Kyokushin

I train Kyokushin, but I'm in the IFK organization founded by Hanshi Steve Arneil. I see what your trying to get at in your question, but it really doesn't matter who was "original" or the "true" heir of the Kyokushin organization. What matters is that people are learning and training in this great style. Organization is not important. Kyokushin is Kyokushin. OSU

I know that Aikido and Judo come from Jujitsu, but what is it that really sets them apart. Is it better to just take Jujitsu? (would you just get everything that Aikido and Judo have to offer?) I had a brief run in with Judo and found it to be a lot of fun, and also met an Aikido BB who showed me some things from his style. I was really impressed with the gracefullness (fluidity of motion, etc.) that he had. I'm just trying to decide which of these styles is better since I will have a chance to dabble in them when I go to college (free training at the University clubs )

There are five areas in Kyokushin in which we work on in training: Kihon (Basics) Kata (Forms) Kumite (Sparring) Go-Shin Jitsu (Self Defense) Renraku (Fighting Combinations) Tameshiwari (Breaking) This is always the areas I've trained in as a Kyokushin karateka. It's not just all sparring.

Osu, Sounds like you've been through alot. Although I haven't been through anything quite as traumatic as you've mentioned. I also had to make a similar decision about training. Train alone in the style you love, or in another dojo. Here's what I've done and I really think it's been working out. I go to a dojo which I decided was the best out of all the ones in my area. There I'm able to learn skills that I didn't always get as much work on in Kyokushin, and also it keeps me in shape. Then at home on my own I work my Kyokushin katas and anything else that is important in my style. The hardest part is finding a balance between the two. I don't worry about rank in the dojo I'm at. Only about learning new techniques or improving areas I'm weak in. When I'm finished at this dojo I will find another style that I think could help improve me, and so on and so on. Each style has something to offer and will make you a more well rounded karateka. While at home you can still stay true to your roots and visit the other instructor you mentioned whenever possible to train. I also like the fact that being in other dojos people will notice something different that you do that you got from your original style (Bushido, right?). Then you have a chance to tell them about it and spread awareness of your style. Hope that helps:) Osu!

My advice is to just do your best to focus on your training. I had a guy I liked in my dojo for awhile, but I knew that it would be a bad idea to try and pursue anything. For one, I would get nervous around him and he was a great sparring partner so it wasn't worth losing quality training over. It's really hard at first to just stop liking someone, but I would just go in and while doing warmups think about how I wanted to train and be serious, and visualize myself doing karate really well. It tended to help, and now I can train w/o losing focus. Anyway that's just what worked for me, but it's worth a shot

I'd have to say I prefer Japanese. In my class we would use a mixture of English and Japanese (for new words or lower ranks), but for the most part it was Japanese. I started at a new place and all the instructors use is English so now I have no idea what they're talking about until I see it done b/c people call the same technique different things in English. However I've trained with other instructors who do use Japanese and while it's a little more diffucult when they pronounce things differently it's much easier then the totally different English terms, but if you train Korean style then you should speak Korean, if a Chinese style, Chinese, etc, etc. Just my 2c

There's a kata in my style called Tensho. It's a Shodan kata. I haven't learned it yet so I don't know much of what it's like, but I do know that it is one of the Southern Kata, or the Kata that Mas Oyama learned from So Nei Chu. That was Goju-ryu style so I'm guessing it's the same. Hmm, I should look in my kata book just for fun too and see about those techniques you mentioned.

Well for explosiveness in the legs you can do fartlek runs. (alternate jogging and sprinting sparadically) It's a great way to work your aerobic/anaerobic in the same run too.

Nope, I've never been to a dojo like that and I hope I never do.

Ashihara, Enshin...

I was always taught the kiba Dachi should be a low stance. It's mainly for building leg muscles and such so that other techniques will be strong. I would personally never use this stance while fighting, but looking at Funokoshi's high stance it could be useful. His way is more practical.

Osu! No arguments there.

Oh, I missed that post. Well then I don't see the problem. There's no harm in being confident in your skills. I would'nt suggest having a big guy who is lower rank spar him. Usually they don't have control, so that would just be a painful lesson .

I used to have that problem, and it does get annoying. I always ignore that when I'm sparring. If my belt is falling off I just toss it to the side and keep on fighting. Get a heavier weight gi middle-weight or heavy-weight. You won't have that problem as much. I just got a Century Middle-weight gi and it doesn't open up even when sparring. Now my only problem is when my belt comes off, but that only happens when I'm doing really spirited kumite .

