bushido_man96

Ok, I think I'm ready to start this off. I'm bypassing the forward and anything before that in the book, as the meat of what I want to get into lies after that. Emphasis on boundless expansion was in the text. So, I'll admit I've never been much of a philosopher, and know next to nothing about zen and achieving it. So, these first several pages of Lee's writings are truly lost on me. I guess to get to the meat of things here, we should isolate what the "true knowledge" and "real life" refer to. I guess, it has to do with something like "what is," as in this moment in time, perhaps? I don't know? Perhaps not over complicating a thing, and letting it just be what it is, and do what it does? "Boundless expansion," I think, refers to letting one's mind be free to explore all possibilities, and not be tied to one particular approach or way of thinking. Don't try to expand it, but let it expand....? And then there is the "totality." This, I have a little trouble grasping. And add to that "particular department" aspect of the discussion...and it loses me. At face value, to me, "totality" and "everything" are one and the same. Thoughts? I'd love to hear how everyone else sees these thoughts.

12/18/2020 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 155x3, 185x1, 225x5, 225x5, 225x5. Press: 45x5x2, 70x5, 95x1, 132.5x5, 132.5x5, 132.5x5, 132.5x5, 132.5x5. Lat Pull-downs: 140x10, 140x10, 140x10, 140x10. Switching to 2 1/2 lb increases on the press, and apparently moving to sets of 3, as well. My first set of 5 stalled at 3 1/2, so sets of 3 it is now. To keep the same total volume, moving to 5 sets. As it gets harder, it may go to sets of doubles and singles to get to 15. Later that evening, the whole family went back to the gym to do some cardio work. I piddled around on a rower and a bike with no real effort put in, but I did spend time on the stretching machine, probably about 10 minutes.

That's quite the path, there. Lot's of richness!

Ah, very cool. Love the Tyrannosaurus, too!

It's great to set a goal like this! First off, get the technique down. Get really comfortable with all four major aspects of the kicks (usually consisting of chamber, extension, rechamber, and return to the floor). If you don't get the kick done correctly, then doing it high isn't worth squat. Technique first. Now, as you are learning technique, take the time to stretch frequently. Especially when you are really warmed up, like after a class. Take time to stretch your legs, back, and shoulder girdle/arms. As your flexibility increases, so will the height of your kicks. Finally, you need leg strength, too. I recommend barbell squats for strength. I recommend 3 sets of 5 through full range of motion (that means parallel squats), three times a week if you can fit that in. You can also do what I like to call concentration kicks, using a wall for balance. Stand next to a wall or holding a chair back for balance, and execute your kick in a slow fashion. You'll chamber and hold briefly, then you'll spend about 5 seconds extending the kick, and then hold the kick at full extension for about 5 seconds, then repeat as you rechamber, then set down for a rest and rub the knot out of your leg before repeating. You can do this with most kicks, but I find it works wonders with the front, side, and round kicks. Only do it a few times to start out, or you'll get really sore. Work up in reps the following week. Once you feel good with that exercise, you can add what I call "pulses" to it. Once you've extended the kick and held it for a few seconds, begin "pulsing" your foot up and down, just a few inches each way, and then side to side, very small, controlled movements so you can keep your balance. And no cursing my name as you do these . Hope this gives you a place to start!

Thanks for sharing that. It answers my question very well. The breaks at the end were impressive, too.

That's a very interesting video. Thank you for sharing that.

I've jumped back into it. It's been some time since I've been able to find what I'd consider another promising TKD book to read, but I found one that I really enjoyed. It's titled Old School Perspectives on Taekwon-do, by Ciaran McDonald. It's another TKD book in which the author's goal is to dig out possible applications to forms. He lays out a nice outline of the how's and why's, and rather than spend chapters showing a form, and then applications for each move, he worked a different route. He first laid out comparisons that TKD forms have with various Karate katas, through identifying "templates" with in the TKD forms that have been transplanted into TKD forms. From there, he spends time breaking down the "traditional" blocking methods and shows how they can be used in application. He has another section on the applications of stances, and how the stance in use can demonstrate what the techniques are possibly being used for. So, instead of providing a book that says, "here are the applications," it instead provides an outline for digging in. He does layout some examples in the book, but again, it's not a straight dishing of what he thinks the forms applications are. He mentioned at the end of the book that he is publishing two more volumes, so I'm looking forward to them. With that book finished, I got in the mail today a new Bruce Lee book: Jeet Kune Do: Bruce Lee's Commentaries on the Martial Way, published by Tuttle Publishing and edited by John Little. When this collection came out years ago, I picked up several volumes, but not this one, because I thought it was just a rehashing of Tao of Jeet Kune Do, but I appear to have been wrong. So I look forward to digging into it. It also appears I'm short another volume, titled Bruce Lee: Artist of Life. Looks like that's another added to the list...

What are latkes?

Those times when instructors really seem to open up and present things to you like that are especially enlightening. Especially with a good instructor. Since I'm not a Karate stylist, and I've not retained much of what I've learned of the Karate vocabulary, can you please explain to me what "shime" is?

I'm curious about these differences. If the SKA likes to do this technique as a "thrusting" technique, but without rotating the hips, where does the power come from? Only arm strength?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays, everyone! 2021 can't be worse....can it? Bring on the new year!

