Wastelander

Congratulations! That's quite an accomplishment!

Congratulations! I honestly don't know which is harder--being scared about an impending test for rank, or being suddenly given a rank and not knowing for sure if you're ready for it. I've always had belt tests to be nervous about, but once or twice I was double-graded and it certainly freaked me out to be suddenly held to (what I perceived as) a much higher standard.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not particularly fond of the Pinan series, as a whole, but of the lot my favorite would be Pinan Yondan. There is some good stuff in it, but nothing that isn't in other Shorin-Ryu kata outside the Pinan series--it's very "Kusanku-ish."

I know that my art is effective--the question is, am I effective at using it. That's what pressure testing is for. Some people do it through competition, while others do it through their occupations, but generally the people with the most confidence in their arts are the ones who have pressure tested themselves the most.

Welcome to the forum!

I would certainly not call them frail or fragile, but as ShoriKid says, they aren't a super sword. If you drop any steel sword and it breaks, it was improperly heat treated. Any sword can have the edge chipped, though.

There is a lot of information in our Health, Training, and Fitness section of the forum: http://www.karateforums.com/health-training-and-fitness-vf19.html?sid=c36f5d0a8464654558b061987f5e6ae0 As for styles that include low kicks, you have a lot of options but they depend on the instructor. Traditional Okinawan karate styles, traditional Chinese styles, and Kyokushin karate (and its offshoots) include lots of low kicks, but some instructors favor them more than others. I've also seen some schools not use them at all.

Welcome to the forum, nayku! I am of the opinion that, in general, the instructor makes more of a difference than the art or style. Based on your interests, I think that karate or Muay Thai would be better than boxing, since you mention wanting to strike with the legs. Some Chinese martial arts schools don't kick hardly at all, and some do, so that may be hit or miss. All that said, you may find a great boxing gym and decide that kicks aren't all that important to you . Your best bet is going to be visiting schools in your area, watching some classes, talking to the instructors, and taking a couple trial classes. Do this at multiple schools before making your decision. A good instructor will be able to tailor your training to your limitations and skills, and you have to be sure you can get along with them. Good luck in your search!

I chose my arts. Where I lived growing up, the only choices of martial arts were Shuri-Ryu karate, Taekwondo, and boxing. I wanted to learn an art that would let me experience more of the Japanese culture, so karate was it! From there, I picked up judo because I had been introduced to some judo techniques in my karate training and wanted to learn more. After moving to Arizona, I specifically looked for an authentic Okinawan karate style taught by a knowledgeable instructor that worked practical kata application.

There is nothing wrong with Ronin Brand, in my opinion. My dress gi is a Ronin Brand super heavyweight, and it's pretty nice and didn't cost me a fortune. I imagine their middleweight would be perfectly fine for you!

Welcome to the forum!

I had to put "other" because, in my mind, there is no true "correct" pace for a kata, and even if there were, we are so far removed from the creators of the kata that we have no way of knowing what that pace was. In addition, I don't perform my kata at the same pace every time. Ideally, I think you have to make the kata fit you, individually. Sometimes I do it at a metronomic pace, as I would if an instructor was counting. Other times, I let my body go through the kata naturally--whatever feels right, to me--which tends to be faster. Other times, I go slow and focus on flowing, or working with dynamic tension. Every now and then, I will even go through the kata as fast as I can without missing movements.

To answer your question, you simply go up to your pastor/minister/etc. and tell them that you've been training in martial arts for X number of years and would be interested in starting a program if they would be willing to host it. I've known several people to start programs at their church, and it works out just fine. Some people don't want martial arts in their church because they feel it promotes violence or worship of other religions, and at that point you can either talk to them about those issues or just let it be. All that said, I'm afraid I have to echo everyone else's sentiments regarding your rank. Holding yourself back on ranking for competition purposes is called "sandbagging," and is very frowned upon--people have been banned from competition for it, before. As far as triple-grading from Sankyu (since you say you're testing for that soon) to Shodan in just 6 months, that seems like a bad idea. If you didn't feel ready to test for Sankyu all this time, then you probably shouldn't feel ready to test for Shodan in 6 months. I know I wouldn't.

My favorite no-gi choke, and the choke I hit most often in both gi and no-gi grappling, would be Kata Gatame (arm triangle). In a gi, my favorite choke is Kataha Jime (shoulder wing choke), but it's much harder to get.

As long as "proper execution" makes the technique effective, then I am more a proponent of proper execution. On the other hand, if "proper execution" does not make a technique more effective, then I am more a proponent of making it effective despite "improper execution".

My Journey with the Grandmaster by Bill Hayes is an incredible read for any karateka, in my opinion.

With judo and BJJ being so different from karate, and you already being a Nikyu, I don't think you would have any trouble with it from a learning perspective. I am a huge advocate of cross-training, and I am sure you would benefit from it! That said, it sounds like you have a pretty full schedule as it is, and even if you can find the time to do it all, I don't think you should. Overtraining is unhealthy, and can be dangerous. You would need to drop a couple of your other activities, especially if you are planning to increase your attendance at your dojo.

