Searching for a direction (path)

[Invictus]

To anyone who can help........

I am looking to further my knowledge / training in FMA. I'm not new to FMA but at the same time I am no where experienced. Until now I have learned here and there from friends and famliy members, never a dedicated teacher.

It is hard for me to dedicate time entirely to training. I have a family and a full time job that requires me to be on call 24/7. My train of thought is, Family comes first.

My question is this, is learning from DVDs or even books worth it? I am a hands on learner but can learn from others methods with a training partner.

Can anyone recommend a DVD to start with? I say start with because I don't plan on stopping with one.

Also if anyone knows of any training groups near my area, Ewa Beach Hawaii please let ne know.

Any help is appreciated. God Bless

[thai70]

DOgzilla has a group that we train on Saturday's at Oahu Regional Park.
You can get in touch with him (his number is under the instructors page Mike Dogzilla Tibbits) or me.  Just post here and I'll get it or call me at home (627-0193).  I am home all day long (I'm staying home with my 4 month old daughter).
The group is a totally cool group.  We all have families.  I also am by no means experienced, but with Mike's help Iam remedying that.  I have been writing down everything he and I practice if a time arises that he can't make it on a Saturday or he can go if I can't make it.
tom

[Crafty_Dog]

Woof Invictus:

A hearty woof of amen to the suggestion of my good friend Dogzilla!

As for DVDs/videos, may I suggest , , , ahem , , , our first series as being a good place to start?  At the moment it is available only in VHS (and VERY reasonably priced!) but, as described in a thread nearby, it will be available in DVD soon.

Woof,
Crafty Dog

PS:  What is the meaning of "Invictus"?

[thai70]

Taking responsibility for one?s destiny.



Invictus
by William Ernest Henley; 1849-1903



Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.


In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.


Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.


It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul. --


Wow!  Those are words to live by!  I'm printing that up and putting that on my workout wall.
tom

[Invictus]

Crafty Dog,

Like Tom mentioned, invictus is the title of one motivating poem and it is also latin for unconquerable.

I first read the poem after 911, in a tribute to our military and first responders.

Pass the poem on......

Chris

[Invictus]

Crafty Dog,

Unfortunately, I am a victim of technology and currently do not own a VHS player (I am old enough to remember renting beta from the video store).

I looked over the Krabi Krabong DVD section. If I read right, its Thai. How similar is KK to FMA, and would that also be a good DVD to start w/?

[thai70]

Dogzilla knows a bit of the Krabi Krabong.  He has started showing me the first four striking and blocking series.
I have a background in Muay thai and like the way they (FMA and KK) compliment each other.  This leads to Crafty's Los Triques.
tom

[Crafty_Dog]

Exactly so.

KK and Kali are distinctive and IMHO, blend in a very interesting way.  For the KK think of Muay Thai done at a run with swords, sticks, staffs, mai sowks.  KK is the military system from which the ring sport of MT descends.

PS:  The Invictus poem is very cool.  I will be using it.

[Invictus]

Well, I've spent some time researching all the info on the DB web site  and reviewing the video clips for the DVDs. Also reviewing some info through out the web.

I would like to start out w/ the Krabi Krabong and then possibly move on to Los Triques when it becomes available.

Any input on this direction of thought from those that have been doing this awhile.

I must say this, I was very impressed with the video clips of full contact stick fighting. What better way to test a techinque / style than by actually applying it.

Once again, any input would be appreciated. God bless.

[peregrine]

wow i love that poem. i will read it daily. good meditation