Don't know what his rank is, but would'nt it be a better idea to have your Sensei spar w/ him. That way he can learn a lesson w/o getting beat up. I've sparred my Sensei before and his footwork is so good that he just gets out of the way from all my attacks and then throws in a few combos of his own. It's very humbling to realize your not as fast as you think and it's a good way to see what you really need to work on. I personally think that's the best way. Plus your Sensei can certainly understand that situation. Your friend is definately overconfident. It's alright to want to spar people better than you. Fearing them is only going to prevent you from learning from your seniors, but not recognizing that they're better is certainly not good. Hope that helps.

thugtkd, just because people think it should take 4-5 yrs. to get a black belt (exceptions made for the people who train all the time and are just super good) doesn't mean that we also think that you just quit after that. I personally think four yrs. is average to get a black belt and I'm definately not going to quit after I get it, but when I do I'll know I worked my butt off to get it and there won't be a shadow of a doubt in my mind that I'm not worthy of that rank. You mention useless techniques, who says all the techniques you learn in karate are useless? Yes, there are some I'd have to say are outdated, but really I find 90% of what I learn useful, and if it's not usefull in actual combat it develops my muscles and coordination so that I can do other "useful" techniques even better. My personal definition of a McDojo is a place where there just teaching for money i.e. give belts to those who don't deserve it. I do however agree with you on your last point. Black belt is the beginning. I've always believed so. My Sensei would tell me that once you reach black belt you have mastered the basics. Then you get to the fun stuff . Just my opinion. Osu!

Well I see what your saying about the growth spurts, but I still don't think it has a huge affect on teaching, but I could be wrong since when I started karate I didn't really grow anymore. Personally about the 14 yr. old teaching. I would at least give the kid a chance. If I can learn from that person then they could be 14 or 60. All that matters is that I'm becoming a better karateka. I would however not want them being the Head Instructor. Even if the Head Instructor doesn't teach all the time. Just because I would also want to have someone I could go to talk w/ that has more life experience then me. Of course I know my opinion probably isn't a popular one. I'd have to agree that most wouldn't take a second look at a young instructor, and I know from experience that it can be harder to earn respect. Of course I've found I get more respect in karate than in the outside world . Osu!

Actually I didn't bust it. The place where I kept my equipment moved it around. For the longest time it was completely lost, but today when I went to get it I finally found the top part. The people there are idiots so they won't be able to help me find the base. Thanks for the replies too. I found someone who can get me a free stand .

Yes, my feelings about the styles I do is similar to G95champ's. Kyokushin will always and forever be my main art, but I'm training in Chito-ryu now b/c there aren't any dojos to go to. A lot of the techniques are the same so it helps my Kyokushin really since in Chito-ryu they focus on different things that I was weaker in from my other style. Oh, and to answer your last question. My Sensei was happy that I was learning new things in karate and had a good place to train at. Osu!

I would'nt be so judging GrrArg. I do think it's possible for someone who is fourteen to teach. Btw, I don't see how growth spurts have anything to do with teaching. However I don't recommend making a habit of it. You're (directed to Ryu) still young enough to where you should enjoy learning as much as you can. Take it from me. I took over my class when my Sensei left to go into the navy. I was fifteen then. It was fun at first, but after awhile I just wanted to learn again. Eventually your students will catch up to you. There is only so much that one person can offer. However if you are both teaching and learning that is an excellent combination. Just make sure that you always keep your learning the priority Just my 2c.

Definately go to Shihan Mady's site. It's really well done. I've never trained Isshin-ryu, but their are quite a few Isshin-ryu stylists who place in the Kyokushin Knockdown tournaments. So I'd have to say they put out some really tough fighters

Does anyone know if you can just get the stand for the Powerline Wavemaster? I need a new one, but don't know where to get just the stand. If you know of a site please post it. Thanks

The leg blocks that others mentioned work well, but just make sure you're fast! Also if you're quick you can stop the kick by using one of your own. For example, the guy starts to lift his knee to kick and you could throw a side kick to his leg before he gets the momentum to throw it. Then follow up with some other techniques. Not to mention my favorite block of all. Not being there , but somehow I just haven't perfected that one yet. Taking advantage of footwork is a good way to evade kicks and just let your opponent waste their energy swinging at you.

Well for Kyokushin my Sensei always said it takes 4-6 yrs. However I've been working my butt off for five and still have a couple of years left. Oh well, the journey is worth it. Btw, I'm glad to hear that it takes just as long for others. I heard so many people telling me that they got their black belts in two years that I was starting to think I was just slow. Guess I just live in an area w/ a lot of Mcdojos.

I am an aggressive fighter. If someone doesn't attack me I get bored so it tends to be me making the first moves, and my opponent countering. I do get angry sometimes, but it is usually only with certain people. Like if the person is really good at footwork I get annoyed b/c it's so hard to even get near them to attack. Bad habit that I've gotta work on .