bushido_man96

That is great! I am happy for you. It looks like that school offers quite the eclectic mix as well.

This was my thought as well. I don't see how breathing out through the mouth is different than breathing out through the nose. Try this: kiaing or kihaping while breathing out through the nose... I think they call that "blowing your nose." That would be a little unsightly in the middle of kata LOL! I have actually seen people do this during gradings, and when they were supposed to kiai as well! Agreed! I have enough problems with spittle exiting my mouth when just exhaling, let alone kihaping at times!

Best of luck to you, ps1! I am sure you will do great.

Those are some good points, MMA_Jim. I can see pros and cons of both.

On another note, I really think that there can only be so many subtle differences in schools of swordsmanship. In fact, I would be willing to bet that the major differences lie in schools of thought and philosophy, as opposed to major technical differences. There are only so many angles to cut someone from.

I could not get the website to come up. Two things: 1. Do the Gracies admit that this fellow defeated one of them in a challenge? 2. What is the significance of using a long-sword to spar against a katana?

I have some updates, here, A_train. I will be back on it shortly, too.

Yeah, like I said, we are just a county jail. Our city population here is around 20,000 when college is in session.

I don't think so. It doesn't alter things that much.

You also need to have them spar you or approach you in such a way that mimics an attack; not a sparring match. There is a difference. Start by having him push you from behind, or something like that. See what that does for you.

Oh no, no offense taken. It is a good discussion. I just kind of compare it to getting a college degree. Look at it as being a mechanic. Now, there are those mechanics who are ASE certified, and then there are the "shade tree" mechanics. Most shade tree mechanics won't falsely present themselves as being ASE certified if they are not. However, that doesn't mean that they don't know what they are doing, or are not capable of doing what the certified mechanic can do. It is just the fact that they have not gone through the procedures and tests to become certified. Its the same thing. I think that Tank Abbot is a great Martial Artist; however, I don't think that he is a black belt, nor do I think he considers himself such (and he probably doesn't care, either). There is my pitch!

I think it is similar to paying for a monthly gym membership, really. About the same thing.

I really don't know for sure. I don't think it would be the weather, but who knows? If it persists, I would consult a doctor.

1-24-08 Traditional TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00. After basics, I did the forms with the low ranked students again: Dan-Gun 2 times at instructor count, Won-Hyo once at instructor count, Choong-Moo on own count, Kwang-Gae on own count, Gae-Baek on own count, and finally Yoo-Sin on own count. One-steps followed, and then sparring. I am dead tired by the time sparring rolls around, but I imagine that I have to get better eventually.

For backing them up, the front leg side kick works well. If they come off with their back leg, try to nail them with a front leg side kick or front kick. You can push them back, or knock them down.

I though you might, seeing as your the resident book man. Still, if Existence_is_suffering wanted to know more or whatever. Of course! Always share the wealth!

This was my thought as well. I don't see how breathing out through the mouth is different than breathing out through the nose. Try this: kiaing or kihaping while breathing out through the nose...

So you kind of prove my point. The language of the art is not, or shouldn't, from my point of view, be that mandatory. When you really need help, they either have to be translated, or demonstrate physically. Even through physical demonstration, you may not be able to pick up exactly what the demonstrator is getting at.

Cross and ps1 gave some good advise. Along with that, a good, sharp kiai will also help to relieve some of the nerves that you will be experiencing. When you go to grade, just let the shout go. You will feel good after you do it.

I am not sure how many styles of Kenjutsu/Iaijutsu there really are. I would go talk with him and find out what he does for sure. Like ps1 said, you can learn a lot by asking questions.

1-22-08 Back/shoulder/biceps Assited pull-ups (palm in): plate 10x10, 9x8, 8x4 Seated cable row: 120x10, 130x8, 140x6 Dumbell shoulder press: 40x10, 45x8, 50x6 Barbell curls: 70x10, 80x6, 85x4 Legs Squats: 155x10, 175x8, 185x6 Dead lift: 155x10, 175x8, 4 Abs Decline crunches: 3x12 Arm stretches: cross body, triceps, biceps, 3x20 sec. each.

1-21-08 Chest/triceps Bench press: 135x10, 155x10, 185x4 Dips: 3x5 Triceps push-downs: 90x10, 105x6, 6 Overhead triceps press: 50x10, 60x8, 65x4 Forearms Gripper: 3x12x30 lbs. Wrist curls: 3x20x20 lbs. Abs Decline crunches: 3x12 Jab: 3x10x8 lbs. each arm Arm stretches: cross body, triceps, and biceps stretches, 3x20 sec. each. Traditional TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00. After basics, I decided to do the forms with all of the students that were there. I did Dan-Gun to instructor's count, then Bo-Chung on my count. Do-San twice, once by count; Kwang-Gae, Gae-Baek, then Yoo-Sin. By the time sparring rolled around, I was wasted.

A little bit, but not too much. Not so much that it is going to cause any more injury than normally punching the hard bones of the head with the fragile bones of the hand does anyway.

I am not saying I don't agree with you. I do like my belts. I won't lie about it. However, if you take them away, it doesn't take away my knowledge. Neither does donning one give one knowledge. If a black belt is earned, then it is usually rewarded to one by another. In his case, that hasn't happened. Whether that is the way it should be or not, I am not to say. I just wonder why he worries about it.

Stretching that many times a day seems a bit excessive to me. I wouldn't think you would need to stretch that often to maintain your flexibility. What you might do is stretch out cold more often, to see how far you can go without being warmed up. That may help your body adapt to not being warm, and being able to be a bit flexible.