gheinisch

Hello All, Just wondering how everyones class is structured. Do you have a set routine that you know about before you get there or is more of a find out when you get there type of class? I guess both ways have good and bad traits. My dojo is more of the find out when you get there type. Of course we always warm up and go through our basics but after that we may practice stances for most the night or concentrate on kicks. Some nights we do kata and more kata and when we're done with that we'll do a couple more kata's just for good measure. Other nights we get the matts out and practice throws, joint locks, escapes, rolls, break falls etc. And then some nights our Hanshi will invite another instructor(former student of his) to come in and teach a class, which is great because you can learn so much from someone that has a little different outlook on things. I like having class this way because it keeps it fresh and rarely do I feel like I'm in a rut. Do any of guys and gals have class like this or is it more of the 30 min. warm ups, 30 min. basics etc.? As I said, I see nothing wrong with either way just curious as to how others do it. P.S. - My school is fairly small so it makes it easier to do things in a less structured way. I realize the large schools have to have some kind order or it would be a nightmare.

1st kyu to 1st Dan here.

Nice to have you here Warlock. I agree that too many people and schools as well place too much importance on the color of belt they have instead of the knowledge they posess. Our Hanshi constantly reminds us not to rush our studies and become a hostage to a belt color. Knowledge is so much more important than what you wear around your waist. That said, we do use a belt system in my style and I think there is a place for the belt system as long as all belts are earned and never given. Glad to have you here on the forums. Look forward to your posts.

Hello and Welcome! Great to have you here.

I have to agree with most of the guys here. I learn something about myself and my partner everytime we spar. I think that is what sparring is about - learning. If you intimidate and pound someone when sparring I think you defeat the purpose of it. IMHO

Hello and Welcome!

Nice article Steve! I know the social interaction plays a great role as to why I train. Because of my job and weird hours it requires the nights at the dojo are my only opprotunity to see how the other side lives and to interact with people on a regular basis other than my wife and kids who I love dearly. The family sometimes has a hard time understanding why I want to go to the dojo to get flipped, thrown or punched on when I could stay at home and watch American Idol. That's only one aspect of why I train but a very important one too me. Thanks for all the reminders of daily life as well, ain't they great!

Welcome.

I'm a Customer Service Agent in the International Air Cargo facility for Delta Airlines. Almost been laid off three times since 9/11 but always seem to make the cut.

I think the feeling you are experiencing could be the feeling of accomplishment. You finally found someone that you really feel comfortable with and whose skill level is equal to yours. Maybe when you sparred against a lesser opponent you would find yourself wondering why they didn't block that strike (you would have after all) and when against someone with greater skill you may have doubted your ability when you asked yourself why you didn't block that strike. You said it yourself, it's like a chessmatch. You and this other fellow had a bond and understanding with each other that is hard to come by. Feel fortunate that you guys had the chance to experience it.

Welcome to KF!

Stay home and let your body recover. Trying to train when you're very sick isn't helping you or your fellow karateka. Some good hot soup sounds good. Drink a good "Hot Tottie" before bed and you'll be on your way to recovering. Hope you feel better soon!!

Welcome to the forums and good luck with your training.

Check some of the Martial Arts supply places. There is a link at the top of the home page to a good supplier. Click on it and then go down to uniforms and click on shoes. They have a good selection at all price ranges. There is a kung fu shoe with rubber soles for around six bucks, that might be all you need.

Our system uses White, Yellow, Green, Purple, Brown, Brown/Red, Red, and Black. Not sure about karate just using White to Black but I believe some of the Kung Fu styles have a White to Black sash system.

Welcome!

Don't rush to create your own style. If I remember correctly you posted somewhere else on the forum saying that you were getting ready to become a teenager in a couple of weeks. Which is great! If not I apologize for thinking you're someone else. You have years to learn as many MA's as you would like and then after many, many years of training you could conceivably create your own style. The style I study is Hon-Shin-Do which has roots in Shorie-Ryu but incorporates a lot of different styles that our Hanshi (9th Dan) has studied over almost forty years of being a Martial Artist. I think it's a well rounded style that has striking, kicking, grappling, throws, joint locks and lots of self defense. So don't be in a hurry to create a style, learn as much as you can while your young and able. Not to say us old guys aren't!!

Nothing wrong with those scores! I scored the exact same thing in verbal and math. I guess you could say I'm well rounded. Didn't score quite as high as you however. Congrats!

Those are some good ones!

Welcome, look forward to your posts!

Nice article Laurie, I agree with you 100%. More people should pay more attention to skill and techniques of the Art they are learning instead of the color around their waist. In changing schools the final decision should be left to the instructor but I don't think most would mind if you wanted to step back a couple ranks to better understand and learn the style that he/she is teaching.

Glad you decided to come aboard. Welcome!

The correct way can be any of those I believe. Mr. Redmond explains it in depth at this link better then I could even start too. Hope it helps. http://www.24fightingchickens.com/mu/osu/index.html

Practice is always a good suggestion. The only I can add is is that we all lose our balance every time we throw a kick. The thing is to regain your balance as soon as you can. A student once asked his Master how it was that he never lost his balance? The Master said that he does all the time but he gets his kicking leg back to the ground so quickly that it makes it very difficult for someone to take advantage of it. So long story short, don't leave your leg hanging out there and don't let gravity be the thing that gets your leg back on the ground. Use your muscles to snap your leg back and down to the ground. You can also practice balance by doing a drill that we call climbing the tree. Get a partner and take turns doing sidekicks slowly starting just above the ankle and with each kick go higher and higher without setting your foot down. With time your balance will improve. Hope this helps some.

Do you have to start over and begin from white belt in the new style? All depends on your new dojo and Sensei. Ask him to see what his policy is. In my opinion you should start at white belt again out of respect with the possibility of moving up the ranks faster because of your pass experience. Bottom line - Ask your Sensei. Is there a difference in techniques? I'm sure you will notice some as the training progresses but if I reme,ber correctly kyokushin was developed by Oyama who had trained in Goju and Shotokan as well as other Martial Arts. He wanted to develop a style that improved on these styles for a well rounded style. I believe that kyokushin is more full contact then other styles can be. Is it wrong to change styles? Heck no. Crosstraining is great with many styles complmenting each other. Look at all the styles that Oyama himself has studied. Never forget your roots but expanded ones knowledge in my opinion is never wrong.