WireFrame

Ask the sensei. When I was new my sensei took one look at me and said "You'd be a size 4" and he was bang on!

Very brief pauses give the kata a more structured, purposeful, and energetic look when coupled with performing very fast and accurate individual techniques. Floating through a kata in one movement always looks weak.

Just enjoy it.

I think my brother trained at a dojo like that in the 70s/80s. I mentioned I was being trained by a 6th Dan and he said "Oh so he's a master then, 5th dan and above!" This confused me, since the principles of always training and learning no-matter your grade kind of eliminate the idea of "master" in my mind. Sensei/teacher yes, but Master means there is nothing left to learn, which is never true. Regardless of grade, all our sensei's get called "Sensei"

Exhale on a lift. Holding your breath may not be dangerous but it doesn't help either.

Assisting the sensei is a sign of his respect for your ability and recognition of your maturity/manner. It should also be considered part of your own training.

I prefer going outside from a punch, making myself a harder target and giving myself targets like their ribs or underarm. With kicks I tend to move back, or pull them to my side if I catch a yoko geri kokomi.

So with your adrenaline pumping, your opponent moving aggressively forward to you and throwing combinations of his own, the shock of actually getting attacked, and the fear that you could be seriously hurt....despite all this, you feel you can still elbow the person in a potentially lethal area yet use enough control not to cause serious damage? I wouldn't rely on that. Everything you've said there is bang on. And I hope I'd never be in that situation, but understand I was merely talking about the worst-case scenario. If I was about to die, and all I had to hit was their throat, I hope I wouldn't think twice. But if it was just a fight, not life-threatening (yet) and other options are available, then obviously nothing's worth causing that much damage. My original statement may have appeared more rash than I had intended.

We need to be able to perform any one of the following: Heian Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan, or Tekki Shodan. Plus choose from one of the Brown Belt Katas: Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Empi, Hangetsu. So more than likely my grading will consist of Bassai Dai + 1 Heian Kata.

I'd be tempted to cross train in plain old Boxing. Simply for the cardio and benefits related to sparring and general fitness, as well as target-work and speed/power training.

tufrthanu, your post made me thankful we don't use mats of any kind! I see them in competitions, but the dojo I train in is just wood and the only hazard I come across is the the very rare possibility of slipping on some sweat.

If he really knew which one he wanted, what would the purpose be of this thread? He wants a silk one with red embroidery. Read post 1. What he wants to know is WHERE to get one. I suggest http://www.kamae.co.uk/silk_black_belts.php They offer a choice of Yellow Gold, Orange Gold, Silver, or Red embroidery.

Don't drink the night before. Get plenty of sleep. Get a good breakfast.

I've heard in Liverpool it's popular to carry a metal comb for use as a weapon.

I have a Kamikaze Kaiten Europa. Not the heaviest available but its still tough as leather and is great to train in.

Seems odd to me that a teacher wouldn't make more use of sparring as a means to teach.

She has to enjoy it. Otherwise she either won't keep it up or she'll make herself miserable. All comes down to the choice of activities.

I meant the confrontation, not the person's life. Control should always be used of course.

As with many things I think the best approach is a mix of all that is available to you.

Elbows are great, and a street fight is likely to become very close-range from the start. Elbow the throat and end it quickly.

Wow that's rare! I was double graded from beginner to 8th, but I've never even heard of people getting double graded after their first grading! Well done.

I just personally feel if the sensei trusts me to either help in a demonstration or even show someone how to warm up, that should be considered a privilege, not a burden. I think part of having reached a certain level is being happy to pass on what you've learned.

Haha well I havent got a black belt yet so I haven't used a belt long enough to encounter those issues.

I'd agree with that, though a hit to the throat would be more effective and you wouldn't have to hit hard.

Barefoot on hard wood floor. That's it. We're pretty minimal when it comes to using equipment.