bushido_man96

I can see reasoning behind both, but I see much more practicalities in the Thai/Boxing style.

Thanks!

The thing here is that if someone has knowledge or a skill that another doesn't, and that person spent a lot of time and training (and money) to get it, they may be reluctant to just give it away. This is true for many professions, like cooking, music, etc.

Episode 2: This week was on Escrima, and the hosts spent their time touring the Phillipines. I loved this episode, and I wish that there was a school where I could learn Escrima. I think the art is awesome, and fighting with the sticks interests me greatly. The match at the end was fun to watch. I don't recall if either of them took any head shots, though.

Cool! Let us know how it turned out!

That is an interesting way to put it, mantis.style.

The encounters that you had sound like they were very quick for you. However, I just don't think they will always be that quick.

Have a happy anniversary, Baron!

I prefer to just use English when teaching it, speaking about it, etc. Even though I do a Korean style, I still feel the same way about it. I don't believe that the language native to the style really holds any nostalgic effect over it, and I don't believe you reduce the art if you don't use it. With English-speaking students, it is just easier to use the English.

If your techniques are right then yes. If you know how to be relaxed until impact and your train for this, then yes you are practicing your chi. But Boxing for instance even though they punch the bag 254235324 times they are relying more on strength and not chi. Thats why you see those little 80 year old chinese masters that can still hold their own. You won't see someone who practices a "hard Style" doing this. Because when you rely on your strength at 80..... then its pretty much useless. Actually, I don't think Boxers are punching with just strength alone. There are a lot of Boxers out there with quick hands, even the heavyweights. There speed is just as much a subject of technique as comes from any other style. I think there are a number of hard stylists that are into their 80s, and still punching just fine. Besides, even some hard styles teach to be relaxed until the moment of impact; I believe that Karate styles call this "kime." I used to have a student who boxed in the 1940s and '50s. He would come train with me once a week. I have never been hit as hard as I have by this guy, who was in his late '60s.

Wow, that would have been one heck of a lunch. It sounds to me like you handled with a lot of class, which may be something I am not capable of. It is good to see that after speaking with this individual that you felt much more confident about the training that you do, and the training that you offer your own students.

Ok, here are the lists: MMA fighter: conditioning/endurance physical technique determination/confidence ability to relax and focus For "Surviving a street encounter": awareness fighting spirit/attitude simple gross-motor techniques ability to refrain from panicing I don't want to understate the importance of each of the above factors listed for self-defense. They are all very important. However, I do think that being fit plays a bigger role than most might think when it comes to having to defend yourself.

7-26-07 We had a small testing at our school today, with a small number of colored belts testing. However, the black belts did a small demo for the parents/audience. We did an abbreviated version of basics, which went fast, and got the blood flowing. Other black belts demonstrated forms, and I did a few advanced forms. Then we did one-steps, and a few did some sparring. Then, we did board breaks. I did a flying side kick over 3 kids, into two boards. I was a little worried about this technique, because it will be a requirement for when I test for my 3rd decided. I took one practice run, to make sure things were lined up right, then I did the break, and got it on my first try. I was so pleased with myself! What is weird, though, is that I don't remember seeing the boards break. I definitely felt them break; the break felt really good. I remember feeling the boards break, looking where I was landing, and that was it.

I am glad you got things checked out. How long for recovery?

Your description makes it sound as if punching after being punched is a bad thing. When you state that it is revenge, it sounds, I don't know, like you don't like it, or agree with it. I am just curious if that is what you feel. Thanks in advance.

I agree with you here. It is one thing to say you will "block and counter," when in actuality, you may not have the chance to see the attack coming.

Those are some of my sentiments as well. I will have to look at the article again later, and I will list the items for each.

All of those components that you listed would be involved. I am not saying that all of them would have to top-tier, but all would help.

Heheh, not exactly how I meant it!

Do you do any different types of sparring early on in order to get the students geared up for the harder sparring?

Do you think that the term "defense," or even "self-defense," is the terminology of a victim? If you think about the conotation of the word(s), I can see where this perception could come from. As many of you may have seen, I am a proponent of the pre-emptive strike. Many would not associate the pre-emptive strike with the terminology of self-defense; many would consider it an attack, an initiative. I think that attacking in the initiative, if you can sense the threat, is the best option, when the time comes. If self-defense is deemed reactionary, then do you think the term is also related to the term "victim?"

I read an article recently discussing the level of importance for the average Martial Artist training for self-defense. There was a list of needs listed for two different Martial Arts types; the MMA fighter, and the average practitioner, wanting self-defense. In the lists, the priority for conditioning and endurance was rated very high for the MMA fighter. Obviously so, in my opinion. There are several reasons why I couldn't compete in an MMA ring at this time, and those are two of them. However, in the list for the average self-defense minded stylist, physical fitness was not on the list (albeit the lists were only 4 items in length for each). I am not really sure what to make of this. I don't think that the fitness level of the typical MMA fighter is mandatory for every Martial Artist training out there to have, I do feel that some level of fitness is of great importance when it comes down to defending one-self. For one thing, the body wears out fast after the adrenaline dump, especially if you have never experienced it before. Also, being in shape in order to deliver resounding strikes would have its benefit as well. What does everyone else think of the importance of physical fitness for self-defense? I don't think that the article was denouncing the importance of fitness altogether, but I do think it to be important enough to make the 4-item list.

A Game of Thrones: Arya Although there aren't a lot of key events that happen in this chapter, we do learn a little bit about a few people. This is our first real encounter with Arya, the nine year old sister of the Stark children. She looks more like the Starks than the Tullys, and she always felt somewhat alienated for it. For this reason, she always felt close to Jon. We learn that Sansa is the perfect young lady; she is pretty, and does things elegantly, like sew, write poetry, etc. She seems the stereotypical queen-to-be. Arya is rough around the edges, and wants to do more of what the men do, than the ladies. She even expresses an interest in learning swordplay. This figures in later. Key Event: Arya goes to watch the boys fight in the yard. There, we learn some things about Prince Joffery's attitudes. He is arrogant, pompous, and likes to belittle people. Apparently, he and Robb battled for a time, and it seemed that Robb got the better of the Prince. The Prince refused to spar again, unless it was with live blades. Ser Rodrick Cassel, the master-at-arms of Winterfell, refuses this, for reasons of safety. Joffery continues to poke and prod at Robb, which gets him angry, and Theon Greyjoy restrains him from taking after the Prince. Of the men attending Joff, his personal guard, Sandor Clegane (known as the Hound), adds fuel to the fire with his words. Arya makes note of Clegane's terribly burned face. Anything to add, A-Train?

Hmmmm, I can't be sure, then. I don't think it is anything that I have seen; or if I have, I just don't recall it.

Ah, what I think that you are talking about is the hakama. You should be able to find them on about any site that sells MA merchandise, like Century, AWMA, etc. If you need to search in sections, check the Aikido, Iado, or other sword sections. They should be in there. Is this similar to what you are looking for: http://www.karatedepot.com/un-ke-13.html