KarateEd

Oh boy, I guess it is cool in the movies, but is so ridiculous as to appear absurd. I am curious as to just what are the "statistically traditional trajectories of return fire?" Outside of an old school duel or musket era military "lines of infantry" when the enemy was always in a predictable location before the discharge of weapons, what are traditional trajectories other than broad generalizations as to where fire is coming from? I must admit, though, I do have a "gun kata." It consists of two simple moves. 1) Aim 2) Squeeze* *repeat as frequently as necessary Ed

I want to be more consistent with my training. While I was in grad. school my training was rather sporadic, but I graduated in December and hopefully, in 2008, I can focus more on my MA.

Welcome to KF! Ed

That's a sweet topic for a research paper! You could also write about the mental benefits of karate, though you might have to dig a little harder for information that you can use. You could, like others have said, ask questions of members on this forum. Personal communication is a valid resource and you can include it in your resource list/bibliography, if your teacher allows it. Ed

Welcome to KF! Ed

Finally watched all five episodes, pretty good stuff. I generally like what Zerogravity produces. Ed

Congratulations, man

Welcome to KF. I wouldn't be in too big of a hurry to cross train. First, perfect the basics of your Kenpo style. When you cross train, if you are going to continue in Kenpo while learning the new style, then I would go with something that is rather different from Kenpo so that you don't get the two mixed up (this may not be a problem for you, but it would be with me). Given the list in your other post I would go with Taichi. Of course, Kajukenbopr, in his reply to your other post, addressed some of the other issues that you might want to consider. Ed

Congratulations, man! Merry Christmas and welcome back. Ed

This is what my instructor usually does, after checking any belts that he has on hand. We have our critique sessions and promotions at the next class session after the test. Ed

lordtariel, sounds like you know this from personal experience.

I have had an instructor do this on occasion. As Wolverine guy said, and as I understand it, it is to practice tensing up the muscles in order to absorb a blow with minimal negative effect. Ed

That's kind of odd. Usually, a dryer is pretty good at removing lint and hair. Have you cleaned the filter/screen lately? Perhaps where you store your gi it accumulates fuzz/hair? You could keep a lint roller in your bag and give your gi a once over right before class. Ed

PSBN Doug, the stance you describe is what I was talking about, and I can't think of any use for practicing a hook kick from that stance either. Ed

I use bushido_man's method for hook kicks. I have always, in class, executed hook kicks from a fighting stance. However, I trained with a guy for a short while and we executed hook kicks from a front stance (choon gul jaseh). It was incredibly awkward. Anyone else ever done a hook kick from a front stance? Ed

Congratulations!

I second what bushido_man96 suggested, you should check out each school to see if you like what is being taught, how it is being taught, and to get a general feel of how the school/instructor operates. Ed

That was a hoot! Ed

Welcome to KF!

I generally don't wear anything that is MA related. I even have casual friends that I have known for years that don't have the slightest idea that I do MA at all. Why do I do this? It is my own personal choice. I guess I do it mostly to avoid any confrontation with someone wanting to "see how good this guy (me) is." However, I don't think that there is any problem with you (or anybody else) wearing MA clothes, hats, etc. Ed

Self-denial, as Merriam-Webster defines it, is simply a restraint or limitation of one's own desires or interests. It may be practiced for many reasons, but, I believe most use it to accomplish more narrow goals, such as saving money, getting a good test grade, or earning a higher MA rank. However, if practiced often enough, self-denial builds self-discipline and enables one to accomplish larger, broader goals. Studying for a test is a good example. Usually one can find something that is more immediately gratifying than studying for a test. However, that "more fun" activity is put off in order to study and, hopefully, do well on a test. Do well on enough tests and you pass the class, end up with a diploma, get a good job, etc. Continuously give in to the dangling fruit of immediate gratification and, while you may be temporarily (short-term) satisfied, you are poorly prepared for long-term, meaningful accomplishment. Over time, self-denial becomes a habit (or part of one's "personal culture") that allows one to set long-term, high goals AND stay the course until the goal is achieved. A lack of self-denial often ends with instant gratification becoming one's personal culture. Instant gratification makes the accomplishment of long-term goals difficult because of the inability to deal with obstacles that cause set-backs and difficulty in doing that which one simply doesn't want to do or that which is challenging or difficult. I hope this helps to answer your question. Ed

This happens from time to time. It has happens to me in MA and when playing sports, too. I don't know what causes it, but in my experience, it has only been temporary. Ed

Good luck, hope it goes well. Ed

Hey, that's pretty cool!

I feel your pain, bro. I seem to stick my foot in my mouth at the worst possible times when it comes to the ladies. Just be humble when it comes to apologizing, don't let pride/ego get in the way, and, like NightOwl said, don't say "I'm sorry, but...." Ed