Random Thoughts of Members (anything goes...well with in forum rules)

[Darth Justicar]

Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. He's definitely doing a 360 spin in that gif. And I appreciate the vote of confidence.

I live by the rule

Time + consistency = success

I'm going to attack this like I attacked modding my helmet: slowly and in tiny pieces.  First step was to bring back a VERY, VERY dusty old skill.  I had ballet when I was very little (5 or 6 years old), and learned how to spot during a spin.  Going to work with that for a while to make sure I'm good with it, and then after that, start trying to get in the air.  I'm not going to dare attempt the jump and saber maneuver together until I feel very good with both AND I step up to it gradually.  The effect on my balance is something I want to make sure I get used to slowly.

[Vivectius]

I was inspired to actually practice with my katana for the first time since the house fire.

My arms are sore and doing iaijutsu with your left hand is difficult.  But, the necessity of not cutting down the ceiling fan in the rental property is a good motivator to be precise.

[ThreadJack]

Honestly if I were you I wouldn't. Even if there was only one instructor he should at least have assigned you to an older student who could show you the basics.

I'm not familiar with Brazilian Ju Jitsu but I've studied  traditional kung fu. throwing in a new student with no mentoring is an accident waiting to happen.

No.  This is not "normal," nor is acceptable, if you ask me.  I've taught/done martial arts for almost 10 years and we never . . . EVER . . . just toss a new student into the ring and see what happens.  I don't even know who the hell does that.

Even as someone who is an athletic CLOD with poor coordination and who has never taken a martial arts class I agree even just from the description ThreadJack gave of the other students' attitudes.  What he described sounds insular and snobby.  Attitudes like that from my gym teacher and other kids are part of why I do not work with others when it comes to exercise/fitness.  Too many bad experiences.

ok in re-enactment we go by a policy of "the best way to learn is practise" and regularly pit the "veterans" against the "new guys" on the theory that "if they can beat the veterans, they can beat most people". But what you're describing is stupid dangerous. We go through the basics with them, match them against other beginners and THEN start mixing the group, and we only move them onto steel once they're safe with wood (it hurts less....sometimes)

So I'm guessing I should NOT go back there. EVER. Find a real dojo, or at least a new gym is the general consensus?

The biggest red flag for me was (the "instructors" exact words) "Just wing it, you won't know what you're doing for a while. I can't tech you jiu jitsu in one day." Well duh, but you can start me off with some basic instruction, maybe?

[Iram]

So I'm guessing I should NOT go back there. EVER. Find a real dojo, or at least a new gym is the general consensus?

The biggest red flag for me was (the "instructors" exact words) "Just wing it, you won't know what you're doing for a while. I can't tech you jiu jitsu in one day." Well duh, but you can start me off with some basic instruction, maybe?

That's not how it was at all when I took Karate. They were very helpful and informative and didn't get mad if I messed it up the first few times.

You should leave bro.

[ThreadJack]

That's not how it was at all when I took Karate. They were very helpful and informative and didn't get mad if I messed it up the first few times.

You should leave bro.

They were those things, don't get me wrong. Everyone was trying to help me, though it was obvious I DID NOT belong there.

As of right now, I'm not going back.

[BlingedJedi]

My legs are on fire!  Thank god its upper body day!

[Darth Logos]

Why is fabric so expensive? who knew?

Good fabric is. Or nicely printed fabric. But then, I've always believed that quality materials are worth the cost.

[Jev Moldara]

Good fabric is. Or nicely printed fabric. But then, I've always believed that quality materials are worth the cost.

This.

So much this.

[B1ondeange1]

And you win your 100th DS point as a prize.

And actually, practicing in a confined space (not all of the time) can help you develope a good feel for spatial relations regarding the saber, how long it is, how much space you actually need to swing it effectively, versus swing it flashily, etc.  I used to practice at least once a week in a 3 food wide hallway to make sure my swings and cut angles weren't getting too far away from my body. I'd also set up 6-7 boxes of between 2 to 4' tall in a room and practice moving through them, swinging around and over them.  About every 5 minutes or so, I'd stop and re-arrange them so I didn't get too used to the way they were set up.  

