Monday, November 16, 2009

Does this make me a narcisist?

I was just wondering if this made me a narcisist as I really hate narcisists and looking at a little of my behavior it kinda shares some traits which kinda disturbs me. Here are some personality traits of mine





I do kung fu and I try really hard not really to impress people but to do my form like I mean it and to be honest partially to gain the respect of peers but mainly to train.





I can easily detach myself from my emotions





while I can empethize with others I usually dont need to because I really dont encounter the situations required.





I take pride in my martial arts abilities.





It would bother me if I became just a mediocre student in my class instead of being one of the good ones but I think thats just my competative spirit.





I do believe in chi ( spiritual energy , which apparently makes me a schizoid even though its a commonly accepted belief among practitioners because we can feel it. but Im not gonna get into that.

Does this make me a narcisist?
I think you've been reading to many psychological disorders! No you are not a narcissist. They only think about self and are always saying I, I, I, I, . It's all about them. We all have to have some pride in ourselves and the achievements we've made. You don't need any site to look on. There's nothing wrong with you!
Reply:I think the fact that you are worried about being narcissistic precludes you from being described that way. it's okay to take pride in what you do and want to show off your talents and abilities. and even if you do sometimes have narcisistic tendencies, it's not like its incurable...just stay aware and always work forward, never back, to correct behavior you dislike in yourself. I don't know of any sites that test for narcissism, but there might be something in the DSM (for mental disorders) and you can usually find that in a public library. There's no shame in wanting to be the best at what you do. I think that's actually preferrable to not caring.
Reply:you're not a narcissist, you just really take pride in what you do, and detaching from your emotions easily is just a sign of no emotional depth, its not a bad thing, actually its more of a good thing because you now know you don't have a high chance of being clinically insane. so don't worry, you're so worried about not becoming what you hate, that you'll end up driving yourself to believe you could become narcissistic.
Reply:No, not a narcissist, just a poor speller. Nothing wrong with an ego, as long as it stops short of arrogance. For a lesson in humility, spar with an experienced BJJ martial artist. It will take you down a peg or two, good for the soul.
Reply:Very doubtful.








Check this out...


http://www.halcyon.com/jmashmun/npd/dsm
Reply:everyone's narcistict to a certain degree. and believe me, i'm like you when i want to be the top of the class. being mediocre would be crapp bc you dont really stand out and you're not that speciall
Reply:yeah
Reply:Look the word up in Wikipedia. I just did and it is very interesting.





If you do it will help you define yourself, you seem to have looked at yourself and know who you are.





There are variations to the meaning.





I learned some about myself.





Thanks for the question.
Reply:im fairly sure your not a narcisist

flowers anniversary

Martial arts?

i'm going to train in martial arts very seriously and how do you think this plan sounds:


get the 3rd belt in tkd(tae kwon do)


get the 3rd belt in bjj(brazilian jiu jutsu)


take kickboxing once or twice a week for cardio purposes


get the 3rd belt in karate


get the 3rd belt in kung fu


and i'm going to try to get a black belt in which ever one i like best while i work on ninjutsu and get to the highest rank there.


do u think it sounds okay and which parts should i correct?

Martial arts?
First ask yourself why you are taking martial arts and give yourself an honest answer!





IF YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO LEARN HOW TO FIGHT...


(Not my objective so this is a guess!)


Yours sounds like a fairly decent method...


Sample from the buffet of martial arts to see which you like best and in which you have the most natural talent.


Then focus on that ONE!





IF YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO MASTER YOURSELF...


Any martial art with an under-laying philosophy of internal development will do. I would just pick one and stick with it.





Many kung fu disciplines do not use the belt system.





In kung fu it is not what you can demonstrate on the outside that counts, but how you progress on the INSIDE.





The INTERNAL martial arts take MUCH LONGER to learn than the external martial arts do because:


First you must master YOURSELF!


.
Reply:do muay thai instead of tkd
Reply:Well, it depends on your goal. If you're looking at serious competition, frankly, you should focus more narrowly instead of trying to do everything, say by just training in karate and "zhoo-zhitsu" but doing it more often, instead of trying to go to a different dojo every night. There's a phrase, " A jack of all trades is a master of none."








"ninjitsu" schools are often a little dodgy. There are really only a couple of 'legitimate' groups of ninja - the bujinkan and the genbukan, iirc. They don't get along well, either. Any school not affiliated with one of them is probably kind of "fly by night" I know ninjitsu looks super cool and I understand your interest, but you have to ask yourself if your goal is learning to fight or learning something that has the name you saw on TV. I would suggest ninjitsu only for someone with a nostalgic interest in things like swordfighting - if you're learning real ninjitsu, really only the cardio is directly applicable to modern martial arts, since you can't really carry a sword or other ninja weapons for defense or use them in competitions (other then weapons kata competitions)





Also, not all of those arts have the same belt system.





Saw your "additional details" above, and I do want to mention that you shouldn't close your mind to muay thai, 'regular' boxing or judo. Your time would be better spent in a club that teaches any one of those then a cardio kickboxing class (real kickboxing is pretty good cardio anyway, as is BJJ grappling or judo randori)
Reply:I say go for it, if its meant to be then you will be able to accomplish it...its all learning even if you fail.
Reply:You would be a lot better off concentrating on 1 or at most 2 styles %26amp; getting good at them.
Reply:ummmm.... do you have a calendar projection for how long this will take? It can take sometimes years to get a 1st degree black belt, let alone a thrid.





Even then, the belt color is no indication of your overall skills as a fighter. It is merely a sign that you have at least satifactory knowledge- according to the school- of the kattas, styles, or whatever required for the belt.





I myself have gotten easily around the defences of several blackbelts or other higher rankings.





Try doing CAPOEIRA to that list, it is fun and bad a$$. Check out you tube for capoeira videos (sul de bahia or batuque)
Reply:and you are going to achieve what????pick a good stand up style such as freestyle karate and keep it as a base and cross train in muay thai and ground /grappling styles.wher did you get the crap you have in this question?
Reply:If you are going to do ninjutsu, then do it and nothing else, because of the way we train, you will have to unlearn alot of things. We don't just train with swords and other weapons, we have a lot of unarmed techniques. I'd say a majority of my training was without weapons.
Reply:I think it sounds good but don't over load yourself. There really is no need for kickboxing just for cardio you'll get that with the others. Getting to the highest rank in Ninjutsu will take a life time to achieve as most schools have up to dan 15 and have age requirments for each dan.
Reply:kinda sounds like you're overcompensating for something...pick a style or 2 at the most and master those....and just a warning BJJ takes years and years and years to even get a black belt, its a lifelong quest as is some of the other arts you've listed
Reply:I'm not reading that you're going to get third BLACK belt, just the THIRD BELT (often orange, yellow, or green), right?





Dude, what's your hurry? Why not go watch one or two classes in each of those style THEN pick MAYBE two to focus on.





For the record, you'll very often tick off a lot of instructors if your focus is spread too thinly. And you have no focus to speak of with this "plan."
Reply:Sounds like you want to take a system that teaches you everything. You should look into Jeet Kune Do, it teaches you what works and you apply it to real life situations, it is fun.. and there is rankings too. Level 1-13 i believe. 13 being head master. 1 being beginner.
Reply:that is a good plan just start at a slow past and then go fast. you jut don't went to hurt yourself.
Reply:One thing that pops to the forefront is, How are you going to use this combined knowledge? Do you just want to kick butt at a moments notice? You mention getting to "3rd Belt" in differents styles which really will only give you the smallest taste of what a style has to offer. One thing to consider is how you plan to attack or defend. If someone is more of a wrestler type, he/she might fight totally facing forward. Another person might wish to fight in a turned stand or perhaps in a totally side stance, as I found with Okinawate.


Consider both the inner and outer self. If you are a "Brute" outwardly, will you be able to be a calm master inwardly? Does this matter? One thing I thought might be good would be Aikido. Teaches to use the foes energy against themselves. Another thing to consider instructors who are "Purists". Some "Masters" do not want to see their art tainted. Well, one thing for sure, you have alot of workouts ahead. As someone in the health field I warn you to watch out for injuries that are not taken care of properly. Good luck!
Reply:Set your goals high, and abandon all hope of ever achieving them, my teacher tells his students.


Do you spar with pads or not?

I am practicing kung fu. When we spar, it's without pads. All we wear is a cup, and if we're going full contact, a mouthpiece. IMO, this is the best way to train. You don't learn how to take a hit unless you get hit. Does anyone agree with me? Yes or no, why? And, finally, what do you study, and why?

Do you spar with pads or not?
We never trained with pads, mouthpieces, cups, or whatnot in my Dojang and we DID fight hard. We were not out to kill each other but we were full contact. Of course, we were forbidden to use groin shots and face shots (side of the head was OK) in sparring. Both did, of course, occasionally occur.





These things were optional and some chose to use them (cups, mouthguards). Some did, most did not.





I did not.





I believe it is better to learn to not get hit in the nuts, kicked in the face, and develop the conditioning in your forearms and lower legs to take it. Also, if you do not take a punch or a kick, how are you going to learn to take a punch or a kick?





A large part of our training was exactly that: conditioning to take it.





One of the problems my Kwanmates and I had with tournaments was putting all of that stuff on. We had it at the Dojang and, if someone wanted to fight tournament, they had to practice with it, including that aweful chest pad with those silly dots and the headgear. Ugh.





