gamedweeb

Kicks are good, just need to make sure you don't kick above where your balance/speed will allow. What kind of Kenpo do you study ThrowDown?

Something else along the lines of what I was talking about earlier with giving a away a tactical advantage. I watched a video on YouTube titled something like "How not to get mugged." The majority of what it came down to was the way you projected yourself. It said stuff like walk around with snarl on your face while, wearing a stained white t-shirt. There were a couple gems in there. "Take out the iPod" for instance, and buying a cheap jacket from a thrift store to wear over your nice clothes if you're going into a bad part of town. From what I do understand about the would-be mugger mind. Is they, just like pretty much any other criminal are looking for crimes of opportunity. Just like locking your car doors will deter most thoughts of theft. Being alert and aware of your surroundings would more than likely deter a mugger. Having a smile on your face and paying attention to what's around you probably says something like "Yeah I see you and can pick you out of a line-up." So with that in mind wearing gear might in some ways provide a deterrent because guys looking for an easy score would probably just assume to keep moving since you'd more than likely put up a fight.

In a book by Lee Wedlake I remember reading a section on what it takes to be a "Master." He talked about the "traditional" definition of a Master. Saying that there were typically three areas that one had to excel in to be considered a master. He talked about Musashi and how he was not only a Master Swordsman but also was very skilled at Pottery and Calligraphy (I may be mistaken on that). Mr. Wedlake also talked about some of the modern Masters. Master Ed Parker for instance was not only a Martial Genius, he could play the Ukalalee very well, and had an innate understanding of mechanics. In the Book of Five Rings Musashi explained that we should learn other arts to further enhance our understanding of our own. In a lot of my reading about the old Masters as well as the Modern ones, they talk about having Mastery of the self. Being able to control our drives and our desires. They also seem to have a clarity of purpose. Gichin Funakoshi for instance said that he owed his life to Karate and so he devoted his life to spreading it. Everything that he recounted in Karate-Do: My way of life, seemed to be to the end of improving his Karate and helping those around him. Some food for thought.

I've got a hoodie with a small school logo on the front and a blown up version of the patch across the back that I wear when the weather suits. I also wear school t-shirts some days. I've never had anyone give me crap for wearing them, of course I never wore them to the bar before I quit drinking. Just because I didn't want some drunk guy getting in my face. The question does bring up an interesting line of thinking though. I suppose by advertising and displaying an alert manner most would be assailants would think twice (awareness is supposed to be one of the keys to avoid confrontations in the first place). But then again should the need arise you'd be giving a key tactical advantage away. The fact that the aggressor wouldn't otherwise know that you study MA/Self Defense. Which would allow you to surprise them by reacting differently than what they expect from a "normal" person.

First think of the configuration of the kick: 1. Front 2. Side 3. Back 4. Round 5. Hatchet/Axe 6. Hook/Heel 7. Inward Crescent 8. Outward Crescent (This is by no means a complete list) Then think of the method of execution: 1. Snapping 2. Thrusting/Pushing 3. Spinning 4. Hopping 5. Jumping 6. Single Switch 7. Double Switch 8. Lifting 9. Step Through (Yet again not a complete list) Certain methods of execution may be combined such as Jump Spinning, or a Double Switch Thrusting. Certain methods of execution may not be practical with different foot configurations. Then there are always specialized methods of execution, the Runt kick (a combination round, front kick), the Shovel/Scoop. Really just let your imagination run wild!

I'm not certain but isn't "Kempo" an Okinawan word? (e.g. Ryukyu Kempo) Which if memory serves is an adaptation of the Chinese term "Kenpo" (meaning fist method). I remember reading a book on Kung Fu by Wong Kiew Kit, I think he mentioned that Shoalin came to encompass a number of arts that were all taught at the Shoalin temple at one time or another. Karate is of course Japanese meaning "empty hand." Of course it also meant "Tang Hands" before Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture. So it is a bit of describing a word with itself, but I think it may mean that there are influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Okinawan influences. As far as Villari goes I have seen little if anything, but I believe his lineage goes back through Ed Parker the founder of American Kenpo. I could be wrong but I remember seeing his name associated with Ed Parker somewhere and I know the Villari system came after AK was founded (of course which evolution of Ed Parker's AK I can't recall). Upate: Okay, I just did a quick look and it looks like Villari studied under K.S. Chow one of Master Parkers first teachers. So that's how that plays into the whole thing.

