Toad

After looking around on different forums in subjects about MA, i got qurious about one major question one should consider deeply in the concepts of "BUDO". I'm talking about The "Giri" concept or should i keep it simple and just say: Moral Obligation, which arrived from the feudal period of Japan. Giri has many iterpretationis and meanings but for me as an simple karate-ka it has the meaning of my obligation to my wife, my family and to my master. Many people today is unsure of what they are studying or what is their goal. They think: is this the orginal style? is this the best master? is this the best style? Many tend to tryout many different styles and that is of course a good thing. But don't do it too long. Here is some famous quotes: "Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind." Seneca Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals. Aristotle There is of course many many more famous quotes but one should think about it and ask yourself: have i really studied the art i'm doing now? Maybe it's an thing when you mature in Budo, maybe around 35-45 years your ready for a decision in your life which you can give to your master. I have sworn my Giri to my master which intend to hold. This is my way of Budo. This might sound that a bit boastfully or old fashion. But for me it's an natural and uplifiting thing. Have one master, one art to study deeply and to progress in thru life... "The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going." Ralph Waldo Emerson So my question for you is: have you made your decision yet? I'm courious if any of you here are commited to what you are studying by giri?

All kata is "breathing kata" and if you don't understand that then your karate is missing something. So what do i mean by breathing kata? Do i mean heavy breathing, no. I mean do correct breathing in every kata and it will help your progress to the advanced levels and further on. Today it's a sad thing when wacthing on the net on a "popular site" kata's, you can even see the worldchamps of kata doing incorrect breathing, but it doesen't matter coz they make the moves quickly and that impresses the judges. Belive me it is hard to do correct breathing on a simple kata as: Taikyoku Shodan. But doing in/out breathing is only the begining of the journey.

Hi! In Shotokan-ryu the word "Osu" pronounced "Oss" is taken from the Japanese word for good morning "Ohayo gozaimasu". Simply the first letter and the 2 last ones is used. This was used by the military as an godmorning greeting. We used it in the dojo as an greeting to each other, as an confirmation when given instructions that you have understood. This has nothing to do with meaning for suffer etc... as stated earlier. For us anyway.