DoctorQui

I know exacly how you feel. Having left a club where I was training for my 1st Dan (I was pre Dan) and having moved area, had family issues etc finally went back after almost 2 years but had to start a completely new style due to availability of my style where I had moved to. I was Wado now Shotokan. I started this new style at an advanced Kyu and had to play catch up with the Heian katas (I previously learned Pinans) which are generally similar. Picture a Brown belt who is still trying to master Heian Shodan...that was me! In Shotokan, knowing all your Katas up to Bassai Dai after a long break is pretty impressive. Most Shotokan clubs don't teach beyond Bassai Dai until you reach 1st Dan. Imo, you start to really learn karate at 1st Dan so you're not a fraud, you have simply delayed the beginning of your journey! OSU

This this this!!!

I love this post! Its got to be quote of the month surely! I agree though, while modern and traditional martial arts we know today originated in the orient martial arts has been around since early man could pummel his fellow early man with his fists, feet or a large bone!! Refined MA though, I agree with Dobbers, probably started in some of the first civilisations and probably dates back 4-5000 BC in the middle east at the very least.

Adil, I've been practising Karate on and off for almost 30 years, solidly for the last 8 years and even I have problems with Mawashi geri generally, let alone to Jodan. Its a combination of many things, age and reduced flexibility and injury. I don't know your age but if you're starting back in your 30s or 40s then you may be expecting too much from yourself! The most important thing is technique and ensuring that that technique is both accurate and focused. I can do a near perfect mawashi geri to Chudan (and when you train with a lot of children Chudan is adequate! lol), up to shoulder height and a strained, painful and just about accurate mawashi to Jodan. That is all I am able to do and all that any club I have trained with has asked of me. This is also why, when you start Karate, the first 2-3 grades only want you to kick to Gedan only and work your way up. Soooo many beginners seem to always try and kick to Jodan in their first few sessions because they believe that is how their ability is measured. Bottom line, don't worry about height, put more effort into accuracy of technique and the rest will (probably) follow. Enjoy your training and don't put undue pressure on yourself that will take that enjoyment away! Welcome back to the Art! OSU

Have a look at this, which is a thread I found on this Forum. http://www.karateforums.com/the-art-of-the-jam-vt39006.html OSU

Sounds like you worked hard and the award absolutely deserved. Congrats! OSU

Having looked into it a bit further it does seem to be more a system adopted by franchises. I think GKR do this as do RTK in the north of England. OSU

How did the grading go?

I think its essential as part of a training regime and during class time. Personally, I love pad work and for me, no matter how advanced a karateka you are, there is only so much gravity defying stuff you can do before your limbs start to give up. For me, particularly in terms of kick work, the strike pads provide the shangri la that is a target you can beast without having to apologise afterward. It is also essential for the person holding the pad as s/he is able to take note of how a person telegraphs a move or kick! lol

RIP

I can picture his morning warm ups on the grass...throwing techniques and making up gorilla based katas while wearing a Daniel San bandana!!

I am dumbfounded at how this thread has got so long

Contrary to this, my push kicks are an example of one of the kicks where I don't want to recoil. My push kicks (in comparison to striking kicks) are delivered with less impact at the point of contact, but more force over a distance. I am literally pushing the target. When I push a car or other heavy object, I don't smack it with my hands and watch it move, I have to drive with my legs and put my whole bodyweight behind it and sustain this over a distance. The same with my kicks. I agree, push kicks or 'power' maegeri kicks are among those where rechambering would retract from its purpose and reduce its impact. In addition, to rechamber such a kick on the basis that you are putting ALL of your strength into that kick so trying to pull back a kick that has power measuring close to your own body weight and accompanying power per square inch, would be an exercise in futility imo!

1. It's a Wonderful Life 2. Miracle on 34th Street (original) 3. Star Wars (original trilogy only) 4. Indiana Jones (original trilogy only) 5. Airplane

Good news Fang

@ Justice Zero and Jaypo Come guys, you're karate guys, we bruise on the inside! Only kidding, hope it blows out before it gets to you,!

I would say either Bassai or Kanku Dai! They pretty much encompass Shotokan and are a showcase for the style. imo of course! OSU

I rechamber my kicks, at the least, after the strike your heading in the right direction ie away from your opponent and denying them an easy counter.

Agree with the visiting GP advice as a starter for 10! Also, why not go back to Shotokan, you've worked so hard to get 1st Kyu and if you advise the chief sensei about your medical condition then allowances will be made. As I advise anyone who asks which style they should do, go and try a few, only you will know what is right for you. I hope you get back into it and enjoy it as much as we all do! OSU

Solid post!

I always mean to as the trailers look so good and I think Ron Perlman is ace! Sadly, I've never managed to catch one!

If you finish a session and you weigh less than you did when you started, you are dehydrated. That may be fine for you but due to a history of injuries I prefer to ensure I have a healthy fluid intake. Students should be permitted to consume water at any time that it does not disrupt the class. There are plenty of natural breaks in training where a quick swig is achievable. Instructors who only allow water to be consumed during specified breaks every half hour or hour are doing the health of their students a disservice. No other sport puts such restrictions on its participants, and we work just as hard as anyone. Thats the way its been for many many years. Some allow drinking in the Dojo some don't. Mine doesn't, yes I get thirsty but I just have to wait for the end of the session.

See... I find this VERY strange. The testing fee is very high to boot. Ditto this!

All the time, often, right in the middle of a kata! I also get amnesia and nerves before and during gradings...its pretty natural by all accounts but I never notice anyone else doing it! But then, my mind reading skills aren't what they used to be OSU

I suppose, in clubs that have loads of juniors (kids), like toilet breaks, if you get one child asking, they will ALL ask and before you know it, you've got 10-15 kids all leaving for a drink! It seems to be morally wrong these days, to refuse a child a drink (or the loo).