DoctorQui

Went and had a look! Appears to be mainly ground fighting, grappling, holds and chokes. Didn't really see anything useful for me!

Oo-er ... probably not until you're a bit more advanced and can take the punishment EDIT: Not sure that this translates across the pond! 'Fill you in' is a UK euphamism for 'kicking your head in' lol

So glad you enjoyed it! Most clubs will be like this but when you find one and start to train you will find that you end up pushing yourself harder and harder and before you know it you will be very fit! I am surprised that they had you doing combinations on a first session. In terms of the kick, it was probably maegeri, to expect a newbie to do a mawashi would be a bit harsh lol. Let us know how you get on on Thursday.

I think this concisely sums it up!

Funny things banned techniques! Techniques are banned in the dojo for a number of reasons, sometimes they are not in the spirit of the style but mainly, its for welfare purposes! At the end of the day, we all have to go to work, school etc the next day and being KOd by a dodgy, difficult to control technique that is quite often developed to cause serious damage, can have dire consequences/ However, in a self defence situation, particularly one that is life threatening, noone is going to criticise you. Self defence is self defence!

The false sense of security is a bit of a problem, but it's important to remember that Karate-do isn't just about fighting - for many people, it's a way of life. A part of the "way of life" thinking may be that one places more emphasis on kata and, perhaps, superficial achievement, but they have the right to practice Karate-do that way. Personally, if I were interested only in self-defence, I would be taking self-defence courses. They would, at least, deal with guns, knives, and clubs, and may cover the "dirty fighting" moves more extensively. Knowing how to use and protect yourself against weapons is invaluable, as is knowing how to take advantage of a no-rules confrontation. This to a degree Karate isn't about fighting its about defence and discipline. If it was just about fighting I wouldn't have bothered with it at all. I wouldn't say that learning kata and technique is a superficial achievement at all. At the end of the day we all take Karate for different reasons. Imo a person who learns Karate purely so that can fight, isn't actually learning it for the right reasons. If it was all about how well we could fight then I would probably still be a white belt after 6 years...if is was about defending myself defensively without the agression of fighting then I would be where I am now. Karate, generally, does not teach you to make the first move or start a fight,

Understanding the values and principles will come as you train...at the beginning, simply concentrate on learning what you are being taught.

We all look foolish when we start regardless of size or age. It's part of the experience and everybody in that dojo knows it. HAHA this 100%, its a rite of passage I'm afraid but it passes quickly afer you get hang of the basics and adults generally tend to quite quickly! Don't let it put you off! I started again after 20 years in my late 30s so I feel your pain! OSU

First of all, welcome to the Forum...there are lots of very experienced people here and you will find no better place, as a beginner, to get a mix of excellent advice and differing but useful views! So, back to your decision to start Karate...excellent news and welcome to the fold. I would say what you are doing ie going and trying them out is really the only way you can make a decision, all the googling in the world can't replace practical experience. I don't know too much about Shukokai tbh apart from that it isn't a derivation of Shotokan as many believe Shotokai is the one you are thinking of there! In terms of your size and build...I cannot stress how important it is to realise when you start, that proficiency in Karate (or any MA for that matter) is not reliant upon how high you can kick, how low you can drop, how long you can defy gravity etc etc...you will very soon learn that even the most experienced of Karateka perform to the best of their ability. Gi size...I used to have an instructor who was 6'8" and he had no problem so don't worry about that! What I would advise though is to drill down a bit when you try clubs out, ask questions, how much is membership, weekly/monthly fee, how often do they train, how much and often are gradings, is there a syllabus available (a good way to be able to train at home), who are they affiliated to, how much is the license fee...unfortunately there are a lot of so called McDojos and belt factories out there and it can be a bit of a minefield. DOn't be dazzled by huge marketing ploys and fancy gi's and any other add on, also beware of clubs that won't let you grade unless you purchase their training equipment, gis or belts (normally at a huge mark up). I've always steered away from those types of clubs. Good luck and do please come back regularly and tell us how you're getting on, we are all genuinely interested and are here to support you if you need it! OSU

Interesting point but is that actually what would happen. If you say, as I also believe, that a belt is just a belt then staying put at 1st Kyu shouldn't really matter and you should continue to learn rather than simply going to each training session week after week for years and years doing the same technique and kata as you watch your fellow student raise to the dizzy heights that unlock the secrets of Karate with the attainment of BB. If, however, as you say, someone stays at Kyu and sacrifices forms and knowledge reserved for BBs is a belt really just a belt after all?

