LeaF

Welcome to the boards

hmmm I did a search and you are right this has been covered sorry bout that, could one of the senseis lock this please, thanks The following is where it was dicussed http://www.karateforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3637&highlight=chinese+astrology

exactly, our race does not define who we are or what we can do. The only reason asians would be better at the ma is because they have been praticing it for a long time. They can be just as bad or good as anyone else, it is not like them being asian gives them superpowers or something!

welcome, nice avator

OMG I don't think even a 4 year old would get away with this. I like my sensei alot but we definity do not have this kinda of relationship. And how is this not disrespectful? My sensei has taken belts away for short periods of time and returned them later. The most common thing is if you leave your belt at the dojo by accident. Don't expect to get it back for at least a couple of months (may only be weeks depending on what rank you are ). It shows complete irresonsibilty.

I find chinese astrology very interesting although I do not totally believe in it. I like to think that we are in control of our lives and that people cannot be classified in to catorigories solely based on their date of birth. Anyhow with that said I am a tiger who was born under the element of fire. How do you guys feel about chinese astrology and what sign and element are you.... If your not sure check out the link http://chinese.astrology.com/

I believe altough I could be wrong, TKD is the most praticed art in the world. But I mean if you stick to fairly large citys and towns you'll generally find some form of karate around too (normally either shotokan or goju). This is what my person observations have been...

Good advice Elektra but don't keep kicking the same spots, mix it up or they will catch on to you

If it is not too personal may I ask how long it took to heal, and how did you go about tearing it? You have tickled my curiousity

Awsome I love hocky I will definitly sign up. I'll do mosts of my posts in the other forum since it is more appropriate

we do oral tests simular too this, as rank increases the difficulty of the questions do too. We also have to do written tests

In my dojo we learn taikyoku gedan then chudan and jodan just like moo.

Hi welcome to the boards Sounds very interesting!

cool! great job patrick... You may see me at the 4pm eastern slot

welcome to the boards endzone, introduce yourself in the introductions forum

nah Bon you ain't nasty you did the right thing. If I don't like someone the last thing I want is for them to be training with me. And I understand completely how you keep school and training separate, I am the exact same way

Guess I am not insane, or I don't have a sense of humor

Martial artist, you made some very good points but I still must partially object..... what style do you study? Anyways beyond that I can only speek based on the knowledge I posses. I do not know how every system works or the ranks of every style. You situation is unique. I do not see how this supports your arguement. Just because these dudes do know how to fight does not make them martial artists, in my opinion. You or anyone else can call themself a martial artist, just like anyone can call themself a bus driver, are you a bus driver, no unless you drive a bus. It takes more than just being able to fight too be a martial artist. I will elaborate later.... In my opinion these people do not deserve to be black belts. You cannot be a true blackbelt without being a martial artist. The two go hand in hand. Many people have blackbelts and do not deserve them, and many people also called themselves martial artists and do not deserve to hold that title. Not all styles are created equal, I agree, but all "genuine" styles do have a disive point within them. This point in karate is the blackbelt. IT is at this point in time when a boy becomes a man. A point that many concider a great accomplish, although it is just a begining. This is what people will struggle, sweat, bleed, and cry to get too. THis is the point where someone has earned the right to be called a martial artist. It is not always a blackbelt, as you have pointed out, styles do differ. I disagree with you here, surprised I do not define a martial artist by his or her purpose and reasoning for studing the martial arts. Anybody may want to study the martial arts for the right reasons. Now for instance this one guy thinks it would be great to study the martial arts and wants to do it for all the right reasons. But for one reason or another he is unable to do any training. Is he a martial artist even though he has absolutly no training, I think not. Do you see what your definition lacks. you have already stated what you think of my definition, and I am not trying to change your mind, I am merely stating why a feel that way. Who said a martial artist had to know how to fight, I sure didn't... Are you saying that the great zen monks and scholars of ancient asia were not martial artists because not all of them were great fighters. Being a martial artist is as much a mental thing (IF not more so) as a physical thing. I believe it is a common misconception that martial artists must be great fighters. People who have worked hard, demonstrated extreme dedication, demonstrate and pratice the healthy ideals to earn their blackbelt are people that have earned my respect. I know what it takes to earn a blackbelt, many of my friends have gone down that road and I hope to follow soon. Once you know what it takes and what they have been through one cannot help but hold a high amount of respect for them, true blackbelts must be earned and are not given away. To show this respect they are always, in and out of the dojo addressed as Mr. Soandso, and Ms. Soandso. This I almost agree with, almost. It is true that a white belt can have the exact same ideals and beliefs a blackbelt has, but once you reach the rank of bb you are expected to follow certain ideals, and I believe these are unconsious things that you will learn and understand through training. This is why one would hope that by the time someone reaches bb there is a certain standard and a number of shared ideals between bb that cannot nessarly be said for white belts... A person whos heart is not in the right place simply does not deserve a blackbelt, and will never earn a bb if in a good dojo. Your sarcasm is noted altough I am not trying to make enemies. It is evident that we have a very different ideas of what a martial artist is and that is fine I am not trying to change your mind just trying to explain why I feel the way I do. I will give you the choice to continue this arguement, debate, discussion what ever you want to call it or we can just end it and go on believing what ever we like, the choice is yours the names LeaF

interesting article BlueDragon, very entertaining

lol I like that one, makes you think

Dude I hate to say it but you are wrong! YOu are not a martial artist unless you at least have a shodan. If you study karate and you have a kyu belt then you are a karate-ka(basicly means someone who trains in karate), not too sure what the names used for the other styles are... again I disagree. I belt signalifies much more then simply what rank you are. A black belt represents the ideals you stand for, it shows dedication, hard work, worthy of respect. I white belt has not yet earned the respect of people, and does not deserve to be called a martial artist YET. Of coarse all my statements only apply to genuine dojos, not Mcdojos who give blackbelts away for nothing.... perhaps that will help clear things up

infact tigers and leopards have considerably different movements... for instance have you ever heard of a tiger climbing a tree? And yes I believe the dragon and praying mantis were not included at first

ok firstly I am not a martial artist, a martial artist has their black belt. and as for my favorite techniques, well I am not really sure, I suppose you are refering to single techniques not combos, well These are some that I like, rather simple and straight forward, nothing like the iron palm Shuto (kinda like a karate chop, you use the blade of your hand) double jump kick (not sure what it's "proper" name is, basicly you jump up in the air bring you knees together and kick off with your leading leg while in the air) Haito (hand is open palm down, you strike wiht either your finger tips to sof areas, or with just below your thumb by your wrist to places like the neck. Stepping side kick (self explainitory) Roundhouse to the head (self explainitory)

Ha ha ha no not at all KickChick can keep that title... perhaps Link King...nah I'll stick with LeaF

sure it is a great idea for people to start learning self defense at a young age! I don't think so, they are just being discussed more. They have been happening for years but they are appearing more and more in the news. If I am correct I believe the number of abductions have actually decreased