Sohan

That's true. My Clif bar has enough carbs to power a Nissan. It really depends on the length of your cardio sessions. The longer and harder the session, the greater the need for carb replenishment immediately after your session. Rice is actually a fantastic recovery food. High in complex carbohydrate, easy to digest, high glycemic. Gets in the bloodstream fairly quickly for a good post-workout aid. Respectfully, Sohan

We have kids classes almost every day. If you are structured and follow the same approach, you would be surprised how much you get done in 45 minutes. (Plus, that's about the longest most kids will seriously pay attention in the 6-9 year old range.) We run an 8-10 week cycle. The basic class I teach usually has about 24-30 kids. They usually have the form and the two one steps down by the fourth week, then we spend the next four working on the technique, refining timing, etc. Same for adults. Our longest color belt form is 45 moves. Adults can solidly learn about 8-10 moves a class period, so we still get the entire form taught in the first 4 weeks, then work on technique and refinement. Adult classes run an hour, 6 days a week. Aodhan Our kids class is only Tues and Saturday. We are considering a third class on Thursday. So you obviously meet more frequently than we do. But I really don't see how you can give enough attention to 30 kids in 45 minutes. In my class I spend at least a few minutes with some of the kids individually while the rest of the class is working on a drill or form. Our class is quite structured and complete, and I feel my kids have very good techniques. Perhaps we cover more material than your class does. These kids certainly don't seem to loss focus by the end of the hour, rather they seem surprised that class is over so quickly. As for adults, I have done hour long classes. I'm just getting warmed up by the end of an hour. But then, we study three systems, too, and our classes meet 4 times per week (including advanced class). So we spend 8-10 hrs in class training per week vs. 6 for you guys (though I'm sure nobody attends every one of ours or yours). I'd personally rather make fewer trips to the dojo and have longer workouts, though many of us practice on our own as well. Respectfully, Sohan

Make sure, though, that you get adequate carbs after your morning run or bike. If you eat a high protein low carb recovery food, you will not sufficiently replenish the glycogen (stored carbohydrate) in your muscles which is vital for aerobic endurance. You have a short window following aerobic exercise where you can "supercompensate" your stored carbohydrate and replenish at a much faster rate than any other time. The window ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the intensity and duration of your exercise. So get some carbs along with that protein right after your run. Ideally around 150-250 calories worth, more if it was a really long session. You'll recover faster be and be even stronger the next time. Respectfully, Sohan (MS in Exercise Science)

Sorry to disagree, but this isn't true. It would violate the law of thermodynamics. Calories utilized are a function of the work performed, not the order of the workout. The more work you do, the more calories are required to perform that work. Do cardio before weights, you lift less. Do weights before cardio, you do less cardio. Respectfully, Sohan

That kid is something. Thanks for the video. Kids in Thailand grow up dreaming to be fighters much like our kids grow up dreaming to be football or baseball players. One fight for a Thai kid can equal a year's income for a family. There's a great motivation to start early. Respectfully, Sohan

I practice Shorin ryu, Shudokan, and Hung Gar simultaneously in my school, as well as Muay Thai kickboxing at another school. THough my Hung Gar training is a small percentage of my total training, I believe each art has made my practice of other arts better. I enjoy the deep stances and shifts in stances in Hung Gar, and I like the rootedness I get from karate. And Muay Thai makes me a stronger kicker and more fluid fighter. Respectfully, Sohan

We have all felt that way at one time or another. Nice job. Respectfully, Sohan

Look at the way a boxer spars, do they go 100%? Of course not. Yet they can unleash it in the ring when it counts. Control is about placement of a technique. There is no such thing as too much. Respectfully, Sohan

According to Chloe Bruce on her website, she "invented" the kick. Respectfully, Sohan

Your first 4 words were the best advice. I don't really agree with the rest though. Not too practical in a real fight with a big angry guy pumping with adrenaline. Reminds me of a situation about 18 years ago, I was in a bar with a buddy and 2 girls having a drink. My buddy, who was a rather small guy, got a little too animated and bumped a big guy standing behind him. The big guy was a little toasted too and proceeded to begin intimidating my friend, so I stepped in to try to keep the peace. As soon as I opened my mouth, though, the guy not only turned on me, but his TWIN brother also. Both guys went about 6' 5" and 270+ and I recognized them as former ballplayers at a local high school. I realized I had a problem on my hands and knew that my talking wasn't going to get us anywhere. They were determined to pound me, so I made a quick decision to strike first, hard, and fast, upon which the nearest brother dropped like a sack of potatoes. I turned to the other brother who was staring dumbfounded at his twin, and before I gave him very long to think about it, I went at him, too. Well, of course the police showed up and ticketed us all for fighting (no arrest, thank goodness). At court, the judge took a look at them, and then a look at me, then another look at them, and told us to spend a couple sessions at an AA meeting for punishment. And he told them to watch who they pick fights with. Respectfully, Sohan

Good luck! You'll do fine. Just think about the work you've already put in, and everything will go great! Respectfully, Sohan

Aodhan, I know this is a little off topic, but I have never understood how schools can get anything done in 45 minute classes, even for kids. We are just getting warmed up in that time, and we're not diddlying around. Forms alone take 30-35 minutes at least with another 30 minutes or so of 2 person work. Total time of around 2+ hours, more if anyone wants to stay after. We do this 3-4 times per week. Kids class is twice per week for an hour. It's a lot of time, but we feel it works for us. Respectfully, Sohan

