[magpie]

Re: Having to stay away due to illness

KG…your dedication to “our” art is commendable, but will your skills deteriorate if you take a day or two off to allow your body to recover from an illness?

I actually (gasp!) skipped KM class today because I had a crappy night’s sleep and was unable to focus at work. Sure, you could say that I could’ve used the class time in order to train myself to fight while sleep-deprived, but I also knew that not being on point due to sleep deprivation might result in me getting injured. It also might have resulted in me nodding out in traffic while driving home this evening and getting into an accident.

So, instead of going to class, I took a power nap in my car. And I’m glad I did. I felt much better and was able to finish out my work day. And I still know how to defend against a headlock from the side. ;):

Listen to your body. Sometimes life gets in the way of Krav. It ain’t the end of the world.

[magpie]

Re: Never in a fight before.

I’ve been at L2 for a year now, and plan to test into L3 in a couple of months. I still have to think about what I’m doing when it comes to the chokes with push/pull/against a wall. Why is this? Well, it’s because I don’t practice them every day. I know if I trained and practiced every day, I’d be a lot better, because the more you do something, the better you become at it. How else do any of us learn how to walk, swim, or ride a bike?

For what it’s worth, last week I had an “aha” moment during bag class where, after 18 months of doing KM, my body FINALLY understood how to turn my hip over when doing a round kick. And this came only after I decided to stop trying to kick high and focus on doing the kick correctly, albeit low.

Keep on keepin’ on, Crash. You’re right where you’re supposed to be, and right on time.

[magpie]

Re: Best cardio exercise for Krav

Yeah, that’s spam.

Anyway, I just started taking KM bag class with the hope that it’ll improve my conditioning. I’ll let y’all know if it works.

[magpie]

Re: Beginners’ Injuries

+1 on what others have said here, TK, esp. Thurston (and I can’t help but think of GILLIGAN’S ISLAND when I hear that name 🙂 )

During my 1st year in KM, I got a lot of injuries too! Hyperextended elbows, sore and bruised arms, legs, cranked thumbs (from not holding a tombstone pad correctly when my partner unleashed a front kick), etc. That’s not even counting the ‘combat’ injuries like getting kneed in the face, stomach, round kicked on the IT band, poked in the eye, etc.

I would say that as time has gone by, I’ve gotten injured less because 1) my body’s gotten used to the type of impact encountered in KM, 2) my techniques have improved, and 3) I’m more aware of what’s going on and take better precautions to avoid injury.

Hope you heal swiftly! It definitely gets better as you go.

[magpie]

Re: Belt test online!

You could also watch THE MATRIX and then be like, “Whoa. I know kung fu.”;):

[magpie]

Re: Best Beginner DVD/Video?

My .02 regarding DV situations: When I was in college in NYC, I was awakened one night by yelling and screaming in the street below. Looked out to see some dude slapping his GF upside the head. Then a second guy ran up toward them and tried to intervene, only to get punched a couple of times by Guy #1. Guy #2 retreated, then #1 and the GF walked off with his arm around her shoulder.

It made an impression on me to never just rush in blindly.

[magpie]

Re: Has there been a decline?

The class schedule of the KMW NTC where I train would seem to support this. I’ve noticed that there are plenty of L1 classes, but then the number of classes per level decreases the higher you go.

I’ve noticed that a considerable number of people who I’ve met and trained with in L1 are no longer around, much less in L2. I have also had the experience of being one of two people in an L2 class. I think a fair number of folks try KM for some basic fitness and self-defense skills, but are not really in it for “the long haul”. Then, for others, there’s that thing called “Life” which can complicate any one’s training schedule.

I go to class 2-3x/week and would probably go more except for that “Life” thing. 😉
I am able to train at the NTC via a corporate membership through my employer. However, if I ever leave my company, I may not be able to continue training at KMW, due to its location with regards to my home. So, I’ve just adopted the attitude that I may never get to the higher levels. I’ll continue training and hopefully progressing until life circumstances force me to go elsewhere.

[magpie]

Re: Need help with "turning in" with combatives

Good notion, MDM. I may have to try that, too.

[magpie]

Re: Need help with "turning in" with combatives

CJD…when are your classes? I have wanted to try some classes at SO but timing is always the problem. I would be coming up the 405 at rush hour and we both know that ain’t no picnic.

[magpie]

Re: Need help with "turning in" with combatives

quote CJs Dad:

Are you stepping too far in to do the elbow and then feel jammed? YES

Honestly it sounds like footwork is not placing you in a position to see a new target after the elbow. YES

Lets try and switch things up a little then;

Knee, Knee, kick to the groin, make space (have tried this, but not executed well because of positioning.)

Knee, Knee, Shin to the face (Hmm…never thought about this one)

Knee, Knee, elbow #1 to face (I’ve done this)

Knee, Knee, straight right or straight left to face (feel jammed for this)

Knee, knee, circle around behind and front kick to groin from behind. (would like to try this. Have seen it done, but don’t circle around far enough).

If one things not working, there should be a lot of tools in your box by now, so try some new ones!

Hope that helps.

S.

Good stuff. Thanks! I will pay more attention to my footwork and see what I can do.

[magpie]

Re: Can’t get pass the white belt level and now I can’t sleep

We don’t use belts either, so I’m of no help there.

And yes, don’t worry about where you are in comparison to others. I used to do that, and all it did was stress me out and leave me feeling discouraged when I felt like I hadn’t done my best in class. There are people at my KM school who took the L1 test with me, and have already made it to L3 because they can go to more classes per week than I can.

I currently have 50 out of the magic 60 classes under my belt, but actually plan to wait to test for L3 until I have 75 or 80, because I want to be more confident with my techniques. By that timeline, I will have spent a year at L2, but I decided that was OK after one of my instructors said that HE spent a year at L2.

I’ve also decided that my whole KM journey is like a marathon I ran 10 years ago. It took me a little over 5 hours and plenty of people passed me up…but eventually I got to the finish line. 🙂

As for the gear, I got (new) stuff on Amazon and ebay for pretty good prices. Title Boxing also has a lot of online discounts. The great thing is that once you buy the gear, you’re pretty much set for L2 and L3.

Congrats again, Crash…and just take the journey a step at a time.

[magpie]

Re: Can’t get pass the white belt level and now I can’t sleep

Hooray! Way to go, Crash! We all knew you could do it! Welcome to L2!:beer:

[magpie]

Re: Bad Sparring

quote MadDogMean:

I think I may just talk to him next time I see him and let him know that he should watch the intensity when sparring.

Hopefully that should do the trick, MDM. I have been told by an instructor to dial it down during light sparring and I always feel like an asshat afterward.

[magpie]

Re: Never in a fight before.

I’m inclined to agree with MDM. Crash, I think the “voices in your head” (and I’m speaking figuratively here) are sabotaging your progress, and I speak from experience.

Many’s the time I find myself getting discouraged because I’m not as young or strong as a lot of the other students. I’ve noticed a few people who actually did their L1 test at the same time as me who are now L3, because they have more time to take more classes. I’m short and am afraid of getting hit, so there’s that too.

When I feel discouraged, I try to focus on perfecting my techniques to the best of my ability. One of my instructors is particularly good at pointing out my bad habits, so I always try to correct those. Every class is another opportunity for me to improve myself.

I also suggest that you push away that negativity and challenge yourself to be the best that YOU can be.

[magpie]

Re: How long did you spend at each level?

Good deal. I’m married with a kid too, but have a longer commute than you do. Our journeys are all different, aren’t they?

[Author]

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