[tgs]

While I applaud the martial arts training I have to say....fitness training is imperative....seven aspects of fitness, all of which must be worked on to maintain or else you will suffer at some stage....endurance, strength, power, agility, balance, flexibility and coordination.

Also...ALWAYS maintain core strength and flexibility as a priority. Your core of centre of mass MUST have integrity.

Karate does all that, when it is taught properly. I must just be getting old. Last week I broke a finger. This week I popped a tendon.
Monday night, for example, was entirely on core strength. It was all exercises.
On Wednesday night I was not even stressing the arm. I had just put my arm around someone to send him to the ground in a throw that we borrowed from Judo and the bloody tendon went pop before I had used any strength.
A huge purple bruise has taken over the top half of my right arm. Looks impressive.
I have had to conscript young Wolfgang to be my manservant to assist with all the tasks that cannot be performed with one arm.
Little does young Wolfgang know that once he has been instructed in the secret men's business of lawn mowing that his fate is sealed.
Back to the topic of this thread (Jane's excellent speech) I have placed a link to that episode of The Voice on the NSM forum. I expect this thread to receive some American visitors.