Size7Gi

Now that's just plain freaky - it's like you've been eavesdropping or have uncannily remarkable insight. Those exact words have been uttered and the feeling evoked in Gillian is pretty much as you described. Recently Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura travelled from New York to visit our dojo and he and Gillian were able to exchange a few words. Her greatest worry is probably that the time spent on her is to the detriment of the rest of the class. Without any idle flattery, Kaicho left her in no doubt that there is as much for the teachers and seniors to gain from her presence as there are benefits for Gillian as a student who happens to be blind.

ahhh Sai - like a breath of fresh air (no pun intended). However, I think that your enlightened view is not shared by most of the martial arts community. Maybe again it's the modern day phenomena of Mission Statements, objectives and the need to reach the goal at all costs. It's a bold man who can admit that he has achieved perfection, even in basic kata. ... and I digress again. I did dream last night that I was looking cute in a Size 7 charcoal coloured gi... before I was hauled in front of Shihan and made to sit in seiza for long enough to make my ankles numb!

Well Killer, it's a miserable existence but how sad am I? I get to practice with my blind wife - she hasn't scratched me yet though and I've only tentatively considered putting her down or gifting her to the mailman! I want to try those one legged squats but that would involve moving away from the computer. I'll just imagine it a bit longer!

Well folks, looks like everyone needs to move to the Netherlands or New Zealand. I train in two different dojos (6 hours per week) which would cost me about NZ$90 (US$38 ) per month, but a family rate of NZ$72 (US$30) allows every member of a family to train for up to 6 hours a week - great for us and our 2 lads!

Although I do feel it would be more noble not to enter into this discussion, sometimes I just can't keep my mouth shut! When it comes to advancement in technique since my first karate class in 1979 I can see an improvement. However, when it comes to an understanding of karate spirit I feel little more than a toddler. Maybe in 20 years or so I may have the knowledge to give Freestyler my thoughts, but for now there are many more qualified to address these issues and it would be disrespectful of me to offer my opinions ahead of theirs... ... and, looking through the posts isn't it obvious through the reading who does (and doesn't) deserve respect? Those who offer their words, altruistically, as part of the process and those who feel they have something to gain or prove by their participation. Without analysing the nuts and bolts of kata and technique, I can only say that the ultimate form of self defence is to be as a Karateka. The Masters, Teachers and Students I respect are often those that have never needed to use karate outside the dojo. The confidence they exude is a far greater deterrent. On the lighter side - if I ever meet Red J I hope to be able to demonstrate a new self defensive technique I have been wasting my time on involving those inspiring push-ups that we all love. Final strategy may be some years off though!

I know it sounds a bit like a one-armed paper hanger, but after years of persuasion my wife (who is totally blind) has completed a year of karate and has graded as 9th Kyu. Although I am utterly biassed I have to quote others in the dojo who used phrases like "good spirit" and "flawless kata". We are not sure how far she will go with karate, but as if epitomising the essence of karate she is happy to give her 100% and allow all the time that is needed to perfect her techniques even if gradings are few and far between. The personal gains have been huge: fitness, confidence, self-esteem, self control, etc., but you all know that! For someone who hadn't balanced on one leg since losing her sight, executing a roundhouse kick is a significant personal achievement. As yet Gillian doesn't have access to the internet as her voice synthesizer is DOS based, although we are working on getting her into the 20th (or even the 21st) century soon. So I am waving the flag and asking for any resources which may help her with her practice. Maybe other blind karate students (and I know there are some) or reference material in electronic format (ASCII, PDF, etc) that she would be able to access. As a side issue, we have a 9 year old son who was born with a congenital heart defect which 15 years ago would have been fatal. Up to the age of 7 he spent 3 months of every year in hospital. Although we still have no guarantees about his future he is due to take his 7th Kyu grading and is another example of the benefits of Karate and is the reason his father is so grateful for the opportunity and privilege of training. It truly is a discipline which is life changing!

Pre Shotokan and pre Seido I was about 13 and thought that Judo was for me so I kitted up and made a 3 month commitment to give it a go. Disaster - I should have known by the look in the instructors eye when he saw an 83kg (183lb - I think) 6ft 4" skinny teenager, looking like a victim and sporting a good thick gi. Although my memory of the judo, terms, language and tradition is rather vague over this period I do have an intimate knowledge of the ceiling material, composition, colour and the roof structure of the hall that we trained in as I spent most of the time being a "flying" guinea pig. Must have looked effective though! In complete contrast, after a 20 year break from karate I attended a Seido Karate class being taught by Shuseki Shihan Andy Barber - no swearing, no bravado, nothing to prove, no humiliation and just his sheer presence commanded respect, trust and obedience. If I was able to give advice to myself as a teenager in England I would have implored me to seek out a dojo not only with a good reputation but with senior/master teachers who possess this inner calmness and command this instant respect. Something to aspire to eh! ... and I spent more time on my feet than on my back!

I know that it's digressing from the subject somewhat, but I can't help myself and put this to Freestyler. Regardless of style and teaching, surely it's a dangerous thing to restrict yourself in how you execute your roundhouse kick and if you were sparring with me I would greatly appreciate your predictability!!!? As many of the older members of this forum seem to have acknowledged, as we mature and gather more information, some of our long term memory drops off the end. For me it's confusing enough dealing with 2 karate styles, but I know of a number of teenagers practicing TKD and karate and benefiting from both.

With the age of this topic my reply may be purely academic, but here goes for anyone interested: The style that I currently practice is Seido, having come from a Shotokan background. As part of the syllabus both adults and children start with Taikyoku 1, 2 and (surprise, surprise) 3. Although they use the numbering system ichi, ni, san and are not strictly in the order of Funakoshi's kata. 1 = Chudan Tsuki only - blocks Gedan Barai. 2 = Jodan Tsuki only - blocks Gedan Barai. 3 = Chudan to the sides, Jodan to the middle (of the embusan) - also intruduces fighting stance (Kokutsu) and inside block (uchi uchi). Although I don't know the origin, many of the teachers intruduce "I" kata to the childrens classes which is basically Taikyoku 1 but without any 270 degree turns. After 3 punches the kata then involves moving backwards (Zenkutsu Dachi) for 3 punches, then repeating the opening moves of the kata. After Taikyoku we are quickly introduced to Pinan/Heian and a group of kata particular to Seido called (not surprisingly) Seido Kata!

I blame it all on the modern need to express individuality which is probably exacerbated by karaoke (isn't everything) and the fact that motor cars are now available in colours other than black! I do agree that patches (and helping granny across the road badges) should be avoided but I have to admit that in our dojo, anyone without the club patch on tends to stand out. So in the interests of non-individuality I have become compliant. Actually, I'd rather wear a white belt to match my gi and let people judge me by my performance rather than the colour of my belt - but at this suggestion, serious aspersions were made as to my sanity (or not).

I don't know... call me a technophobe but as I just had to register to login - and part of that registration involved me divulging the style that I practice, then couldn't a helpful moderator hop on and give all the statistics for this survey???? Not as much fun though! As a teenager I practiced Shotokan, then 20 years and 33.5kg (on the wrong side) later I am now struggling with Seido karate.