Puget Sound Martial Artists

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 07:04:30 GMT

oops, should have told you guys about this sooner. But Master Tu a reknown qigong master in Taiwan is teching classes in the bellevue area until next friday. I can't remember where exactly... let me know and I'll post if I find the article.

Anyways, my dad went to his seminar and told me a bit about it.

you can find his website: www.mastertu.com

Recommendations for a Seattle Physician?

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 07:08:36 GMT

I am looking for a new primary care provider, and was wondering if anyone could recommend good doctors in Seattle. I'm asking on here as it seems likely that I have some similar criteria as some other martial artists for a good doctor.

I'm looking for someone who takes a holistic approach to health and is good with injuries, etc.

Thanks!

Questionnaire

Wed, 25 May 2005 06:33:23 GMT

Hello everyone!!
I was wondering if some you wouldn't mind filling out this questionnaire for me. It's part of my research project which is about whether or not those studying a martial art, incorporate what they learn in their training into their everyday life.

Please forgive me if some of the information I use within the questions are wrong. I, unfortunately, am not currently studying a martial art, and so I do not know as much as I should. But soon, very soon I am hoping to begin studying Iaido.

I'd appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

1. Age: 2. Gender:
3. How long have you been taking Martial Arts?

4. Why did you begin studying Martial Arts?

5. “Which do you fear more, a live blade or a wooden stick?”

6. Which would you prefer wearing designer clothing or just anything? (Circle One)

7. What do you do in your spare time?

8. What are your thoughts about death?

9. If you were in a situation that could mean instant glorification, would you go for it?

10. Do you finish what you begin?

11. If you were engaged in a fierce battle, what is/are your goal(s) if fighting against many?

12. Would you go at all costs to achieve your goals?

13. Do you frequently use vulgar language?

14. Becoming skilled in your martial art, not only takes physical and mechanic moves, but involves the mind as well. Taking that into account what can you achieve?

15. Would you join the military?

16. Do you do any community service or volunteer work? Enjoy it?

17. Do you mind waiting for something or would you rather have it right away?

18. Do you hold grudges?

19. Are you very opinionated?

20. What does samurai mean to you?

21. From all your training, what’s a piece of advice you would give?

22. What are your thoughts on these thirteen points?
1. Every technique should be done with a combination.
2. Always move both feet. This is natural. Never move only one foot.
3. Do not favor one foot.
4. Maintain flexibility. This is essential so you can adapt to the situation.
5. Pattern your techniques after your size and comfort.
6. Do not favor one technique.
7. The time to attack is when your opponent blinks, when he takes a breath, when he tenses, or when he slackens. This instant is called suki. Suki is a stopping of the mind. It is a space between two objects or points of time.
8. There must be no intention; it must just happen. This is zen.
9. Maintain a superior mindset. Never consider losing. If you do, you will.
10. Move in combat as you do everyday life, and vice versa.
11. Act freely of any conscious thought to act. There should be no sign of effort.
12. When there is no intention, there is no thought.
13. Maintain your balance. Never extend yourself over too great an area. (Miyamoto Musashi)

(Answer here)

Wed, 02 Mar 2005 06:01:54 GMT

For any of you who may be interested, the Tuesday Chen Taiji class that I teach at Artspawn is going to be beginning the form again soon, and is therefore open to new students. (We have three new students already, I believe ;-) ) Details are in the artspawnchen community.

Sat, 16 Oct 2004 03:16:04 GMT

Sorry for the late notice, but....

The World of Martial Arts

Chinatown Community Center
8th & Maynard, Seattle (a green building)
Saturday the 16th -- tomorrow!
6 PM

Not sure about the ticket price but it was something like $5 donation the previous years it was held at Queen Anne. Variety of martial arts demos, weapons forms, and fellow NW practitioners present. My own kwoon is represented later in the program: Yee Jong Pai kung fu with Sifu Shawn Miller.

If you have nothing better to do tomorrow night, we'd love to see some of you there. :)

P.S. If you catch me, the name's Kris. :)

Just Joined PSMA

Fri, 27 Aug 2004 21:20:53 GMT

Hi There! I just joined this community with hopes of meeting others interested in Martial Arts in the Greater (read: Eastside) area. A friend of mine and myself have not that much experience in Martial Arts, but want to join up somewhere somewhat close to home and was hoping we could get reccomendations for good schools. Now I am in charge of Information gathering (woohoo!) so here goes.

I live in Issaquah, he lives in Maple Valley. He works in Sea-Tac and I in Redmond.
He has told me that he is interested in a "Softer Style" rather than a Karate. I am not exaclty what he means by that though and was hoping someone could give me an idea what "softer" might mean. He didnt seem too interested in Judo or Aikido so yeah. Any information would be great =)

Any assistance is GREATLY appreciated!

