More than a few of you are aware that I manage the martial arts blogging community Ontoplist. You can see the community here. What some of you may not know is that the folks at Toplist have made some significant behind-the-scenes technical changes to the site. During the changes some of you may have been accidentally deleted. If so, please consider re-joining.
Also know that I’ve been in contact with someone from Toplist. As soon as the technical changes are done he promises some sort of help section (most likely an FAQ) and an interactive community section. This community section will have “featured bloggers” who wish to help out with the community. In all likelihood it sounds like I may be one of these featured bloggers.
It’s also worth noting that their recent technical changes have resulted in an increase in sign-ups and a higher ranking in Google searches.
Since redesigning stuff, we have over 150% more new signups daily.
Lastly, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for how they can improve their site please let me know. I have one of their administrator’s e-mail addresses and will be happy to relay your feedback to him. You can post your comments as a response or just e-mail be directly at bpatterson67@comcast.net.
Women are taking a more active role in the organization and operation of the sport. They don’t just fight and train other fighters. They run gyms, judge bouts, manage, promote and set policy.
On 18 June, the players of the National Karate Team, who are also members of the Al Ahli Club performed a special display of karate at the Play and Compete Interactive Stage.
I never saw the first Iron Monkey but it sounds like number two is a stinker.
The production is low grade. Fight scenes are poorly choreographed and it’s like every shot is filmed in close up. You can barely make out what the heck is going on. The dialogue is ridiculous, even for kung fu movie standards.
In the age of ultimate fighting and mixed martial arts, Sharkey is like a character out of “Karate Kid” — a traditional martial artist who believes the popular mixed martial arts and Ultimate Fighting Championship fights are done by “a bunch of thugs.”
Garcia said he will be competing in two different forms of matches. He will be point sparring (think Karate Kid) which focuses more on technique. And he will also compete in full-contact fighting that features three, two-minute rounds where fighters go for a knockout. If the fight does not end in a knockout or a stoppage five judges will decide on a winner.
‘I readily agreed because it is a lifetime offer to work in the mega movie’ Ramesh noted. In the movie, the heroine learns karate from the hero. ‘While the hero Rajnikanth already knows these steps, I had to coach the heroine and her friends’ Ramesh claimed.
47 and blind! This guy passes his black belt test! (note that this black belt took four years!)
Sanchez, 47, stood next to his 10-year-old son, Timothy, and the rest of his class as both were awarded black belts by Villari’s martial arts studio, in Southington, after four years of work.
Officially called the American Cane System, cane fu fighting is catching on at retirement homes and martial arts studios across the nation. In the process, the classes are helping to transform canes from a sign of physical decline into one of empowerment.
From the blogs:
- Black Belt Mama has a new blog theme to match her recently earned black belts!
Euphoric.
That’s how it feels to have testing finally over with.
A little while ago Sensei told us about an Okinawan friend of his; a 104-year-old man who has been practicing karate for most of his life. When Sensei asked him his secret to longevity and good health he answered “vegetables, chess, sanchin”.
- Marks has a nice post on how to develop striking speed.
Speed during punching and the best way to develop it seems to be top in people’s minds at the moment.
- Ross is featuring a story about some fellow who has ran at least a mile, every day, for 40 years straight!
Mark Covert has run a mile or more every day for over 40 years.
The videos:
I did not realize that being annoying could also be a form of self-defense.
A typical day in the Patterson home. (we have four cats!)
I about had a heat stroke filming this but I finally got Tan Tui (aka 12 springing legs) on video. I’ve only learned up to 10 and after reviewing the footage I can see I have lots of work ahead. Anyhow, it ain’t pretty but here it is!
Problems:
Bow & arrow stance not deep enough
Horse stances mostly suck
Long fists not long enough
Long fists not lined up
I’m a long way away from “exploding” with power
Need to torque the waist more for power punching
Kick retraction pauses should have toe pointing down
Hook-hand should flow to punch
Not sure if I did #10 right so I improvised
In general Tae Kwon Do training is still getting in the way
The only slack I’ll cut myself are these: 1) I’ve only been at it for about three months and 2) The backyard is as rough as a corncob–very hard to keep balance on a lumpy surface.
Bottom line: I need to increase my out-of-class practice time.
