Syphax

I agree with Bushidoman in the sense that there are many ways that we can be creative with our forms. All I have to add is that, whatever you do, make sure you remember the tradition and heritage of your art and the forms you practice. As long as you can keep that in mind, I say let loose the training ideas.

Just a note, I just tested for my Sam Dan and was awarded Best of Test for the adults. I will not be officially notified that I passed until December and then I will not become certified until May of 2007, but I can know I passed. At least I hope I did, because if I didn't, then over one-hundred students failed.

Sounds like you will be a great addition to KF. Welcome!

I think the bottom line is there were a few small flaws, as with everyone's forms, but he was pretty darn incredible.

Hmm. I do like that one. I'll have to try it out sometime.

I don't even want to discuss what I pay. Let's just say I am involved in a lot of training.

I don't like to drink energy drinks, but when I have several hours to train and I am dead-tired, I will sometimes drink a Sobe.

There is around here that makes the best Chicken Tortilla soup.

I think that violence in the Dojang is absolutely disgraceful. And that one of them was a Dan holder adds even further to the disgrace. I have never seen anyone engage in malicious violence within a Martial Arts school. I have heard of it only once. Those who were involved were given the choice to be suspended for six months from training or to leave the school.

I have not heard of this being stated with this much severity. I have heard of things like this, but many times I have also heard they are bunk claims. I'm sure it depends on the area in which you live, but in any case, I don't think it is right. It is absolutely not right. After all, everyone should have the right the defend themselves with skill.

I agree with you. It is perfectly acceptable (and wise of the school owner) to ask to examine you before accepting your rank, but if you have earned a particular rank, the style should accept it globally. If you take a break from college and return, they don't ask you to re-test for the grades you previously earned. Your Dan certificate is like your transcript.

I know you did.

Agreed, but I wonder there's a corrollary to that. "The most expensive school is seldom the best." Certainly this has been my experience thus far. This is not always true. Although it is true that many schools try to rip off their students, some excellent schools are pricey.

It all depends on the system and its philosophies.

It was good, but it just didn't hit home as one of my faves. It was decent. I love the final fights in Fearless. Truly an expose of skill.

Not too shabby. There is certainly more than one way to train kata but his performance was good.

Fair enough. What you train can constitute as an art. However, for the vast majority of martial artists and Masters, kata is definitely an art. YOU cannot dispute that. And if you say there is no expression in kata, then all I have to say is go back and try again. If you bored with kata or think it is monotonously inexpressive then YOU have failed the kata; the kata has not failed you.

Best of luck to you!

Welcome!

Exactly. They must work together seamlessly.

That is a good approach. However, I would maybe say that practitioners remain practitioners. But, I do agree that masters can still be students, but some don't see themselves that way. Same concept. No matter who you are, you should always be a student. There will always be someone who has advanced farther along the path than you have. Find that person and learn from them. If you can't learn, you can't teach. I agree, except for the fact that you need to find someone higher to learn from. I believe that as you progress, you learn to self-teach. You learn to research and also to discover things for yourself. I don't believe a mentor is required for you to learn more.This is true as well. Especially after a long time in training, self-mentoring comes into play. However, for most Masters, they are affiliated with at least one or two higher ranked Masters who they can, at the very least, have a lesson with a few times a year.

how could u have gone to a correctional facility if u defended urself against a unprovoked attacker, dose not make any sence to me, especially since it was only a school fight, have u had to defend urself numerous times or something. my school is charter, and my friends is a bording school, and neather, of are schools, punishment would be that bad, unless someone went to the hospital because someone did not stop hitting the other person even after they had one.Because of the fact that I was, in the courts eyes, "trained to fight". Since I took martial arts, any damages my assailant claimed would be amplified. In the end, it wasn't worth the risk. And I was right; he was expelled and I wasn't.

Yes, sorry. I was a bit unclear before.

I agree with you here. One thing that I would say is similar to "fighting spirit," but not the same, would be what I call for lack of better terminology the "killer instinct." The ability to fight is trainable. However, the trait that some people have to just to go into a state of mind to totally ahnialate someone is totally different, and in my opinion, much harder to train. True. By definition, an "instinct" cannot be learned. That is just part of how a person is; you can develop your mind to have more of a "killer instinct" mentality, but it will take a great deal of time and you probably will never have the same core mental pattern as one who is born with that instinct. You can develop your mind, but you also need the physical experiences to fuel it. Just telling yourself that you are "bad" is not enough. Not if you want to improve. The mind and the body need to work together seamlessly.

Touche. Chinese versus Medieval versus ripped man in loincloth. Who will win?!?