bushido_man96

I am not really sure what would classify as a "beginner book." However, the Tao of Jeet Kune Do does have a lot of good information in it. However, it is important to keep in mind that the book is one person's take on what he felt that the Martial Arts were to him.

6-5-08 Push-ups: 10, 10, 12, 12, 15 Crunches: 15, 10

Welcome back!

Thanks for the links.

Good presentation, NightOwl.

Um, I think you would have to talk with some kind of governing body that would acknowledge your qualifications, I guess....

I am not telling anyone to water down their training. However, there is a difference in doing one-steps where you stand and offer targets to your partner without moving, and then sparring, when you are both actively trying to block and score hits. If you want to take full powered shots to the ribs, holding your arms over your head, without blocking, then that is fine. But it could be a detriment to your training, especially if you suffer an injury.

You're welcome.

Here is the way I look at this scenario: I am the teacher. I know this Martial Art; they do not. I teach; they do not. They are paying for a service, and that is what they are getting. However, I decide what is taught, and how the classes are dealt with, along with other situations involved in class. If they do not like it, then they don't have to stay. But it is my class.

Ah, its nice to see a George Silver reference. I do know that Silver issued a challenge to those who were teaching the new fencing style in England, as opposed to the older style of Swordsmanship that Silver stuck to. The challenge was never met. Whether he challenged other schools of defense that were similar to his, I don't know. As for myself, I don't like the idea of going to another school and issuing a challenge, nor would I like someone to come in and issue a challenge at my school. Could I get beat? Sure. Could I go to another school and win? Maybe not. The thing is, I think it is more of an ego-soothing action than anything else. Now, I am completely for schools getting together and exchanging ideas in training methods and what not.

Welcome to the Forums!

I have a Motorola Razr. I should be upgrading in August, though. I hope to get a Moto Q or something like that, so I can access internet and do things like....POST!

I don't climb, but I hope you enjoy your vacation. I think it would be fun, but I don't like heights too much.

I like Boston.

What kind of weapon is it?

I was out driving the other day, and I got to thinking about awareness a bit. One spawned this thought was sitting at a stop sign of a one-way street. I instinctively looked both ways, just because we are taught that from the time we are old enough to walk. However, if one is aware enough to know that it is a one-way, then it is only necessary to look the way of the oncoming traffic. Or is it? Just because it is a one-way street, it doesn't mean that we should discount looking the other way, because someone who took a wrong turn, or is fleeing from pursuit, etc., may be coming down that street the wrong way. So, I have run the gamut of awareness here, as far as one-way streets are concerned. Is it good to be so conditioned to look both ways like we do? I think it is better to know that the street is a one-way, but to look both ways because we do it in a state of awareness, rather than out of habit. Thoughts?

your just talking about competition or sparring purposes right? not self-defense.. No, I don't mean by letting yourself get taken down in a self-defense situation. Only in controlled training.

When you speak of it in this fashion, it makes a bit more sense.

I think that being able to go back in time and see some of those fights would be nice, so you could get a good idea of what the art was like. I would also like to have seen the Hellenic Boxing of the ancient Olympics. The advent of gloves did change the way Boxing was done. With bare fists, head strikes were less frequent, because it is quite easy to break the knuckles and hand on the hard bones of the head. Here is a good article on some older-styly Boxing: http://www.karateforums.com/the-revival-of-bare-knuckle-boxing-vt30230.html

Although a bit off-topic, the TKD crescent to the head while clinching can be quite effective, especially in the rules set of Olympic TKD. It could also be a useful kick in the Kickboxing rules set as well.

I agree, JL. Boxing is very viable as a form of self-defense.

Kickboxing should stay the way it is. If you add leg kicks, then you essentially have Muay Thai, which we already have.

I think that this mentality would be better aligned for sparring, as opposed to one-steps.

Congrats on getting second at the tourney. Well done!

ps1 has a good post. Some people will be more naturally talented and athletic, and some people are just naturally better fighters than others. So, those things will all go into the formula of how long it takes to lose what. Best to just find 20 mintues, twice a week, to keep things maintained, even when on vacation.