bushido_man96

I believe the "chi" unlocked during a kiai is probably akin to endorphins being released during a high-stress situation, or when in pain.

You have to decide when you go into a new setting if you are going there to learn or going there to teach others. If you weren't invited, then its likely the instructor there doesn't want you to teach his students, and that's understandable. I can understand having input to offer, but when an instructor is teaching a certain concept and using a certain methodology with his/her students, and you try to countermand it, that causes problems. What you were trying to do would be better suited to extra practices with the instructor, where the two of you could work different things and exchange ideas, trying his concepts vs your concepts. Let it be up to the instructor whether he wants to try some of those things with his classes or not. I've trained with the Aikido club here in my hometown, and I admit that there are a lot of concepts and ideas tied with Aikido that I don't always agree with. But, I just keep that stuff to myself, learn what they teach there, and grow from it.

I would say you have your own style, to be sure. I don't know that I would say its your own JKD style, though. I think spending a bit more time in a JKD setting would be necessary.

We don't stretch in class. We are encouraged to do it on our own. When I'm in class, I'll usually stretch after basics before doing forms, as I'm really warm at that time. I try to stretch some after class, too, and whenever I'm warm. When I was in the ATA, stretching was a part of every class, so it was strange to go to a school that didn't stretch in class at all.

Thanks for that. I see from your posts a glimpse of the methodology you use. The one I try to use is a bit different, but that's ok.

Our instructor hasn't sparred in quite some time. I've sparred him once in the years I've been with the school. He's tall and fast, which would be good for me to go against, being slow and short and round, but he has also had a lot of knee and other joint issues that have kept him off the training floor lately. My old ATA instructor and I used to spar together all the time. Before just about every class, we would spar as a warmup. Those were good times.

We have to do the whole lot for each grading and TBH your current one matters less than you being able to perform your previous ones to your current level. If a black belt can't perform Chonji (what I would consider as a TKD Kihon kata) and look like a blackbelt, then there isn't any point evaluating any of their other forma I agree completely. I was doing forms review in class the other day, and was pleased to find that all but one of the students present were doing well with the old forms, popping them out nicely, and they were looking sharp. The less review time takes, the more class time to work on stuff like sparring and self-defense. I agree. We expect our low ranks to be able to approach any of the higher ranks (even if it is just one belt higher) with any questions about any material, and be able to answer and help them out.

Thanks for elaborating on that, ps1. In my area, I never got a lot of exposure to MMA gyms, as not many sprang up around here. I do imagine there are so "Fight Clubs" out there, but I think the gyms making a name for themselves are probably going away from that, like you mention. Are there any of 'ill repute' in your area?

What do you mean, "what's with the hands?" Are they doing something funny?

Quite possibly a misused slang term, as well? Maybe he was trying to give a "nasty" connotation to his black belts?

I don't think MMA schools "beat the crap out of each other," not anymore than say Boxing, Muay Thai, or Kyokushin styles. Rather, they are learning applications very early on. As for the sensei you described, I agree that it isn't right to withhold valuable self-defense material to those who haven't achieved black belt. Its a disservice to the students.

Thanks for sharing this. I've never had experience in Chi Sao, other than what I've read. I have had some trapping training in Combat Hapkido, but its pretty basic compared to some of the complexities I've seen Chi Sao.

We have a school here that routinely calls in about out of control students. Good skills to have, for sure. Not a bad deal for those nannies, for sure, especially in dealing with paparazzi and all that. Its too bad it is necessary.

Has she researched the area yet? Do a Google Earth overview of the place, perhaps check into any crime stats for the area? Those things might help some.

Good luck on that half marathon, Danielle. Very cool even to attempt it.

That sounds like some great training. I'd be interested to see what kind of knife work you are doing. Is your striking primarily based on open hand, or closed hand? 5/6/2013 5 pistol draws 5/7/2013 30 min walk, stretch. 5 pistol draws.

I don't think it necessarily has to take all that long, though. Some people like for things to draw out for years like that, and I think that's ok, if that's what they want. But I don't think it has to be that long. There is always a lot of talk about the "deep understanding" that is gained with so many years in training. I think there is value there, but not at the expense of finding other meanings in the training. Nor am I espousing a "microwave popcorn method" of learning in the Martial Arts. But I do think that it is important to give students more than just the face value of a form early on, in order to benefit them in self-defense situations. I also believe its important to evaluate each student, gauge where they are, and bring the along accordingly, and not just along as a whole class. Everyone learns differently, and at different paces, and its important to recognize that and alter teaching protocols accordingly. I'm sure there's a bit here we will butt heads on, but, hey, that's ok. I look forward to your response.

When testing for first dan in our school, the students are required to perform all lower rank forms, as well. I think if it were up to me, I'd require current form and one form back for all colored belt testings, as well. That way the students know they have to keep working on the previous forms.

Congrats to your son!

and you have cloves when working with heavy bag? No, not usually. At times I'll put them on, but its not a hard and fast rule of mine to wear them while working the bag.

Welcome to KF!

That sounds awesome. We've got two training sessions this month, one range and one Taser. Always fun training. 5/5/2013 10 pistol draws. Had to work a funny shift, so no walking today.

Everyone is different, and everyone experiences success in different ways using different approaches. Thus, one guy tells you to kick, and the other to do different. Learn from both, and figure out what works for you. Good luck!

Like others have mentioned, its likely the instructor didn't learn those ways, and therefore is only teaching what he knows. His response does sound as though he may have been a bit closed-minded, but some people are. It sounds like since he won't offer what you want to learn, that moving on may be the way to go. Best of luck in your search.

I tend to punch a lot when training, but we don't punch to the head as a target when we spar. But if training on a bag, I like to punch, because it tends to work better for doing rounds of bagwork.