It is very common to start kobudo training with the bo--it is what I started with, as well! Enjoy your training!

Thanks! I do quite a few other supplementary exercises, of course, but my list was getting pretty long and I didn't want to write a book, haha. I actually do Stronglifts, and mix in the other exercises between sets or after my lifting. Right now I'm nursing a mild quadriceps tear, though, so I can't squat or deadlift, and I'm having to go easy on most leg-intensive exercises in general. For a while I have to be a bit of a "captain upper-body" . I partially agree with this, and partially disagree. Barbells are balanced, yes, which means you have to do less stabilization, but you do still have to stabilize the bar with weight on it, so it isn't a complete loss in that regard. The biggest benefit that barbell lifts have is that you can simply move more weight, and moving more weight is going to make you stronger than moving less weight. No matter what you are doing, stronger muscles are stronger muscles. The biggest thing we gain from "functional" workouts is working ranges of motion and series of muscular engagement that more closely mimic what we do in martial arts. This makes us much more effective at applying our strength to our training. I actually agree with you on the fact that someone who only does barbell lifts, even doing them properly (many "gym rats" cheat to lift more weight than they actually can), will not be as effective at using their strength in martial arts as they could be if they ALSO did "functional" workouts. I also think that a person that only does "functional" workouts will not be as strong when they apply their strength in martial arts as they could be if they ALSO did heavy barbell lifts (properly). I'm a proponent of doing both! Adding heavy barbell lifts will only help, not hurt, your "functional" training, and vice versa.

I'm not sure why so many people seem to think exercises can only be "functional" if they don't involve a barbell . In any case, I assume you want to develop functional strength for karate, in particular. I don't do the same routine all the time, because that would be boring, but here are some of the things I do. 5x5 squats: I started with just the bar and added 5lbs each workout. Be sure that you hit parallel on each squat and maintain good form. This builds strength and explosiveness in the legs and stability in the core, both of which you need to power your strikes. 5x5 bench press: I started with just the bar and added 5lbs each workout. Make sure you get a full range of motion by touching the bar to your chest, but don't bounce it off of yourself, and don't grip the bar too wide. Works chest strength and arm extension for pushing and punching. 5x5 barbell rows: I started at 100lbs and added 5lbs each workout. Make sure you keep your back flat and don't shrug the bar up. This builds strength for pulling, which applies to your hikite and kuzushi. 3x5 deadlifts: I started at 135lbs and added 5lbs-10lbs each workout. Don't do straight-leg deadlifts, and make sure you keep your back straight. This builds strength for just about everything fighting related--gripping, pulling, lifting, and stabilizing your core. T-bar presses: Load weight on one end of a barbell, set the other end on the floor or a t-bar bracket, stand in your stance holding the end of the bar in front of your shoulder and punch to press the bar away from you. I started with a 35lb plate and added 2.5lbs-5lbs each workout. Very functional exercise for adding resistance to your punches throughout your entire biomechanical chain. Kettlebell swings: Two-handed, one-handed, or switching, it doesn't really matter. Develops hip drive and shoulder stability. Kettlebell woodchoppers: I call these "farmer tosses"--imagine picking up a bale of hay off the ground next to you and tossing it up into the bed of a truck. Obviously, I'm a country boy so this makes perfect sense to me . Works hip drive, shoulder stability, and core rotation. Rope battling: Excellent conditioning exercises, and works the shoulders, legs, and core. Rope grapplers: Get an underhand grip on the ends of the rope and swing them over your head to slam them onto the ground next to you, then repeat to the other side. Excellent conditioning for rotational power and shoulder strength. Heavy bag drags: Tie yourself to a heavy bag, get in your fighting stance, and press across the floor in your stance--punches optional. Builds explosiveness and endurance in the legs. Jumping lunges: Drop into a lunge, then explode and jump forward from the lung. Repeat, switching sides each time. Builds explosiveness and endurance in the legs. Sit-through planks: From a push-up position, kick one leg underneath you and across your body until that hip touches the floor, then return to your push-up position and repeat on the other side. I typically do these in sets of 15-20, and they are a good core workout for twisting movements--kicks, punches, and throws all come to mind. Weighted crunches and bridges: Simply hold a weight plate (I use a 45lb plate) and do crunches and bridges. You could also do this with a medicine ball. Burpees: I do the full squat-kickback-pushup-kickup-jump burpees. This can also be done with a medicine ball. Intense conditioning, works explosiveness and core stability. Bagwork: Blast the heaviest bag you can as hard as you can for as long as you can. Excellent sport-specific conditioning.

Good luck to you and your instructor, both!

Welcome to the forum!

On top of the great recommendations you have already been given, I would add slow motion kicking. It lets you work technique and form, but also forces you to work your balance.