bushido_man96

You and my dad, Bob! I read a lot anymore, and I'd have to say that I really like Clive Cussler, and his Dirk Pitt novels. I read all his others, too, though, and Isaac Bell is a lot of fun. I've recently latched on to William Deitrich's Ethan Gage adventures, which are fantastic if you like to see your characters interact with events throughout history. Gage is involved with Napolean, Jefferson, and plenty of other historical characters, and he is a former apprentice of Ben Franklin. His stories are a romp. Ah, so many others....also of recent has been Matthew Reilly. That guy can make action just fly.

Good job!

I say, if its a target, then hit it. If she doesn't want to wear the chest protector, then that's her decision. You can still punch to the stomach, and to the top of the chest, above the breasts, and still get good contact. For good targets, though, look to the stomach and the kidney area. Don't shortchange yourself on targets because she won't wear a chest protector. Go after it!

I don't own a place, but I did teach at TKD, and I have been attending Aikido as well. I don't attempt to bring Aikido into my TKD class, as it would take away time from TKD curriculum. Also, I don't have enough experience to really teach anything Aikido, so I just keep it as my own training time to learn and grow.

They are variations. Most of it just depends on the instructor lineage.

It is possible to up the contact levels in sparring and not get hurt every day. Using the proper safety equipment can help with this. As far as Shotokan gaining more respect if they make the contact harder, may be true. It may not, as well. I imagine that there are some Shotokan gyms out there that do some harder contact sparring. I do think that it would be a more convincing experience to some as to what the contact can actually make one feel like when fighting, and it would not be a bad experience. But, whether or not it ever changes, we'll have to see.

Which styles would these be? I don't think it ends up being about "killing" moves, but more about the willingness to train to fight in the ring. If one could apply that hold to the throat on the Adam's apple, then it would take much to adjust it to get the sides of the throat, for a choke. As for striking the throat, its a pretty small target, and most good fighters are going to have their chin tucked and their hands up to protect their head. MMA is a real fighting style, and one of the things that makes it so effective is that the practitioners actually practice fighting, a lot.

Well, ground game is going to be a given in most UFC fights; its just the nature of the beast.

That's awesome! Congrats. It sounds like your BJJ training is really working out for you. All that training paying off.

Being outsized may require something different when it comes to breaking balance. Strikes can be effective for this. I've got a brother that is quite a bit larger than I am, and I don't think about throwing him much at all, because he has such a good base and low center of gravity. But, if you can strike someone and get them reeling backwards, then that could be your opportunity to get the throw off.

Oh, well, if it has new stuff in it, then I may have to push up the wish list....

That is one thing to keep in mind with demos.....demonstration usually = advertisiment. So, they naturally do what they can to sell it and make it look good.

I think that's part of the deal, to keep those "cover features" open for anyone's picture to go on.

Teaching kids is tough, and it is not for everyone. Kids tend to get shut down when the hammer falls, especially if they feel they could be doing something more fun than what is going on at present time. And I'm not even talking from an MA instructor perspective; I'm speaking from a father perspective.

I echo tallgeeses sentiments on the fighting stance as well. The most important part is being in an athletic stance with some preparedness in mind. Also, tying to maintain a reactionary gap around people or in places you don't feel comfortable is a good habit to get into, as well. Its not always easy, but its an idea.

I think that ego does become a part of it. What the retiree believes others expect of him/her start to enter into his decision, and therefore, the ego is affected, and enters into the equation. It can be tough to do, there is no doubt about that.

I think that another part of being an honest uke is not only in receiving the technique, but also in presenting an honest attack for the nage to deal with. Making sure that the attack is one that is somewhat reasonable in design, and also delivered with intent and purpose.

People train and grow, and then differences in ideas and methodology arise, and then, you get splits. Thats why there are so many different MA styles are out there.

If Shotokan is what does it for you, then that is great news. I'm glad that you have found it and that it has helped you in this way. Different things do it for everyone.

If you can find an MMA gym around, get to it. They will tailor the training especially for MMA competition, and you'll start working sparring, strategy, and all that much earlier than you will in Shotokan, in my opinion. Taking Shotokan and BJJ together would be great, but learning it all in an MMA gym will show you how to put it together for the ring. Now, if you still feel like training both seperately, then by all means, go for it. I think that an MMA gym would focus your training more for that purpose, though. The Shotokan and BJJ instructors will have their own curriculum set forth for you to follow, and you won't get much MMA focus. In the MMA gym, that is exactly what you will get.

His stuff is always good to read. I have the four originals, but not the new volume. Maybe someday.

I think he means "cherish" in a bit of a different way. Yeah, its hard to love misfortunes, but we do learn for them, and it is important to step back after the fact, analyze why the misfortune came about, and then embrace it, and learn and grow and change. Everyone has a different way of saying things. Some will like it, and some will not. If you like your way better, then go with it. But look at it this way; his way made you think about it.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its a custom photo. Not a true cover.

I was thinking more of 60/40 for the front stance as well, but otherwise, all pretty close.

Welcome to KF.