bushido_man96

Its good to see that she is improving. With time, she'll be up to full throttle.

No, you can't blame a student for wanting to find something that is familiar. I just kind of get a chuckle when they find something similar, but too different fot their liking, and then just find something that is completely different in the end. And that is not a bad thing at all. It is just kind of quirky to me in the way they get to the end result. I was in a similar setting when I moved to go to college. My only experience in the MAs to that point was in ATA TKD, and I was a 2nd dan, certified instructor, and taught students ranging from 4 year old kids to a 78 year old former pro Boxer. When I moved to go to college, I fell in with another TKD stylist for a time, before I finally fell in with my current TKD school. I actually got started in my current TKD school when a friend of mine and I were over playing racquetball in the Phys Ed department. There was a TKD class in the dance room, and they were just finishing up. I spoke with the instructor, and he mentioned that the class was available as a credit. So by the next semester, I was into it, and learning a whole new set of forms, one-steps, and class format. In the end, I am happy with the change that I have made, for the most part. And have worked my way back up the ranks, now as a 3rd dan, and again an instructor. So, for me, the experience has been a positive one.

I have looked back on some of my old posts, and I have seen that some of my standpoints on some subjects has changed, as well. Over the years, most of my changes in viewpoints have come from what many view as the spiritual aspects of the arts. I used to embrace romantization of some things, like the Samurai, for instance, but have since learned that romanticization can at times be close to exaggeration, or at the very least the culling of what you want to belive of something, and leaving the rest behind. Over the years, I have come to feel it isn't the job of the Martial Arts community as a whole to attempt to influence its practitioners in the aspects of spiritual development. Nor do I hold on to such precepts as "never hit first" or others like it. I feel that if I want to seek out things like spiritual enlightenment, I can do that on my own time, and not during a time when I want to be practicing techniques.

Congrats, Pittsburg.

Congrats to the Lakers.

Welcome to the Forums!

What is a tekko?

6-17-09 Martial Arts Combat Hapkido: 8:00 - 9:00. We really slowed things down today, and worked on some of the finer details of the techniques; for me, the grab and distraction sections. I really want the techniques to be tight, so I like to take some time on these things. We spent the last 15 minutes on some trapping. Weights Cable crossovers hi to lo: 40x12, 50x10, 10 Cable crossovers mid: 50x10, 10, 10 Cable crossovers lo to hi: 50x10, 40, 10, 10 Leg extensions: 130x15, 15, 12 Leg curls: 160x15, 15, 15 Stretched legs and arms.

I would agree with you there, Joe. However, I think that some instructors view it as a way of demonstrating the practice of basic technique, and if you have good basics, then you should have a good board break. I agree, but preparation should be a key, as well.

I'm not trying to point any fingers or make an example out of anyone, so please don't take this as a personal affront, DWx. It is far from that. But, quoting DWx's situation above, I think this kind of thing tends to happen quite a bit when searching out the next school of your style. What happens is that it isn't like the one that you had, and so instead of doing something similar, yet a bit different, you end up searching out something totally different, anyways. We had a gal show up that was on the Texas A&M TKD team who was on a few weeks break at our TKD school one night. I asked her a little about what her school consisted of, etc, when we had a break after doing basics. She wasn't very comfortable with our school's set-up, and although she was polite, and worked hard, she didn't come back to anymore classes. She was used to a lot more sparring-oriented classes.

I would recommend picking up a book or two of his. I have enjoyed reading them, and I do like some of the things that he does with his kata training. He also takes a well-rounded approach to self-defense training, by using the forms as his base.

That would have been my next question. From what I have read, I haven't seen any claims that he is doing Wado now, or that what he is doing is Wado Karate.

Congrats, Fran.

Hehe, it all adds to the fanfare, eh Bob! You'll do great, I'm sure.

There is an interesting column by Mark Hatmaker in this month's Black Belt Magazine on this very subject. You often here it said in the fight game that the victor "wanted it more," and things like that. But how do you quantify that? How can you truly prove it? Just because a guy loses means that he didn't want it as bad as the guy who won? I think these are good points to bring up. Have you ever lost a match? I have. But what was the conclusion that I came to? Was it because "I just didn't want it enough..." or was it because (gasp, dare I say it...) "darn it, that guy is just better than me..."

I agree. If you use it in a fight, then it is an "MA" move. A lot of MA techniques might be a bit stylized, and some are downright fancy. But, at the heart of all of them, is an efficient technical base that can maximize the power and delivery of damage. I agree with this assessment, as well. All of that training will make you better, and will help you out. Of course, the most valuable training that you does comes from partner drilling with these techniques.

What you could try to do is get with a couple of friends, and replay this scenario, with live action, naughty words, etc, so that you can get into the mindset for when these things happen. As for what is different between then and now, it could be hard to tell. Perhaps you have mellowed some. Perhaps you have more at stake now, or realize that there are possibilites of weapons coming out, etc. It could be any number of things. But, it doesn't mean that it has to remain that way.

I like your approach in using the music. Very nice touch. And it makes sense as to why music is such an important part of your art.

Let me know how it goes for you. Glad to help.

At the same time, if it is seen as frustrating, it could also be seen as a challenge, and therefore that could be why it is included in the tests. I think it is also a good way to demonstrate concentration, focus, and power in technique.

6-15-09 Weights Bench press: 235x6, 7 fail Row: 200x7, 8 fail Military press: 125x4, 5 fail Lat pull-down: 180x5, 6 fail Leg extension: 175x10 Leg curls: 205x12 Machine curl: 60x5, 6 fail Triceps push-down: 180x6, 7 fail Decline crunches: 22 lbs x 12, 10 Trunk twists: 80x10, 10 Cardio Bike: 25 minutes, alternating 5 min intervals at 90 rpm, then 100 rpm. Light stretch afterwards; still nursing that sore groin muscle. 6-16-09 Combat Hapkido: 2:00 - 3:00. We went over the entire red belt curriculum today, just to get a solid review in. I also did lots of reps on BOB, from a natural stance, doing a half-step to the outside of him, and delivering a palm heel strike to the chin and getting the other hand up into a guarding position. It makes for a good distraction-evasion move, and we use a lot of that in Combat Hapkido. TKD: While my daughter was at track practice today, I did some forms work. I did the first 6 forms, and in between each, I spent time duck walking around near the ground while pushing trucks around with my son.

Anytime, Kez.

I agree. With the proper training and patience, you can be a fast and agile big man. Work the proper technique, and then work on enhancing your speed with drills appropriate for that. Also, don't neglect footwork. As a big guy, it can be your friend. Do some footwork drills, and even jump rope if you have the time. Build it from the ground up.

After looking at the clip again, I feel that part of my ackwardness may come from the foot that I move after seizing the elbow. In the clip, the instructor moves the same side foot. I have been stepping with the opposite foot. I also tend to feel too far away from uke when doing the technique, like I have to reach for him. I'll ask the instructor about which foot to step with. The more I do this technique, the more trouble I seem to have with adjusting to the incoming grab, as opposed to letting the grab happen. Also, our prep stance isn't done with the hands in the typical positioning that I have seen in the Aikido books I have been reading, which really bothers me. I don't like my hands hanging down at my sides, and then having to react from that position to intercept the grab. I may start holding my hands up in a more ready position; not doing so just feels unnatural to me.

Well, I don't see too much difference between the Real Aikido, and other Aikido that I have seen. But, that my limited experience talking, as well.