SimonAsh86

That is awesome, its great watching people do kata, especially people who know what there doing.

Well im currently back in college getting qualifications i should have put more effort into getting in school. End goal is to study zoology at university and work with animals. (i would live in a zoo if i could)

I was 25 when i started out in Shotokan, didnt last long before switching to goju ryu. Now i definately wish i had started earlier.

The only supplements i use is a good multi vitamin once a day and then a good quality protein supplement twice a day, three times on training days. Nothing beats eating five meals a day!

Just take it at a pace that suits yourself. Personal development is whats important, aslong as your improving your own training then thats a truly great thing. At the end of the day, attempting to emulate someone else is a sure fire way to injure yourself an thats when you start going backwards instead of forwards. Keep at it and improvement will come with time and hard work.

In the classes im in atleast it will take approx 4.5 years to reach black belt, an that is providing the student grades at every opportunity which is every 4 months, plus the extra months between the 3rd, 2nd, 1st kyu grades, an then finally getting to shodan.

I generally get around 5-6 hours sleep a night, my body has got used to it now. However i have found swimming an hour or so before bed to helpful in getting asleep once i go to bed.

I tend to put some "soothing" music on, stuff i never listen to any other time an just sit an concentrate on regulating my breathing. Works a treat for me.

I can honestly say i will never ask, due to me not being too fussed about belt colours. I mean yeah it will be a great honour and privilege to have an indication as to were im at, but at the end of the day, outside the dojo a martial arts belt will not mean a great deal. It is the knowledge you have that will make a difference to your life.

Its not a punishment where i train, we do them no matter what, my sensei can praise us then in the next breath tells to do knuckle pressups. Personally im somewhat indifferent to them, im used to them as ive done that many but i wouldnt go as far as to say i like them.

I think it should only be considered too much if its being detrimental to anything else you do. For example if its causing rifts between you an your family, or if your pulling a sickie from work to train (although this one could be excused haha). Personally i only train twice a week for 2 hours each class although if i could i would train 7 days a week.

4 hours a week in class split over 2 classes. Plus 4 days (1-2 hours a day) in the gym.

A good instructor and also preferably one who isnt just in it for the money.

Heian Shodan But in all fairness that was the most advanced one i learned before i switched over to goju ryu.

Only one i follow is Frank Mir, although hes not on much these days.