bushido_man96

That's a really interesting point. Do you have some sort of documentation on this? I wouldn't mind finding out more... Wiki for karate, and you can find some of this info. I printed out a bunch of stuff, and there is lots of info. Also wiki Funakoshi, and you will get lots of info as well.

So, would you count India and the Philipenes as middle, or far east? If middle, Kalarpayatu and the stick arts would fall in there.

It is sad that it seems like the oganizations become a necessary evil, when it comes to getting certifications and credibility and such. Society places such clout in these things. It relates to what people perceive as accountability and legitimacy. Kind of stinks, but its hard to get around.

It is hard to find instructors who encourage this, at least in my experience. If I wanted to train in something esle, like judo or BJJ, my instructor would not allow it. I would have to quit his school to do it. I guess it is lucky for me, there is nothing else around here to do.

If it comes down to seeing the targets available, I believe I will take the head, body, and legs as opposed to the armpit.

I have had beginners who will not kihap in sparring, and then we get on them to start, and then they never stop! I have also had a student who was the opposite when he did his forms. He would hold his breath when he did his forms! We kept telling him that if he kept this up, he was going to pass out while performing! He never did quite shake it. Had to keep telling him to breath.

Very admirable. I don't think a lot of instructors would do this. You clearly had the student's interest in mind.

Wow, that sounds kind of crazy. Good idea on your part.

This is a very good article. You have successfuly covered all (or nearly all) of the questions that a beginner will encounter. Maybe from now on, when people post about what style to choose, we should just refer them to this article!

"Before I studied the art, a punch to me was just a punch, a kick was just a kick. After I'd studied the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick no longer a kick. Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch, a kick is just a kick." .......Bruce Lee, Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

Best of luck to you!

International Sport Karate Federation? Is that right?

Propioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation?

Oh, goodness, maybe after 8 months to a year of training, I would say. Hard to say which belt, because it depends on which belt system the school uses. You may be able to hop right in, too. It just depends on how quick you pick up things.

I have a book titled Black Belt Tae Kwon Do, written by Yeon Hwan Park and Jon Gerrard. It demonstrates this form very well. I have actually taken time to learn it from this book, with some success, I think.

I think it is a nice change to see a forms championships, along with the fighting that we always see. Cool stuff. Thanks for sharing.

The value of integrity.

I feel bad for your experience in Okinawa, Rick_72. I think Okinawa and Japan have been a hotbed for the politics of martial arts for many years. I remember reading recently about another organization that is having a shake-up, and will probably end in a split. As for having high ranking masters of all styles on a board overseeing the martial arts, I am not so sure this would work, either. I think that politics would rear its ugly head again, and there would be more problems and splits. There are too many egos involved. There are some organizations that will recognize rank from other styles, but these are few and far between. They come in at their rank, but then they must spend time learning the new style's material, which is fair, I think. I didn't switch styles, I just switched organizations, and my rank was not recognized.

It is sad that it seems these students were looking for an easy way out. It is admirable that you said that you did not care that they were working out somewhere else, as well. I don't know many instructors like this.

I think Funakoshi switched them because the first one was harder to learn, and he was teaching children, and not worrying about the applications at the time of them learning. These forms mainly became exercise, and the later forms were focused on for bunkai (I think).

It was an ebook found on his website.

Yes, this is possible, because they compliment each other very well. You may want to advance a ways in one of the styles, so that you are past the initial learning curve, and then start the other. This will prevent overload and burnout.

You have written novels? Can I find them somewhere? I'd love to read them.

The word "Academy" in the name does not necessarily mean something bad. Go check out the school, and see what it is like. It will all depend on the instructor.

I kind of like the casual, laid back approach that the Gracies have.