bushido_man96

Heidi, you've always been one I've looked up to and admired for the way you handle yourself here at KF, both when you post, and in your moderator duties. You've helped me become better in both aspects, and you are a testament to what this community is and always will be.

Thanks, Patrick.

Helping out over time like that will help you get that experience for when you finally do teach on a more regular basis.

Does the website have these standards listed? My old instructor had talked about them, and it sounds like a testing can be quite draining, for sure. I know I would struggle with 40 pushups right now.

10/22/2013 Defensive Tactics Day Defensive Tactics Class: 10:30 - 11:30. Reviewed the self-defense material, mainly the choke defenses, and some of the ground defense they do. The students have their midterm coming this week, where they will be put through running some sprints to get the heart rate up, and then walk into the mat room and get attacked by a guy in Blauer Suit. I'm going to try to stop by and watch on Thursday for the some of the run throughs. Defensive Tactics Club: 1:50 - 3:00. I was introduced to the pummelling warm-ups they use, standing with hands, without hands, and on the ground. Lots of fun, really, and gets you warm. After that, I got to teach again. I reviewed the UMPA, UMPA swim-and-trap reverses, and then I showed the elbow escape. Elbow escape starts from the UMPA reverse, and we switch to it when the bad guy on top bases out to block the reversal. After doing these, we did a mounted escape game, where the object of the person on top is to maintain position, and the object of the person on bottom is to either reverse or get a knee out from the elbow escape. It went well, everything flowed nicely, there were plenty of reps to be had, and it was a good time. It wasn't active rolling, but it was a nice active drill for learning positions and transitioning.

Interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing them. I wasn't sure how it exactly worked, but have heard complaints none the less.

Swan Lake doesn't really relate to Martial Arts forms, in my mind. I understand the point you are getting at, but things differ between styles, schools, players, etc. For example, DWx is a black belt in ITF TKD. I am also a black belt, but in a different organization (the Traditional TKD Association), and do many of the same forms DWx does. However, if you watch me do one, and DWx do the same one, you will notice a myriad of differences. She uses sine wave, and we do not. We move at a faster pace, doing more combination type moves, in my opinion. I probably wouldn't do well in an ITF tourney, but that's not what I'm geared for, either. So, as you can see, not everyone that does the same form will do it the same way.

I was choked out by Royce, to get the experience of it. It was a very gradual process, and I got the sensation of everything closing in, going dark, and then coming to. If the choke is released properly, there should be no ill effects. Bad things happen if it is held too long, which is negligence on the part of the person applying the choke.

Thank you for sharing your experiences in both Karate and Aikido, Robert. Its nice to hear from the perspective of someone who has done both for a period of time.

I think when you look into retaining a tradition, you need to look at why its retained, and then evaluate if it is important or not. Take Kobudo, for instance. Those specific weapons were trained at a time when they were all that was available. Times have changed, and different weapons are available and more applicable, like knives or guns. So, would it make more sense to look at how to use and defend against those weapons of the day?

Its always a pleasure to read your posts, ps1. I've always looked forward to your insight and advice. I can relate to this, as well. I've looked back and found how over time some of my views have changed. Its fun being able to see this, seeing how we grow.

Congrats on this milestone, Patrick, and in the way you've done it, not sacrificing quantity for quality. This is the best MA community out there.

Now, if the instructor invites you in, then said instructor shouldn't get too bent out of shape if you don't observe their traditions. Just my feelings there.

The Series is set, Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals. Who you got? I think St. Louis, in 7.

Yes, Patrick, you are right there. I know he's never been that kind of QB. But, I think they need to get somewhere near the 250 yard mark through the air on a regular basis in order to compete. With that said, the defense really stepped up and pulled out a close one agains the Texans, to get to 7-0, and a lead in the AFC West.

Happy Birthday, Bob!

I think I can't do 60 push-ups, so I'd try not to get into trouble. Yeah...I've a black belt myself, but it's not in doing push-ups, if you get my meaning. Yeah, that's right!

Change comes in smaller increments usually. Its important to focus on smaller objectives and work towards larger goals. Being an instructor isn't easy, and it takes time to learn, like many things!

I'm not going to excuse what he did and how he handled it, but he may have been having a bad day. It happens to everyone. Still, he should be in control of his emotions and the way he addresses people. With that said, I don't think this is really something that you should let bother you too much. If you have a problem with the way he teaches, then its always possible to go elsewhere. If the training is good, then perhaps staying with him and putting up with some differences is worth it. You could approach the instructor about his actions privately, and find out why he acted the way he did. He may not offer much info, but you can always approach him about it. He may not change, but it may help you understand better.

Teaching can be a challenge! Great that you stepped up to help, and got a taste of it. Thanks for the kudos to instructors, as well. Its nice to be appreciated!

I think that internal motivation comes over time. I think early on, many people like to be motivated. It gives them the sense that the person motivating them believes in them, and is worth their time in addressing them in such a way. Later on, when a student becomes more self-sufficient, self-motivation can be more prevalent. And some will just prefer to be motivated as opposed to motivating themselves.

The issue here is that we have now evaluate each technique, and decide what a beginner side kick looks like, and what should be fixed by the time the student is considered an intermediate. So, what are the criteria? From there, getting into the advanced levels, there comes a point in time where physical gains are smaller and smaller because of advancement. A 3rd dan side kick might look a lot like a 2nd dan side kick. In my opinion, here, the difference is noted when the practitioner is sparring or doing self-defense, in application. Just a few thoughts to kick this off.

I don't know if this matters or not, but check with the WTF. I believe they are separate entities. See if the WTF has something on file, and then get with the Kukkiwon. I could be wrong here, though.

Why 5 times? Is that just an arbitrary number or is there some science behind this I don't know about? K. I suppose you can practice each as often as you like. But, if you are like me, and tend to be strapped for time, then I like smaller numbers, like 5, to break up my routines.No science. I felt that if you perform the kata successfully 5 times in a row, then one could move to doing it the other way, 5 times in a row, to make sure you have them straight.

I don't think either of those options need to be considered. Perhaps I have different interpretations of a form than others do, and that would be reflected in my performance. If someone decides to separate each move of a form to the point that he only does one move at a time, whereas I feel some of the moves are performed in combination, then I will do how I think they are performed in combination, and not how the other person does it.