sensei8

Yes, it's unusual for a Okinawan based style to start with Pinan Shodan because Pinan Nidan is usually the first Kata learnt to most Okinawan styles. My style, Shindokan, also starts with Pinan Shodan, but, my Soke had originally started teaching Pinan Nidan first, but, he changed it so that Pinan Shodan was taught first. Why? He felt that Shodan was more easier than Nidan. Again, as far as how long before whatever, should be left to the sensei and nobody else!

Nope! Just as soon as I heard the meaning...I didn't believe in it. Delayed? Death Touch? In the same sentence? OXYMORON! Anything delayed in the martial arts means, imho, it just didn't work and/or it won't work; therefore, I'll label it as "Delayed"! As far as "Death Touch" goes, it's a gimmick to make it sound...important/cool/amazing! Hhhhmmmmm?!?

Well, I once read in a martial arts magazine some time ago in which the author said that one could place either a brick or a board in a oven for a short time in order to weaken the material. I DON'T THINK SO! The author even went on to warn his readers to keep an eye on the boards that are in the oven in case the board catches on fire. He also warned his readers to use a oven mitt when removing the materials from the oven; both warnings are pretty good ideas! HELP!

Here's a thought though maybe. If you consider that here in the UK at least, when Karate was being introduced in the 60's, in many cases it was in Judo clubs? WNM I concede to both...now that I think about them both!

My only suggestion, because I'm the furthest thing from a carpenter, is to put into it what makes you happy. I would imagine that you'd want one that's different from anything else seen. I once saw a cool one before...it was in the shape of the ATA Songahm Star, it wasn't a cheesy one either, it was sharp! Sorry I couldn't provide you what you're looking for!

What type of Martial Arts books do you enjoy the most? For me, it's books that deal with alot of martial arts/styles history...the older the history the better. This topic, imho, ISN'T like "Sticky: Martial arts research library" that's at the very top of this forum because that topic asks for book titles. I'm asking for BOOK TOPICS!

Good luck with that! "No disrespect intended"...as long as respect is afforded to the conversation and each other! Just because someone is a shihan and the like, it doesn't mean that this person is mature enough to handle such a comment [How about asking your shihan to get over his need to hear a loud kiai?]!! Nonethelessl, I wouldn't be surprised if the shihan quoted an over-stated..."Shut-up and just train" comment!

Nothing ventured is nothing gained. I, too, don't forsee any problems from what you've described/explained. As most have already said...talk to your current instructor and let him know what's going on. A mature instructor won't have a problem with this in any shape, way, and/or form, imho! Good luck!

"Can you keep up with me or not?"

"You're a what?"

I'm a Karateka and I'd like to think that I too am liberated from 'rank' because I don't EVER put rank before knowledge! Rank has its purpose, yet, I learned along time ago that 'rank' must be PUT IN ITS PLACE! When rank is as or more important than knowledge, it's time to walk away, until that practitioner CAN put rank in its place! Over the years I've suspended/expelled students of mine who became "ruled" by rank; knowledge wasn't that important to them any more!

Nothing ventured is nothing gained! One will never know until one tries it. The inventor of the "Pet Rock" made millions while his family laughed at his idea as dumb at first...later-on...he laughed all the way to the bank! Would I buy a pre-warn bb? NO! But, I never bought a pet rock either!

"Kung-Fu" TV star found dead in Bangkok... http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/actor-david-carradine-found-dead-bangkok-ap My prayers go out to his family/friends during their time of mourning! RIP!

Enjoy...

Possibly adding Expert Picks might juice it up a notch. Seeing and then comparing KF members' MMA picks against MMA picks from noted experts/analysis in the MMA field AFTER THE EVENT and/or BEFORE THE EVENT.

Kuma, that's a very solid post! I concur with it wholeheartedly!

That's a solid post! Study your opponent, study yourself, make a plan, and then carry the plan out...in total commitment.

It's a good thought, but for me, I want both side working! If one trains the one side to become a force to be reckoned with and then that side becomes injuried. What now? Switch! 10-4! I hear you! Mr. Wallace was just an example of kicking, I admit that, but I believe my intent was understood whether it's a kick or a punch/strike. While a single side model might work, but, will it work all the time, for me...my odds of success, imho, are increased by using both sides. Either way, whatever works for that individual is what that individual should go to. I just don't subscribe to the single side model, that's just me.

Although Mr. Bill Wallace favored his left side, not many could do anything about it. They knew which leg was going to kick them, but, there's nothing they could do about it...it wasn't if, it was when. Mr. Wallace might be the exception to the rule...train both sides! Even then, I'd still beat his left side until he switched, even if it was for just a split second, but I'd be ever vigilant against his kicks from his left side.

One of my most favorite things to do is to disrupt. When I find someone who likes to favor a particular side, I'll torment that side with everything at my disposal until that person switches to the other side, the unfavorable side, then it's time to close the deal. It works more often than it doesn't! Beat the lead leg or the lead hand or anything over and over until they switch to their unfavorite side...then...whack away. Therefore, train BOTH sides equally, this should be of normal training in any martial arts, imho. Sometimes, instructors don't make the students train both sides for whatever reason(s) an instructor might have. Either way, train both sides or be prepared to be run over by a train!

That's awesome. Kids make us adults seem so...well...lame. Looks like the little tike might be the next Tiger Woods of pool. Thanks for this Patrick!

I love to play Donkey Kong and I've gotten pretty good at it over the years, although, my skills are timid compared to some of the players who've mastered Donkey Kong. Steve Wiebe was poised to break the worlds record until...well...check this out... http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/power-cut-glitch-foil-donkey-kong-record-attempt/1321196

A kick to the shin would also be a good defensive/offensive kick. Why? Most attackers are laymen, and by laymen I mean someone who hasn't trained/conditioned their shins, therefore, a well placed kick to the shin might be enough to get away. "You've got alot of nerves!" some might say, and my response would be "Thank you...and so does the shin area." The shin is a great attention getter, but if you don't capitalize at that very moment, the attacker might beat the heck out of you for general purposes because he's mad already and in pain (you hope) and mad because of the pain you caused.

Isn't the world of possibilities just wonderful. Someone's negitive is someone else's positive, and vise versa. As in Chess, whomever controls the center of the board for most of the game, usually wins, although, make one mistake and it's capitalized against and....WHAM...a hidden checkmate has you sitting there going...."What happened? Where did that come from!" It doesn't take much to have the tables turned against you...does it?

My experience with the Red Man suit is limited. Reasons for it being limited is that when I wore the suit, I felt rather restricted across the board. The other reason, believe it or not, I'm extremely claustrophobic, and I don't like that feeling. Yet, everything I've seen about the Red Man suit has more positives than negitives. Embrace its teaching tool on two planes; safety/reality.