granitemiller

I really do not know if this is unique to our school or not. My sensei trained in an ISKA school in Baltimore, but he also trained at a Tang So Do school as well as a pentjak silat school, so honestly I don't know where he picked this up from. I will have to ask him next time I see him.

I am 46. Still going strong. Sometimes have some injuries that take a while longer to heal than when I was younger, but nothing serious.

I disagree with the statement that karate schools and TKD schools are just aimed at children, there are many that are adult oriented.

I typically favor my left side, I can kick faster with my left leg.

Depends on the night and the people at class. More experienced = more rough, beginners we take it easy.

He produces a good magazine.

I don't really think it is all that important to get national/international recognition from one organization like a JKA, ISKA, WTA or the like. My school is under the umbrella of a large group (King Cobra), however, before we joined them we were a small outfit out there on our own. Our former Sensei's Sensei was trained in an ISKA school in Baltimore, and he was killed in a car accident. Our Sensei then left and moved to Pittsburgh and never bothered with ISKA membership. He then retired, and we floated by ourselves until we came under another umbrella. We joined because we liked the organization, they had the same goals and principals as we held, and it gave me the opportunity to advance in rank. But was it important or necessary to do so? No. Because when you are with your peers (like at tournaments), if you are a "poser" you are exposed almost immediately. And as martial arts are an inward journey as well as out, it is more important about what you learn then any grade or ranking you get from some large organization.

There is nothing exotic with joining an organization like what you mentioned, just some benefits.

There is a lot of power in the techniques, but I have never felt the "pounding", there are also softer forms.

Both have to do with weight on the front and back legs, cat stance is something like 90/10 (back/front) and the other 75/25

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Has anyone practiced both Hapkido and Aikido and would you mind explaining your experiences? I have read about Hapkido and took some Aikido and would like to hear about other people's experiences. Thank you!

Yes, well stated ps1

RIP

Since you have trained in goju-ryu, I think you can appreciate aikido more.

Did he ever fight in the early days of UFC or am I thinking about EFC?

I wrestled in high school and then moved to Judo in college, and BJJ in the 90's. The positioning from wrestling I still use, as well as various takedowns. At first I would stick my neck out and also lower my head, but I quickly learned not to do it. I know that it is almost natural for me to want to stay on top of the opponent and not give up the position. The sprawl is second nature, and there is the mentality of just hold on ten more seconds and you can win. I always know when I am going up against another wrestler, just by the way we tie up. BJJ taught me much more on the ground for submissions, and Judo how to leverage throws.

The more you know a subject, the easier it is to teach it, and the more fuller you will be able to teach it. My first year as an adjunct professor at the university was quite a challenge! Then after each semester passed it became easier and easier, and I was able to broaden the topics, tie them together, etc. Same thing with martials arts, the more experience, the better the teaching will be.

Yes, proper guidance under the chief Sensei/Instructor, for training purposes. I can agree with that.

We have a tradition that all black belts put the new shodan's black belt on first before the new shodan wears it, that way we transfer a piece of ourselves to the new shodan. So my belt was worn by my previous sensei's which means a great deal to me.

Kyokushin Karate will give you a taste of full contact sparring. I think it will be a nice mix for you, the hitting style of Kyokushin and the throws/use the opponent against himself of Aikido. Shotokan also has full contact (ippon kumite), although finding schools that do it nowadays is hard and most do point sparring. Judo will give you the hands on grappling training if you are looking down that path. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Shotokan takes between 3.5 to 4 years for 1st dan, then 2 years for 2nd, another 2 years min. for 3rd. I don't like the idea of one year/one dan upgrade. This means that someone taking a style for 10 years could be a 9th degree - which I don't think is right.

There should be an age requirement of some kind, I think that once some students hit 14-15, they are capable of teaching as they are generally more mature.

I don't think you have to be a dan level to start instructing, but prudence should be used during training of the kyu ranks.