bushido_man96

I can't help you much here, but good luck with this experience, and please keep us posted as to how it goes for you. I can't believe you can find so much time to train! You're lucky, man.

I sure hope it helps. I just need to get back to my TKD school now. Also, adding the jerk to my power cleans has been a nice jolt to my quads. Good fun!

9/16/2011 SL 5x5A Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 285x3x5 Bench press: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 155x3, 175x2; work: 215x5x5 Barbell rows: warmup: 75x5x2, 95x3, 105x2; work: 140x5x5 Power clean and jerk: 140x3x5 Dips: 5x5 Stretch: standing/kneeling quads, front/twist/side kick bar stretch, toe touches, seated knee hugs, seated back twist, chest/bis/tris.

Yes, Boxing before the Marquis of Queensbury rules era, was a more complete system, which included some throws. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to share.

Many people can consider themselves warriors. That does not make them so. One can try to attain a "warrior mindset," but that does not necessarily make them a warrior. But it would help.

Thanks for sharing that, MasterPain.

I worked the power snatch yesterday at the gym, and I really like it. Lots of power and explosion, and lots of technique; quite a challenge. I think I'll keep it in the routine now.

9/14/2011 SL 5x5B Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 315x5,5,4 Had a bad time of the third set of squats...leaning forward too much. Going to back it off, deload, and switch to 3 sets of 5, I think. Overhead press: warmup: 45x5x2, 70x5, 90x3, 100x2; work: 140x3,4,4,2,3 That just sucked. Once I get a plate on each side, the weight doesn't want to move. Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 175x5, 210x5; work: 330x5 Finally, some success this day! Power snatch: 65x5x3 Fun lift. I like this one, and I think I'll keep at it. Assisted pull-ups: 11,11,10 Stretch: standing quads, front/twist/side kick bar stretch, toe touches, seated knee hugs and back twists, chest/bis/tris.

I know what if feels like. To me, it was a great feeling, going into something I really had no experience with. No one expected me to teach them anything, no one was looking to me for the answers, and it gave the opportunity to truly be a beginner, a student, once again. Go enjoy this experience. It will be a blast.

Welcome to KarateForums, Stabinoff. Since you have two schools laid out already, go take the time to watch several classes of each, and see which one appears to offer the challenges your are looking for on a consistent basis. You can also do a Google search for Martial Arts schools in your area, and see what else turns up. That will tell you more useful information than those of us sitting behind our computers could guesstimate at. Many times, you might find what you are looking for in a very obscure place, so even though you've got a few ideas in mind, keep an open mind to looking at other styles and systems. Good luck in your search, and keep us posted. See you around the forums!

Ok. I guess I should have been more detailed in my question; how do you define Wado-Ryu?

JusticeZero is on point here, I think. MMA is becoming more and more its own style, and we are witnessing the evolution of it in our time. I don't think its right to discount the fact that guys like Liddell, Rutten, and Machida do have some more traditional backgrounds, but at the same time, the MMA guys have a point, because although Machida came up with Shotokan, he is not training like most Shotokan stylists around the world. I really doubt he spends a lot of time on kata and bunkai, and spends a good portion of his time on grappling now. So, at this juncture, one has to decide if Machida is doing Karate, just in his own way, or that he is not doing Karate any more, because he has moved away from the "standard training procedure" of Karate, the way "true" Karate is trained. Personally, I could care less. I call Machida a Karate guy, but also an MMA guy.

Do a Google search of the Atlanta area for Karate. That will likely give you more than a handful of schools to check out. As far as determining who is good, go check out the classes and see which fits what you'd like to do.

It would be a good thing. In fact, if you had the time, another home session or two would benefit you more.

Ah, thanks for clarification. I never knew they did a comic on The Ultimate Warrior. That guy was awesome.

This is true. It is also important for dog owners to know the temperment of their dogs, and manage them accordingly. We have a Boxer who is great with our kids and family, but doesn't care for anyone else all that much. So, we make sure our fence is sound, and when people come over in the daytime, we kennell him. We usually leave him out of the kennell at night, for obvious reasons. LiverPunch: what a crazy deal. Good thing you had your blade and that training. I hope the rest of your time in your knew apartment isn't so exciting for you.

Thanks for this explanation, tallgeese. I've now added two more books to my "need" list.

Reality Based Self-Defense. There are several different organizations out there that are available. You could look into Tony Blauer or Hock Hockheim for some starters.

Good luck!

Agreed. Its just a different TKD organization, and they have their own set of forms and curriculum, and they have their own tournament cirucuit as well.

In my opinion, weapons need to be learned in combination with another person, holding a weapon as well. About the only traditional weapons forms I've had training with are using Jo in Aikido. They were pretty straight-forward, with not many fancy attacks. They were directed and focused jabs, strikes, swings at a target on the body or as a defense against an incoming Jo strike. However, these forms were also complimented with two-person work, which is essential in actually learning and understanding what it is you are doing in the form. Is the Jo useful to learn? Well, its a big stick, and one could carry a walking stick around, or easily keep several throught the house. But, still, this is a bit of a situational stretch. Is anything equivalent to a "form" used in Escrima training, or is mostly paired work and drills? I've read a book on Escrima, but saw nothing on any kind of forms. Like a handgun. In most areas, its easier to get a concealed carry liscense and buy a hand gun to carry around than it would be to carry the traditional weapons mentioned above. I think its interesting that some people would choose to spend hours per week learning to use a weapon such as those mentioned above that would have a scant chance at being available if needed, but don't want to buy and learn how to properly handle a handgun.

I think this is something that tends to be a point against Karate when it comes to those who begin to question its effectiveness. I commend you for this. My question, then, is how do you define what you teach?

My question is why wouldn't it be? I do agree that it can be difficult to define "complete" as well, and it goes a bit further than to say "having a little bit of everything." The other concern I have is why can't Karate evolve and change? It would seem to me to be a benefit if it did; keep the old, add the new.

Welcome to KF!

I do agree with Liver Punch. I see all the time now names and pictures of guys we've dealt with in the past that are now said to be training in MMA and stuff like that. Knowledge is power, for sure. Staying aware can keep you alive.