gheinisch

That's one way of saying it Dlopez, but the Japanese system uses Shodan = 1st degree or 1st Dan, Nidan = 2nd degree or 2nd Dan, Sandan = 3rd degree or 3rd Dan and so on. Not much different in the ranking just the terminology I think.

Welcome!

Yeap, I started Martial Arts because the wife thought it would be good for my then 14 year old son to learn how to defend himself as well as a good father and son bonding opportunity. I wasn't too sure being 34 years old at the time but I agreed and the rest is history. My son did real well for almost four years but then being a teenager got in the way and he had "other" things to do. I would ask him if he was going to go with me to train and he would say he had this or that to do so I would end up going by myself. He is now getting ready to go into the Navy and I'm still training by myself and loving every minute of it. It's funny how things work out. My wife now wonders if she did the right thing because I work a evening shift and the two nights I am at the house I spend at least two hours at the dojo. I can always remind her that it was her idea.

That's a great story. And so true, you never know who might be next to you.

Hello Dan, glad you joined us all here at KF. Welcome!

Wear the head gear Matt. Better safe than sorry.

Welcome!

1. How long have you been in the martial arts and what is your rank (no disrepect intended fellow Senseis!) I have been training for 4 1/2 years and my current rank is 2nd kyu. 2. What style or styles do you practice? I practice a style called Hon-Shin-Do (The way of the true heart) which has roots in Okinawan Shorie Ryu. 3. Does your style include forms, katas or some other simmilar exercise which involves preset routines of movements? Yes, we have katas, ippons and taezu haru wazas that we practice. 4. If yes give a short 1 to 5 word explanation (IE Kata, short sets, puching drills etc) katas - preset movements set to a pattern to defend yourself against one or more opponents. Ippons - one steps which emphasize power. Taezu naru wazas - Continuous flowing motion (speed). 5. If no, give a brief description of a typical class. 6. Does your training include repetitive drills? Yes, basics and more basics as well as kata. 7. If yes, has your teacher ever explained why repetitive drilling is done? and if so, give a breif description. Muscle memory. To be able to react without thinking. Because thinking can get you hurt or worse. If you have to think about what your reaction will be than it's already too late.

Good advise so far. I'm all for the basics. I have to teach class from time to time. My Hanshi has told me to speak up and be heard and be sure they know who is in charge. I'm very soft spoken and that's the biggest challenge for me. Be yourself and relax and do what you know. One of the best ways to learn is to teach. Good Luck, I'm sure you'll do just fine!

There is one of me under the Dojo/Group pictures. I'm standing in the back row all the way to the left in the U.S. Christian Academy of Martial Arts picture.

Hello and welcome to the forums.

Hello and Welcome to KF. It sounds like you've gotten some good advise here. I agree, don't change because of lineage. Change because of bad or inadequate instruction. It sounds like you have a good dojo with a good Sensei with a good family who cares about thier students. Your son is young and will have plenty of time to expand his knowledge as he grows as a Martial Artist. I say stick with what you have as long as your happy! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Oh, and ask away! There are a lot of great people on this site that have years of experience and knowledge that love to answer questions.

Hello Spitz. Welcome to the boards. I moved this from the intro section to the general section so more posters would be able to respond to your story. I good one by the way. We look forward to your posts. Welcome once again!

Hello and Welcome!

Hello Angela and Welcome to Karate Forums. Glad to have you here!

Just turned 39 here. Lordy, Lordy I'm almost 40! Feel better now than I did a few years ago however. Maybe training has something to do with that. Hmmm.......

Welcome to the forums.

Welcome to the forums.

Depends on what night of the week it is for us. On Mondays there is only three of us with Hanchi for dedicated black belt training. On Tuesday we train with all the other belts except the whites. On Thursday everyone trains. Probably 20 students total.

Hello, glad you decided to join us here at KF. Keep training hard.

Welcome to FK Bob. Sounds like you have some great experience to share.

Flash is great to see and I like to watch it and wish I could do half the stuff that some of this young kids can do. I totally see Shorinryu Sensei and WW points as well. One must not confuse flash with workable, proven techniques used in the streets. The one thing I remember most about the XMA special that was on the discovery is the quote made "flash is trash without the basics". Lets all remember the foundation on which we build our house that we call Martial Arts. IMHO

Welcome!

Hello and Welcome to the forums. Glad you like it! A lot of good people and Martial Artist here.

Welcome to the forum.