When you are accustomed to sparring without it, trying to use these things is like sparring with, well, a bunch of pads covering you, hindering your movement. It felt like what I would imagine it would feel like fighting from within a Stay Puff Marshmallow Man suit. Once I tried all that claptrap on and tried to spar with it... I got out of it as fast as possible and that was the last time I tried it.
Reply:video of you sparring please, and tell me the name of the school please.
Reply:In my training we never used pads, gloves, or any other sort of gear like that. Everything was completely full contact. ANY sort of gear only serves to make those areas less protected as you wil ot think of them, "I don't neet to worry about my groin, I hvae a cup." And then you forget to protect it when you have to. I have seen it happen.





I fully agree you can't learn to take a hit unless you actually get hit.





As for what I studied I studied the Hakuno-kai system of Japanese Bushido. Been teaching sicne 79.
Reply:kung fu eh? Good choice . Check out AlanOrr.co.uk The guy is a kung fu phenom!!


He trains and teaches a couple off mma fighters at the moment . One of them being a guy called Neil Broadbent who practises his kung fu in the cage . Watching him fight is a savage experience mate. None of his fights have lasted more than 45 seconds , he is a pro fighter and guess what . He trains just like you do . Keep it up dude .
Reply:Most of us at our gym(Richmond MMA)aren't fighters but we train with the pads on. Even the two guys that have had a few fights train with pads. Not necessary to injure someone in training. With pads on, still able to train timing and defense. Grappling, we train nogi w/cup and mma gloves and mouthpiece.
Reply:The reason why you dont wear pads is because we are taught to exercise control. It takes more skill to kick within an inch of somebody than to simply hit them.
Reply:Ju Jitsu, generally light sparring is done without pad, but with a mouth piece. Heavy sparring is done with gloves and footpads. Agreed, without pads gives you some sense of what a real fight will feel like....
Reply:i prefer not to use anything,but i got fed up with sooks whingeing about there shins.
Reply:without pads is the best way to kick butt.....spar
Reply:I agree with you. Mouthguard and cup for the guys is all you need. I do BJJ and a very little bit of MMA, so I'm def. inclined to agree with you
Reply:I train in Bentonville, AR; in this dojo we use a lot of gear... foot, hand, helmet... some use more (karate... style shorin ryu)


at my old school in VA we used mouthpiece and helmet... added hand pads for tournaments... (karate... isshin ryu)


I in a way prefer no pads (with exception of helmet... I like my head)


not sure as to why... it just seems easier to move in.
Reply:Um, I do when I do the tournaments. At least, I'm going to.
Reply:we begin sparring when we are at a lower belt, therefore padding is essential because of the fact that people at lower ranks need to learn control before we can go padless. We spared once after class with only handpads. No padding teaches control, however I would be weary sparring someone who is just learning for fear that they could not control themselves. Anyway, I can feel when someone hits me through pads, just as much as sparring with out them.





I study jujistu.


Bruce Lee Movie - horse whip and clay pots?

I'm looking for the title of a martial arts movie. It stars someone that, as a child, I thought was Bruce Lee, but it may be one of the "pretenders to the throne" after he died. I saw it on television, Saturday morning "Kung Fu Theater." Here is what I remember:





He ran a martial arts school.


He got beat up.


He trained hard (can you say montage?), by kicking clay pots filled with water.


He fought bad guy after bad guy, and even fought a guy who was on a horse, who weilded a whip. This scene, I think, was shot on a green-grass field with trees planted in rows.


The end bad guy had a white uniform with a wide red belt.


Our hero, of course, was the victor.





I know this could describe multiple movies, and I saw it so long ago (likely 1982 or thereabouts). Any help is appreciated.

Bruce Lee Movie - horse whip and clay pots?
It's not a Bruce Lee movie. But it might be Prodigal Son with Biao Yuen.
Reply:Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story


is a movie that may help





available to rent or purchase


via this site


(download to PC)








http://www.geocities.com/lamoviefan/inde...


.


.
Reply:http://www.bruceleefoundation.com/index9... %26lt;%26lt;%26lt; hope you find the answers here...(just wait alittle longer for it to load)
Reply:Hmmm... sounds a little like "Way of the Dragon", but I can't really remember the horse thing. Chuck Norris was the big baddie in the end, wearing all white, but I think he might've had a black belt - not a red one.


Basic plot, he visits relatives in Italy where they run a restaurant. The restaurant is harrassed by some sort of gangsters who want to buy the property. Regular story - Bruce doesn't want to fight but gets backed into a corner and has to fight the fighter-for-hire Chuck Norris. Cool movie just to watch Bruce Lee and Norris square off at the end.


On the other hand, if it's one of the Bruce Lee wannabes, I'd have no idea. There's far too many of them.
Reply:Sounds like all of the kung fu movies, Sorry
Reply:Sounds Like .


Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story








Star Eric lee / Not Family


Out of these movies which one are you interested in?

2/22


Be kind rewind


Charlie Bartlett


2/29


Semi-Pro


3/7


10,000 B.C.


College road trip


3/14


Funny games


Horton hears a who


3/21


Shutter


Meet the browns


3/28


Superhero movie


Stop Loss


21


4/04


The ruins


4/11


Prom Night (remake)


4/18


88 minutes


4/25


Repo


5/02


Iron Man


5/09


Speed racer


5/16


Chornicles of narnia 2


Midnight meat train


5/22


Indiana jones 4


5/30


Sex and the city: the movie


The strangers


6/06


Kung fu panda


Don't mess with the Zohan


6/13


Incredible hulk


The happening


6/20


Get smart


The love guru


6/27


Wall-E


Wanted


7/02


Hancock


Kit Kittredge


7/11


Hellboy 2


7/18


Dark knight


Mamma Mia!


7/25


X Flies 2


8/01


mummy 3


8/08


sister of the traveling pants 2


8/15


star wars: clone wars


wild child


8/22


I know what boys I like


8/29


Babylon A.D.


9/05


Passengers


9/12


Amusement


Family preys together


9/19


Management


9/26


Death race


10/03


The express


10/10


Soul men


10/17


Quarantine


10/24


High school musical 3


Saw V


11/07


Madagascar 2


11/21


Harry Pitter 5


1/09


Hellraiser


1/16


Spirit


1/23


Friday 13

Out of these movies which one are you interested in?
That's a lot of movies. You should try going for a walk in the park sometimes. :-)





The Dark Knight sounds like it wll suck the least.
Reply:hellraiser and friday the 13
Reply:funny games
Reply:None of the above.
Reply:Friday The 13th
Reply:Sex and the City...can't wait for May!!!!
Reply:all of them
Reply:You sure picked some crappy movies...but I'd go with Hellraiser.





Oh, I didn't see Sex and the City on there...cant wait to see that one!
Reply:Indiana Jones- Just because my friend was an extra in that movie and they filmed part of the movie in my town





Mammia Mia- because i saw it on Broadway and it was a greatttt musical.





Harry Potter 5- just because, i've seen the other 4 and its pointless to stop now!





and my personal all time favorite which i cannot CANNOT wait for......... X-FILES 2 OMGOMGOMGOMGMGM.





%26amp; SEX AND THE CITY!! AAHHHH
Reply:10,000 b.c. and friday the 13th
Reply:OK being dumb here but I never heard of any of them...If you made them up,,,I would love to see College Road Trip,,sounds like a fun one for sure.


I actually saw 2 that look familiar,,,Indiana Jones 4 and Momma Mia....But the rest are ?????
Reply:charlie bartlett


sex and the city movie


HANCOC.K!


sisterhood of the travelling pants 2


harry potter 5
Reply:madagascar 2
Reply:x-files 2
Reply:None of the all in any industry.


Movies are ways to derail people from right track.


These are immoral.


These are inhuman.


These have really bad effect on moral of a person.


These are unethical.


These are unacceptable.
Reply:the dark knight


i know what boys like


be kind rewind
Reply:College Road trip


88 minutes


Speed racer


Chornicles of narnia 2


Midnight meat train


Sex and the city: the movie


Get smart


The love guru


Hellboy 2


mummy 3


I know what boys I like


Death race


Quarantine


High school musical 3


Saw V


Madagascar 2


Harry Potter 5


Hellraiser


Friday 13








yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
Reply:lol can't believe I'm saying this but High School Musical 3. I'm not too fussed about the others... also Semi-Pro looks hilarious!
Reply:get smart chornicles of narnia 2 indiana jones... and speed racer
Reply:Funny Games


Stop Loss


88 Minutes (only because it's Pachino - thought it was ok when it was called Crank)


Iron Man (but I'm not sold on Robert Downey Jr as a super hero)


Speed Racer


Indiana Jones - I can't wait for this one


Wall-E


Hancock


Hellboy 2


The Dark Knight


Harry Potter 6 (#5 came out last year)


Quantum of Solace (The next James Bond)
Reply:In glancing through, I think Indiana Jones and Dark Knight are the ones I'm looking forward to.
Reply:the dark knight!
Reply:The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Best movie of the year!!!!! most anticipated movie of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It's gonna crush the rest of th movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


But, plaese don't call it Chronicles of Narnia 2, Because the production crew of the movie asked people to call It The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian, because they're werent making a sequel, but a whole new movie.
Reply:Indiana Jones IV, Narnia, Star Wars: Clone Wars, Iron Man... That's about it.

birthday flowers

Is American Kenpo UNDERRATED?

