xo-karate

Karate Styles: Surprising Links to Shortened Lifespan Jason Amstrong just published a book that karate does not make you live longer - it cuts years of your life - 10 to 15. I'm old all ready so more training won't harm me:-)

HI, to be able to say what is the best workout, one would need to know what do you want from it. The workout from the link is very good for muscle size and strength. It was 2 times per week. You might need some cardio to enhance the process. (If you have endurance already, strength is a good next step.) After that you might want some speed and power types of workouts. (Maybe functional body weight - check MMA and functional training.) I think strength should take about 3 months and then the next step.. and then back to endurance -> strength -> power and so on

Instructor does not own you and you don't owe anything but training fee to the instructor - yes - true, but training can become like family. Leaving your instructor means leaving your friends too.

It's just first cut - wrestling, squash or baseball - one will be selected

I think it a cirrect call. Kata competitions would be silly and kumite needs to have better rules. It's not fair with current rules. More about what referees are looking at than what actually happened. (refeering to semicontact sports karate)

I agree totally. Single movements or some times a useful compination, but not a logical fight just parts to practice movements and to compine movements. I wouldn't read much as what the story of the fight is:)

Stance is an important part of technique. It's not static, but dynamic - but often learning starts by "statue training". I have a poor zenkutzudaschi. I realized it now when I am grappling. My hip is not in a correct position to carry weight if an opponent graps my upper body. (Jumps and pulls me down.) I've adjusted my hip and now it's much stronger - also in punches. So learn you stances and strengthen your body:-)

I am getting a feeling that some one sees a kata as a choreographed fight? I've always seen it as a drill. If you block three times, it's because you need to do it on both sides - or it just goes better to the end position. (like to start and end at the same place).

Concrats!

to block or not to block? First in kar ate are techniques that you practise. If you repeat your blocks enough, you have blocks or you can use the movement for a counter attack. I've been disqualified for a too strong block -it was interpreted as an attack. My point is that you have the movement if you work for it. Should you use it, is a different issue. In sparring I've noticed that not blocking in karate is effective - or just sliding opponents arm as countering. On the other hand blocking boxers may mess up there balance - It was a new experience. In self defence you may have to use strong blocks as your opponent might have a stick or other kind of weapon. so you can use blocks as attacks and attacks as blocks.

Looks like we are very much on the same page - on opinion on ranking and personal experince.

True. But you can also practice every event with your inner goals. Rank like a belt is a status or something that is awarded by your peers - your social group or martial arts family. It's a nice thing, but it's a poor goal. If we aim for belts, we don't concentrate on right issues. Right issue is what you've made your goal. (OK - you can have gradings as a goal, but that is not martial arts - it's kind of collecting stamps of achievement.)

What kind of sparring? Points or full contact? In points it's easier to counter as fight end on a point. In full contact you need to counter, but still circle and break away from your opponent - if he is bigger and stronger, he will punch your lights out.

xo comes from extra old like cognac - gets better as it gets older. karate is my first martial arts

Try both for few months and see which you like. I am sure that aikido has something to offer in terms of concepts and culture. I'm not sure if it's self defense by it's own but combined with TKD it might not be a bad choice. Wado is ofcourse closer to TKD, but with it's own ideas. My base is in wado so I like it. BUT give aikido a chance if you dare:-)