Red J

Welcome to KF!

Welcome. I look forward to sharing your experiences.

Welcome and enjoy!

Welcome. Many of the Chinese influenced arts wear shoes. I wear wrestling boots as it is accepted and encouraged in my school to train in shoes.

Hello there. Glad you're lovin' it. Welcome.

It sounds like the Kung Fu instructor wanted to impress you with his training coming straight from China versus the kempo lineage that probably has US roots up until the 50s or so (coming via Hawaii). It sounds like you have a good school and have received some good advice.

Coco, The fees sound pretty average for South Florida (remember that SoFla is turning into a high rent district). You should call other Miami dojos to inquire about the belt testing to get an idea. I am not too shocked about the test fees myself as it seems to be the norm down here to pay $50 for a test. My question is how many belts does your system have? The real value of course is if you feel you are getting value. After you make a few calls you will know.

Take the Ibuprofen and apply ice 4 times a day for twenty minutes at a time. You should be fine in a few days time. This is what I do when I start feeling my knees. If this doesn't provide relief then a trip to the Doc may be in order.

So... bad breath is a manifestation of... bad chi? I thought that was called Chong.

Well a better game is to see who can punch the softest. Have your buddy go first then you go full out and say "you win". It will only work once.

Private instruction is good, but like Delta1 said, it would be nice to have someone to attend with you so that you have a "live body" to practice on. You may want to ask a potential instructor if he/she knows of someone in your situation that may want to train with you and visit the instructor on a regular basis. The instructor may have a special "day" class already set up with some regulars. Good luck.

Good for you, take advantage of what high school has to offer. The first thing that you will need to do to make the team is to make sure you are in shape. So find some activities that will get you there whether it be running, biking, swimming, rowing, jump rump, etc. Good luck.

5 minutes tops....made me think. Good link.

What kind of pain and where? Is it a sharp pain, a dull pain? Does it continue to ache after you stretch? Is it in the side of your knee or the back? In both? Give us some specifics.

Zuluking, you have to look at this "failing" as part of your journey. In reality, your instructor may be looking at it as part of a bigger test and it would help you to do the same. The first degree brown is usually the last test you have in front of your instructor as most black belt tests are in front of a panel. It was explained to me that by passing your first degree brown you are ready to be put up for black. It definitely was the most grueling test that I have experienced. (I took mine a couple of months ago. I am being tested for black in December). Before taking my exam, I knew of two fellow students that were sent home sans rank for either their second or first degree brown test (note: first brown is the last brown ranking). They were watched very carefully to see what they were made of. In both cases the students dug deep and showed extreme character in overcoming this mental obstacle. They showed enough spirit to be retested in a short time and are better martial artists for it. Both of them just recently took their black belt test and passed without question. These guys were great examples for me because I knew that there was a chance that I could fail as well. When I passed, I knew the rank was earned. The other students have a little more respect because they knew how good these guys were and how high the standard is (and possibly that the only time you ever hear of someone failing a test is at a high rank as the lower rank tests are easier to pass). So when you walk into your class, do the right thing. Show your character by throwing yourself back into your material as if you passed. This is a temporary condition as I can tell that your passion and commitment will come out in a new level. I predict that you will rise to the challenge. Good luck.

I think you are talking of Chin Na which is a seizing and controlling your opponent. Joint locks, pressure points, holds etc. make up the back bone of this sub system that is usually taught in certain styles.

IMO: It sounds like battery for the first count and assault/threat for the second (in Florida an assault is verbal, in other areas it has a physical component to it). The level of training doesn't come into play so much as the level of injury sustained which could elevate a simple battery to an aggrevated battery. The lethal weapon premise is a myth in my book. Now, if the prosecution knew that someone was a trained and capable martial artist, I would think that it would help the victim's case especially if it was a smaller, weaker person. In criminal or civil court a good attorney could have a field day with you. "So Mr. Blackbelt of seven styles and a MMA champ, do you really expect us to believe that your death threats and then beating of this 90 pound grandmother was self defense because she intimidated you with her oversized purse and teacup poodle? As a martial artist aren't you taught to use your skill as a last resort? I recommend the maximum sentence/award to teach this bully a lesson." Of course, a good defense lawyer would never subject his client to this humiliation and would probably work a plea to a lesser charge or "deal" to keep it out of the court system to avoid unwanted details of someone's life from becoming public record. I would hope that a person that wears a black belt has learned humility and self restraint, because if they haven't then they give our community a black eye (pardon the pun). Whew!

Welcome from the South East!

Welcome to KF! No more lurking. Enjoy.

...or joint lock. Sometimes getting the lock on is not enough, a slight alteration can make the difference, hence accuracy. But, if you are slow, you're not going to lock anyone. Power helps, but I have used speed and accuracy to beat power in a ground match-up. I'm so confused.... ....no I'm not, I just wanted to use the proper emoticon to make Delta1's prediction come true.

Welcome! "You call that a knife? This is a knife!" Sorry, I couldn't help the "Crocodile Dundee" reference.

Welcome and enjoy!

Welcome!

Welcome. My daughter and I are currently training in the arts as well. Enjoy!

Welcome to the forums.