Thanks, Danielle! Just knowing this thread exists makes me focus on getting something done a couple of times a week at the least. It's good motivation, I guess.When I first started the thread, my hope was that other people would join in with what they've done for training during their weeks. At first, there were several people who jumped in and posted, but they kind of fell off. But that's what I really want out of it; to see what others are doing, too, and see what I can do to affect my training. So, with that said.... PLEASE, EVERYONE, FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN HERE AND POST YOUR TRAINING ALONG WITH ME! IT'S LONELY IN HERE! So, today's training: 12/15/2020 Strength Training Deadlifts: 135x5, 165x5, 195x3, 210x1, 240x5. Press: 45x5x2, 70x5, 95x1, 130x3, 130x3, 130x3, 130x3, 130x3. Since I'm doing press on back to back days, and with the weight getting heavier and being a little harder to manage, I decided to go with sets of 3 and still get the same total volume. It was still pretty hard today, and likely is because of no recovery days between. So, moving forward, I may adjust and have the second day be a push press day, and see how that goes. Then, after catching up here at KF, I'm going to sit and read Old School Perspectives on Taekwon-do for a little while in a light stretch.

Yes, very much so.

Coming back around on this, after having some more years of experience, lends itself to coming up with some ideas. In my experience with Krav Maga, especially in regards to weapons defenses, they have a tactical outline: Redirect, Control, Attack, Takeaway. You start by redirecting the weapon; once you are out of the line of fire, you stay out of the line of fire. Although directed primarily to firearms defense, it holds true against edged weapons, too. Don't get back in line with the edge. Usually established at the same time as redirecting, you take control of the weapon, therefore preventing it from coming back on-line. Once again, usually performed at about the same time as the redirection/control aspect, this tactic is about breaking down the person with the weapon. A simultaneous counter-attack is initiated (which is more than just one strike or kick), to break the attacker down and facilitate the last part of the tactical approach; Take away. Finish by taking the weapon away from the bad guy, and presenting it or your own, if you have one. There are specific techniques that get taught along the way, but they aren't as important as the tactics are; first, get out of the line of fire; don't care how, and once you are out of the line of fire, stay out. The same applies for how you move into controlling and attacking, and getting the weapon away. I think these tactics can be applied somewhat to weaponless attacks, as well. Redirect their attack while gaining control of them and counter-attacking.

Those are very interesting interactions, aurik. Thanks for sharing them. In the first video, the two practitioners appeared much "tighter" than in the second one; that is, the circling techniques appeared much tighter to me. But in the second one, they moved pretty quickly.

I can't say exactly what all TKD would do; undoubtedly, DWx would probably have some different responses than I would. What I would probably do and teach, though, is to raise the left hand to cover while closing the gap, and deliver a straight right to whatever target is available as the punch is absorbed on the arm. By stepping inside the strike, I can kill some of the power of it, and put myself into a better position. Straight punch to the solar plexus, or palm strike (or punch if comfortable) to the head. A palm could drive nicely into the chin, which can then be used to gain control of the head, in turn controlling the body. Try to drive them to the ground. This technique would be very similar to our first white belt one-step; Step forward front stance to left high block, followed by a right palm strike to the chin, followed by a right punch to the solar plexus. I just augment the high block to the cover. If you are able to step in close enough (and they are stepping, too), you can use your forward stepping leg to disrupt or hopefully destroy their balance in the process. This is just a side note from watching the two videos in the OP, but I didn't like the "cover out," especially crossing the feet. I'd rather assess from where I finish, and if I've already got the distance closed, I don't want to move myself out of position if the fight continues. The only way I'm going to back out is if I plan on leaving the scene to get to safety entirely. It's just a little thing, but I think it can make a difference.

This was a very interesting read. So much to learning human behavior.

12/14/2020 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 155x3, 185x1, 220x5, 220x5, 220x5. Press: 45x5x2, 70x5, 95x1, 125x5, 125x5, 125x5, 125x5. Lat Pull-downs: 135x10, 135x10, 135x10, 135x10. Squats are starting to grind. This sporadic training schedule I have is tough. MA Training TKD Class: 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Black Belt Class. Opened with some review on Do-Kangs, doing 1, 2 twice, 3 twice, and 4. Next was some forms review. I did Toi Gye, Hwa Rang, and took the two kids through Yul Gok. I took the adult black belt through Choong Moo. We finished class up by starting Hae Sul on the first two moves of Chon Ji. I think everyone really enjoyed that, and I look forward to having more opportunities to do it. Did a brief stretching session at home, while reviewing some books in my TKD libarary.

I can't believe I've never seen this until now. That was quite an interesting video, and I loved his discussions. Footwork is so important! Great channel, Danielle. I've subscribed.

I've you've seen the Season 3 trailer, it strongly hints at this in a couple of places. I have to say that I've really enjoyed watching Johnny change as a character. He has certainly grown and matured quite a bit in his 2 seasons on Cobra Kai, and I hope he grows even more in Season 3. Prison? Maybe juvenile detention; I believe the character is 16 or something like that? Maybe 17? I've really enjoyed Johnny's character, learning what things are like from his perspective, his challenges in the home he grew up in, etc.

Boy, the very first one? No. I do remember classes around that time, though. I must have been 7 or 8 being toted to class with my dad. I remember doing line drills of stances and blocking and striking, that kind of thing. I have vague memories of my dad (red belt) and some of the black belts doing a demo breaking boards.

That's a great attitude to have, BalkanDragon! Congrats on the first of many promotions, and welcome to KF!

Well, Kreese has to be dealt with, for one. Perhaps Daniel and Johnny finally put their pasts aside and work together?

Agreed, welcome! That certificate sounds like quite the heirloom.