bushido_man96

I understand the point that you are trying to make here, but not everyone looks at MA clothing the same way. When people see MA related things, they immediately think about fighting, and that is where the problem comes in. It shouldn't be looked at differently, but with MA, it draws a different type of attention. One kind of double-standard that I would mention is that I don't think you would see the same kind of thing if someone wore their high school Wrestling shirts or hoodies. I think it is weird, but many others would not. Of course, I view Wrestling as much of a valid Martial Art as I do Karate, TKD, or BJJ, so it seems like a double-standard from my point of view.

I disagree. For it to be a "new" system. It should contain elements that no one else does. This simply eliminates the elements that are believed unnecessary. That's not new. The school teaches Thai Boxing and Jiujitsu. He can call it whatever he wants, but both styles have a long history and have been combined in tandem by many fighters. In actuality, it seems very much like what many MMA gyms are doing nowadays. Like you mentioned, ps1, the combining of these styles has been going on for quite some time, with the influence of MMA. Thai-Ju-Jutsu is really just a fancy catch phrase, so when people look up the gym, they get a general idea of what they are getting into (if they have the Martial Arts and language experience to associate the ideas, that is).

I have heard of the exercise before, and as some of the others have mentioned, there are other exercises done to get some of the same results. As long as the person doing the walking is careful about where they step, I don't see it as a bad exercise. Unconventional, unorthodox training exercises like these are good for feeling something different other than the same old feeling you get from traditional exercises like crunches or sit-ups. What ps1 and Montana mention about the use of muscle control under various situations are good points. These types of exercises would be great for those situations. With the interaction of many physical activities, it is important to experience that kind of resistance when training, so it doesn't take you by surprise when it does happen in actuality.

Sounds interesting. Definitely a different way to shake up the forms routine. One that I have done in the past is doing the form in a telepone booth. You have to stay pretty much in a 3' x 3' area, and you coordinate all of the techniques and turns of the form into that tight space. You might try it as well.

Well, all it takes is time and training, right?

At our school, we usually wait a week before belt promotions. Our instructor usually has some belts on hand, but not usually all that we need.

Yes, but no elbow strikes.

12-20-07 Squats: 2x10 Turn back kick: right - 3x5. leg - 3x5 Stretch: 10 minutes. Really focused on breaking down the turning back kicks. Points I focused on were the turn, high and tight chamber, and making sure the toes pointed down as much as possible on the kick.

What do you mean by pulling punches? Many people who are forced to participate in light or medium contact sparring will pull off their punches at the end, so as not to cause a foul, or break sparring ettiquete, etc. It is either from a lack of following through the target, or from focusing the technique to far in front of the target. Or, a psychological "pull-up" of speed at the end of the technique.

The part that is toughest for me on the burpees is the push-up part. It slows me down, and I don't have a lot of explosiveness there.

I am currently reading M. Nakayama's Best Karate Series, and I am quite enjoying them.

I had never heard the style listed as such. Do you know of many places that do teach this style, and where at?

Why you are gaining weight now, I couldn't tell you. But, being as tall as you are, it probably wouldn't hurt you to be up to around 200 lbs or a bit better, but that is just me. That is, as long as you put the right kind of weight on. As for you punches, there could be a few reasons: 1. Technique. Check it constantly, and just your arms. Make sure you are driving with your feet and hips as well. Good punching starts from the ground. 2. Speed. Building speed will increase the power in your punches. This comes with technique as well, but you have to train for speed. Doing some explosive movements, like clap-push-ups and the like, can help with this. 3. Follow-thru. Make sure you aren't pulling your punches (too much, that is. You don't want to hurt a classmate;)). If you end up pulling off of your punches at the end of the technique, they won't feel like much to your partner/opponent. Concentrate on these three things, and also check with your instructor, to see what kind of immediate feedback he can give you. I may be way off, and am only going by what I know could be the problem(s). Your instructor may have some other ideas for you to work on as well.

Here is a thread that gives a description of the burpee: http://www.karateforums.com/burpees-vt29002.htmlHere is another thread on some burpee training ideas: http://www.karateforums.com/100-burpee-challenge-vt29833.html Enjoy!

Now THATS a good book!

It is hard to say, really. It will just take time to learn the nuances of the weapons-style sparring. The better you get at it, the more you will be able to see things work together for you. Take your time, and keep some mental notes as to what seems to work for you in class. Then, try to work with someone on your own to try out some different scenarios.

That is quite a tree, there. Someone has been keeping up on things very well for that school.

MonkeyGirl has some good suggestions there. In a smaller town, running around $30 - $40 per month per person would be good, I think.

12-19-07 DB Bicep curls: 3x10x20 lbs. DB Triceps kick-backs: 3x10x20 lbs. Overhead DB shoulder press: 3x10x20 lbs.

12-18-07 Taught Kid's Traditional Class: 4:00 -5:00. Only 3 kids in class today, but it went well.

It doesn't seem like there would be much time between the sets to me. It would be a killer, though. Burpees are tough enough as it is.

Man, Killer, thats a tough break! I would keep a close eye on those books. Well, I guess I do keep a close eye on all my books. I am pretty possessive of them.

That sounds like a nice setup there. We don't do much of anything like that at our school. Sometimes we have black belt dinners, but that is about it.

I have not heard of it either. From what I know, the Heian series are the first in most Shotokan Karate schools.

In a tournament setting, they do have some applications. Outside of it though, you do have to take them into context.