Sohan

...what would you call it, and why? Respectfully, Sohan

I have even thrown her off by raising my eyebrows like this: Gets her every time.

Sounds like a great program you've gone through. I really like the emphasis on self-improvement. We don't do breaks so I have no recommendations, but I hope to see the video when you're done. Best of luck to you. Respectfully, Sohan

I agree with 99.99% of what you say. But I REALLY don't like headbands, especially when all the students in the school wear them. Seems a bit silly to me. With Respect, Sohan

Nah, they're a very obscure bunch. Any experienced martial artist would have made the same mistake. With respect, Sohan

Brazilian Ju Jitsu founders who perpetuate the art today. Last checked, I think there's about 4,657,894 of them around the world, and they're all undefeated. With respect, Sohan

I have an ex-girlfiend (on good terms) in our karate class--when we would spar, I would blow her a kiss just as she got really serious. She'd just crack up laughing. I stopped this after I got married, of course. WR, Sohan

That wasn't a prrrr, it was a kiai. Respectfully, Sohan

I've stopped going to most seminars, even the free ones, because although they are an opportunity to expand my awareness of martial arts, I often find that they are a waste of time for absorbing materials. But occasionally I find one that breaks the mold. Respectfully, Sohan

Interesting site--lots of great info. I wasn't aware of your style but I'm glad to read about it. Best wishes in your training. Respectfully, Sohan

She seems like a very driven, successful woman in a very male-dominated industry. She has a very nice website that is very informative and clear with tons of pictures of students and testing: http://www.jsw.com/instructors/gm.html On the surface, and not knowing her, it seems like an OK place for the average joe to train, although probably not nearly enough edge for me. A couple points, though: *What's with the headbands? Kind of silly to have everyone wearing them. I don't remember those from my TKD classes. * I don't like colored uniforms with all the fancy fu-fu stuff. Nope, not at all. But I see how her target demographic will go for it. *My biggest concern is the emphasis on private lessons. What, aren't regular classes enough to understand etiquette and basic techniques? Seems like a moneymaking slant to me the way she encourages monthly personal training sessions. My thoughts. I don't know her, only the site, so take what I say with that understanding. Respectfully, Sohan

Certainly works for the Gracies... Respectfully, Sohan

If I'm not mistaken, in the old days of bareknuckled boxing, the majority of punches were thrown with a vertical fist to reduce injury to the knuckles. When fights went as long as 90 rounds, this was invaluable. Respectfully, Sohan That is true. physiologically speaking, the vertical fist is the more "correct" structure in terms of punching. Also, then you are throwing arcing punches, it gets the pinky out of the way, preventing "boxer's break" It's called this bacause many fighters have broken their pinky finger by throwing arcing punches with a horizontal fist. Funny you said that. I broke both my pinkies this way as a teen. Respectfully, Sohan

I like your website and enjoyed the technique clips. Thanks. Respectfully, Sohan

Only for 20-30 yards. After that, if he hasn't caught me, I'm gone. Careful, absolutes are a dangerous thing. I would never assume that. Everyone can be beaten, and it wouldn't surprise me who lurks on this forum. Respectfully, Sohan

Agreed. But it's easier than most people think. Respectfully, Sohan

I've run the Boston Marathon twice. I believe those skills would be useful against him. Respectfully, Sohan

You're welcome. Have a great trip! You'll love Italy---it's one of my favorite places to visit. By the way, spend only a little time in Pisa. If you have a chance, catch the train to Cinque Terre and spend a night in one of the small villages such as Manarola. You'll never regret it. You can see everything you need in Pisa in a couple of hours at best. Respectfully, Sohan

That's the one issue I have with my traditional MA training--where's the practicality? Most of the weapons or their equivalents that I train with aren't likely to be used in real action unless I'm a cop or soldier. My knife, however, may indeed save my life someday. Respectfully, Sohan

I have done grappling as part of a submission wrestling program and am now a newbie white belt in BJJ. I love it and find it a perfect complement to my other MA practice. Actually, I'd love to go back and be a high school wrestler--we didn't have it in our state (MS) when I was growing up. Think I could have been OK at it since I was a competitive powerlifter and sprinter. Respectfully, Sohan

I don't think anybody's trashing her nor do I think anyone dislikes her performance. Rather, we're just pointing out that what she's doing isn't really martial arts, but really a movement art related to martial arts. Her hard work and skill is duly noted here. But for fighting application, it's not really martial in nature. Respectfully, Sohan

Nowadays, at least in the US, top-shelf athletes begin developing their skills at a very early age. The athletes that begin later are much like children beginning school later---they're that much behind. Few get to the top competitive levels without having years of skill development and training behind them. Could one start kickboxing at 25 and get in great shape, defend themself, and perhaps even compete in a few local tournaments successfully? Sure. Can one make a successful professional living against other competitors who began at 10 or 12? Not likely, though there are exceptions. Respectfully, Sohan

That is indeed a very cool knife. Respectfully, Sohan

There's a few dojos in Firenze that I have visited: Muteki Dojo (Traditional Okinawan karate) http://www.mutekidojo.it/index.htm Ki Dojo (Teaches aikido, kendo, etc) http://www.kidojo.it Istituto Wushu http://www.wushufirenze.com/ None of these are kyokushin but I can say I have actually been to them in Firenze. Perhaps they can guide you to a kyokushin dojo of your liking. Many of the personnel speak some english. Respectfully, Sohan