bushido_man96

I've got a serious neck problem and it doesn't seem to be going away, so I am going to take it easy the rest of this week. I may do some cardio, but not much else. We'll see if it goes away.

Nah they don't tie across, they're meant to look like it though. They overlap a little but instead of a tie they usually have a zip or velcro. Stops it coming undone but still keeps it looking a bit like a gi. Ah, so they are cleverly disguised.... I learned something new today, then. Thanks, DWx.

Enjoy your time with it. Even though it is a short form, there are a lot of nuances to it. I enjoy doing it, and I am not totally winded when I get done....

Nice article. I really like Joe Lewis's stuff, and I think that using the front kick as a stop kick is a good strategy. But, I think it is important to really learn to time the kick. I think that often someone will shuffle the back leg before lifting the front to stop kick. This is ok, if you are looking for some range, but the stop-kick isn't really a range kick; its to stop an incoming opponent. If you step in and kick as they come in, you may jam yourself up.

Thanks for the pointers, John. I do have some problems with the methods of teaching in Aikido, but I deal with that stuff on my own time. Otherwise, I go to learn the techniques and different ways of moving. At this point, I'm just sponging stuff up. I'll keep your advise in mind. Thank you.

Welcome to KF.

My thoughts go to the families and the department as well. RIP

I guess that is one thing about Kobudo that I wouldn't like; I would rather focus on one weapon, I think, if it came to requirements.

What if one is mute, and can't say either? Then the true judgement comes from demonstration.

This may sound a bit crude, but the beauty in weaponry is in its killing efficiency. After all, there isn't really any other reason to be weilding a weapon. No, one does not have to kill when weilding a weapon, but I believe it is this intrigue that is the lure of a sword to so many people.

I have never heard the actual translation of Kobudo, but those above sound reasonable. I think in terms of practice, if you like to learn about older weapon styles, then it is worthwhile. I don't gravitate to the usage of old Okinawan weaponary, but more towards those of the West, long sword, quarterstaff, sword and buckler, dagger combat, various polearms, and trusty options like the ax and the mace. But, like tallgeese mentions, if you are looking for some more practical modes of self-defense, looking to more common weapons of the today, like the knife, stick, and gun, is the way to go. But, it depends on the goal, too.

Good luck to you.

I have read a bit on it, and I know that they had a few of the originals. I always liked the Ken/Ryu rivalry, and Guile is a staple I think, as well.

Fighting and Christianity have gone hand in hand for centuries. That doesn't make it right or wrong, though; its just a fact of life. The Old Testament is rife with tales of combat, and it even has its own strongman story in Sampson. Most cultures have had to deal with combat at some point or another, and most of these cultures have religion that help to set the morals and guidelines of their culture. Fighting just happens, and the culture can reflect what they are willing to fight for.

I can't do those worth a hoot. They are tough!

4-4-09 Aikido class: 10:00 - 12:00. I got to work on all of the techniques that my rank gets tested on: Lapel grab Ikkyo, cross-wrist grab Kotegaeshi, and cross-wrist grab Kokyunage. I felt good with the initial introductions, and now I can work on them outside of class, and really focus on them. We also did a bokken kata that is a requirement for the 3rd kyus we have testing, and I kind of liked it. It was rather simple, but the sempai said I did a good job, especially with the strikes, and using my hips, etc. He said that I must have done something before, and I mentioned my SCA time, and all the reading up I have done on Western Swordsmanship. 4-6-09 Weights Bench press: 225x5, 6 fail Row: 190x5, 6 fail Military press: 125x5, 6 fail Lat pull-down: 160x6, 7 fail Leg extensions: 145x10 Leg curls: 190x10 Machine curls: 55x7, 8 fail Triceps push-down: 185x5, 6 fail Decline crunches: 2x20 Cardio: Bike for 25 minutes, then stretch. Aikido: 8:45 - 10:00. Focused on testing stuff.

4-3-09 Weights Bench press: 225x5, 6 fail Row: 190x5, 6 fail Military press: 125x5, 6 fail Lat pull-down: 160x6, 7 fail Leg extensions: 145x10 Leg curls: 190x10 Machine curls: 55x7, 8 fail Triceps push-down: 185x5, 6 fail Decline crunches: 2x20 Cardio: Bike for 25 minutes, then stretch.

I should add the tons of books that I have, plus 2 3-ring binders; one with a bunch of MA stuff in it, ranging from class planners to all of the articles and essays that I have written, along with some others done by friends and colleagues, and another that has curriculum for ATA and TTA TKD, and my Combat Hapkido requirements, plus the stuff I am putting together for my Hapkido classes. And, the Aikido curriculum book.

Truestar, I think some of the problem comes from what the judges are experienced in, too. If they have Karate experience, I think that it plays a small part in how they judge. I don't know that it leads to a bias, but when you see something that you identify with as familiar, and are comfortable with it, I think that leads to some bias. Po-Eun is a good form, but is short. You might think about trying Se-Jong as well, if you have done that one yet. It is a lot of hand techniques, and it doesn't repeat hardly at all. I have always liked it, and can really power it out.

I have read that as well. I don't know how accurate that is, but I imagine it is close. I do think having it seperate TKD from the Karate gi is one reason it was introduced.Doesn't the ITF wear the ones that tie across, though? They always looked like it, and the uniforms that I wear are always the tie across types. I wouldn't let the type of uniform distract me from taking a style. Even though I have always participated in styles that wear some type of uniform like the gi/dobok in my training, I prefer to wear something more comfortable and less restrictive, like shorts and a T-shirt (preferably a KC Chiefs T-shirt...). At any rate, the uniform would be the least of my concerns when looking into studying a style. The material learned is tantamount.

John, thank you for the comments. I am still fairly new with a lot of the movement principles of Aikido, so I'll try to consider them as I go along. I have done Nikkyo as well; I just haven't focused on it as much, as it isn't one of the techniques I'll be tested on. However, with what I have done with it, Nikkyo seems to be easier to apply than Ikkyo does. I have noticed that when I look for examples on the internet, all the examples that I see show the grab taking place, but the standards for the Aikido Association of America (AAA) seem to be to intercept the grab, as opposed to letting the grab become completed. However, I would like to practice both, because sometimes a grab will get through. I have also been practicing Kotegaeshi and Kokyunage, both without letting the grab land. It just seems to be the way the AAA does it. Thoughts on this, John?

And that's fine. But don't be offended if everyone offers up their opinions, as well. That what discussion communities are about.

The founder of Kyokushin Karate, Sosai Mas Oyama, learned Shotokan under Gichin Funakoshi and later on Goju Ryu under a senior student of Chojun Miyagi (he was eventually awarded an 8th dan by Gogen Yamaguchi). Oyama essentially combined Goju and Shotokan with jissen kumite to make Kyokushin. That is what I thought I remembered reading. But I read so much, things can get garbled at times....

I agree about keeping things in perspective. Not too much, not too little. Everything in moderation, including moderation.

I think that the front kick has many great uses; a push, a stop-kick, and it is great for lower level attacks to knees and legs. It is also one of the more efficient kicks to throw high, if thats the kind of thing you dig. Welcome aboard, as well.