bushido_man96

That's a bummer that they don't have exactly what you want. However, I think the Capoeira class may get you into the kind of shape that will acclimate you more to the tricking. At any rate, it should be fun!

I agree with this tack. If this doesn't work out for you, then perhaps you may choose to put both of these schools behind you, and find one that is totally neutral to this whole situation. Politics in the MA sucks, but it is a part of the MAs.

Harry Cook's by any chance? Yes....you still waiting, too?

In this scenario here, you are assuming that the person's rank (or lack thereof) is relative to the experiences that they have outside of the dojahng, which may be considerable. By viewing the rank on the waist, many will automatically discount their knowledge base, in regards to perhaps, say, forms knowledge, or the like. You make a good point here, but at one point in time, none of our Eastern styles had the set curriculum or belt ranking system that goes along with them. These are all innovations of the last 150 years or thereabouts. And Wrestlers don't learn how to Wrestle by just being shown a move and then told to roll around a while, and then move onto something else. It still has a structured learning environment, just without the ranks. JKD and DT would be similar; you work a concept for a while, understand it, and then move into other related concepts.

In our Hapkido training, my partner does a pretty good job of reminding me to break the balance in order to facilitate the takedowns. Using distraction techniques, dropping my center, and things like this. I just need lots more practice with it, for sure.

I would say that if they can fight and win, then "why" doesn't really matter that much. After all, the MA world is fighting, first and foremost. Not necessarily meaning that one should get into fights all the time just to do so, but being able to do so well, is "why" enough. As far as being in good physical condition goes, I think that it is definitely a benefit to fighting. Having an increased level of conditioning will allow your body to deal with the physically draining aspects of combat, like the adrenaline spill, early exhaustion, etc.

Exactly. Self-defense isn't just about defending against the cold-cock shot that comes out of nowhere. It is about self-awarness, avoiding conflict in the first place, and perhaps equipping yourself in such ways that you can deal with attacks that are more than physical.

Not everyone will get into the Martial Arts to be elite, competitive athletes. It would be nice if it were something we could all strive to, but it is difficult. In the end, they may be starting just because they want to learn aspects of self-defense, or a different way of moving the body, just to name a few. Competition is nice, but it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Be careful when following the Bodhidharma tact; there is a lot more myth than fact involved in the story behind him. For histories on the evolution of Eastern styles, look at some back issues of Dragon Times/Traditional Fighting Arts magazines. They do some good research, and go beyond the commonly accepted myths on the evolution of Eastern styles. As for the Greek aspect, look into Pankration. Greece also had a history of Boxing and Wrestling. Well, I have to say that Zanshin must know me a bit too well by now. However, this is part of the reason that it is so hard to track down the beginning of the Martial Ways. However, it is relatively easier to research into combat strategies that civilizations used, along with the technologies that changed combat at times (i.e., gunpowder, etc.). Good luck with your search. At any rate, you will find out some things that you probably didn't know, which will make it worthwhile, for sure.

Wow, good find. It pays to know what you are looking for.

That is a new low; robbing a lemonade stand. I'm glad that the person got arrested.

Man, that's too bad.

6-19-08 Walked on the treadmill for 15 minutes today at a pretty brisk pace. Little Lyons class: 5:15 - 5:45. Assited with this class today. It went well, and the kids were showing some improvement in controlling their techniques. Adult TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. Taught this class today as well. It was bigger today, with 11 total students. At the end of class, we worked on the cross punch on mitts, focusing on driving from the ground up to get power in the punch, like the reverse punches that we do in basics. Just in a shorter motion.

NEKyo_Sa has some good drills there. Looking into plyometrics books will give you some good drills to do to improve your explosiveness, which will help with jumping for flying kicks. Just make sure to do plyometrics only about 2 times per week, and get about 72 hours of rest between sessions. These will really tax your muscles, so train smart. There are also some good plyo drills that you can do jumping off one leg as opposed to two, which is good for jumping kicks in TKD.

Make sure that you are not overworking your body. Just like lifting, when you stretch, your muscles will need some recovery time as well. Maybe stretch 4 days a week until the soreness subsides, and then pick it back up again.

Yes, this is basically what we do. I don't use the blade of the foot, but I don't think it changes the technique enough if you do. What I do, DWx, is what I would call the side piercing kick, but I just call it the side kick (or side thrust kick). The only time I would see one that is a 'snap' kick is one that is not thrown with as much committment, and is pulled back faster. Here, the difference would be in the level of penetration of the technique. Does that make any sense? I hope I am not being too confusing, or running around in circles.

I really wouldn't mind this situation. I have always been of the opinion that by wearing belts and establishing rank like this, it tends to make everything go down the ladder, as far as information goes. For instance, an instructor isn't usually going to ask a lower rank colored belt for assistance or advise on a technique. He would look to a peer or higher rank. Where as those styles that don't use ranks to denote class position or knowledge (at least within the style) would tend to be more open to the suggestions of anyone else in the class. Like Wrestling, JKD, and even DT classes. I think that many stylists that are young in their careers/journeys tend to hold on to the meaning and symbolism of the belt and rank; I did at one time, I know. Now, the knowledge that I have gained means more to me than the rank that I have, and the belt can be taken; the knowledge can't.

What you may need to address is the way you approach the bunkai training. The bunkai will not translate verbatim from the form, from what I have seen. You add movement, and an opponent that is resisting, and things change up a bit. Get a willing partner, and spend some time working on different ways of training the bunkai, and see where that leads you.

Great info, everyone. Thanks for sharing. Tallgeese, that is a lot of info, and I will look into trying to add some of those things into my workouts. Like I said, in Combat Hapkido, we get to do it quite a bit, but the setup is different than from my TKD class stuff.

Yes, Superfoot still conducts seminars throughout the world. It would be fun to get to one. That would be cool, to have a picture like your instructor does. Even if he is on the not-so-good end of it. My instructors at my school have their picture taken with Joe Lewis. Even at his age, the guy is still a beast. You can just tell he is huge.

I agree. Although I consider the Wrestler to be a Martial Artist, they are also in a very conditioned environment, due to the competition.

I agree, good post! I think so, too. Instead of butting heads all the time, they/we should sit and share information, and help each other out.

Um, well, not....really.....

Only one class a week? I don't like the sound of that. How long is the class?

Yes, it is! I wish I would have found this site 7 years ago....