Shiv

My grades are kinda good already, I have 6 times an 8/10 and one 9/10 and a three 7/10's, which is really great. But its not that expensive to take a second training, since it has a discount because you train twice.

My parents are quite strict in that Tori, so I dont think I have a chance, but I dont mind paying the 2nd class from my own money anyway. ''I am referring to Kihon and Kata and pushups and situps. But meditation allows you to be come mentally ready for any obstacle, and push your self to your limits and then daily try to push harder, that is one of the true essences of martial arts.'' I will try to meditate before I go train, thanks for the explenation. @Bushido_man: Yeah, its kinda hard to train 1 hour to be honest, with school and all. Thanks again for all the tips guys, really appreciate your support =)

Thanks again for the replies guys. Traymond, I think you mean training Kihon and Kata? Or do you mean like pushups and situps etc.? Im going to do the 100 pushups plan, and I will try to practice Kihon and Kata at home 2.

Thanks for the kind replies guys. I will do my best to work it out to get 2 lessons a week. And yeah, ill stick to it! =)

Looks like a good plan, ill be trying this one out

Hey guys, First of all, Im sorry for leaving without saying anything, eventhough I dont think many of you will remember me. But the reason for me to come back is this; Yesterday, I had my first exam as a karateka. I have been training once a week for 5-6 months now. I thought I prepared myself good enough and a friend of mine (she has a black belt) helped me the whole afternoon with little things. So I was kinda positive about getting the 9th Kyu, I mean, I know all the techniques, I even know the first 2 kata's which arent a requirement for the 9th kyu. But then the exam started and I really tried the best I could, but lots of things seemed to go wrong, like punching while in zenkutsu dachi (you have to take a step, then punch, repeated for 3 times or so). I messed up the stances and well, just a lot seemed to go wrong. All those little things my friend told me not to forget, I forgot (well, except for keeping your fist as high as possible when you punch with the other one). Also, one of the sensei's did something we never had and let us do it too, just to see how we'd cope with it. I couldnt get it down. So my sensei gave me the 10th kyu, which actually disappointed me, a lot. When I got home I was really kinda depressed, because I tried my best, but it wasnt good enough. So I slept horrible, but today I figured there are two things I can do now; either quit, or really go for it. And I decided to do the last option. So Im going to try to get 2 trainings a week (the one on monday I do now is a mixed class, white to black belt. But on wednesday its for beginners only), because my parents wont pay for the classes and I have to reschedule my guitar lessons. Also, I am coming back here, for advice and learning, and hopefully this time I can really add something to the community. And as a third, I am going to go and work on my condition more. So yeah, thanks for reading the big amount of -kinda emo, but w/e- text. Hope to see you guys around, Cheers

I love the swimming pool one

The whole lottery chance of winning has been researched a while ago in our country. When you buy 1 lottery ticked (13 euros) you have 1 to 1000000000000 chance to win, or sth like that It was really a really really really low chance. So it's useless, you have a way 2 small chance to win. But people see how big the jackpot is (I think its 25 million now here), they want to win, eventhough they know how small their chance is. And on tv, they have a program around the lottery, showing how people win thousands of euros. It's all marketing to be honest

I do 80 knuckle pushups a day (sometimes 60, its better then 60 + 20 sloppy ones I think) and I sometimes go for a run. It rains a lot in the Netherlands though, so I can't do it often. And I train 1 day per week in the dojo, 1,5 hours. I would like to train twice, but I have guitar lesson 2, which is at the same time as karate training.

They get homework in elementary school?! Thats insane lol, how old are you sons again Joe? Because, I first got homework when I was 12. I dont think its good to get anything when you are under 12 tbh.

Maybe, if you haven't already, you could talk to the teachers of your sons and ask why they don't get a chance to plan, since that is the whole point of homework. Besides learning about the subject, you learn how to plan things because you will need that skill when you are grown up.

