bushido_man96

I think that if you look into how the armor was put together, though, I would be willing to be that it offered a modicum of protection.

At any rate, if they felt that it offered some protection from blades, I don't think they were too worried about being punched through it.

I'd agree here. I remember seeing a spot on The Human Weapon on the Pankration episode where it was being claimed that the practitioners would train their front thrusting kicks to break the shields of the soldiers they would face......I didn't really buy into that, either.

The trouble is finding out exactly what the original concept truly was.

Ooh, cheap games are always a pull.....I was playing on GameTap for a while, but haven't had time lately.

It sounds like fun, but easier said then done.

Uhmm, how about them Red Sox???

A very nice interpretation, sensei8.

That was pretty creative. Stop motion at its finest!

Congrats, and keep the good posts coming.

Congratulations.

This is a two-part question: 1. How do you use feinting in the training hall, for competition/free sparring? Is it a big part of what you do? Do you use the hands, or feet, or both? How big of a role does it play for you? 2. How do you use feinting, if at all, for self-defense purposes? I think that there are many who don't feel it really has a place in self-defense, so what do you think?

Adaptations have their place too, I think. But, I'd say you are probably on a good track there. Sometimes, though, I think that a diversion in the way a style is done can be a good thing, but it doesn't have to be permament.

This topic has popped up elsewhere, and I feel that it is worthy of its own thread. What is everyone's feeling on anger, and its place in training? Do you try to avoid anger? Do you view it as an emotion that should be suppressed? Do you try to channel it and use it? Personally, I think that anger can be chanelled and used in a very good way. Anger can be very motivating. It can drive one, I feel. When it arises, I like to channel my energy with my anger, and work to use it to fuel myself onward. But, I feel that a major factor in the use of anger is control. I think that one can be angry, and be in control. I think that many feel this is not the case, but I do. What are your thoughts?

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.