bushido_man96

I think it just boils down to the preferences of those who put their rank systems together. I know TKD styles have tried to liken what the colors mean to the growth of a tree, or the hours in a day that the sky colors with, etc. In the end, though, I think they serve the purpose as mainly indicators of knowledge in a class setting, and makes it easier for instructors to focus on what each rank needs to work on.

First off, FANTASTIC book here. And Silver was practically a European contemporary of Musashi. His righting is great stuff. As to your initial question, I think it is basically linked to the idea of people latching onto a strange, mysterious idea, and latching onto it, studying it, and they begin to like it, and adhere to it. I don't have a problem with this, either. Different strokes for different folks. What I do take issue with is when those who have become accustomed to some of these eastern ways try to tout them as being better methods or ideologies than our western ways. Then I tend to take issue with it. The simplest example I can provide of this is when I hear those who study eastern MA styles argue that styles such as Boxing and Wrestling are not MA styles at all. Its that idea that MAs only come from the east, and what everyone else is doing is just "sport" or "fighting." This is a subject that I will usually say my piece on, and be glad to argue the points with whomever wishes to debate it.

Thanks for sharing these, Liver Punch. Definitely some good ones in there I may have to look into. My wife will be so pleased

Remember: slow and smooth; smooth is faster. 1/9/2012 Deffley A Squats: warmup: 45x5, 135x5, 225x3, 245x2; work: 275x3x5 Bench press: warmup: 45x5, 135x5, 155x3, 185x2; work: 235x3x5 Barbell rows: warmup: 95x5, 115x3, 135x2; work: 170x3x5 Hip thrusts: 3x10 Seated good-mornings: 115x3x12 Glute-ham raises: 3x5 Front squat: warmup: 45x5; work: 115x3x5 Stretch: standing/kneeling quads, front/twist/side kick bar stretches, toe touches, chest/tris/bis. I've really been concentrating on hitting bottom on my squats, and its starting to show. The problem is I'm hitting that weight where I do good-mornings coming out of the hole. Still working on that. Front squat was a nice touch, though, and it felt good to squat weight and keep my body upright. 1/11/2012 Deffley B Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 225x5, 315x3; work: 325x5x3 Push press: warmup: 45x5, 65x5, 85x3, 115x2; work: 150x5x5 Rack pulls: 370x3x5 I'm really nailing these weights on dead lifts now. I'm getting good lockout at the top, good glute squeezes. The rack pulls are excellent, too. The day after dead lifts, my back feels so good.

Chiefs pulled out one last win against the Broncos, and at 7-3 no less! In the day of spread offenses and defenses that can't keep up, its kind of nice to see a game like this once in a while. But the Broncos turn around and beat the Steelers in their wild card playoff game, and now go to face the Patriots. It looked to me like Rothlesberger's foot was still bothering him, and his lack of mobiliy really hurt the team. And the Giants win convincingly over the Falcons. Could this be Eli's year again?

Thanks, guys!

As an instructor, I think I can help growth by changing a class up from time to time, to explore different things. I think one way to do this is to step outside the comfort level I have for TKD, and allow students to experience something else, like ground fighting or some different striking style, by bringing in instructors of such styles to give explanations and examples of what else is out there. As a student, its important to keep up with the knowledge already gained, and to bring a good work ethic to class, and be ready to give 100%.

1/6/2012 Deffley C Squat: warmup: 45x5, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 270x3x5 Overhead press: warmup: 45x5, 75x5, 95x3, 115x2; work: 115x3x5 Incline bench press: warmup: 45x5, 65x5, 85x3, 95x2; work: 115x3x5 Seated good-mornings: 115x3x12 Hip thrusts: 3x10 Glute-ham raises: 3x5 Stretch: standing/kneeling quads, front/twist/side kick bar stretch, toe touches, chest/tris/bis. I deloaded on the overhead press, to try to work on some form issues. I also added incline bench press to the routine so I get another day of chest work, hoping to add to my bench along with it. 1/8/2012 I got out the clapper pad, and my boys were working their front kicks on them. My 6 year old is getting pretty good at it; pulling his toes back to kick with the ball of the foot, and getting decent chamber/re-chamber most of the time. My two year old just likes to kick the pad, and only uses his right leg.

