KarateEd

bushido_man96, From my experience in KSW, it consisted of many of the typical Korean kicks and punches. It seems that some more advanced kicks were introduced rather early in the training, really before the basic front snap kick, roundhouse, and sidekick were "properly" developed (of course "properly" developed is my own opinion, someone else may have a different standard for "properly" developed). The white belt and yellow belt forms were rather elaborate, though pretty. Also, they introduced some joint locking/pressure point techniques quite early in the training. I enjoyed this. Ed

It sounds like you have a good plan, perhaps you're just frustrated with your training because you are not able to get all three aspects with just KSW. I would argue that "getting good" and "soon" are mutually exclusive. In order to "get good" you have to spend a lot of time training not only the body but the mind and spirit, which doesn't leave much room for "soon." If you're wanting to learn a lot of martial arts "tricks" and forgo the mind and spirit training, then it looks like you will need, as you said, to get a job and pursue studying martial art movements in those other areas. It may be tough to work a job, go to school, and study martial arts, but it should pay off in the future. Maybe we'll see you in a movie. Ed

I earned a yellow belt Ed

I have a little Kuk Sul Won training, but it is not my primary art. Ed

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I recently saw highlights of Royce Gracie during his UFC days. He was like a snake in his ability to lock onto someone before taking his opponent down. His skill at using punches, elbows, head-buts etc. to maneuver his opponent into the position that he wanted them in was impressive. And some of these dudes were 50+ pounds heavier! Ed

I agree with bushido_man96. I have hit many a wooden board off-center (maybe I shouldn't admit this ) and they have still broken. Those re-breakable boards have to be hit close to, if not right on, where they join in order for them to "break." Of course, this would be great for improving your aim because you will definitely know when you don't break it. My first (and only) experience with a re-breakable was back in the 1980's. It wasn't of the type that lordtariel is talking about. It was solid plastic about 3/4" thick (to replicate the milled thickness of a 1" board) and 12"x12." It punished you if your aim was off. Ed

Jkoko, Are you thinking of terry cloth? I use a Century heavyweight uniform. When I first started I used a "student weight" (or something like that). I really like the heavyweight uniform, though it took a few washings to get it somewhat soft. Plus, I sweat like crazy in it but i wouldn't have it any other way, but this is just a personal preference. Ed

BOB is great for "target practice," but I like a heavy bag for conditioning my hands and just plain wailin' on. Sometimes that base that BOB "stands" on gets in the way because it is larger in diameter than BOB himself (except from the side, where BOB's shoulder width is about the same as the base's diameter). Ed

I usually write down important info right after class. Also, I have a three-ring binder with lots of information in it, from articles of interest to forms that I have drawn out. Ed

Ya'll are cracking me up! Ed

I don't listen to music at all when I am training. Never really thought about doing it. Ed