Hey there, friends. My name is Chad, and I've been in martial arts since I was five years old. (Don't get too impressed, the experience is all relative) I've studied Tang Soo do, Tae Kwon Do, and am currently practicing American Karate. Whazuuup?!

Hi, I've been studying Tae Kwon Do (traditional, not for sport or competetion) for a little over 4 years and have recently dipped into a bit of Hapkido.

Hi, I'm Brash and I'm from Cardiff. I'm a Mod over at www.zombiehunters.org and one of the guys sent me this way when I asked about getting proper training. I'm 23 years old. 6'4'' and 255lbs. I have no formal MA training and I live and work in a pretty rough area. Just looking for some advice...

Hi my name Randy and I do not have martial arts experience but I would like to learn sometime for the spiritual aspect and philosophy behind the arts.

Hello everyone,

Just call me the Boneman. I have a bachelors degree in criminal justice and an interest in forensic anthropology, hence the ID. I go all the way back to the late 1960's in the martial arts when I did my first studies with a veteran whod' studied what he called "jiu jitsu" during the years he was stationed in Japan.

I doubt he held a black belt, though the guy was pretty good, good enough that years later my demonstration of some of the techniques he taught me was called "impressive" by a sixth-dan in an Okinawan style of karate. They've never failed me yet, though I've added more than just a little bit in the forty years since those first steps. I got into that because the fellow was teaching his sons and some of their friends, of which I was one.

A few years later My family moved about 1500 miles away to a little country town. That is where a few of us from different styles got together and cross-trained each other to round out our training. As a result, I learned Korean and Chinese kicks from practitioners of TKD and kung fu. I also learned a bit bit of hand work from the kung fu guy and a shotokan practitioner. I've even had the opportunity to dabble in a kindred combat only style, isgoshindo karate, courtesy of a younger brother who studied that style. That was the brother who broke my wrist with that kick while sparring. It had been a few months between bouts and I didn't realize he'd learned to project his power that well and tried to stop his kick with a trapping move some kung fu practitioners would be familiar with. Bad move on my part!

Some years ago I did the Uyeshiba thing by joining a sect which is quite pacifistic. Unlike the Otomi sect, they discourage the practice of the martial arts, so I haven't practiced as much as I'd like. But I've decided to get back into practice whether anybody likes it or not. To that end I've also been looking around the net a bit and seeing what there is to see.

In my city only three arts are available, TKD, Shotokan (through the local college), and Aikido (also through the local college). I am considering joining that Aikido club, the laid-back nature of the art does have its appeal for a fellow in his fifties.

As my orientation is more combat than sport, I have more of an interest in practical self defense and folks will likely see me around that part of the forum more than anywhere else.

That is my story.

Boneman

Greetings folks! Always nice to get some detail and background. We appreciate it.

Jump in and enjoy.

Enjoy the forums. Welcome. Most of what you want should be found here somewhere.

Hello, I am new to the forum. My name is Dong Tran, I have a dojo in Caldwell, NJ, called the Asian Arts Center/Tobukan (www.asianartscenter.com). I am the U.S. representative of the Goju-ryu Intl. Karate Kobudo Federation (HQ Naha, Okinawa). My sensei is Kurashita Eiki hanshi, the current president of the Federation. I also train in Yamanni-ryu kobujutsu with Oshiro Toshihiro shihan. It's great to see the interest in martial arts in this forum.

Sensei, I'm happy to be the first to welcome you. I have not met you in person, but a few years ago, looking for advice, I sent you an email asking for help. I found your words very wise, and have referred to them often in the past.

Welcome!

Hi Harlan,
Thanks for the welcome. I used to train in Iaido with the late sensei Paul Sylvain in Amherst. Do you know them?