I crosstrain in several different styles, because I feel that it is the best way to train, BUT American Kenpo has recently peaked my interest, because it is unique when compared to other TRADITIONAL martial arts. American Kenpo seems to focus more on practical self-defense techniques as opposed to the spiritual aspects that traditional martial arts does( such as Kung Fu). Also American Kenpo is never "stationary". meaning it evolves with the TIMES! For example Kenpo know incorporates grappling into it's style. A lot of other styles still WON'T incorporate grappling into it's style! My school has been doing it for over 10 years. ALSO American Kenpo trains to fight OTHER skilled fighters, unlike many other martial arts which focus on techniques against UNTRAINED fighters. This Kenpo Karate website explains it best...................


http://www.cckenpo.net/aboutAK.asp





What do you think? Is there other martial arts which you feel are underrated?

Is American Kenpo UNDERRATED?
American Kenpo is a great and eclectic martial art. Being of both Japanese and Chinese in origin, it is a good mix. Also, I like the fact that you specify the discipline as "American" as Ed Parker, who is regarded as "the father of American martial arts" essentially brought the discipline to the mainland from Hawaii.





I believe the reason Kenpo may be underrated is the same reason as to why other disciplines (especially Chinese boxing and TKD) are: there are many "McDojo's" and bad schools in general. As I did train in Kenpo for a time, I can honestly say that I enjoyed it and found a lot of it to be effective, but that was due to my having a good teacher - for a little while before she was replaced by a slick used car salesman type to generate more revenue.





This was also around the same time as the association of schools started to try to market "Shaolin Kenpo", which to me is like going to Italy to get a good burrito (they don't really relate!). Schools like this that try to generate revenue at the expense of a discipline's integrity dishonor and insult the discipline in question. Kenpo is a good discipline on its own, but this school made it a farce, and sadly, people will judge the entire discipline on a few crappy schools who charge way too much for what they offer.





I agree with you. American Kenpo is underrated. I would say at this day and age, though, most traditional systems are underrated thanks to athletic competitions and those who regard them as "real" martial arts.
Reply:NO
Reply:Read the blurb on the site 50% accurate 50% salesmens bull **** hype.As I knew MASTER PARKER and was with him just 10 days before his death I can tell you describing him at anytime in his life as a mere "street fighter" is an insult to his memory.


Street fighters are a dime a dozen MASTER PARKER WAS NOT.





If this is your goal in life to be street fighter you are going to lead a very miserable life.


Hopefully you don't run into any real street fighters who will put a blade or bullet in your back.


In that scenario all methods are OVER RATED.


Your cross training in several styles only identifies you as a scared street punk looking for a magic answer .
Reply:American Kenpo is not as widely known as TKD, and many people do not know much about it, but it is not under rated.





Ed Parker was a true Pioneer. He took martial arts to a whole new level with the development of his art.





I am a 100% traditional martial artist... my art is Okinawan Old School, however, If I had the opportunity to learn EP Kenpo, I would in a heartbeat. The theory is based on Okinawan and Chinese arts.





Now, these guys are affiliated with Paul Mills. This guy is bad! (In my opinion) In a good way. Here is some video on him... If Kenpo in under rated, this will fix that...





http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=e...
Reply:It may just be me, but it sounds like you have answered your own question, at least the first part.


In answer to the second part- I feel as if almost all traditional arts are underrated. With all of the hype about MMA and cross training, people seem to forget that those techniques came from traditional martial arts.


Meanning no insult to MMA, I think that is a great sport for people who enjoy that type of thing. But, I feel every one should study a traditional martial art as part of their training. Then they could understand some of the history behind what they are practicing now, and how it has evolved over time.
Reply:As long as you have a good teacher than NO it is a great system.





I have a 5th Dan in Kenpo as well as a Sandan in Shotokan and 1st degree in TKD and I found all three have rounded me out well.





All styles are good only the teacher and student can make it work well or not!
Reply:No!!!





American Kenpo is an excellent art !!!!





An Ed Parker fan !!!
Reply:Kenpo is not wide spread as other arts in my state (or even in my area for that matter). Other associations, federations, etc. don't' have much to say about something they know nothing of or, nothing go to say about another art.





Kenpo is not even found within our local phone book, but what you will find are LARGE CHAIN SPORT KARATE SCHOOLS. I found out about Kenpo (within the city limits) just over 10 years ago at a local martial art supply store.





I feel that kenpo is not well known here because of those 1/4, 1/2 and full page contract karate only schools. Sport karate schools here cater just about anyone, day care programs, before and after classes, privete classes, pick up %26amp; drop off young students, etc.


Has anyone ever expirenced this too?

On yet another brisk day in cold, cold Canada, with the polar bears drinking their Coca-Cola and the whalers waving me a happy hello as I walked down the iceway to school, I felt a sense of bliss and happiness that can only come from being an innocent eight-year-old boy. Being a very precocious child, I deeply enjoyed school, and was always eager to get extra work that the other children didn't (a practice largely contributing to my massive unpopularity for the first sixteen years of my life). My school was a small, very old building in Sydney, Nova Scotia; it would later be torn down to make way for prefabricated houses.


I happily sat through my classes that morning, my third grade teacher talking with me listening attentively and laughing at her jokes, while others poked fingers, pencils, and other various objects into various orifices and threw various scoopings therefrom. After we started to talk about the ever-so-complex matter of plurality involving words ending with the letter X, I grew bored and took a bathroom break; I felt a little like I had to deposit a brown Twinkie.





I waddled off to the bathroom, as I was a pudgy, round little kid (attributing yet more to my gross unpopularity). Upon arriving, I sat my rump down upon the cold porcelain -- remember the polar bears -- and grunted my damnedest. I had not yet realized the way of Poodhism: only when you are at peace with yourself and with the toilet will the negative energy flow out of you. As a consequence, anyone entering the bathroom heard the odd, painful-sounding gruntings of a fat midget on the can.





I pushed and pushed like the Little Train That Could, except my anus was clearly his derailed brother, the Little Train That Couldn't. I resigned myself to standing up, wiping off just in case I'd shot out some raisins without my knowledge, and returning to the classroom. I really didn't like being questioned or confronted by teachers, because I always felt that the vegetative morons in the class (who could murder in front of you your sister, the teacher, and the Governor General, and walk away with no more than a wrist slap) deserved much more of the teacher's scoldings than I did. As a result, whenever confronted, I would respond somewhat sarcastically and harshly.





"What took so long in the bathroom?" my kind-but-inconsiderate teacher demanded in front of the class.





"My digestion," I snappily replied.





I was met with a scowl and a "sit down" accompanied by a plethora of comments from my ‘peers': "Oooh, dee-jess-shun!" "Nerd!" "Weiner!" "Cornelius!" (One really odd kid got kicks out of calling me "Cornelius"; to this day, I don't know why.)





The bell rang and I happily skipped out to the negative two-hundred-and-sixty-two schoolyard. I played, desperately trying to avoid succumbing to the harsh, brutal Canadian elements. And I downed a sandwich of leafy vegetables and mayonnaise, as I really just didn't like meat at the time.





(My lunch is relevant to my story, of course, because the sheer amount of fiber and near total lack of iron in my diet led to some pretty serious powershitting; I pinched loaves regularly three to five times daily. On this day, I hadn't. And this was odd -- very odd.)





We filed back into class upon the sounding of the ice-bell (basically the foghorn from a hockey game). We promptly sat down in our seats and prepared to continue our stimulating discussion on the letter X. It was around this time I felt pockets of gas and other nether-beings moving around down under -- like an Australian rebellion gone hostile, the southern inhabitants were attempting a bloody coup on my brown bastion.





"Hey, no problem," I thought to myself. After all, it was after lunch -- there was very little of the school day left, and I knew I could hold it until I could leave. I knew it, that is, until the proletariat poop in my southern realms, too long held prisoner by the abysmal treatment of my despotic colon, launched one more salvo on the bay doors, and I could feel sheer knife-like pains shooting all through my lower body.





This was going to be a horrific **** -- the kind of **** about which documentaries are made.





Realizing that I could hold it no longer, I raised my hand deftly into the air, waving somewhat urgently. "Yes, Matthew?" the teacher enquired.





"May I go to the bathroom?" I gruntingly replied.





"No. You went before lunch, and you had the entire lunch hour to go. So you stay here until we're done."





The horror!





I knew my doom was approaching. Choosing not to plead with the teacher, I instead decided to consult with the general minding the rebellion, which had now pushed well beyond the poop factory district and was pressing down the Hershey highway with the vigor of a mob only accurately depicted in the works of Mary Shelley. The general advised me that we should form a line; and so I clenched my butt cheeks so hard I swear I split atoms.





Like a row of riot police smashing batons down on filthy unwashed hippies, my *** cheeks faithfully guarded my grey sweatpants from the attackers pressing to put an end to free trade, critical thought, and clean clothing -- assailants wishing to put the last cherry on the cake sealing my unpopularity into the stones of time, ensuring I would be dateless and fat until I was sixty-two. My regard in the public eye was already all but demolished, as the previous week I had shown up to school in a Power Rangers costume, sure that no one would recognize me and that I would somehow have mystical Kung-Fu powers that would allow me to eradicate my oppressors. I had been mistaken.





