bushido_man96

All I know is that I've hardly seen a Tae Kwon Do fighter chamber their leg after a kick. That might be what he was referring to. Our school emphasizes the the rechambering motion of the leg on kicking. I know that some Olympic style sparrers probably do it differently, but that is a different game, too. The schools I have always been in have always insisted on the rechamber, though.

I agree. However, I think that it is easier for the grappler to become a striker than it is for strikers to pick up grappling. That is where the grappler's advantage lies, I think.

In the end, I don't think it is time that matters, as everyone puts in different amounts of time, in the form of days and hours per class per week. In the end, what will matter is what you are learning will help when need be. You really find this out with experience, as opposed to time-in-rank. That is what I have always appreciated about styles like Muay Thai, Boxing, MMA, or Wrestling; no ranks. If you can prove you are ready, and then win or show promise when you perform, then you and all others (of the style) know where you are, and respect it. Of course, it doesn't mean that they don't want a shot at you, either!

I wish I could read three books a night. To be honest, though, I am really quite a slow reader. Otherwise, I would have read most of the books I have bought by now. I know it looks silly that I am quoting myself, but I want to give a brief review of the books that I have that I read. Of course, my reviews aren't quite as good an informative as the ones that NightOwl can give (he is the man ), but I try. If I find out anything about any of the books that anyone else has posted, I would quote them as well.

Don't think old, think experienced. Hehe...

Hehe...my brothers can tell horror stories of me when I used to play the Nintendo (old NES). I have ruined a couple of controllers in my day! Of course, that was before I became the nice, even-tempered, gentleman that I am today!

I will have to look into what I need to play it. I don't want to use the keyboard, even if it is an option. I will need a control pad of some kind.

8-24-07 I didn't work out hard today at all, but I did walk through Se-Jong hyung a few times, concentrating on foot placement while transitioning from move to move, stance to stance. I have some funny footwork in this form, but I really like it. I also practiced some kicks, without a warm-up, so I was careful not to be too speedy.

Boy, I hope not!!!!

TSD was one of the kwans in Korea that did not join with Gen. Choi in his attempt at forming a nationally recognized Korean art, which came be known as TKD. So, TSD has some different forms than most TKD schools would use, but many of the same principles, as TSD and TKD can both trace their current roots to Shotokan. Hapkido is said to be derived from Daito-Ryu, and has been modified and some versions include some of the high and advanced kicks that can be seen in TKD. Taek-yon, as it is seen today, seems to be comprable to Caporiea, but seems more upright to me, from what I have seen. It is "played" like a game or dance. What roots this current style claims to have to the original, I don't know. I doubt much substantial, though. There is also a Korean sword art called Kumdo, which appears to me to be a Korean version of katana usage. However, I don't know any history or "roots" of this sword style. That is the best that my limited knowledge can provide at this point. I am sure there are others with broader knowledge of the above that can chip in.

Very nice videos! The opening of the Enpi was nice.

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.