bushido_man96

This was a very good book. When I picked it up, I expected a book full of the flashy kicks and techniques of Capoeira, and I got that, and so much more. Although it is not an extensive how-to book on the Art of Capoeira, it does give introductions to moves and sequences, but is very full of some of the history, philosophy, and roots of the art of Capoeira. The history was very interesting, and the philosophies behind the style is very interesting to learn about as well. It talks of the differences between the styles Regional and Angola, and where they came from, along with more recent styles and groups. Of particular interest (to me, anyways) was the appendix in the book, where the author elaborated on a meeting of Capoeira Mestres in masse that took place in 1984. Many discussion went on in that assembly, ranging from art and science being introduced in Capoeira, Capoeira abroad, and what is becoming "lost" in Capoeira. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the style, art, and philosphies of Capoeira.

Ah, I see. Cool. Happy B-day to your brother!

1-08-07 Back/shoulders/biceps Assisted pull-ups: 3 sets, plate 10x6 each set. Back hyperextensions: 3x10 Overhead dumbell shoulder press: 3x10x40 lbs. Barbell biceps curl: 60x10, 70x8, 80x6 Legs Squats: 135x10, 155x8, 6 Dead lift: 135x10, 155x8, 6 Stretched the legs: front kick stretch, quad stretch, side kick stretches, 3 sets of each. Abs Decline sit-ups: 3x10 Taught Traditional Kids TKD Class: 4:00 - 5:00. It was a good class for the kids today. Basics looked pretty sharp, and one of the kids that I was having trouble getting to keep his body tight, especially his hands when punching, was really on today. He looked great. Taught Adult Traditional TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00. The class was mostly black belts tonight, but we had one green belt. The class went pretty well.

1-07-08 Chest/triceps Bench press: 135x10, 155x8, 185x4 Triceps push-downs: 90x10, 105x8, 6 Overhead triceps press: 50x10, 55x8, 60x6 Abs Decline sit-ups: 3x10 Sit-up and twists: 20, 2x10 Solo workout: 9:10 - 9:50 am. Chon-Ji hyung Wall back kicks: 10 each leg Dan-Gun, Won-Hyo hyungs Wall back kicks: 10 each leg, slowly Stretch: seated splits, reaching right and left, butterfly, 3 times each Yul-Gok, Jung Gun hyungs Wall side kicks: 2x5 each leg, slowly, locking out Toi-Gye, Hwa-Rang, Choong Moo hyungs Stretch: seated splits again, reaching right and left, butterfly, calf stretch, and hurdler stretches, 2 to 3 times each Wall side kicks, hold and pulse: 3x10 each leg Defensive Tactics training: 10:05 - 12:00. We did some "Rambo drills," which were palm to palm reaction drills with weapons. We did gun vs. gun, gun vs. knife, and gun vs. unarmed. We used rubber band guns for our training session, and we really learned a lot about buying just a few seconds time to save yourself. We then did some technique analysis, breaking down and discussing what we learned in the drills. We finished up the session working on rear takedowns. Traditional TKD Class: 6:30 - 7:15. Class got started late tonight, but it was all black belts, so we did all of the forms. From Chon-Ji up to Yoo Sin hyung, 15 forms in all. So, I got a double-dose of forms work today, which was good. A brief stretch afterwards finished out the session.

Hehe, I think you might have a good point there, Kez.

Yeah, and it needs to be curbed, really fast. That will be the worst PR enemy of the MMAs, not the "attitudes" that many claim the fighters have.

I have seen some commercials on them, and they do look good. I think I may have to break down and by the DVDs of both this and The Human Weapon, just so I can have them all.

Century sells different colored gis. Try their website. Just curious, why green?

Yeah, Kez, ours goses about the same way, too. Earn 1st dan, wait 1 and half years, test for 2nd; wait 2 and a half years, test for 3rd, etc.

It may not have much to do with fighting ability, but it is part of the rules, so it has to be followed. If you want to control performance enhancers, then you should control the illegal street drugs as well. That, and it helps to set an example. If it had been you or me testing positive for marijuana, we would be posting a bond at jail for it.

