bushido_man96

There really is nothing quite like a new gi, is there, Kez? My black belt has my name on it in English, with Korean below on one side, and the name of our school in English with Korean below on the other side, along with the dan stripes on each side.

Good points, gzk. It goes back to accreditation and certification. It can be kind of like a quality check, in a way. However, Ottman, you are right in that you say it doesn't really mean anything any different. Some are just proud of their "Martial Family Tree."

I am not sure why people think this... it is very untrue. If you look at the history of martial arts, it is generally associated with a criminal element. china - triads, tongs and other gangsters. (ever hear wing chun referred to as gangsterfist?) brazil - capoeira was associated with thugs and criminals, which is part of the reason it was banned. france - savate was associated with thugs the list goes on. I am not sure I agree completely with you here, nine_weapons. In every society, there is always a need to fight. It may come from the bad, as you mention here, but it may also come from those who need to defend themselves from other territories. Perhaps not those that are bad, but are perceived as such due to differences between societies. However, your point is a good one. It doesn't matter what style you study, be it Karate, Judo, Muay Thai, fencing, or MMA, there will always be those that we want to emulate, and there will be those who are dangerous people that you don't want anything to do with.

The Pankration episode was great! My favorite one so far. I thought it was interesting how they suggested that Alexander the Great, during his conquests, may have introduced some moves in his Asian campaigns that may have influenced some of the Eastern arts a little. Food for thought, anyways. The fight at the end was good, but I was suprised at that particular organization's rules of not punching the face, while the other places they looked into didn't seem to have that restriction. Bill had a nice punch to the face, though! But the Pankratiast's opening round kick was nice, too. I like how the kick came straight up, like a front kick, and then turned over at the point of contact. Very nice.

Maybe once in a while! I remember a tiff I had with a guy when I was in high school. He hit me in the face a few times, but his punches came from hanging down at his sides, and I don't remember feeling them. Even after the fact, I don't remember my face or cheeks being sore. I think that maybe he just couldn't punch well, though.

This book is the treatise presented by Yagyu Munenori on the system on the Shinkage school of swordsmanship. There is a brief technical section, followed by several sections on Bhuddism and Swordsmanship. Most of this book is a philosophical outlook, and really isn't up my alley. There is a lot of discussion on state of mind, and relating it to swordsmanship. If you like to read about Zen aspects, especially related to swordsmanship, then you will enjoy this book.

RIP

They way it looked, I think you might be better off training with a short stick, or something of the like. When it is opened, I am not sure what you would do with the applications. Now, if it was metal, then I could see.

As for the gi, I think people stopped wearing them when they found out they could get choked out, and otherwise manipulated, with them.

Looks kind of cool! I couldn't get the first link to come up, though.

I think that the decrease in the use of small-joint manipulation helps to increase the time spent in randori. I think this because it is easier to fall and roll with a shoulder lock than a finger twist. I could be wrong, though.

Congrats!

Hehe, yeah, short one that time! I think that they can expand if they want to later on to get into the history of more of the offshoot styles, like you mention for Karate. I doubt that the show was going to run perpetually, anyways. Besides that, they seem to be hitting regional areas, as opposed to simply styles. Like the Muay Thai episode included Krabi Krabong, which could probably have warranted its own show as well. However, it worked into the history of Muay Thai.

It seems to me that you view the Martial Arts with the "Eastern bias" that has evolved with styles like Karate, TKD, and such. Keep in mind that Martial Arts come from all over the world, not just the Orient. Different cultures have different ways of doing things, so not all will look the same.

Certification is good for credibility. If you have a certificate from a sanctioned body, like the ITF, WTF, JKA, or what not. When I was in the ATA, I had to meet certain trainee instructor requirements, and then went to Instructor Certification Camp for a week. Upon successful completion of the camp, I was recognized as a Certified Instructor. In my current organization, once I pass my 3rd dan testing, I will become a certified instructor, as long as I have been teaching in some facet to meet the requirments.

8-22-07 Taught Orientation today from 5:30 - 6:00. I have been sick this week, as has my family, so training has been hit and miss.

Movies are just that; movies. Fighting multiple opponents is going to be hard, no matter who you are. The Bourne Identity is choreographed, keep that in mind. You could do pushups and stretch at home. Learning moves on your own is going to be tough. You could find someone who has some training, and see if you can get some personal training that way.

Only one lesson a week isn't that great, I don't think. I would much prefer to have a choice of several days per week.

I am the short guy as well. I am 5'7"; a little taller, but still shorter than most in the class.

Tall or short, you have to learn how to make your Martial Arts work for you. Even being short can be good; think low center of gravity.

Lordtariel has some good points. You don't want to discount the place just because he has expanded. He may have produced some good students who wanted to teach, but could not get started on their own. Therefore, he may have helped them out. Check them out first, and see what they are like.

I see. If you take both styles, then do you progress through both styles at the same pace?

That is a good option! I, however, prefer baseball. Batter up!!!

Yeah, you can train hard, with aggression, and with decreased risk for injury. I am curious, though; does the grappling level of training just go from the ground, or do they work any type of takedowns?

Very nice, ps1. Who is the person that you quoted? I like it.