ZenGuitar

I started doing deadlifts and squats around a month or so ago and I can definitely attest to strength gains and just better overall well being. I think a lot of people are intimidated (I know I was) at trying deads or squats because they're notorious for demanding totally correct form or you risk damage. However if you take the time to look at as many sources as you can to make sure you're doing it right (if you can't get to a gym) then I would recommend anyone to do them. I feel better after doing them and I actually enjoy them more than any other exercise. Only problem is I've run out of weights so I guess I can only increase sets to keep it progressive...

Hi Rodders, I've been training Shotokan for a year and a half and am 27. In the same sort of boat as you. I'm not very flexable in the hips at all but from my own practice, trial and error and the research I've done on the subject I'm aiming for strength in the hips first. A stronger muscle that gets used often can also expand and contract more efficiently. If we just stretch a muscle that isn't really getting stronger then it doesn't really help us that much. Or I'll re-word that and say it doesn't really help me that much Holding my leg out in a side kick and front kick position, holding it for 10, 20 seconds or more helps to strengthen the hips. Also, performing the kicks all the way through very slowly with perfect form is worth more than throwing loads of fast but sloppy kicks. Doing around 50 slow Yoko Keage each side, aiming to keep the heel up and the proper sokuto position (say 10 reps at a time) is a workout for sure. I totally don't mind being wrong on this as well and I'm also really interested on opinions from more experienced members but from what I've seen and experienced, strength seems to be the key ingredient in better and higher kicks rather than just stretching ability ?

Yes, this puts things in perfect perspective for me.. if I face my right foot exactly forward then it feels like my left side isn't facing square onwards to the front.. when I kick it's almost like my leg has to kick over to the right to compensate. So by moving my right foot outwards, just a bit, I feel much more stable and the hips are still square on. Thanks guys

Thanks everybody for your replies. You've all pretty much confirmed what I've been thinking. Even each side of our body is unique and we should pay heed to that and adapt accordingly

That's ok, impose all you like. I'm interested in any karateka's views on this, seeing as it's a move we all learn. Opening up the foot a little does feel more natural.. and my hips still seem square on anyway. Maybe my feet are just weird. I really would like to know if anybody else has ever experienced this too ?

Hi everyone, I've been having a mental quandary about the position of the foot on supporting leg when performing mae geri. When kicking with my right, dominant leg, my left supporting foot doesn't have any problems facing straight forward.. sometimes it's even slightly inward, if I've risen to a mae geri from zenkutsu dachi. When kicking with the left leg and my right foot is supporting, things have never felt right. I've taken the opinion of just working and working on it until it does feel right but the weird thing is this: When my right foot is facing forward (when I'm balancing on it in a mae geri position) it doesn't feel like it's forward.. it feels like it's turned in. Without looking at it, I turn it until it feels natural and like it's facing forward.. when I look down at it, naturally it's turned slightly outwards. I've been told that my supporting foot should always stay facing forward or you risk opening the hips.. I've also seen footage of other sensei and pics of Sensei Dave Hazard performing Mae Geri with his supporting foot clearly turned outwards. So not sure which is right.. Sorry for the long winded post but my question is basically this: Is this one of those cases where you should just listen to your body and let it do what it wants to do (especially in the case of joint alignment.. I've also got flat feet - I don't know if that would affect it) or is it just a case of keep on trying to get my foot pointing straight on ? I've no problem with drilling technique until it's right.. I guess I'd just like to know where I should be committing my focus so I can then devote myself 100% to it Thanks.. any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much for the welcome guys, pleasure to be here

Hi everyone. After sneaking around the forum, reading old posts for a couple of weeks I thought it made sense to take the plunge and stop messing around. I'm a month away from 27 and I started Shotokan almost exactly a year ago. As a kid I was always into Martial Arts movies and loved the idea of doing it but never had the confidence to do anything on my own. I went through a lot of hard, personal struggles in my late teens and early 20's but last year, things just seemed to be ready in my life and I went along to my first class and never looked back ! My main reasons were that I wanted to do something that utilised my whole body as I was fed up of not being agile with my legs. I've been playing guitar since I was about 10 so my upper body has always been busy enough but my lower body just got used for walking and that was it. Since then, a whole new world has opened up to me. I'm not the kind of guy who just does something as a half hearted hobby. I totally immerse myself in the subject, read about it all the time, follow different leads etc. The people I've read about, the books I've been fortunate enough to discover.. it's all totally enhanced my life in every way and even given my guitar playing a kick up the backside. It's like the saying goes 'From one thing, know ten thousand things'. I look forward to talking and sharing stories with you all !