bushido_man96

I hope that you enjoy it! Let us know how it goes for you.

This is a good perspective to look at it from. However, it is obvious that you can gain things from training in both. However, you don't need both to be good at it. This also opens up a whole new can of worms....that of 'weapons training' in the 'traditional' martial arts. Aside from kendo and Filipino styles, all I see of 'kobudo' training consists of weapons forms, and no sparring or weapon on weapon contact or self-defense. Perhaps I have just been exposed to the wrong styles, but this is the impression that I get.

I was unable to view the last string of videos, however, the first two did look like they were set up. The attacker did not attack very much. Also, I would like to see that leg sweep in a bar or in UFC.

Uh, I just like dogs in general. However, I do find most breeds of Spaniels to be fairly high-strung, high-energy dogs. They are great to run around with.

One time me and the wife were visiting her aunt in Kansas City, and she took us to a cool Italian place. I decided to order a beer, and they carded me--no big deal. Well, upon looking at my card, they noticed it was my birthday, and I got my meal on the house! I like being carded!

My house used to be this way!

I don't know how far I would go with this idea. The Chinese did have swords as well.

Unfortunately, most things diminish with age, except wine! Sensitivity, reaction time, etc, will diminish as well. However, if you continue to train them, as the aforementioned masters did, it will diminish at a much slower, perhaps un-noticible, rate.

Who is that?

As has been said, though: Everything in moderation.

Training every day is not bad, if you do it correctly. Overtraining is bad. If you never give your body the chance to rest, it won't recover, and therefore, it won't improve its condition. One example is distance running. You can do this every day, because it is an aerobic activity. However, if you run sprints, you should only do this a few times a week, with at least a day's rest in between. I lift weights just about every day, but I do a different body part on each day, allowing the other to rest. Training, in order to get good results, has to be done right. Talk to a personal trainer, and tell them what you currently do, and see what they think you should do or not do differently. Best of luck, and let us know how it goes.

Gaining weight is what you will have the most control over. Growing, there isn't really anything that you can do. You will only be as tall as you are going to be. To gain weight, I would try to find an athletic trainer in your area that can give you some good advise on gaining weight in a positive manner, and also doing some strength training/conditioning along with it. Sohan is a good one to ask. He has helped me out on numerous occasions, and always has good information.

Definetly. Its also important to have or build at least some kind of friendship with your training partners. My training partners these days are all likeminded friends of mine who are interested in learning, and teach me more than enough to keep me going at the same time. This also helps to make the training environment more comfortable as well. Not to mention the benefits of not having to worry about the material for your next testing.

Certainly, its alot easier to learn, for me anyway, when you can openly question the reason for doing everything, if the answer doesnt make sense, scrap it. You also don't have to be concerned with the formalities of someone "out-ranking" you. This helps to keep things more open-ended, and allows the practitioners to be more open-minded.

This is a good point, and I would have to agree with it for the most part. This is a good point as well. However, many of the techniques in forms can be used, such as closed handed and open handed blocks, in an actual confrontation. I agree that they do require modification, but the way they are done in forms are good for training body mechanics and developing some functional strength and control. Both of these points have arguements for and against them. This is the major point, it seems. Katas alone don't offer extensive benefits, but they can help. What many opponents of katas/forms tend to dislike is that the applications are not made readily available and transferable, and that is a significant downfall.

This is very true about cross-training. You never know until you try.

I am not a "certified" instructor in the association I am affliated with, but I do teach some classes. In the past, I was a certified instructor and co-owner of a school in a different association. Teaching is one of the most rewarding things I have done.

Nicolas Cage (actor)--holds rank in BJJ.

Exactly. Thanks alot for the comments. And no 'yes sir, no sir' to worry about!

Have fun in there! I wish I could find something like that in my area.

This is similar to what I experience as well.

Our black belts have to do all of the lower rank forms when they test for 1st dan. It is sometimes tougher on the kids, because they don't spend as much time practicing low rank material. But, they eventually get it.

Fight in rounds. You can do 2 minute rounds, with 30 seconds of rest in between. Or, you could do 1 minute rounds punching, then do one of only kicking. Mix it up, and enjoy yourself! You can also pick out a single technique to practice over and over again on the bag, to build power with it. Single technique practice on the bag can reap rewards as well.

I think you make a good point here, however, adrenaline is hardly ever replicated in a class setting.

I think that most BJJ gyms are pretty injury-free. As long as you tap when it starts to hurt, you will be ok.