Red J

I would love to hear how the Kajukenbo differs from the Kempo. I believe that you will see slight variations with the same underlying principles since East Coast Kempo is usually derived from Kajukenbo. Welcome.

I'll take your word on it.

And not wearing anti-perspirants makes you smell dodgy!

Don't worry, you will make mistakes, especially after you are fatigued. Its how you recover from those mistakes that make the difference. The surprises are just that. Enjoy the moment.

Exactly my thoughts.

Ask, preferably someone who knows the answer.

It is the instructor's responsibility to pass down the knowledge to those that are ready for it. It doesn't sound like someone is ready. There should be little room for arrogance when teaching advanced concepts.

Maybe that's the fancy way to do it. Never heard of it.

Knowledge is not taught for several reasons: Not part of the system. Your students are not of level/maturity to learn it. You are not competent enough with certain advanced material to teach it. These are the only things that I can come up with at the moment.

I think the human element would prevail almost exclusively because we are basing the whole topic on being attacked by a dog, not attacking a dog. It would be very hard to prove the dog's intention. Of course if you mess up someone's teacup poodle, you could be in some hot water.

"Get on your bikes and ride" - Queen "Just do it" - Nike "If you're going through Hell, keep going" - Churchill You know you want to, don't talk yourself out of it. Make a commitment and go for it. This is a turning point for you and I see you being successful, but it is up to you.

Welcome!

When you practice your technique and come to a part for a kiai and you naturally expell the air from your lungs, what sound do you make? I tend to growl out an ee-ous type sound. I have never tried to change it because it is pretty natural for me. I tend to agree with Killer that the Kiai will find you. In the mean time may the Kiai be with you, or is it the force?

I heard that the trunk is rank, but he gets 25 miles to the banana!

When I was a teenager we had great danes. Two of the females went at it and we tried to break them up. Nothing really worked, not even a water hose in their mouth, smacking their snouts, kicking them, pulling them by their tales, I mean nothing. We had to wait until they got tired and finally we could pull them apart and then stitch up their head and neck wounds that they inflicted upon each other. Mind you these were nice dogs that don't have aggresive breeding traits, but a piece of food between two can cause a problem. I couldn't imagine two pit bulls going at it. The idea of offering your forearm and then pushing it into their mouth as far as you can is interesting as I have done this when playing with dogs. I'm not so sure it would work with a big dog trying to eat you. My thought would be that a smaller dog maybe, but a Kujo crazed dog would viciously shake you off and re-bite you. When dogs attack, latch on and shake their heads there is substantial flesh damage, better your arm than your neck. Interesting topic.

I think you will be fine especially if it is reputable school. You will find that kenpo philosophy works well with different kinds of people because once you get beyond the techniques you are really learning principles that can and will be adapted for any kind of practioner. Best bet is to go take a few classes and I think you will be sold.

ROFL I met a group of Thai guys at the golf club I used to work at when I was in grad school. They loved talking golf and the group all worked at Thai restaurants. They talked me into coming by one day and I became an instant regular. Anyway, after eating in their place enough times (we knew each other on a first name basis by now) I just asked them if they had ever seen Thai boxing. The guy lit up and said that his brother-in- law was a Thai boxer and he was the waiter that I knew the best. I have talked to him a few times about it but that was it. I also know that one of the guys loves American football so we always talk about the Dolphins (we agreed not to talk to much about them this year, he just can't take it. ) Well, I consider these guys friends in the sense that after 13 years, I can go into the restaurant and still have these conversations. I guess my point is to treat them like you would treat anyone else. If you have an innocent question, ask it. Oh, one more story. During my undergrad, I had moved to Tampa and I was having trouble finding a place to train. I had met a guy who gave me the "martial arts" feeling, he reminded me of my first sensei in the way he carried himself. Its hard to explain. I just asked him if he was into martial arts. He said that he had taken Isshun Ryu. We struck up a conversation and wouldn't you know that he was a shodan. Well, we ended up training together for a whole year. It was a great experience for both of us.

I can't figure it out unless it is "Black Belt" Vanity. Its disrespectful at least.

This is how I feel. Black Belt is a state of mind. Once I passed my test, I understood that I had been one for longer than I had thought. It was just not around my waist. But to the original topic, McDojos are annoying. They have a right to exist and if they do good business then they are filling some need or else people wouldn't go there. It's not for me.

It's not uncommon for Kempo style schools to teach principles through techniques and combinations. Once the beginner learns the basics, its all about principles and from there you start to develop on becoming a martial artist, IMO. With understanding of principles, the practioner really has a better grasp on material and can see the variations that suit different situations.

...and you don't have to conceal it when you are in your car!

It should be fun to watch how these guys train and prepare each week. ...and it's another sign that MMA is getting its due having its own reality show!

Congratulations to my West Coast friends. Enjoy it Pacificshore.

Bed exercises? This is a family forum. I'll agree with the other posters. Beds are probably a little too soft.

I tend to agree with you unless it has a direct influence on how it makes up your instructor's experience and character. If you have "beat the streets", not only physically, emotionally, and most important, intellectually, you probably have something to offer over someone who had a relatively stable upbringing. Certain skills are acquired in overcoming major life obstacles. I recently met a senior instructor who was involved in a real life and death situation. It lasted several minutes and he ultimately won and survived the whole ordeal (knife stand-off in an elevator). He had been training for a while when it happened and when his instructor heard of it he said that his student gained twenty years worth of experience in a few short minutes. I think you get the concept.