Depends on how you look at it, actually, but this isn't the best place for a history of TKD discussion. Also, Gum Do would be closer to iaido rather than kendo. Much more emphasis on single cuts, one and two cut one steps, drawing, sheathing, etc. There are partner one steps, but they are nothing like kendo. Aodhan Thanks. I had never heard of it. Maybe a good thread for Korean Arts? Respectfully, Sohan

They cut out languages for the young kids also. Now they won't begin foreign languages until age 12 (many can barely speak proper English as it is)--missing a prime time to burn it into those little gray hard drives. With the influx of immigrants and globalization of our economy, language skills may help determine the future success of our children. I am constantly amazed when I travel to Europe how many languages the young people are comfortable with. Is it any better in the UK? Respectfully, Sohan

One more: "...You can't hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn't we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn't this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg - isn't this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we're not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America..." ---Otter Respectfully, Sohan

Not sure if this would get a better response here or in Muay Thai, so I'll try it here. Has anyone seen the documentary Thai Boxing: A Fighting Chance? It was hosted by Jason Statham. Here is a description from Wikipedia: Thai Boxing: A Fighting Chance From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Thai Boxing: A Fighting Chance is a 2002 documentary by independent producer Susanne Cornwall Carvin. The hour-long film, narrated by British actor Jason Statham, follows the lives of three boxers as they prepare to compete in muay thai, also known as Thai boxing. One character, Sam Sheridan, is a 27-year old Harvard University graduate who has traveled to Thailand to learn the art of muay thai from Apidej Sit-Harun, a retired boxing champion. The second primary character, Gong-Prai Sorjintana, is a 13-year-old boy from the town of Ayyuthaya; his mother runs a boxing camp for troubled teenagers and he's fighting to raise money for university. The third character, Boon-Term Kitmuti, is a 29-year-old mother of two children who wanted to box when she was younger, before muay thai was legal for women. Now that there is an active muay thai league for women, she has decided to travel to Bangkok and learn the sport, despite the disapproval of her husband. The 50-minute documentary follows each character as they prepare for their next fight, while weaving in the history and culture of the sport. At the climax of the film, the three characters fight difficult opponents, experiencing mixed results. Thai Boxing: A Fighting Chance was a personal endeavor of Susanne Cornwall Carvin and her future husband, Andy Carvin. She invested her life savings in the production before knowing whether it would be purchased for distribution. In 2003, it was aired on the National Geographic Channel in more than 140 countries. The film went on to be featured in numerous film festivals, including the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival, the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Banff Film Festival. ---I was just wondering what anyone might have thought of it. Respectfully, Sohan

It's not really set in America, I think, but I really enjoyed Transporter. Jason Statham is a heck of a martial artist. I liked the first film better than the second, though the reviewers thought otherwise. Respectfully, Sohan

Depends on the time you have available. Any exercise you do will require recovery--the more you do the more recovery you need. If you cannot do separate cardio/weight sessions, then whatever you want to put more emphasis on I'd do first. I have done weights before swimming and after, and been fine with either, but don't expect to lift as well after swimming, nor to swim as well after lifting. In the end, try both ways and see which you prefer. I personally would prefer weights after because of the warm-up you get from swimming. Get some carbs and a little protein in your system after you get out of the pool to help recovery, before you go in the weight room. Respectfully, Sohan

Its going very well, thanks for asking. Im really enjoying it, thinking of increasing my training to 3 days a week at the gym. Over the next 6 months or so we are moving to a new location with all new training equipment etc. Should be good to see how it all goes. Im glad i made the transition from karate to boxing. My karate instructor is still a good friend of mine and agrees that its the right thing for me to do. cheers, cross. You'll really notice a big difference with the extra training time. Glad you're enjoying it. Respectfully, Sohan

Would gumdo be similar to kendo? I had not heard of it so I did a search and it seems it shares many of the same characteristics as the Japansese way of the sword, but as a Korean arts. Respectfully, Sohan

Yeah, I think it is called "Marathon," or something snappy like that. I usually use cliff bars when I go mountain biking. There is also the energy-gel type stuff, but that is more for the sugar/electrolyte boost (with no protien), while a clif bar is more for the extended sustained energy. But, what I REALLY want to try is that new energy bar that the Army developed, "Hooah!" I think it is called. If you are looking for good recipes, check out https://www.allrecipes.com. The recipes are user reviewed, so you can kind of get an idea of what you are getting into before you invest too much time. David Thanks for the link, David. I'll check it out. Respectfully, Sohan

Believe it or not, they're healthier than many of the energy bars that I've seen. Taste better too. Respectfully, Sohan

My son's school just cut their PE programs. It's one of the better schools academically, so I guess the philosophy is "strong minds, flabby bodies". We live in a condo so its hard for him to play outside. I try very hard to keep him active with sports and exercise, so I think he's going to be fine. But then, I have the schedule and time to be able to do this. Respectfully, Sohan

Great idea. It probably falls under the "health" category. But I'm for it. Respectfully, Sohan

Good for you. And shame on her for her assumptions. Respectfully, Sohan