bushido_man96

The block will pass with time. I would get so frustrated with writers block, but after the frustration, I would write for hours on end. It would just flow. I like Killer Miller's suggestions. One I would add is to have someone that doesn't know much about martial arts read it. That way, you don't assume that your audience knows what you are talking about. (This is based on the assumption that you are writing to the general public.) As far as your last paragraph goes, maybe talk about what you want for your future in the martial arts, and what progress could possibly be made. Also, don't forget to wrap up with a good conclusion.

Dojang: Sun Yi's Academy of Tradtional Taekwondo Organization: Traditional Taekwondo Association Location: Main Street Gym and Fitness City: Hays, KS Instructor: Master Scott Biskie, 5th dan.

These are very good points here. Not everyone can be the thin and trim athlete. Also, big people can be athletic. Look at sumo wrestlers. I think we would all agree that they don't live the healthiest lifestyles, but they are dedictated to their sport, and do what it requires. These big men are also fairly quick, and quite strong.

I have to say, that being a Korean stylist, and enjoying my forms and the kicks we do in some of them, that I have come to enjoy watching these different karate forms that get posted from time to time. It sounds like the karate-kas have a little more freedom to specialize in certain forms as well. When I test, I have the form for my rank, and then all below it, and at competitions, I must do my rank form, or get docked points. I just enjoy the freedom it seems like you guys get.

Try to focus more. When you perform a technique, think about where it is going, how fast it is going, and what kind of result it will have when it gets there. Try to visualize someone in front of you going down after the execution of each technique. Or visualize combinations, your opponent reeling, and then moving in for the finishing strike. Tigers are not raging beasts. As Red J stated, they calculate, they stalk, then they finish. Nothing wasted. They are machines. Hope this helps!

Very nice post, TriangleMan. Those are basically my feelings on pressure points as well.

Good question. Not that I am aware of. Bruce Lee wasn't too keen on much of the classical karate setup, with point sparring, and this may have included rank systems as well. By the way, welcome to KF!

Perhaps the kickboxer thought that with your previous experience, you could perhaps handle a higher level of contact. Kickboxing is know for making a little more contact in their competitions.

Depends on the art. If you study an art that involves many high kicks, joint manipulations, or grappling, flexibility is very important for self-defense. As far as the original poster's question, simple stretches like seated toe touches and modified hurdlers stretches do wonders for hamstring and lower back flexibility, but like anything else, they need to be performed regularly for benefit. You won't get good results from stretching only 2-3 times per week, rather you should stretch daily following a short warmup. I was only able to significantly increase my flexibility when I began stretching daily, and it made a huge difference. One other point, too many people don't hold their stretches long enough to derive proper benefit. Hold your stretches for a minimum of 30 seconds--60 seconds or more is better. We share our dojo with a gymnastics team and I have been fortunate to have gotten great tips on stretching from the coaches and girls at the club. With respect, Sohan Good info, Sohan. I had always heard different times about holding stretches. Now that I know 60 seconds is good, that is what I will go by. As far as the self-defense point is concerned, I agree with you. I merely made my statement in regards to the thought that kicking high in self-defense is pointless, then so is stretching to gain flexibility. Being in TKD, I understand the benefits of stretching and flexibility, and in my 13 years of TKD training, I have had fewer muscle pulls than most of the other athletes I have known, who play sports like football or basketball.

most of white crane is about A.Evading the first strike B.Hitting eye or throat ( sometimes a pressure point) C.killing body in many cases the same blocking hand (front hand) does the strike too, and if back hand does the blocking then front hand fingers hit the eyes at the same time. here is Matayoshi sensei doing a crane(could be snak or Mantis)? kata and a Monkey form This is a nice form as well. Those low stances would absolutely KILL my knees. Just out of curiosity, in the original post, is that your sensie?

Isn't Pinan Shodan one of the early katas? I read a book on the applied bunkai applications for this kata, and the other Pinan/Heian katas. Very cool stuff.

I just eat!

I think that you just think you can tolerate more pain and stretch better after drinking, and I don't recommend it. If you stretch too far, you will damage the muscles too much, slowing your progress in the long run.

Here is my feeling on ranking. Each person has to be judged individually, and cannot be compared to the next individual. The basis of their improvement should be based on how far they have come as compared to the day before, the month before, the year before. Each person is an individual, and therefore should be evaluated as such. After all, it is their karate, TKD, TSD, and so forth, right?

This is a very interesting article, and brings up some good points. Why can't the martial arts progress like boxing or wrestling? They have no ranks, and have plenty of members. However, the rank system does provide some benefits, like providing a guide as to where the abilities or knowledge of the student lie. Personally, I have trained for so long, that I could go either way. That said, I plan to test for 3rd dan in April, and it will cost me $250! That kind of stinks, but what's a guy to do?

This is very interesting. You mentioned that you got your 2nd dan 2 years after your 1st, but it took longer to get to your first. In my style, it takes about 2 years to get to black, if you don't miss a testing, and then the time goes up to get to each dan grade. First dan to second takes 1.5 to 2 years, 2nd to 3rd takes 2.5 to 3, 3rd to 4th takes 3.5 to 4, and so on. I guess it just depends on where you go, how they do it. Who knows how long it should take?

Well, I think you have good reason to be annoyed. As an instructor, I would always welcome back a student who left on good terms. I don't understand this instructor's reasoning. Sometimes it is difficult to motivate children, but good instructors can get through this. Hopefully he can adapt to the new classes you are taking, and will begin to have fun with it. Best of luck to the both of you.

This may depend on the instructor, as well. I feel that most of my TKD training has been fairly linear, and it is said that it is rooted for the most part in Shotokan, and therefore this could be the reason. There again, this is in my experience.

I think that you will find your instructor easier to talk with than you realize. (Boy, I hope I'm not wrong!) And good luck finding another location. Hopefully, the instructor will understand this as well. Best of luck!

Way to go, alsey!

Flexibility does not have to have anything to do with self-defense. It does, however, have something to do with preventing muscle injuries. This is why flexibility is important.

Welcome to the forums, and welcome back to MA!

Welcome to KF, imr1212! Glad to have you here! As for your flexibility issues, I would wait until you actually start your martial arts classes. The instructor may run you through a set of stretches during each class. This way, you will learn what you can do to imporve flexibility, and then you can work out on your own. It comes with time, and you will improve. Just don't overstretch in the beginning.

I'm a ninja.

I hear you there. I usually don't eat much of anything, because I don't want to do all of that moving around with anything in my belly. The nerves don't help much, either.