Clash

You spend more time at school writing off and memorizing your Dojo Kun than your geometry work.

9-4-07 -Countless number of reps/squeezes on the hand grips trying to get my for arms and grip built up. Bought them tonight and went over board. -Tried to stretch myself out pretty well probably could have done better. -80 thigh rubs -20 push ups, should of done more also I'm about to go to a few reps of curls only two 10 pound weights on the bar right now so thats not anything impressive, maybe some jumping jacks to get my tried so I can sleep, and maybe a few more thigh rubs or beach balls to work the abs some more.

Thank you. I'll give those drills a try tonight!

If you really want to get better with on a tight budget, then the first step should probally be just to work on getting your body conditioned and in shape... Things I've been doing at home while I wait to join Karate that you might look in to. A set number of push ups everyday Or knuckle push ups depending on age. Weight lifting (it doesn't have to be a lot of weight just stick with it) Thigh Rubs (they really work your abs) The classic stuff like jumping jax's are good for cardio from what I've experienced so far. Also if you can get out and do some running or jogging go for it, it's rough on the lungs and legs at first but doing a mile or so as often as you can really helps (at least for me so far). Also I would suggest buying a speed rope, some hand grips, and some light three/five pound hand weights for practicing punches or to hold while jogging/doing excrises that extra three pounds on your arms really adds up when your spiriting trust me. If you want to get limber then the best way to do it is to find some a variety of stretches you like and do them often, just don't rush them make sure your holding them out and doing them right and slowly it takes time to get limber though.

Thanks for the advice, I actually had decieded just the other night to hold off on the Tai Chi, and just focus on condition for Shotokan until I get at LEAST a few lessons/months in and then see how I go from there. I'm still waiting to get my paycheck so I can start shotokan but while I've been waiting I've been doing some work with a speed rope, weights, and I've been running at least one mile every other night or as much as possible even if its only once or twice a week. Also I just bought some hand grips or wrist strength. So I'll just focus on that stuff for now. But since I"m holding off on the Tai Chi.. Does anyone have any good advice for training balance?

I've had some taken out of my eyebrow right above my eye and stables taken out of my head. It really didnt hurt that bad on either one of them.

Yeah, I gotta say it was pretty fun to watch I believe he had like what was it 14? Guy's coming at him on and off.. . and He would have to disarm/take down/whatever each one of them as they came.

Thanks guys, I know that normal self-taught martial arts are not a good/effective way of learning.. But maybe I'll be able to pick up a ccouple of things.

Welcome to the forum, in my short time here I've found everyone to be very kind and helpful I'm sure you will as well.

Hey guys, I was wondering if doing some self taught Tai chi would be a good way to improve balance to apply to my Shotokan training I'm about to begin. I need to work on balance and have read that tai chi helps a lot. There is also of course the spiritual side of it which I'm interested in and such.You know would give me a reason to mediate and clear my mind and pratice breathing. I'm surethese types of question get asked here all the time. Anyways theres no where around here to take a tai chi class unless I'm in collage. Which I'm not. So are they any good Tai Chi instructional videos that could help.. not to try and master Tai Chi or anything but just to get down the basics and expand some of my learning? I know Tai chi is used a lot by the elderly for health reason but are there the same kind of noticeable benefits for say a 18 year old male? Also pretty much any other opinions or information you practitioners would like to share would be very welcome. ps. I've posted a few threads in different forums asking a lot of questions, I've seem to have caught the martial bug.. If anyone feels im asking to many newbie questions/spamming or biting off more than i can chew please tell me and I'll try to adjust my questions/postings and such appropriately

The Krav Maga episode premiered last night, and I was extremely impressed!! One of the better episodes so far! Also, there was a marathon on today and my mother happened to spot it for me and was able to record ( i believe) every episode on DVR except the Muy Thai episode.

Sounds like a pretty good idea, Now if i can just find a mattress . Also when I do get a heavy bag, is there anything specific you guys would suggest like a certain weight? 50-60-70 lbs? Does it make a difference? should i start light and work up to heavier, or just use whatever i like? Is there a certain material thats better quality? Would anyone recommend buying a speed bag also?

Yes i was referring to a makiwara, I've heard they take a lot of skill to be used properly or you can injury yourself on them so I was hoping for advice on that if anyone thought it was a good idea. Anyways, I don't think I'd spend all my time doing body conditioning more just rounding out my training when I'm not in the dojo so I can actually take a few hits.

Ah yes, I've been focusing mainly on my physical conditioning, running as much as possible, jumping rope, push ups, weights and stuff. I as considering adding some body conditioning in to that. However your probably right, in me investing my focus in to getting my stamina and strength stronger first

Thanks for the advice, before I go out and start bashing rocks and such I was hoping to get a lot of different opinions and so I found that very helpful. Anyways since I don't have any form of heavy bag yet, is there anything you would suggest to use in place of that for now? Would you suggest building one of the Okinawan Striking boards ( I'm can't remember what they are called at the moment.) to use until I can afford a heavy bag?

Hey guys, as you probably know I'm about/have just begun my martial arts journey and I'm going to be taking Shotokan Karate my first offical lesson is going to be September 12th. I'm sure this type of question has been discussed a lot but I couldn't find one that was just like a list of the things im looking for. Anyways so far I'm really dedicated and serious about my path and my training. I was wondering if you guys could suggest some good excises, and equipment to do/build for body conditioning. That I should take up to go along with my normal psychical excise/training. Also can anyone give my advice on how many times/how long i should do certain body conditioning things a day. I know beating a rock can be very harmful if over done or done improperly I don't want to end up hurting or overworking my self which would only prolong my training or add to bad health. [/i]

I might look in to playing this.

Hehe once or twice

^ That story beats any of mine. A few times messing around with friends, and then in my only real fight I took a few punchs to the face.

With out tryign to sound like I"m striving to be cliche.. You preception of my Character is very hummbling, thank you.

Huzza!!!! Ps. okay okay no offence to ever one of his movies EXECPT snakes on a plane

Appearantly according to the second article "A well established American actor." to play the FBI Agent.. The last thing I want to see is like Samuel L. Jackson playing a FBI Bruce lee fill in.... No offence to the acting of Samuel l Jackson or anything that was just the first example that came to my head.

Thats the normal price but I've seen a few strange ones online that are like 15-20 dollars, not that i would ever pay that much for one consider I dont even know how to solve them.

I had another meeting with the Shotokan instructor tonight, that's exactly why he maked the price go up he only wants committed students the first 6 months are just to make sure your not wasting your time or money, it also goes up because after that period you begin lessons twice a week, IT appears that he is having his sampi (?) start a new class just for me/my friend and a few other older/adult students which will be just private training for adults until we get to a certain level and catch up andit may very well be the begining of a adults only course in their school. Idunno so far I'm really leaning towards the Shotokan school to start and pick up judo some time later.. The guy only does it because he loves teaches and it isn't his man job.. He seems to form a close relation to all of his students and him and the black belt simpi( sp??) are the only two that instruct classes. It's all very personal and A LOT MORE traditional than the other school.. no Flashy cartoon figures on the walls or anything, hell theres not even matts in the dojo. By the way I really want to thank every one of your that has posted and given me advice, its help me with a lot of the decision making and with out your help I'd be completely lost!

Depend on what store and what kind any where from like 8-20 dollars in the US.