Dear Martial Artist, The US Kempo Team (www.uskempoteam.org) is seeking prospective members for the 2009 World Kempo Championship Tournament in Nice, France, April of 2009 and other invitational events in Europe, Africa, and Russia in the next 18 - 24 months.   We are seeking Full-contact and Semi-contact fighters, Gi - Grapplers, Kata and Weapon Kata players, 3 Person Synchronized Kata and Weapon Kata Teams, as well as Empty-hand and Weapon Self-defense Teams and Full-contact Weapon Fighters. If you are a Kempo/Kenpo player, whether it be Japanese, Chinese, Okinawan, American, Hawaiian, or Korean, Kajukenbo, EPAK, Shorinji, So Rim Sa, or practice a Kempo/Kenpo derivative or other version of Kempo/Kenpo, you are welcome to apply. We are striving to form a US Kempo Team of over 50 members. Please visit the sight below and consider the invitation. http://www.uskempoteam.org Please click on the tab labeled "Open invitation to join US Kempo Team" on the top of the page. If you do not practice Kempo/Kenpo and this invitation does not apply to you, please forward it and/or give the contact email and phone number to someone you feel may be able to use the information If you feel you have received this email in error and then please reply back to this email and request your name and email be removed from my contact list. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon. Respectfully, Robert E. Zingg The United States Kempo Team 111 W 2nd Ave, Suite B Ranson, West Virginia, 25438 304-725-3639

Bujinkan Ninjutsu Club at University of Texas will be starting classes back up this coming Tuesday, 26AUG08 from 7:30 to 9:30 PM at Patterson Park.For more details see www.roundrockbujinkan.com/utexas

Are they any good ?

Live feed from Beijing 2008 TKD prelims hereNot sure if anyone outside Canada will be able to view ...

My boyfriend's been laid up all week by a shin contusion. The history is that, around July 10 he first injured his shin sparring. It swelled and hurt, after a week he called out and rested it for two days, then it healed up after that. Then last week (saturday) he was sparring and AGAIN injured it :P This time he barely felt anything at the time of injury, but then it started swelling and hurting. So he decided to immediately take off work and rest it. He's been to an urgent care place Monday to have it checked out, no broken bones but they said he had a contusion and to rest it. So he's been off his feet all week, but if anything it seems to hurt a lot worse than the last time, and at this point (one week later) he finds it very painful to walk, or even to just be vertical (not have it elevated). I've had my share of shin clashes, but I've always just ignored them (except to protect the leg while sparring). This one does seem worse (more bruising and swelling) but, to my untrained eye, does not look too terrible.He is making an appointment with a specialist, but that's going to have to wait till Monday. What I'm wondering if anyone here has felt anything like this before, and what they did about it. Thanks!!!

Hello,My name is John Hidalgo and I am in the preliminary stages of planning a new event which will focus on Japanese martial arts and culture. I am writing various people (martial arts schools, martial artists, Japanese culture related businesses and organizations, etc; mostly in the Austin area) who might either be interested in participating or who might be able to provide input that will help shape the event. Below is an overview of the event and questions related to the various aspects of the event. If you would be willing to provide any input it would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to be removed from any further communications about this event, please let me know and I will do so. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.Respectfully,John HidalgoOverviewThe event will effectively be a Bushido festival. Though, the focus will be primarily Japanese martial arts, it will also encompass Japanese visual and performing arts, religion and culture.Charitable CauseOne of the things that is being considered is to have the event benefit a charity. If that direction is taken the first choice would be the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America (www.tsubakishrine.com). The Tsubaki Shrine is the only full time active Shinto shrine in North America. If that is not workable we would be open ot other chartiable causes.TimeframeSpring 2010VenueCurrently under consideration is the Austin Convention Convention Center and the AT&T Conference Center. In the future, other venues may also be considered.FormatThis will be a convention type event and may include demonstrations, classes, movie screenings, and vendor area.Questions1) From an event that bills itself as a Bushido festival, what sort of things would you expect to see and do?2) If there was a vendor area, what sort of vendors would you want to see?3) If there was a movie screening area, what movies do you think would be appropriate? What movies would you like to see?4) What demonstrations or classes (martial arts or otherwise) would you like to see? How long do you think these demonstrations and classes should be? Is there anyone in particular you would want to see giving those presentations?5) For an event that includes demonstrations, classes, a movie area and a vendors area, what would you be be willing to pay.6) If you were to be a vendor, what would you be willing to pay for a 10' x 10' space?7) If you were to place an ad in the event program or have banner advertizing at the event, what would you be willing to spend on these things?8) If you were to provide a class or demonstration at the event, what, if anything, would you expect in return?9) would you be interested in participating in such an event and, if so, in what capacity?10) Do you have any other ideas, questions or concerns about this event?

