Introspector

If anyone is interested in an english (Gamei is good but korean ) server for starcraft, go to http://www.aus-1.au.nu and have a look around. The standard of players there is much higher than on general bnet... for one thing I have nevers een a much-money map on aus-1. Everyone on the Australian wcg team plays regularly on aus-1, as do some progamers from other countries. Aus-1 (as yet) doesn't support war3, as FSGS got caught up in a legal brawl between bnet and blizzard, but the admins recomend kali.net for war3. Everyone I have spoken to who ahs played war3 has given me good reviews for it, but I haven't got it myself yet.

Bon, one of the Tai Chi theories on kata-esque exercises... if they are done slowly, against a self-imposed resistance, then in a real fight situation, those movements will be exceptionally quick and smooth. Other than that, I suppose it offers an interesting way to practice combinations... a little more spicy than just repeating techniques, as well as boosting mental fortitude, balance, co-ordination. I personally would rather just drill techniques, spar or work out for an hour rather than do kata, but I don't get bored easily and that's just my preference, others may feel differently. Whether kata-style exercises are an actual effective training technique or whether they simply add tradition and depth to an art (supported perhaps by a lack of kata in many more modern arts?) is open to debate... I agree that weight and strength do make a difference in a fight situation, and should not be overlooked by any martial artist. If nothing else they have to add to the ease of execution of our techniques. [ This Message was edited by: Introspector on 2002-05-25 06:24 ]

Whilst I am not trying to denigrate the giving of aid to nations in worse circumstances than t US, any money spent by a first-world country to aid a third-world country will actually benefit the giver... They will gain political clout, cheap labour, access to natural resources etc from the country that they aid. Any money that is given as aid eventually returns to the giver... generally with interest.

Ad; I realise that topic is somewhere else, although apparently you didn't. IMO there is no such thing as time wasting advice... I see tact is not your strong point. Maverick; From the little I know of kung fu, I'd have to agree that Wing Chun is both practically useful and impressive to watch (from a spectator point of view - not from the receiving end!) Good luck in your search

Ad; From what I've read I would have to conclude that either the the guy you fought wasn't actually "world champion", or you are just posting BS. Someone at the top of an art renowned for it's kicking would have to have, IMO, either extremely fast kicks to beat others to the mark, or a fast block and counter-punch, in addition to decent kicking ability. It is also my firm belief that if you train in anything "just for laughs", you are wasting your time... why don't you train seriously in it and see if you can learn anything from the art of tkd? If nothing else you will have a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the style. BTW if you do actually compete with YODA, be sure to let us know what happens

BON; I am 16 years old. I have been hearing impaired my entire life, from being born three months premature. Not unlike you, a range of disabilities were rpedicted: brain damage, blindness, hearing impairment, and probably a premature death to match my premature birth. I only assume that my lack of balance is from my hearing impairment, as balance IS linked tot he ear (I am not aware of the specifics however) it could be natural or otherwise the result of my birth; maybe not at all. All I can say is that my balance is below par, I get dizzy very easily (eg from spinning around), fall heavily into the door/wall of the train where others only stumble etc. It';s not major, but it is something I need to bear in mind, and potentially I may need to work towards improving. kickboxing, of anything which really resembles kickboxing in a major fashion, my mother will not allow me to take up. I can see it now: "You're an extremely intelligent person, why would you risk losing that?". I am currently enrolled in a select entry school in which the avergae student is in the top 5% of the state academically; my mother is probably right when she says I would not be doing myself any favours that way. Why do I wish to take up martial arts? I can't answer this question. I honestly am not sure. But probably if it was just some flighty whim of mine the desire would have worn off by now, so all I can really say is that I am putting alot of thought into it lately. Perhaps when I mentioned sparring in my previous post my expression was not entirely accurate; I do not wish for solely sparring, though I would like a reasonable degree of sparring and competition, not that I will be allowed to spar for a few months until I am reasonably proficient I would predict. I found aikido a beautiful art, I agree somewhat impractical in a real situation and difficult for me (I am not exactly designed for agility ). AI Hate; Thanks, that's what I thought... thanks for the well wishes. Thanks all for the feedback, I hope my inane ramble made some sort of sense [ This Message was edited by: Introspector on 2002-05-07 05:20 ]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have considered Muay Thai, but from my understanding of it you can't walk into a muay thai bout and ask "no head blows please"... whereas sparring and competing in Karate, from my understanding, is much safer. BJJ hadn't really featured in my mind however. I might need to do some further research and attend a few classes. Liklihood of a club being near me isn't too high, but I travel 1 1/2 hours each way to and from school each day; I don't mind travelling Thanks again everyone [ This Message was edited by: Introspector on 2002-05-06 01:02 ]

I am a young man seriously considering learning a mrtial art. I have previously dabbled in both Karate and Aikido, for about two months of each. I discontinued Karate as I was far to young and immature to enjoy and appreciate it (I was six at the time). I found Aikido impractical as I have extremely poor flexibility and balance (from a hearing impairment), kneeling on the floor in a basic "relaxed stance" was painful after about one minute, and after two months of practising for almost an hour a day I still couldn't take it (and I'd like to think i have a reasonable pain tolerance level). I am looking for a martial art that, mainly, offers practical combat techniques and frequent enjoyable sparring, under sensible safety restrictions. From what I've read, Karate seems to be an art that would offer this, and I still have my old handbook, which may help me do some extra learning. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.