rhilllakefield

Thank you gentleman. As a follow up, I am now training (virtually) as a Goju Ryu white belt! I'm happy about it! Once I'm fluent in the dojo etiquette and culture, along with Kata, I'll wear my current belt once again. I'm honestly enjoying time as a white belt again!

Thank you champ8309. Much appreciated. I think we may find a common ground, and that I would wear my existing belt, but eventually grade for a Chito-Ryu shodan. Time will tell, and I'll report back. Ryan

Hi folks, I've trained for a couple of decades, and after a few year layoff, I'd like to start training regularly and making Karate a bigger part of my life again. I know the head instructor of the local Chito Ryu school well, and have a lot of respect for the school. I'm a blackbelt in British Ishinryu, and have been previously invited to train at this school as a blackbelt. After some physio I'm ready to train full time....but not full speed due to a knee that still needs work. I've also felt that the established black belts that have been with the club have more of a right to train as blackbelts because of their tenure. How do the senior ranks on this site feel about me offering to being at a lower rank? On my end, it would help me train without feeling like a fraud, and also give me focus and drive to learn the new kata and slight differences in technique. Thoughts? Id be happy to continue to train as a Shodan, but thought I'd put it out there.

Hi Brendan, welcome back to the martial arts! I would agree that getting thrown might be a bit rough, jumping back into it. I would think most traditional karate schools would be welcoming if you were interested. Everyone has different goals from their training, and different abilities. I'm 41, and my karate is very different than when I was 20....and will be different again when I'm 60 and onwards. Also, Yang or Chen style Tai chi with a qualified instructor would be excellent. Yang is mostly slow, with some fast movements, and Chen is mostly fast with some slow movements. A good instructor can help you disect each to pull out the martial applications....which are actually quite nasty in tai chi. Also, Iaido would be another good options for a Japanese art. The art of drawing and cutting. Very meditative, with the ability to make it your own. Good luck! keep us posted!

Thank you gentleman! And thanks Patrick! Happy to be back among like minded friends.

The Paul Chen swords are always a safe bet. Their practical plus katana, or whatever the newer version is, will be able to be disassembled, fully functioning and have a full tang.

All Iaido forms can be done from a standing position, as a part of regular practise, and as a modification to the standard forms. In our local school there are a few practitioners in their 70's that prefer training from standing.

Agreed about the chair to check form. I always do kicks slowly to check my form every once in a while. My heel usually ends up pointing at my target during a side kick. Look up some good hip flexor and glutei stretches, and keep an eye on your muscle balance early on in your training. It will help you down the road. Kicking shouldn't hurt, unless you're really overdoing it!

Thank you very much guys. I appreciate the responses Ive been a consistent student, but for just shy of a year of training. The class is very small, with ususlly only myself and one oe two more. The Kung fu class is larger. I may leave it for now, unless he asks. Otherwise if I did decide to stay id be more inclined to offer feedback. Thanks again. Nothing is dangerous at all.....just odd, and slightly unprofessional. Ryan

Also, humility saves knees!! I've been finding that until my stances are perfect again (correcting some minor bad habits) I've been slowing down in my training and being very cautious. Just because we can keep up with the 20 year olds doesn't mean we ALWAYS should!

I am literally going through this same thing. I have a 5th physic appointment tomorrow. I'm 41 and have been training off an on for 27 years. I was getting frustrated with Karate, and the pain that I thought IT was causing. I've since been focusing on my technique.....as a Dan rank, very slow and back to basics stances, transitions and knee position. I've also been engaged in IT band rolling (ouch) knee and hip mobility training and squats! I have more power and stability in my legs now than I did in my 20's Its lit a fire under me again that the pain is subsiding and I'm finding new strength in my techniques. Physio is your friend! Listen to them...work hard on it, and train smart. You'll be a happy man in the end!

Pinan Go Saifa Yansu Pinan San Enpi

Thank you gentleman. It has given me something to think about. I honestly like the man, and it has made it more difficult. I don't feel like its a good value in terms of training per dollar, and his antics have made me question it even more. I care about his club, so maybe I'll give him something, with a bit of sugar on top.

He was definitely a legitimate martial artist and a pioneer. JKD itself was essentially the forerunner to modern MMA. Bruce Lee was hot headed, and was apparently a terrible driver! This is straight from Guro Dan Inosanto. As with anything, things have modernized. We'll never know how he would have done against some modern fighters. He was so calculated, and so clinical, I'd bet he would have been very successful at staying relevant.

