bushido_man96

I pay $50/ month at my school, which includes the opportunity to hit 4 classes a week, and covers the gym membership so I can lift weights. I am a black belt there, and help to teach as well, so the instructor cuts me some slack.

The AAU now offers point fighting and Olympic sparring in their competitions, isn't that right? Also, I had heard that there were 3 different forms systems that they allow now as well: ITF, WTF, and ATA. There were a couple of students from our school that went, but I didn't ask them if they saw any different forms. If anyone can fill me in on the details, and how you think each of the different styles are received, it would be great. I know I can go to AAU.com, but I want everyone else's opinions. Thanks.

This is a bad idea. You need an instructor to get feedback from, and to provide hands on training, and you can only get that from a school, or from someone willing to teach you privately. If you have some prior experience, keep reviewing what you know. If you have the time, spend about an hour each day on techniques. Then, when things are right for you, you should be able to go find a place you can afford to work out at. Put basic technique combinations together, and be sure to practice proper stances. Be tough on yourself, and you can still gain rewards.

We had two of our students qualify, but they will not be going. Too much else going on. They also plan to begin working out for it now, so they can be prepared next year.

For example, I have learned that I have a problem holding back when I compete. When I go to a tournament, while I am sparring, I don't try the same counters or techniques there that I do in class. I don't know why, but I guess I just second guess myself. The more I go, the better I will get with this, though.

That is an interesting tidbit. I would not have known that. I kind of figured that Thai boxing was the big thing there.

That's good advice.

My current dojang has a 10 belt system, white, low green, hi green, then lo and hi blue, then lo, middle, and hi brown. Then, we have black recommened, then black.

I feel that the best weapons we could learn to use are the knife, stick, and gun, along with the OC spray the elbows_and_knees mentioned. These are practical in use, and can be easier to find. It would also be very important to train some in defending against these weapons. A training regimine could include weapon vs. weapon, empty hand vs. weapon, and weapon vs. multiple opponents. This small regimine could be expanded on, but it would be a good start. I think that gun and knife defense are some of the most practical defenses to learn at this point.

That would be an idea to try. I thought about putting a hammer end on the side opposite the blade, but it may get too unweildy.

It's the little things in life that make you smile, isn't it?

Not sure what the 'Kali Tudo' is. I have seen the Dog Brothers site a few times, but haven't hung around a whole lot.

I always enjoyed the Tekken games. Saw the other day that Tekken 5 was out.

I used to have an Ebay account, but I don't mess with it much anymore.

I think you already know why. Stopping smoking will have a huge impact. This is not necessarily the case. There are some smokers who can run forever. They may be the exception to the rule, but it has more to do with the lack of aerobic capacity.

Abstaining can't hurt at all, that is for sure. Even if you do it only once a month, then that is once a month that you put yourself at risk, and not only because of alcohol being fattening.

I can tell you for sure, you are neither too heavy or too late. This training will only help you. And you can still become quite good, even starting at the age of 23. This should not be a concern.

Well, if you are already leaning toward Hapkido, go for it. But, you could go watch one class of each of the schools, and then make your decision. There are enough people on this site that you could find out what the specifics of each of these styles is about, but you won't find out what the instructor is like, unless you observe a class. That is my suggestion.

Never heard of that one, but there are so many organizations out there now that it is hard to keep up with all of the Grandmasters.

Sounds like a cool setup. Maybe we will start seeing the results of these in movies, eh?

Cool.

I don't really agree with you hear. Even if someone leaves your dojo, there is still a commaradarie you have with former students/classmates. If they left on good terms, then there is no way you would be able to determine their motives in sparring. Maybe they would just want to work out together for old times sake. Once the bad things start happening, then it has to be dealt with. Look, for safety sake, a responsible instructor should be looking after the safety of their students. It isn't safe for someone to come in who trains at a different school, especially another MA, to come in and spar with the students. In my dojo, I don't allow students from different schools to spar with my students. They can train, yes, but not spar. Look what happened at parkerlineage's dojo. As martial artists, we all like to think that we can learn something from each other, and that we all have something to gain from each other. After all, that is one of the reasons that these wonderful forums are here, right? That said, if I had my own dojang, and one of y'all were talking to me, and informed me of visiting my place (why you would visit Kansas, I am not sure ), then I would very much look forward to introducing you to my class, and hoping that we could work out together, ask questions of each other, and learn from each other. Upon making this invitation, I would explain the policies of the dojang, how we work out, perform certain techniques, and then how we spar, and what rules we follow. Now, that being said, the guys that parkerlineage had to deal with were people he knew, and people who knew what the rules and regulations of the dojo were. What parkerlineage's dojo did was not inexcusable; the reactions of the visitors was.

I enjoy the quarterstaff very much. I am more interested in the Western styles of fighting with it than the Eastern.

Yes, good power, but with a slightly limited striking area. I also have my axe equipped with a thrusting tip, which makes for some interesting scenarios.

Unfortunately, I don't live near a bookstore, except for a Hastings. So, most of my studies come via internet purchases.