In addition to the practical combat lessons all that can teach, it's also helpful in knowing how and where to swing so you don't break something when showing off for friends.

My sister does this. She is a bellydancer with a specialty in sword dances- and while her swords don't have an edge they ARE still metal and some have a fair bit of weight to them, and she has several- as many swords as I have lightsabers, some which are matched pairs plus she has extras of the same sword for classwork. Most of her practice is done in the loungeroom or the kitchen which is the only workspace she has- in about a 2-3m by 2.5 m space (if that). It involves not only balancing sword (or swords, as she sometimes does dual sword dances) on her head, hands, arms, whatever, but also flourishes with them and groundwork while balancing them... along with spins and whatever else. Every time I'm visiting and she is practicing and the sword starts swinging about I freak out. One day that sword is gonna go flying and something is going to break or there will be a hole put in a wall. The most she has done so far is the very occasional clatter to the ground thank the Force!

Made worse when my dad decides to just walk into the kitchen and make himself a sandwich while she is doing so. He just ducks underneath the sword as it goes swinging overhead. When he did that in front of me I had to leave the room, it was far too nerve wracking! The dog meanwhile will just walk past her, sidestepping out of the way as she comes spinning towards it.

*mutters about crazy family members and goes back to playing with lightsabers dressed up as a Jedi*

[Darth Justicar]

I love the humor in your description...a point for that!

The coordination involved in that must be immense.  We had a belly dancing troupe at a con one year that did a mini-workshop to try to teach a few basic moves and saying I sucked was putting it mildly!  I think I might be a little better with more practical fighting moves...but what I definitely learned was that belly dancers have a fine degree of control I will never master.  Add the sword to that...wow.

[Lady Mineva]

In my karate club, as a student with a belt I am required to help the new students. This is a new semester which means new students. Last night was the first practice of the semester and we started off with learning the punching, chopping and blocking exercises. That is how it should start, not with someone attacking you without preparation.  I wandered around making sure that stances and arms were in the right places and such. Some of the students were getting a bit frustrated with themselves and I told them, “In the beginning we’re all hands and elbows, remember it’s practice that makes us “perfect”. So practice, practice, practice. Even when you practice some of you will still be a little awkward at times (pointed to myself), but you’ll be better.”

[Lady Mineva]

Apparently it is possible to cut your finger on pasta sauce. Ouchy my fingey!

[Darth Knox]

spent three hours at a careers fair and got four job interviews. not a bad start to the job hunt. and it's now beer 'clock!

[ThreadJack]

In my karate club, as a student with a belt I am required to help the new students. This is a new semester which means new students. Last night was the first practice of the semester and we started off with learning the punching, chopping and blocking exercises. That is how it should start, not with someone attacking you without preparation.  I wandered around making sure that stances and arms were in the right places and such. Some of the students were getting a bit frustrated with themselves and I told them, “In the beginning we’re all hands and elbows, remember it’s practice that makes us “perfect”. So practice, practice, practice. Even when you practice some of you will still be a little awkward at times (pointed to myself), but you’ll be better.”

I do need to clear one thing up though, I was NOT just being attacked. lol. I feel I made it seem like it was just sparring practice I was thrown into, it WAS a class. There actually WAS a technique(don't ask me what it was called, I don't remember even being told) being demonstrated. It was something with "butterfly position" (which was not actually explained what that even is), that was kinda advanced as it was a sequence. Nothing was explained about positioning, or anything I personally would consider "stuff newbies should know so they understand what's going on."

My first day of wrestling was in pre-season intramural, and they were also working on a more advanced technique, which I was told not to worry about, and instead practice a basic takedown which they showed. And the coaches kept a very close eye on me, almost to the point they were hovering.

[Darth Logos]

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=28488.0

Have fun.