bushido_man96

I don't think this is a totally bad thing. Good marketing, lots of foot traffic for schools. Its kind of a stigma in the MAs that the good MAists come from a whole in the wall dojo that doesn't have a website or a kids program. Although there are great places like that, these locations can also be great for students, too, and have the same possibility of producing great martial artists.

@madtanker: I think every officer will deal with that differently. I'm an officer myself, and if I got help, then I'd be glad. Besides, we have different rules to follow than the general public, which might put them on better ground at times, depending on the situation. The only other thing is that possibility of civil action coming against a bystander from helping out, but such is the society we live in today. Good job, I say!

I have one Aikido gi, and two TKD do boks, and I always wash after each workout. I just can't wear a sweaty uniform back to class.

I agree. Nor can you ever succeed if you never start....

It appears you showed us the two extremes in your post, Bob. The one, who was already high ranking, and likely skilled, who took a leap and granted his own higher rank. The second, who seems to hold on to his lower rank due to sentimental reasons. Boy, where to start..... The first individual seems to be an indication of what the politics of MAs can do to people. I know that at times we have discussed the attainment of higher ranks, like 8th and 9th, and how they are often not physical tests, but granted for the work done for the betterment of a style. I think this is all well and good, so I think its important to take the idea of a self-promoted 10th dan with a grain of salt. Who knows? Maybe he is a very skilled, knowledgeable MAist that can really make his students into fine MAists themselves. Maybe he went a bit on an ego trip to give himself the high 10th dan rank, but felt he needed to in order to separate his version of what he learned from what others would end up teaching. Or maybe it was all ego, who knows. Now, take the other guy, whom you have some great respect for, who has not taken himself past 2nd dan. To me, its the opposite of this other fellow; this guy has humbled himself to the point that when you find out what his rank is, its like he wants everyone to know he is humble, which in a way, is the opposite of being humble, I guess....anyway, I'm rambling and not making sense. This goes back to our other thread on what a rank system is supposed to be, and the question is whether or not either of these two are using it appropriately. The 2nd dan should probably be a few ranks higher, if we are going to use the rank system appropriately. Otherwise, he just appears misleading. Same with the 10th dan; what should we expect a 10th dan to be capable of? Can this guy do it? If not, then he is being misleading, too. Like I've said before, many of us will say rank doesn't matter; until it does, like here.

The body works best as a unit. That's why in gaining strength in weight training, using full body, compound lifts are just about the best way to gain overall strength, because you work the body as a unit, and the body gets strong in several places. This relates to other body movement, as well, like punching and kicking, grappling, etc. The hips are the connection of the lower body to the upper body. So, if I want to use my whole body to generate power in a punch, then its imperative to start at the ground with the push of the foot on the ground, up through the leg, into the hip joint, through the rest of the core, and into the arm to the hand that strikes. The same goes with kicks and knees, but with just a bit of a different path that I've never really delved into. So, if someone takes part of the equation away, then you lose out on power output. A jab with the arm is predicated (used that word twice in one day...) on arm strength only. Jab done with the body as a unit, adds more of the body's mass to the strike, making it a more efficient technique. If you take the hips away, then you won't be able to use the feet and legs to generate the power. I can't speak to the technique of Capoeira, but Justice did mention that the way the kicking is done is different in which part of the body leads. However, in watching some performances, I do see that there is no way those techniques are done in isolation from the rest of the body, so the hip (joint) and trunk are still vital to performance. Perhaps in just a different way.

I've always liked asking lower ranking students if they see anything that looks like I need to work on. They kind of give you a funny look, but if I've done my job right, then they can probably tell me if my side kick looks a bit off. Of course, care should be taken to ask meaningful questions, and to not be offensive if one can help it. One of my former instructors had kind of an interesting tidbit on this kind of topic. His instructor is a 7th dan, and he just tested for 5th dan. He put this question to some of his students: "Who would you rather learn applicable self-defense from; this gentleman, a 4th degree, who is a law enforcement officer that uses defensive techniques and tactics on a daily basis, and knows what does and does not work, and how to apply it, or from someone like me, who is a high ranking master, but with not nearly as much SD experience?" Now, if you strip away that question, and advertise two different self-defense seminars; one taught by a 7th dan master, and one taught by a 4th degree, I'll bet my rank that with only that information given, the 7th degree will fill up faster and sooner. So much of what we see and do in the MAs is predicated on rank, and this what many people have come to expect. But, its important to take into account the experiences that come along with the rank, to see the clear picture. I hope I didn't stay too far off topic, but what I'm getting at is the problem you mention, darksoul, isn't just in the kyu ranks. I think its possible to learn from anyone, at anytime; I think any of the parents around here can attest to this. I'm also sure that there are times when people who aren't knowledgeable tend to run off at the mouth, and don't realize how silly they sound trying to know something they don't, and perhaps some people think this will be the case, and will shut it down before it has a chance to start. But it isn't always the case, and I don't think listening would hurt too much. To sum up; its a good thing to listen to feedback from kyu ranks, even if one is a high dan grade. Insight can come from anywhere.

