bushido_man96

I definitely view Iaido and Western Swordsmanship arts as historical Martial Arts. I do think that the concepts you learn in them can apply to present day, even if you only find a stick in your hands to defend yourself with. There are definitely better, more modern weapons with which to defend oneself with. Ah, but it does. XMA techniques are based from many basic techniques and many basic kicks. They are just put in a different context.

I'd say FOCUS has to come from not only paying attention, but then applying, and being mindful about the application, and work to improve it.

I think it is a good way to test technique. It is done in a static setting, with no one else trying to foul up the technique, and although it is never this ideal, it is a good way to help show yourself and others what the technique is capable of.

I feel you there. Its tough when it seems like nothing changes. I think it was Einstein who said that do the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity, or something like that. I've done many training sessions where it is just me and one other guy, and we usually do a combination of Combat Hapkido and general DT applications for our job. We usually do a good job of putting stuff together and not getting bored, but when we do get someone different in there with us, it does change the attitude of the session a bit. I also agree with ps1, that you've got to go in positive, and put out that positive energy to get the session rolling.

RW: I agree that those methods seem like the long way to learn how to do techniques. But, they do help to develop power in the limbs that do the techniques, and develop mechanics that transfer into the shorter way of doing the techniques. I'd much prefer to learn them in the more efficient manner like done in Boxing. However, I do think they were for self-defense first, and as more formalized training became standard, these things started to take shape.

They wouldn't have felt bad for hurting you, that's for sure. If you would have assumed that you could have gotten by on less force, then you may have been overpowered, and who knows what would've happened then. Its always easy when hindsight is 20/20.

I think part of that will come from what you want out of the Martial Arts and what you look for in a teacher. If you're looking for a good fighter, then that might be your guy. There are so many people who teach in different ways, and so many that learn in different ways, one person's idea will differ from another's.

In most of the TKD sparring I have done, punching to the head is not legal, yet we practice high punches all the time. Same with kicking to the groin. But self-defense is different, and a good Martial Art should cover the aspect of it, even at the expense of the competition aspect.

Congrats!

Hi all. Patrick and I had the opportunity to meet at an event called PodCamp in Topeka in November of 2010. Patrick was the keynote speaker at the event, and Topeka is about a 4 hour drive from where I live in Hays, so me and the family made the arrangements to get to Topeka so Patrick and I could meet in person. Here is a picture my wife took of me and Patrick: http://www.karateforums.com/img/photos/brianandpatrickpodcamptopeka.jpg The PodCamp was quite interesting, and I learned a lot. One of the sessions that Patrick led was on moderating community forums, and he let me help him out with it, which was fun. I wanted to share the picture, and thought that this would be a great opportunity to actualy get together in person, living as far apart as we do. Enjoy!

At least the Orioles spend some money to try to get better. All KC does is develop prospects and then send them off for more prospects.

Boy, I've been out of it for a little while, busy with work and the kids. Thanks to all of you! And Happy Belated Birthday to Heidi, too! Cool that we share one!

Well, at least you got to enjoy the shelacking the Ravens gave the Chiefs. That was just plain yucky. KC still has a few pieces to get into place to really contend. Congrats to the Jets, Steelers, Packers, and Bears for moving on.

That would be fun. We should try it.

1/7/2011 Weights: Pull day: Lat pull-down: 130x10, 140x8, 150x6 Seated row: 120x12, 130x10, 150x6 Iso pull-down: 65x10, 70x10, 75x8 Lat pull-over: 80x10, 90x10, 100x8 Bent over row: 70x10, 80x8, 90x6 Upright rows: 70x10, 75x8, 80x6 Dumbell rows: 45x10, 50x8, 55x6 Legs Hip sled: 270x10, 290x8, 310x6 Angled standing leg press: 90x10, 110x8, 130x6 Abs Thera crunch: 25x12x3 Smith crunch: 25x15x3 Ab coaster: 20x10x3 Dumbell side raises: 55x10x3 And today, I start the afternoon shift at work. Ech.

There may be another end result; that's fine. Along the way, though, the aquisition of Martial Skill in a timely manner to allow for effective self-defense should be the core, as you mentioned. Self-defense should always be there. I think we agree there, perhaps.

This is the natural course of learning and teaching, and these things will happen. It is important to know that you're not discarding something merely because you don't understand it, or haven't been shown properly. Like Bob said, and as you've mentioned, the testing arena is what is important to address. In Judo, it would be randori, in BJJ, its rolling, in Karate its kumite, in Boxing its sparring, and so on. There has to be a process involved in getting rid of a technique, not just dumping it because it didn't work right after first learning it, and working various applications

That's my point I guess -It is not a punch (and therefore not designed to be a sporting combative or SD technique). It is an exercise in body movement. It is designed to embed a way of moving - utilising maximum efficiency. The difference in viewpoints here has more to do with effectiveness vs. efficiency. This method of training you talk about with this technique may produce an effective way of moving over time, but as far as how long it takes to develop this, I think it is not efficient. However, as you say, it may produce and efficient way of moving. Funny how that works out, isn't it? Although I may not view the training method as efficient, it may produce and efficient movement over time.

Exactly. If he is pretty current on his stuff, and still has some decent technique, then I'd say it would be more doable.

Self-defense was the driving force for me, and it still is today. I always think about self-defense tactics a lot, and love to practice it that way. Discipline wasn't so much an issue; I got plenty of that from my parents. I also thought it would be fun to do, too, and I was not wrong on that count.

No need to apologize, Bob. This is just the nature of discussion. New topics tend to arise, and others branch off the original. Its what makes it enjoyable. I disagree. The point of the Martial Arts, any Martial Art, first and foremost, should be effective self-defense. All the other stuff are what should be the by-products of training, and not the other way around. If this is not the case, then I feel the original point of the Arts becomes lost. Swords were created for one reason; as an effective weapon used to kill in self-defense, be it in single combat, or in war. It wasn't created because someone thought it would be a fun, spiritual object to dance around with. The same can be said for the Martial Arts; they were originally created and used to allow someone to defend themselves from the danger that other human beings are capable of inflicting on others. As time moved on, the other by-products came to be found in the Martial Arts because of the ideals of the different people who studied them. I have no problem with this, either. But, I think it is important to remember why the Martial Arts came about in the first place, and that when the effective self-defense aspect is replaced and is no longer the original focus of the style, then we have a de-evolution of the Martial Arts. If this were the case, then the argument about whether XMA is a "true" Martial Art would effectively be over. But how many here feel that XMA is a "true" Martial Art?

Hehe, that's cool.

Music can be great for motivation and rhythm, but its also important to be able to do without it. But, I'm sure that is not a major issue for most of us.

Indeed, and this is where the student needs to be patient and above all trust his sensei. He/she may not be able to give the student the answer on a plate but "should" have been in that students shoes as it were and therfore know how to guide. Sojobo I have no problem with these concepts, as long as there are concepts and preparations in place and taught by the system that make self-defense more attainable in the student's experience with the system. Any system that takes 10 years to make one able to competently defend oneself is not doing what it is supposed to do as a Martial Art.

Congrats to Blyleven and Alomar making the HOF. Also saw Beltre signed with the Rangers. They should have some good pop in their lineup.