bushido_man96

But what if you hadn't trained in 15 odd years? Let's put it this way: you begin your MA training under an instructor, who let's say is a 5th degree black belt. He has to move, retire, and falls out of training, due to whatever life throws at us. Would you not respect him as your instructor throughout the rest of your life? Would you tell him that you now out rank him, and no longer respect the knowledge and experiences he passed on to you as his student? Or, do would you still look at him as that 5th degree black belt that took you under his tutelage all those years ago?

This is well put, and I agree. Experience is hard to replace, and that's what all that time in gives a practitioner. Its true that some have better experience than others, and some have different experience. But, its all pretty valuable. I think what we will run into in this discussion is some semantics issues. Some schools, organizations, or instructors will not recognize some ranks after so much time out has been lost. For example, if a first dan leaves for a period of years and then returns, that person may have to start again from white belt, depending on how well they have retained the information. But, not all schools are this way, and some would be more than willing to let the person returning get back into the flow. In such cases, its important to not worry so much about the rank that is shown on our waist, but the knowledge and experiences that we have rattling around in our heads that should help to keep us focused on where we are in our training, what we know, and what we have yet to learn.

I agree. Its important for most of the body to be involved in any technique. Otherwise, we aren't maximizing our body's potential.

Good points made here so far for both sides of the argument. So, you've been submitted to a hearing. What does this entail, Bob? Are they going to remove you from your position? Will they pull your newly awarded rank? What can they do? I'm curious as to what is within their power to do and not do. I really think that perhaps they are seeking a figurehead for the Shindokan, and they want you to be that figurehead, and therefore, this could be why they press you to wear the new rank. But, its just a guess on my part, as I dislike the politics as much as you do, and don't care to concern myself with them. But, as we tend to notice, we can't really avoid the politics as much as we would like. Its everywhere, no matter how much we avoid it. Please, let me know more about this hearing. I'm very curious.

8/20/2013 Defensive Tactics class: 2:00 - 3:00. The head DT instructor let me work with some of his students on some of the stuff I was putting together for a department DT training session. That group of college kids are so helpful, I couldn't ask for a better handful of Martial Artists to help out. Open Mat Wrestling: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Kendall and I went to open mat at the high school my daughter goes to. The coach there told us at a camp Kendall attended that open mat times were available, so we hit this one, and hope to hit more. What is great is that I got to work out with my boy, and not just watch. After warmup, we worked on our stance, takedowns using chops and blocks, and a move called the Peterson, which is kind of a switch/reversal, and then an elbow roll. Good time! 8/21/2013 Taught TKD: 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Classes are extended a half hour now, which I think is a good thing. We got good basics work in, forms, covered more in one-steps, giving the high ranks more work, and then sparring.

I'm late here, but very cool! Thanks for sharing the photo.

There really isn't any connection, other than yoga has been found to supplement the MA's nicely due to its ability to help one increase and maintain flexibility. Since many styles stretch and require flexibility for movements, it just fits.

Keep the note, and go to local law enforcement about it. You don't have much by the way of a threat in it, but you do have a case for harrassment. Depending on where/how they are touching you, you may have a case for sexual battery, as well. The one downfall is that its going to be your word against their word, and if they have a story lined up already, it could be tough on you to get something proved. If you are under contract, try to get directly into contact with the company the contract is through. Report to them the activities that take place, and that you cannont safely remain at that location, and want to terminate the contract immediately. If they give you guff, bring up getting an attorney. That may help, it may not. As mentioned above, don't wait, don't stay. It is not worth it.

I think my main style, TKD (my TKD style, not all TKD styles), is missing a big piece of self-defense application. We don't do a lot of self-defense oriented training. We unfortunately spend a lot of time "teaching to the test." At testing, we test on forms, one-steps, sparring, and board breaking once you hit the brown belt ranks. So, classes include heavy basics, then forms, one-steps, then we get to sparring. I think we have a good vehicle for adding in some variation with our one-steps training, but the problem is we never move from the down block, punch, defend method of training them. And some of the higher ranked one-steps include a lot of high kicking and spin kicking, which develop some great physical skills, but application-wise, need to be addressed more and in different ways. The upside to the training method we use here is that we have a pretty technically proficient group of students, by and large. There are some kids that tend to slack off, but that's a different issue. When I was teaching my hour-long class these prior months, I would try to save myself some time in the class to address some different things for the students. Some self-defense ideas like working from a fence position, and working on the crossed-arms chamber position that so many hand techniques start with as an initial blocking posture. And these ideas were just as much for me to try to learn something new as it was to present something new to the students. In the past, we brought in the Combat Hapkido curriculum, and that was a very nice supplement to what we did in our regular TKD classes, and I still try to keep up with it to this day. I also actively seek out Defensive Tactics classes and courses to supplement my training, as well. I have put the bug in the chief instructor's ear about maybe adding in some of the ground defense applications I've learned through the GRACIE course I took this year, which he said we may try to do eventually as something fun at the end of classes. Perhaps. The instructor also mentioned that one of the other senior black belts in the org has started adding in some ground fighting positions, and is making certain knowledge testing requirments for the students of his own school. So, I think part of the problem lies in the Grand Master of the org, and part with our isntructor. The GM does have a set of advanced 3-step sparring segments that he shows to the black belts, and I've seen 4 of them, I think. They have some promise, and I'd love to do them in various degrees of teaching steps (if that makes sense). However, they aren't an actual requirement, and we don't currently hold any black belt classes to focus on them. I also think the testing cycle is a problem. Testing cycles in our system are 2 months long, and we are always working towards being ready for the next testing. Which means basics, forms, one-steps, and sparring are paramount. Of these, the first two take precedence. We've extended our class times, so we are getting more sparring in, which is good. But board breaking is usually only practiced on pads a week before testing, which I think could be done differently, but that's purely my own opinion. I would personally like to see the testing cycle extended to 3 months. I think this would take some of the pressure off teaching to the test, and work towards other stuff that is more inclusive of the Martial Arts. Well, there's my rant. You asked for it....

