Sohan

I have used the makiwara and understand its application, but I feel I derive greater benefit from bag work with bare knuckles or gloves. I use bare knuckles to ensure I am striking correctly and add the gloves for greater reps. I come from a boxing background originally so I have that as a reference. Respectfully, Sohan

I guess that depends on what you mean by battle. I have barfights every night at work. I use only judo and bjj - sport skills. I had a knife pulled on myself and a coworker last night. still used bjj and judo.Ever thought of a different job? Tough way to make a buck. Been there, done that. I worked in one of the best clubs in Atlanta in the late 80's. Couldn't pay me enough to go through that again. Might as well paint a big target on my chest. I'm much happier teaching pretty rich women how to do stomach crunches. Respectfully, Sohan

I agree. It's very hard to one-shot someone without the element of surprise or luck. It is indeed a myth that most fights end very quickly, rather, a real streetfight is an ugly drawn out spectacle that rarely fits into the dojo model of a true combat situation. Respectfully, Sohan

"You have offended my family, and you have offended the Shaolin temple." --Bruce Lee "That which does not kill me makes me stronger." --Friedrich Nitzche "To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill." --Sun Tzu "I have only taken a first step...I am still a baby in the martial arts." --Ueshiba Morihei, at age 84 and for 64 years the founder of Aikido "Oops." --The Inventor of Dynamite Respectfully, Sohan

Interesting comments. I like what you say about martial arts vs martial sports. BTW Bruce Lee did indeed compete. Good footage of him in a full contact bout in the documentary "Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey". He competed to demonstrate the superiority of his "way of the intercepting fist". I think instead of martial arts, a better term should be "fighting arts". Respectfully, Sohan

MMA fighter = Combination of boxing, muay thai, and BJJ. Which are ALL sports. So what are you saying?You can argue semantics till the cows come home. Boxers train hard, fight hard, and hit hard. THEY are martial artists in my book. I'm not knocking boxing. In fact it was what I first learned as a fighting skill, and remains my first love. Remember that the "martial" aspect of martial arts refers to warfare. In fact, Webster's defines the word martial as "of or suitable for war" (Muay Thai). Also, the term "martial art" is defined as a system of self-defense that originates in the Asiatic region (MT and BJJ). Western boxing doesn't really make either category. But if you want to call it a martial art, it's really no skin off my nose. But don't misunderstand me. Calling something a sport in no way diminishes its value as a fighting art. It just indicates that in its sport form it is not meant to be applied to war by itself. BTW, since you brought up MMA, its interesting to note that the Japanese samurai of hundreds of years ago were probably the most complete MMA artists. Their training consisted of the 23 Arts of Samurai including everything from hand-to-hand to weapons training to grappling. Talk about a full-time training regime. Respectfully, Sohan

I watched the first season on DVD, but haven't seen it lately. I enjoyed the tension between Couture and Liddell, knowing they were going to fight following the show. If Forrest Griffin survives Tito tonight it'll be interesting to see if he fights one of those guys. Personally I think Liddell would destroy him. It was great to watch how the fighters trained and lived together. Me, I could never live like that with someone I was planning to beat the stuffing out of... Haven't seen Diego Sanchez lately. He was impressive in his last bout. He would get eaten alive by Rich Franklin at 185 so I hope he will remain at 170, though Matt Hughes is no better. Respectfully, Sohan

Yep, good flick. Not everyone's taste, I'm sure. Natalie Portman gets better with every role. A real pro. Respectfully, Sohan

Perpetually Soft Physique? Thank goodness, no. Respectfully, Sohan

I've been self-employed for 14 years and am humbled to admit I've made many of these mistakes. Really appreciate the link. Respectfully, Sohan

Just wanted to add to the other comments by saying that since your instructor already said that you had an impending test, it is entirely appropriate to broach the subject of a date due to your surgery. It shows that you are responsible and respectful of him. Respectfully, Sohan

I have used a front pushing kick to the abs quite effectively. It'll knock the wind out of an approaching attacker who is flailing furiously. (Bruce Lee used this very well). Won't work well on an experienced grappler, though, but most grapplers don't attack this way. You can also smother his attack, clinch, and knee, headbutt, and elbow the bejezus out of him. Respectfully, Sohan

I rarely look my opponent in the eye. I am careful not to telegraph my intentions by focusing on the intended bodypart to be attacked, but rather I gaze at the entire opponent being aware of all limbs. I am also very attentive to the waist. The head and limbs can fake easily, but the hips and waist are dead giveaways of intent. Sometimes, however, to throw my opponent off, I'll look them right in the eye and smile. Unnerves them to the end! Respectfully, Sohan

I'm amazed at the end of our sessions at how sweaty my gi is. Our sessions are two to three hours long and we cover a lot. Lots of warmup with calisthenics and stretching and lots of kata and two-person work. I find our sessions quite demanding. Respectfully, Sohan

