bushido_man96

I see the point you are making, Espina, but it doesn't hold up when you come to MA styles that don't include forms as part of their training. Styles like Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, Boxing and Wrestling don't use forms in the sense that you and I are discussing them here. Neither do many of the Filipino styles, to my knowledge. There is no forms work in Western styles of swordsmanship, either. So, does that mean that the journey through these Martial paths is any cheaper than those experienced through a style that does use forms training? I don't think so.

Sure. But, there is nothing wrong with doing it with intensity, either. Again, like I said, controlling it is a key factor.

Good idea to get out of that "group think" to test things. Going to different gyms and stuff to get different perspectives always helps to get out of the comfort zones. 3-30-09 Weights Bench press: 225x6, 7 fail Row: 180x7, 8 fail Military press: 125x5, 6 fail Lat pull-down: 170x6, 7 fail Machine curls: 55x8, 9 fail Triceps push-down: 180x4, 5 fail Leg extensions: 130x10 Leg curls: 190x10 Ab wheel: 15, 10 Cable trunk twist: 90x10, 10 Cardio: Bike for 20 minutes, then a good stretch. MA Workout Aikido: 8:45 - 9:20. We worked on Katatori Ikkyo (lapel grab, 1st teaching) from the intercept like before, and also deciphered Katatekosatori Kotegaeshi (cross-hand grab, wrist turning throw). I say "deciphered" because we went off a bit of what we had done in the past, and use some common sense to put it together like we think it might work. We plan to square it up with the instructor, but I think we have a handle on it. Combat Hapkido: 9:20 - 10:00. In only worked on a few of the red belt techniques, from two-hand lapel grabs, and from middle sleeve grabs. I wanted to focus on the grips, and proper set-ups, which I feel better on. I also dug up a few alternatives for each that I did, in case things change up. One of the variations comes from the Aikido that we have done a bit, so I am starting to see more and more cross-over, which is good.

Stand on one leg, near a wall. Try to go as long as you can without touching the wall to regain balance, but do use it, to help get the duration up.

I don't think it would look wrong in any way. You hear people say all the time "control your anger," not "don't be angry." I'm sure we hear the last one from time to time, but more important is controlling it, rather than suppressing it. I don't mind using anger like that. At times, I kind of like being angry...

That is kind of funny. But, I guess in the world of competition, anything counts.

Wow, that's crazy. I'd have to agree, though. The goal at the end of the shift is to go home.

I think that breaking demonstrates the abilty to channel power through technique. Most of the techniques that we do are done in such a way as to maximize the efficiency of the body's musculoskeletal system. So, by showing that we can destroy a few boards are bricks with a well done technique, we can show the efficiency and power that the body is capable of producing. It isn't the end all, be all, like Grego mentions, but it can have its uses.

The question that I have is that do we really know that the forms came first? I don't think that they did. I think that perhaps some individuals came with some concepts of fighting, through actual fighting, and then these concepts eventually got written into what we see as the forms. So, I think that you can honor the past by not doing forms just as much as doing forms. In the end, it depends on which road you prefer to take to get to where you are going. I think some roads are shorter than others.

Still kicking, I don't think that it is wrong to channel negative feelings/energy into training, either. Being really ticked off and angry can be a good way to really make you want to go all out and really work hard. I also think that it is still possible to focus when one is angry. One can be angry and still in control, I feel. If you can channel any kind of energy like that to physical work, I think it pays off, in the end.

I don't view it as a negative or defeatist mindset, but more of the need to be ready to deliver that next blow. Not doubting, but being extra pepared.

I think you make some solid points here. I haven't struck anyone in the head with a fist, so I don't know what the results would be for me, but I have struck some pretty solid objects in the past, with no ill effects. But, everyone reacts differently. I also agree from the LEO/Corrections standpoint on how the open hand strikes look, especially in court. Now, if you happen to be outnumbered, or the assailant has a weapon, using the closed hand might be easier to justify. But in that case, you could justify escalating to weaponry, too.

I think the name change has something to do with moving from more of an Okinawan derivative to a Japanese derivative, but I can't be sure. Or, it may be to move from a Chinese influence to a Japanese influence.

I wouldn't say that most of today's MAs are rooted in Shaolin. That tends to be what is propogated the most through the Bodhidarma myth, but I don't think that there is much actual evidence to substantiate it. Although some Karate systems may have adopted some techniques from styles of Kung Fu, they still retain many of their own techniques from the various Te and Tegumi of old.

There are many opinions on the value of breaking in the Martial Arts, and is probably best left to discussion in a thread focused on such. However, I do understand what you are saying about hitting those bumps in the road that make you feel like you should be "there." I think we all hit those bumbs, from different angles, and they are the kinds of things that make us sit up and realize that we can be better, and now we know it. You have to wonder if, without failure, can we learn as much from our successes?

I've heard similar arguements for the 3/4 turned fist. I have tried all of them out on the bag, but never on a makiwara. It appears that when you read up on the physiology of the matter, that the vertical or 3/4 fist tend to be what is preferred.

Keep up the hard work.

Great article, tallgeese. I like the outline, and I can see how it can be taken to fit into any style. Thanks for taking the time to lay this out.

3-26-09 100 Push-ups Week 5, Day 2: 10, 10, 13, 13, 10, 10, 9, 25 = 100 TKD testing: 6:30 - 8:15. Testing went well tonight. We did a demo at the beginning, that went ok. I tried my two level round kick break; got the first, bounced the second. When I reared back to get that top board, I had to take 2 more attempts at it. I hate it when I do that, but the ball of my foot has been feeling it for a while. It was a pretty tough board. But, I'll keep working at it, and hopefully get it next time. We had 3 white belts test, which was nice, and they did well. Next were our orange belts; 2 low and 3 high orange, and they all did well, too. Then we had a low and a high blue belt, and a high brown belt. Overall, it was a pretty good test.

I was watching an interview on Fox Movie Channel with John Cena being interviewed by three students of filmmaking. The last question of the segment was asked in a manner that went something like this: "We're students, still learning. What's the most important lesson you can send us away with?" or something to that affect. John Cena's answer was: "Be responsible for your actions." As simple as this may seem, I think it isn't said enough, and isn't preached enough. No one likes to be wrong, or on the side of things where something may have fallen through, but it is important that people learn to "man up" and take responsibility of their actions. I see a lot of people where I work that want to always point blame in other directions, and try to wiggle their way out of something that they did wrong. Teaching responsibility is something that we could use more of.

Well, it looks like it has potential. I'd rather see it dubbed, though. I can't stand to read a movie I am trying to watch.

"Never judge a book by its cover" comes to mind....

As long as you are enjoying it, and you feel you are benfitting from what you are learning in self-defense as well as other aspects, then that is great. Training outside can be fun at times. My dad tells me about the "old" days when he did TKD, and there were only 5 belt ranks. At times, I don't think I would mind going back to that setup.

If you are reffering to the above, I don't really think that it is too simple. In the end, it is what it is. Instead of worrying about if we are doing the same thing that a gentleman that lived in the 1600s is doing, we should be focused on whether or not what we are doing now is going to work for us.

Thanks for sharing these clips. Its very cool that you got to have so many experiences with someone like him.