DWx

Welcome (How on earth do you remember that username )

We mostly use Korean terminology. At the very least we name techniques in Korean and use Korean for basic instruction. The great advantage is that this terminology is the international standard that everyone will learn so you then have the opportunity to train with people who might not speak your native language. I've trained with plenty of Europeans and Asians who didn't speak English yet understanding what they wanted me to do wasn't a problem. I also think it brings you closer to the roots and culture of a style, if that kind of thing is important to you. The original language can also tell you more about what you are doing and why you are doing it as sometimes things can be lost in translation.

I say under 7s in martial arts should mainly be learning gross motor skills and learning that physical activity is fun. I wouldn't worry about practicing too much (unless they want to) and wouldn't be looking for them to be able to kick and punch per se. In terms of improvement I would say the basic stuff is more important: - Balance (standing in stances > standing on one leg > kicking her leg out) - agility (walking > running > changing direction, hopping and jumping) - strength (holding oneself up and in a variety of positions, good posture) - coordination (catching things, hitting targets, throwing things)

Great topic Justice Unfortunately the problem with this is most of this stuff is unintentional. A product of ignorance, of it just not occurring to us. And we reinforce or these habits or scenarios because the people who stick around are the ones who are accepting of them. Like the gym owner in your example, it probably didn't occur to him it could be an issue as there are people who are happy to use those facilities as they are. Reminds me of Hanlon's razor: "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity," Not to say we are all stupid, just that we don't know what we don't know. Ideally you want to talk to people who you are driving away. But then how do you do that, especially when half the time you may not have even realised you've done it

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/nyregion/searching-for-lady-kung-fu.html Great article about Angel Mao who has been living in Queens NYC. Mao starred in over 30 films including playing Bruce Lee's sister in Enter the Dragon.

Not disagreeing but how do you see him to be influential? In the spread of Muay Thai through his films?

It depends on what you want from your training and what you do in class and outside already. If Karate is just a hobby you enjoy and keeps you active, then probably no need. But if you want to go that extra mile, gym time is definitely advised. Alongside cardio like running, biking and skipping, weight lifting can really help. Contrary to popular belief, muscle mass won't weigh you down. Look at some of the fastest people around in sport; sprinters, NFL players, basketball players, soccer and rugby players all do some form of weight training to develop that explosiveness. It is only when you get to an endurance sport like long distance running that the extra weight starts having a serious detrimental effect. As long as you continue to work on your flexibility alongside strength training you will be fine.

What you have to remember is that the really knowledgeable members of the forum have decades of experience and have had decades to build up their knowledge base. Just as you would expect someone with a degree or PhD to know their chosen subject in great detail, people who have trained extensively will have great understanding of their chosen subject or style. Knowledge will come with time. Read things. Watch videos. With the internet today there are so many resources freely available. It's also important to train with as many people as possible as everyone you train with will give you a slightly different perspective on things. Also don't be afraid to question things if it doesn't make sense. Curiosity is a great thing so if you don't fully understand something, ask questions and don't be afraid to disagree with your peers and seniors. Anyway Safroot, it sounds like you are reaching the Conscious Incompetence stage of learning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence#The_four_stages_of_competence

Welcome back

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and who won. So many great members on the forums.

Sounds like really tight calves and ankles? A lot of people have the same issue when they weight train and start doing squats. If you do a normal bodyweight squat do you feel your weight coming forward onto the toes and then your heels come off the floor? Try some targeted mobility and stretching: https://breakingmuscle.com/learn/6-mobility-exercises-for-an-a-to-grass-squat

Congratulations on 5 years Bob. Community Spirit sums it up. Can't think of anyone more deserving.

Great post Brian and congratulations Patrick and KF on 15 and a half years! I especially like this bit:

Mechanics and engineers definitely win races, watch any race series like Formula 1 or rallying and the car (tool in this analogy?) and the mechanics make or break a driver. Anyway I digress. I think this analogy is spiraling out of control now. What I, and I guess many members of the forum envisage when we say "tools in the toolbox" is that we all have a number of responses in our personal repertoire. Whether that be strikes, locks, throws, bobbing and weaving. The right tool for the job is just selecting an appropriate response from our proverbial toolbox.

Welcome Lowkickr What martial arts are you training in at the moment?

Sorry Alan but I don't agree at all. There are right tools for the job and wrong tools for the job. It doesn't mean there is only one tool but whatever situation you may find yourself in, only certain actions make sense. Sensei8 and JR have already explained this above well so I won't repeat them. In ITF TKD, one of the 9 training secrets is "To choose the appropriate attacking tool for each vital spot." All students get taught that there are responses that make sense, some more than others.

Whilst I don't know the ins and outs of the programme one would hope the people running the course have taken the time to plan what they're teaching and structure a course with self defence in mind. I highly doubt they're teaching combat manoeuvres.

That depends on what you mean by "good thing"? Is it a bad thing? No. As long as you ensure you have a varied and balanced diet.

Alan you might be interested in a book called Lessons in The Art of War. It compares Eastern strategies (Sun Tzu) to Western strategies (Von Clausewitz) and how they can be applied today. I did a review of it here: http://www.karateforums.com/lessons-in-the-art-of-war-by-martina-sprague-book-review-vt47761.html

Are you saying martial artists is not logical? There isn't one option for one scenario, but there are multiple logical responses to each situation.

Why have a spanner when you have a hammer? Different tools, for different jobs and different times. True, true; it's an individual preference. Btw, what's a spanner?? Sorry. I think you call them wrenches?

Great topic Spartacus. I honestly don't have an answer for this. I started TKD aged 10 and it has been such an integral part of my life. I train 3 to 4 times a week, including driving 3 hours on a Sunday to train with others from around the country. In university I'd travel away nearly every weekend to train TKD and now I'm working I use virtually all of my annual leave on TKD. All of my good friends are from within my TKD circle. I guess then I'd probably be a very different person. I wonder how different the answers to this question will be from people who grew up doing MA and from the people that were already adults when they started and already had other interests.

More for me then!

Why have a spanner when you have a hammer? Different tools, for different jobs and different times.

This is so true. Quality and consistency are so important for training. But I would also say don't be afraid of training if your form isn't 100%. I think people can be scared off progressing to the next level because they haven't perfected all the minute details.