Hello!

Tue, 24 Aug 2004 05:51:59 GMT

I just joined the community, and I know I should have read the posts carefully and figured this out that way, but forgive me for not having all the time in the world, so hear me out.

Some friends and I want to find a taiji teacher and split the cost for a small group lesson. We live in north bellevue WA, so anyone from redmond would also be immensely convienent and awesome. Does anybody know a great sifu that would be willing to give us lessons? Hopefully, if all goes well, we might want to get funding from the school too. And if we play our cards right, the sifu can also get a more stable coach's pay.

We are mostly interested in Chen style and all thing involved in it. But any well experienced tai-chi master would be cool.

Thanx for your time.

Fifth River Open House on June 26th

Fri, 18 Jun 2004 00:44:02 GMT

Fifth River Poekoelan Indonesian Martial Arts and Self-Defense is proud to announce the opening of our beautiful new studio in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. We’ll be hosting an Open House on Saturday, June 26th from 12 – 5pm with hands-on classes and demos throughout the afternoon.

Celebrate with us! Classes and events are FREE and open to all.

Noon – Introduction to Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen

Learn the basics of this amazing Indonesian martial art! With the guidance of an advanced level instructor learn the history of the art, the basics of throwing effective strikes, and crucial self defense skills.

1:00 – Beginning Poekoelan: Adult Cun Tao

Cun Tao means “self defense” and is the foundation of Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen training. In this workshop you will practice effective physical responses to common attacks, watch a demonstration by our beginning students, and learn about the first phase of training.

2:00 – Play of the Animals

Poekoelan is based on the movements of the monkey, tiger, snake, and crane. The animal movements give our art its distinctively beautiful style. Advanced students will show you the fighting movements from the animals and teach you basic animal movement. Learn to fly like a crane in this high energy workshop!

3:00 – Calm and Clear: Indonesian Breathing Exercise

This class includes dynamic tension exercises, meditation, and low impact, energizing movement. The breath work will focus your mind and refuel your body. Perfect for all fitness levels.

4:00 – Welcome Party!

Enjoy some light snacks while you watch a Poekoelan video or check out information on our other programs. Fifth River instructors will be on hand to answer your questions or to just hang out and chat.

For more information visit us at www.fifthriver.com; call 206.216.0300; or email info@fifthriver.com.

Fifth River Poekoelan is a premier martial arts school located at 130 Western Ave. W, Seattle, WA, in the Bayview Worklofts. Information regarding programs and schedules is available at www.fifthriver.com.

You people don't post stuff often enough...

Wed, 26 May 2004 05:28:37 GMT

I pwned my belt test. Not just passed it, but got the highest average scores I have gotten on any previous belt test.

-step-side, turn-side (2): 95
-Front, round, 1-2 punch, turn-swing: 96
-Round, turn-swing(2): 95
-Self Defense: 90 (I fuxored these...)
-360 side kick: 93
-jump-front, round: 95
-Form 4: 100
-Board Break (3 boards -12x12in.-, step-side kick): 100 (should have gone for 4 boards though...)

CTRL+V'd!!

Fri, 21 May 2004 05:04:25 GMT

Betl test tomorrow for taekwondo. I'm going for high-green (5th gup)! Yeah, I'ma feeling ready for it, I know the form, I've got all the kicks down, got my specialty dealy.... good to go.

X-posted to.... taekwondo community, my own journal, and martial arts community

First, I be getting there at 5-ish for traffic control. I then sit and wait till my test comes up (we go kids to adults, low belt to high, I'm higher up, second to last to be testing).

My test consists of! (note: if you are unawares, these are all kicks)
- Step-side, turn-side, step-side, turn-side
- front, 1-2 punch, round, turn-swing
- round, turn-swing, round, turn-swing (second two kicks are on the opposite legs of the first)
- 10-ish selfe defense techniques
- 360 back kick, probably breaking three boards
- jump front, round against the bag
- Form 4
- Specialty kick, breaking 1 ( maybe two) board with turn-swing (favorite kick!)
- Flexibility

I'm pretty much good to go on all of those. Biggest problem: I step over too much when doing swing sometimes, meaning I move diagonally rather than straight forward... s'okay though, doesn't happen often.

That's all...

Intro of DOOM

Wed, 19 May 2004 05:02:43 GMT

Hey I just joined this community. I live in the kent area, and am currently training in Taekwondo. I will be testing for high-green (5th gup) on friday (may 21), and have been training for a little more than a year. Umm... that's all I will say now, I'll do a full intro later, but now I do not have the time.