Welcome to KF, madtanker!

I don't think the closed mindset will every really go away. There are some people who are very set in their ways, and are not likely to change. Now, that doesn't mean that these people necessarily advocate for violence against said lifestyles, but I don't think it means they have to tolerate them entirely, either. But the customer does have the right to choose who they learn their MAs from. So, if an instructor is going to open about an alternate lifestyle, then they should be prepared to gain or lose students accordingly. Again, the belief systems of those involved are likely to influence choices when it comes to matters like these. In these instances, I don't think its fair to blame those for making choices against as being "close-minded" or otherwise. I don't think it is close-minded to stand strong in one's beliefs.

Cool to see someone help out like that. Most times, people will mind their own business and not make it their problem; not that its a bad thing to do so, as not everyone is really geared to do that sort of thing. But it is nice to see this worked out well. Some things to keep in mind is whether or not they would be toting weapons, or may even be trained themselves. But I won't lecture on those kind of things. Your decision worked out well for you this time around. Just remember things don't always end like they do in movies. Good job!

Well, I do think it makes for a good discussion; and I also agree that there tends to be a lot of innuendos in the MA world that are kind of taken for granted, and aren't always elaborated on. This is a good opportunity to do so.

The way I experience it, the hips can be moved through the hip joints, which help the power transfer up from the legs and through the body. The hips can swivel on the joints that insert from the legs; that is what we mean by hip movement. I'm sure there is still some of this in Capoeira, isn't there?

No, it really boils down to the fact that you are taxing a different energy system, so you won't build that explosiveness that strength training would. Kind of like the difference between distance running for many miles, and sprinting. The dynamic tension isn't likely to build up muscle mass for you, whereas the right strength training program would.

8/8/2012 Kwonkicker footwork tutorials Tutorial 1: switch, front and back step, bounce, fwd and bwd stepping. Tutorial 2: pivot (front and rear foot), slide-step (fwd and back), slide (fwd and back), rear-leg slide, side-slide. 15 minutes total. 8/10/2012 Kwonkicker footwork tutorials Tutorial 1: switch, step, and bounce; 5 min. Tutorial 2: pivot, slide-step, slide; 8 1/2 min. Bag work BL round kicks: 10 each leg BL head level round kicks: 5 each leg FL 45 degree continuous hi round kick: 5 each leg 8/14/2012 Kwonkicker footwork tutorials Tutorial 1: switch, step, bounce - 4 1/2 minutes Tutorial 2: pivot, slide-step, slide - 8 1/2 minutes Tutorial 3: shuffle step, shuffle, side-shuffle - 6 1/2 minutes 3/4 J/C Leg Cranks circuit 24 squats 12 lunges each leg 6 split jumps each leg 12 squat jumps 1 minute rest between each. Getting closer to being able to do a full circuit. Stretch: quads, hams

That sounds like it was a good time! I'd suggest to go to as many of those kinds of outings as you can; meeting new people through training is always fun.

It sounds to me like the person ranting on needs to check his/her priorities. I'd be willing to bet a person like that doesn't keep steady jobs anyways, and has likely experienced a divorce. But, if that person is happy with that, then power to them. I just can't imagine that being a happy existence.

I think if you only did kata, then you have a unique form of calesthenics or aerobic work, and nothing more. I think its important to have more than just kata; after all, you need a second person and a form of sparring to apply the applications of the forms.

I am a proponent of using the language of the area you live in, as opposed to the native language of the country the style came from.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome!

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Welcome back!

Welcome to KF!

There was a book on Jogo Do Pau through Chivalry Bookshelf that I had wanted to pick up, but never did yet. I don't think it was too pricey, either. I have read in some of the Western style books I have how some weapons systems started with the staff, and many techniques of the staff transferred to the sword styles they went on to work with. I believe the oak staff was also a common weapon kept by priests, too.

I think it would be hard to teach, and not work towards betterment. Teaching offers new challenges every time I step on the floor, whether its with a group of 4-7 year olds, or adult black belts.