Back when I started I was a bit shy with my Kiai. I remember practicing it in my car all by myself. I felt a little foolish, and I imagine anyone driving past would've thought it was strange. But that helped, I got over my own fear of shouting while I was by myself. Now I use it a lot in class, I find a psychological response in those I work with. They get frightened when they hear/feel the power I can put into it. That coupled with the fact that I'm currently the biggest guy in the school (6'4 200 lbs). That and I also tend to get a bloodthirsty look in my eyes. I have to hold back from time to time, I tend to get over zealous when I put a lot of energy into my shouts. One lady that was watching her son while I was helping with a test told me she was going to have nightmares because of how scary I was. That was a good point about the throat vs the diaphragm. There are a few of the younger students that use all throat and you can hear the damage it's doing to them. Not to mention there just isn't the grunt that' comes from the body.

I think I've heard this called Liu Hi Ba Fa (at least it sounds similar). I think it means the eight harmonies. From what I understand the practitioners learn to use pretty much everything on their body to fight, the fingers, the hands elbows, the shoulders, the feet, the knees, the hips, the head. Aside from that I don't know.

Ahh, nothing like doing forms marathons huh? I remember when I realized that I always seemed to be tired after doing Jion... That was when I realized that I didn't breathe much while I was doing my forms. Breathing is a huge help in being able to do forms time after time. Although I have yet to be able to not be tired after putting a massive amount of intensity, focus, deep stances, and power into a form... Just need to relax more and train harder!

Where I go it's about 90$ a month for the basic program, which takes you through as far as you want to study, that's at twice a week. There are some extra classes you can pay for to learn weapons and there's also an instructors program. The classes are tiered. You join the Black Belt Club (don't ask me, but that's what it's called) it's 11$ more a month but you get three extra 45 minute classes, and learn to use Nunchucks, Bo, and Eskrima sticks. Then there's Master's Club (yet again don't ask me) it's 22$ dollars extra a month. You get three extra 60 minute classes per month. You learn all the weapons from the Black Belt Club as well as Sai, Kama, and Katana. Then you have Instructor Training, which is 33$ more per month, but you learn everything form both BBC and MC. You get an instructor training class once a week, as well as attend the weapons classes. Then you are also expected to help out in so many classes per week. That depends on what phase in the program you're in. Phase 1, 2 classes per week. Phase 2, 3 classes per week. Phase 3, 4 classes per week, at this level you are expected to teach whole classes but can be paid for you time. As far as private lessons go, I work one on one or in small groups nightly. It's usually only about 5 minutes at a time though. With instructor training we're allowed to come as often as we like. As for training with Master Lawrence, he said he charges 200$/hour. But that's for one on one. At that price it's tempting to just move to Orem and take regular classes from him that are only 10-15% more

We ran into a problem like that recently, the lady that was running the office did a poor job staying up on stuff like making sure we had enough belts of the right sizes and rank, as well as uniforms. Talk about embarrassing, when as prospective student comes in for intro lessons and we don't have a uniform to give them their first lesson, or a white belt to promote them to when they learn the first creed, the three rules of Karate, and (if they're a child) clean their room!

I've always found the arts fascinating, then I needed to get in shape that was why I started. When I was working on my Associates Degree for 35 hours a week and working weekends it was for stress relief. Now I'm in shape and have my 1st Degree, now I'm interested in helping others learn how to defend themselves. I've also learned how to be a better human being. Eventually I want to open my own school, but there's no rush on that one.

There's a veritable farm at my parents house (which is in the suburbs!). Cats 1 British Maine Coon: Gizmo 1 Tabby : Alley 1 Burmese : Soffe 1 Mutt Cat : Spiff 1 Yellow Lab/Mutt : Nelly 3 Ducks I've lost count of the rabbits...

33 isn't old at all (yeah I'm only 25), I've known people into their 60s that are starting out in Martial Arts.

As I understand it, Master Parker didn't like being taped because he would often tailor the technique to the individual. So what worked for one person may not work for another. But his reasons are his own and if doesn't want to be taped, then that's up to him. It would be really nice to have something to "catch all the water in." Then one might be able to get 20 or 30% of what was taught as one goes back and re-examines things. Hehe, Master Lawrence had a fairly colorful time training. He goes into it in more detail in his books "Modern Kenpo: Volume 1 & 2." If you guys are interested maybe I'll have to type some stuff up out of them for you to read.