bushido_man96

I don't really think Karate's time is up (or any traditional style, for that matter). It does, however, clearly have to compete with MMA now. And this isn't a bad thing, either. If people would rather do MMA than a traditional style, then so be it. I think that when it comes to the more traditional styles, the "intrinsic" values are the deciding factor for many who choose what Art to take up when they do take one up. Personally speaking, I don't need to be soliliquized about how my traditional training will make me a better person, will make me more disciplined, and all that other stuff. Some people just want to learn how to fight, or how to defend themselves well. That is where the appeal of MMA comes in, as opposed to a more traditional style. There is also the appearance that the results come faster, which may make it more appealing. I think these are the aspects that affect the decision making process when someone is searching for a Martial Art to study. Fifty years ago, Karate was what was available. Now, there is so much more available.

I don't know, my judo experience has really opened the door for me on so many of these moves. After all, the human body can only grab and throw another human body in so many ways. Your kata is either in sync with one of them or it isn't. With most of the styles present now, we can see that specialization has taken place over the years. Judo took to specializing in throws, and Karate tended to take a specialization in striking. I do think the two brought together would only be beneficial to a Martial Artist. And after a time of the curriculum being refined and worked on, it would eventually become its own style, and not two styles put together.

Nicely done!

I'm not familiar with this; first time I've heard of it. But, I'm not a big fan or believer in things like destiny, karma, or other things like that.Could you expound on the concept a bit more?

Well, not actually. Yes, this is the case. Over the years, many styles have added more belt levels, but the concept of the belt depicting rank is an eastern idea.

That's a tough deal. Like the others have recommended, try to look around and see what else there is available. Maybe you will find something else that suits you well. Welcome to the Forums, as well.

I've never really been too an MA "camp." I've been to several different seminars, but never a camp.

Very nicely done! I loved the humor in it. Definitely made the story better.

Sorry Ueshiro, I don't know your location and I'm old school net enough that I tend not to pry. But, go herehttp://www.thearma.org/ and see if you can find a training group. Even if there isn't one listed where you are, you used to be able to just e-mail the groups and they would put you in touch with someone close by. Nearest organized group was 2 hours from home back when I checked into things last. But, you may be luckier than I was and find someone close by. No problem. I couldn't find a link on the website for a study group. Anyway, I really wouldn't have the time to study, but it would be nice to see it. That's the website I was going to recommend. Lots of good resources there, and they have a list of books published by its members, who are always studying and learning. They also have info on setting up a study group and things like that. They have seminars throughout the year, in major metro areas, that you might get lucky enough to check out. I try to but the books put out by their members, because they are great resources. Chivalry Bookshelf and Paladin Press also have great books authored by Medieval Martial Artists. I used to have the website you have listed bookmarked, as well. I think that group is primarily located in Europe, though, but can't recall.

I know this is an old thread, but since it has been posted on some lately, I thought I would address this. Weapons are useful because, as tallgeese would say, they are a force multiplier. Someone who isn't a knife fighter can still cut you in a fight with a knife. Skill is great when it comes to weapons, but not necessary when it comes to doing damage. And most people who get cut in a fight, don't realize it when it happens. If the sword is drawn when the encounter begins, start looking for something to use as a shield. If you couldn't run, for some reason, then start looking into your level of situational awareness. If you have to engage the weapon, then you would likely want to get inside the weapon's arc, which means you want to get to the hands of the guy holding it. Then, you have to get it away. Hopefully, the sword bearer concentrates on his sword more at this point, and you can rain down blows about his head and shoulders while he is trying to cut you or get you off his weapon. End it fast, get them distracted, and then get away. Hopefully those would work for you.

What constitutes "traditional," anyway? Just this year, the football coach at my daughters high school started a "new tradition." So, it has to start somewhere, and then it has to go on for some time and be upheld (for lack of a better word) in order for it to become tradition. Right?

9/7/2011 SL 5x5B Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2, 295x5; work: 305x5x5 Overhead press: warmup: 45x5x2, 70x5, 90x3, 100x2; work: 135x5x5 This was my previous stall weight. Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 175x5, 210x5; work: 325x5 Assisted pull-ups: 11,11,10 Stretch: standing/kneeling quads, front/twist/side kick bar stretches, toe touches, seated knee hugs, seated back twists, chest/bis/tris.

These are the lifts I do right now. Squats, bench press, barbell rows, overhead press, and dead lift, with power clean thrown in, and dips and assisted pull-ups as well. Those are the ones you should be doing. If you want to take it to the next level, learn the snatch, clean and press, they are a step from the power clean as you probably already know. If you put a solid lifting program with these lifts, you really don't need to do squats, bench press, etc. Olympic lifting can replace them quite well. If you have a chance try these Olympic moves with a sand bag. They simulate the awkwardness of manipulating a body, as opposed to a nice neat barbell. They are also killer for grip training when you don't use straps. I prefer rubber mulch for my fill, as it is much bulkier than sand and a whole lot cleaner. Rubber mulch filled bag also makes for a good throwing dummy and inexpensive striking bag. Here are some great instructions on making one: http://www.rosstraining.com/sandbagconstructionkit.pdf These few lifts that I do right now already require quite a bit of gym time, with the recovery time between sets and all. As I progress, I'll be dropping some of the sets as the weight gets heavier, so it may allow me more time for other lifts as well. There really isn't anyone around who does much Olympic lifting, so coaching on those will be tough. I like the power clean, but its really just an add-on at this point, with the other lifts being the focus right now. If I get more time, I will try to add in lifts to supplement the power clean, like the Romanian dead lift, hang clean, front squat, etc. As I grow stronger, I may be able to add more to it.

