bushido_man96

Shodan just means beginner, or first, or something to that effect. Heian Shodan means "First Step" or something similar to that. Also, the analogy that a black belt is the "beginning" is why the title of Shodan is given.

He was also very cocky when he was asked about the possibility of fighting in the cage during one of the early UFC's. When asked, he said "man, I would kill those guys" to which one of the other commentators said "get real Don, those guys would eat you alive." I had never heard that before. However, I was just trying to make the point that if the CMA trains properly, then they can transfer the knowledge of their style to a different venue, like kickboxing. All he needed to do then was start working on his ground game to get rounded enough to enter a UFC. Its just too bad for all of the CMAs out there that he was too arrogant to give it a shot.

Your last point is very solid, MizuRyu. The value of cross-training and making the training as realistic as possible is irreplaceable.

The type of training you receive will be the basis as to whether or not your arts will benefit you on the street. A small class can have disadvantages, because you will become used to all of your partners very quickly, and then you will get set into a pattern, and this stagnates learning. Having larger classes helps to prevent this. Best of luck with your new school!

This is an interesting note. I did not realize this, but it does make sense.

This is some good advise. Slow kicking, combined with the flexibility training are the two things that will improve your overall kicking ability. Whenever you do some kicks in forms or on your own, try to lock them out, and hold the leg out for a second or two. This will help to build the strength as well.

If I remember right, Don "The Dragon" Wilson was a Chinese stylist (kung fu of some kind?) that was a very successful kickboxer. It all has to do with the training. He adapted his technique to take it to the ring with him.

This is typically how I would perform this technique as well.

I can remember reading in an old Black Belt Magazine an article about cross-training martial arts with playing basketball. Improvements in endurance and footwork were discussed, along with some other benefits. I thought it was a good article, and had some unique perspectives to offer. You learn to use your body, keep your feet under you, and move against a resisting opponent.

It would probably help you out. Just make sure you tell the instructor about your current conditions, so that they can work around them.

elbows_and_knees makes a good point about entering an MMA competition, if it would only be one time in our careers. That one experience would show us so much about ourselves, that we could then focus more on how to improve. It would also show what works and what doesn't.

Not a good time for dieting, or training, for that matter. Too many breaks, too much eating!

Thanks, patsuai. I work at a county detention center, and it not a great big deal, but we do deal with our fair share of domestics, drunks, and we actually have two inmates in on murder charges. The job is safer than some, but still has its inherent dangers. I wouldn't say it is as dangerous as elbows_and_knees' job, but I live in a pretty small area.

the inclusion of striking. the ground fighting I've seen in the TMA that I've trained has been mainly stiking from the ground, with the intent of getting back to my feet by incapacitating them, knocking them down or just gaining enough space from them that I can safely stand. Ground grappling is part of what happens when you are both on the ground. TMA, IME tends to address you standing and opponent on the ground, or you on the ground and opponent standing, but doesn't have a lot of focus on both parties being on the ground. That makes sense. Thank you.

I don't think it has anything to do with meditation. It may just be his mentality. Some people are not fighters, and when the situation arises, they freeze up. It is very hard to train for this specific feeling in the dojo, as a controlled training environment. People who are used to being in fights know the feeling, and can handle it better. I think it comes down to personality and mentality. It could also have to do with the way he trains, and his mindset during his training sessions as well.

I lift weights, and plan to do some cardio work soon.

Will have to do that. Have had any new MA movies mixed into my library in a while!

Welcome to KarateForums, Picc! I hope that we can help you out!

Hip, hip, hooray!!! The Chiefs didn't lose this week!!!!! Ok, Ok, I know, it was the bye week. Hey, I'm digging here, man. Unfortunately, I have developed the terrible knack of starting all of the wrong players every week for my fantasy team as well, so I can't catch a break there either. The only worse news is that fantasy football has no bye week! I caught a little news on Trent Green, and there is no timetable set as far as his return is concerned. I think this is the beginning of the end of his career as well. Go defense! It seems to be all we have! Where was it last year??

Well done!

It sounds like your Ryu Te school is a really great deal. Glad to hear all of the good things coming out of there. I think you hit the nail on the head on training with non-compliant partners. You have to get used to that feeling of resistance, or it will do you no good at all in actual defense.

I have yet to see Ong Bahk. I hear that I am missing out.

It is kind of like the idea that many Grand Masters of different organizations are constantly looking over their shoulders at who is making waves in the martial arts world, and they start to wonder if they are going to lose students to them because of it.

I don't think that respect is relegated only to "traditional" martial artists. On the battlefield, respect was earned through bravery and accomplishment. It is done much the same way today, only without as much lethality. Respect can be earned, or it can be commanded. Earned respect is obviously more positive than commanded respect. If respect is commanded, it is usually through a chain of command, like the military (and many martial arts styles, especially "traditional" styles) or it is commanded through fear.

Yeah, you make a good point. I am pretty humble myself. It sucks going out to the bars, and seeing people from your school, and they start talking loudly about how "he is in my TKD schoo, he's a black belt," and on and on. I just think, "Oh, shut it, will ya!" After that, I try to make a retreat before someone decides to step up. I had an incident at the jail here recently like this. I recognized one of the inmates as someone who worked out where I did at one time. Well, he started asking me about if I was still working out or not, and I got up close to try to keep him from getting to loud about it. Boy, what a stink that could cause!