bushido_man96

This wasn't the same sentiment that you shared in the self-defense situation against the female attacker.

You have to try to mimic the adrenaline dump when you train. That will help.

Interesting. But don't you think it would mess with the form of your fist? For example; I believe you want to have your knuckles foreward and your fingers pulled back into your fist as much as possible. Then put your thumb under them to keep that from getting in the way and to hold your fingers in place. That being said, I would guess ( though I've never tried, I probably should) that a lighter in the middle would fill the gap, yes, but also push out your fingers more where they shouldn't be. I guess I'll give it a try later and see what I can find of it. It actually does make for a tighter, more "packed" fist. Try it and see.

If rank means nothing, then why bother with giving yourself one?

Women can kill just as well as men can.

I understand what you are saying, but my answer to that would be that the content of the lessons should be enough to make people want to come back. True, but it is not looked at the same as a Martial Arts program. It is an aerobic exercise program; not the same. I don't think people take them as seriously. They can always find another form of exercise.

Awesome, James. Welcome back!

That sounds strange. I am not sure what you mean by locking up. Could you elaborate a bit more?

Thats crazy, ps1. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I don't understand why a gymnast would feel the need to compete in an MA competition, even in the XMA division.

You mentioned continuous sparring. How long? What are the rules? Some of that info will help. Personally, I suck at continuous sparring, because I am not in that great of shape.

Thanks for the links, DWx. I do have his encyclopedia, though.

That's tough, Laurie. I can understand where you are coming from, though.

Know the rules and the target areas, and build from there. When you do throw a technique, commit to it. Don't second guess yourself. If you get hit, that is ok; that is how you learn.

Very nice, ps1. They were short and sweet. I especially liked some of the takedowns.

This is only true to a point. The only thing that will be mentioned in Korean (or Japanese, in Zanshin's case) are the techniques, and whatever other nuances are spoken in the native tongue of the style. Therefore, if you want any clarification, or anything else explained to you "in depth," you are going to be screwed unless you have a translator, or they speak your language. That is why I don't buy into the whole "language of the style" stuff.

Man, that sounds cool, NightOwl. Lots of experience to pull from on that day, for sure.

Bah, its not useless information. It is just a matter of finding who it is useful for.

This is interesting. Most of the time, right or wrong, "internal" styles are held synonomous with "circular" styles as well. Nice to see that this isn't the case all of the time.

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.