The Long, Long Road to Martial Arts

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 12/17/2007 11:19pm

I'm assuming you're asking me.

I'd like to have regular, full-contact sparring, as well as kata (which I enjoy thoroughly).

I either have to find a Goju dojo that trains like this, or move to something like Kyokushinkai.

***DerAuslander*** · Posted On: 12/17/2007 11:29pm

Why do you want this?

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 12/18/2007 12:11am

Are you practicing elenchus, or are you genuinely curious?

I value the capacity for rightful courage, i.e. the ability to back up bravery with skill. It enables a broader field of endeavour, and allows me to make tangible the other values I've tried to embody.

I also value fitness. 'Cause being old, fat and tired isn't sexy.

And I'm bringing sexy back.

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 12/18/2007 12:22am

And I like sweaty men in pyjamas.

***jnp*** · Posted On: 12/18/2007 12:33am

Originally Posted by Dr. Ho Ho Ho

Are you practicing elenchus, or are you genuinely curious?

I value the capacity for rightful courage, i.e. the ability to back up bravery with skill. It enables a broader field of endeavour, and allows me to make tangible the other values I've tried to embody.

There is more to courage than mere physical prowess my friend. Your refusal to let your injury stop you from training (hey Tai Chi counts dammit) is an accomplishment itself. Your effort is a testament of your commitment to recovery. I've known a few people who never recovered mentally from life changing injuries. You don't seem to be one of them.

Be strong mentally and you will be strong, regardless of your physical limitations.

I hate it when I sound like a greeting card, but these are my thoughts, however saccharine they may be.

Oh, and answer Der. He's going somewhere with this.

Originally Posted by DA

And I like sweaty men in pyjamas.

Don't worry, we do too.

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 12/18/2007 1:18am

Originally Posted by Holiday in Cambodia

There is more to courage than mere physical prowess my friend. Your refusal to let your injury stop you from training (hey Tai Chi counts dammit) is an accomplishment itself. Your effort is a testament of your commitment to recovery. I've known a few people who never recovered mentally from life changing injuries. You don't seem to be one of them.

Be strong mentally and you will be strong, regardless of your physical limitations.

Thank you. I appreciate this.

But I do think it's important to be physically accomplished - if and when you can.

Just as I value my intellectual virtues (my 'excellences', in the Aristotelian sense), I also esteem physical ones. As I suggested in my reply to Der, they're part of a broader engagement with the world. There are occasions in my life when I've put myself in danger, knowing I could half-way back up my morality with physical intervention.

I'm not suggesting this is the only form of courage, but it's one I value (and rightly, I think).

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 12/18/2007 1:18am

Oh, and I thought I did answer Der.

**more cowbell** · Posted On: 1/07/2008 9:20pm

Sorry for my ignorance bro. But how did you get hurt? And what type of sparring/randori were you doing? (that is if you got hurt training) Just curious.
Hope you get better soon dude!

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 1/07/2008 10:35pm

No worries.

I hurt my neck in Judo randori - slipped a disc in my neck, bruised some nerves (arm and spine). I think it was a seoi nage.

**Goju - Joe** · Posted On: 1/07/2008 11:41pm

DaYoung

As always I feel for you.

I seem to have hit a high spot where I am able to grapple at a reasonable speed and force fullness finally (although i still suck)

I still have a bulge and don't have 100% feeling in my right foot but I am not getting worse.

Anyways I mention this as a sign of hope. Slow and steady. Do it the way your doing it. baby steps

Lifes a marathon not a sprint..... unless you're being chased....