bushido_man96

So in the comics, how does the Hulk fair against the team? Does it have to with the fact that the General doesn't like him, and that gets the team after him? Because other than that, the Hulk isn't bad. He's still a superHERO, not a bad guy.

That's a good maxim, too.

10-16-08 Aikitaisos: Elbow Power I (Hiriki no yosei ichi): 10 each side. Irimi: at least 10 each side. In reading a few Aikido books, I have tried to work from the stance that they show, which is a bit ackward, as we have not done any formal stance training in the Aikido classes so far. I'll keep working on it, though. I'll also ask about the stance (kamae) when I go to class next. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. The instructor really dropped one on me tonight. During basics, we spent a little time on our side kicks. In basics, we take a sitting stance (or horse stance), cross the back leg in front of the front leg to advance, and then chamber and side kick. This is a tougher way to kick, but forces the students to focus on turning the hips over and getting the leg tight for the side kick. It almost gives it a back kick feel. Well, he told the class not to watch me, because I tend to cheat my chamber a bit. He said I do a good job of pivoting my base leg foot, which helps me get my hips turned over, so its still a side kick, but just a bit shorter. So, I hit him up about it after class. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't rude to me, but he was using me as an example, just not the one I would like to be. But, I can work on it. Its tough for me to really get turned over with the chamber though, because my legs are rather thick (not necessarily muscled, but thick). So, when I do the turn over, it ends up making my side kick a one-two motion, and not a smooth kicking motion, like I like it to be. I will work on it, but my body doesn't like it too much yet. Now for sparring. I decided to try something a bit different. Instead of squaring up as much, I decided to go with a bit of Bill Wallace strategy. I took a side on sitting stance, and worked front leg side kicks a lot. I'll also work on front leg hook and round kicks, too. I can also spin and counter more easily, too. Maybe I'll get to use my spin hook or heel kick more. I did get some good side kicks on one of the black belts, though. They pushed him back quite a ways.

I agree that training the transitions is one of the keys to successfully being a "Mixed Martial Artist." I've never really put a lot of thought into how I would classify myself, but I wouldn't say that I am a Mixed stylists, but a stylist that practices several styles.

TKD is still a hard style. At least the way I do it is. If you get into the sine wave of the ITF styles, it seems to be a bit less powerful to me, but our school doesn't use the sine wave. I do know that there are some differences between TKD and Karate styles, but I think there are more similarities than differences, as far as technique goes.

I find the inside-to-outside crescent kick (which I call outer crescent kick) to be more powerful. However, this kick also tends to telegraph more than the outside-to-inside (inner crescent) kick does. I like both, and have uses for both, and both can be done as an axe kick, too. I don't really use either in sparring, though. Sometimes I'll throw a spin crescent kick as a counter, but not often. As for using the inner crescent kick to block anything, I wouldn't attempt it, except for in our pre-arranged one-steps. Otherwise, I just think it is better to block with the arms.

I guess in the comics, the Hulk beat up Iron Man pretty good at one point, and Stark didn't really like him. I wouldn't mind seeing this, I guess. After hearing a friend of mine describe it, I kind of thought they might do something like that. I guess in the comics, the Hulk eventually joined The Avengers. I just hope the Hulk gets to win.

There is an old thread floating around here somewhere about that college in Bridgeport. They were to have majors in Karate, TKD, and Kung Fu, I believe, along with studies in the histories and cultures of the countries that the respective arts came from. I thought it looked cool, too, but I don't know how useable the degree would be for me. That, and I'd have to move now...

I think that lots of schools are under pressure to make sure their students hit assessment levels, so they work hard at achieving this. I wouldn't expect the load to lighten anytime soon. It doesn't help time management any, that's for sure.

Good call there. That way, they can't try to get the cash from you then, either.

I like "subdue the 'I'."

A retired instructor that I know used to be with the UTA (Universal Taekwondo Association), and they practiced the ITF and the WTF Tae Guek forms.

Man, that's like the ultimate yin/yang of hard and soft styles there. Pretty cool that you get to teach and train in both.

This last month's Black Belt Magazine featured an article on the Judo that Toshikazu Okada taught and used. He was a bit different from Kano in that he focused more on the ground fighting aspects of the style than Kano did. I thought it was another good example of differentiation within a style.

If you have an issue with the testing cycles at your school, just don't test as often. Just because a testing has come along, doesn't mean you have to test. Hold yourself out till next time, or the time after, if you feel the need for more preparation. From what you mention of the other school, I see a few flags pop up there. If an instructor isn't willing to let me watch a class, then I don't think I want to really partake in that class. The best way to take care of the problems you may see with your school is to stick with it, be true to yourself, and when it comes time for you to teach, you will know what you will and won't allow to happen as far as pushing or pulling students along goes. If we all do this, then we all can fix the Martial Arts.

That would be great, too. You could look at how far you have come.

It depends on if your town has a curfew, and if they tolerate that as disorderly conduct.

Speaking of the ATM usage, make sure no one nearby has their cell phone out, like they may be texting or something. They may be attempting to take a pic of your pin. It sounds like the pamphlet has some really good, basic advise in it.

A smaller flashlight can make a good weapon as well, like the Kubotan. In fact, there are some tactical flashlight classes floating around that can teach you to use one in such a way. Blind them first, and then attack them with it. Keys are a good improvised weapon, although the range is a touch limited. But, if you are close enough to punch someone, then you can use that key jutting out from between your knuckles. If you find a rake or some other lawn tool in a yard, one could be used well as a staff. Smaller branches from trees could suffice as a short stick. Also, if you know a sword art, then you could use any stick and do the same striking and blocking maneuvers as with the sword art.

10-14-08 Boy, was I sore after lifting yesterday. My arms are screaming at me. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. We didn't get to do any sparring today, but I got a lot of review on white belt one-steps. After the class was over, the instructor pulled the black belts out for a little drill as the remainder of the students departed. He attacked us from overhead with a blocker, first with the soft part, and then with the hard handle, to see how we would attempt to block. I made an effort to step inside and get the wrist or arm on both, as opposed to blocking the paddle with my arm, because I kind of figured out what he was getting at. He also attacked us with a knife, and we discussed some tactics to try against a knife attack. It was a nice drill, and I suggested that we get to do more of it, too.

I don't think speed really masks errors. Whether slow or fast, I can usually pick out the nuances of a hand or foot technique. When it comes to grappling or joint locks, its a bit tougher for me to tell when it is done faster, though. When there is an aspect of a form or move that I want to concentrate on, I'll slow things down. However, my goal is to be able to do the movement quickly, because that is most likely how it is going to be the most useful to me.

That's a pretty cool gesture.

Right.....I suppose that is open to suggestion, isn't it?

Even if it works out ok, the damage is still done, I think. Everyone will wonder now...

True, but you can't always hit your live partner in the face...