bushido_man96

I agree, Baron. Very fruitful indeed. I have a brother who is very talented when it comes to the MA, and fighting in general. However, he is not highly motivated, and I want to get him back into it.

Just relax...you have all the time you need to get it down. Take your time, and make it your own.

Me too! I am way too linear. As a lefty, when I do straight lead, I feel like my right cross power punch is a weak little thing. My round kick is better since my preferred right leg becomes my back leg, but it just does not feel natural. I switch to straight left lead when I get tired, but I prefer leading with my right jab. I still don't duck, bob, or weave enough. (Or maybe well enough.) I guess that is why we keep at it, huh? I ordered a book on boxing today, and I am excited to see what it will offer me on that stuff.

That would be a good idea, I guess. However, I don't want the students to be wary about what they write, because they think that I may read them whenever. Don't get me wrong, I would love to read my students' journals, and if they offered, I would. However, I know that there will be times when they don't agree with what I say or teach, and I think that it is important for them to record those thoughts and feelings in their journals. If I really anger someone, and they just rip me in their journal one day, I think that is healthy for them. I don't want their recordings to be influenced because of the fact that I may be "checking up on them." That would defeat the purpose. However, I would inform them that at the same time I don't expect them to agree with everything I say 100%. And, if they would let me read and see what they think, that I would do so with an open mind. I am always ready to learn new things, even from the students....especially from the students. Got off on a tangent, there! Ok, I'm done, for now.

There are a lot of good points here. It is fun to be able to listen to what everyone views as their own Martial Arts definition. My upcoming article will address as well. There's lots of good information here that I could have used in it as well. It is great that we can all discuss this with each other. Imagine if we all could get together around a table, sit back and ramble on about this, and just let the pitchers keep coming. Wouldn't it be a great time? However, we would probably drive our wives crazy!

Don't overtrain there, Baron! 4-2-07 Today was a messed up day, because I had to go to work at 3:00 AM this morning until 7:00 AM. So, I came home and slept, because I had to go back to work at 8:00 PM tonight. But, I did do a little. I taught Orientation from 5:30 - 6:00 again today, and it went well. I was teaching the little ones to kick, so it was fun. Before the Orientation, I did about 10 minutes of shadowboxing in front of the mirror, working on slipping, straight leads, and ducking/bobbing/weaving. I also did some low roundhouse kicks, trying to get the feel of turning the hips over, for lots of damage. Just moving like that, I learned some things about my body. Like, it doesn't like bobbing and weaving.

I would agree, Baron. I think that all of those that you discussed would fall under the term "Martial Arts." Although most of us think of fighting with the fists, feet, and traditional weapons, as opposed to guns. However, I think today's military falls under the realm of Martial Arts as well.

Them look really nice, Baron. I may have to look into them.

Can you give us some more information on what you have to do here? That would help us. Also, talk with your instructor, and see what advise he would give you as well.

Wow, there are a lot of good points here. The main thing that I see is the point that Martial Sports and Martial Arts are two very different things. There are several that see it this way. However, I think that they are the same, but that is just me. I think that MMA is an appropriate term, because that is what is going on. Just because all of the arts are not being mixed, I don't think that detracts from the concept of what is happening. If we look back to the days of Pankration, would it be a fighting style, or a rule set? I think MMA competitions have brought it full circle. What Bruce Lee did with JKD was his own experience in fighting. It is well known that Bruce did not have any use for competition fighting. However, his concepts of picking and choosing, and taking what works, and stripping away the excess, has translated nicely to the viewpoints of MMA competition.

That is a very interesting article, NightOwl. Thanks for sharing it.

I kind of thought the same thing. However, there could be a reason. Head conditioning for head butting, I guess.

Well, that's easy to say, however, do we know what kind of money is being made off of the deal? I think more research would be in order before jumping into assumptions of that type.

This is a good deal, I think, Baron. Although I have only known the rank systems, I know what they can, and can't, mean. I haven't really focused on a rank in a long time, until recently, because I feel like I could test for my 3rd dan. Rank or no, it is always important to enjoy the journey.

You must be aware, always, of your surroundings, Grasshopper!

Welcome to KarateForums!

Welcome aboard!

Hey, I do the internet and books! As a matter of fact, when I get done here, I am going to use the internet to buy books.

"Battle doesn't favor the righteous or the just......it favors the prepared." "When I fight, I prefer to fight on foreign soil. That way, if I lose, I can blame it on the terrain!" Here is one of my favorites: "I concede that it was a cheap shot, but it was the only one I could afford!"

This is a misconception that has been brought about by fantasy movies and books, and games like D and D. I think it has more to do with the fact that many people associate MA with the East, and therefore, don't look to the West. The Samurai, in contrast, has become over-romanticized, and it seems that everyone is willing to buy into the Samurai idea more.

Congratulations!

European soldiers, like any other person, would have different preferences based on what they were comfortable with in a fight. That said, there were a great many number of European warriors that would have been comfortable at attacking and defending with his long sword alone, without heavy armor and a shield. If the warrior did have a shield, then the Samurai would quickly find out that they would be fighting a man with 2 weapons, and not just one. Welcome to the Forums, by the way!

It sounds to me like you have a nice journal set up, James. I would love to see it! I don't think that I would require entries in them, but, I don't think that I would need to, either. What I would do is keep my training journal on hand at the school, so they could all look at it, and tell them to feel free to share ideas and concepts with me any time they wanted to. I would also have to show them the journal I have on-line here, as for my daily workouts and notes, etc.

I agree with Baron, here. Dynamic flexibility is different from static flexibility. The main thing is to warm your body up sufficiently before relying on your dynamic flexibility. I cannot do the splits, but I am capable of kicking some tall people in the head. Baron has a good point here, and both should be worked on.

The palm break is easier on the hand. I have done both, and prefer palm heel on the board.