The pressure grew to a point at which I was sure I would implode. My face was red and I was sweating and grunting loudly, occasionally letting out the odd, sharp-sounding, painfully hot fart. The kids around me knew the end was near and moved away like Englishmen avoiding plague-bearers. I waved my hand frantically to the teacher to allow me release; she denied me yet again.





And there I sat in a conundrum: not wanting to defy my teacher, but not wanting to destroy my life. I was at the pivotal crossroads at which every small child should stand at one point in his or her life: should I disobey the teacher and run to the bathroom, or should I utterly **** myself in front of my peers?





What happened next is terrible. When most people lose control of their bowels, a small lump of matter forces its way out of the anus, and out some more, until eventually you've soiled yourself. But I guess I'm not most people. While I was pondering the nature of defiance verses self-discipline in a heavily introspective debate, I lost control of the forces; and a deadly explosion finished off the rest of my riot police, leaving their scattered remains all about. I had lost control. A terrific and awe-inspiring CRACK of a fart escaped my anus, fueled by the sheer power of one-hundred percent refined green mucky diarrhea. The noise of the farting was a million times amplified by the hard wooden seat against which my *** was situated.





A torrent of green muck escaped me. I sat awestruck, not knowing what to do with myself. The torrent continued until the crap had literally gone down my leg and was now burning my skin with its acidic glop. Eventually my shoes filled with ****, a fact I never let on -- I don't know why **** in my shoes was more embarrassing than **** in my pants, but it was.





As I stood up, tears rolled down my young face. The back of my pants were absolutely saturated in sheer, vile feces. I walked to the bathroom, my shoes making the noises of rubber boots filled with water, splat-splat-splatting along the floor. I plunked myself into a stall and wept.





I ended up inspiring pity in the mother of one of my fellow students, an employee at the school. She gave me an extra pair of pants.





I packed the glob of ****-soaked filth into my backpack and left. I just left.





Thus began the most repulsive walk home I have ever endured.

Has anyone ever expirenced this too?
I had this misfortune but it was manifold more since I was a grownup man not a child like the questioner.I was living in what is called a 'chawl'(one or two room tenements in a multistory building with common lavarories) There are long queues in the morning at the water taps and the lavatories.. It is not unsual some of them are constipated while others are just-go-in-and--come--outs.I was the former and it neessitated to be inside the lavatory pretty early. One day I was a little late to get in and on ac count of the long queue outside faced constant knocking . AS luck would hve it my bowels had almost stuck work that day and refused al formed of cajoling. AT last the pounding became unearable and I decided to come out unrelieved. I did and the man at the top of the queue started to get in and at that very moment my bowel decided to answer my prayers. It sta rted to come out with such a force that I just pushed the aspirant and went inside and relieved myself. soiling my 'dhottee'in the process. I had to beseech the outsuders to run to my room and ask my sone to get a spare underpant quckly and they obliged(Bombaites normally do).When I almost snatched the underpant through the half open door and then meekly came out the soiled pant bndled,h a sheepish face not daring to look at anybody and almost ran to me quarters I could hear the peels and peels of laughter behind me.I may forget the state honour I received in service but not this ignomijy.


Taekkyun over Taekwondo?

First of all i am neither a Taekkyun or Taekwondo practicioner. I do San Soo kung fu.





Im just asking, how come that Taekkyun * the or one of the ancestors of taekwondo* has so much more technique than Taekwondo today?





If you look at Taekkyun vidoes on youtube and compare them with taekwondo you can see a big diffrence beetween the fighters.





So why dont the modenr doesnt keep this level of technique..it seems like the more the time went on..the more it became about just fancy kicks. According to what I see from the videos, there is also fancy kicks, but they also train in techniques, interceptions, takedowns etc. And the fighters are way smarter





Is it because that they train the traditional way? or something else?

Taekkyun over Taekwondo?
I've seen several Tae Kwon Do videos on Youtube too, and right now am watching a couple of Taekkyun videos. Very impressive stuff. (Now I wish there was a Taekkyun school in my area....) I can definitely see how it has influenced TKD; I recognize many of the striking techniques.





However, know that most of Youtube's TKD videos feature competitions, which mainly seems to go by point-sparring rules and/or Olympic-style TKD.


Nothing wrong with point-sparring, but I think that many TKD competitions have taken it to an extreme. It has become essentially a game of martial arts "tag," which I don't really like. And consequently, many other TKD schools train in that way because that's probably the mainstream.





Just to set the record straight, I have nothing against point-sparring... but I am not advocating continuous, hard-core full-contact sparring either. (that is another extreme to be just as wary of.) However, I believe that if the judges are going to award points for hitting/kicking someone, they should award points for GOOD hits, and not simply fancy technique. But that's apparently not what many judges do. Hopefully this will be changed after the TKD fad has passed and Olympic regulations lose their influence.





I don't know why the first TKD practictioners adopted only the striking techniques. And I will freely admit that this does limit TKD. However, many TKD instructors do try to incorporate Hapkido in their curriculum, which I think is a good idea.


I would also like to see more focus on the traditional aspects of Tae Kwon Do, such as the forms. ('Traditional' here is used a bit loosely, since TKD itself was founded about 60 years ago.)


I think the main problem, as detailed above, is the heavy influence of Olympic (sports) Tae Kwon Do, and TKD's immense popularity.





I can't tell you anything about Taekkyon, since I've never trained in it and heard about it just recently (from this question). But I think it may be more complex because it is more traditional, and less well-known (hence, harder to commercialize and bastardize).
Reply:I noticed that there is a lot less sparring nowadays then there was before mostly back then you got good at actuially doing it is more of a usiful body streanthaning danc juges wiil penalize you for not exacuting a move with grace even if you take the guy out.
Reply:Don't believe what you see on youtube. Tae Kyun is a far more primitive art than Tae Kwon Do. Tea Kyun training has value, but as a Martial Art, Tae Kwon Do is superior.
Reply:Considering Tae Kyun is one component of TKD.....





I looked at a couple of Tae Kyun videos...I found a full contact fighting video.....I could make out a bunch of judo type throws, and a couple Capoiera kicks.





I don't know about TK being primitive, it is the basis for most of Hwang Kee's Moo Duk Kwan kicking techniques.





In actuality, neither is better than the other. It's the skill of the fighters that makes the art look good or bad. An example, I'll use Bodler for this one. lol Bodler and I get into an actual street fight. San Soo vs. Moo Duk Kwan so to speak. Say I beat Bodler 2 out of 3 times in as many days. Does that mean MDK is better than San Soo? No, it just means for those three particular fights, I was better than him in two of them. Say we fight another 3 times a month from then, and he beats me 2 out of 3 times......again, he was on as a fighter and I was off...a reversal of before.





Anyway, enough of the example. lol





Tae Kyun is only a part of what makes up TKD and MDK. In fact, there is MDK in TKD as well. Has to do with a split years and years ago. If I am to believe what I've been told, the MDK I take was the one that split off.





I'm talking too long again. I just have one question, Bodler, what is your fascination with putting down Tae Kwon Do? In all the posts I've seen you make that involve TKD, you put it down in one way or another. What gives?


Help?........?

ok, me -n- my friends like 2 b all preppy about it, -n- we sing a little song


my friend dana, would go





MY NAME IS DANA, yeahh


IM FELLIN GROOVY, yeahh


MESS W/ ME, I KICK SUM BOOTY





((us, we go yeahh))


then mine would go





MY NAME IS JAKY yeahh


I AINT NO SNITCH, yeahh


BUT B A HATER, ILL B A *****





then after we all sing our little parts, we all go


BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN, WIND ME UP WHILE I DO MY TIHNG


I KNO KARATEE, I KNO KUNG FU, MESS W/ ME I MESS W/ U








now, i can think of any more of those!!


the ones where we say our names and stuff i mean


IF U SAW THE MOVIE JUMP IN, UD KNO WHAT IM TLKING ABOUT, THEY DO THAT IN THE MOVIE





so help me think of more plizzzz

Help?........?
My Name ain't really Ethol , yeah


And I ain't seen the movie, yeah


But don't mess with me anyway.





boom shak-locka-locka-boom


LOL~!

flowers gifts

What martial arts style is this?

I am self trained in the martial arts. I am use a traditional street fighting stance with both fists clenched. I attack the body using Tiger Style Kung Fu. I attack the head and slower style opponents with Praying Mantis Kung Fu. I grab the opponent using Hapkido techniques. I kick using low Muay Thai Kickboxing kicks. I combo using Jeet Kun Do techniques. I mainly attack using palms, backhands, and elbows. I switch stances based upon martial art and sometimes use Jeet Kun Do stance. I believe in the philosophy of Hwarangdo and Jeet Kun Do. What martial art is similar? Hwarango? Jeet Kun Do? Yunwharyu? Something else? Or is my combination style completely original?

