bushido_man96

What attributes, for example?

One would think so, but many females and small framed males, tend to train to get a upper edge. Does this mean because these people are "smaller", that they do not stand a chance against a larger person? I never said that. I simply stated that size and strength are both important attributes to take into account in any encounter.

Oi, sorry to hear that, man.

My current instructor has not sparred with us in quite some time. In the past, my instructors did spar with the students. I think it is important, as well.

Not much. I just try to make sure that it isn't locked out.

12-1-09 Night shoot at the range. I qualified for the first time, on my first official try. Just barely, but I got it done, and that all I wanted to accomplish. Now I can work on getting better.

Sounds like a great experience. He actually went into detail about the relations between TKD and Shotokan?

That is why I like my Combat Hapkido more than my Aikido. I like the strikes, and the shorter, more direct routs that are taken to get to your destination.

Hehehe, thats pretty much the way I see it, too.

Yeah, pretty much.

I don't worry about KI or anything like that in my training. I just train. Let it come to me.

There are some that win, and some that lose. We can point in both directions. But for an instructor to tell students that size won't ever matter, is not a smart way of teaching, in my opinion.

I am at odds with the term "god fearing", as I do not think people should "fear" god, but embrace. However, that said, Bushido was a unwritten code practice at a time when such was practiced within a certain set of moral or behavior obligations. I fear anyone that can help a guy kill a 8 foot giant... But yes Bushido was never anything really religious, most Budoka were buddhists but bushido was never a religion. Its more of a result of the overall culture of the region at the time. Buddhism was the popular religion, and some of the concepts and ideals contributed well to the ideals of warriors. So they stuck.

Chuck Norris needed a bodyguard?

I agree. I'm just saying that it tends to be one of those things that tends to get people interested. It helps get them started. From there, anything can happen.

Kinda goes against the idea of many who think martial arts was created for weaker persons against stronger ones. I'm not sure when or how that actually got propogated, but I think it is one of the biggest misrepresentations that any instructor could attempt to pass onto a student. Size and strength are both factors to be considered in any encounter. No, they are NOT the only ones to consider, or necessarily the most important ones, but they are factors to be considered.

Like I said, its a step. If you find that it isn't the best for you, then it served a purpose, after all, and you can work towards finding what is best for you. Its not an end-all, be-all; just a simple idea.

I think it is a step in the process; not much more or less. How many little boys state that they want to be just like their father when they grow up? How many do? Finding a good example to follow in the beginning is a good place to start. At some point, things begin to fall into place.

There is nothing wrong with that at all, Bob. I think that more and more people should learn to be comfortable with who they are and what they are capable of, and grow from that, as opposed to trying to always emulate someone. I have been guilty of this myself. I would add, though, that in trying to emulate someone in the beginning, makes for a good launching pad to finding out what one's strengths and weaknesses are, and building from there becomes more individual.

OTI: Opportunity To Improve....

If you find sparring fun, then do it. If you find self-defense training important, then do it, too. Wasn't that easy?

A lot of what katas do are up to personal interpretation. I wouldn't want to squash anyone's creativity. But, it depends on how much stock you put in to the way forms are done, too. Now, if it comes to a tournament, especially the open kind, if they throw a fancy tweak in there, then I don't think I would mind so much. Some tournaments judge more for athleticism and aesthitics than other stuff. That doesn't make it right, but it doesn't make it wrong, either. Different strokes for different folks.

I didn't think it looked too rigid. It did seem to lack some intent, though. He just seemed to walk through the motions.

11-28-09 ATA white belt form: 5 times Jog/walk 11-29-09 Push-ups: 20, 10 Jog/walk 11-30-09 Bag work: 3 rounds, 5 minutes, punching ATA white belt form and one-steps: 3 times each

For front kicks, I pivot the base foot anywhere from 45 to 90 degrees. And try to keep the base leg knee bent.