gheinisch

Hey Ya, Glad to have you here! Welcome.

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Welcome, hope you enjoy your stay!

Welcome! With your experience should add a lot to this site! Glad to have you.

Welcome!

As #18 says in Funakoshi's 20 precepts - "Practicing a kata is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another." But it also teaches and trains the body to flow from one technique to another without having to think about what you are going to do. In a real fight there is no time for thinking, if you have to pause to consider what would work best or is the best technique for a circumstance then you are already in deep trouble. So for me, kata does help in kumite and real fight situations. Some here don't believe in the usefulness of kata and thats OK. But for me they are very important and the bases to build on. IMHO Respecfully, Greg

The simple answer is kata is prearranged movements and techniques to defend yourself against one or more opponents. The more complex and more thought provoking answer is as follows: Katas are the essence of Karate, without them Karate would be the mere learning of various fighting and self-defense techniques, expressing nothing and allowing for no aesthetic development. Katas are the distilled concentrated wisdom, understanding, and experience of hundreds of great karate peak awareness. When one begins to understand them one glimpses a new world of untold internal riches. The primary meaning of the kata is for the performer himself. If he is unable to immerse himself in the kata and so release his emotions, or life force, a master will say of the performer that he is still "in the dance", that is, unable to emote or express his feelings at will. This poignant karate saying has an even more profound when the sensei refers to a student "coming out of the dance". This is the highest compliment one can recieve. The eventual perfection of the katas lead not only to mastery of the basic forms and techniques, but also to physical and spiritual sensitivity and to complete control of all parts of the body. A good Karateka first develops his katas to perfection and later perfects his Jul-Kumite (sparring) ability. To me kata teaches my body to react without thinking. In a real confrontation one has only a fraction of a second to react, if you have to think about the technique you are going to use it is already to late! IMHO!

We're working on Heian Nidan and Heian Sandan right now. The Kokutsu dachi isn't my favorite so it's a challenge for me. I love the kata's however, just have to refine and sharpen the techniques.

Mine is boring. First name initial and last name. That's me!

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Hey Zack, I train in a style called Hon-Shin-Do which uses a combination of styles. Shorei Ryu (Shuri Ryu) has its roots in the Chinese system Hsing Yi (an internal soft style martial art), and Okinawan Shuri Te and Naha Te (external hard styles). Shorei Ryu - Hon Shin Do is a blended style of both hard and soft. Here is the bio on our Hanshi: Hanshi Leo Kozloski (9th Dan) Leo Kozloski started his martial arts training in early 1965, first training in the art of Judo. Later he started to train with Master John Pachivas in karate. Over the years, Leo has had an opportunity to work with Master Trias who founded the United States Karate Association (USKA). At that time, in the early 1960's, the style of the USKA was GoJu. Later Master Pachivas brought Ken Ogawa from Japan to teach at his dojo. Ken Ogawa was named All Japan in 1972 in the style of GoJu. The USKA then changed to the Shorei Ryu style of karate. After receiving his black belt, Leo left Master Pachivas and started his training in the style of Aikido, which he studied for three years. From this, he moved to Kendo, or the art of the sword and Jujitsu. Leo started teaching at the Hollywood, Florida Y.M.C.A. in 1975 with eighteen students. This lead to the growth of the U.S. Academy of the Martial Arts and Hon-Shin-Do. Along with Bruce Saver, their dream grew to over fifteen black belts teaching students the style of Hon-Shin-Do in over five states. He has won numerous karate tournaments, including the Southeastern Karate Championship.

I agree with Champ, it is still up for debate but that tends to be the most heard of theory. Here's a link to a Shotokan site that has a good page on history, lots of others out there as well. I suggest going to some of these sites and researching some books and come to your own consenus. http://www.shotokankarate.dabsol.co.uk/shotokan/main/

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I practice Hon-Shin-Do, a brief description below. Our classes are taught by Hanshi Leo Koslowski at the U.S. Christian Academy of Martial Arts. About the Style: The style taught at USAMA is Shorei Ryu- Hon Shin Do, a traditional Okinawan style. The head of our style is Hanshi Leo Koslowski, 9th Dan. Kyoshi Bruce Saver and Renshi Eric Cranston were instrumental in the formation of the USAMA and its propagation across the U.S. Shorei Ryu (Shuri Ryu) has its roots in the Chinese system Hsing Yi (an internal soft style martial art), and Okinawan Shuri Te and Naha Te (external hard styles). Shorei Ryu - Hon Shin Do is a blended style of both hard and soft. Classes emphasize developing proper form and technique as well as strength, flexibility, self discipline and self defense.

Found this description on a web site, hope it helps you some. Seisan dachi is a front stance with inward tension, slightly shorter and narrower than zenkutsu dachi.

Welcome! How about "Have a great day, and a better tomorrow"

Check out https://www.mastyles.com , it has lots of links plus lots of other stuff.

I've scanned pictures of our promotions and other class events and use them as wallpapers and screensavers as well as lots of other nature scenes and stuff. The free download of webshots will let you do that.

Welcome Slaine, Lots of knowledge here and it sounds like you can add a bit yourself. Enjoy youe look around!

One more for ya! Welcome, lots of knowledge here to tap into. Enjoy your stay!

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Glad your back! Welcome, and congrats on getting hitched.