NidanWarrior

Anyone know anything about when this "Black Belt TV" channel is supposed to come on? I've read in the past about it coming on cable sometime soon.

Absolutely! Remember, that black belt instructor know more about what he/she is teaching than the person coming through the door to sign up (you'd hope). If you are a good instructor and are confident in what you know you'll do great and retain students. Rank doesn't have much to do with getting people in the door to sign up for classes. It's the advertising and promotions that get them in the door. The rest is up to how well you can sell your product. Good luck!

"Silent leaping" those are good burners!

I like the Juka brand gi's from Dragon International. I have one (Jukado) from them that I love. The top is longer than traditional cuts and is made for cross training in karate and jujitsu/judo with more stitching on the lapel and is sewn differntly on the shoulders (there is no seam like regular gi to get torn off while grapling). Check 'em out. I'm sure you'll like 'em. They are all brushed-cotton canvas. If you are getting a gi that will be your primary gi, spend the extra bucks 9up to $120 US and get one that will last many years. Dragon International: https://www.juka.com Aslo try: https://www.kamikazeusa.com

Ooh, yes. I forgot the horse stances! While watching tv or playing games (playstation, etc.) try it from a deep horse stance or cat, back, front, whatever. When your nice and comfy, get lower in the stance.

Hey Big Orange, I can relate. I'm six foot and about 300 lbs. I teach and study kenpo, a brown belt in juijitsu and okinawan weapons (only started those after black belt in karate). I see a lot of adults come into our dojo, most are not in the best of shape or have the flexability, but after about 8 months or so, they tell me how much they've lost and how good they feel. I also notice their progression of flexability getting better and better through the ranks - even the lower ranks. My suggestion is to take some form of karate. In a martial art like karate you move your entire body, much like an aerobic workout except you actually get to learn something. If you really like the juijistu I would incorporate that but not until you have a black belt in karate first. The two of these arts combined make for a pretty well rounded martial artist. I surprise a lot of people in self defense and sparing because they expect a big person to be slower. My many years of training have made me quicker on my feet. Now I have size and speed, not to mention power. Also, portion size and what you eat are very importan keys to wight loss, not just exercising. Good luck!

So are you going to quit karate or do both? Good luck on those falls!

Lunges are always good. What i like to do, both in class and at home are simple excersies without weights ('cause I have none): Calves: calf raises - start out flat-footed, rais as high as you can onto the balls of your feet, come down slow. It's important to go slow and not to rush through exercises. Start out with 25 to 50. If you don't feel the burn then do more. Quads: Here I like to get in a fighting stance with the back foot is on the ball, bend my knees (keeping my upper body straight) and going straight down about half way to the ground. Do ten. Then start in same position but start at the "half-way" down position and go down as far as you can (remember not to bend, keep back straight). When you come back up, only come back up to the half-way position. After ten like this, switch stances and do the other side. Thant's about all I can give you right now. After that it's a mish-mash of exercises.

Thanks Pacificshore! I'll check into those sites.

There are some pretty good answers here. As far as your question on how to judge a "kyungfu" form against that of basically any other style, I've always had the same problem. But I think it comes down to how well you can perfomr your basics. Is one fluid in thier motion/transitions? How are thier stances? And does it look like they are actually doing something (does it look like the techniques could work?) or are they just waiving thier arms around, making lound noises and doing crazy jumps? It most cases you can seperate the better practicioners from the "not-so-good" ones. I find it difficult when you get good forms from different styles (say it's down to 2-3 for the finals and one is Kung Fu, one Japanese and one TKD style for the finals).If any of you have suggestions on judging that I'm open to your thoughts. Maybe a topic for another subject.

There are some pretty good answers here. As far as your question on how to judge a "kyungfu" form against that of basically any other style, I've always had the same problem. But I think it comes down to how well you can perfomr your basics. Is one fluid in thier motion/transitions? How are thier stances? And does it look like they are actually doing something (does it look like the techniques could work?) or are they just waiving thier arms around, making lound noises and doing crazy jumps? It most cases you can seperate the better practicioners from the "not-so-good" ones. I find it difficult when you get good forms from different styles (say it's down to 2-3 for the finals and one is Kung Fu, one Japanese and one TKD style for the finals).If any of you have suggestions on judging that I'm open to your thoughts. Maybe a topic for another subject.

How'd you do? Hope all went well. I was pretty nrvous at my first tournament too, but then it okk so long that I was more tired of waiting than nervous about competing. Just do your best! If you can give 100% throughout the entire kata, then that's all anyone can ask of you and I'm sure it will show.

Omnifinite: wow! that's expensive but I'm sure worth the price in the long run. Tobias: Kata: (Bo) Shihonuke, Chounokon, Suiyoshi Nokun Ichi, Tsuken Akochono Nunte Bo, Suiyoshi Nokun Ni, Shimi Igiri Bo Ichi, (Tonfa) Matayoshi No Tonfa Ichi, (Sai) Chotoku Kyan No Sai, nad Nakamura No Sai.

Congratulations! They say that your toughest belt tests are your White Belt and first Black Belt tests. Congrats again!

Welcome! I'm new at this too and already hooked.