Hypothetically (or maybe from experience!?!), if a student came to you and said that they didn't want to progress beyond 1st Kyu (or equiv) and were happy not to take Dan (or equiv) how would you deal with it? Potentially, many people starting much later will eventually overtake and out rank...but would they. Does a Shodan with 3 years experience really outrank a 1st Kyu of, say, 20 years? Does such a Kyu grade end up learning what they would had they taken Dan? Thoughts?

Welcome anyway...I hope you enjoy it here, its is quite possibly the friendliest forum I've ever joined and some really truly excellent experience and advice to hand from so many great people!

Goshin 'Jutsu' is apparently different from 'Jitsu' as there is a strong Karate element but other than that, I can find very little other than a Wiki description. OSU

Hi guys Not sure if GJ is Karate or Grappling art so I'll start this in General! A local GJ club has opened in my area, has anyone had any experience of this. Was thinking of having a look at it as a secondary Art. Thoughts would be appreciated! I'll go an look of course but value everyone;s opinions!

The best Dojo I was a member of, the Chief Instructor and all the other instructors were on friendly terms with each other and students, often socialised and it was very informal. The result of that was unquestionable respect for the decision of the Instructor. If someone you are on social terms with tells you that you aren't ready to grade or doesn't pass you, then imo, you are more willing to accept it. Professionalism is two way, if you socialise with them and they do not pass you or put you up for grading and you react negatively because YOU think they should...who is being unprofessional? You either take training seriously and respect your Sensei OR you go to a belt factory/McDojo and pass simply for turning up and paying!!

You wont be disappointed with Shotokan and in terms of self defence...you will find that as you learn technique and kata you will also be able to apply that to self defence situations! Enjoy! OSU

What a sily report! Hands obviously developed with opposable thumbs after our alien overlords landed in their spaceship millions of years ago and introduced them to the natives!!

A very stong maegeri kick to chudan is my technique of choice, particularly a fraction of a second after hearing HAJIME! OSU

This is precisely it. How can it be your fault if you can't predict. Also this is why Demo teams look so good because THEY ALLL KNOW what's coming next. Put a fighter from a different style in WHO's not conversant with the demo and it WILL go wrong! This is one reason why Bunkai and Oyo of Kata is so important, forget all the "self-defense" combinations and wrist locks 1 to 24 etc that only work against a compliant opponent. Karate, Jujitsu, Kenpo & other styles work well within the confines of their systems and competitions with their rules but go outside that comfort zone and the weaknesses start to show.THIS is Mushashi said one must train in several schools to become an allround fighter. Its probably important to note that MAist often have trained in more than one style and can use any of them to counter your technique in a kumite situation. I have four I can choose from, Wado, Shotokan and some (not much) Goju as well as some Aikido. I adapt as required! Interestingly, how many of you would frown upon using techniques in the dojo that go outside the style. We had a stand in instructor last week (who frankly is a bit of a prat and power mad!) who decided that we don't do enough Kumite in his opinion ( ) and took us through some moves. Almost all of his combinations included techniques that can be best described as street fighting ie Head Butting, genital striking etc! Now, for me that isn't Kumite but self defence which I believe does have its place in the dojo but mainly to teach us how to defend against them rather than actually perform them!! Thoughts?!?

This, this and thrice this!!! It is your fault if you are taught something in the dojo and it doesn't work in the dojo with someone who knows whats coming and how to react to it! For me, technique is a foundation stone, you will always need to adapt it to suit your need and even then, if the opponent reacts in away that renders the technique ineffective then it the wrong technique to use in that situation which you can only know after you have attempted it. At the end of the day, you cannot predict how your opponent will respond!

As a former british police officer I have used wrist locks and restraints in many serious and violent situations. As a private citizen I have used wrist locks twice in self defence. Imo, when you use a wrist lock or manipulation technique like this in a self defense situation, you are really going for a break or dislocation or near as dammit. I believe it is next to impossible to get a throw as demonstrated in this video with a non compliant assailant who knows whats coming and how to react and fall. I don't claim to be an authority nor do I speak for definitively, only in my experience!

Well done Fangm

Like the others have said, some good strong karate but some of the forms are a bit awkward, and some of the punches are not full. OSU

Congratulations Nige! Having seen two of my own club mates go through their own Nidan tests on Sunday I have nothing but full on respect! OSU

Flexibility...I would love to devote 3 months to Yoga or pure stretching and strengthening exercises!!