What martial arts style is this?
Your style seems a bit original, but I study Ketsugo Jitsu (founded by Grand Master Roberto Kennedy) and we combine ten different arts in our style...so maybe what you are doing has been done....but I am very sure your combination is unique...you should try out a few school near, most offer a free class, or week so give them a shot go and watch classes, talk to students and teachers, maybe you can find out what in your style really works and what doesn't. Hope I could help...and good luck with you art...send me some video some time I am really curious about it.
Reply:More like mixed martial arts, you are focusing on the strengths of each style. Using just one style has its weaknesses and by being an all around fighter makes you more adaptable in any situation.
Reply:umm shouldnt jeet kune do not have a specific stance since its a philosophy on doing what works for you?





i dont think being self trained is a good idea though.





anyways its not a specific style you're using elements from different styles meaning you can call it vale tudo, mma, jeet kune do any art that pretty much says win with whatever you know
Reply:I think your putting too much into it rely on the kiss method taught to me in usmc bootcamp Keep it simple stupid, all those Chinese arts are good for competition and sparring but if you desire to really be able to defend yourself and fight learn some wresteling, Jujitsu/Judo mui thi and you will do much better also scrap the self teaching learn from a pro! If you can not fight on the ground in a streetfight or mma match your F*****!!!!!
Reply:Ok, you have combined techniques from a half dozen existing styles. How does that make it an original style? Mixing orange juice, apple juice, and cranberry juice might make a good drink, but it doesn't make a new fruit.





I believe every martial artist should strive to learn from different styles and use the techniques that are most effective for them while learning how to defend against their own weaknesses. In that you have done a good thing, but mixing techniques from different martial arts isn't an original idea, and that doesn't make it an original style. Overall the philosophy you describe is more like Jeet Kun Do, absorb what is useful.


Am i weird or cool?

Okay i live to train. all i do is train like by doing pushups,practiceing my kicks,punches etc. i do freerunning and im pretty good at it. i also do Kung-fu. so i jump around all the time and run up walls combineing my kung-fu with freerunning. so im basically a ninja. so is that weird or cool?

Am i weird or cool?
Its unusual, but very cool indeed... I classify cool things as things that are artistic, imaginative, and things that are talented and unique - in my view you do posess skillls that are northworthyly outstanding. So you are not weird - to me - you are the epitome and exemplar of greatness.... no lie.
Reply:DUDE, YOU'RE GAY Report It

Reply:dude shut the **** up just because your fat and probably havent ever had girlfriend before Report It

Reply:odd ball ODD
Reply:depends on how you approach it





example-Hey..I'm a ninja, what are you?


example-I enjoy working out in my free time
Reply:Dude, you're not basically a ninja, you are a ninja.





Say it ten times per day: I am a ninja. I am a ninja. I am...
Reply:It depends on how you look at yourself and how your friends and family look at you. Do they think you're a freak? Do your friends train with you, or are you a closet trainer?





You are propably a bit too intense to be cool, though.
Reply:Dude that is cool i hope you take it very seriously you sound like a young guy and fitness is very important for KungFu as speed is your best weapon.


As for being a Ninja i think you have a long way to go yet it takes years of training to master KungFu it is one of the most difficult arts to perfect and so many variations and styles within itself. If you want to call yourself a Ninja you should join a Nin-Jitsu or Ninja school apposed to KungFu.





Don't give up and keep training little dragon.
Reply:I know your type, basically because when I was younger, I was your type. Are you weired or cool? Umm, I'd say cool with a bit of eccentric thrown in. Just remember this ninja. If you hit num chucks (or however you spell it) off a tree, they will come back and slam you in the head. Good luck.
Reply:Wow! That sounds very cool to me!
Reply:that sounds cool......





now try that against someone and see how it goes
Reply:Your dedication is wonderful just make sure you have balance in your life. Bruce Lee was a great martial artist and trained intensely. Yet, he still found time for a wife and children. Sometimes he mixed his training into games with his kids.





So be dedicated but have a life as well. You'll be a lot happier in the long run.
Reply:THATS KICK ***


Answering Joshua M's question?

Ok first of all you should make your email adress able to be reached through here so its easier. Now as far as the Zui Quan goes it is very hard to find a school that teaches Zui Quan exclusivly and even harder to find one that knows what they are doing. I advise you do what I do. Get a good solid mix of martial arts one of them being Zui Quan. If you are willing to move you could come train where I do which its a little expensive due to how much property costs in florida but my instructor has one multiple world championships and is well versed in jujitsu , eagle claw kung fu, muy thai, zui quan, monkey kung fu, tiger claw kung fu, and a little bit in samurai sword fighting. However odds are you wont want to move so I would advise trying to find a good school that just features zui quan as one of their styles.





One thing I can't stress enough is that you should find a school that isnt in it for the money and is truly about the art. Also make sure they do realistic sparring

Answering Joshua M's question?
no comment.

Ladies' necklace

Shaolin Temple?

Hello all I have a question, please don't laugh. I study Shaolin Kung Fu and would like to know if it's possible to ever train with the monks at the Shaolin Temple in China. Also, can you give me some good workouts to do?


Thank you all for your answers

Shaolin Temple?
where do you live? are you anywhere in the n.y. area? cus you are there's a famous shaolin monk there(from the original shaolin temple) who founded the usa shaolin temple in the lower manhattan area, (who trained the wu-tang clans lol no kidding).


if you wanna train with the monks in shaolin china, it's possible but beware of the hundred's of shaolin schools at the foothills of the shaolin mountain in henan province. There's only 1 shaolin school(taught by the shaolin abbots) that 's recognized by the chinese gov't and there are alot of students from all over the world who currently trains there (long term). If you want to train inside the "shaolin temple" i dont think you can, cus they're reserved for the buddhist monks.





current address of u.s.a shaolin temple - east village, manhattan.





interms of workouts : try this book.


" The Shaolin Workout " - by Sifu Shi Yan Ming.
Reply:I just wanted to add that in order to train with them, you must live with them and that requires you to be Buddhist as well.





Good job with the warning, too, Big Spender. There are a lot of frauds when trying to find actual Shaolin/Shaolim. Report It

Reply:Try listening to Wu-Tang. They can teach you how to reach the 36th chamber.
Reply:I think I read somewhere...I have a strong impression that you can actually pay a sum to train with them for weeks/months. Sorry, not very helpful :-P
Reply:Here you go, this might help:


http://www.shaolins.com





It seems to answer your question about going overseas to train.





Do you want Shaolin Workouts or other style workouts? for Shaolin . .ask your Si-fu. For others . . . For strong legs, do squats - feet parallel and shoulder width apart. When you can do those easily enough, do single leg squats. At first, start by holding onto something for balance and then work your way up to no help single leg squats.


Straighten the leg (not the one you're doing the squat on) when going down and bend it when going up, making sure to keep your back straight and your eyes looking forward. This will help you with your posture.
Reply:It is possible to train with the monks at the Sui-Lum (Shaolin) temple.





Exactly what the particulars are though : I'm not sure to be honest. I've only ever trained with the monks that have come stateside to teach Siu-Lum and spread Chen Buddhism (one in NYC, and one in Houston).





Now, in terms of workouts....you should be asking your own Sifu about this. Being that he is your instructor, you should be asking for guidance.
Reply:i think it is possible youll have to search the web tho.


Is Karate and Taekwondo a style or system?

If you haven't had any previous martial arts training these names may go straight over your head.





The most important aspect of any form of learning is experience! Once you have gained substantial experience in martial arts you will come to the understanding that a name or look is a label or more normally referred to as a style.





However the more secretive side hidden behind a style is the awareness of timing, distance and execution of your kung fu tools achieving this has nothing to do with style. Therefore style no longer matters as you are working on a higher plain of thought called concept and principle. This level of understanding has to be built in a learning process of layering. We call this method "system".

Is Karate and Taekwondo a style or system?
"Style" and "System" can be used interchangeably in this regard. A system is a style and a style a system. The words have similar connotations here.
Reply:Is a matter of style. Taekwondo is concentrate in leg attack and karate is concentrate on fist and hand attack.
Reply:well it would be a style because it is a style of fighting ect..TKD is good with feet Karate is good with Hands
Reply:Look man, I do kyokushin karate, and we learn all that stuff you are talking about by doing something called full contact sparing, how the hell do you learn those things? You do kunf fu right? i knew i herd someone talking about it in Blitz magazine, well ofcource if you do kunf fu which is mostly forms and techniques you should be asking yourself what you are actually learning, believe me in karate or any other full contact sport you dont have to ask yourself this questions because when you do sparing you leanrn what works when it works and how far you need to be to make it work, how does kung fu teach it since i know most kung fu schools dont spar???
Reply:The titles that you ask about have far more to do with place of origin than specific discipline. Karate -Southern Japan, Taekwondo- Korea, Kung-fu-China.


I don't know what your distinction between system and style refers to but I do know that anyone who adheres to any traditional style no matter the level mastery will get his azz handed to him by even mildly skilled MMA practitioners.


-rj
Reply:If you think about it, fighting is fighting. The only difference between one style/system and another is what they focus on and what they call a move. TKD might call a kick a roundhouse, another style may call the same move a round kick.





Isshin ryu punches from the waist with the fist in a position like you'd shake hands. (knucles pointed to the side of body)





Moo Duk Kwan punches from higher up under the arm starting with fist palm up and twists to end the punch palm down.





But in a real fight, neither punch will actually be used as is taught in class. Some points in a fight, you may punch like MDK with the twist....twist causes the skin to tear and this would mainly be used for head shots. And other times you may use the Isshin ryu way when aiming for the solar plexes.





In reality, a punch is a punch and a kick is a kick. There are only so many different ways you can do either and still be effective.
Reply:They are both.





Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat.





By definition they are systems, and each system has a different style, tae kwon do's style focuses on kicking, and karate on punching.
Reply:style = system = martial art = fighting method they are the same thing same meaning different words
Reply:The problems with your presumptions begin with your use of a new (began in the 80s or so) martial arts term, "System," and applying it in retrograde to the past.


