bushido_man96

I agree with ps1. These are all important things to consider when you may have to defend yourself.

If I were you, I wouldn't pretend to respect the guy at all. If that is how you feel about it, then I would make sure not to play along with the politics that litter the Martial Arts. I am not saying that you need to go out and disrespect the person to everyone, but if you don't respect him, then don't pretend to. I would, but i forgot to mention on minor detail. My father has been on my town's fire department for years, he's older now, but he still loves his job as much as when i was a little kid and he first got on. I am very proud of him. This particular person testing for his masters just got on the department two years ago. They are co workers now and often go out for drinks with the rest of the crew. I don't want to ruin things for my father, i did enough of that when i was a stupid kid/teen. I don't want to make things difficult and uncomfortable for my father, family, students, or other co workers/blackbelts. Of course, my luck. ...And everything works out...

I think it really depends on what your goals are. Are you looking to become really good at one style? If yes, then focus on that style. But, if you like to mix and match, and expand a broader skill set, then mixing in another style can help you reach your goals. Just because you aren't getting good at one style, doesn't mean that you aren't getting good at all.

That would give you good hands and good feet, to be sure.

Nuts. That guy is more athletic than I am.

One positive thing is that if someone pulls a gun on you, but hasn't killed you yet, and is busy talking or threatening you, then that person most likely has some misgivings about killing you. If this is the case, then being able to talk your way out is probably one of the things that can help you get away. Now, if you have a cold-blooded killer on your hands, then you options are fewer, and your need to react in some way or another is much higher.

The website does seem very easy to navigate. It isn't too hard on the eyes, either, which I like. Some sites just kind of jump out you, and are so busy that it can be overwhelming. I like it.

I agree with the sentiment here. When I am not teaching, I am on the front row in class, as an example for everyone else behind. It always makes me push myself, and try to get better every class. I know exactly what you mean here. I have my good days and my bad days, where I feel like class was just crap. But even on the bad days, if I just keep trying, and give it what I can, I can still feel good about it later.

Welcome to the Forums!

Exactly right.

Yes, I think that you make a good point here. If you can get things to change without resorting to physical violence, then all the better.

Ideas like this are great for taking the students out of the school, and into a parking lot, or the park, or the mall, where you can actually use the environment to make your points and practice the principles. This is an example of being aware and using the surroundings to your advantage.

NEKyoSa is right. Just throw a simple technique, like a punch or a palm heel to the face. Take some time to practice the combinations on your own, visualizing the attack, blocking it, and then following up. Keep it simple, and it will come easier.

Supermans are when you lay on the floor, with your arms stretched out past your head, and feet out behind you, on your stomach. What you do is then lift your arms and legs up off the ground, keeping them straight, and kind of supporting yourself on your stomach; think of Superman flying through the air; that is what you will look like. You can either hold the position for a preset time, or do reps, or do it both ways. Back hyperextensions are done on a type of chair in the weight room, like one that you can do ab work on. You brace your feet into it, lower your body, and then raise it up level, hold a second or 10, and then repeat.

My mom was in TKD for a while, and even though I out ranked her, I would never require her to refer to me as "Mister." And I always called her mom. I think I can see where you are coming from, and perhaps you and your brother should talk about it, and see where you both stand. Perhaps he feels good calling you sensei, because you have earned it.

A Game of Thrones; Catelyn Cat’s party has been met up with riders from the Vale, Ser Donnel Waynwood. They had been attacked a few more times by the clansmen of the mountains, and they thought they were doomed to another, when he and his men rode out instead. He states that Lysa will not allow anyone to ride out; she keeps the men around to protect the Vale, but they know not from what. Cat notes that Tyrion has befriended Bronn, and the two were always together. Tyrion has also been riding armed with a dirk, his axe, and a chain mail hauberk. She has even begun to wonder if she was wrong about Tyrion. They are met at the gate by Brynden Tully, known as the Blackfish; Cat’s uncle. Before making their way to the Eyrie, Ser Rodrik must stay, as he cannot continue. Marillion asks to continue, and Bronn jumps on the bandwagon, too. Cat doesn’t like him, but he did help out, and had proven himself a valiant fighter. However, he took too much to Tyrion for her liking. Story time: Brynden is the brother of Lord Hoster Tully, Cat’s father. They had always quarreled, and Hoster referred to him once as the black goat of the family. Since their family emblem was a trout, he took the name Blackfish instead, and has since worn his emblem as a black trout. The war between the two ended when Brynden told Hoster that he would go to serve Lord Arryn when Lysa married him. He left, and the Hoster never spoke his name again. Brynden always listened to Cat, Edmure, Littlefinger, and all the children when younger. He listened now, too. Cat told him all that had passed. He stated that her father must be warned, because Riverrun lay right in the path should the Lannisters seek battle; it is not as well defended as the Vale, and Winterfell is so far to the North. Many in the Vale are angry at the death of Jon Arryn, and the naming of Jaime Lannister to the office that the Arryns had held for nearly 300 years (which office?). Lysa counts her son, Robert, the True Warden of the East (this office?). But the boy is 6, sickly, and prone to crying much…the boy is not quite right. Lysa claims to be courting for a new husband, but Brynden believes she is playing the game, and plans to rule on her own until Robert is old enough. Lysa is not the same as when Cat left, and feels she will not be helpful. Her marriage was of politics, like Cat’s, but it turned out less happy for Lysa. She fled the Lannisters, and now Cat has brought a Lannister to her. Brynden feels that she may be wrong about Lannister. At the gate to towers, we meet Lord Nestor Royce, and a girl named Mya Stone, who will take Cat up the mountain this night. I believe Mya is a child of King Robert’s; perhaps her first. She is about 18 years old. The mention of her last name reminds her of Jon Snow, and she doesn’t like the feeling at all. Finally, Cat and Lysa meet. Lysa greets her warmly, but when she dismisses her household help, she turns very sour very fast. She is angered that Cat brought Lannister to her. She warned Cat so that she would run from the Lannisters, not fight them. Also, when Jon told her on the death bed that the seed was strong, she thought that she meant their son, Robert. She had no clue what he meant. Lysa feels that she is safe in the Eyrie; that it is impregnable. Cat does not think so. In regards to Tyrion, Lysa thinks that perhaps she will “make him fly.” Notes: This is another long chapter, with a lot going on. The description of the Eyrie is unreal. What a place. Ned and Robert fostered there with Jon Arryn as boys.

