bushido_man96

You might check to see if there are any medieval re-enactment groups or medieval weapons groups in your area as well. The quarterstaff was a very popular weapon in medieval Europe.

If I were to use one, I would use it in both of the ways that you described. TV has helped its populartiy, but I have heard of it being used on vehicles by angry people before.

Good deal...

I am pretty sure I know what the fees cover......the inside of his pockets! I had heard that once, a while back (before my time with the organization) that the GM had a fall-out with one of his students. This student was an instructor, and had a lot of students. Well, he left the organization, and took all of his students with him. After that happened, I heard that the testing fees all went up. I'll tell you, I have learned a lot about organized martial arts.

That's one of those moments that make you feel tingly as an instructor.

Yes, we love the updates!

Yep, this really is the best thing you can do. Just get right into it! I would like to do kyokushin karate as well, but I would have to move to do it.

Great! What kind of set sparring drills do you do? Also, do you have any select paddle drills that you do, with movement, or flashing the paddle, or anything like that. I have a few, but I am always wanting more!

I feel that both ways can bring about proper form. It is just a minor difference, much like whether you chamber your hand at your ribs or at your hip.

I agree with this concept as well. I don't feel that it is the responsibility of a fighting style to teach these things...I feel that this responsibility belongs to peers, parents, guardians, etc. The point I was making was in relation to a previous point about a style/art teaching culture or ideals, and I feel that in many activities one can receive such things as discipline, focus, etc.

It is the typical concept of people fearing what they do not understand.

Great point, pegasi.

I would have to change out of my dobok to get away with that!

I think Ken and Ryu from Street Fighter used shotokan, E. Honda used sumo, and Chun Li used Kung Fu. Sagat was a Thai fighter, and Balrog was a boxer.

I have done both, and I feel that the parallel chamber send the heel in a more direct line to the target. It is really more about shifting the hips into postition at a different time, I guess.

Yes drinking coffee will interfere with proper hydration. I forget where I read it, but for every caffinated drink you consume, it increases the amount of water you must ingest. Caffeine tends to increase dehydration from what I understand. Yeah, coffee and sodas are diuretics; although you may go to the bathroom a lot drinking them, they are actually dehydrating you.

Thanks for the advise, KSN Doug.

Just a side note, but I have seen side kick chambers that are perpendicular to the ground, and some that pick the leg up parallel, or close to parallel, with the ground. Which do you think you like better?

Wow, shogeri, that must have been some experience. Thanks for sharing.

I think we are close on interpretations, shogeri. I am not saying that TKD is all-encompassing, but, neither are many other styles. MMA is very good about covering all bases, and many will still consider it only a sport.

Great article. I admire your desire and drive.

If my wife finds out that I post with so many people from Oregon, she will have me start PMing you guys for addresses, houses for sail, and all kinds of stuff!

I agree with you here. In the armed forces, you are at the epitome of learning about combat, fighting, surviving, and sacrifice. No arguement here. I think that boxing, Thai boxing, etc, will produce a set of beliefs and philosophies in each of its individuals, it is just a different set than those that are laid out previously by the Eastern martial arts/fighting styles. Watch The Contender. Listen to how they talk about "respect for the sport," and "bringing the best they can to the sport," and other such statements. It is there; you just have to look deeper for it.

Hey, that sounds kind of cool.

Good explanation, guys.