bushido_man96

The reality of it is that we don't get to choose if we are bigger or smaller, especially in stature. Yes, we can choose how much working out we do, and what kind, to regulate our musculature, but I don't get to choose how tall I am, and what kind of build I come with. Same thing with the muscle twitch fibers. So, if this is the case, then size isn't relative to how fast one is...the muscle fiber distribution is. Just like some people or more prone towards the power lifter build, and some to the wide receiver build. I will never have a wide receiver build. I am short and stocky, with fairly broad shoulders and wide hips. No V shaped body for me, no matter how I train. So I guess what I am saying is that, in the end, there may be an ideal, but not everyone is going to be able to attain the same ideal. But, they can still pursue the same things, such as Martial Arts.

6-9-10 Jogged mile in 11:22, and in 15 minutes I got to 1.33 miles. Stretched out really good afterwards, then did some forms work: TTA white belt form ATA white belt form TTA white belt one-steps ATA white belt one-steps TTA low orange belt form ATA low orange belt form TTA low orange belt one-steps ATA orange belt one-steps

I think that TKD can be very good for self-defense, if taught properly. It takes the right instruction, and, as mentioned previously, but it can be very useful in self-defense.

Ok, so.... Bruce Lee was faster than a lot of people. Probably faster than both you and me, so I don't know what that really proves. And he also believed in weight training for strength and power. He was amazingly strong for his size. I know of a guy who Wrestles for our college here, and also fights in MMA fights, weighs around 150 lbs when he isn't Wrestling, and can bench press 400 lbs. And you wouldn't know if by looking at him. Some people can carry more weight than others, and strength comes in all sizes.

Professional athletes and other people dedicated to a physical activity also have discipline and structure though. Agreed. It comes from anyone willing to dedicate time and effort in anything that they feel is important to them, and want to become good at. Heck, even professional video game players have these attributes, when it comes to their trade. Also, I don't think discipline and structure = nobility. Discipline is just a willingness to stick to task, persevere, and finish. Structure is basically being methodical about it. This will sound a bit rash, but these are even traits that serial killers have, and I don't think any of us would view them as "noble." In the end, my point is that many Martial Arts organizations or high ranked teachers, officials, etc, like to push this idea that the Martial Arts will make people such better people, when in the end, it is up to each person as to how good, how noble, they will be in the end. Martial Arts training hasn't made me into a better person. I like to think that I was a good person to begin with, and that the work ethics and morals taught to me by my parents are what make me who I am, and helped me to be able to achieve what I have thus far in life, and I don't tie it all into the idea that if I had not found Taekwondo, that I would be a lesser person than I am today.

I'll admit, I used to have a personalized plate that said BUSHIDO. But, I lived in a town where pretty much everyone knew I was an MAist, so it was no secret.

In response to this, I think that Lupin1 is kind of on the same track that I am in saying:

6-7-10 Back to class tonight. One hour of basics and forms. The stretching after running may be helping.

You could switch sides, or move your arms to a different position.

I believe in fighting, and that at times, it is necessary.

Steroids and HGH can do some very amazing things. It's sad to say that most of the professional strength and conditioning coaches in the country find 300 lb men moving that fast as very suspect. Testing can be tricked and avoided. When there's hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, certain things get overlooked. I'm sure some are natural....but that would be the exception, not the rule. If that is the case, then that is too bad. Lots of kids with heros out there. So does that automatically determine that a powerlifter who wants to be an MAist isn't going to reach full potential because of his bulkiness? I see Joe Lewis in my head, who was never really slow.

That's a good call, Bob. I'd have no problem with an older, ranked child teaching other, younger ranks. It would be a good teaching lesson, and great for the future. Also signing as an assistant on the certificates would be a good thing, too.

The important thing is to listen to what your body is telling you. There is a good book out there, called "Martial Arts After 40" by Sang H. Kim, I believe. You might check into it.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome aboard!

Good, solid posting. It is the truth, as well.

BINGO! I'll steal a baseball expression, if I may...THAT WENT YARD! Thanks Bob.

Lots of variations here, and not many answers will be the same. But, here goes my usuall stab at this. Its going to depend on what the black belt means to each style. But, I like to compare it to things like Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai, etc. You go and learn, and skill level, etc, is decided by how good you are, who you beat and who you don't. You practice lots, then have tryouts, and then the pecking order gets established (in Wrestling, anyways). Everyone may have learned the same things, but not everyone applies it equally. Yet, there is no arguement about rank, or what one should or should not be taught. Unfortunately, many Asian Martial Arts have put this barrier on, using the black belt, and defining certain meanings to it...maturity levels, etc. So now, we have to decipher what the black belt represents...knowledge? Kids can retain all kinds of knowledge, so sure. Fighting ability? Well, I don't know any kids that can beat me up, so sorry, no dice. Maturity? Hehe, I have a 14 year old who is mature one minute, and childish the next. Oh, I know adults like that too. So, flip a coin here. Thats my stake on it. And, I'm pretty sure I didn't answer the question, either. I'm not sure it really has one.

I liked Tony's post, as well. Very well thought out. I do think that simplicity is the key to success. Keeping things simple are what make them repetitive, and allow for one to gain a high level of skill in a shorter period of time.

Taller people used to give me this intimidated feeling. Being short, it has always bugged me being paired with taller guys. But now, if I know someone has some skill on the ground, that bothers me more than anything.

Bulky doesn't always mean slow. Just like anyone, you have to train to learn how to move your body and weight. Sumo Wrestlers can be very explosive, and are quite agile for big men. There are football players that weigh close to 300 lbs and can run a 40 yard dash in under 5 seconds. Bulky=slow is not a sound arguement, in my mind.

The problem comes in adults being willing to take this youngster seriously. At an age when parents are still teaching this youngster, how can one expect to be taught and promoted by said youngster? I think that is where the problem lies.

I am more of the gaining muscle and strength school of thought here. There comes a point, though, that it may be important to lose some of the fat so that the MAist can move his/her body more easily. But, I am a firm believer in weight training/strength training to improve the Martial Artist's abilities. I think that there are still a lot of MAists out there that are under the misguided belief that big muscles slow you down and render a Martial Artist inflexible. These fallacies have never been proven. I was noticing this when I started running. But, I've kept at it, and now, its just like it was before I was running. After doing leg exercises, you might want to stretch differently, because weight training the legs may not get them as warm as other activities would. Maybe after weights, get a little jog in, and get them more warmed up, then stretch. Either way, I believe after a time of sticking with your routine, it won't be so hard anymore.

6-3-10 Jogged for 15 minutes. Hit the mile 11:10, and finished with 1.3 miles. Stretched. Did my splits w/o sitting on the ground, which has suffered a bit. Felt good to stretch that way, though. TTA white and low orange belt forms. ATA white and orange belt forms.

It sounds like you enjoyed it. I am with tallgeese in that I wouldn't like to see one of my MA classes a week exchanged with yoga, but if you have the time and enjoy it, then go for it.