bushido_man96

It sounds like you had a great experience, Alex! Thanks for sharing this with us, and best of luck in the future of competition!

I'd say sweats would be good for kicking in. If you are talking about clothing that you can kick in and wear to work on a professional level, that I'm not sure on. There ought to be some slacks out there that you could find that might help and be little less restrictive.

I'm certain that mine are on the decline right now. Family life and work are taking priority, and so classes are taking a back seat right now. I'm starting to stretch out a bit more now, and I plan to start working the bag some more, too. Its just getting things in place and making time to do so.

Often for me, it comes down to balance, especially when spinning and kicking. So I try to slow it down and parse it all out. Slow is smooth, smooth is faster kind of approach.

Honestly, I don't mind that they do it that way. If someone has the skill to perform it, then let them do it. They can improve all other aspects from there. On the flip side of that, if someone really wants to crack down on one form, and make it "their" form, then I'm all for that, too.

I have to agree with Kusotare here. Let's be honest, self defense is a byproduct of what we do.. it's not actually what we train for when we train in traditional martial arts. There are far more effective and quicker ways to learn to defend yourself than learning a kata. I suspect a lot of us enjoy learning the intricacies associated with learning a system in its entirety. It's like working towards a PhD in a style then continuing on with post-doc research versus getting a basic diploma in a lot of subjects. Loyalty to one style or group of styles then comes hand in hand with this. You might choose to cross train and experience other stuff but you always return back to your base style. I agree, these are good points. I think everyone is in a different part of the journey, and that affects what they are doing and why. As we move through life, our needs and wants change, and this can affect what we practice and why at the time. I think we all have that place we call "home" though, and in the long run, we all tend to work our way back there.

500 Kick Workout. Pretty simple, really. Pick a basic kick, like front snap kick. Take a left fighting stance. Do 5 front leg kicks, then 5 back leg kicks. Switch to a right fighting stance, then do 5 more front leg kicks, then 5 back leg kicks. You've just done 20 kicks. Repeat with round kicks, side kicks, inside crescent kicks, outside crescent kicks, hook kicks, axe kicks, twist kicks. Running out of basic kicks, you say? Add jumps. Front leg jump kicks, then back leg jump kicks. Add double/repeat kicks. Enjoy.

Congrats, Alan!

Heidi, your contributions at KF are beyond measure! You are such a great mentor to so many people here. You helped guide me when I was fresh as a moderator, and I looked to your example throughout. Thank you for all the time and years you have given to KF as a staff member, and we look forward to seeing you around still!

Welcome to KF!

Double congratulations are in order! As to your question, I prefer a more laid back testing environment, and not all the pomp and show. But that's just me.

I saw the new trailer for The Defenders, and I'm ready for it, for sure!

Wow, at 8 years old. The WTF must not worry about students doing forms ahead of their rank?

Welcome to KF, Chris! Like stated earlier, training outside the dojo when you can't be there is a great idea. Most instructors would encourage it. Touch base with the instructor whenever you can, and have him make sure you are getting things right, and this can be a great form of training.

Bob makes a good point. We can get closer and ever closer to perfection, but never to it. Excellence isn't necessarily more easy to attain, but doesn't hold the same stigma as perfection does. I think at times when focusing on perfection, it can be to the detriment of other things. I've heard the saying "perfect is the enemy of good" in weight training circles, and I think it can apply elsewhere, and the MAs could be one of those places.

I did Aikido for a short time while I was still doing TKD, and there were spots where I could easily see I could slip in a kick or a strike when executing the throws and holds. Since TKD was my primary style, it was easier to see where it applied. As you get more years in, you'll see where you can slip Aikido into Goju.

No, nothing is new. What changes are focus and application. That's more of how we get the different styles than anything else.

I'd really hate to see all that happen, Bob, but I understand where you are coming from. Hopefully, he will just stay out of it.

Thanks, Kusotare!

Happy belated birthday!

So, what's the status here, Bob? Is Iwoa coming back?

I see what you are saying. At the same time, one can try to be as healthy as possible, do everything the "right" way, and get hit by a car. I, too, like the idea of having a six-pack and eating healthy, but I like to enjoy life, and eat steak, and chocolate, and pasta, and chocolate, and drink soda (and eat chocolate). I'm not going to have a visible six-pack. Not going to happen. So I don't worry about it. Nor will I choose to spend life eating salads as meals and drinking kale shakes. Not even if a doctor prescribed it. My point is, yeah, there are things in life that we can do to ourselves that might be harmful if not moderated. This can be eating choices and physical activities. But its also important to enjoy life along the way, and if you can't do that, then all of life just becomes work, and then, likely not enjoyable.

When life hands you a lemon, make some lemonade, right? Keep up the hard work, and I'll keep you in my prayers.

I really don't do either. Just some regular stretching routine when I get the chance. I don't sunbathe on purpose, either, although my skin does bronze up quite nicely when the summer rolls around from being outside, fishing and the like. I always end up with a really nice famers tan.

Congrats!