Jeffrey

Welcome to the forms Shotokan_Tigress

OK I'm confused a bit. Your topic is how to make it look better. I'll give IMO response to this. Kata was made to teach you how to defend yourself. Stances were short etc.... Now a day’s people have made the stances longer to make it look good in tournaments. It does not make it effective in self defense. So why do we practice this way is beyond me. If you want to improve it all it takes practice. The more you do it the better it becomes. Break it done into sections and work on weak points. As for the longer belt thing. Some people use longer belts to show hip movement. As your hips turns into the technique the belt swings from side to side. Some judges look for this. Why not just watch the hips.

I see your point. Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

Agreed! Change can be difficult at the best of times. Sometimes the boat has to flip before you learn how to swim.

Solid post! I'm very bless to have a team at work that if something goes wrong or gets messed up some one will raise their hand and say I did it. I wish more people were like this. Pointing blame doesn't solve a problem. Take ownership over your actions. It goes a long way.

I'm not going to lie. I really enjoyed reading your rant. I now know that I'm not the only one that finds the political policies that interfere with the martial arts disgusting. My suggestion to you is write a letter to the Hombu with an outline of what you think should be done and why. The written word is a powerful tool because they can’t tune you out and can’t interrupt. Basically state your case on paper. Make sure everyone is included. This helps discouraging other from forming their own poisons to dish out as they please.

I don't find this hard to believe. My understanding is that you take ownership of things and work with the people involed to make karateforms what it is today. Congrats on creating a truely awesome community. Jeffrey

Good luck KarateGeorge! You'll be great.

I just tossed my cheese head in the trash! I was in line for winning the week in our pool. And your right those penalties killed them.

In sport fighting, honor means everything; bushido. In self-defense, honor means nothing to me; survive. Webster dictionary defines HONOR as... 1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor. That's not how my attacker attacked me. I must meet distainment with distainment. My attacker only wanted to distroy me and/or my loved ones, therefore, I don't have the luxury or the time to worry about honor. "He who hesitates, meditates horizontal"~ Ed Parker I don't hit; because it's honest! I don't hit; because it's fair! I don't hit; because it's in line with my integrity! No! I hit because I must!! I will hit anyway I can because my life and/or my loved ones life is in danger. Allow me to me frank and honest; I'll do whatever I deem proper at that exact moment because I want to and because I have to and because I must! Can I display honor, and/or can I be honorable while I'm engaged in a self-defense situation? Yes I can! But, I'm not thinking about me being honor at that time. No. I'm only consumed at that very moment with one thing; my and/or my loved ones survival. Honor is important, but, only in the moment of the context as well as the content. I'll let honor take care of itself while I take care of business! Agreed, well said!

Congrats!

That was a great read. Solid post.. thanks!!

Great article. We have started to use focus mitts more and more and you have presented so excellent concepts. Thanks for sharing.

Ccongrats Ashland

I like it!! I have never thought of this raod as one I would travel alone.

I am sorry for your loss Sense8. It sounds like he is not gone for he is very present in you as much as every student he has taught. Great teachers never leave us. Great teachers live on through students such as yourself and others. Jeff

Welcome Frank

Welcome Tom, I spent the last two of August in Crossville area. I have to say that the people form your state have to be some of nicest folk I've ever met.

Welcome

Having confidence in your art is one thing but as Sensei8 said you must first have confidence in yourself. You have to know your body and how it works. Adrenaline being friend or foe is something that rarely gets touched on. It's that wonderful little cocktail that gets pumped into your body when you under go stress or are put into a situation where the body could come under harm. Having confidence in yourself and your art will help get through the dump of adrenaline the body gets. Congrats on the Green Belt.

Thanks for sharing Joesteph.

This is an awesome idea to break the mental barrier.

Welcome Cameron

I have choosen martial artist. He was a martial artist long before he was an actor. He never stopped training.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=667442141 And this is mine.