xo-karate

We are responsible for our own learning, but how much can we help others? I joined an aikido class last winter and it was not aloud help others. Idea is that all instructions should come from senior belts. I do understand that wrong instructions in the beginning is bad for future learning. I also know that collective learning and figuring out things is very much more helpful than copying movements with out any understanding. I quited the class, because I could not shut up - and it was highly discouraged. Not my style of learning environment. I think we need to help others - not accepted anything others say with out testing and testing... I need to know how it works, before I'll use it in my "game".

Some times I shower at home after training and then I might drive home with my gi on. Other reason for wearing a Gi outside dojo could be an outdoor training session. We use to do those, in 80' but not so much lately:)

In our BJJ class we used to clap, but instructor said that he is not a monkey performing a show, please don't clap your hands for him. So we don't - just shake hands with every one.

I did running two days per week in the winter. Now, I'm planning to shorten the distance and increasing my speed. I've been jogging for too long, but I think running would be better.

and you have cloves when working with heavy bag?

Congrats!

It works for me, but I'm a registered user. (Just can't remember how I did it. Sorry.) And I can't solve the problem as it logs me in and everything works... I read the forum and it looks like the site is quite exclusive. You need to email kyoudai@powerdojo.com and discuss it with Eric.

Mine is about 6 kilometers - maybe 10 minutes with motorbike or car.

If you can get it, you'll find that this is the right place http://kyoudai.powerdojo.com/home/main/ It has body weight and also weight training programs and it's for combat sports and has progressive programs... and lots more (I'm not sure how I got in... but Eric has very good knowledge in training and I've been following it for 40 years - and he has something new, but also grounded ideas.)

In a self defense situation? I don't know what would happen. I've trained to use two top knuckles, but if I'd hit the face, I'd rather use bottom of my palm. (But what would happen in the actual situation, I don't know. Most likely I might hit to the core with two knuckles and use some kind of take down and continue from their - hopefully for submission or escape.)

http://kyoudai.powerdojo.com/home/main/ Maybe you get a link where you can register. Send me a personal message if you don't want to sign in, but would like to know more about the workouts.

There are good 5x5 programs in the net. I started one and did it for maybe 8 weeks, but my core was not ready for it. (Got some very mild back problems.) I changed to bodyweight training and again there is a lot of good programs, but I have to say that one of my favorites is http://kyoudai.powerdojo.com. It has a progression in it's routines. I'm doing "white belt workout" and completed day 9 yesterday. In two weeks I'll be ready to start with weights again:-) Legs and core are the foundation of strength in hitting - arms don't do much - it's enough to be able to straighten them:-) "Hit with your hip"

I don't buy it. I don't think that belt will give you any more support if it's crossed or "hollywood".

American based... I was part of a project or a phase in Finnish karate where we wanted to make Karate more Finnish. We called it Finn Karate Do. We included modern knowledge of coaching and teaching and tried to include techniques that worked in competition. (At that era we won several world championships and were quite good.) Next generation wanted to go back to traditional karate - ok they have there reasons and one was that competition karate is not effective for self defense. So we did Finnish Karate. Brazilians did here own Judo - it's not bad:) If you want to have karate as a Japanese cultural study, it's a great solution. Very much to learn, but every thing is not done in most effective way for a western. We live in a different environment - mentally and socially. I am sure that American karate is good - and also very bad. Problem is same is not good for me and for the next guy.

Our dojo is 25€ a month or 300 € per year. You can get 5 classes per week and use the gym when ever it's free or do open mat training when there is no class. Also an other dojo offers 100 € for year and they have maybe 3 - 4 classes per week - and some possibilities to use dojo for personal training. I thin the most expensive would be some where 500 euros per year? With maybe 3 - 4 classes a week.

I don't get it? Why does a black belt need to show off to a white belt? If a white belt does not know how to behave, what about just explaining it? Black belt does not have to do anything - there is no way a white belt can get any submissions on a black belt... I think we need more instructors education!!!

Congratulations!

In a way I can second this. If you are good, you are good and no belt can change it. If you need to move to another place to practise, they will notice your skills. If not, you might be going to a wrong dojo or you have a wrong idea of you skills.

Actually there is a study fromDanmark that says it's not the same when you take protein. sooner the better after training. 5 huors did not affect muscle growth, but straight after training did.

and this guy too. Let us know how was it.

My "problem" of not being in an association is that it also means that I don't have an instructor - I was senior in my style when I came to the area about 30 years ago. Just a comment on problem of joining an organization and getting evaluated. I think that is great! There is nothing more stressing than trying to better than you are - related to standards of that organization. Remember it does not change your actual skills. It does not matter what belt you are wearing. Belt reflects or signals skills that the organization is expecting - you will have all you other skills left. I often wear a white belt. Sometimes a gray or a brown. or now belt at all. I don't wear a black belt as I don't think it was awarded to me in a correct manner. I was awarded for political reasons.

Federations and associations are politics. It's about power and status. It's not about quality. (This is my opinion only

why did the kyu have to ask 3 times? why did he have to challenge an opponent ? there is somerhing wrong with the spirit in the dojo. too much cowboy western mentallity? maybe a mma gym?

I'd ask the instructor for advice. If they let you keep your old belt, ask if you can still go to beginners classes for a while to catch up and freshen your technique. After you get your motor going, you can go to senior groups. I think it's good for all of us to do the basics now and then.

Ok - you can graduate a belt from a senior rank, but it's not accepted as a valid by our national karate federation. If you want to graduate and have it accepted, you need to do it to by some style requirements and to a certain board of members. But this is the case in Finland and only if you want it to be approved. If you want to graduate to some senior belt, and they award you a new rank, and you want to keep it, nothing can stop you. We can call our selfs what rank we want to:-) (I've been using a gray belt lately - and calling it a professors belt - and my training partners are calling it a junior belt as I have one red stripe on it.) I think as being non association member, I don't have a hierarchy. No one out ranks me no do I out rank anyone. I just practice and some times teach.