Montana

In the early 80's I was teaching a class of about a dozen students in my basement. I didn't advertise nor have any signs outside my home. All was done via word of mouth. Anyway, one day towards the end of class there was a knock on my front door and when I answered it there were 2 20-something guys askibng if they coyuld watch the class. They seated themselves in a couple of chairs while I continued the class. After about 5 minutes, while I was lettign my students take a water break, one of the young men asked if I'd spar with him. I said sure, if he wanted to join the class and ibn a week or so I'd be glad to spar with him. He said he wanted to fight...NOW! The look in his face and tone of his voice made me ask him to leave my home immediately. His response was to call me "chicken". At that point I turned to my senior student and asked them to go upstairs and call the police to have these two removed from my home. I then turned to these two intruders, took off my obi (black belt) and said to them..."OK, these are the rules...there are none. Ready?" To which the guy says "Wait a second, I just wanted to spar a little and see if I could beat you.' I told the guy ..."You come into my home, in front of my class and challenge me to a fight, I respectfully decline and ask you to leave, then you DEMAND to fight me? Well buddy, if you want to fight, then fine. No rules..that's your option." To which they left.

My niece was a competitive cheerleader, and she's tougher than me. I think you need to train harder then MP *running out the door*

Based on my limited knowledge of it, I would say no. As far as i know, there are no "fighting techniques" involved in the activity.

Agreed. The guy that was demonstrated on was a non-martial artist (supposedly, but did slap the mat when he fell backwards) and didn't know what to expect. Nothing special at all about this in my opinion.

Nahachin Sho is a very xcomplex and often misunderstood or appreciated kata. As with all the Nahachin kata, you're fighting witgh your back against the wall (basically). In Sho you utilize leg blocks, sweeps, throws, stomps and techniques that are only incorporated into that kata. The bunkai for Nahachin Sho is is really rather fascinating and complex and it takes years of practice to really understand the kata and what it contains.

so tell us what you know about it. What I know about it? Not much. Only that it's supposed to be a family style. A family style isn't usually taught to everyone. George alexander's Hohan Soken, life of a grandmaster allegedly shows part of the hakutsuru kate, but without Master Soken, or Fusei Kise to confirm it's; authenticity, it's probably just a hoax. I would be VERY careful about anything pertaining to George Alexander. He is an avid self-promoter. I bought, and promtly returned several of his kata tapes that I was going to let my students borrow for home study. In a nutshell, they were terrible and very inaccurate. I spoke to Mr. Alexander when I was trying to return the tapes and he was rude and accused me of making copies. I advised him that I had no interest in making copies of katas that were inaccurate and of very low quality. Needless to say, he didn't like that much.

I had to Google "Zatoichi" to find out what it was! lol It's a walking stick with a sword built into it (hidden). Anyway, the katana is a two handed weapon, but if you're going to have it and a Zatoichi, I'd keep the Zatoichi in it's sheath and the katana in yoru right hand...then lose it to your opponent and "surprise" them by "miracously" having the Zatoichi sword appear seemingly out of nowhere. Maybe?

A friend and I went to a tournament in the Valley a couple of months ago hosted by Warhorse. All I can say is...not very impressive in my opinion. To much emphasis on flash, very little substance. I posted a thread about my observations under the Sport Martial Arts section if you want to read it. Click on the link below to go right to it... http://www.karateforums.com/really-sad-vt40895.html

I toss my new students into the wolves usually within the first few classes. They always spar with me first, then are paired against an advanced student and allowed to throw some techniques while the advanced students coaches and encourages them. It's the way I was taught way back when, and it's worked well for the last 30 years.

My suggestion is forget the lightweight chrome flashy nunchaku and buy yourself a good solid HEAVYhardwood pair (as they were intended to be) of nunchauku to learn on. As for the foam nunchauku...find the nearest garbage can and toss them...they're worthless and don't move or feel anything like a real pair. I see you're in Spokane..so am I (well, North of Spokane anyway)..what dojo/school are you in? You can PM me about it it you'd rather.

