DoctorQui

I find sparring difficult from a 'not wanting to hurt my opponent' pov. I'm terrified of hurting friends/colleagues/training partners etc...I'm fine with an assailent lol. I am scared that I have no control. I got told off last week for opening my fist on impact to lessen the force and tap rather than punch. Its a psychological thing for me, I pull my punches in sparring or I only tap rather than actually connect HOWEVER, when I'm sparring with a lower rank, I tell them to make every punch and kick count and make sure they connect. I'm ok with being hit, just not hitting. Perverse eh!?! Other than that, I do actually enjoy sparring but mainly from a 'testing my blocks and reaction times' pov! OSU

I disagree with this, as far as Shindokan is concerned. Why? In Shindokan, all ranks from Jukyu to Hachidan are tested for. In that, the higher the rank, the more strict are the requirements, and this includes technical knowledge or ability; we must demonstrate without any doubt and/or ambiguity a marked improvement across the board. By Soke and Dai-Soke, at their discretion, ones betterment to Shindokan, might or might not be enough for our Shogo titles. I should have started that statement with 'Generally', as I do recognise that grading/testing systems are all different. I only speak from experience of a 3 styles. Your point is a valid one! OSU

Ahem, can we not generalise please! There are lots of very level headed and mature Brown belts, even 10-3rd Kyus, particularly on this forum. I'm a Brown belt! Are you in the ISKF? Of course I'm only referring to the brown belts whom I have ran across, it would be illogical to think I meant every brown belt in the martial arts world! But I get your point... I see that you are across the pond, I've seen some of the kumite match there those guys are pretty tough. They allow take downs and throws too... looks fun though! I had to defend my corner you'll understand!

Ooooh Harsh!

Ahem, can we not generalise please! There are lots of very level headed and mature Brown belts, even 10-3rd Kyus, particularly on this forum. I'm a Brown belt!

Other traditions to be mindful of other than the Japanese terminology 1. Bowing when you enter and leave the Dojo - I've never been anywhere where this isn't a requirement. 2. Turning away from the front of the Dojo and kneeling to adjust your Gi - This tradition seems to be dying out though. 3. Never turn you back to the instructor (unless technique dictates) during warm up and training. 4. Never eat or drink in the Dojo - some adhere to this, some let you drink water 5. Never leave the Dojo without asking the chief instructor - This may or may not be the case but its best you check Sorry if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs!

Qui is also "who" in French Mine comes from a website I use to run. True! The song is actually about trying to sell Doctor Who to the Belgians so Bailey basically explains the premise of the show in song in Flemish (which is basically French). If you're a fan, it really funny!

But almost identical to Wado Ryu which I learned first. OSU

Had a quick look at SR Pinan Shodan on You Tube. I see, like Wado, your shodan is actually Nidan and vice versa. I love Shodan (Nidan in Shotokan) its probably the first Kata I did (particularly when I was training in Wado) where I actually felt like I was doing Karate. Enjoy OSU

Its all about sharing! If you're in a Dojo where the experience and opinions are not on a two way street, you are simply going to learn parrot fashion and not be taught to look beyond the style and imo you won't grow! Studying anything, including MA, means you should be encouraged to challenge and interpret by those you hold high. End of!

When it comes to Dan grades, ranking is a funny thing imo. I've always been a believer that you get your Dan grade and THEN you start to learn Karate. By the time you reach, say, 4th Dan should you not know all the Kata and techniques that the style has to offer, should it be simply a case of developing your own way and teaching others, even starting your own Dojo?? Considering someone who has reached 4th Dan has probably been training for 20 + years, what more technical detail can they really be taught. We have 27 Kata, by 4th Dan you know all Kata and have done since 2nd Dan. I recognise 5th Dan onwards as being awarded not for technical knowledge or ability but for what the Karateka has actually contributed to the Art. Saying that, self awarding is at the very least iffy and I would also be a little dubious.

@Shinka and Darksoul...you're speakin a foreign language guys!

Then please accept my apologies! OSU

I'm not sure I completely understand what you are saying here. I don't think anyone on this thread has suggested that someone given a rank simply on time served. Also, I think there is a chasm of a difference between skipping belts due to competence and activities practised by McDojos. I understand from all the posts advocating belt skipping, is that it is done only where someone is competent. If a black belt in one style switches to another, it is reasonable that their experience is going to be a massive advantage over someone who is a beginner in terms of the understanding of MA and its philosophy, being able assimilate information much more quickly and generally being much faster than the average person. I don't think progressing someone when they have the competence devalues the grading system at all. On the contrary, imo making an experienced karateka go through basic kihon (where subtle differences can be picked up in just a few lessons, and I speak from experience here) is benefitting neither the club nor the intructor/s and suggests revenue or bureaucracy is more important than the Art which in turn devalues not only the grading system but the Art as well! I think there is, by oh so many, a misunderstanding of the purpose of the coloured belt being that it is simply there so the instructor knows what competence level you are at and so you are trained appropriately. Its not a social status! Skipping belts is not a case of skipping levels that other people have worked for, its indicating that the student is at a specific level in their training. I don't see any hypocracy! OSU

Being a ubergeek Doctor Who fan, my name comes from the Bill Bailey (British comedian/comedy musician for the benefit of out international members ) song about Doctor Who but written in Flemish Belgian called Doctor Qui (Who in Flemish!)

I used to love sushi, then I learned about all the parasitic worms you can pick up from raw fish!

I refused to watch it for that very reason Not really...I just didn't think it was much of an adults film but totally agree how annoying it was to be called Karate Kid when the kid was clearly being trained in Wushu.

It is odd isn't it that, no matter how similar MA styles are, there is always a massive culture shock when you change Dojos. I changed about 12 months ago and it was significantly different in terms of all the things you have mentioned, not so strict in some, more so in others. You will surprise yourself how quickly you adapt though. Give it a while!

My Cimac 11.5oz is perfect for Kata.

In terms of 4, I agree and go further in that I have no desire to learn weapons because Karate translated means Empty Hand. Thats the beauty of Karate, it doesn't rely on weapons. Afterall, you may not be able to find to hand a weapon whereas you ALWAYS have your hands with you!

This guy clearly doesn't need to get that, he's a walking team with a pointed stick! Hell, he shoulda been sent to Afghanistan from the outset, the war woulda lasted a few minutes tops!

Following on from the 'wearing your Gi outside the dojo' thread what is your Gi ritual? How many Gi's/Dobok's do you own, how often do you wash them and how do you store/fold/carry them. I own 3 Gi's, 1 x 14oz 1 x 11.5 oz and a light 8 oz (for gradings only). I usually make one Gi last a couple of training sessions and after each session, I air dry them or give them a wash/dry, quick hot iron then fold them in the traditional way (without the belt bit!) and put straight back in my training bag for the next training session.

You're enthusiastic and dedicated enough Fang, I'm sure you'll be fine. On the breaking boards thing, I've never done it in the Dojo.

Its all part of the journey Blade! It may well be that this ever so slight set back may in fact benefit you in the future and may be exactly what you needed to help you focus.

I love Mr Miyagi and that quote is so pertinent! Noone should consider good MA comes from a belt colour, but unfortunately too many do!