Women's martial arts training camp in Olympia deadline coming up

Thu, 22 Apr 2004 01:45:40 GMT

For those of you who had not yet decided on whether or not to go to PAWMA Camp this Labor Day weekend, the deadline for registering is May 1. It is an incredible experience, and I highly recommend it (though I cannot go this year). All styles are welcome; last year I took workshops on Tai Chi, Hapkido, a karate staff form, various kinds of self-defense, poekoelon and moving meditation. There are some advanced-specific workshops, some beginner-specific ("basic falling" saved me some pain) and most things are open to everyone.

It's close to Puget Sound for the first time in a while this year (last year was California, and it bounces all over the West) which means it's a great opportunity to check out PAWMA camp without having to find the money for airfare. :)

Hello!!

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 07:06:37 GMT

Ok, I just joined the community, from a link on seattle and - I am not currently studying a martial art! (Dork!) But I have taken some Karate (Julius Thiry @ Shoreline Comm College).

That was 10 years ago, but apparently we did enough repetitions - I can still do the basic strikes and blocks we learned.

Anyway, I am determined to get back into it. So, I am looking for suggestions/recommendations. I would really prefer somewhere near the UDistrict (Bellevue might be ok), and somewhere both cheap and good. Picky, huh? That's why I thought I should post and ask you guys.

I am actually not so picky about the style, as there are benefits from each (right?) but I would rather know who you studied under & where if you are having very positive (or negative) experiences. Thank you!

(& I hope this is a reasonable on-topic first post.)

Do you Woo Shoo?

Sat, 14 Feb 2004 00:27:07 GMT

Interested in or doing wu shu (or taichi)? Then this is the place for you!
_wushu
So visit the community that's totally devoted to wushu.
And, the mod. (me) is from the Puget Sound!

For anyone interested in kali/kickboxing in the Puget Sound area

Sat, 17 Jan 2004 00:57:05 GMT

I hope advertising my class is ok for this forum.

Crossposted to fma, psma, martial_artists

For the martial arts classes (Kickboxing and Kali) I take in Kent, WA

Class times are currently Saturday mornings
10a-11a: KB
11:10a-12:10p: Kali
12:10p-1:10p: KB

KB $45
Kali $55
Both $65
Add a class - $10
Initiation fee - $20
first and last month's up front

Kali equipment: pair of sticks and wooden knife

KB: hand protection. hitting targets are nice too, but not required.

In February, there will also be Monday classes
6p-7p: KB
7p-8p: Kali

If attendance is good, my instructor John will also add a grappling/jujitsu class.

Get my email from my info page in you're intersted.

Wed, 08 Oct 2003 08:37:28 GMT

I guess I forgot the most important part. The arena!

World of Martial Arts Demonstration
Queen Anne Community Center
1901 1st Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119

(206) 386-4240

Martial Arts Demo in Seattle

Wed, 08 Oct 2003 08:34:47 GMT

Hello. :) I just wanted to inform everyone about the World of Martial Arts - Chamber of Shadows demo that my Dai Si Gung, Sifu Allen J. Chinn of Golden Steel Association, hosts every year.

On October 18th, many talented martial arts from the region will demo from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Some of the best in the Northwest will be present, so don't miss out!

There will be demonstrations of Kung Fu, Tang Soo Do, Aikido, Karate, Tai Chi, Capoeira, even Falun Gung and Cardio Kickboxing. Exhibition Admission is only $6, and you may purchase a fancy shirt for $12.

I'll put in another notice closer to the date, and may even decide to wear something noticeable at the event -- so I can hopefully meet some of you all!

Lightning fast!

Mon, 11 Aug 2003 06:47:26 GMT

I figure it must be the martial arts work that has improved my reflexes. However, it has not entirely succeeded in making me less of a klutz... So I'm very good at accidentally knocking things over, but catching them before they fall and break.

*sigh*

Posted by anonymous in the Orange Belt Journal

Mon, 04 Aug 2003 20:36:38 GMT

I am reposting these questions for the forum to read as I'd like to hear group responses on this. This was originally posted by anonymous here in PSMA.

I'm trying to write this in the most delicate way possible. I train at a place with circa 20 men and *one* woman. For whatever reason, it's almost impossible to interest women in our system.

What things turn women off to various martial arts schools and leads them to seek out segregated training?

I can think of a few potential things:

1) most training halls are run in a militaristic and epitomize an organization style focused on "unconsensus."

2) close-contact grappling (standup or ground) appeals to men more than women. Furthermore, I wonder how many women have a visceral response to being man-handled even if it's a training situation.

Being equitable, our lone female loves groundwork, but I suspect she's unusual.

3) finally, I think there's a chicken'n'egg problem. Any women visiting us would see either zero or one woman. This is inherently lonesome.

