GeterDone

For the most part, I use windows. The only time I use macs are if I'm doing something that involves high-detailed graphics and I want to analyze them or make it as precise as possible.

Woops, I was re-reading my post and I think my fingers were ahead of what I was thinking. For my second question, it wasn't shiko dachi shiko ido but instead was meant to have been shiko dachi sokotu geri ido. I've seen bosu balls at various fitness stores but never bought one, mostly because I had no clue how to use it and when I tried, I landed in a heap on the floor. I'll try using one, I think we have one at the dojo

For part of the class on Tuesday, we practiced our katas. One of the katas I practiced was Saifa and my sensei said I had it pretty much down pat, except for one main issue. After the 3 steps in shiko dachi, you had to stand on one foot and do a mae geri kick. I sometimes stood on one foot for either too long or not long enough. When I asked him how long should I stand, I was told a few seconds or until you get your balance. I've seen some higher-ranked students stand for only 2 seconds, while others stand for up to 5 seconds. My question is, how long exactly should you stand, or am I getting caught up in too small of details? A second issue, although not related to Saifa, is for the shiko dachi shiko geri ido sona mama sagaru (doing it backward/in reverse). Quite often I find that I'm not going into a proper 45 degrees shiko dachi and I believe it's due to the fact I'm swinging my hips too hard to bring the front foot that just kicked, to the back. I've tried to gently have the edge of my heel or big toe touch the floor to add some friction, but regardless my sensei says that I kind of bob up and down. I'm fairly certain the solution to this problem is practice, however, I have my next belt this coming weekend. I had some trouble, albeit not as much, when doing this same ido for my previous belt test and the sensei ensures we shouldn't make the same mistake across different tests, as it shows a lack of significant improvement for a particular technique. So, my last question is how do you correctly get into a 45 degree shiko dachi when going backward/sono mama sagaru?

I don't see a problem with it for the first few trial classes because it's not expected for you to have the proper gear. I would think a t-shirt would be acceptable, but again depends. The dojo I attend issues its own t-shirts with all the calligraphy to members so they can be worn in place of the gi top. Unless the gi bottom is in the wash, torn, lost or some other mishap, it's required for members. Since you're starting out though, I don't think the sensei would mind. You may be allowed to wear your kyukoshin gi as a back-up gi.

As said before, it depends heavily on your current training regiment and intensity. For katas, try to either video-tape yourself or have a higher-belt tell you the faults you've made. Don't try and do a very advanced kata that you have only practiced a few times. I also browse online for YouTube videos of well-known individuals performing katas if I cant have someone else or my sensei assist me, such as Higaonna Sensei. For sparring, try to get hold of the tournament's sparring rules because different dojos sometimes put their own twist on things. If you have sufficient time before the tournament, try to improve the techniques you have greater trouble with but don't neglect techniques you're better at. Ideally, chat with any other members of your dojo who already participated in a tournament and to ask whether there were any techniques many competitors did not use. For example, and this may not be true for your competition, previous competitors may have rarely used any sort of ashi barai or throw. Lastly and most importantly, relax. I know it's easier said than done but you can be your own worst enemy. Relax, have fun and don't focus on the outcome.

When I initially started karate, I could barely pull off a decent chudan mawashi geri with either leg. After stretching and practicing for a few years, I can now do a jodan mawashi geri with both legs, although with my left leg there's very little power and quite a lot of pain down my entire leg due to past events. Try to focus more on your technique rather than flexibility. Being very flexible doesn't necessarily mean you will have greater technique for katas, bunkai or kumite.

You have it backwards because suppose you pile on the pounds and muscle mass until you're 75 kg. You're not going to, "win" or be better at kumite than the other students because from the sounds of it, they have better technique. Additionally, you run the risk of using an unproductive mindset that you need to gain weight in order to improve. Supposing you become 75 kg, spar someone my weight (round up to 100 kg) or someone in your weight class and "lose" or don't do as well as you hoped. Your answer shouldn't be to pack on the pounds and muscle mass, rather it should be focus on what you and your opponent did, and improve your technique. Even though some of the students are larger or heavier, chances are they're not beating you by simply throwing around their weight. Getting bigger and heavier means you have to definitely improve your speed and technique, otherwise you become a large target. You have to train at a weight you're comfortable at, can maintain and compliments your build. Some students at the dojo I attend are around 50 kg but they don't have a very big build, so it suits them. If they were to become 80 kg, they'd probably become too slow unless they trained and struggled really hard.

