bushido_man96

I agree that most times things will occur at close distance. However, even tied up in close, you can still do a back leg kick to the knee or thigh, with good results, wouldn't you think? Even if one leg is just a few inches back farther than the front, then that would make it back leg, and appropriate, I think. As far as back leg kicking to the waist or above; well, I don't think I would attempt front leg kicking that high on the street, either.

It is also a good guage of technique.

I think that Tang Soo Do, much like Taekwondo, had some Shotokan influences, as well. However, over the years, it has evolved to differentiate itself more and more from those roots.

Different systems do things different ways. The site probably showed just a general guideline. Go with what you remember.

Thanks for the info, guys.

Mulling that one over in my head, whoooooaaaaa, man!

I kind of agree. I would say that Muay Thai, Western Kickboxing, and Savate are all types of Kickboxing in general.

I think that Wu Shu may be a demonstration game, or just demonstrated. They wanted to get it added, but I think it fell through.

I have never said that muay thai was complete. muay thai is great for muay thai matches. For mma, it is lacking. It has stand up grappling and takedowns, but no ground grappling. consequently, the training methods don't provide for a means of ground training - a training method issue by way of the style of muay thai. If style had nothing to do with it and it was all practitioner dependent, you would have seen far more successful tma guys in mma. I think that with the advent of MMA now, we can see what our style lacks, and more readily accept it, and can alter our training to make up for it in some way. Really, style is open to interpretation. However, I don't want to say that I train TKD, and then do 3 years of Muay Thai training, and say that I am still strictly a TKD type. I would be using elements of both. However, it may be tougher to tell, because most of the techniques of Muay Thai, save for the clinching, can be seen in TKD movements, with minor modifications. Now, that doesn't make them the same, but more of a hybrid. But, I could incorporate the training elements of Muay Thai into my TKD training, and still be considered a TKD guy, for the most part; I would also have Thai influences, I guess you could say. After all of that, it can get confusing.

I had never heard of it before. Was the school more of a gym setup, or a studio setup?

I want to start by saying that Montana's story really hits home about firearm usage. If someone pulls a gun on you first, you are behind the 8 ball. Now, as for your initial post. I really don't think that the state of the Martial Arts in the world today is all that bad. You are taking a few bad instances, and blowing them up to include every teacher, every style, etc. That is just not the case. A few people mentioned the fact of bettering yourself. A few also mentioned because it is fun. I agree that if it isn't fun, then it probably isn't worth your time. And if you like to improve yourself physically, mentally, spiritually, or what ever way you get out of it, doesn't that make it worth it? Martial Arts can be useful in helping you protect yourself, as well. Just because things have advanced so much to where we are today, doesn't mean that dangers don't still exist. MA isn't the cure-all, but every little bit of knowledge that you can get will help you out. All in all, I don't think things are that bad. However, if you are burned out on it, perhaps it is time to move on to something else. Here is a little food for thought. Not everyone here will agree with me, but I think that if you by a gun, and learn to use it, train with it, etc., then being a weapon of warfare, you would still be learning a Martial style. At least, in my book.

Why there are two at this level, I am not sure. I don't like it that much, either, but oh well. Basically, the recommended is a probationary period, and after you get the decided rank, you also earn instructor certification. As part of the deal, it is required to be doing some teaching in some capacity or other, of which I have plenty of experience. I do have to pay for both tests. The testing is basically physical requirements; forms, one-steps, sparring, board breaking.

Whether you call it sport or art, the techniques are just techniques, and the language doesn't change the technique.

The article stated that this year the UFC discouraged many of the fighters from actually competing in it this go-around. I think they might get worried about their contracted fighters getting injured, and then not being healthy for the UFC.

this is what I was taught. However, I was also taught the same thing in karate, even though we chambered at the hip. Yeah, I think in the end, the same mechanics result. It just ends up in different places.

With as close as all the civilizations are, and the similarities between the styles, it could be hard to determine. If the territories were warring with each other in any way, it is likely that each had a system in place fairly early, in order to defend against the other. Determining which civilization decided to put the weapons down first, and begin to advance more towards sport, would also help to figure which organization may have started advancing technologically sooner as well, but I could be making a bad assumption there.

I would call the guy up and interview him. Ask him how many students he teaches, how often he teaches, and other like questions. Ask where he got his experience, as well. I don't know if I would just go to his house, though. Maybe see if he will meet you at a nuetral site, like a coffee shop or resturaunt, or something like that.