So, if you have a training hall with the following characteristics:

1) lack of amenities -- Good mats and acceptable restrooms, but no heating or airconditioning.
2) a heavy level of contact -- mostly resulting in mild contact or pinch bruises. Periodically, resulting in minor joint injuries. Very seldom resulting in major joint or bone injuries.
3) somewhat extreme fitness level requirements

Is there something we should add to make the club more accessible to women?

Hi PSMA!

Fri, 01 Aug 2003 22:33:00 GMT

Just wanted to say hi to everyone and I am a total newbie. I study Yabe Ryu jujutsu and have been for almost 2 years. It is a blast!

Hope it's okay to post this...

Tue, 29 Jul 2003 17:10:21 GMT

Hi! I don't live in Seattle yet, but I'll be moving there to attend the University of Washington this September. I'm currently a red belt in Songahm Taekwondo, but I'm also interested in Jiu Jitsu. Does anyone here know of a place or instructor that teaches Jiu Jitsu? AMC in Kirkland was recommended to me, but after looking at their website I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable there. Also, does anyone know of an ATA school that they'd be willing to recommend? All the ones I've contacted so far have been dodgy giving me information about dues, testing fees, etc. Any help would be appreciated. :)

test report

Thu, 24 Jul 2003 06:31:17 GMT

I survived my orange belt test tonight at 7 Star Kajukenbo. I am now officially an orange belt, and am allowed to throw punches at the front of the face. Up until about two days ago, I was feeling completely wigged out and unready to test, but as the test became imminent I, somewhat fatalistically, began to calm down.

I've only found four new bruises so far, the purple dot on my elbow being my favorite. I had my glasses punched off my face for the first time, and sparred a round without them, which was very interesting because a) my perception was rather different (I'm extremely nearsighted) and b) I'm used to having my glasses to protect my eyes, and felt very vulnerable without them, which really reduced my aggressiveness.

I didn't panic. (They asked what my goal was for my orange belt test; I said "getting through without panicking." Given the anxiety disorder and feeling of unreadiness heightening my anxiousness, I felt this was a perfectly reasonable and non-fluff goal.) Having my family there being supportive and sending good vibes really helped with this. I could look over at them when I was feeling my mind slip and calm back down.

I, apparently, excelled at one of the things that I dread the most (self-defense), which surprised the heck outta me. Almost all the rest of the feedback I got I expected (forward stance too narrow, bringing my eyes up, forgetting to pivot my feet for certain kicks) which is pleasant at least in the lack of unpleasant surprises.

thatmathchick (who also got her orange belt tonight) and I seem to have many of the same strengths [ferocity, power] and weaknesses [details of technique getting lost], which are opposite to our training/testing buddies Kristi and Ashley, so that shoud be a cool helpful training activity for the four of us to keep working together and try to balance each other out.

full contact

Sat, 12 Jul 2003 22:23:29 GMT

I would like to start training in full contact sparring, but I would prefer to continue training in the art I am currently studying. We have a relatively high level of contact in my art, but even though I have occasionally left a match with minor injuries (especially during tests), I still feel pretty safe (of course my instructors want to keep the sparring safe, which is certainly necessary, but some of my fellow-students have reported that they have felt a bit of fear in some of their matches. I'm not saying I am more courageous than them: perhaps I am merely more trusting and foolish). I would like the experience of having to fight when I'm a little bit more afraid, however. I suppose I am looking for a gym more than school, though I would like some instruction in how to do full contact sparring without putting or being put in the hospital (or at least not very often). Does anyone know of a gym like this in Seattle, or a school that does full contact and wouldn't mind having a guest student from another art? Maybe I should take up boxing, but I really want to be able to use kicks as well. Comments? Suggestions?

Intro and get-together

Sat, 05 Jul 2003 01:21:03 GMT

Hi there -

I've been doing Tai Chi for the last several years (what, 7 now?)... primarily Chen, but a bit of Yang (Yang sword, in particular). I've started doing modern wushu a year ago; I'd really prefer a more traditional style, but Sifu is completely awesome, and I think this will give me a solid foundation for learning more practical styles. Oh, I'm doing a bit of Bagua and Xingyi, too. All my classes are at CWTA (http://www.yijiaowushu.com/). My original Chen teacher (Shoko Zama) is in Japan, taking care of her sick father.

Anyone here familiar with Mak Fai's school?

(updated)
Someone mentioned getting together for coffee and seeing the Bruce Lee exhibit... how about we meet next Sunday (7/13) at the Yummy House bakery at 3:30pm? (their address is 522 6th Ave S, and if I'm thinking of the right one, it's across from Uwajimaya, right next to Shanghai Garden.)

Interesting site

Wed, 02 Jul 2003 00:01:11 GMT

http://domain429809.sites.fasthosts.com/

If you're looking to take your martial arts into performance aspects...