Time to chill out.

[Richard Kerr]

I have trained in many disciplines they are roughly as follows;

1.Shaolin Kung Fu.3 years of lessons from Sifu and a Master.1982
2.Judo.3 months of lessons from a coach.1985
3.Shaolin Kung Fu.18 months of lessons from Sifu and a Master. 1990
4.Western boxing.6 months sparring and lessons from a coach.1995
5.Thai boxing.12 months lessons from a hard as nails full contact fighting instructor.1996
6.Full contact kickboxing. 3 years of lessons from a former full contact Europeon champion.1998
7.Sepoy Karate.3 years competion and also lessons from a black belt 2nd dan 3rd dan and 4th dan teacher.1998
8.Chinese boxing.3 years of fighting in freestyle kickboxing competitions and learning from a Shaolin Kung Fu Master.2003
9.Shaolin Kung Fu.six years as student and disciple to a Master that has now become a Grand Master.2003
10.Teaching Shaolin Kung Fu now for 1 year.Today

All of these I believe to be physically demanding though the ones that have made me feel the fittest are boxing and kickboxing. Why maybe I will never truly know. All I know for certain is that in the past I have focussed to much on physical fitness and never really achieved a great deal in the martial arts over my years of punishing endurance. My energy levels were highest when I trained merely for fitness and health. Kickboxing and Thai boxing gave me alot of confidence, also strength, power, and stamina.

One thing I know is that at the age of 29 now I need to chill out a bit more. So I now do bag work, weights, Shaolin Kung Fu and a bit of Yoga. Is this a good combination?

[Tom Yum]

I have trained in many disciplines they are as follows;

1.Shaolin Kung Fu.
2.Judo.
3.Western boxing.
4.Shaolin Kung Fu.
5.Full contact kickboxing.
6.Thai boxing.
7.Sepoy Karate.
8.Chinese boxing.

All of these I believe to be physically demanding though the ones that have made me feel the fittest are boxing and kickboxing. Why maybe I will never truly know. All I know for certain is that in the past I have focussed to much on physical fitness and never really achieved a great deal in the martial arts over my years of punishing endurance. My energy levels were highest when I trained merely for fitness and health. Kickboxing and Thai boxing gave me alot of confidence, also strength, power, and stamina.

One thing I know is that at the age of 29 now I need to chill out now a bit. So I now do bag work, weights, Shaolin Kung Fu and a bit of Yoga. Is this a good combination?

You listed shao lin kungfu twice.

Nothing wrong with learning an art to be functional with it and staying in shape. Why try to be famous?

[thescottishdude]

how long have you spent doing each of those arts? I know that to be really good at a single art you'r looking at 4 years minimum. if you're 29 then that averages to only about 2 or so years per art?

Yeah, doing yoga can really help with kicking. Especially for kung fu which |i found that most of the kicks were to the legs/stomach.

[Tom Yum]

One thing I know is that at the age of 29 now I need to chill out now a bit. So I now do bag work, weights, Shaolin Kung Fu and a bit of Yoga. Is this a good combination?

There are some folks here in their mid 30's who have had their first pro-fights and have done well. Even a gentleman in his 40's who is looking to compete, so I wouldn't 'think' too much of your age.

[Jones]

u shud of just learnt BJJ instead of all that innit.

[Richard Kerr]

how long have you spent doing each of those arts? I know that to be really good at a single art you'r looking at 4 years minimum. if you're 29 then that averages to only about 2 or so years per art?

Yeah, doing yoga can really help with kicking. Especially for kung fu which |i found that most of the kicks were to the legs/stomach.

I have trained in many disciplines they are roughly as follows;

1.Shaolin Kung Fu.3 years of lessons from Sifu and a Master.1982
2.Judo.3 months of lessons from a coach.1985
3.Shaolin Kung Fu.18 months of lessons from Sifu and a Master. 1990
4.Western boxing.6 months sparring and lessons from a coach.1995
5.Thai boxing.12 months lessons from a hard as nails full contact fighting instructor.1996
6.Full contact kickboxing. 3 years of lessons from a former full contact Europeon champion.1998
7.Sepoy Karate.3 years competion and also lessons from a black belt 2nd dan 3rd dan and 4th dan teacher.1998
8.Chinese boxing.3 years of fighting in freestyle kickboxing competitions and learning from a Shaolin Kung Fu Master.2003
9.Shaolin Kung Fu.six years as student and disciple to a Master that has now become a Grand Master.2003
10.Teaching Shaolin Kung Fu now for 1 year.Today

Just because I stopped having lessons doesn't mean I stopped practicing so the four year thing cannot be applyed to an amount of time being taught but can be applyed to amount of practice required to perfect or Master certain Martial Arts techniques. However what takes one individual 4 years to Master may take another 4 minutes to Master. It all depeneds on who is teaching and who is learning also.

