bushido_man96

That sounds like a very uplifting experience that you had. Very nice.

It sounds to me like you already know what you are wanting out of a school, and it sounds like you are not getting it from your current school. You may want to shop around other schools, and ask questions to the instructors about how they run things, what their requirements for teaching is, etc. As the others have mentioned, you could confront your Sensei about these issues. However, seeing as he is the one who did all of the appointments, I don't know that you will be able to sway his opinion. Even if he does see your point, and assign you as an assistant, will it be something that you actually feel good about being a part of? Just an idea. Welcome to the Forums!

Yeah, there are tons of factors involved. I do think about it a lot, though.

I am not sure they would be all that practical for self-defense today. They may make a nice distraction, but I don't know for sure. You could try and see, though.

I think a double-end bag may help more than a speed bag will. The way it moves forces you to move when it comes back at you.

Awesome! Improvement already!

You might want to get your head looked at. You may have a concussion.

I don't really have Medieval Combat around here. I wish I did. I have some friends that share the interest, but our schedules don't key up very well. So, most of my research comes from reading.

I have seen it, and have wondered about them myself. I have always been suspect about Century equipment, though.

I prefer the white gi, myself. I have worn black bottom/white top, but I prefer all white.

I am not sure if he is quite ready for UFC level competition, yet. I know he has great takedowns, but I don't know how good his ground fighting game is. It may be his only weakness.

I agree with this. You make a good point. High percentage is the most important aspect of successful self-defense. You can also see it in the many MMA matches today. I think that many of the throws, trips, and takedowns would have existed before, when Karate-jutsu's focus was weapon combat in warfare (before it really would have became what we know of as Karate today). However, when it moved from bujutsu to budo, things changed quite a bit. I would have to admit that it is tough to practice takedowns and trips practicing a kata by yourself. And maybe practitioners figured out ways to work them into the forms; and then again, maybe they did not. So, the debate continues.

I have jammed my thumb, and I think I did it punching in sparring, and I am not for sure exactly why. But boy, was it tender!!

I always liked the concepts behind the JKD applications. I would love to be near a school to learn it.

Welcome aboard.

I know! I used to, as well. I have wondered. The further along the books get, the fewer Starks that remain. I don't know if that will have a significance or not.

Congrats! Tell him to keep up the good work!

Yep, lots of practice. Keep drilling, and it will come.

Good show!

You cannot forbid little children from going to the toilet. Firstly it's just not right (they have smaller bladders than us) and secondly it will be you that has to clear up the mess when you find the one's that REALLY did need to go to the toilet. Instead you have to find ways to discourage toilet breaks, and also ask beforehand if everyone has gone to the toilet.The thing is, if you constantly allow them to go to the bathroom all of the time, then you will never have a focused class because you will have kids going to the bathroom all of the time. One will go and come back, and then another goes. I have seen this from the outside looking in, and the inside looking out. Kids try us; that is a fact. You mention finding ways to discourage toilet breaks: denying them is a good way to discourage them. It should be established before the kids sign up that toilet breaks should be done prior to coming to class. I honestly don't think that kindey infections are going to be that big of a deal, coming from an hour long class and not using the bathroom. As TangSooDoGuru mentioned, you can really tell with the ones who are serious. In that case, you let them go. But when it continues to happen, something has to be done.

7-9-07 Chest/Triceps Bench press: 205x8, 225x4, 225x3 Alternating one-arm dumbbell press and hold: 40x8, 40x8, 40x8 Triceps push-down: 105x10, 105x8, 105x6 Dips: 2x5 Forearms Barbell plate pinch: 2 10 lb. plates, held together, 10 45 deg. swings x 3 Dumbbell Wrist curls: 3x20x20 lbs. Legs Swiss ball curls: 3x10 Front leg front kick chambers: 10 each leg x 4 Front leg front kicks: 10 each leg x 3 Abs Roman chair sit-ups: 3x15x22 lbs. Side raises: 2x20x30 lbs.

This is something that I really have trouble buying into. I don't believe that any "honor" is lost by choosing to go from one school to another. I think it is more along the lines of trying to make people feel guilty for wanting to search out something new.

I am sure that if you continue to work at it, everything will come to you in time. You seem to have a good attitude toward your practice sessions, so I think you are on your way.

No he didn't. In the season finale of the TUF he got another chance to enter the ring and did basically the same thing. He did manage to make it into a clinch a few times, but then he immediately made his way out. Huh. Well, we all learned from his mistakes, at least. That just doesn't seem to make much sense. Royce never went it to punch someone out. He knew that it wasn't his strength. That is such important knowledge when going into a fight.

I thought it was both Me, too! Great stuff! Yes, wouldn't an MA round table be great? Back to the topic at hand. I agree that the CCW idea is a good one for defending oneself. However, being well rounded, as Bearich pointed out in his posts, is valuable as well. Now that the concealed-carry law has gone through in my area, everywhere I go I see the new signs in the windows that state that you can't bring your concealed weapon in. Now, what good does that do for the law-abiding citizen who can no longer defend himself when a criminal is going to come into the place with a gun anyways, if he sees the need. Another thing that I have learned about the gun; it is no use if you don't have it pulled. If a thug has already drawn down on you, and you haven't pulled your gun yet, then you are not likely to get it pulled, either. You are going to have to make some things happen in order to pull it. As for the fact that some people just can't fight; I think you have a good arguement here. Some people have it, and some don't. I have had a very good friend of mine tell me once that I don't have it; and I think I might have to believe him. He has it. He told me that my brother has it (actually, I think my brother may have enough for several people). However, that doesn't mean that you should not train for it. I am a firm believer that the training will improve you, should you ever have to use it. Remember, you don't have to win the fight; you just have to survive. Therefore, I train thus.