Very good stuff. I like it a lot. You do a technique that I've practiced before as the "block/pass/pin." My DT partner is into Hock Hockheim's system, and that is a pretty big staple there, and we've worked with it before. Thanks for sharing this.

We spar with moderate contact at times, but we have a fairly restrictive rule set, as well. Contact level doesn't get terribly high, though, but depending on who I am sparring with, things can get into that "fun" range from time to time. MasterPain makes a lot of good points in his post. There are times for lighter sparring work, and more intense sparring work. Finding the happy medium and knowing when to do each will make for good training.

Thanks for posting this stuff up, guys. I will be spending some time to get through this. I may add it to my youtube channels. The "Bujin" Clan Channel...has a nice ring to it!

Great article. Great attitude! Thanks for sharing that, tallgeese.

I'd say this is kind of similar to what we do, but we try to time the landing of the technique as the foot steps down, as opposed to after the foot sets down; not so much lag, but pretty similar. But not every technique has a step with it, either. I'm a bit different, I guess. When I throw a jab, I do so with hip movement. A little twist of the hip toward the target, and the hand flys out, too. That way, its not just my hand whipping out, but I've got some bodyweight behind it, too.

When I get asked these questions, I just explain that it isn't anything spiritual, but has more to do with the cultural roots of the style in the far East. I explain that bowing isn't much different than shaking hands in the West.

Happy Birthday, Heidi! Hope you have a really great day!

Thanks so much, Patrick. I really appreciate this. Party at my house, guys!

You hold your breath that long?!? Just kidding, Bob. I do agree that some simple deep breathing exercises can help to bring down the level of intensity one is feeling after working out. About 5 minutes worth can make a difference.

Yeah, it was a crappy deal, but in the end, these things tend to happen, especially in combat/contact sports. I'm not terribly worried about anything wrong going on in the practices, either. There are plenty of coaches to go around, and this was just one of those accidents.

1/3/2012 DT: 8 pm - 10 pm. Reviewed use of force, contact/cover, and some cuffing. 1/4/2012 Deffley B Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 225x5, 315x3; work: 315x5x3. Push press: warmup: 45x5, 65x5, 85x3, 95x2; work: 145x5x5 Rack pulls: 365x3x5. Really worked on lockout at the top of the dead lifts, and used heavy rack pulls to work on locking out with heavy weight. Focused on squeezing the glutes hard. Good workout. 1/5/2012 Forms Poe-Eun: 2 times Naifanchi: 2 times Yoo-Sin: 2 times

We bow mainly out of respect, and according to the Eastern tradition that TKD comes from. At tournaments and testings, bowing is definitely in respect to higher ranks, for sure.

I would say my body leads, and more specifically, the hips, when striking. I'd guess that at times most things move fairly close together. The body works best as a unit, so its important to train it that way.

I definitely don't think size is a determination of "proof." I think the best way to "prove" an MA is, like you say, "on the floor," through constant testing and re-testing through scenario training. I think it important to use scenarios, with varying levels of resistance, to work through tactics and the techniques used there. Constant evaluation and re-evaluation, testing and re-testing, are needed to make sure everything is kept in check, and that things can work well when needed.

I agree. Sometimes, it can't be helped, but I think usually, bad situations like that can be avoided, if prepared for. Things like knowing alterante routs to get to work or school, or even the grocery store ahead of time can help to avoid unfamiliar surroundings.

Yeah, you are probably right about MacYoung's angle, Justice. But, I think both perspectives will shed some great light on both sides of the coins for this topic. Will try to look into getting Miller's book soon.

Very clever, and nicely done!