conrad665

Yesterday I talked to sensei and he said either Kanku Dai or Jion is a compulsory kata for the first tour.That's the reason for him to say I should learn.And I decided to join-this time with absolute certainty.I'll learn Jion. He also said I shouldn't perform the kata like doing it in our dojo,instead I should act a little bit like a show-off .This is what judges want.He sent me two videos to clear how I should perform.Here are the links: Jion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grHqWum7U-s Kanku Dai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPsvnDReJws In my dojo,there is a senpai who got a bronze medal when he was a green belt and after working two weeks for Jion!I mean,there is a slight chance for me,too,if I work on it well.

I know it is too late,but that is what my sensei said.When I said I wanted to join,he thought and said 'Hm,then you should learn one of these katas'.Maybe he'll change his mind. Thanks,sensei8,this was a very beautiful explanation.Sensei says my kihon is quite well,but I agree-in ten days,it is nearly impossible to learn these katas.In today's workout,I'll talk to him again-even maybe I won't join the tournament-maybe next year I can try. So far I've learnt five katas-four Heian and Ji'in which our senpai taught while working for himself.In a competition,performing a Heian kata would seem a little...I don't know,they are the basic ones,but as sensei8 said,the judges not only evaluate the kata but also other things like focus,posture,breathe,etc.In my last belt exam,sensei said nothing bad about my kata(H.Sandan).I'll learn it today if I can join with a Heian. Thanks for your advices.If anything changes,I'll share.Maybe I can join for kumite and won't jump-it's a real disadvantage,but there're not so many things I can do.

Hi, There will be a regional championship kind of thing and I decided to join at the last minute.I won't enter for kumite for I have pes planus(flat feet).It really makes it impossible to 'dance'.The other choice is kata, as you know:) .But now I'll have to learn either one of Kanku Dai or Jion in about 10 days! It'll be my first time and my aim is not to win but to experience the atmosphere,etc.Which kata do you think I should learn?Since I have limited time,could you please give me some advices about issues I should care?Thanks in advance (The competition will be held on April 1st-4th)

You are right,and I may sound conceited(but I'm not) if I say something like that to trainers.Heian Sandan seems to be the best choice for my level.If I form a group with blue belts,I can give Heian Yondan a try(I'm not very good at it yet).We have three months to work.

Hi and thanks everyone I've been too busy all week so I could have the chance to see your comments just now.Thanks for the videos,they really show how a kata team is supposed to be (the Mexican wave and turning on one foot were so interesting,I've never seen those kind of movements before:)). Our work will be a kind of competition,not seriously,but it will be a bonus point for our belt exams.The real aim of it is to make people feel responsible for karate and their friends,because usually ten or fifteen people attend to lessons.Trainers are trying to increase that number or at least want to make sure we are practising somehow.(I never skip my lessons,by the way,that wish doesn't include me ) Videos that you kindly shared look so cool,being in such harmony must have cost a great deal of practise for all of performers.We have only 3 months to work, and since we're all students,we won't have time to practise a lot.And I'm only a green belt! Fortunately,we're not supposed to perform bunkai.As far as I understand,the first thing I must do is feel confident about at least one kata I know,which I'll start working on quickly,then to find mates that I share similar abilities.I hope to be a team-mate with some higher belts,but I don't have enough courage to ask,and if I were them,I wouldn't want a lower degree as a team-mate,either.Anyways,we are going to start working next week,I hope everything will be OK. Thanks for your help again and one more question:which kata do you think should I consider performing with my team (if they agree)?I know Heians except Godan and Ji'in.Unsu looks so nice,but it is also too hard for my level.Heian Yondan is the most aesthetic one among my katas,I think,but I can learn a new one if trainers accept,of course.I'll ask it tomorrow.

Hi, This semester we're going to separate into groups of three and every group will work on a kata. We are going to start next week and I'm a little nervous,because we will meet and work when we have time-there will be no trainer.How can a kata be worked by three people who are not very good yet?How do you do it(if you do)?Are there any important points to work more efficiently?Thanks in advance.

Hi, I tried hard to be calmer during sparring in these two weeks,and it worked-partially.I started to work against a column in the sports hall without protection:if I can't control my attacks,it causes harm on me,so I work out more carefully.And deep breathing really works. But now there is another problem:Our trainer(a senpai,sensei is not coming these days) always treats me as if I am an uncontrollable,dangerous beast although he knows I'm trying to overcome anger.He's always warning me while we're working as pairs or sparring-'Don't be too harsh,we don't want injuries,be careful..' Now he is my new stress factor.He drives me crazy!I hope I won't be like before.