Nice =) Ive never seen the Anne Frank house tbh But I've seen the houses in Amsterdam a lot, they look really nice. Did you notice they all lean a bit forward or a bit to the right/left, none of them stands straight

Yesterday's training: We had a great class. We trained our legs and belly muscles for the mai geri. It really works better then just copying your sensei imo. We did some excercises with our legs, like sitting on the floor, one foot in front of you (your heel in your balls, basically ) and the other heel behind you, as far as you could. Then we swinged the leg that was behind forwards, as far as possible. And then swing it back again, behind you, as far as you can. And lots more of those excercises. I really felt my legs already because of the 2 mile run I did that afternoon Then we practised the technique. One does pushups (knuckle) and the other one kicks over the first guy's back when he rises. It's a good training for both Then we practised it with coushins (dunno what they are called in english, its just a square thing you can kick or punch) @Bushido_man: I had that problem first 2. I could do 15 pushups in a row. But I practised it after my parents had put me to bed As long as you keep doing a set number of them every day or like 3 days in a week, you should increase your muscles, and you can do more and more over time

Allrighty, thanks for the advice I'll let you know when I've visited the doc again. Btw, you liked the Netherlands when you visited it?

Hope so too I think its better to do 80 pushups with really short pauses (like 10 seconds or so) then 50 with no or one pause. Its indeed also good to see what others do, inspires me

80 knuckle pushups Short break between every 15 (one time I did 20) Now going for a 2 mile run. Tonight is training, so I will see what that brings me

Congrats man =) Must be cool to have a job that is your hobby at the same time

I think callasous is kinda like a tough skin on your knuckles? To make my fists stronger, I do 50 knuckle pushups every day on my wooden floor. It hurts less everyday.

Oh, I just realized. I dont know really, but, if your kids get homework for the day after tomorrow, or for next week or w/e, let them make it before it has to be done (or a part of it, which is even better). That way, you dont have to do everything the day before it has to be finished. It really helped me a couple of years ago to be honest.

I know kids who learn till 03:00 in the night. I mean, I'm 16 and go to bed at 21:45 (but I like sleeping ). Those kids are in my class and they just do that for one test. (Im in 5th class. I will do my school exam in the 6th class and then I go to university (our school system works different ). But, the thing you describe is what annoys me the most about school. I would like more time to become pro in Call of Duty 4, practice guitar, play some other games, excersice etc. etc. It's only natural and it happens everywhere that school becomes more and more a part of your life when you go to school. The thing in our country is that we dont make enough hours at school according to the government. Now I have every wednesday, 2 hours long, a playsession with Lego Mindstorms. And they call it Robotics. Im 16! LEGO! I mean, its just ridiculous, so I guess the thing is to become really good at time management. What I do is, I dont make homework anymore, only for the subjects where it is necesary. But I must say I am a pretty good learner and, without being cocky, I dont have to do a lot to get good grades at all. And I am at the highest level of education there is in our little country. So, I don't really know your problem ofcourse, but to be honest, there really isn't much you can do about it man. ..ye, I needed all that text to come to this simple conclusion Good luck with it anyways =)

Thanks guys, I will see the ''normal'' doctor as soon as possible. If she has no real solution, I ask for an elbow wrap. I will also see if I can go to the physiotherapist, cuz I dont know if there is an orthopedic doctor near. Physiotherapists know about this kind of thing 2 right?

Yes, I mean hyperextend. My native language isn't english, so I dont know all the words yet I never hyperextend them when punching or when doing pushups. Thanks for the help man, I will go to the doctor again and ask for an elbow wrap, to put on when I train. Thanks a lot

I think it is the best thing to do when someone grabs you from behind, or wants to strangle you from behind. I wouldnt use it unless I saw no other way though. ( the frontal one).

Hey guys, I just tried to do 50 knuckle pushups. My right elbow seems to be kinda blocked though. I cant overstretch it and it feels like I cant get 100% power out of it. When I tense everything in my right arm, it also feels like I cant get 100% power in my biceps, triceps and my lower arm muscles. I have been to the doctor with this, and she said it probably was a bit of water in my elbow and that I should be fine if I take it easy with it. But that has been months ago and nothing has happened. Anyone knows what it is or what to do? Doing pushups now doesnt really feel good to the right arm. It hurts a tiny bit. Thanks in advance =)

Joe, you know a LOT man Thank y00 =) And yeah, TMNT rocks