Man, thats quite a journey, ps1. I think it sucks what the shihan did to you with the Karate training, especially after you gave him 20 students. That's real integrity there. Keep at it, though, and I am sure that an opportunity for your Shotokan training will roll around eventually. Remember, success is where preparation meets opportunity. So stay prepared.

Yeah, I have seen that one before. A good kick, but easy to block if you keep your hands up.

In my organization, testing for 6th dan is the last physcial test. After that, it has more to do with organizational advancement, teaching, etc.

You can also set the kick up by stepping forward first, to gain more momentum, and then beginning the kicking technique. Eventually, you will want to work away from this, but it can help in the early stages of learning. A friend of mine that was really into Olympic TKD had some really quick stutter-stepping footwork that he did for this kick as well. He kept his body lower to the ground, and didn't jump as much. It is much quicker that way, and is a great counter in sparring.

I agree with Killer here. In my current TKD form, Yoo Sin, we do that movement, and I try to focus it as both elbow strikes to the front, and a punching motion over the shoulder. I don't notice any weakness in stance, and by focusing it as a punch and an elbow strike, I feel as though I put more power into the technique.

Awesome! Congrats, Patrick!

Those sound like quite the testings. You must be very proud of your accomplishments.

I have missed this episode. When was it on?

Very true. I read an article yesterday that stated that Joe Lewis earned 3 different black belts in a year. Of course, he trained like a mad man, and had Wrestling experience as well. Each case has to be addressed individually. Addressing it is important, too. I don't believe that any instructor should become defensive if you ask them about their credentials.

I have had some similar experiences with instructors before as well. I didn't necessarily leave, but it makes me concious about how I treat people, and what I expect from them. I had to leave my own school when I left for college. It was on good terms, and I took away a lot of experiences with me, especially teaching experiences, and I still carry them with me today. I know now what I would do the same, and what I would do differently, if I ran my own operation again.

If you ask me, fighting a trained martial artist might be alot easier. You will at least have a vague idea of what to expect.He isn't going to run at you like a charging bull, head first, or do something crazy that only a maniac would do. This can be true, to an extent. However, even if someone is trained, you can never really tell how they are going to fight. There are some trained people out there who may still charge, and fight very maniaclly. It just depends on their attitude, and the level of trouble that they may perceive themselves to be in. In the end, making an assumption like that might hurt more than help you.

Hmmm, earning a 5th degree within 5 years does sound a bit skeptical to me. You may want to look further into that, to see what it is about.

1-03-07 Back to training today, in the dojang. Traditional TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00. Class got started late, so I warmed up early doing some forms. I did Yoo Sin hyung, Gwang Gae hyung, and then Chon Ji hyung, and worked on some back kicks to get the blood moving. When we got into basics, my body was just tired and worn out. I felt like I had no snap in my techniques, no power, and no strength in my arms. I must be taking cold as well, because my lungs were burning up pretty good, too. My form went ok, and then I spent some time breaking down the beginning of it, and working on that. Overall, it was good to get back into the groove. However, I hope things come back soon. In February, I am going to be attending an Instructor's Seminar for the TTA, and I want to be in good shape for that when it rolls around. It will be a 6 hour seminar, covering forms, sparring, basics, Do Kangs, and self-defense and knife defense. I am looking forward to it, but I want to be ready, as well.

That doesn't sound too far off, if you are talking about a back leg hook kick. I would bring the back leg forward, like a front kick, and then pivot around to a side kick type of chamber, side facing the body, and then executing the hook kick. Hope that makes sense.

It sounds like on that first break she got her body a little bit out of position. I see that a lot on forward elbow strikes, and it comes from the students thinking that they need to crowd the boards to penetrate them. What I do is tell them to take a back stance, and then shift from the back stance to a front stance when breaking the board. You make sure they are far enough away from the board in the back stance, and then the hips shifting into the front stance will place the elbow on the board, and allow them to follow through, and adds power to the technique.