want to stand and duke it out with someone.

I am very impressed by Kyoshi Noujaim's technique and focus going by the demo video I just got from Sensei David Rogers. I trained in the Shorinkan system for 2 years before moving back to Ohio from Indiana and I have a great respect for the system and its black belts.

I am drawing a blank on them I do not know them personally but have seen them performed many many times.

There is a school in Damascus, MD that is op notch but I think thats a little bit of a haul from Rockville. But I would contact them. The man name is Tim Gilbert at Gilberts Martial Arts Academy. He is a 8th dan in Shorin Ryu and very knowledgeable and a very nice man. Let him know I sent you and ask him if he can help you. He should remember me but it has been awhile since I saw him last.

22 years this year. Teaching consecutively for 12.

I do not know exactly where you are located like town wise or area but I am also from the Cleveland area (east side - Solon) and I have seen the attitude about martial arts with some people. I would just blow it off its nothing to be to concerned about.

If you have to fight then fight to put the other one down. If you know they don't back down why are you playing around in a situation like this? Drop them and get out of there.

The application must be taught or it is just movement.

Your welcome

I have seen gray gi's along time ago well 15 years ago was the last time I saw one. Gray belts may be extremely faded black belts or black belts that have been bleached out.

I agree on Black Belt. MMA is the biggest and latest craze so its hot news. If you are referring to Classical Fighting Arts the website is https://www.dragon-tsunami.org if not and you are speaking of Journal of Asian Martial arts let me know and I will dig up their site.

Godan Seijitsu Shin Do / Founder of System Godan Tai shin doh karate (original system) Hon-Yondan - TY-GA Karate International Technically I have the title of Renshi but I don't use it often I prefer Sensei or just Brandon. I may be a teacher of the martial arts but I first and foremost a lifelong student.

Just a note Dragon Times is now Classical Fighting Arts Magazine. It is a great publication on traditional martial arts. It is mainly karate based but some articles on chinese martial arts. I highly recomend Journal Of Asian Martial Arts. Very upscale.. But Black Belt magazine is a monthly grab for me again lately just sort through some of the junk and you will find some good information. Also a newwe one is Budo International which Borders has started carrying.

What were you not happy with with traditional karate?

I will have to read through it further I just scanned it but it doesn't appear to relate. I did go ahead with a system I founded some years ago and expanded it and renamed it so that I have control over what I am teaching and how it is taught. Nothing got to me more then when I was told I couldn't tell a student who was a 2nd Dan black belt he was teaching a kata wrong. I had to bring in books showing this kata from Nakayama, Sugiyama, & Nagamine to show him to prove it.

When things are supposed to uniform and in martial arts they are supposed to be uniform it throws it off. If it is the rule of the sensei that no bandannas then the students should abide by it. In a dojo you are no longer in a democratic society you are in "senseiville" if you will. I do not allow headbands and bandanas because I have seen them fall into someones face to many times and someone get hurt or almost get hurt. As far as women go I do not ask them to cut their hair but it is a requirement that it is tied back or kept out of their face in one form or another.

Than cut it if you want to learn from this Sensei. I don't let my student wear bandannas either. I find it respectful and tacky.

Start with one. When you are brand new to martial arts things can get confusing enough as it is. It would not make it very easy on you to try to learn the basics of both to start off with.