My name is Josh MacDonald. I’m based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and currently run Calgary Rakushinkan, where I teach Aikidō along with elements of classical Japanese martial arts, including Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu, kenjutsu, and iaijutsu.

Before that, I spent many years training in Chitō-ryū karate. I moved to Japan in 2004 intending to continue karate, but wasn’t able to find what I was looking for. That led me to my current instructor and opened up a completely different approach to jūjutsu (Aikidō) and sword-based arts.

My karate background still informs how I think about martial arts—especially in terms of structure, kata, and how technique relates to practical application. At the same time, my perspective has changed quite a bit through exposure to both gendai and koryū systems. I’ve become particularly interested in pedagogy—how these arts are actually taught, how principles are transmitted, and how different systems approach that problem.

I spend a fair amount of time writing and thinking about these topics—things like the relationship between jūjutsu and Aikidō, the role of weapons in training, and some of the differences between “dō” and “jutsu.” More recently, I’ve also been reflecting on my earlier karate experience in light of what I practice now—what carries over, what doesn’t, and why.

Looking forward to the discussions here.

Regards,
Josh

 I’m Brandon and I’ve been teaching martial arts for ~22 years now and have trained in quite a few styles. 

Over the years I found there are things I liked and disliked about a lot of systems that I have  studied. More often than not, the biggest thing I disliked was the unnecessary politics in the system. I also was not a fan of more sports based systems.

In 2015 I founded the Modern Martial Arts Society (MMAS) which is an international A-political organization that is dedicated to assisting martial artists world-wide. MMAS is dedicated to assist and aid martial artists in their martial journey and promotes students purely based off of merit.

MMAS was primarily created as the governing agency for Seiyo-Ryu Aikibujutsu, which is a martial arts system that I founded at the same time, but any system or individual may join the organization. MMAS is primarily for martial arts systems that are primarily rooted in and teach self-defense and warfare. The organization strives to make practical self-defense education accessible globally and conducts periodic seminars. The organization’s website is is currently being updated and can be found Here.

I currently hold ranking in the following systems:

Seiyo-Ryu Aikibujutsu, Founder

5th Dan, Tae Kwon Do, Master

4th Dan, Modern Arnis, Master

3rd Dan, Hapkido, Instructor

Assistant Maestro (Blue Shirt), Derobio Eskrima Jungle Style (~2nd Dan)

2nd Dan, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

1st Dan, San Shu Kai Budo Karate, Instructor

1st Dan, Daito-Hakko Jujutsu, Instructor

Instructor, Muay Thai

Instructor, Kickboxing

Instructor, Boxing

I’m looking forward to some interesting topics and conversations!

I've been studying Isshin-Ryu on-and-off since I was a little guy - started in 1998. I've been a member of 3 clubs in total over the years, all with similar lineage. The on-and-off has been a struggle with myself but I've never stopped kata in my own time. I digress - I am two feet back in and training for my Ni-dan (finally!).

Isshin-ryu dojo seem to be few and far in between, at least in the valley, so I'd love to connect with others out there, learn their lineage and chat casually with other Karateka.

Have a great day, everyone.

Kampai!

I'm Dennis, a longtime member of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), where I am a nidan (2nd-degree black belt). I'm a couple of hours away from the nearest dojo, and, at 61 years old, I mostly practice basics and kata for exercise, strength and flexibility.

Prior to my retirement, I was a police officer for 25 years. I can say with certainty that: a) the techniques are highly effective and work in a real fight (because I am still alive); b) every police officer in America should train in some martial art of their choice; and c) I would not be here but for practicing karate.

I appreciate the intelligent level of discussion on the site here, as I've seen SKA get harshly criticized on other sites with false claims and the typical American misinterpretations of this very Japanese art form.

Since I was a child (long, long ago), I've had the greatest respect for all martial arts and look forward to reading of the great experiences of others here.

Age is powerful, efficient, quick and relentless.

I consider the nuance as I evolve.

Into The Art side of Martial Arts.

Been dabbling in Traditional Karate and Weapons since 70s. Looking to share/gain some insights around evolving goals and lessons-learned. Currently going deeper into Inoue and hasegawa videos on expansion, relaxing shoulders and hips between movement or technique during kata. See you on the karate/weapons and Instructor Topics.

Dropping in to the forum and see if I can learn and maybe contribute somehow.

From southern part of Sweden and been practicing Shotokan Karate for JKA both as young and now as …much older. Hold a Shodan rank.

Cheers / BtK

I have dabbled in most Japanese arts, boxing, MT, BJJ, and wrestling. I am not a fighter and I am not good enough to be labeled as someone who excels in competitions, but I have tried to put what I have learned in class to use on a number of occasions and analyze there effectiveness for my own assurance.

