bushido_man96

Training reaction time is a good idea. However, one should keep in mind that action is always faster than reaction.

Looks pretty good to me. Maybe MA flicks will get back to the way they were before green screens and Jet Li wire work, and Jackie Chan humor. I need the late '80s and '90s stuff back!

TMNT was alway enjoyable.

I saw a little bit of the Hapkido episode of Fight Quest, and I like what I saw. I would like to see more, but my schedule doesn't always let me.

Ahhh, perhaps a pole question....????

Hmm, good MA books... The Little Capoeira Book by Nestor Capoeira is a good read, and it is something that you don't see a lot in writing about. Good history and philosophy sections (I thought), and just good reading. I'll think of more soon, fear not...

That is awesome. I have trouble with them, especially the push-up part. Mainly because, well, my push-ups suck. I will work on them, though.

This was my impression as well. There is an art to it. It is not something a lot of people really train for...just those who have a knack for it. Have you ever seen the movie Over the Top with Sylvester Stallone? Good stuff!

That sounds interesting- what does your gym use for the curriculum usually? This is the best part of the DT training; no curriculum to adhere to! It is usually just a friend of mine and I that get together, and we work on various things, usually stuff he comes up with. My partner is actually a Level 3 (I think) Certified Instructor in Hock Hockheim's Close Quarters Combatives System. We both also hold rank in Combat Hapkido, and we work on a combination of those things. It is always a good time, and I come away learning something.

Do a workout in your chair. Make sure you have plenty of room around you, and execute every hand technique that you know of at least 20 times, while seated. You won't get to use your legs and hips as much, so it will develop power through your arms and upper body. Try that, and do it for as long as you are shut down. Once that gets easy for you, progress holding dumbells, starting with 5lbs, and working your way up the weight. Then, see what your hand technqiues are like when you get back to being healthy.

I think that has more to do with superstition than tradition. There are some Major League Baseball players out there that have some weird superstitions that they adhere to as well. Not to be confused with tradition.

Frequent Kicking Miles redemption programs!

I think it is answered here: As for the other styles, perhaps it would be best to translate the Korean term for "warrior." Otherwise, there isn't much that comes out of Korea that isn't TKD or TSD. I imagine Tang Soo Doist would work for them.

We had the stripe systems at one time. We referred to it as "recommended" or "decided" rank. When lining up, the "decided" rank had seniority.

I can see what you are saying, and I don't think that it is wrong. I just try not to get too romanticized about the Martial Arts in general. We are all human, and we all have vices. We do need to find a way to attack these things and deal with them, and try to become better people. However, I don't look to one thing or another to "become a better person." I can do that on my own; then, whatever I choose to do, I look good doing it, because I try to be a good person. Does that make sense?

I understand your concerns here, and I think that they are valid. However, when schools don't spend some time on these things, we end up with Martial Artists that are not in good enough shape to hold a fight, which lessens the quality of the student. A happy medium would be if you can keep the warm-up "sport-specific" so that it ends up doubling as an applicable MA workout. That way, it serves a dual purpose. At my school, we spend between 15 and 20 minutes doing basics. These are very tiring, and I always get a good sweat going. However, we don't spend time stretching as a class, and I have noticed that this has hurt my flexibility to an extent. It could be related to the fact that I am just getting older, as well. I do stretch on my own while others do forms at times, or after class, which helps some, but I could use more.

I have seen and dealt with the Black Belt Club mess; I don't get too worked up about it. What I need to see is the content of the "club."

I think that around 15 to 20 minutes should be put towards a good warm-up session. Now, if you are good, you can make the warm-up class-related, as in a good session of basics/kihon.

Thought I would pull this one out of the cellar, because I have found a new interest in reading: One of my wife's co-workers bought a Clive Cussler novel, titled Raise the Titanic!, and once I started reading it, I could not put it down. Now, I have read like 6 more of his books, the Dirk Pitt adventures, and I love them. I have enjoyed them so much that I have put some of the MA reading on hold....

I picked up a copy each of Dreamsongs; both volumes. Looking through V. 2, I spied that The Hedge Knight is included in it! Hoorah! How do I include it in my blog now?

Man, that's rough, Kez. Some people just get thrill by committing crimes, and making things rough on people. I hope that it becomes easier to trap these guys eventually.

2-14-08 Traditional TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00. A good class. At the end, we did a drill where we do 1 technique, back and forth (usually kicks) with a partner. This time, we put pads on, and made contact. In the process, I got a nice clean hook kick to the face! I thought I saw a round or side kick, and it transformed on me! Good stuff, though.

That sounds about right.

Hmmm, non-contact, non-fighting sounds a lot like non-Martial Art. I don't see how it can be beneficial. I am sure his movement exercises may be sound, however, it sounds like it may give people a false sense of confidence when it comes to self-defense.

Yes, I do think students & parents think a BB instructor is more qualified than a colored belt instructor. It's like having a teaching assistant teach a college course vs. the professor. And yes, hopefully the BB is able to teach. This is about the right track. The main thing is the perception. Many think that the quality is the difference.