bushido_man96

I'm not completely disagreeing with you there. The key is being able to articulate your fear. No, not every situation is going to warrant the attack. Like I said, it depends on a lot of factors in the situation. All I'm saying is never say never...

I hear these kinds of opinions and philosophies to learning the Martial Arts all the time. But, who is to say what one's goal should be when undertaking MA training? I say it is up to the person undertaking the training. I'm sure that Gichin Funakoshi was a great man. He did many things for Karate. I have read his book The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate; it is a good read, too. However, just because Funakoshi said it, does not make it so for me. So, I choose what I think are the things that I want to garner from my MA training, and that is what I want to get out of it. I don't need MA training to make me a better person, my upbringing as a child is what focuses me in that approach. Not Martial Arts training. Exactly! I think so to. In your response, you use the word think. The nature of the meaning here makes your viewpoint an opinion. There are a lot of opinions in the world of Martial Arts training, let alone the world in general. So, the opinion of one will not necessarily reflect the opinion, philosophy, or beliefs of the other.

3-4-09 Weights Bench press: 215x8, 9 fail Row: 160x6, 7 fail Military press: 125x5, 6 fail Lat pull-down: 160x6, 7 fail Machine curl: 50x7, 8 fail Triceps push-down: 165x6, 7 fail Ab wheel: 6, 6 Cardio: Bike for 20 minutes. 3-5-09 It was a beautiful day today. It was nice walking the dog this morning. We walked about a mile. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. After class, I spent about 20 minutes working with some of the colored belt students to review some forms.

Those are some good stretches to get you started. After you are warm from working out, some split stretches will be good to add, too. Ask your instructor about them.

That's pretty cool. That would be a fun experience, for sure.

Like tg mentions, I don't think you will see bad habits crossing over, mainly because you probably do more things like in Boxing than you realize. When sparring, you likely don't pull your reaction hand back to your hip/rib, because that would leave your head open to attack. So, Boxing will play on this, and perhaps make some of your defensive actions better, as in what you do with that off-hand, slipping and ducking some techniques, etc. So, unless you start kicking in the Boxing ring, I don't think you will have too much trouble.

KillerMiller is a big proponent of "Breathing Timing," and he explains it quite well. Hopefully, he chimes in here soon with his take. As for me, I don't have any particular concepts in mind, other than to make sure that I do breathe. Typically, I exhale forcefully when executing an individual technique, like in basics. In forms, or basic combinations, sometimes I'll breathe in between a set of techniques, and exhale throughout a series of moves. That's about it for me. Good topic, though. I await other replies, as well.

As opposed to the rank, I would think about the knowledge you can gain in 5 years.

Thanks, Alex. And yes, things are looking better now. I was glad to see that when I got to class, emotion didn't take over, and effect my training.

True on the LEO standpoint. Our hands are tied, for the most part, as we can't pre-empt with a strike, so it tends to become a wrestling match or a foot chase really soon. What I see discussed above is a lot of ring generalship. That isn't as useful in self-defense, as it is in competition, I don't think.

I see your point here. I know that as one gets better at something, it is hard to imagine that someone else struggles with something that we might view as simple, like a front stance. But, I try not to expect too much out of them, but I want them to get good, and feel confident. I guess one problem that I have with my system is that the testing cycles are right at two months, regardless of rank. The instructor can hold us back, if he chooses to, but each belt has a minimum two month cycle. I think at first few, it could be 3, then maybe 4 at the intermediate, then putting time in at the higher ranks. Of course, I'd like to see a more in-depth curriculum implemented at my school, too. But, that is another problem...

I agree here, but if you take my case, where we work head kicks more than some, and nothing below the belt, there is less of a transition from sparring to self-defense. Also starting at distance, as opposed to mixing that up from time to time, etc. In the case of Caporiea, I think it is important to look at how things are done in the roda. It is really unique, and they know that in the roda, they are moving against another that is moving like them, with the circles, spins, etc, and that kind of movement won't be the same in rote self-defense, I think.

JusticeZero, thank you for your explanations of the roda, and behind it. I think that your assessment of how many other styles of sparring are looked at is close, too. I think that Caporeia is one of the most beautiful arts to see practiced, too. Those guys and gals have talent. As to tallgeese's questions, here goes: Not as integral as I'd like it to be. We spend the bulk of our time on basics, forms, then one-steps, before getting into sparring. White belts and low orange belts don't typically spar, but do combinations with a partner, to get used to moving and throwing out techniques. This is just our school, too; others may spend more time sparring, but our instructor likes to make sure that technique is good, first. The role that it plays in our system is basically a way to learn to execute TKD kicks and punches while moving with another. Its main focus is to learn distance, timing, and other skills like blocking, countering, and developing reaction time to counter techniques while using footwork as well. No, not really. Some of our higher ranked one-steps could make good TKD sparring combos, using lead leg side kicks followed by spinning kicks to advance on an opponent, but unless you work on transitioning the combination to sparring, it doesn't help much. Sparring tends to be all its own, mainly because of its target restriction and point system. Nothing we really do with forms or one-steps is translated into sparring. We use the Olympic/WTF style sparring rules, wearing chest protectors, headgear, and gear covering the knuckles, hands, and forearms, and the instep and shin. No knee strikes or elbows, no takedowns, throws, or sweeps. Kicks and punches to the front of the trunk (nothing to the back), and kicks only to the head. Our organization tournament does a point style, but with the body displacement rule (trembling shock). Otherwise, tournaments we attend usually use WTF rules of continuous sparring in 2 minute rounds. What the system gains is a sport aspect of competition, that can attract those interested in competing against their peers.

Welcome aboard! Nice to meet you, as well.

I remember the 1985 movie. It was ok; kind of cheesey. This one should be interesting to check out.

I agree completely, Tiger.

Careful there, Alex, your dating yourself.... Congrats to the crew that put The Simpsons together.

I don't remember; I think it was local, but I'm not sure...

Maiming a guy's eyes just for trying to punch you won't go over too well in the court system. This is going to vary from situation to situation. If the attacker has verbally announced that his intent is to cause bodily harm to you (in not so many words... ), then you may be able to articulate it to a court. I like the idea behind the shield. It is much like a Boxing guard, and the use of the elbows is nice, too. It also demonstrated usage against a shooting takedown.

I don't necessarily view this as the true goal of the Martial Arts. It may be the goal and personal philosophy of many, but I don't think it is fair to blanket all Martial Artists into this ideal. For many practitioners, the goal is to become a better fighter. And I think that this is ok.

As an instructor, if I see a student who is not getting it, I try to make it a point to help them to get it. I have said before, it is easy to teach the students with talent.

That looks like fun! Body contortion is cool!

That sounds pretty cool.

Even if you don't like the reasons that you started for, at least they got you started...

The instructors should be able to show you some stretching routines to help your legs out. Stretch regularly, every day if you can, and you will see improvement. And I agree with the others; go out there and have fun....and keep your hands up!