NewLevel

Hey guys. Just wanted some sound advice here. I've been a student of Taekwondo for about 8 years now and at a brown belt level. We haven't really had any classes for a few years now due to the busyness of the instructor with his job and our facility where the classes were held had been shut down. Eventually, the instructor might continue to teach and then he may not. I had some minor injuries over the past few years and honestly was out of practice. I still remember techniques but as far as our forms go and such, I'm completely rusty. Our TKD style resembles that of Shotokan as far as standing techniques and forms but didn't cover much ground work unless it was your basic armbar or leglock. We have a local BJJ / Judo / MMA gym near us that is connected to the Gracie's that I have been thinking of joining. They have classes everyday of the week. The instructor and owner of the BJJ gym was trained in TKD under my instructor and received Dan grades under him back 12-15 years ago. There is the potential that teacher of the BJJ gym could test me for black belt in TKD as well with permission from my instructor. Honestly, I keep putting off visiting the BJJ gym since I'm a big guy (over 350 pounds at about 6 feet) and 32 years old. I feel I would be the biggest guy in the class amongst other very fit guys and gals. I need to lose the weight though. However, on the other hand I have a deep attraction to my TKD style's roots in Karate and there is a Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu school that recently opened up in my state but it's over 2 hours away that I've been thinking of visiting and trying out. But the main concern there is just time and travel. The classes are twice a week but due to work I would only be able to attend maybe once a week. Would it be more beneficial to pick up BJJ/Judo at the local school since really the two arts Taekwondo and BJJ are completely different? Or would attending the Shorin-Ryu school be more beneficial? In the future, I would hope to learn one or the other eventually. Thanks in advance for all the advice.

Hey guys! It's been a while since I've been here. Good to be back. My style is old school Chung Do Kwan TKD but we acknowledge our roots in Okinawan Karate and study basic bunkai and applications to kata. Our kata is almost identical to Shotokan but we do dabble in Okinawan Karate and Ryukyu martial arts. I still consider myself a beginner, so I have a lot to learn. My questions: Is bunkai and Tuite something that is sought after to learn after reaching Black belt level? In my location, we hardly have anyone teaching bunkai or Tuite for that matter on the advanced level. Is bunkai and Tuite something that I should seek out with other teachers or does it come naturally out of analyzing and studying kata? I know there's tons of resources like books, YouTube, etc. as well. Thanks in advance for all the help and advice.

Probably some crazy questions here. Just recently ordered a Meijin Pro gi. Love the quality of this gi but it is a little large on me including the gi pants. I actually called the support number and told them my weight/height and they told me exactly what I needed. My questions are: 1. How should gis really fit? I like mine roomy but not too huge. Currently, the bottom end of the Meijin Pro gi jacket hangs at my knees. Hopefully these gis will shrink!! 2. Are the pants meant to wear above your navel area or above your hips? (like wearing jeans) Thanks.

Sometimes, I read comments on here or see YouTube videos on training and I realize my history and language terms are terrible in martial arts. I get so discouraged. Are there good places around the net to learn the "real" history besides wikipedia and to learn the language? Mostly, interested in: Shorin-Ryu Shotokan Taekwondo Wing Chun Hapkido

Hey guys. I haven't been on here in a while but wanted thoughts on this. Is it okay to learn martial arts under someone who may be a great martial artist but may have a bad reputation or their values and moral are not up to par? This is something that sort of has bothered me lately. I was planning on training in another weapons art briefly but the instructor has had some court troubles in the past. Those in the community have stated his morals/values is questionable after the trouble he was in. I've talked to him personally and immediately he wanted to know my lineage, who my instructor is currently, and sent this huge e-mail asking me my past training,etc. It almost sounds like he is "sizing me up." He had some students approach me on a social networking site and it seems they are researching me! He has definitely told them things I've personally told him myself! It's really a confusing thing. My gut is telling me to stay away. My current instructor is a great family man, professor in college and an amazing person all in all. His teaching is great. He tells me to be very careful. Just wanted to see some views on this. Thank you!

Are there any grappling in Karate?

WOW...the gi came in today and it was huge! The gi jacket sleeve and pants will definitely need to be hemmed. I haven't washed them yet so hopefully the gi will shrink some. I noticed the gi pants are baggy...is this normal for a brand new gi?

Anyone have any good washing tips on how to keep your smelly, sweaty Karate gi looking bright and clean, like new? I heard using OxyClean washing liquid with regular detergent is good.

I'm just going with a size 8 from Century...and do all the washing to shrink it, then get it tailored. So for tailoring the gi sleeves should hang just above the wrists and the gi pants above the heel?

Should the obi be the same size as the uniform? I don't like my obi too long where it hangs low...

Wow! I had no clue this was going on. It's very respectful and honoring to the arts. This reminds me of the old days when Norris and Bill Wallace were fighting. Anyone know what channel I can watch this on? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tDwyZPhHAc

To clear up the confusion about the film, actually Jaden Smith's character in the film is a karate student before him and his mother move to China. Thus the title "The Karate Kid." Here is the plot summary from Imdb.com: Yes, it makes sense now and I'm happy they didn't try to completely remake the classic film, it has similar aspects though. Jaden Smith really surprised me in those clips in the trailer. He seems mature for his age and Jackie Chan seems more serious, though I'm sure it will have it's comedic moments. It looks very promising to me.

I watched a kung fu film this weekend entitled "Fighter." I just changed the channel and started watching this film and it really took me by surprise. Totally awesome and it's beautiful film through and through. I recommend everyone to watch this film. It definitely inspired me to work harder. You can read the synopsis and watch the the trailer here:

I'm about 5'11-12" and weigh roughly 280-290 pounds. So I'm a big guy. The most difficult thing right now is finding the right Karate gi, that I need for class. I'm looking at Century middleweight gi's: Jacket: http://www.karatedepot.com/un-md-31.html Pants: http://www.karatedepot.com/un-md-34.html Last year I ordered a gi from a different brand that was a size 6...the jacket and belt was too small, but the pants fit okay but they were too long and had to be hemmed. Now, going by the size chart alone, do I need to go by weight alone when getting the right size? Should I buy the jacket and pants separate with different sizes or just together (same size chart applies)? I don't want a jacket to be baggy where it looks really long as well. Thanks for the help!

I seen it...it is what it is. A good popcorn flick. It's good and a plus for martial artists like us, but don't expect it to be mind blowing, you'll be let down. But go support it, so we'll get more movies in the MA genre!