Every dojo will have students of different physical builds. For example, today one of the people who I sparred is less experienced, lower ranked, younger, and roughly 5'8 (guestimation) and about 54 kg without much muscle mass. I'm 6'1 and 98 kg with more muscle mass. I could toss him around by his gi or wail on him until he's lying in a heap but there's no mutual benefit. Instead, I'll correct him if I notice his technique, such as footwork, balance and so forth aren't proper because that will benefit him a) directly through his kumite and b) indirectly through confidence and self-esteem. Similarly, when someone corrects my technique, the same will happen. Kumite is based largely on precision, speed, balance, timing, ability to shift your weight while having the opponent lose theirs, attention to foot placement of yours and your opponent, and so forth. If you wish, then gain muscle mass and weight but try to make sure it doesn't hinder in any of the above. Additionally, watch how the advanced students and sensei spar. You may not be able to replicate their techniques with the same speed and effectiveness right away, however, practice them and you'll be able to but don't rely only on copying.

Thank you very much wastelander! Your Youtube video helped me to understand the described usage of yama-uke. Your version was a bit different, however, many of the movements were easily recognizable. I also asked my sensei and he provided pretty much the same answer.

I practiced judo for a number of years as a youth before I joined karate when I was just shy of being an adult. I didn't wear my belt because I knew next to nothing about karate. Similarly, we've had black belts from other martial arts, such as aikido but my sensei insisted if they were going to train with us, then they must wear a white belt until he can gauge whether they'll be better suited to a higher belt. If they wanted to visit only, then they could wear their black belt.

I was watching a few Youtube videos of the kata I recently was taught in the dojo, Seiyunchin (Goju-Ryu) and I'm curious about one of the movements that's done right at the very end. I'm not sure what it's called or if it even has a name but you can see it at 1:57 in this video of the kata and bunkai performed by Higoanna Sensei. It's where he steps into neko ashi dachi, raises his hands above his head and then angles them toward each other resembling a pyramid at his chest level. I'm not sure if it's used in the bunkai to push the partner away or if it's just a fancy way to finish the kata. Is there a meaning or purpose behind it anyone can shed light on? I just thought of this question today but won't be able to ask my sensei until Tuesday. Thanks

Since I don't have classes any more, I go to the dojo usually 3 times a week, sometimes 4 if I have time. I also train at home, mostly lifting weights, sit-ups, various push-ups and reviewing any katas. Currently, I've been focusing more on seiyunchin kata in particular (although still review the other katas) since I recently learned it but sometimes get the sequence wrong.

Muscular power in your upper body isn't going to give you the explosive power you're talking about. Striking power comes largely from your legs and hips, which unfortunately are neglected in your work-out routine. Furthermore, only parts of the upper body muscles are being strengthened since you're not using such exercises as described by scohen.mma .

The sensei announces to the class when each person will have their test with short-notice although he doesn't always specify the exact day. Basically, once the warm-up is done, he'll announce it's time for the test but there's no schedule he follows, he tests once he feels you're ready. Part of the test criteria for higher belts involves performing 1 kata that's told ahead of time, while the other kata(s) are told on the spot. To me, it's a way to compare how well one performs when they know to practice 1 particular routine versus picking something out of the blue.

I cant say how other shihans have treated me because I've only had the pleasure of talking to one, our very own sensei8. The dojo I attend is headed by our sensei who studied different martial arts and is hoping to earn his 6th dan in Goju-Ryu, although he still has his 5th dan. I wouldn't say a martial artist's attitude is a direct reflection of their ranking. The dojo I attend has frequently had black belts of the same or different styles drop by. For example, one of the shodans was a complete jerk, not only to kyu-ranked students but also to the other black belts that were present. His technique was a bit sloppy and whenever someone pointed that out, he took it as a personal attack. Likewise, other shodans have been absolutely amazing and very helpful.