That doesn't mean that you don't have to like the guy. But I wouldn't show a false respect for him, either.

If I were you, I wouldn't pretend to respect the guy at all. If that is how you feel about it, then I would make sure not to play along with the politics that litter the Martial Arts. I am not saying that you need to go out and disrespect the person to everyone, but if you don't respect him, then don't pretend to.

When I started over in the TKD organization that I am with now, there was another guy in there that had some prior experience in an Olympic-style of TKD, a school where the major focus was on sparring. He was something like a red belt there, and he could fight pretty well. He was quicker than I was, and could counter well. Well, as he and I were coming back up through these new ranks, he would go to tournaments. This is ok, but he had all of this prior fighting experience, but he started competing as an orange belt (2nd gup/kyu). He continued to compete, all the way up to his 1st dan, where he did well, also. However, I just wouldn't feel satisfied with competing and beating these guys, when I know that I probably had 7 years or better experience over them. I have done this with our TKD sparring, at tourneys and stuff. I would watch and then review. Some buddies of mine and I also recorded our SCA Combat session once, and then sat and watched it as well. We learned a lot, and saw a lot of different things when you slow it down and back it up.

What you mention about your school is what I think used to be typical when it came to gaining rank and responsibilities in MA schools years ago. A sempai is usually a high ranking student, and sensei is usually a black belt, but I don't think that being a black belt makes one a sensei. I am a firm believer that being able to teach is not a skill that everyone is blessed with. Some come by it naturally, and some learn how to do it well. Then, there are those that it is just difficult for, and they may not be cut out for it. Therefore, I don't think that every black belt should automatically be a sensei. It sounds like your instructor has seen the ability to teach in you, and he did a good job of giving you opportunities to teach and learn. I think that is a good thing for you. Congratulations. In my school, we don't really use any titles like the ones that NEKyoSa mentioned. We have them, but they aren't used. All of the black belts are referred to as "Mister," with the exception of our chief instructor, who holds the rank of Master. However, instructor certification in our organization is not granted until the rank of 3rd dan.

Not really. If you follow the character, he didn't really "master" the art. He got his butt pretty well kicked early on by the guy that kept prodding him. If you watch early on, before his capture, you notice that he had some skill with his sabre. Now, I know I will rub some feathers the wrong way, but if you know how to work a sword, then you have a head start on learning the "way of the samurai." Granted, he wasn't an expert swordsman, but his experience helped him, for sure. It was just a matter of focusing more on the sword than the other parts of warfare that soldiers are required to spend their time on.

The guys have it right here, I think. Just worry about your test. If you spend energy worrying about what others are up to, then you will side track yourself, and that will cause you more worry than you need. It sounds like you have been working hard, and are ready to go. Just stay focused, and let it fall into place now. I can understand that you are irritated about this. However, there may be things going on behind the scenes that you are not privy to; perhaps she has been training on her own, and has trouble making classes due to other obligations. Perhaps the instructor has been working with her in private sessions. You really won't know unless you ask, either. Just let things play out. I am sure things will work out well for you either way.

You can stengthen your back with some simple exercises like back hyperextensions or supermans. However, if your back is causing you fits, then you may want to wait until you are cleared by a doctor before you start doing them.

This may be the case, but you have to have an instructor who can show you how the nuts and bolts come together. It may be there, but if you don't have someone to show you the path, you're stuck looking on your own.

You're right there. It is also possible that you are going up against someone with prior experience in a similar style, like maybe a college Wrestler or something, who just doesn't have as much rank in their new style. There are a lot of things that are difficult to prepare for, like this.