If someone interested I've open a daito_ryu blog. I personally just have started practicing it in Israel so if you have some info share you are kindly welcome.

What are some of the safer martial arts out there? I just want something practical and efficient, that'll get me into shape. I don't want to have to learn flips or anything gymnastic-esque. I would also prefer not to have to do unprotected sparring. It's just that I've already had so many health problems and injuries, that I just don't want to have to deal with anything further. I've broken a wrist while sparring once, but that sorta thing is an acceptable risk. I'd just rather not get a concussion is all. Any recommendations? I'm interested in ninjutsu, though don't know if I think it's safe enough for me. What sort've dangers might be involved in ninjutsu? Are some significantly more dangerous than others, or especially notable for being dangerous (or not)?

Present 戸隠流忍法体術セミナールと師範ショングレイTogakure Ryū Ninpo Taijutsu Seminar with Shihan Shawn GraySaturday and Sunday, August 23rd and 24th, 2008Overview: The theme of the seminar will be homework from the Togakure-ryu training that Shawn Gray has been doing with Sensei in Japan this year. We will be working from the kata as they are written, and then move on to explore the feeling of each in a more artistic manner. Tools that will possibly be used are ken, bo, knife, shuko, shaken/shuriken, and kyoketsu-shoge.Instructor:Shawn left behind 10 years of Karate and 3 years of Kendo to begin training in the Bujinkan Dojo in Vancouver, Canada after returning from a 1-year stay in Japan in 1990. After a training trip to Japan in 1995, he decided to move back to live and has been studying in Japan as a regular student of Shiraishi Sensei and Hatsumi Sensei since the beginning of 1997. He has also trained with other Japanese Shihan such as Senseis Seno, Noguchi, Oguri, Nagato, Someya, Nakadai, Nagase, etc. and admires each of them for their own unique abilities.Date:Saturday and Sunday, August 23rd and 24th, 2008Time:Saturday, 10:00 to 6:00 PMSunday, 10:00 to 4:00 PMAttire:Standard Bujinkan Uniform (gi, tabi, obi) or loose, comfortable clothing.Equipment:Bokken, bo, hanbo, knife, shuko, shaken/shuriken, and kyoketsu-shogeFee:$85Contact:Brian Gore(512) 524-7227shinkengata@gmail.comLocation:Acrotex Gymnastics in Round Rock708 Round Rock West DriveRound Rock, TX 78681(512) 244-5437www.acrotex.com

In my university, there ae lots of martial arts that we can take for Physical Education. These martial arts can only be taken once within the first two years (one for two semesters in one year, with no repeats) of my college stay. So far, I've taken Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Wushu Northern Staff Style. Now, the only ones left are Fencing, Muay Thai, Tai Chi and Kali (a.k.a. Arnis or Escrima). I'm more intereseted with the latter twoUnfortunately, I need to choose only one for my last P.E. in my second year.I like Tai Chi mostly beacuse it does not put a lot of strain on me physically, considering my low stamina and endurance. It's also supposed to be good for my health. And I love practicing forms than spar)Kali is good because it supposed to no-nonsense and practical to the core. It's also a bit more down-and-dirty (which I kinda like) and emphasizes weapons use at the very beginning. And because I'm a Filipino myslef, shouldn't I practice our native martial art, mastered by only a few of my countrymen?I was hoping to get your opinion, fellow martial artists. Please help me choose one or the other. Your opinions will help make my decision easier.Thank you.

looking for what I should look for when shopping for gear. there doesnt seem to be many reviews online. i would like to get non-leather gear but any points to look out for are appreciated.i am all about saving some cash so do you use any cheap gear that you find to be decent?i practice boxing and other various forms (thai, mma style, bjj)im looking at thesehttp://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/proforce-thunder-curved-vinyl-focus-mitthttp://www.cjmas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2066http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2826451&cp=3077568.3077625.2669280&parentPage=family

I've got this neat idea that I think should be brainstormed a little. I have been practicing Kali at home and have ran into some trouble. I've got the basic strikes down, but I can't do it at a particular pace. My pacing sucks. What is a guy to do?So I tried this, I used a metronome. I allowed the continous beat spur my rhythm. And it worked incredibly well. So much so that I ran into my room to post this. Give it a try and drop me a line. =;)P.S. I have no idea if this actually practiced or not. I'am oblivious of even common techniques being inexperienced as I'am. Just so ya'll know. 

I wanted to order some staff from the above online store and got the following very interesting response to my inquiry:Dear customer, we regret to have to inform you, that Jew to many problems we have experienced in the past, we no longer ship goods to Israel. Thank you in any case for your interest, If anybody would tell me prior to that incident that one can actually encounter Anti-Semitic morons nowadays in US I would call him crazy.