Just wanted to briefly introduce myself. Lifetime student of Shotokan, although with some hiatuses. Always been a fan of competitions, you know, trying to get the old prize cabinet stuffed

Currently training in a small, non-commercial dojo, and that's just the way I like it. Looking forward to testing for my 2nd kyu at the end of this year.

I’ve recently uncovered my log in information for Karate Forums in an old notebook and was surprised that it still worked… almost 10 years since my last post! Lots of changes since then - moved 1/2 way across the country, started a small karate club, finished school, got a real job, moved 1/2 way back across the country, got married - but I've kept up my training throughout, in one form or another.

I’m really glad this community is still going strong. See you in the forums!

I reside in the Ottawa, Ontario area and wish to have some sort of community or group of people who are interested in Karate (not specifically Chito Ryu) in that sense. I am looking for serious practice in bunkai as well as kake-kumite/Irikumi .

Practicing with people from other style or Art gives one the opportunity to develop in a different way and explore their horizon even more. If you wish to share anything in that regards whether images, videos, events in the Ottawa area or an interest to train with me please do not hesitate to post or Dm me.

Short bio...had studied a couple of arts as a child, but got more serious in my late teens and by early 20's was a red belt in an "American" Tae Kwon Do style. Unfortunately a series of factors, (School, work, family, other sporting interests) forced me to chose and I stopped training.

Over the years (I'm 52 now) I have studied other arts (Wing Chun, BJJ, Aikijutsu) but generally it would be for 6 months, maybe a year or year and a half and inevitably life would happen and I'd stop training.

But I'm at the point in life now where my other sports pursuits (powerlifting, highland games, etc.) are winding down (more a factor of injuries than anything) and I'm sincerely interested in using the benefits of marital arts to help fight off what I see as two of the biggest enemies of older age...losing mobility and losing mental flexibility.

The unfortunate part is due to my rural location and work schedule, I have not been able to find a school/style that I like that is in line with my availability. So I have started training using a virtual school.

I know the thoughts on this generally are negative, but (as I wrote in another post) my goals here are not fighting focused, but for exercise and body/mind improvement primarily.

Looking forward to hearing/learning from others training as I progress on my own. Best Regards

-Bob

New to the site and wanted to extend my warmest greetings

I've been reading the forum for a while and have finally got round to opening an account.

I'm Josh, Shotokan karate-ka from the UK. I've been training for about a year now, and am currently a 7th Kyu yellow belt. Bit of a late starter (I'm 30) but, as everyone says, the best time to start is right now!

My name is Tim and glad to have found this site.

I have been living in Japan and practicing karate for 10 years now but will move back to California soon. I practice Shorin ryu karate here in Narita, Japan.

I look forward to meeting all other karate and martial arts enthusiasts.

Alohas,

Tim

I guess you could say I’m an old timer (is 38 even considered old by today’s standards? Haha!) who’s been bitten by the karate bug. I am unfortunately limited to practicing in my home study due to an intellectual disability but I am trying to learn and study a few different kata on my own as best I can. Right now I am concentrating on Matsubayashi-ryu - following along with Shoshin Nagamine’s wonderful book and any old videos of his original students performances and bunkai I can find on YouTube. I really love the use of natural stances in this style and the elegant movements. I am also quite interested in the arts of Uechi-Ryu and Goju-Ryu.

My own history with karate is, I guess, a short one. I was signed up to a Ninjutsu center back in the late 90s, which I suppose is what you would call a Mcdojo? (I’m still a little confused on what exactly that is!) I was signed up for a trial session but because I had an undiagnosed health condition at the time I fell to the ground and blacked out for a few seconds by the end of class from all the rigorous exercise! How’s that for a first impression, eh? Anyway, even if it wasn’t true karate I had a lot of fun with the (very) little time I had there. I always regretted not being able to pursue any sort of martial arts because I truly do love it. Even if I can never exceed the rank of white belt or take a professional class, I hope I can share and participate in the wonderful discussion of martial arts with everyone.

Thanks for reading my lengthy post. It’s very nice to meet everybody!

Very limited semi-formal judo training.

Coached an MMA team for about 1.5-2 years.

Soon to be opening my own dojo after working as the martial arts program director for a local athletic facility.

Based north of London UK. I'm a lapsed 4th Dan in Shotokan Karate. Started training in 1979. Now training in Krav Maga. Hope to make some new friends here.

Feels good to be back I really missed karate

been at it for about 18 years slow start but it's coming back

I am a shito ryu practitioner 51 years young