I was 23 when I started and was 6'6" tall and around 200 lbs..which is pretty skinney for that height. I've been at it now since 1975. You need to forget the "which style is less physically demanding than others" and choose the system that you like the best. All will be physically demanding. Personal;lyv of the 3 mentioned, I'd go for the Issin Ryu.

This is absolutely correct. As for practicing outside of the dojo, I used to practice in the gym, my home, the park..whereever I had a little room to move. Having a place to practice should not be a problem. Motivation to practice can be, but that's entirely up to you and nobody is going to force you to take the time and energy to practice outside of class except for you. That's the decision you need to make.

It sounds to me that you're really not all that interested in training. You're looking fior any excuse to NOT train.

The jab and the backfist each have their own advantages and are used for different things. The backfist has more power? I would doubt that, as the jab can have the body weight behind it, whereas the backfist only has the momentum of the arm behind it for the most part. The jab is used to attack straight on to your opponent, whereas the backfist comes from the side and attacks more to the side of the opponent (side of the head for example as opposed to straight on to the face with the jab).

When you see two people doing what these two are doing, and both obviously haven't a clue as to what they are doing...who can say which one is worse? Bad is bad...I don't think, with only 36 years in the martial arts, I can really say which one of the two is the worst. Pretty even if you ask me.

My question would be...Is the head/owner of your dojo trying to make it a viable business...as in "for profit"? If not, in my opinion of course, I sure wouldn't be taking kids that young. If he/she is trying to make money from their dojo, then why not a martial arts based day care? Money is money, and in this economy you've got to do what you have to to survive.

What style? Well, I'd say it was the Two High School Kids Screwing Around-Do system..very common actually and practiced widely among teens. It's not a very effective system and there is no actually organization that supports it.

Then I'd advise that you tell the principal this also. Again, it makes you look like the good guy. Once again, did this happen on school grounds?

First of all, were there any witnesses? They can back up your story and verify it was self-defense. Secondly, as an ex-school teacher myself, I'd go to the school office and talk to the principal BEFORE the other guy gets a chance to and tell your side of the story, including the names of any witnesses that might have seen and heard what happened. It's always better to get your side of the story told first in this sort of situation. Makes you look like the good guy. The guy was verbally being aggressive in the first place and you did the right thing by walkiing away. When he physically touched you, you were within your rights to protect youyrself. Did this happen on school grounds?

I'd ask them for the number or address of their sensei or organization they are affiliated with and check there. Any legitimate instructor shouldn't have a problem with someone verifying their credentials.

I very rarely fail a student because of my methods of testing. I don't test until I know they can pass...and when I do test them, they don't know they're being tested until it's over. If they fail, I say nothing because they aren't aware I was testing them. If they pass, I tell them. It usually comes as a surprise.

Exactly my experiences also. I've studied under several sensei from the same system, but my origional sensei (up thru shodan) laid the groundwork and foundation to enable me to move forwward with my studies for the next 25+ years.

If their motivation is for rank only, then they're in the art for the wrong reason anyway. You need to be in the arts to learn and progress, not get belts. About 10 years ago I went to the local TKD dojang to invite them to a "All Style" tournament. Normally they only competed within their opwn system. About 5 BB's and a dozen or so colored belts came (out of over 100 students they had), including the instructor and at the end of the tournament their trophy count was zero. Basically, in sparring they had no concept of how to use or defend against hand attacks, and they found their kicks were pretty easily defended against. In kata, theres were found to be lacking in power, speed and strong technique and were judged poorly. 2 of the BB's came and joined my dojo for a short time and 3 of the colored belts. None of them stayed more than a few months because what they were learning from my system was totally alien to them and went against nearly everything they had been taught ibn their TKD class. They couldn't, and wouldn't, adjust and adapt. Anyway, I think a lot of students leave ANY dojo for another because they are looking for somnething more than what they are currently doing/learning. One system isn't for everybody.

What system/style?

I lost 180 lbs way back in 1995 and have not gained it back. And you know what? I don't miss her a bit either! OK...about the topic *ahem*...I've had a lot of students want to join my class to loose weight. I have told them if that is their goal for the martial arts, go take an aerobics class or join Weight Watchers. I'm here to teach you how to survive in a fight, and if the byproduct is some weight loss...GREAT! But that's not what I';m trying to do here.