We do relay races as well, but the kids crawl, military style, across the padded floor. It's quite amusing and they love it. We also use an obstacle course that includes kicking pads, jumping over shinai swords, walking on a balance beam, and jumping over a circular landing pad. We do Sensei Says and we also do kicks and punches where each child gets to call the count in whatever language they choose. We have a very diverse class so we get many different counting styles. Respectfully, Sohan

My dating in the dojo experience wasn't so great. I dated a girl who was a brown belt when I was a white belt---great girl but it was a disaster. We dated only three months but we were awkward together after, though we've always been very friendly. She ended up marrying a guy from our dojo and is very happy now, but he seems uncomfortable with me, to the point we have been somewhat testy in our light sparring sessions. He doesn't apparently get it that this was 7 years ago and I'm happily married now and not interested in his new wife. I expect things will smooth over with time...I hope. Respectfully, Sohan

Glad to help! Respectfully, Sohan

Having studied Tang Soo Do and some TKD, I know the Korean arts indeed have some amazing kicks in their arsenal. But don't discount the Thai roundhouse kick, though. It's deceptively simple and devastating upon contact. Respectfully, Sohan

I agree with Kajukenbopr. Perform drills where the taller opponent comes at you and only move and defend yourself. Also, work on your counterattacks. Feint to draw him in and counter with hard strikes or kicks. Worked well for Bruce Lee Change your stance and crouch depth to make him adjust to you, not vice-versa. Respectfully, Sohan

1. Avoid situations that could place you in contact with a bad element. Rough bars, alleyways, little league games... 2. Keep your ego in check and watch your temper. 3. Smile more. 4. Speak softly but firmly. This can be quite intimidating! 5. And last, be confident and positive about yourself. People who pick fights usually (not always) prefer easy targets. Respectfully, Sohan

Our Shodan exam is actually quite short. Our Ikkyu test can be up to six hours or more in length, but Shodan is considerably shorter, perhaps only an hour or two. I am not sure why, but this is tradition in our school. We are not asked to test until Sensei has already determined we have performed to the level that we would be promoted to. This way there are no surprises on test day. Nobody has every failed a test because their performance in class is actually the test! Our belt exams are still fairly grueling, however, because we study two systems and have to know all material for both and perform it well. Shodan requirements are some 30+ kata, ippon kumite, lines with bo and sai, free sparring, long chamber, and centerline, and a oral test on history and philosophy. Tests are cumulative to Shodan, where that test is pared back substantially. Although I am glad that we don't have to endure what some BB's endure in their test, I feel we have already proven ourselves in our classes, which can last up to 3 hours long and are quite challenging. Respectfully, Sohan

If you are looking for JKA style karate ,why not look up Master kawasoe 7th dan who I believe is teaching in shepherds bush area in London. traditional Shotokan and Gojuryu start at the same point and eventualy reach the same point . I assume you are referring to kata. My sensei said that that is a Shotokan trademark--beginning and ending at the same point. I wasn't aware of that since we don't emphasize it in Shorin-ryu. I find that an interesting difference. Respectfully, Sohan

Funny you say that, jaymac. My first Tang Soo Do dojo had us training alongside kids 7, 8 years old. I was 220 and 6 feet tall. Not a realistic environment for training, plus the difference in maturity level was staggering. Perhaps not so much for me, but for the other adults... Respectfully, Sohan

Some Muay Thai skills would be better to add if you want to be a complete fighter. If you just want to grapple, fine, but it may not be enough for street defense. Respectfully, Sohan

In the grand scheme of self defense, kicking really isn't necessary. can be helpful, but is not necessary. For the ring, it's a necessary skill, as leg kicks help to wear an opponent down, and a swift head kick can do major damage, but in a street fight you don't worry about wearing your opponent's legs down, and it's dangerous to kick above waist height for obvious reasons. IMO, punching, elbows_and_knees and some clinch knowledge server him better. Three of those things, he will learn in boxing. I believe that kicks in a street fight can be more than just helpful. I think they are essential to a well-balanced street defense artist. I have perhaps unwisely experienced several street fights as a younger, brash kid and found my feet quite useful. In fact in 1988 I disarmed a knife-wielding mugger in NYC with a swift side kick to his knee. I also faced a fellow who turned out to be a much better striker than I was but was able to distract him sufficiently with my kicks to his knees and thighs to where I got a nice right cross that sent him down. I have also disabled a 300 lb bouncer with a pleasant Thai-style roundhouse to his thigh. I am not proud of these battles, but they were situations where I was given no choice. Besides, kicks help maintain distance if you're balanced and don't waste them. I've seen too many ring fighters throw kicks that are unbalanced and sloppy. But I must agree with you that kicking above the waist is not adviseable unless you're REALLY good. 8 weapons. I use them all. Respectfully, Sohan