bushido_man96

That is frickin' cool!

I imagine it didn't!

Well, I have updated my Aikido experience in the Martial Artists' Training Log thread, so I won't rehash all of it here. But, I will throw in some information here as well. I really enjoyed the seminar, and I learned a lot of new things about how to move, and how to stay more relaxed and use my "center" to help with techniques. Several of the guys there commented that I had a good center (which means I have a use for my big hips! ), if I can just take the time to work on it. The basics were kind of confusing, but with time, I can get them down. The seminar was put on by the Fort Hays State University Aikido Club, and this club is under the Aikido Association of America. Sensei Stephen Toyoda was the seminar instructor, and I thought that he was a very nice, genuine person. He was very helpful when we had questions, and I thought that he was a very good instructor. The best news that I found out over the course of the weekend was that the Aikido Club has a class on Saturday mornings, and the club is free of tuition. So, I may go back on Saturday for a class.

I'll probably buy it.

You know, they do have practice knives that shock you when contact is made....they are adjustable and everything....that might be an idea for you to try.... It should help with student retention, at least...

Ah, now I see. Our organizations' senior black belt is a 7th dan, and he usually comes to one of our testings a year. He does that form. Our organization tends to have a different flow to the forms, but I'm sure it is the same form. Thanks for posting that. That was a very different form that what I have been use to seeing. I liked it, and I liked the bunkai as well. Pretty straightforward stuff. Is that a form unique to Ashihara style?

I think you are right. It would be fun to see.

This may sound strange, but that is exactly why we teach our students initially step in front. It makes them focus extra hard on getting that knee around, and getting into good position to execute a powerful kick. It seems counter-intuitive, but it does yield pretty good results.

Thanks for getting back with us on this. It sounds like that young man has some serious control issues, if you ask me. I'm not so sure you daughter really "lost control." I think she accomplished exactly what she wanted to. She may not have taken the high road, but we can't always do so, either (at least, in my opinion). I think that joesteph made some good points as well. Kudos to you, USCMAAI!

You could say that, I guess. However, there comes a point when one systems ideals overshadow those of another, older system. We don't have a copy of a copy here. I'd say TKD is closer to Shotokan than Shorin Ryu.

Welcome to KF!

I see. Thanks for the clarification.

Thanks for clarifying, unknownstyle. That helps out. I think you do it the way we do it, then.

Wow! What a set up! My hands shake too much to do something like that.

Those are cool pictures. That's the behind the scene stuff that you don't get to see about shuttle launches. No wonder it is such an expensive process!

Good story. Makes you feel good.

That's great. Only with cats...

This is the way I look at it, too.

I think it sounds like its worth a try. Why not? The one concern I have is the duration of a Boxing match can overshadow that of an MMA match. I think people who like MMA enjoy the fast paced, knockout action of the MMA more than the drawn out matches that Boxing is known for. I would watch both, though.

Man, that would really suck. Perhaps they need to re-evaluate their equipment choices.

That is a very good point. True as well.

Good call using your resources like that to train for different things. Its always good to get a different point of view. 9-12-08 Aikido session #1: 7:00 - 9:00. This session was dubbed a self-defense session. We began by doing a simple forward breakfall from our knees, but it was a funky one that I had never done before. Then, we did the self-defense technique. It began by doing a simple armbar/wrist lock, called gokyu, I think. We worked on applying it by coming from a 45 degree behind someone, grabbing the wrist with the side of the body that you bump them with, and then placing the lock with the other hand. After getting this, we worked in a simple takedown and pin. After doing this takedown, I realized how the funky breakfall we learned came into play. We then moved on from various attacks, like the wrist grab, and then from a punch to the abdomen. What I loved about this session was seeing the evolution from the initial application of the technique to applying body movement to get into position for the technique from various scenarios. It was a great time. This session was a bit more informal than the other sessions. 9-13-08 Aikido session #2: 8:30 - 11:30. This session was titled Aikido Techniques. It began much more formally, much like an Aikido class would begin. We did a formal bow in, and then warmed up doing leg stretches and wrist stretches. Next, we did some breakfalling and rolling, forward and backward across the mat. We also did some basic Aikido body movement exercises, which include circling and spinning motions, than end up lending themselves to the movements used in the techniques. After the basic were covered, we got into technique work. Each technique would begin with a tai sabaki, usually performed in response to a downward knife hand attack to the head. After the tai sabaki work, we moved into the technique, and then to variations of the technique. Aikido session #3: 2:00 - 4:30. This session began much the same as first session of the day, and went much the same as well. More techniques and tai sabaki, which was a lot fun figuring out. That old mantra "it hits all by itself" came into play a few times, as I could see my TKD habits coming into play when a strike would come my way. I had to work on different moving and blocking habits to work the Aikido techniques. This session ended different than the first, though. At the end of this session, we got to work with bokkens, or wooden replacements for the katana. This, was a blast! We started with some work on several guards, but then moved quickly into doing two-person weapons work, which is what I am all about! What was great about it was seeing the tai sabaki translate from the empty hand to the sword (which most likely originated the other way around), and even some of the attacks resembling the empty hand moves. Even though I am more of a Western Swordsmanship type of guy, the stuff we did here was fun, and practical (as far as sword combat goes). 9-14-08 Aikido session #4: 9:00 - 11:00am. This session began with a Nidan testing that we got to watch. The tester began with some technique work with one uki. Later, he did randori both standing and kneeling. There were as many as 5 people coming at him, and he had some back problems giving him fits. I admired his spirit in the test. After the test, we finished off with pretty much the same themes that went the day before. The workouts were good, and I learned some new things about moving and using my "center" to make techniques happen. It was a lot of fun, too. I also learned that the Aikido club has a session on Saturdays, and there is no fee to join the classes! So, I may be adding it to my workload.... After day 2 of the seminar, my shoulders were a lot more sore than they had ever been in my life. It came from being tight in the shoulders anyways, and from landing funny at times from wierd angles, and doing falls that I wasn't quite used to yet. I think the bokken work at the end of day 2 really fried them good. Those wooden swords have some heft to them. 9-15-08 Today was the most painful day of doing nothing that I have ever had. I didn't do anything so I could recoup my shoulders, but they still ache all day long!!

I like to weight train, and have done some plyometrics in the past. I would like to work with the Total Gym. A friend of mine has one, and he enjoys using it. You can really apply a lot of MA moves to it, as well.

There are some applications for the 360 round kick, especially as a counter, in TKD sparring. I don't know how many other venues you could see it in, though. But, the spin offers a different look to the kick, that might change up the speed of a fight. However, less is more is a good way to look at training. A round kick, a front kick, and a punch can serve you well. Also, learning the variations of the basics can help as well.

http://hwarang.org/Photojournal.html It appears to me, then, that Kuk Sool is a derivative of Hapkido, which has its roots in Daito Ryu. I don't give any creedence to many of the Taek Kyon influences, either. Neither Choi's, or Hwang Ki's claims to have studied and learned it. I believe GM Bong Soo Hong also claimed to have studied the art, but doesn't ever mention the name of the master who taught it to him. In all of the incidents that I have seen of the Taek Kyon claim, there is always one consitency: never a name of teacher given.