Do some research, make them aware of the safety measures, and give them an idea of how much work goes on in the gym, and how much time is alloted to bag work, conditioning, sparring, etc, and give them a layout. When you say you want to Box, and you see all the gym time, bag work, mitt work, conditioning, and the sparring. Your parents probably just see you getting the snot knocked out of you buy semi-pros for 90 minutes straight in the gym. So give them a good picture of what it is you will be doing, and see if it changes their mind. Good luck!

Yeah, it would be tough to relate everything we touched on. Some things we did briefly, and some extensively. But, very productive overall.

Very nice.

In many ways, the "warrior ideal" has become just that, a set of ideals, and not all the ideals really have anything to do with being a warrior, from my point of view. Take these points from chien fu, for example: These are all very admirable qualities, and most of us like to see these things in the people we associate with and have in our lives on a daily basis; we like to know we surround ourselves with good people, and are good people ourselves. However, I'm not conviced that these qualities have anything to do with being a "warrior." Its as if the concept of being a warrior has been romanticized like the Samurai has been for the past 100+ years. I think the concept of the warrior is much simpler than being a good person. You have to be good at war. You have to be able to fight, know the tactics of personal combat with natural weapons as well as manufactured weapons. And a warrior has to be able to execute the necessary actions. You don't have to be a good, nice, well-balanced member of society to be a warrior. There are probably a lot of "bad guys" out there that would be considered "good warriors." Many who train in the Martial Arts claim to uphold a "warrior creed" of some kind, and it holds a pretty romantic idea in their minds. Audy Murphy was a warrior. I wonder how romantic of an idea he thought it was?

I think we are going to the same place here, but just arriving from different directions. I agree the technique should be taught right first. However, the pre-pivot doesn't make it wrong; its just a variation. So what I do is evaluate how each person I teach the kick is performing the kick. If they do it with well by pivoting without issues, then I let them go. If I see someone having problems with kicking, especially that pivot, and I fear for injury, then I'll let them in on the pre-pivot idea. It can be done on a case-by-case basis, according to the abilities and needs of each student. It was a good experience to tinker with. At first, Bob didn't care for the idea much. Then, he wanted me to look at his round kick, and as he began to chamber up for his kick, he did a pre-pivot. I said, "there it is, you've been doing and haven't realized it." It was a fun moment, and we both tinkered with the concept a little bit.

I'd say no, as a general rule. Too hard to fix later on. If the technique is that hard for beginners, then I'd say its best to wait to introduce it when they have the necessary knowedge and technique to train it safely.

I'll say that your grip strength hasn't suffered any, Bob. I've never seen anyone with a grip like that before. Very unnerving to be grabbed like that!

Sojobo, I don't disagree with your points there. But, if someone wants to stare at my foot to see if I pre-pivot, then I can use that to my advantage as well. A feinted pre-pivot would prove quite strategic in some senses. Also, if you are in a heavy self-defense situation, I don't think its as likely to be picked up on as a telegraph. In a match fight, its different, though. Also, the pre-pivot doesn't have to mean that the entire pivoting motion happens before the kick. On the side kick, it had in the past. But for the round kick and the front kick, it just starts the pivot motion and makes it less stressful on the knee to complete the pivot as the kick finishes. Its not for everyone. But as one gets older from decades of kicking, and starts to feel the stress on the knees, it might be a change that can add another decade or two to the MA career.

San Diego should have a plethora of schools and disciplines to choose from. I'm surprised to see you have such terrible luck in finding and maintaining a place to train. Perhaps by expanding your search, you may stumble onto something that is right up your alley.

Some clubs make you start at white belt again regardless. There are a lot of variables at play, so it just depends. Not every club will accept other club's certificates and rank.

I think you are on the right track. Throw in the idea that those who began it will begin to throw in their views on how life should be lived and other ideologies and personal philosophies, you'll get into the "traditional" ideas of the internal facets behind the art.

8/26/2011 Weekly stats: Weight: 254 lbs BF%: 30.9% BMI: 38.6 SL 5x5A Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 295x4,5,4,5,5 Bench press: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 155x3, 175x2; work: 230x4,3,3,4,4 Barbell rows: warmup: 75x5x2, 95x3, 105x2; work: 145x4,2,4,3,2 Time to deload. Power clean: 155x5 Dips: 9,5,4 Stretch: standing quads, front/side kick bar stretches, seated knee hugs, toe touches, bis/tris. 8/29/2011 SL 5x5B Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 295x5x5 Overhead press: warmup: 45x5x2, 70x3, 90x2; work: 125x5x5 Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 175x5, 210x5; work: 315x5 Assisted pull-ups: 11,10,10 Stretch: standing/kneeling quads, front/twist/side kick bar stretches, toe touches, seated knee hugs, tris/bis. 9/2/2011 Weekly stats: Weight: 256 lbs BF%: 31.6% BMI: 38.9 SL 5x5B Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 300x5x5 Overhead press: warmup: 45x5x2, 70x3, 90x2; work: 130x5x5 Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 175x5, 210x5; work: 320x5 Assisted pull-ups: 11,10,10 Stretch: standing/kneeling quads, toe touches, seated knee hugs, back twists, front/twist/side kick bar stretches, chest/bis/tris. Hitting 300 lbs on squats was one of my lifting goals with the Stronglifts program. It was tough, but it felt great afterwards. The dead lift felt good, too.