Karate is a system and a style, but if there are modern requirements put into what a "system" is, then Karate may or may not meet those requirements.


Karate, up to the 20th century, was one style, and split up recently into many styles. However, Karate is a full "Civil-Self-Defense" system, as it is referred to in it's most important book, The Bubishi.

art

Living / learning martial arts abroad for police work?

Hi there,





I have been saving for quite some time to go to asia and learn martial arts for at least a year. I am posting this on both yahoo answers, travellers point and a martial arts website to get a varied response.





I will have enough money to go to any asian country and learn martial arts for at least 1 year. I want to live there and become competent in an art so that i am prepared for police work when i return home. I also want to enjoy myself and have fun.





I originally wanted to go to china and learn kung fu, but i know that this would probably be quite an unsociable environment considering i like to travel, play guitar and perform poi etc. In other words i want to go somewhere that i can meet other fun young people. I would not be able to teach english or work in the schools i have found in china though which would suggest quite an antisocial lifestyle and no means of making money.





Then i thought about going to the Phillipines and learning Eskrima. This is quite popular with me as i have always wanted to go to the phillipines and i love the idea of living on a selection of islands with beaches nearby. I could teach english there (although not make much money) and i think it would be quite socialble with travellers coming and going. The down side to this is that eskrima is not necessarily an art that i am very keen on or feel i could put to use in policing.





Then another idea is to go to Thailand and learn muay thai. I have travelled around Thailand before and know from experience that the Thai people are amazing and that there is a large amount of young travellers that id get to know. I also know of training centres on the beaches and islands (which i would like to travel around) and would really really like to teach english to children. I could do all this here and it is probably the cheapest option as well.


The biggest problem is that the art isnt really defensive at all and therefore wouldnt really benefit me with my future career.





I am basically asking advise from anyone who has an opinion to help me out. Any suggestions are welcome and any feedback whatsoever is greatly appreciated.





My main criteria is


- learn a defensive martial art for use in a future role in the Police


- to have a good social life as i will be there a year, with other young people (and maybe some attractive young ladies)


- to teach english to children as i love children and think id really enjoy it


- live not too far from civilization.... i want to travel while im out there and do a tour of south east asia when i finish





Thankyou very much


Nick

Living / learning martial arts abroad for police work?
Have you considered the Riot police/senshusei course in Tokyo, Japan?





The Senshusei course is tough and gruelling 1-year full time aikido training course conducted annually at Yoshinkan Honbu dojo, Tokyo. Course participants, even those with aikido experience, begin studying with the basic movements and are quickly taught the syllabus of Yoshinkan Aikido's basic techniques. Instruction is in Japanese and English, and given by teachers who regularly invited for international tours. Course graduates typically earn their shodan before course completion if they have not already achieved the rank.





This course was originally created to train some of the Tokyo Riot police during a period of civil unrest in the early 1960's. A number of Tokyo Metropolitan Police still undertake this course every year, but it has been made available to non-police candidates since 1991. The senshusei course was made famous through the Robert Twigger novel "Angry White Pyjamas". Many of graduates of the program have gone on to teach and open Yoshinkan dojo in countries that include: Australia, Canada, Israel, Germany, Portugal, the UK, and the United States.





This course was previously referred to as the "Instructor's Course" but as the emphasis is more on learning, training and developing spirit than on learning how to instruct aikido and hance the name has been changed.
Reply:Sounds like a great opportunity! You mentioned China, and the Shaolin Temple in Hunan Province has just such a program. Personally though, if I had that same opportunity, I'd go to Tokyo and study a traditional Jujitsu (or Aikido) and Karate. (I hear the Shotokan place in Tokyo is hardcore) Tokyo is also supposed to be a fun town.
Reply:Go to Okinawa they have the oldest and I think the best rounded karates and on the island most speak English.
Reply:I just did what you are about to do. i finished high school and took a year off to study martial arts in asia. i was 10 months in northern china studying traditional shaolin kung fu and 2 months doing muay thai. personally the martial arts i did in china was a waste of time. the school turned out to be a major Mcdojo teaching no effective stuff just forms. if iwere to go to china i would go to taiwan where there are excellent wing chun schools. i reccomend that. now in thailand i went to chiang mai and trained with Kruu Pedro Villalobos and i got to say the way he teaches muay thai is second to none if you go to thailand yo should check his school in chiang mai. His school is Muay Thai Sangka very practical for self defense. i recommend Japan especially the riot police place the answer above me suggested. Phillipines is good cause Escrima and Kali are excellent self defense arts. Id even try korea to check out hapkido. Russia for systema and sambo. It is all up tp you and what you decide hope i helped and good luck it is hard at first but the people you meet make the experience unforgettable.
Reply:I'd go to Japan to learn either Aikido a style to divert attackers energy to resolve a situation peacefully alhtough it takes a while to learn. Daito Ryu Aikidos parent art or Hapkido in Korea. These arts are all related as Hapkido came from Daito Ryu as well
Reply:You don't say what country you're from, but if it's the USA, please reconsider your career choice. We've already got way too many cops here and a "cop" mentality that's destroying the culture.


But living in another country for a while is a great experience. I've spent time in Japan and it's an awesome place. Good luck.
Reply:several people have mentioned Jiujitsu and I agree. It teaches hold/locks that could be useful in that line of work.


Why aren't cops better trained in self defense techniques?

I have watched many police videos, and have seen several cops almost overpowered by suspects and an officer attacked and shot dead with his own gun. Granted, cops have MACE/pepper spray, batons, handguns, blackjacks, etc. But they cannot just shoot a suspect if they are unarmed. The officers have to subdue them hand to hand.





After seeing many martial arts classes in kung fu san soo, Krav Maga, Gracie style and other fighting methods, they are more than capable of using holds, arm locks, etc. to disable attackers with guns knives and physical strength of an opponent. I saw a video of the late Master Jimmy Woo who was attcked full force by guys bigger and tougher than he was, but he put them all down. Why aren't cops capable of disabling a powerful suspect with a matial art technique? Why aren't they trained better to disable an aggressive attacker? Sometimes it takes 2-4 officers to handle a rough neck. Any cops care to comment? Be careful and watch yourselves from bad elements.

Why aren't cops better trained in self defense techniques?
I work as a Corrections Officer in a maximun security prison. I have ten years of martial arts training that includes Gracie style ju jitsu. It's ignorant to assume that martial arts training FULLY prepares you for a real fight. Only real fights prepare you for real fights, because not everything happens the way you train for it, and that situation is one that officers want to avoid.





Having trained for so long, I would say I might be better prepared than some. As law enforcement officers, you often have to think about the appropriate use of force. Anyone knows that hesitation in dire straights leads to bad things, but our jobs could be on the chopping block as well as our lives. We cannot simply block the attack and break an arm with a hold. We have to JUSTIFY the force used. Lawsuits bad.





Plus, it's expensive to put an entire force through regimented tactical martial arts training. A sad but true fact that budget enters into the equation.





I, personally, have never been in or seen a demonstration where people were attacking "full force" and being defended as such. I would like to see if Tito Ortiz could defend himself against 4 armed men.
Reply:In some departments they are, now the use tazer guns. also some of the suspects are on Meth. and that's one drug that in many cases take several officers to bring a suspect down
Reply:Your Right
Reply:There are alot of bad guys that work out, alot. To expect every cop to be able to Bruce Lee every bad guy is not realistic. Add in PCP, meth etc and you can have your hands full.
Reply:It seems that once you're in, you're in. Why are so many cops so fat they couldnt get to their gun without shotting themselves. Why have cops lost all aspects of human relations? When is the last time a cop talked decently to you. They act like smartasses even if you are just asking for directions. Now all cops do not meet this criteria but more meet this criteria than I am comfortable with. Yes, martial arts would be great. Maybe they could arrest someone without beating them half to death. But who is going to make them do any of this training?
Reply:Every situation will vary from department to department, and in many cases its hard to say what an officer would, could or should have done in the heat of the moment. Many officers are trained in basic self defense, but few really go all out and get more advanced training, and many stay in shape better than others. Also another factor, is the person they might be trying to arrest, might be under the infulence of something and have to be overpowered. And many offenders who don't have a problem killing a cop, is someone with nothing to lose, but freedom. Also the fact that many offenders might be bigger than the officers, and this does play a big part. Yes, I am all for officers getting the best training possible in the areas of self defense and also having the best tools to assist them in their daily duties. This topic can go on and on, but I strongly feel that every officer does a thankless job, and they need all the support and funding they can get, to better, "Protect and Serve".
Reply:Most modern law enforcement agencies do train in hand to hand combat. In fact, many use the same guidelines our military use. But a glaring difference in your examples as related to real police work is that martial artists are just that, martial artists. (Not all, but most) And as such, they train daily. Law enforcement officers spend approximately 20% of the off duty time attending court, many have families which require their quality time and may are otherwise involved doing overtime work or who knows what? They live their lives much as anyone else does, they do a little personal work in ther spare time and they have some fun.





One of the best arguments in favor of the use of the Taser. A very efficient non-lethal method to subdue a suspect.
Reply:Being a firefighter, I've responded to some of these incidents.