Four years is a very rigid amount of time to state and I know quite alot of atheletes that I could turn into fighters in about two years or less. On the other hand I know quite alot of brainiacs that may never be fighters but understand and memorise the theory behind mind blowing mind chemistry formula and energy forluma also but struggle to remember simple Kata or form.

Everyone is different so to state that it takes four years to become good at most Martial Arts is a bit to rigid a statement from a Martial Artists point of view. You could teach a very keen student one Kata and they may practice it every day for four hours and after 3 months be better than their teacher at that particular Kata but not understand or be able to apply those techniques.

That isn't all it takes to be a good exponent of Martial Arts anyway, actually it takes devotion, receptiveness,a good attitutude, sanity, quite alot of money unfortunately, a good honest instructor, good sparring partners and practice of course. Not just four years of lessons.

Sorry but you pushed a button and that was my reaction. As of late I don't really consider myself to be a well disciplined person which is why Shaolin Kung Fu forms are very hard for me. I have trained hard most of my life though and believe that it takes a certain type of person to be a good Martial Artist or Martial Arts teacher.

Faith in your chosen discipline is an essential ingredient though, and this is one thing that is important from the start of your training. Oh that and respect for your chosen teacher and fellow students of course.

[Tom Yum]

Four years is a very rigid amount of time to state and I know quite alot of atheletes that I could turn into fighters in about two years or less. On the other hand I know quite alot of brainiacs that may never be fighters but understand and memorise the theory behind mind blowing mind chemistry formula and energy forluma also but struggle to remember simple Kata or form.

Ain't much of a braniac here, but I can still recall some forms I learned 10 years ago.

Everyone is different so to state that it takes four years to become good at most Martial Arts is a bit to rigid a statement from a Martial Artists point of view. You could teach a very keen student one Kata and they may practice it every day for four hours and after 3 months be better than their teacher at that particular Kata but not understand or be able to apply those techniques.

I understand what you are saying. Experience that comes with time and the thoughts from that experience teach how to apply.

[Richard Kerr]

Ain't much of a braniac here, I can still recall some forms I learned 10 years ago.



I understand what you are saying. Experience and thought teach you how to apply those katas.

Did you read my view in your journel?

[Tom Yum]

Did you read my view in your journel?

I did. Thanks for posting, Richard!

Your advice was sound and thoughtfull.

[Richard Kerr]

I did. Thanks for posting, Richard!

Your advice was sound and thoughtfull.

Good I am glad you enjoyed reading it.
Do any of the Martial Artists on these Forums share their Koans or Poetry?
If so where can I find them as I find them interesting especially when they are relavent to developement in Martial Arts or just plain phylosophical genious.

[Tant01]

Good stuff and fun!

I have trained in many disciplines they are roughly as follows;

1.Shaolin Kung Fu.3 years of lessons from Sifu and a Master.1982
2.Judo.3 months of lessons from a coach.1985
3.Shaolin Kung Fu.18 months of lessons from Sifu and a Master. 1990
4.Western boxing.6 months sparring and lessons from a coach.1995
5.Thai boxing.12 months lessons from a hard as nails full contact fighting instructor.1996
6.Full contact kickboxing. 3 years of lessons from a former full contact Europeon champion.1998
7.Sepoy Karate.3 years competion and also lessons from a black belt 2nd dan 3rd dan and 4th dan teacher.1998
8.Chinese boxing.3 years of fighting in freestyle kickboxing competitions and learning from a Shaolin Kung Fu Master.2003
9.Shaolin Kung Fu.six years as student and disciple to a Master that has now become a Grand Master.2003
10.Teaching Shaolin Kung Fu now for 1 year.Today

All of these I believe to be physically demanding though the ones that have made me feel the fittest are boxing and kickboxing. Why maybe I will never truly know. All I know for certain is that in the past I have focussed to much on physical fitness and never really achieved a great deal in the martial arts over my years of punishing endurance. My energy levels were highest when I trained merely for fitness and health. Kickboxing and Thai boxing gave me alot of confidence, also strength, power, and stamina.

One thing I know is that at the age of 29 now I need to chill out now a bit. So I now do bag work, weights, Shaolin Kung Fu and a bit of Yoga. Is this a good combination?

Where is your esoteric weapon based art? Shaolin KF teach some edged dicipline?

Thanks! you seem well rounded enough if you had a bit of grappling to add to your Judo I might be scared of you?

[Tom Yum]

Where is your esoteric weapon based art? Shaolin KF teach some edged dicipline?

Thanks! you seem well rounded enough if you had a bit of grappling to add to your Judo I might be scared of you?

Tant, Richard is the guy with those styles - not me.

[Tant01]

Tant, Richard is the guy with those styles - not me.

Yeah I'm sorry, got a bit confused at first, sent him a PM to apologize!
My bad!

[Hardball]

But, have you ever been in a REAL fight?

[Richard Kerr]

Tant, Richard is the guy with those styles - not me.

Now I'm getting confused. How did you know Tanto was refering to you? He didn't actually type your name.