Hey guys, I just got back from my instructor seminar. I must say that I'am very pleased with how it turned out.We learned so  many awesome things that I'm a total overload. I'm gonna sort it out on this page to help me remember as well as tell ya'll off on what you missed.Mr. Young taught an amazing self-defense course for us and we watched him teach young children in kidsafe 08'.Mr. Reed came to us after spending time in Korea and gave us a somewhat beginner lesson in swords and bo.And Mr. Hale taught us finer points for different teaching methods. Of course, my school's very own Mr. Arnold ran us through etiquette and how to be presentable for the school. I do recommend this seminar to anyone who are interested. There will be another one in October, anyone in Texas should check it out.

I've just returned home from two weeks in Florida, and the days I spent at the beach, I developed a very interesting exercise. I practiced push hands with the ocean. It was particularly interesting because the push and pull were generalized forces, rather than just being focused on the hands and arms. Needless to say, the first few attempts, I got knocked off my feet, but about the fifth try, I got the motion down and used the body mechanics to kind of channel the forces around me. It was a lot more exaggerated than normal push hands with another person, but it was really helpful for the purposes of rooting and sensitivity to the direction of force. It became even more fun when I started improvising a form in response to the tide.

Anyone practicing, or with an interest in, Wing Chun have any interest in getting together to practice chi sau, or learn how, in the Greater Los Angeles area?

So many years ago, when he was a pukelon student, a dear friend (currently roommate and sparring partner) heard that one of the senior students in his school had developed a form specifically for airplane bathrooms. Some years later I mentioned this to a group of my Chen students during warm ups, and was surprised by their interest and enthusiasm. "That would be awesome - about the time your butt goes to sleep you can excuse yourself the the bathroom and run through a form or two!" said one. (Or something close to that.) Then, in the next year, I started traveling more frequently myself, and became more keenly aware why one might want such a form. Anyhow, over the past few years this gets brought up again and again, and I'm becoming convinced that if I can't find such a form, I'll have to make one up for myself.Mind you, a Chen form proper that could be done in an airplane bathroom? This seems unlikely to me. Though I've been starting to play around with kind of a melding of Shaolin Dragon and Chen*, using more closed stances and a lot of jiu and kao movements. One of the beginning Wing Chun forms has also been mentioned as a good candidate for airplane bathrooms.Any other candidates? Thoughts? Completely silly notions? * This might just be me, but the two seem awfully conceptually similar to me, to the extent that they have largely fused in my sparring, and there has been significant cross pollination in my forms work. Or maybe they're just my favoritests.

Okay, so I train over at my school alot. Of course, as you progress there will others coming behind you.So how do you handle it when they call you "sir"? I think it's an honor to be called that in a TKD school. But that title goes to the teachers, and I'm just another student. I have asked them not to call me "sir" and say that is something I haven't earned yet. How do I respond to that? I'm just young and stupid I guess.

Any recommendations of a good on-line shop to buy Karate (preferably Kyokushin) dogi ?

Present 戸隠流忍法体術セミナールと師範ショングレイTogakure Ryū Ninpo Taijutsu Seminar with Shihan Shawn GraySaturday and Sunday, August 23rd and 24th, 2008Overview: The theme of the seminar will be homework from the Togakure-ryu training that Shawn Gray has been doing with Sensei in Japan this year. We will be working from the kata as they are written, and then move on to explore the feeling of each in a more artistic manner. Tools that will possibly be used are ken, bo, knife, shuko, shaken/shuriken, and kyoketsu-shoge.Instructor:Shawn left behind 10 years of Karate and 3 years of Kendo to begin training in the Bujinkan Dojo in Vancouver, Canada after returning from a 1-year stay in Japan in 1990. After a training trip to Japan in 1995, he decided to move back to live and has been studying in Japan as a regular student of Shiraishi Sensei and Hatsumi Sensei since the beginning of 1997. He has also trained with other Japanese Shihan such as Senseis Seno, Noguchi, Oguri, Nagato, Someya, Nakadai, Nagase, etc. and admires each of them for their own unique abilities.Date:Saturday and Sunday, August 23rd and 24th, 2008Time:Saturday, 10:00 to 6:00 PMSunday, 10:00 to 4:00 PMAttire:Standard Bujinkan Uniform (gi, tabi, obi) or loose, comfortable clothing.Equipment:Bokken, bo, hanbo, knife, shuko, shaken/shuriken, and kyoketsu-shogeFee:$85Contact:Brian Gore(512) 524-7227shinkengata@gmail.comLocation:Acrotex Gymnastics in Round Rock708 Round Rock West DriveRound Rock, TX 78681(512) 244-5437www.acrotex.com