barryives

I spent many years training without hitting pads. In the last year I have started training with pads. The first time I hit a pad let me know enough about my form to realise that you can't learn to hit anything without actually hitting anything. So yes, imo Pad work is essential

Other than the literal japanese (numeric) meaning that simply represents a progression of rank, I do not believe there is any meaning at all. Whatever your Sensei thinks they mean is doubtless something that has been tagged on by your association. 'Meanings' to Dan ranks is in my view one of the myths, like not washing your belt or the belt colours representing something

The first thing that you really need to do is to decide what it is that you want out of your training. This could be things like.... - weight loss - Improved fitness and flexibility - trying something new - socialise/meet new friends - Train for competitions - Self Defense When you know 'what' you want it makes the decision much easier. I've trained all kinds over the years, but now my primary goals are fitness and having fun. Therefore thing like potential 'effectiveness' and 'quality of higher grades' are less important to me

Maybe try some barrier cream or perhaps a cotton compression bandage before a new gi

Exactly! I think the word karateka is used way too often just WRONG! Well, one could argue that unless you are speaking Japanese the word is constantly being used wrongly. And I'd imagine if asked a Japanese person what Karate-ka meant I'd get the answer "Someone who practises Karate", rather than an overblown spiritual meaning

Personally I wouldn't worry too much about, be able to kick to the head isn't the be all and end all. But make sure that as well as considering your flexibility, ensure that your technique is correct and you also have decent muscular strength

Judge each one on its own merits. Often we get into either an 'All traditions are good' or 'All traditions are bad' mentality, when of course, like in all walks of life there are good and bad. As long an environment exists where tradition can be challenged then its all good.

Nothing other than the Japanese grammar police being picky about the romanization of the Japanese language. When talking about a 'kick' the word 'keri' is used. When talking about a particular kind of kick (front/side etc), the word 'geri' is used. Same meaning different spelling and I believe is a result of the way words in Japanese can be pronounced differently dependent on the word that precedes them edit: and geri can be used in Japanese for diarrhea

Welcome, great first post. You're clearly very torn, so all I'll say is life to too short to spend it doing things you think you should, do the things you know you want to. Don't worry about what the art is, get what you want out of it and have fun

Wow, that is alot ! I'm a great fan of Kata. I'd always fancied cross training in Shito Ryu but the clubs seem few and far between

After lots (and lots!) of Bassai-dai, I'm quite into Jion and Enpi atm.

Bob ASKA looks to me like a genuine organisation so good luck with it. I also made the transition from Wado to Shotokan (with an 18 year break in between ) and I couldn't be happier. Just watch out for the fact that Pinan Nidan = Heian Shodan and Soto Uke = Uchi Uke

To me the Black Belt is just another step on a journey, the end of which is unknown. I do think there is something special about it (if only to the layman). I'm not there yet (should be grading shodan later on this year) but I'm really look foward to putting that belt on for the first time. That will 'mean' alot to me

KUGB = Karate Union of Great Britain Major Shotokan organisation in the UK

Re-starting in Karate after a very long lay off and passing my first grading for about 20 years