bushido_man96

It may be a tactic he is using to make sure you pay attention. Watch him more in the next class, and see if he does so with anyone else. If you are making eye contact with him, and no one else does, this may draw him to make eye contact with you.

Eh? Why is it a problem? Why should they adopt the traditions of east Asia for their sport? I've seen guys shake hands of hug each other after a fight to show mutual support. I really don't see why they should have to bow.I agree with Elky here. The bowing aspect is an Eastern cultural adaptation that we have continued to use in the West. Do you think the Greeks bowed to each other before entering the Pankration? Or their Boxing matches? Or their Wrestling matches? I don't think that they did. Fighting and the Martial Arts are not unique to the East. Just about every civilazation that ever existed had some form of fighting that they used to train their armies, warriors, etc.

I agree entirely, I just lament the death of the traditional British styles such as Lancashire Catch as Catch Can and Cornish wrestling. I started to read a book the other day about how these styles were killed off by a combination of Eastern MA and professional wrestling. Unfortunately I was reading it in a book shop and they evicted me as I had already made my purchases, and now I can't find it again. Man, that is a bummer. Do you remember the title? That would be a good read.

Great, thanks!

Every system is different, so it would just depend. You might be in the 3rd to 4th dan range, maybe.

Do both. Neither are going to be harmful to your Martial Arts training. Each will have different benefits. Exercises like push-ups and crunches and pull-ups are great for anyone wanting to get into shape. However, there is nothing wrong with lifting weights, either. And weightlifting will help you get stronger in areas that those body exercises can't really hit. Find a personal or physical trainer, and tell them your needs and goals. They should be able to help you set up a program to help you reach your goals.

That sounds cool. That is a great deal for ya.

Along with the notes listed above, work on the speed of your initiation, especially your chamber position for you kicks. Try, without kicking, brining your leg from the floor to the chambered position as fast as you can, and then hold the position for a count or two. Then, work it into the complete kick. I like to do wall-kicks, where I use the wall for balance, and either do slow, tension kicks, or fast, repeating kicks, where I can work on muscle tension/speed as opposed to worrying about balance. To work on balance, practice the tension kicks away from the wall, doing a 5 second count from chamber to extension, and a 5 second hold, and then 5 seconds back. The heavy bag will help to develop power and balance, as well.

I think that sounds ok. You are going from doing one kind of conditioning to another, which is great, since, as you mentioned, you don't skip well. That way, you get some in. And it doesn't really sound like punishment, either, in that case.

Most civilazations, at one point or another, had some form of folk wrestling linked to their culture.

I think that Funakoshi adopted the gi from Kano, and the rest have followed suit. We wouldn't really need to wear a gi, but I kind of like mine. It does make some moves sound crisp, and they are good for kicking and moving in.

Very nice, indeed!

Nice signature, by the way!

Yes, I recall his flashback when he is in the prison tower, with the fever from his broken leg. We hear so much of Howland Reed, the little Cranogman, and I am so interested in him. His children are very interesting characters, as well. I do hope we see him in the later books, and hope that he sticks around for a while. Perhaps in the aid of Bran. Thinking of the books to follow, I can't help but to think that one of the titles might have something to do with the arrival of Winter. Just a question for ya, A-Train. I was hoping to keep these little posts short and sweet, but I seem unable to do so. Do you think they are too long-winded for summaries? If they bore you, let me know! I love the story so much, I may include too much un-important information.

This is a very common strategy. When your partner spars with you more and more, he will learn what you like to do, as you will learn what he likes to do. As you continue, you will both be trying to do things to confuse each other. Later on, you will get into drawing attacks, leading to counter, etc. Then, it really gets fun.

