bushido_man96

I can't help you there. I don't know much about the exchange rates or anything. I hope you do have a good time over there, though! Enjoy, and let us know what it is like.

Isn't the nature of MA in any case mean that it will be in some respect a violent practice? And IMHO I don't think head punch are any more violent that having someones foot to the head. I agree. Most arts have their base in a violent act; war.I think more people view punching/striking as more violent because everyone can readily do it, and it appears to be the least skillful aspect to acquire. I don't believe this, but I think that many perceive it this way.

I believe that Shotokan is descended from Shorin Ryu. At one point, Shorin Ryu was known as the old Shori-Te, was it not?

I think that there is a noticeable difference in the power that I get from a high round kick chamber and a more forwards round kick chamber. I do both. I also like to strike with the ball of the foot, and have never had a problem with it. Striking with the top of the foot is good, but as was mentioned, it doesn't focus the power as much. When I break boards, I can do 2 with the top of my foot. When I use the ball of the foot, and a high chamber, I can break 4 boards. My thoughts on the high chamber are that it allows for greater power and torque. The forward chamber is faster, and you can use it as a chamber for either the front, round, or side kick. I don't feel that these kicks end up with the same amount of power as they would with a more particular chamber motion, i.e., the high round kick chamber. Of course, with enough practice, one may be able to rectify this. As for the tools, I do think that the shin is probably one of the better options to strike with. It is a hard bone, and can do good damage. Be careful when striking with the top of the foot, especially if you don't have any footwear on. I have been known to block many instep round kicks with my elbows, and it tends to alter the way that the fighter fights afterwards.

It sounds to me that the forward elbow strike should be more of a thrusting technique, whereas the round elbow is an arcing technique. They may start at the same spot, but I don't think they have to. The thrusting elbow could be accompanied by a reinforced push with the off hand on the fist of the thrusting elbow.

It sounds to me like the term Submission Grappling has more to do with a rule set than it does a set style. Any grappling stylist could enter a submission grappling tournament, and use what they know within the rule set provided. Perhaps different styles are better geared towards the submission grappling rule set, but any grappling style could adapt. BJJ has shown that it can adapt to no gi. Likewise, the Sambo guys coud enter a Judo tournament, and adapt to the use of the gi, I am sure. Perhaps we are discussing a classification rather than a style.

When you meditate, I don't believe you are supposed to focus on anything. Therefore, focusing on the "void" would counter the purpose of the meditation. I think that you may have stumbled on to something more myth than fact.

Never heard of it. I would be looking into some scientific study on this one before jumping on board. It sounds a bit far-fetched to me.

I have read the dictionary definition of the term "martial arts." I have written a forthcoming article on the topic as well. Needless to say, I am not impressed with our dictionary definitions. Simply stated, the definition is not accurate. As for whether or not what the ARMA does is Traditional or traditional will unfortunately be decided by those who feel that the only true forms of "Martial Arts" are those that come from the Orient. Even in the Orient, the religious aspects of weapon usage (i.e. katana) aren't as old as many think. When the firearm came about, that is when some of the major swings in the religious aspects took place. As for what the goals of the European Knight and Japanese Samurai goes, they were the same; to win on the battlefield. I think that is about as "traditional" as it gets.

I read Vargo's article as well, and I enjoyed it, and felt that he was quite right. When you train with someone like you say for so long, you know that you can be open with each other with just about anything, especially when it comes to critisisms in or out of the gym. It is a special relationship to have with someone; knowing that he can kick you in the head, and that you can do the same to him. This is the kind of great things that are built in the dojo/gym.

Kung Fu San Shou, is Cung Le's style, I believe. I think the major difference between what Le does and otherwise typical Kung Fu training are his training methods. Here is Cung Le's official website.

Can you elaborate further on the technique in which you break his arm on your neck? I can't really visualize how one would do this...but this could be due to my lack of creativity, too.

That is an interesting way to look at it. I think that if it can be avoided, then it should be. When it can't be avoided, then it is 100% go time. At this point, you are committed, and must be, to see yourself through.

The second link that DWx listed will probably get you a good start. Those guys specialize in breaking. Sometimes, you can catch some of those competitions on ESPN2; they are quite fun to watch. Some of those guys do some crazy stuff. They will at times talk about the training that they do, and how they build up their bones for the increased level of breaking that they do.

Congrats!

I don't quite understand what your meaning is here. What is the difference between the material discussed on this website, and that of the Japanese sword arts (which would be considered "traditional")?

I agree here, too. They are always falling over because they are leaning back to throw their kicks.

3-31-08 TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00. Class was good tonight. Sparring was so-so. I got to class about 30 minutes early, so I spent some time working on my form, which seems to come and go for me. I also spent some time working on some defenses with a friend of mine. After that, I noticed that my knee felt twisted, and it wouldn't support my weight! I was able to walk it off, though, and made it through class. Basics were changed up a bit, and we did a lot of moving up and down the floor. We got a good workout, and got winded.

Its because there really isn't a whole lot that is new under the sun when it comes to fighting and the way the body works.

I am having a bit of trouble reading your descriptions. I am not sure what you are differentiating between these two kicks. I kick with the top of the foot, or the ball, depending on which is needed at the time. As for the chamber, I do it two ways: 1) with the chambered leg parallel to the floor, and with the chamber held high. The advantage here is that I have more choice of what level I throw the kick at, and I feel that I generate more power with the kick. This method requires more pivot on the base leg, and more body movement. The whole body gets involved in the kick. 2) with the chamber leg held at a 45 degree angle, halfway between a front kick and round kick chamber. This one is good for speed, and tends to be a snappier kick. I also feel that the trajectory of this kick is has more of a predetermined line of attack. Some would refer to this version of the kick as the "Olympic" style round kick.

Ok, everyone, look this website over briefly: Association for Renaissance Martial Arts. Is this a "Traditional" Martial Art in your eyes? If so, explain. If not, explain.

Having those hands up around your head can make a big difference.

I like Anslow's work, and I hope he gets another volume out sometime soon! I think he is on the money about the over exaggeration of the sine wave, especially as seen in tournament performances. From many of the ITF form performances that I have seen, the movements are too slow for my taste, and they are not conducive to forming combinations. From viewing Anslow's article that you have posted, I would tend to say that my school performs the Chang On forms the 'very old' way. Maybe between 'very old' and 'original.' We are very linear in how we do the forms.

I would think that the field experts should be the one to give the description. You wouldn't ask a layman to define what a brain surgeon does, or a neurosurgeon.

That definition of Kiai helps to clear up the way it was used in a work of fiction I was reading up just last week. The hero of a story was describing how his opponent was a practitioner of Kiai, and would immerse himself in it...