bushido_man96

Muay Thai is not exactly what it used to be, though. There have been changes made and rules put into place to make it what it is today. It does keep some of its older, "traditional" aspects, but it is not the same style it was years ago, just like Boxing is not the same since the introduction of the Queensbury rules.

That is interesting, Zanshin. I had not heard that before. Very interesting. Makes sense, I guess.

I have heard and read several examples of this before, and I think it is easily seen when you see a BJJer attempt to takedown fighters in the MMA ring. They usually get the job done, but it doesn't look smooth. Good post, overall. Lots of good information.

I do think that the kiai is beneficial, but not necessary. Like anything, though, in moderation. BB of C is right, too. The kiai should only be brief. Anything else is just showing off...

If nothing else, he has quite the eclectic background to teach from. I am with ps1 on the 10th dan deal. However, he may know what he is talking about.

By that logic...neither is Judo. I don't consider the phone book to be a valid sourse of defining a martial art. I am defining it as a system of combat that can be used for self defense. Exactly. The reason that Wrestling is practiced as a sport, and done to "win medals" is because that is the way things evolved in Western society. Competition and strength have always been highly valued in Western cultures (as well as many others), and that is why feats of strength and cunning, such as Wrestling, Boxing, and Swordplay evolve from the fighting systems that they were into the sports that we see them as now. The Eastern arts became "ways" and Western arts became sport.

I think that this is a very good point. In one respect, I think that the lack of these qualities is one of the things that is great about BJJ gyms. You don't see bowing, no "yes sir, no sir" going on. It is very casual. That is the nature of our society, and we should not have to worry about trying to adhere to cultural norms of a country that lies an ocean away.

WOW. now that i think about the people we're having difficulty with, you are right on the mark. they all feel inferior in some other part of their life, that a black belt makes them feel on top of the world, wow, you are absolutely right I think that this is a step in the right direction. Somehow, it is those looking for a power trip. We have had a few in our school that have had instant adjustments once they got their black belts, especially to some of the other, lower ranked students. However, they haven't ever approached me in such a way. I think part of it is because I have rank over them, and they wouldn't want that on their heads. However, they have pulled it on one of the black belts below me. What I don't think they realize is that I don't ask or require the same actions of others. As far as I'm concerned, I don't care who bows to me when I come into the school.

Cool. Good deal. I just thought I would mention it, because of the uniquness of some TKD doboks.

At 3rd degree, we earn the title of Certified Instructor. At 4th degree, we earn the title of Jr. Master. At 5th degree, we earn the title of Master. Otherwise, thats it. Let us know how the talk at class goes. I hope the scenario works well for you.

One thing is for certain; you don't draw your weapon (gun) unless you intend to use it.

I see. Very cool. I would like to study a formal style, but not so much the stage work. There are quite a few differences between the two.

Way to go!

It sounds like things just got out of hand. I have had fights like this in the past with my brothers. It really isn't a big deal, I don't think. Unless you and your cousin don't really like each other. I would just let it be for a while.

Hehe, I agree. I prefer to dump the magazine...

The only problem that I have seen with the "drop in" payors is that they don't seem as obligated to show up, and the class dwindles to nothing quickly. If you charge a fee for a month, then those who pay the fee are more likely to feel inclined to show up more often.

This is a good way to approach it. Many of us have normal pain tolerance levels. Some fortunate people, on the other hand, have bodies that put out higher levels of endorphins, so they end up having a higher pain tolerance than others. And then there are the masochists, who enjoy pain.

I noticed that the tops were V-neck style. You might double check to make sure that V-neck is ok to wear. From what I know, TKD is the only style that wears a V-neck.

You are welcome. I am pretty vague when it comes to the philosophy aspect, because I just don't focus on it as much. However, you can find some reading on it, if you look in the right places.

We used to call this one "Joe Cool," and used walking down the alley as an analogy. Upon reaching the first attacker, he jump out and attack, and then the defender would execute a quick combination, and then move onto the next person. Doing it with sparring would be fun, too.

Seniority, in my eyes, always ends up being one of those ego-based things. Here is how it is supposed to work in our school: Rank first. The highest stands on the right. If both are the same rank, then it goes by time-in-rank. If there is a tie there as well, then I go by age; I allow the senior individual to hold position over me. In the end, what does it really mean? Not much. Where you stand in line isn't really an indication of what you know or your understanding of the style. If it were me, I would stand at the back with the white belts every class if that is what it took for me to get the opportunity to learn. I went through the who should be in front of who thing when I joined the school that I am with now. Before, I was a 2nd degree in a different organization; when I joined my current school, I had to start over at white belt. My technique compared to those of the low and intermediate ranks of the school were pretty good, and I had several more years in than most of the other students that were there. I didn't let it bother me, though. I just go about my business, and let things fall where they may. Here is a good exercise for you to perform the next time you hear grumblings about ranking and seniority in your class--make everyone take their belts off, and put them off to the side. Then ask everyone that if they had no prior knowledge about each other in the class, would you be able to tell who is what rank, without seeing any performances? See where that takes you.

Right now, its mainly a '99 Ford Ranger. I would prefer to drive a Silverado, though.

That is an interesting one...just goes to show that you shouldn't assume anything.

You are exactly right here. I have a question; does your friend train mainly in stage fighting, or does he train in techniques from manuals and such?

1-17-08 20 minutes of stretching today.