bushido_man96

Thanks for sharing those, James.

You can even supplement the free weight exercises in the circuit with body-weight exercises, like push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, etc.

Thanks for the explanation, James. 4-20-07 Today, I did Combat Hapkido with my brother in the back yard from 5:00 - 6:00. He and one of his roomates is going to start coming over on Fridays to do it regularly, which I think is great. I love to do martial arts with my brother, and I want him to get back into it so bad. The Combat Hapkido will be right up his alley, too, because he has always had a knack for that kind of style.

I'm not too sure what to ask. My main motives for taking up martial arts are: - for the exercise - and to release anger and aggression in a controlled and acceptable manner. A friend once recommended Kyokushin, though I haven't thought about it for a while. My main concerns are: - time and money is scarce because I am a uni student - I have to get myself contacts I would like to commit to martial arts but I have to deal with these two issues first. These are excellent questions to ask. Why? Because they are relevant to you, and the instructor will want to help you out in any way that he can (if he is a good one). Other questions that you could ask include: What is your teaching philosophy? Do you require tournament competition? Do you teach self-defense, or sport? Anything like this, that may be relevant to what your wants/needs are, will be good questions to ask.

Man, ps1, that is freakin' awesome! That is what is so cool about the MA's, I guess.

I can't really comment much more than what has already been stated. ps1 and ninjanurse have it down. There is plenty of research that you can do on the internet and such to find out the general information and background of different arts, but if you really want to research, you need to visit the dojangs around you, watch the classes, and see which instructors you like and dislike. It appears that you already have found a good instructor, and that makes all the difference. Welcome to the Forums, and best of luck on your journey!

I agree, jaymac, that many people take the "McDojo" factor into consideration all too often. When I ran a school, I used a collection agency and contract so that I didn't have to be a bill collector. That way, all I had to worry about was teaching the classes, and not heckling those who didn't pay on the 15th of every month. It isn't McDojoish; it is just smart business.

I chose my art because it was the only one available in the area. I went to a class with a friend, and that was all she wrote.

Thank you. I know that there are a lot of people out there that feel the same way you do about kata. Although I don't feel that way, I appreciate the ferver of those that do take kata to heart like that. Although I don't share the same feelings as you, it doesn't stop me from working as hard as I can and getting as much as I can out of my forms practice.

My thoughts go out to the families of the victims as well.

Ah, I am ready as well! I don't mind the cold, but when it is over, I like it to stay over until the season rolls back around. I love to BBQ, and I can't wait to get it started. My boy likes to run around outside as well, so that is fun. While he is playing in the yard, I can solo train outside. Maybe he will begin to mimic me more! With the weather warming up, me and my buddies will be breaking out the armour and wooden sticks again, and let the bashing begin!

It sounds like you have a lot of combinations planned out already. What I think you should do is get someone to train with, and have them grab ahold of you, and start to attempting to pummel, throw, and otherwise beat you around. You may find that as the situation gets started that all of your pre-planning could be for naught. Think simple techniques...leg kick, maybe to the knee. If he gets close to you, try to get a path to his throat or eyes. You don't want to take into account that everything that you throw is going to find home. Fighting is very sloppy, and is hardly ever clean. There is a reason why you don't see much "perfect technique" in a street fight.

Man, that is crazy. I think that you may be on the right track, Tom. Melvin should be punished in some form. Perhaps a suspension of some kind, or something like that.

I have used opportunities like this as well, like when one child is doing a really good stance, and some of the others are sluffing a bit. I'll say to them "hey, thats a great front stance," and then give them a high-five or something. Other kids see that praise, and they want some, too. It works great. This is a tool I have used as well. A child acts up when drilling, and then has to sit out. Then, by rewarding the good ones with a game, they quickly change their attitude towards the drilling. Of course, it helps if you make a habit of inserting games regularly during your classes, so they are always anticipating it, and don't act up for fear of losing the privilege.

Hey, James, me again! What are the active recovery push-ups?

That is very interesting, and it counters what most of us have ever been told about weight loss. I think I may have to look into buying his book, and giving it a read or two. I know one thing, though. I weight train, and don't do cardio, and still don't lose weight. But, there is that little matter of counting calories.... Still, I think his weight training method is different than what I do. That could be part of the difference. Thanks for sharing. That is quite informative.

Wow, that was inspiring to read. Now I really can't wait to see that movie. Reading that makes me feel like I should be out working out again. Thanks for sharing that, James. That is a nice website.

Personally, what I would do is go around to each of the dojos and watch a class. Watch how the instructor conducts the class. Observe his teaching style as well. Then, after each of the classes, see if you can schedule a time to sit down with each of the instructors to ask questions. When you mention getting from point A to point B quickly, it makes think linear, which also makes me think Taekwondo and Karate. However, in table tennis, you will use some circular motions, so that makes me think more of circular styles, which may be like Hapkido. However, go watch each. You may end up liking one more than all of the others, and it may not have what you think you may be looking for. Best of luck to you, and welcome to KarateForums! Let us know what you decide to take.

That's a good point as well, Baron. I may have to try that out sometime in sparring. With TKD sparring, it is definitely easier to get off side kicks, especially with the front leg. When an opponent comes off with a back leg round kick, the lead leg side kick makes a great stop-kick. There's nothing like foiling a back leg round kick, to watch the opponent end up looking up at you from the ground. That is kind of what I was figuring. It probably isn't even worth considering, unless it becomes your only option, like if you are on one knee, and thrust out with the other leg at his knee from the ground, while he is standing. On a side note, I think it is waaay cool that you got to talk to Sauer about that. Do you get to speak with him often?

Good point, James. Turtle Press sells some DVDs made by Sang H. Kim, focusing on TKD kicking drills and tournament type kicking drills. Check it out: http://www.turtlepress.com/Tae_Kwon_Do_DVDs_and_Books_s/89.htm

Spin heel kick. Not so much to describe my art, but to describe myself... It might be slow, it might be telegraphed....but I'd gladly take a hit to land one on someone's noggin.

I think that this happens a lot because we tend to over-romanticize those that we look up to, making them more than we are. That is why I stick with my parents. I know them well. I know they have succeeded at things. I also know that they have failed at things. They don't cover things up for me. I always know that what I see is what I get, and that they always try their best, knowing that is all that you can do. Good post, ps1.

And they're usually waiting in the wings to knock you on your butt when you get too cocky. ...which is a good thing, because it gets your training back on track.

That's a good way to look at it, Elky. You can effectively see the road behind you, where you are on the road at this point in time, and you can also see where the road can take you. Very nice.

Thanks, Heidi. I like your concept of the "self-discovery." That had not occurred to me, but it is a very good concept.