bushido_man96

Did you use only one holder, or two?

I think that learning the XMA kind of stuff is a great way to augment one's training athletically, and there isn't any question that it can enhance such attributes like hand-eye coordination, balance, etc. I think that if someone wants to augment their training with XMA stuff, I think that is great. I don't think it is for everyone, though.

I don't think that self-defense is a by-product of all MA training. I think it should be, but not all teachers think the same. I think that it is something that should be considered, though, by all who teach. Just food for thought.

I passed up a chance to pick it up at a bookstore not long ago. Perhaps someday, though, I'll take a look at it. I do like to read up on the Jeet Kune Do subject, but there are several different ideas of what Jeet Kune Do is floating around out there. To me, its all the more reason to check it out, though.

I thought we were talking about everything that can be encompassed with the knowledge of the forms. Therefore, applications would apply, no?

Yeah, on the eBay page, the device was actually called Kindling....the wireless wooden reading device...

So what have you decided to do?

I can't help you with the kanji, but it does look nice.

That seems to be a hold-over habit of forms practice, from what I see. Students like to lock and hold their techniques when doing forms, especially kicks.

Are you an ATA black belt, Heidi? 6-10-09 While on our walk tonight (1 mile).... Alternating leg bounds: 3x10 Alternating middle blocks: 10 Alternating outside blocks: 10 Alternating down blocks: 10 Alternating knifehand strikes: 10 Alternating backfist strikes: 10 Alternating punches: 10 100 Push-ups Week 4, Day 2: 25, 29, 25, 25, 36 = 140 I also appear to be nursing a slight groin pull. I'm not sure where that came from, but I don't like it one bit.

Looks managable. Gets the fingers out of the way, at least. I wonder if two holders could hold it comfortably, though? One person holding might not be stable enough for some breaks.

Ah, quite an honor, then. And now, I'll take some time to do my happy dance, for correctly recalling some correct Karate knowledge!!

I agree that the reasons that you mentioned above for studying a Martial Art are all very valid, good reasons for taking up the journey. However, I feel that along with these things, that good, practical self-defense should be a by-product of any Martial Arts training, especially if it is to be classified as a Martial Art. However, this is up to each instructor to decide for what his/her school will teach, be it right or wrong in how one looks at it...

I think that I have heard of "Real Aikido," and I think it is an organization that has a bit of a different focus than derivatives of Ueshiba's Aikido.

I agree that those are all very important attributes that are attained through forms practice. However, when you get an active partner in front of you, they all tend to change a bit. So, its important to do both. At some point, the building blocks have to become a house.

I did notice that. That alone really makes it worth checking out. I also saw that he has a new hardback edition of his book coming out. I wish he would hurry and get volume 2 out there!

Welcome aboard, and good luck with your grading.

Series is 2-1 now. I'm not sure the Magic have what it takes to win this series, though.

That's pretty nifty. An impressive find.

That looks like quite a load, Bob. Have fun, and good luck!

Just incredible to be able to fight through anything like that.

I see. Perhaps just working on her with tracking the target along the path the kick would travel, without kicking at first, might help her to focus on it a bit more? Just a thought. 6-9-09 I helped a student work on her spinning heel and spinning outer crescent kicks tonight. Working on pivoting and getting the body in proper alignment for executing each of the kicks.

13 times and then...BONK...turns into...OUCH...as on the 14th practice run they've hit you dead on your fingers. Yeah, tell me about it! This would be ideal, and perhaps I can get my instructor to look into it. If one isn't that hard to build, then perhaps I can convince my dad, who is a lot more handy than I am, and has all the tools, to help me put one together. I have been downloading those mag issues, so I am sure I'll come across the article. I agree with you 10000000% here. Unfortunately, its not my class, or my school, so I just get to nod and say "yes sir!" In my early ATA days, our rule was set it up, take a practice run or two, and then you break. And if your practice run touched the board, it counted as an attempt. Two attemtps per station, and that was it. Now, with how the attempts plays out, I like it and I don't. For one thing, it shows that they have a grasp on all aspects of a technique; speed, power, and especially distancing. However, if a student has a great testing, and then bonks on the boards, does the weight of the scoring the board break end up failing them? In some places, yeah. In others, maybe not. Should failed board breaks = no change at testing?

6-8-09 Evening session 100 Push-ups Week 4, Day 1 (3rd column): 21, 25, 21, 21, 32 = 120 Seeing as I have been having trouble getting week 5 down, I decided to back up to week 4, and do the high end column, which I can tell is still going to be tough. Getting back on the horse here made my arms feel nice and tight, and I like that feeling. Just that getting there kind of sucks. At any rate, I am trying something different to see if I can make some gains. 6-9-09 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:30. Arms sore from the push-ups the night before, and I regretted in during the upper body portion of basics. Even more sore after class. Tomorrow afternoon should feel real nice. Basics drug on a bit tonight, and we didn't spar any. This will probably be the only scheduled class I get this week, as well.

I believe the red and white belt is an option for someone of the Renshi level to wear, is it not?