There is no room for bullying anywhere. I don't think it is necessary to respect everyone and all their opinions, but I do think there needs to be a courtesy extended to all when it comes to interacting with people.

I have a notebook that I keep most of my certificates and credentials in. At the TKD school I am a member of, our instructor hangs up the black belt certificates for each of us, showing our current rank, and he also hangs the instructor certification that the 3rd degrees earn. He does have some certs still hanging up from students that aren't there anymore. If it were me, I'd take those down. He may take them down yet.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome aboard, Dianna! Martial Arts are great to share as a family. Enjoy your training!

Welcome!

Welcome to KF, chop chop!

Welcome to KF, and the world of the Martial Arts! Glad to have you!

Sir is there any kind of medicine to stay away from this fatigue or shall we practice yoga to remain fit and fine. Waiting for the good suggestion. Thanks in advance. No medicine I can think of. Stay hydrated, and perhaps hit a protein bar or shake between the two workouts. Keep the energy levels up.

Look into the Wendler 5/3/1 program. There is an ebook out there, or you can order it off Amazon, and from what I understand, its a very flexible workout plan that fits well with doing other activities. I also believe its got a plan for the linear progression, and then the more intermediate progression when linear isn't working for you any more. Look into it, and see what that does for you.

I can't either, but we were taught how to use it properly . It sounds like Ruben has skipped all the way to conditioning like Morio Higaonna without proper training, which is dangerous to say the least. I agree. Not a good idea. Proper conditioning is a slow and steady process. One also has to consider what profession one is going into. If one plans to be a doctor, it may not be worth actually actively conditioning the hands in such a way if that is where your livelyhood is coming from. Body conditioning can be fun, but its not always necessary.

Absolutely good advise. There are a lot of Martial Artists out there that shy away from the idea of getting bigger, thinking it will slow them down or otherwise affect their abilities. This is not the case, as long as one trains smart. It will take some time to add that much weight, but it can be done as long as you find a good program with good progression. Progams like Starting Strength, Stronglifts 5x5, and Wendler 5/3/1 are great programs to look into, and start out with a linear progression that will help see results early on. Eventually, you'll have to move into a more subtle progression, but this comes in time. Your best bets are going to be doing full body lifts like squats, dead lifts, bench presses, overhead presses, and power cleans. As you gain muscle, keep stretching, and keep working speed with your techniques. Also, having some weight is good, but when it comes to getting into a wrestling match with someone, you don't want to fall back only on your size. Having size and strength is a great tool to use, but make sure to focus on technique, and get that down, and learn to use the strength you gain along with your technique. Hope that helps, and let us know how it goes!

Yes, this can be a killer. That's why I think its better to squat and have class on the same day. It kills, but if you stagger the days, you don't give your legs any recovery time, which hurts your lifting. But, in time, your body should acclimate to it. 8/7/2013 Still playing catch-up here.... AM workout: Chon Ji and Se Jong hyungs. Some basics, and some 4-direction kicking. Stretch. Taught TKD: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. 8/9/2013 Afternoon workout Bodyweight squats: 10x2 Pushups: 10x2 Front stance and down blocks, then added a punch, back stance and middle block, and then stretch. I did this workout with my 7 year old boy. 8/14/2013 Taught TKD: 6:00 - 7:00 pm.

I'm of the opinion that strength overall is valuable, including grip strength. Especially for a guy like me with smaller hands, it makes it harder to get a hold in things at times. A nice, firm grip can be intimidating to others, as well. Sensei8 has a rather strong grip, and it is valuable when controlling someone.

I would do your shakes any time after a workout. It doesn't have to be right after either, contrary to popular belief. Just try to get it in within an hour or two after training. I'd be surprised if you put on a lot of muscle mass doing just pushups. I suppose its possible, and everyone's genetics are different, but I wouldn't worry about gaining a lot of weight and muscle mass doing pushups. The extra calories and proteins from your shakes are going to add weight. There is a 100 pushup app out there that I've heard good things about. It tests you to see how many you can max out on, and then sets a daily regimen that you do for each week, and the program adjusts to your output. You may look into that, as well. Best of luck, and have fun!

I know it is tough, but try not to think only about the gradings. Get to class, focus, and learn. Then, take something home from class to do as homework. Take your time. You will be surprised to see how many of those ahead of you are likely to fall away from training as time goes by. Then, what does it matter when they tested?

If you can fit your leg days along with your Karate days, then the next day will be good recovery. But, you will likely feel more fatigued during class.