My testing fee is about $6.00,because my dojo is in my campus,normally it is much higher in other dojos(like $40)and the charge for dan is $100,I think.

Heian Shodan Heian Nidan Heian Sandan Heian Yondan Ji'in A few moves of Kanku Sho

..do you feel (or have others noted) that you seem to be one person when performing the regimented exercises/drills, and another person when sparring? This really defines the situation I'm in.I focus on technique during exercises,but I never think if I am performing the techniques right during sparring-my aim completely changes.Or used to change,I should say:) for I am working on it.

Yesterday's workout was a little better-I tried to chat with my partners during kumite to get rid of stress and instead of blocking,I went backwards and sides not to cause harm.I hope I can go on like this,because there weren't many higher ranks(green and higher) that would make me stressed and I don't know what will happen.I concern it too much,because I may break sb's nose or teeth if I don't stop.

Three times a week for 1.5 hours each(four times for higher ranks).

Being hit by sb,even by a senpai or sensei is just enough to turn me into a hammer trying to hit back because I feel inferior -it shows I am still far from understanding the philosophy of karate- and I thought about talking to my partners,but then I thought they would think I am too weak or maybe they want a more exciting fight.Now this seems absurd to me when I think that way, I will try to talk to them to slow down a little bit.So far,I've kicked six people in the face (one on the mouth and fortunately no broken teeth,and one senpai) and it will be advantageous for me as well as my partners:)Deep breathing before each attack would also work,i think.Thanks for the advices,your help is much appreciated P.S.:I never thought of protecting my tongue or sth else by clenching my teeth-it's because I get angry as I said and it just reveals when I will attack,so I must quit it if I can or do it normally.

While doing kumite,trainers and higher belts always say I hit too harshly and clench my teeth before attacking.How can I soften my techniques so that nobody will get injured?Maybe I take it too seriously when I'm hit...How can I overcome it?Thanks in advance.

I passed my 6th kyu test and became a green belt!And our sensei said I was quite good although I didn't think so.Whatever,I'll keep on studying hard to deserve it

We warm up well before starting and I'm quite flexible:).I can't upload videos,sorry,because I don't have a camera:(I don't think I do the techniques wrong,because my trainers never told me I did wrong.I got too far from the main subject while talking about my injuries.How can I stop my 'addiction' or at least reduce it?It is an alternative,as mr_obvious wrote,to take pills,but the idea of taking hormones from outside makes me frightened.

Thanks,when I feel I am good enough at Shotokan,I will start another one,too.But there is still a long way before me:)

I get some injuries in every lesson,but they are not worth mentioning.My big problem is plantar fasciitis on my both heels and patellofemoral pain.I can't walk long distances or stand for a long time.I suck at punching,so I usually use kicks,but now I will try to develop my punching skills and kick less.I hope the problems won't get worse.I won't force my limits during lessons anymore.Thanks for the advice

Hi, I think I've become an endorphin addict;today we worked out with less effort than normal(maybe I felt so) and I didn't enjoy the lesson as I enjoyed before.Or in stressful days I find myself thinking that a training session would be great.I wonder what will happen if I have to give up karate due to my injuries.And now I will always want more like today.How will I control myself?I have a lot of injuries,so if I go on like that,I will be worse.Do you have any suggestions? Do you feel the same way?

I completely agree with you.I'm not a vegan but a vegetarian for maybe four years and I never had problems.And I find it cruel to eat animals for taste.

I'm a Shotokan karate student.

Today I achieved my test and became an orange belt!Although I made some mistakes like standing legs more open than my shoulder length and punching more like gedan instead of chudan, I managed to pass!!I will never repeat them and be a green belt in January,I think.

I suffer from plantar fasciitis on my left foot,so I try not to force it and usually kick with my left leg not to tear it more,but the knee-cap pain on my right leg recovered a year ago came back due to carrying all my body constantly I also can't jump-but it makes me more concentrated on how the opponent will attack.

I love reading books-these days I'm reading about philosophy and origin of religions.I also learn Japanese using Pimsleur and some books.I used to play Go,but I've lost my confidence to play with people,so I solve Go problems in books or on the net.

I like running more. I find cycling less useful because I don't ride on rainy weather for being afraid of sliding or it requires a helmet,light and mine is always breaking down! Actually,I have a plantar fasciitis problem(kinda heel pain that kills me)and I miss running sooooo much...