Jeffrey

Last night was kids grading and my daughter wasn't sure if she would get graded because she is only 8. But due to the fact that she has worked her butt off and going to the extra classes to learn her Kata and improve on her last one. She had a wonderful performance last night. She got her orange strip. LOL they had to call her name twice to come to the front. She didn't believe they called her the first time. But a little off topic... what makes the proudest were her words after. "Daddy, I guess if you want something you just have to work at it and I think I worked hard"

Your reading this thread an saying to youself...hhhmmm thats me..and that is me.... oh, I do that also.... etc.....

It's easy to please our instructors. They really like homemade cookies. Best gifts come from the kitchen.

In the Dojo plain white gi. Outside the Dojo shorts and Tee.

You know you're a martial artist when.... You type at your keyboard in horse stance.

Good Job! Congrats!

I believe it means forward. Or at least that was what I was told. Maybe I should really look up. In less you care to enlighten me I don't always trust what meaning I get from the good old google search.

Sounds right to me but I use a 60/40 for the front stance (Zenkutsu Dachi) with the 60 on the front leg. Just the way I was taught.

I think there is a difference from leaving a teaching position and quitting martial arts all together. I think deciding not to teach for a given time is something that all teachers go through. Giving up martial arts practice is a kind of defeat of ones self. I gave up teaching and practice years ago and lost my way for those years. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for sharing. Those were pretty awesome. Nature at it finest.

I think a good example of the McDojo is Grand Master Simon Temple Kung Fu. This a was Franchise MA that was created in the 70-90's. It had Dojo's all over western and central Canada. I believe they also had some in the western States. This was a made up MA from the ground up with a little back ground in Kenpo Karate and Kung Fu all rolled into a Marketed Art. I can remember the late night TV ads clearly. It had all the mysticism of an ancient art with a falsely created background to help promote it. Fees were huge and could cost $1000-$2000 year. It had cult like atmosphere no matter how you look it. These are the years before Internet was widely used and information was not easily available. It is a lot easier to find and check credentials and comfirm information these days. This board is a great example.

Well put. It is important to do your research and ask questions. Rates very from Dojo to Dojo. I think the rates are a little high IMO. But for the area they could just about right. We pay $95 for 10 weeks and there are 3 sessions a year. On top we also pay a $40 fee each year to the national organization. Grading fees are $15 and only paid if you are graded to cover the cost of the belt. That being said we don’t have an open Dojo with any equipment.

Welcome

CZ 85 combat 9mm. This is an ambidextrous hand gun that suits me best because I shot left. When competing and you are forced to use the other hand it makes it easy to adjust. Sai for the versatility. Both a defensive and offensive weapon. Knife with a preferred use of the Marine Kabar. Best knife I've ever had.

That's a tough question. I have few favorites. Lord of the Rings, Shogun, and Treasure Island. All three I've read countless times.

It's intimidating, I would be nervous if it was me. We went to a local tournament. Nate won 1st in sparring, 2nd in weapons, and 5th in forms, so now he's excited to go again. There are videos on youtube you can show her of kids in tournaments so she can get an idea of what it looks like. The local ones seem to be pretty small. Here are a couple of Nate at his tournament. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz3KntHjtCU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJZugoWMYrA Hey those are great. Thanks for sharing. I'll be showing them to her late today and see what she says.

My daughter is 8 and is still a bit skiddish about going to a tournament. She wants to go to the local one this year and give it a try. It is not something I would force her to do. I'm just happy she stuck with her Karate and keeps up her practice.

Good question. To be honest I think they would not. IMO only. I'm not saying everyone would not, but I think the majority would bow after.

The belt colour under your name is reflected by the number of posts you have on the boards. As you post more your belt will change.

Welcome

Welcome ! That is quite the list. Good for you to have done some much.

I put pads on my wife and tell her she could lose a few pounds. Instance training partner!!!! Ok seriously she helps a lot with pad work and light sparring drills.

I think learning both is important. Someone has already mentioned that in order to participate in events you need to know the Japanese terms to be able to understand what is going on. It also helps one communicate on boards like this and be able to understand what the other person is referring to. The Japanese terms are the universal language of Karate world wide. I can still remember one of my first Karate class doing leg raises and everyone was counting in Japanese and it came to my turn and I started Ichi, Ni, San, Shi, Go, “the one that comes after Go” Shichi..etc! No one said a word.

Welome!

I like that application. I’ve only been shown it as a short distance kick to the lower rib area. Thanks,