I don't necessarily think that training methods and styles are related. I think that certain styles have just trained a certain way for so long, that they are now associated. Case in point, I practice TKD. Therefore, just about everyone that would encounter me in sparring, competition, or whatever, would probably assume that I would: a) kick a lot, and kick to the head; b) not punch to the head; c) have no knowledge of how to grapple (which, unfortunately, I don't, at this time). However, I could alter my training methodologies to included these missing venues, and improve my fighting abilities. I could change the methods, but keep the style. It is just a matter of changing the way people view it.

I chose other. I originally started because as a chubby little kid that got picked on, I wanted something to help me get around this. Later on, it just became a part of me, and now I cannot imagine not doing it. Now, with my job, I take it even more seriously, and think about ways to improve myself every day.

I was wondering if anyone has ever gotten to see one of these events, either live or recorded? I was reading about the results of the most recent event, and I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced them? I think they would be great to watch. If anyone has anything to enlighten me, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

8-1-07 Today, I did an easy walk through of my forms and one-steps, to review for testing this weekend. It took me about 20 minutes, and I didn't go very hard. I got a sweat going, but kept everything low-key.

This weekend I will be doing the first half of my 3rd dan testing. If I pass, I will be awared the rank of 3rd dan recommended, and then have a 6 month probationary period during which I will have to test for 3rd dan decided.

A Game of Thrones; Tyrion Key events: After a night in the library of Winterfell, which holds many rare works, Tyrion goes down to have breakfast. It has been 4 days since Bran fell, and the parties to leave have not yet. Robert stays with Eddard. As Tyrion climbs down the stairs, he meets Clegane and Joffery. Joffery makes some crude remarks, and Tyrion tells him that he should give Ned and Cat his condolences. Joff refuses, and Tyrion responds by slapping him across the face. Joff demonstrates his cruelty with his words, and he tells Tyrion that he will "tell Mother." Surprisingly, the Hound, stands by, and says nothing about Tyrion's actions. Tyrion then goes to have breakfast with his brother and sister. When Tyrion told the chidren that Bran should live, he notices the glance between Cersei and Tyrion. He is observant, and suspects what happened. We learn that Cersei has no love for Tyrion, but that Jaime does. Tommen and Myrcella are very loving children, where as Joffery is pompous and arrogant, thinking only of himself. Tyrion also knows how to get under Cersie's skin, and kind of revels in it. Tyrion speaks of wanting to visit the Wall before they depart.

A Game of Thrones; Bran Eddard, Robert, and many of the party are out on a hunt. Bran was told to say his goodbyes today, because the next day, they are to leave for the South. Bran tries to say goodbye to a few people, but becomes teary-eyed, and runs off. Instead, he decides to go climbing. He notes that he has not named his wolf yet; Rickon's is Shaggydog, and Robb's is Grey Wind. Sansa named her's Lady (fitting), and Arya's is Niemeria. Key events/notes: During his climb around an abandonded part of the castle, he heres voices. They are talking about his father, and he tries to get closer to hear without being spotted. The voices are discussing how they don't like the idea of Eddard becoming the Hand of the King, and that his loyalty to Robert will be a problem. They also discuss Lysa Arryn, Cat's sister, and Jon Arryn's widow. There is talk of proof of something, but not what (the legitimacy of Cersie's children to Robert). Finally, Bran looks around to see who is talking, and he finds Cersei, the Queen, and Jaime, of the Kingsguard, together, kissing and talking. The Queen notices Bran, and he gets startled, slips, but is caught by Jaime. After pulling him up, Jaime casts him out the window. Before he went climbing, Bran's wolf would howl at him as he started. As Bran was falling, he could her his wolf howling still.

These two books are great. The original is already a classic, I think. With chapters on kicking, stiking, footwork, and sparring, he covers the gamut of striking styles. In Solo Training 2, he goes further and covers ways to train grappling solo. They are very unique ways, but inventive, and one could benefit from them. This volume also concentrates on training the core, in order to build up the strength needed to perform good Martial Arts techniques. Combined with his chapters on the mental aspect of being a Martial Artist, and his humoruous writing style, his books are always worth their price. If you are ever stuck in a rut in your MA training, you can grap one or both of these books, flip open to a page, and find training ideas to keep you interested for weeks at a time. I recommend just about anything by Christensen.