bushido_man96

Sorry I'm late, its been busy at work. 4-23-09 Aikdio Testing: 7:30 - 9:00. Testing went well. We started with a bit of warm-up, doing some Aikitaisos and some stretches, then did some forward rolling and some Shikko (knee walking). Me and my white belt partner got to test first, and I was Nage (thrower) first. We did our three techniques, and I think we did pretty well, considering our rank. I've got a pretty good handle on most of the hand poistions and whatnot from Hapkido and DT, but the "flowing" aspect is a bit tougher for me. After testing was over, the Sensei told us all that we passed. I was pretty pleased.

I tried looking for U.S. shipping info, but couldn't find anything. Maybe I'll contact them and find out.

I've conked myself in the head with chucks more than a few times. Since then, I have decided that I'd rather use a stick.

Our school uses a special ordered mat that has a carpet-like top. They are kind of like a floor gymnastics mat, I think. They don't sink too much, but offer good protection for falls. However, with the carpet like top, they tend to be rough for too much ground play.

If you can work into some mitt drills or just bag drills with the hand techniques, you can really get them singing in TKD. Also, some Hapkido can work into the standing transition into the ground game you are looking for, if your school does any Hapkido. TKD and Hapkido are great complements to each other, and can lead to that grappling game.

You could also try to dig up the "Fight to Survive" song from Bloodsport. You can't beat that "Kumite! Kumite!" chant in the song...

I'll second this, for sure. Never take the blame for someone else's actions. That gets you no where, and leaves you accepting blame that you don't deserve. If you start down this road, its a long ways bad, and you'll never do anything again without taking into account the guilt that could result, even if you can't control it. With that aside, I am glad to hear that you are ok, Keri. Seeing as you blacked out, things could have ended up a lot worse. I'm glad that it didn't. It sounds to me like you were blindsided. Not much training can help prepare you for the blindside attack. Like some of the other have mentioned, working more on situational awareness can help to prepare you for these things better. Keep an eye around you, looking to your flanks to see if someone else is coming in to the fray. Lastly, don't feel so ashamed to not return to Karate, let alone test. Keep going, keep training, and keep fighting the good fight. Learn from it, and you will get past this, I am positive. Keep your chin up, Keri.

I have several of Master Cho's books, and I have not been disappointed by any of them. I haven't read them for quite some time, but I do need to so that I can drop some bites on them here, too. One thing is for sure, even as old as they are, they still have some good stuff in them. The way that Cho teaches sparring, really shows how TKD can work.

It really has come a long ways, hasn't it?

Wow, that takes some skill to be able to put together. Very cool.

4-22-09 Cardio Bike: after a warm up, I did 5 minutes at just over 100 rpms, then rested at around 90 rpms for 5 minutes. I did this twice, and rode for 20 minutes. Light stretch afterwards.

So do some front snap kicks and blocks in the park. Just do what you know; even if it is basic, someone will pick up on it.

Yeah, I've been looking at it from that point of view, and trying to think of things to do to change it up a bit. I think I need to attack more, but it hasn't been working for me. So, I'm looking into it...

I think you should be pleased, as well. Its good that they get some of the JJ type of stuff in their bunkai, and the fact that they recognize it like this shows that that they are thinking about it, too.

Maybe its just me, but I don't see the negative approach taken by adults in our school that it sounds like some here are suggesting. Even if they may be thinking "what are we doing?" they aren't always bringing it out in class, and many in our class are working hard and trying to learn the new stuff.

To work on kicking for power, I would get to the bag as soon as you can, and do some rounds. Make it move for you. Also, if you are into repeat kicking (same leg kicking, not setting it down), I'd drop that, too, and work on more combinations that work from one leg to the other, or that move forward, using the same leg, but setting it down each time. Just some thoughts.

Yeah, you might want to look into a Judo gi of some sort for grappling; they are more durable.

In your case, the bag hits back, eh?

Hey, you and me both! I agree, especially with the fading. If you notice the position of the kicker's base leg foot in that video, you can see that he only pivots to about 90 degrees. If that is the case, then that kick isn't going to deliver a lot of power past where the kicker finished it, because he has cut off the use of his hips and has effectively stopped his kick on his own. At that point, any target not directly in front of him isn't going to receive the optimum power of the kick. I'd never seen that approach before, but I like it!

Wow. Fantastic performance.

Whoa!!!

I just try to push through. I think about how my dad always taught me to work hard, and try to feed off that at times.

Sounds good to me.

The problem that I have with the first 3 is that you can get caught up in feints rather easily. On the street, this may not be a concern, though. I prefer to look at around the waist area, or the chest area, and then let peripheral vision do the rest. Looking down at the feet usually is inviting the hand from above, in my experience. Good thoughts, Bob, and thank you for sharing them.

I have had poor luck with pressure points, as well. However, in my profession when you have passive resistance, things like this may come in handy.