Drug users are very, very, very, strong. Meth and PCP especially. Some of our police officers are not in shape. I even watched one police officer at the firing range blast a round through his holster, trying to draw it. (very funny)
Reply:TO BE HONEST, THE PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT. THEY ISSUE US A BATON AND WHEN JUSTIFIED, CAN STRIKE A PERSON WITH IT. TAKE THE SAME SCENERIO, BUT SAY WE CANT GET TO OUR BATON AND HIT THEM WITH A FLASH LIGHT..ITS CONSIDERED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE PUBLIC AND SUPREME COURT STATES THAT AN BATON IS MADE TO STRIKE AND A FLASHLIGHT IS NOT. ITS STUPID.





THEY ALSO PREACH LIABILITY ALMOST IN EVERY STATE. MOST STATES BAN OFFICERS FROM USING A CHOKE HOLD (MINUS CHOKING THE PERSON). MOST STATES ONLY WANT US USING PRESSURE POINTS WHICH DONT WORK ON ALOT OF PEOPLE OR PEOPLE ON SOME DRUGS. SOCIETY MAKES IT SO HARD BECAUSE EVERYTIME, A SUSPECT GETS HURT, ITS HOLLERED THAT THE POLICE ABUSED THEM.





NO GRANTED OVER THE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN ALOT OF ABUSIVE COPS AND STILL ARE SOME TODAY. BUT INSTEAD OF JUST PUNISHING THE ABUSIVE ONES (IF THEY DO THAT), THEY PUNISH EVERY COP BY PLACING MORE STIPULATIONS ON US. I NEVER HEAR THE PUBLIC CRY OUT TO THE SUPREME COURT OR MEDIA WHEN AN OFFICER IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILL...SO WHY IS IT DONE THE OTHER WAY AROUND. THATS LIFE AND I DEAL WITH AND AM STILL ABLE TO DO MY JOB.





I HAVE BEEN IN MANY SITUATIONS WHERE I HAVE HURT (EXTENSIVELY AT TIMES) AND I COULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF IT IF I RESORTED TO STREET FIGHTING TECHNIQUES, BUT THE COURTS AND SOCIETY LOOKS AT IT AS STREET VIOLENCE AND POLICE BRUTALITY. WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THOUGH, ILL DUE WHAT I GOT TO DO...HOPEFULLY.





THIS IS WHY SO MANY COPS DONT STAY IN THIS LINE OF WORK..NO COMMUNITY SUPPORT MAJORITY OF THE TIME. THEY EITHER LEAVE THE PROFESSION, COMMITT SUICIDE (SAD, BUT TRUE), OR ARE FIRED BECAUSE OF PUBLIC OUTRAGE.
Reply:they r prepared to fight...but they cant like beat ur *** with punches till ur bleading....they have a limit
Reply:Because it takes 10 plus years to be a martial arts master, and the police have to train a officer in less than 6 months to go out onto the streets.





Next they can not hit a suspect the ways martial arts people do, that would be excessive force and they would be sued.





And yes, to do an arrest, without using excessive force as viewed by the courts, it will take 3 or 4 officers.





And some poeple who are mental health, or on certain drugs, you can hit them with your ASP and they don't even notice it.


We had 6 officers trying to take down 1 man, they had to break his arm and a leg with ASPs before he fell to the ground, and even then he keep fighting.





Also with the large amounts of law suits, most officers hesitate, they don't strike first, so after the other person makes his first move, they are at the advantage.





I merely grabbed a suspect and pushed him against his car to cuff him, and I had a excessive force case filed against me.





Cops do not "fight" they are only to detain and arrest.
Reply:I don't think Master Jimmy Woo became a master studying for an hour a day, five days a week, for 6 months. It takes years of training to attain that level of skill.


Getting knuckles flattened from punching hard objects:?

I just learned that karate masters develop flat knuckles as a result of striking hard objects with their fists while doing their training and exercises. How does this affect the mobility of the fingers? Is this type of adaptation typical (or necessary) only in karate? or does this happen in other matial art styles like Muay Thai or Kung Fu?





The reason why I'm asking, is because I am very much interested in mma (specifically bjj, Muay Thai, Judo, or Escrima), but I am also a musician, playing different stringed instruments which requires flexibility and agility in my finger movements. Will I be forced one day to choose between martial arts and my musicianship? or is it possible to become proficient in mma while still retaining full use of the hands for playing the guitar and banjo and such?

Getting knuckles flattened from punching hard objects:?
There are safer ways of conditioning your fists. Your heart meridian runs across your knuckles and contant harsh impact impaires this meridian. Punch into a bowl of chick peas, press ups on your front two knuckles, then progress to one hand on knuckles, punch jab and body pads, punch bags and sparring with gloves on. Damaging your heart meridian will be costly later in life!!
Reply:i did this in a fight after a few days of icing them do some physical therapy on your knuckles, like bend your fingers through out the day just move it will help keep it loose and it will get better sooner!
Reply:Sunken knuckles have been a distinguishing mark of tavern thugs for more than a thousand years. You don't have to break stuff with your knuckles unless you're in a real fight. I suggest wearing those padded blue gloves when you practice punches.
Reply:I used to punch trees, phone books, fences, metal, and beans when I was in karate. It makes your hands very conditioned and tough but yea, you lose tons of dexterity. tons. Try this instead-slap and hit every surface of your hand against each other till they are red. You will get the same effect and for whatever reason you do not lose any mobility in your joints.
Reply:I've been doing Muay Thai for two years and I don't have any significant issues. My fingers are very clicky now, but nothing speed related. My two main knuckles are red 24/7 though.
Reply:This is a prime example of people that take what one person did, or one rumor, and blow it out of proportion. I have trained in Okinawan karate for 18 years now. We do not use the makiwara (striking posts) to cause callouses, break the knuckles, flaten them or anything like that. The makiwara is for learning proper body technique, so that when you punch you have your whole body supporting your attack. With proper technique, you do not need all that body mutilation.





Your concern for playing an instrument is another very good point why it is not done. First off, that is a tell-tale indication that you practice martial arts. So,if someone is confronting you they will be alerted to your knowledge. (I was once told the CIA motto is "Admit nothing, deny everything and accuse someone else" There is a lesson there.) Second, is you do any type of work with your hands, you can't afford to damage them, so dont. I play guitar aswell,and have no problems playing.


When ppl ask which martial arts style is "more effective"?

arent they really asking "which style can I be effective at in the least amount of time"?... then the forms argument... if you learn forms, you are adding things in your training that are not immediatley (if ever) effective for your fighting skill.... and you take class time away from "actual" fighting techniques to learn these.... I can imagine, that you could teach any style that has forms without them, to increase the "effectivness" , but it does take away from the "art", the reason MT is so effective (IMO) is that the entire class time is geared towards fighting, but if Kung Fu, Karate, or Tae Kwon Do, taught their art in the same mannor, then they would produce "better fighters faster", and remember that not all Martial Arts Practicioners want to fight... anyway, wanted some other thoughts

When ppl ask which martial arts style is "more effective"?
Good question and you make some good points.


Part of the point of Forms is to illustrate the application of the technique and also to simulate a fight and further illustrate the application of the moves. Just learning the blocks and strikes doesn't give the same "foundation" to work from. That's my opinion anyway, I know there are many arguments around the aforementioned.


Lastly and more importantly in my opinion is that MA is about WAY more then just fighting. It's about THE ART.


It's like saying why would I pay for hand painted art of a beautiful sunset when I could just go take a picture of one on my digital camera and print and hang that up?


Either one is fine and in the eye of the beholder. some want the hand painted some prefer the latter.
Reply:How fast your going to be effective has so many factors. Remember that there are 2 types of people, fast learners and slow. A slow learner is going to be slow, and a fast fast, as some folks take 10 years to get a BB in BJJ, yet some have made it in fast time.


Now take College wrestling. Alot of folks started in H.S. then go to College add 4 more years, now in a total of 8 max years you have the ability to fight in the ufc.


The ability to win a fight does not mean win in life, to many mix the 2 up. In life we see alot of folks that have it all, then we see those that do not. Have everyone start with 0, then see who is successful out of all the Martial Artists in life as people. Just a skill to fight can only go so far in life for most folks as not everyone is a champion. You need more, and that's the part of Martial Arts that should be taught more. Or else when you lose fights due to a lack of the killer instinct or whatever, you will feel that Martial Arts has nothing for you. Fact is it has something for everyone. Just as with people, some are prejudiced thinking theirs is better , till they lose.


Martial Arts should be a way of life and that way should help you build a better life. Self Defense is the road to a better and safer life in my opinion.
Reply:Chuck





From a fighting perspective i agree.





BUT as for myself, I did not join the MA just to fight, I joined to make is a way of life and you cannot make fighting a way of life, sure you can make a living and money from it but not a way of life.





With Martial arts, the kata and its bunkai and history, and especially the BUDO of Karate and the way they live their lives is more important to me than fighting all the time. I think that is why MANY choose the styles because it is just not an ALL fighting place of learning.





You can get that from boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, kyokushinkai and others. Karate, Kung fu and the other traditional styles DO produce good fighters but they do not FOCUS on just fighting or producing a good fighter. They focus on creating a better person with better morals, compassion and self discipline.





That kind of teaching is rarely taught in an all fighting school. Now there is nothing wrong with that, it comes down to your reasons for wanting to be in it to beging with. I kickboxed for four years and had plenty of fighting. i now prefer my Kenpo and Shotokan for its BUDO more than its fighting.





