even KARATEKAS can fight back...

[Nit]

Originally posted by Thai Bri
ps - Karate vs TKD does not prove a thing. Go into a tournament with a Thai Boxer, or a grappler. I'll send you grapes, just tell me which hospital you're in.

At this moment in time I really believe that my Karate vs anything other than a small kitten will end in my defeat.

Actually not sure about the kitten, they have claws and bite you know!

[Ox Lion]

Fighters self belief and optimism, what a wonderful thing!

[Thai Bri]

Originally posted by Ox Lion
I study Shukokai karate but i am looking for a Thai Boxing gym (Not just from Thai Bri's advice, but thanx) so i can study it ASWELL as karate. Sure you could say there's no point in training both at the same time, but i think it'd be an interesting mix to have. Besides I've been taught a little Thai by my main sensei, he must be a big fan of it because at the end of a lesson he approached me and started teaching me these knees (ones you'd never use in karate) and i thought the knees would be rather useful close up on and off the street.

Why mix two striking styles? Mixing a striking style with a grappling style is far better and will make you a much more rounded Martial Artist.

[ryanhall]

Now I am trying to essentially create a S.O.M.A so that all the weak artists can come together and develop a proficient and acceptable self defence system (if we are able to spot our failings), I think this is really leading down the shinto ryu path. Modern day self defense doesnt seem to be just about combat anymore

To be honest, I wouldn't recommend this. There are very reputable self-defense methods out there, and they were created by people who really do/did know thier stuff. Real world experience is a must if you want to teach self-defense. Your best bet would be to improve yourself as much as you can, not attempting to create something when you may or may not have the resources necessary to do it properly.

Also, self-defense is definitely about combat. It doesn't stop with physical fighting, but that is certainly a part of it.

[Metsunami]

...

Nit, what belt in karate are you and what style...personally i am in Karate and have won many a challenge...I might have taken this wrong or i might not have...but are you saying that basically Karate is bad?...or are you saying that at the moment you aren't very skilled in it...or both...I also remember someone saying that Karate is no longer for self-defense but self-empowerment and vanity follows that...in many cases that is very true but it's not just Karate any martial artist could be vain about their skills...Oh, and Ryanhall most people at my age don't know very much about martial arts but considering all of my friends are also martial artists of different styles and their parents are too...I tend to learn a lot out of different styles of martial arts...

[Thai Bri]

Re: ...

Originally posted by Metsunami
Oh, and Ryanhall most people at my age don't know very much about martial arts but considering all of my friends are also martial artists of different styles and their parents are too...I tend to learn a lot out of different styles of martial arts...

Yes. Come on Ryan. The guy has an excellent point!















He just hasn't made it yet. "So do their parents" Haw haw haw!

[ryanhall]

personally i am in Karate and have won many a challenge

Dude, you're fifteen years old. Please. I refuse to believe that you have fought anybody halfway decent--it's really not possible. You're not even full-grown. Post again in ten years and then tell us of your exploits.

Every one of your friend is a martial artist with martial artist parents, eh? Unless you are acquainted with the Gracies or some other famous martial arts family, I find this unlikely. I suppose that they are all former champions who possess unlimited stores of martial knowledge as well?

I'm sorry, but I find it very challenging to take you seriously.

[platinum_angel]

dumb:lizard
dumber:metsunami
dumberer:bush supporters

[Szczepankiewicz]

PA,

are you even old enough to vote yet?

[Nit]

Re: ...

Originally posted by Metsunami
Nit, what belt in karate are you and what style...personally i am in Karate and have won many a challenge...I might have taken this wrong or i might not have...but are you saying that basically Karate is bad?...or are you saying that at the moment you aren't very skilled in it...or both...I also remember someone saying that Karate is no longer for self-defense but self-empowerment and vanity follows that...

Met, belts are irrelevant, they only show a relative estimation of your ability, once you hit Dan (or Sue) then it shows that you are physically able to start practising your art at a realistic and practical level. How can I put it, when you are going through the belts you are training your body and learning the principles of your art, once you complete that you then start to learn and practise properly. Anything you learned up to that point may well be useful and you may well be good at it, but now is the time to understand why and improve it more (like a professional athlete would).

I have won challenges, I have lost challenges.... When I lost challenges was when I realised that my personal martial art was not really that useful after all, seeing as I lost and all. That meant I re-evaluated what was wrong and tried to improve it.
And then I started to win some because I was improving.

My point is that Karate has changed focus in our modern society, it's less and less about practical fighting and more about promoting self awareness and sporting ability. And because it is / was the 'popular' form of self defense in the west there are an awful lot of people ot there teaching watery versions. My club included.

Also that was my comment about vanity... I think I said it wrong, I meant that in an art which teaches you skills and ability which is not practised and is not very effective and you get those people (usually teenage boys I've noticed) that have great ability and can do it in a dojo, but then they go out on the street thinking that their 'not bad' in a scuffle and go and get mugged raped and murdered. (Erm I re-read that and I can't find where I left my grammar )

Also Ryan...
My apologies I was unclear (comes from posting at work) I my self personally am not forming a SOMA, my club and all the other local clubs are agreeing to use a particular dojo through the week, we are then 'sharing' students in seminars etc, and we are also inviting other known artists etc. This is an agreement between all chief instructors, although I am handling some of the paperwork fall out.

There are many of us with real world experience, but we all realise that indiviualy we need to grow to be greater than our arts in order to become a 'good' martial artist... this is because we recognise that our respective clubs are quite weak in various area and complex in technique. There is no alternative where I live other than to try to build a SOMA so that newcomers can get a taste of what is good in what club. eventually each club becomes stronger from the constant re-inforcement of our failures and strengths.

I won't be teaching what I don't know, and I won't be modifying what I teach until I learn it. I certainly dont' want to get to a point where I am making up my own self defense art: NitSu Buaya Ryu. that would be silly.

Oh and yes I agree about the self defense comment you made too. I feel that self-defense (esp in UK) starts a long time before a punch is thrown in anger.

Hlth

[Metsunami]

...

Met, belts are irrelevant, they only show a relative estimation of your ability, once you hit Dan (or Sue) then it shows that you are physically able to start practising your art at a realistic and practical level.

I am sorry Nit about the belt thing, i think you got me wrong on that part i was actually curious about your belt it was kind of oblivious to the rest of the post. And your very right that the belts are irrelevant i believe too to the fullest although some don't, oh well for them.

[jubaji]

Originally posted by Thai Bri


Why mix two striking styles? Mixing a striking style with a grappling style is far better and will make you a much more rounded Martial Artist.

Loads 'o beer is makin' me a pretty round Martial artist

[Metsunami]

...

Well there's another common thing Ryan...I figured you wouldn't take me seriously, because almost no one does... but that's typical...

[platinum_angel]

Originally posted by Szczepankiewicz
PA,

are you even old enough to vote yet?

will be in time for the election why?

[Szczepankiewicz]

Pray tell...get a clue before you vote eh?