Man, Menjo, you sure do a lot of running! I admire that, and wish I could run like that. But man, I despise running! 7-18-07 Back/shoulders/biceps Assisted pull-ups: plate 12x10x3 sets Back hyperextension: 3x15 Dumbbell shoulder press: 40x10, 45x8, 50x6 Dumbbell raise: 25x10, 30x8, 35x6 45 deg arm curl machine: 35x10, 35x10 Abs Physio ball crunches: 3x15 Side raises: 2x20x30 lbs. Physio ball roll-outs: 2x10, 5 second hold on each rep. Forearms Gripper machine: 3x15x20 lbs. Solo Workout 4:50 - 5:30 Back leg round kick: 3x10 each leg on heavy bag Gae Baek Hyung: 3 times, between the above sets Front leg round kick: 3x10 each leg on heavy bag Po Eun Hyung: 3 times, between the above sets Back leg 45 deg angle round kick: 2x20, alternating legs on heavy bag Kwang Gae Hyung: 2 times, between above sets Stretch: Front/side splits: 2x20 sec each; Seated front/side splits: 2x20 sec each; Butterfly: 2x20 sec; Reverse hurdler: 2x20 sec each side. Taught Orientation from 5:30 - 6:00. The student I have for Orientation right now is 15 years old, and he is doing pretty good. He has a little bit of a flexibility issue, but he seems intent on wanting to work out at home, which is great. I think he will make the transition into Traditional Class very well.

I had heard someone in the gym the other day actually stating the above fact. I wondered about it, but I guess it makes sense.

Very nice. That all sounds great, Laurie. Do you plan to continue with TKD as well, or just going with TSD?

Well done. Keep working on your combinations. The more, the better. How exactly does the scoring system work? I was a little confused as to what scores and what doesn't.

The term mastery, I have mentioned in the past, is fairly ambiguous. As far as Chinese arts having more to offer in the long term than other styles, I don't think is necessarily true. I think many other styles offer just as much, for just as long. I don't think there is any hard evidence to prove that there are more old Chinese-stylists than there are old Japanese-stylists, Korean-stylists, Okinawan-stylists, etc. Helio Gracie still rolls.

I never did claim that you would be "taught" by the Gracies, just because you study from their book. But yes, you would be learning BJJ.

I have not argued that at all. However, I do think you can learn without instruction. It may be the longer road, but you can learn without it; the school of hard knocks, I guess.

A Game of Thrones; Catelyn In this chapter, we learn a bit about Jon's mother. It may have been Ashara Dayne, the sister of Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, of King Aerys' kingsguard (his best, it is said), who Eddard defeated in single combat, and returned to Ashara to lay the sword at her feet. When Cat learned of this through rumor, she asked about it. Ned silenced all rumors, and stated that it should never be brought up again. Apparently, while married and off to war, Eddard fathered this child, while Cat sat at Winterfell, nursing Robb. Ned and Cat discuss how ruling was not meant for Ned; it was meant for Brandon, the firstborn. Brandon would have known what to do. Brandon's shadow lie over him with Cat, as does the unknown mother of Jon. Key Events/Notes: Eddard has decided that he will turn down the offer of Hand of the King from Robert. This bothers Cat, as she remembers the direwolf, killed by the dear antler, and thinks that this decision would offend Robert. Maester Luwin, a small, grey, old man, delivers a message that he recieved, he believes from someone within the King's party. It is in a hidden form, and is from Cat's sister, Lysa. It states that Jon Arryn was murdered by the Lannisters. Now, Ned must go south with Robert, to show his loyalty, and not stir up suspicions. It would also allow him to investigate the murder of Jon Arryn. Ned decides that Cat would stay in Winterfell, along with Rickon and Robb, who would soon rule. Sansa (betrothed to Jofferey), Arya, and Bran would go south with Ned. Cat will not have anything to do with Jon staying, and Luwin states his interest to go to serve in the Night's Watch. This disturbs Ned, but it is the only alternative.

I don't differentiate these two to the extent that others would. As I said, I am not arguing the quality that self-taught vs. teacher taught would produce. I am just stating that it can be done a bit more efficiently now.

That is an interesting post, Menjo. Although there is some I would disagree with, it is well stated.