Espina

hey Kuma, have you trained Ashihara?

So it turns white after washing?

I go 5 times a week, 1.5 hour sessions

Ashihara uses elbows and knees... In fact, they are even used on almost every kata. They are also used in Kumite. Elbows can hit everything but the face, and knees can hit absolutely every part of the body (except for the crouch, obviously)

I have always wonder... Who do you think is the best gi manufacturer in the world?

I don't know either why only judo black belts can use it...but I have also heard about some other styles were only the sen sei can wear black gi.

Hahahahahha, I just read the ones that Killer posted

I agree with you guys, Ashihara and Kyokushin are as sisters as Goju and Uechi. As you may know, I practice both Ashihara and Goju. Since Kyokushin and Shotokan are probably the most popular karate styles (full contact and traditional) I always compare them, not for any particular reason except that maybe is what most people have heard about.

Oh, and by the way, I also practice Goju Ryu, which is very similar to Shotokan

Are you from Japan?

Same as Ashihara. The only ones who can wear a black gi are the Shihans

I´ve never heard of red gis. I have seen (and worn) traditional white, blue and black, but never heard about red. Does any particular Martial Art use it?

I agree with you, nobody should stigmatize a person who trains, no matter what martial art he/she performs. Nevertheless, as I stated before (and this is only my personal belief, but could be shared by other too, though) I think that the differences are the things that you mention...the "bad boy attitude" is just not part of a traditional training, but humility and respect, rather than Tito's propaganda. I surely have a lot of respect for MMAs. Everyone who goes up in a ring deserves a great deal of respect, but I just don't think that the old Masters vision was to see their art in a cage, or placed under pepsi ads. It may sound a lot bucolic, but the more I think about it I have more confidence that traditional training is the way to go when it comes to martial artists. This will not only increase their abilities, but also make them better persons.

I agree with Traymond, it's a simple kata, so focus in perfect positioning and good dynamic tension

Timm, I'm sure you have seen a lot of Katas... there's no way you wouldn't recognize a traditional Kata from a "modern" one. Could you please tell me what you think are the main differences between traditional katas and modern ones?

Tallgeese Maybe you think this way because you are a MMA, but perhaps you could ask any Japanese karate master about this... I don't think he would agree with you. Personally, I don't even consider that training for UFC can be compared to training for a way of living, which is in fact Karate and other martial arts. Traditional training will always have an advantage over modern UFC-like training just because it wasn't meant to be for TV, or anyone else. It was meant to be for you, and eventually you would become wise enough to give it to your students. But hey, this is a forum, we are supposed to be debating Thanks for your thoughts.

I also like their disciplinary actions . I have seen old Masters with bamboo sticks also...they are quite "convincing"

That's something really beautiful. Every Master has his own opinion about fighting, but they are never contradictory... they are complementary Master Ancho was an ex green beret, he fought in Vietnam and he also was a magnificent martial artist.

One time I was in a training camp with Master Kanazawa and a student was showing him his soles... And the master kicked his soles so hard...I'm sure he shrunk a couple of inches after that

hheheheheheheheheheheeheheheheheheheheheheh

oh, by the way, I have competed in kata a few times only. I'm also more of a Kumite guy

What do you think was going on the mind of the people who invented kata?

hehehehehehehehehehehehehehe One time a classmate was trying to open more and more his legs for high kicks...but he tried to make the split on ceramic floor...with socks... He ended up at the hospital and both thighs a mess

Hehehehehehehehe Now that you mention mats, I remember one time we were practicing falls in an Judo mat, and later on that day we went to an exhibition. The Sen Sei told us to warm up in the new mat, but we didn't listen to him because there were some girls... and when we got to the exhibition, it was a karate mat,which is ten times harder than a judo one... We left full of bruises and all kind of aches...hehehehe

Master Ramon Lono Ancho (10th dan KodenKan Jiu Jitsu) used to say:I don't train you to be fighters, I train you to be Martial Artists. Nevertheless, if you MUST get in a fight and there is no way you can just leave...make sure your opponent is the one going to the hospital". He also said " If a fight takes more than 30 seconds...it's a hell of a problem" hehehehehe