Snake1725681530

Hi guys, not really sure if this is the right place to ask this, but here it goes. Does anyone know where I can buy wooly caps with the kyokushin kanji on them- preferrably down the center. I can't seem to find them anywhere Many thanks in advance -Snake

Hi guys, thanks for the replies. They're both very much appreciated

Hi guys, Does anyone have any tips on how to increase punching speed? I've considered using dumbells, but I've found that I've come close to hyperextending the elbows at times. -Many thanks

Osu, To me, the statement of "emptying one's cup" refers to the need to be willing to accept what one is being taught. In one of Bruce Lee's books (can't remember which one, though will have a look for you if you want) he tells the story of a man who goes to a great sage to learn; but each time the sage seeks to provide the man with an answer to his questions, the man interrupts with his own views and preconceptions. To empty your cup means to let go of your own preconceptions, and your own views for the time being. When you're a student, be a student (i.e accept that which is being taught to you. This doesn't mean follow it blindly, but accept that you have gone to a teacher to learn his take on the respective discipline). It's a great quote I think. Too many times, for example, will you get people who feel as though a style is 'innefective', without really gaining an understanding of that style. If the student knows what is effective; why does he go to a class at all? Another quote that I really admire is the one telling us to be like water: "Running water never grows stale, so you've just got to keep on flowing". This reminds me to never be content. Always strive for perfection. Always seek to improve and work on weaknesses.

I'm sure there will be others here better geared to answering your question, however I'll add my own ideas to this. I think the reason you feel the way you do is because, as you said, you don't get in to fights that often; and so both your mind and body are still in a state of nervousness and doubt. I'm assuming the fight wasn't an easy one for you. It's not uncommon for our bodies to kick in to a state of "auto-pilot", because very often, we give in to fear and panic. This fear and panic isn't something very often emulated in the dojo, and so your mind will treat an actual fight differently from normal dojo sparring. What you end up fighting with isn't a focused mind, but on instinct instead (it's like naturally curling up into foetal position when on the floor whilst being attacked). Anyway, I say, give it time. Allow the anxieties to pass. Re-introduce yourself into training slowly, and if you find as though you can't do that, you may perhaps either want to discuss the situation with your sensei (in which case he may make adjustments to lessons to provide for such real fight scenarios e.g. by introducing pressure testing); or you may want to look at other styles which do incorporate such methods of training (I know Krav Maga is notorious for it). Whatever it is that you decide to do though, I would definitely say, don't give in to fear! Don't allow this bad experience to put you off from training permanently. Be persistent, look for alternatives; and if you decide that taking a martial art isn't right for you, please make this decision with a clear mind. P.S- I'm sorry for what happened to you. You seem like a nice enough person; it's a shame that these things happen.

Congratulations. I think it's great that you didn't let the poor quality of your previous dojo put you off from the martial arts altogether.

...(or that)

Hi, you post an interesting question. I believe that different people lose interest in particular styles for various reasons. One of the most obvious examples is where a person has tried a stand-up striking style (such as muay thai, boxing etc) and later feels as though he/she would be better suited to, for example, a ground based fighting system (such as BJJ). Or perhaps the situation may not be as simple as this. For example, the two main reasons for my move from muay thai to Kyokushin were that: a) I was looking for a bit more tradition than what was on offer to me at my muay thai gym; b) the philosophies expounded by the gym I was in were not all ones I could agree with, and were ones that continued to bother me. Whilst these reasons (and others like them) may seem pedantic, you have to remember that a martial art is for life (to me, at least). I think that it's best to find a school/style that is best suited to your needs, so that training doesn't become a chore. Unfortunately, finding that school/style may take some longer than others. I personally have never regretted my choice though. I hope this helps.

Osu phoenixzion. I'm very much in agreement with what you wrote regarding Kata. For the longest time, I looked down on Kata (not having studied karate) and always saw sparring as something much more beneficial. Having recently picked up Kyokushin, I have to say that Kata is the essence of Karate. It's not only fantastic for learning techniques but also for hardening the spirit and I find myself practicing the few I know for hours on my resting days from training. This, for me, is unusual, as I'm training 5 days a week To the OP. I haven't done full contact sparring yet- but did lots of semi contact in my Muay Thai days. I will though (as is inevitable with Kyokushin) and I look forward to it because I seek to push my body to it's limits and go beyond- One of the reasons I love Kyokushin So you went from Muay Thai to Kyokushin? Whick kind of kicking do you prefer? (MT shin kicks vs Kyokushin chambered, instep kicks). Which one do you feel is more applicable for combat? Hi. Yes I did go from Muay Thai to Kyokushin. I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of the kicks in karate which require you to make a 'flicking' action from the knee, but personally, but my Hanshi allows me to throw shin kicks and encourages everyone else to do so. Whilst you're able to attack with greater power through shin kicks with less risk of hurting yourself, Instep kicks serve their own purpose, as they allow you to attack from a slightly further distance. If you're asking me if I feel Kyokushin is more combat applicable than Muay Thai (or vice versa), to be honest, I couldn't answer that. Not because I'm trying to be polite, but rather because they both share many similarities in the techniques they offer and in that they require a similar level of discipline, focus and conditioning from their fighters (all of which contribute towards combat effectiveness).

I don't think this is true, because not every style has forms as part of the training. Nor do I think that just because forms are part of some MA training, that it isn't necessarily the most important part. You can't train reaction, timing, or distance with forms training. These are all important attributes when it comes to self-defense. It's not true if kata doesn't belong to the style. But in those that it does, it doesn't have to be the most important part, just to be a necessity for the style to be that style. Reaction, timing and distance are things that you can't practice in kata, that's why it shouldn't be the only part of the style. Expecially, if we're talking about self-defence. It's a fair point. A balance needs to be struck. Theory without practical or vice-versa only leads to incomplete development of a martial artist.

Osu phoenixzion. I'm very much in agreement with what you wrote regarding Kata. For the longest time, I looked down on Kata (not having studied karate) and always saw sparring as something much more beneficial. Having recently picked up Kyokushin, I have to say that Kata is the essence of Karate. It's not only fantastic for learning techniques but also for hardening the spirit and I find myself practicing the few I know for hours on my resting days from training. This, for me, is unusual, as I'm training 5 days a week To the OP. I haven't done full contact sparring yet- but did lots of semi contact in my Muay Thai days. I will though (as is inevitable with Kyokushin) and I look forward to it because I seek to push my body to it's limits and go beyond- One of the reasons I love Kyokushin

Welcome

BLIMEY, where did you grow up!!!?

Are there no suitable alternatives near you (in terms of schools)? So, what I mean is, are there no alternative martial arts diciplines that you would be interested in studying, in order to gain a foundation at least? If not, you could always give the online school a go. If it doesn't work out for you, move on. Keep in mind though that this approach requires a lot of discipline and dedication- as essentially, you're organising your own lessons.

It's ok to know nothing. It's when you know that you know nothing and don't do anything to resolve the issue, that it becomes a problem. To be honest, I feel like that all the time, and it motivates me. I'd be more worried by the person who claims that he knows everything! lol