bushido_man96

I don't know. Maybe Survivor's Eye of the Tiger. I just like the song. I don't train to music too much.

Everyone will have a different answer here. Some will feel that they have a "duty" to teach for their instructor, or a "responibility" brought on by rank to do the same, without pay. Others will feel that their time is worth money, and will want to be paid for doing it. I don't think there is anything wrong with either option. Nothing really. What you want to consider, though, are what your credentials will be. Nothing really stopping you at all. But, when you look at those who have done it, look at what they had to offer, brought to the table, and the credentials that they had when they did it.

Woo Hoo!!!!! Awesome, Patrick.

5-21-10 1 mile run, under 11:30, then a good stretch. The legs are quite so tight, now. Then, I took the dog for a 1 mile bike ride/run.

Nice vid Tzu Logic. I've always been intrigued by Escrima, but have nowhere around to partake. 5-17-2010 Back to class that evening. Good workout with basics and forms, but no sparring. One hour class, 6:00 to 7:00. Sore the next day. After being away for so long, I notice how much the training really does for me. 5-19-10 Mile jog in under 12 minutes. Stretch. Legs tight from class on Monday. 5-20-10 Mile jog in under 12 minutes again, and a funny thing happened....it started to feel kind of...good? It was weird, so I upped my speed and added another quarter mile. Then had another really good stretch out.

5-14-2010 Mile jog in around 13:00. Then a good stretch. 5-17-2010 Mile jog, around 12:10, and then stretched the legs.

Making you spar and teaching you to spar and two different things. If all they are doing are telling you those 4 pointers you mentioned in your op, that's not teaching you to spar. That's telling you those 4 pointers. Teaching you to spar is drills, pad work, instructor's sparring students and kicking the student's butts until they can kick yours back. Teaching someone to spar is giving them combinations that work for their body type and letting them develop them. You can't just simply say "spar" and expect everyone to be good at it. Those with natural ability might develop it but most people will just flounder around like the blackbelts you described. If you want them to be better maybe you should start leading by example. I find nothing works better for getting people to keep their guard up than clocking them round the head with a kick or backfist or whatever. They learn fast that way. I could not agree with you more. I wish my school put more into it like that.

One can choose how he acts, and how he lives, and he treats and interacts with others. As opposed to worrying about whether people assume I am noble or not, I choose to try to live well, do the right things, make good decisions, and be a good father, husband, and worker. Now, not everyone thinks like this. There are those who try to work people over for whatever they can, steal, demean, and do other things to bring someone down, either to get themselves ahead, or, just because they like to hurt others. And, even more unfortunately, both of these groups have black belts among them. I'm sure that there are even some people who are viewed as "noble" that come from both of those groups. In the end, maybe its just semantics.

Are 'serious martial artists' the kind of demographic that's likely to attend a public karate demo? I would be willing to guess that it is more likely to attract those who don't have experience in the Martial Arts, and therefore become the new students. I'm willing to be that most "serious" Martial Artists that ever attend any type of demo show to watch, critique, and then talk about later amongst themselves, speaking of what they thought was junk, was good, or was just plain bull. I like all types of demos. And there is something to be said about demos as advertising. Yeah, they probably are off-the-wall, over-the-top types of performances, but it does speak to the capability that the school can develop, and if they can do all the fancy stuff, then I'd bet that their basics are good, too. My current school does demos that pretty much mirror a class of our, but in a downsized mode. We do basics, then a form or two, one-steps, sparring, and maybe some self-defense stuff that is Hapkido-based. Last, we break boards, each doing a different kind of break, with different amounts of boards.

I do think the "secrets" are not that, but more of what one has found works for him or her. It isn't keeping secrets, or that there are secrets that must be waited for. Its what works for one at the time, and how he/she makes them work. Like tallgeese, I think experts apply simple things at a high level of competency.

Thanks for everything you have done here, Heidi, and kudos!

Welcome to KF!

The problem with Taek Kyon is that you can't find anything concrete about it. I think Wang Kee and Gen. Choi both claim to have learned it, but they never say from who.

I am curious about these developments, as well. I started my career in the ATA, and like to see what's going on from time to time. Stick fighting would be fun, and the physical requirements are probably a good thing, as long as they aren't too outrageous. I'd like to see the MMA aspects of it as well. I remember when they started their Protech programs, and offered ground fighting based on BJJ as one of the programs. And, no, TKD wasn't really the first MMA.

I think more people would understand it than you think. How many parents are there of kids out there that Wrestle? Lots. How many of those kids' moms have likely Wrestled? Not many. But, I'll bet they find the time to talk with their kids about it. Sure, there are some who won't understand everything you talk about, but if you break it down into small doses, I think most people will get the picture. Now, I wouldn't just engage in the conversation just for the thrill of it. But, I think that a lot of people see and hear so much about the MAs these days that more will understand it than you might think.

I am not a big proponent of stepping forward with the back leg to deliver a punch in sparring. Sure, it will have power, but that step kind of telegraphs everything.

I see a lot of that, instructors not sparring in class. I think they should do so, but I think many times, they don't, to protect their ego.

I think Martial Arts sports are very effective, especially because they usually have a higher level of contact and resistance in their sparring. Olympic TKD and Boxing fight to knockout, Judo, BJJ, and Wrestling all are 100% resistive. This is very good training, even with the rule sets in place.

I think if I were you I would use the opportunity here to push the ones you have to spar regularly so they get better, and then they might be able to help you get better. Otherwise, see if you can spar some of the better fighters there.

I will if someone asks. I try not to talk about rank too much, but I'll discuss it if it comes up. I like to talk about it, especially with someone who is willing to listen.

I think you assume too much here. I don't recall anyone really saying they feel a black belt is lowly. It is no doubt an accomplishment. I just don't think a lot of people tie more into it than is there--to me, it is an indicator of skill or knowledge. Not much more than that. There are those who practice styles that don't use belts, and they don't have to worry about this issue. They know what they know, and it is enough; it doesn't have to be displayed around their waist. As for giving up a black belt, I don't consider that a big deal. You can have the belt...but you can't take the knowledge, and the time that has been put into the training. I think in the end, there are those who do or do not romanticize what the black belt truly is. I'd gladly wear a white belt and move to the back of the class. I have actually done this by taking another Martial Art that I have no experience in. I'm a white belt in there, and have no problem what so ever with being in the back of that class. I'd gladly go to the back of my TKD class, too. I'm not there to advertise, I'm there to learn. And if I get to learn more by being at the back of the class, then sign me up. And I don't have a bachelor's degree, either.

This quote doesn't hit home to me. For me, its the opposite that holds true.

Ah, I always enjoy this movie. Vikings and mystic enemies who really end up being just savage men. This movie is what I would refer to as a mini-epic. I love the characters, and the plot. Based on Michael Crichton's book Eaters of the Dead, and having read the book as well, I find them both enjoyable. Crichton's book is actually a revamped take on the Beowulf saga. Good time, indeed.

Welcome!

Welcome to KF!