Hi folks, An interesting topic I've been pondering today. I've been a Karate practitioner on and off since '93, and have since delved into Tai chi while working through some lagging injuries and muscle imbalances. I've made enough progress that I'm considering a return to Karate. At one point I'd thought of continuing with Tai Chi (Long form Yang style) but have reconsidered partially because of my instructor. Hes a very approachable and generally warm hearted person, however, has a strong tendency to brag about accomplishments, and or supposed chi development. What really threw me off was in the last week of class, he started slapping himself in the groin claiming that he didn't feel it.......I've been at this a while and haven't experienced anything like that from an instructor. It was fairly comical. Its made me question his Chi Kung, and generally his practical knowledge. Also, there's usually enough time spent talking at the beginning of a one hour class, that my monthly fee equates to roughly $65 for 4-45 minute classes per month. Enough that Ive decided to leave the club at the very least. Would you tell your instructor if you're leaving because of differences in opinion / attitudes? Or would you tell him that you're generally dissapointed in the class? or nothing? Thoughts would be interested! Thanks Ryan

Thanks gentleman. I appreciate the responses. I feel like we're in agreement here, and I think its a fairly broad topic. I look at Sensei Iain Abernathy, and I love his stuff....sometimes I feel like its been modified outside of its original form....sometimes not. Thanks again for the reply. Lupin1, maybe Im not there yet, and that why I feel a bit disoriented. Ryan

Hi folks, its been a while since Ive posted! Just curious about everyones thoughts on this. Is there room for self expression in Karate, or most of the Japanese arts? I've trained in three styles of Karate for ten years periodically and have begun to feel a bit boxed in. Ive had some time off, and am looking at training again. I have to admit, some of the other styles appeal to me. I've been studying archery as well and have found similar mental discipline, but with less focus on, the one right way, as taught in a lot of Japanese arts. Another perfect example is a boxers parry vs a Soto use.....similar defence, but is something like the parry a technique that's excepted as true Karate? I've always loved Karate, but feel a bit boxed in. Any thoughts? Ryan

Thanks for the reply guys. Sorry for the late reply. These are good thoughts, and I'm glad to know my situation isn't unique. I'm going to try the higher volume training and gradually up the intensity. I've been traiing for years and used to kickbox with no negatives....our bodies change I guess. At 37 it's something id like to do again before im mileaged out but it wont break my heart if it doesn't fly. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

Thanks Dwx, Well, the good news is, the longer I train the easier it'll be on my system, but I agree with what you're saying. I'll be going back to kyokushin for a stint, and theyre training is generally hard! I'm going to be honest with myself, and if its too much I'll pull back. It's too bad, I love the style but its taxing! A typical class would be warmup, pad training, sparring 6 + rounds continuously and kata to finish. Usually 1.5 hours intensive. It's not always gruelling, but its a lot. Muay Thay I found the same, youd almost train until you were delirious. I agree, it's not necessary most of the time.

Hi guys, Does anyone have any suggestions for hard training for competition? I have issues with anxiety and depression and it can be flared up with extremely hard cardio/ training until exhaustion. I'm looking at a kyokushin circuit this year and was wondering if anyone had any advice.

I agree with these guys. Heavier Gi, and a wider leg.....maybe I'm not training hard enough. lol I use a Benza sports heavyweight. I'm not sure if I just broke a rule, but they're cheaper than the Japanese big brands and they're tough! My last Gi was a Kyokushin brand gi...not sure who does theyre gi's but it was good as well. You want a gi that's almost canvas. I'm betting starch would help repel sweat as well.

Thanks for your reply. I feel comfortable with the basics, and its good to hear about the bunkai. That sounds closer to what im after. I wonder how an average sensei would feel about attending non-JKA sanctioned tournaments?

Hi, I'm considering a move to back to Karate again after a while away in Jeet kune do. Ive been spoiled with the practicality of it, and although my roots and framework are in Karate, Im not too familiar with Shotokan. What would normally be covered in a 3 months span in a traditional JKA style club? There is a local club to me, with a terrific instructor. I would really like to do my research before training full time with him, in case it isn't for me. Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm looking to not be terribly boxed in. I come from a kyoksuhin and British Ishinryu background, and have a slightly different style than the traditional stylists. Neither is right or wrong, I'm just wondering how flexible things are with different backgrounds. I'm interested in continuous sparring competition, as well as bunkai and practical applications, as well as the traditional kata and discipline. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks, Ryan

Thanks very much guys. I appreciate the response. I want to clarify, that by "older" I don't mean old. I'm 36 this year, and still feel like a baby! Ryan

Thanks very much guys. I don't think I can rest until iat least visit the club. You've given me an idea though, I might get a thorough exam from a physio therapist and get they're take. Thanks again.