Espina

Yes, I've noticed the same. Bassai Dai seems to be the most common here in Costa Rica.

It confused me a lot... why should a competition kata should be that different from the training kata? I have to say that Kata Shitei looks a lot nicer than the regular training kata, but still... I think that this shouldn't be done.

Isn't Ed Parker the founder of American Kempo?

Nope Traymond... significative things, suchs as Kyais, timings, head positions, etc.

The reason I ask is because that's the only gi brand that is sold here in Costa Rica. My gi has made here by a lady that knows how to sew hehehehe, and pretty much all the gi in this country heheheh. But for some reason Macho is the only brand that they import. If you want a gi different than Macho, you´ll need to bring it from some other country.

hehehehehe, don't worry, this way I learn a little more slang Oh, and for the spanish part... 'deslizado' is like glide on ice. For example "Se deslizó una hoja por debajo de la puerta" which mean "A paper sheet was thrown under the door" , Where "thrown" stands for 'deslizado'. The correct spanish term I think will be 'trasladado', wich means moved (the 'back into' part will have to be given by 'de vuelta'). so 'come back into'= 'trasladado de vuelta' But now I get what you meant with crept. Thanks for the english lesson

Wow, thanks for the info joesteph. I didn't know 'kara' had this particular meaning. I always thought it was just 'empty'

I agree with you WNM. The kata should be the same. But I have a comment regarding this: a few months ago I received a seminary with Master Ramon Veras, of Goju Ryu. He told us that there are variations for Kata Shitei and normal kata...and this is inside the same school...

I COMPLETELY agree with you granitemiller

I think the main difference between Kyokushin and Ashihara is Ashihara allows you to grab and yank your opponent around, whereas in Kyokushin they don't let you do that. Kyokushin also has more of emphasis on the standard kihon and kata, whereas Ashihara is more into fighting techniques and their kata is more for kumite. Other than that, I don't see much of a difference. Yes, I think you are right about the grabbing part. We kind of use the gi a lot to grab our opponent. Regarding the kata, I also agree with you. Our katas (Ashihara) are more fighting-based than for example Goju Ryu. They do look a lot like a street fight rather than a choreography (in the absence of any other word).

So that crept thing is like a slow transition from one movement to another?

Have you heard about Macho gis?

What is crept? (sorry, my english is not that good)

I think it is... I've heard about Kaikan, never Kaiken... but I don't know if it's the same

Somebody once told me that Ashihara is the style of karate that the armed forces of Japan practice. I don't know about this. Does anyone know if this is true?

Perhaps the main difference between Ashihara and Kyokushin is that Kyokushin hits the legs more than we do... but I would really like an opinion from someone who's main art is Kyokushin. We hit the head a lot in Ashihara, and I would dare to say that we use knees more than kyokushin.

And no hehehehe, Ashihara is the Last name of our Kancho, Hideyuki Ashihara

Yes Traymond. Ashihara is a lot like Kyokushin, we hit legs a lot.

I agree with you Kuma. There is a lot to learn from different styles, and when you have friends that practice them is even nicer

I think Kara means empty

I really like the training kumite (where you fight with your mates, but without wanting to knock them down)

I think you have an interesting point there, granitemiller. For example, Kumite no Kata sono Ich in Ashihara ends breaking the opponent's neck, thus causing him death. When you practice kumite with your Dojo mates, you definitely aren't looking to kill any of them, so this particular movement does not apply, but the rest does. I mean, Katas try to emulate a real fight (ones more than others, of course) and therefore what matters is to take out opponents as fast and as efficient as possible. When you practice kumite you are not trying save your life, but improve your skills through practice

Do you guys know if there is any Indian katas? I mean, I once heard that the martial arts started in India. Now I'm wondering (wandering?) if there is like the most ancient kata, and if it's indian or not. ..but that's a nice question too: which kata do you think is the oldest one?

what do you mean miller? I'm not sure I quite understood you

I guess it's a Japanese brand...