bushido_man96

I carry my IDs with me, and my cellphone. Sometimes my checkbook. However, I have found that if I leave it at home, I don't spend as much money. At work, I carry my radio, my cuffs, my work keys, my OC spray, and usually my taser.

I have read a few eBooks; but they were free to print off...so I printed them first. Does that count?

Politics may have played a role here. I agree with what you are saying. In tournaments that I have been to, I have seen in combined rank divisions where those doing a lower ranked form (say 1st degrees competing with 2nds) get snided a bit, because their form is "easier." So, the higher ranks, even if their form doesn't look as good, get placed higher. Some would call it a level of difficulty thing, but I think it is bogus. If a 1st dan's form looks better, then give it to them.

The problem is, I can't see the WTF gaining a whole lot out of this deal. I think that the ITF stands to gain the most. It would open up more competition for their practitioners, especially at the International level, I think. If they could get forms into the Olympics, then I think that would be kind of cool. I don't know how many spectators would be into watching a forms competition, though.

The "two-fold mind" as described by Silver involved the ideas behind pressing in and flying out. Pressing in is the pressing of the attack; going on the offensive. Flying out is seeing that you are caught on the defensive, and must act accordingly. The two-fold mind is always engaged with both. When flying in, be prepared to fly out, and vise versa.

Those are good thoughts, tallgeese. Way to think outside of the box. Many times, we assume in these scenarios that we are unarmed, and it may not always be the case. It is important to be able to see your options and react quickly.

You gotta love the syndicated Walker episodes! I watch them from time to time as well. The early ones were the best, though.

Using diminishing techniques prior to the joint lock is something we do a lot of in Combat Hapkido. It helps to get the attackers mind on something other than the area that you are trying to lock up.

Great points, guys. Nice links, too.

Our school uses chest protectors and pads, with a 'trembling shock' requirement for points. In class, the contact is pretty well controlled. Targets are body for hands and kicks, kicks to the head, nothing to the back or below the belt. No takedowns or throws.

In regards to this, I don't think everyone has the same capacity to 'stare down' the attackers. Some people have a look to them; some don't.

Welcome to the Forums! Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast, eh? Man, that would be a tough adjustment! Best of luck, and hopefully you find a school that is right for you and your family.

I finished off an article in Classical Fighting Arts magazine just the other day. Normally, when I see an article on the subject of Tai Chi, I don't get all that excited about it. However, the tendencies that I have compell me to read every article in every MA magazine that I get. Reading this article, was pretty eye-opening, and enjoyable. The title page of the article had an excerpt stating that "traditional" Taijiquan is technically 75% or more Wrestling/grappling oriented, and a diligent student can acquire real self-defense skills in a matter of months, as opposed to years. With my mentality toward the Martial Arts in general, this grabbed my attention immediately. It began with a brief history of the origin of the style, from a retired General of the Ming dynasty named Chen Wang Ting, and had its base as a military Martial Art, in which the training had to provide the soldiers with an ability to defend themselves successfully if need be in a matter of months. The article also made many analogies relating movements in Taijiquan to Western Wrestling, which was also nice to see. Hardly mentioned at all in the article was the presence of Chi, thus removing some of the mysticsm that seems to surround the style today, and leaving a more attainable style of fighting. Overall, the article was enjoyable, and it really cleared up views of what Taijiquan should really be.

5-10-08 Push-up log: 3x15, with my gear on at work.

This is becoming a theme, it seems. It is nice to see the local governments bring this up more and more.

I think that there will be a lot of political roadblocks ahead in this journey. In the books that I read about WTF TKD, I never hear anything about Gen. Choi. The two organizations rarely mention each other. The blocking concept is kind of cool. Defensive points would add a very interesting angle to fighting in TKD. Heck, WTF sparrers, especially in tournaments of national level, rarely block at all. They never have their hands up.

I think it has been out already. I haven't seen it, but I don't know if I want to. One of my buddies saw it, and he said that he liked it. Seeing those two on screen together should be worth the price of admission.

Hmm, sounds interesting. My wife didn't care much for Sin City, so she may not like this one, either.

5-9-08 I am going to be starting to make a habit of doing push-ups more often, so I will be having kind of a "push-up log" going along with everything else. Push-ups: 3x10 Elevated feet push-ups: 2x10 Feet up about 8 inches.

I would love to see what kind of compromise comes out of this deal. I wonder if a new form set would come about, or take this form and that form and create the curriculum. Vere curious, indeed.

Yes, I am a big advocate of generating power from the ground up. I do this with my general hand techniques as well: jab, cross, hooks, etc. by pivoting with my techniques as I throw them.

I have seen the zig-zag pattern pushed, but Jim Wagner has also stated that the half-moon path is a good one as well.

Welcome to the Forums, and welcome to Martial Arts! As the advise that has been given so far is good, I don't feel the need to repeat too much of it. Checking out the classes in person, and getting some trials, are very good ideas. We were all ackward when we started out, so don't be nervous there. It all comes with time and practice. Good luck, and enjoy the journey!

Thanks, DWx.

That helps to clarify. Thank you.