I hope that makes sense to you. I agree with what your saying but that is why some choose what they do as i have.
Reply:What is important is whether you truly know your art. If you know the movements but don't know what they mean, then you are wasting your time and money.





You might as well just go to a boxing gym.
Reply:Well yeahm, the main reason why MT has such strong fighters is because they fight, full resistance, not only does this give them the great physical stamina but also it gives them the mental edge over fighters, the mentality to take a hit and to cope under pressure, this is the main things that seperate MT from other arts, MT doesnt have many techniques and the techniques are basic anyway but its the way it is practiced that makes all the difference





Although I have to point out that traditional Muay Thai has the training but also alot more techniques to it includeing grapling, but most people refer to the sport like MT
Reply:A martial artist asks : Why practice forms?


A soldier asks: Why march?





The answer is the same - to learn. The forms teach the fundamentals, the very essence, of the art. They were written to help students memorize the basics of a specific art. In addition, they teach discipline and focus, both of which are neccessary for a good fighter. Forms are the blueprint of a battle plan, not the battle plan itself.

plants flowers

Expert and WISE Martial Artists help me out please. I need your advice?

Just lastnight i was threatened by 6 guys, all 6ft 2 and above. That they will come and beat the living daylights out of me.





All my life i have been in situations where there are many people against me alone. I really am so sick of it.





I am a peace loving person. But there are situations, where i need to fight. At one time, there was a gang of 20 teens beating up a 10 year old. I had to do something. I shouted at them stopped them (without a fight), however i was scared if they did end up attempting to hurt me.





I do weight training and am meduim built. Many consider that intimidating enough as an "image" for the opponent to give up.Thats fine. But i need to ask you experts out there. what kind of martial art do you reccomend i pick up on? What art teaches self defense against more than 1 opponent? Is there any out there?





I have done a bit of Kung Fu (only the first belt). But that was 5 years ago. I want to start again, but this time, serious and committed. Help me

Expert and WISE Martial Artists help me out please. I need your advice?
Reality time. If you can't beat up one person, you DEFINITELY can't beat up two.





As such, there is no legitimate unarmed way to take on many opponents, it will be a mess and you'll get hurt. The best plan I've heard of so far, is to take them out one at a time as quickly as possible, and starting with the ringleader.





However, you're not going to learn how to fight quickly, it takes time, so keep that in mind. Don't buy the snake oil, many people will tell you all about esoteric arts with funny names, but if they worked, you'd have seen video. The only way to get skill is to train and test.





That said, for purely standup fighting, Boxing, Kickboxing and Muay Thai seem to be the best bets, as they have been shown time and time again to work in real life and in the ring.
Reply:Most styles will teach you how to defend against multiple attackers... However I don't recommend it, it's not like in the movies... People seem to get into Krav Maga for that sort of thing.
Reply:While you can train to fight against more than one person, you're more than likely to lose. If you've been in scraps or seen stuff go down you know this. So, better to avoid and go on living your life with a little blow to your ego than winding up crippled or dead. In all truth, carrying a weapon is the best way to deal with multiple attackers, but of course that escalates the situation.
Reply:The best you can do for self defense is san soo kung fu..second is Jeet kune do or wing chun..I would say jujitsu but thats good only in one on one situations..because if your on the ground with somebody and the whole gangs comes at you while your fighting in the ground..your in trouble.
Reply:holy cow. I feel real bad for ya man. my advice is going to be far different from any body else.


in a group setting you need to separate them. so run, the one that gets to you first gits hit with a baton(one of the expendable ones you can carry in your pocket.). you can keep doing this until they get the point or a cop shows up. you never want to engage multiple people toe to toe, ever. This is a case I say use a weapon. and separate them. I love martial arts but in this situations you need more than fists feet and grappling. carry one of those batons(I can't think of the name of it right now) and aim a committed attack at the legs, arms or ribs, but you never want to over commit. Kung fu may be one of the best for this situations for weapons also so will jeet kune do because of its use of Kali, the philipeano stick fighting
Reply:To be completely honest, you should choose not to fight that would be my best answer, however to answer your question, I would go with Muay Thai, simply because you can take out oponents very fast and the blows are hard enough that they would either be affraid to continue or not get up. As far as multiple oponents go only in the movies would you see something like that work. If you are being attack my multiple oponents chances of winning are very slim to none, but if you can effectively knock the first guy out the rest of the oponents would mostly stop in their tracks, unless they have weapons, such as guns or knives.
Reply:I would suggest Ba-Gua as being the most effective for multiple foes, that is what it was designed for. It is also an art that you can use even when you are elderly, I will turn 50 this year and I can easily take on 4 people, my instructor can take on 7 or more, and not like in the movies where they come at you one at a time. It is designed to cause effective damage with each blow,every punch is also a block and every block is a punch,every step comes with a blow and every blow comes with a step. With more than one opponent you only have time to strike each person once or twice, and you must made sure that they dont get up to come back at you, Ba-Gua Zhang does that for you VERY well. Most of the kicks are below the waist or knees where they are most effective. There is no wasted time or movement. I have studied Judo, TKD since the 60s and have studied Ba-Gua since 2000 and have found it to be the most complete art that I have ever seen. Most energy will be spent in training not in fighting,in that in a fight if you break a sweat then you are doing something wrong. One year of Ba-Gua is equal to 2 years of Long Fist (Shaolin). EVERY move in Ba-Gua has more than one function there are no wasted movements or moves to impress someone. Every style can work for 1 to 3 people but Ba-Gua will allow you to defend against 2 to 3 times as many and use half the energy. It will be well worth finding an instructor in your area and watch a class or two, some Tai-Chi instructors know Ba-Gua. If there are no instructors in your area then for more than one foe I would suggest Aikido, though it is more defensive in nature than Ba-Gua. Good luck I hope this helps!!
Reply:Gun, Foo! Bring a knife! Roll with a crew! RUN! Common sense and a fighting spirit are swords that never dull. If you grew up in the 'hood, these things would come naturally.





It is difficult to find a traditional MA that doesn't require you to defend against 6 people at once for about 1 minute.





BUT, if you're buff enough, self-defense will never be a problem, so....





If you MUST fight, first you must have a good lot of weight training to give you strength beyond normal people. Get your bench press up to 400 and squat too. Curl 210, deadlift thrice your weight. Grip strength enough to crush an apple. Now, people will straight up run away from ya and whoever doesn't, you can pick up and slam on their head. For self-defense, develop a freak low kick with your good leg no matter what MA u'r into. You'd be suprised at the damage an elbow can do, also.
Reply:There are many good Martial Arts to choose from. If you want to be able to take on multiple attackers, pick a striking rather than grappling style. The name of the style doesn't matter, the quality of the school does. Find a good school in your area %26amp; get started.
Reply:In ITF Taekwondo, to move up to black belt 1st dan, you must spar against more than one opponent in the grading. But it would take 4-5 years to get up to that standard, with some serious training. To be honest, this isn't the short term solution you're looking for; ITF TKD would train you to fight more than one opponent if you work hard enough.
Reply:Even if a martial art has a training time dedicated to fighting multiple opponents, it isnt fighting it is sparring. what you face is infinitely worse, and there isnt much you can do to fortify yourself against it. adrenaline will cripple most training anyway. you must rely on knowing what to aim for and what moves will work under stress of adrenaline.





knee kicks are gross motor techniques and work just like running works. they are simple, yet not easy, but simple. if you aim for soft spots like knees, throats or eyes you take away the opponents mobility, breathing, sight. and you can move on or run off.





it is easy to drop a few people through not sparring with martial arts, but attacking vital points on the body.





always fight fast, violently.


keep charging forward to force your attacker to back off and have no power.


the list goes on. I have PM you.
Reply:Multiple attcker scenarios are some of the worst you may have to face as a martial artist and fighter, and I believe there is no definitive answer on how to survive these types of attacks. I agree with what some of the above posts said about real life being much different than in the movies. In the movies, multiple attackers will often attack one at a time. However, as you know this is not how things transpire in the real world. The best thing that you can do is to choose a school that covers realistic situations as best as possible. This may be difficult, but look around your area and see what is available.





Jim M.
Reply:In Tae Kwon Do, we do "Advanced One-Steps" and Forms depicting a confrontation with multiple opponents. We also Circle Spar, and sometimes have 3 or 4-on-1 battles. Gets kinda interesting, especially for Black Belts!
Reply:Try Kajukenbo. It is a strretfighting style that deals with multiple attackers.
Reply:When it comes to multiple attackers, you need to think "strategy", and the best strategy is not to be there. Dont ever go after or pursue a group of guys or thugs or whatever. If your running into situations where they are more than one aggressor you really need to use your head for something other than a punching target. Dont be out alone thinking that your "image" will always get you by. It is difficult enough for a person to devise strategies against one opponent, it takes years of quality training. And dont be suprised when your years of training bring you to the conclusion that it is much better to walk away alive than to walk into something as unpredictable as a street confrontation, There is no substitute for correct information and knowledge, Buy a cell phone, call the cops and get the hell away! Be prepared in advance, think "intelligently" not "egotistically" A proud uncontollable ego will put a person in a serious predicament in the streets, Its a recipe for disaster. If you see people beating someone up, Yell something like "the cops are here!! the cops are coming!! actually call them, and get away.