darksoul

Welcome! Croeso cynnes iawn! (hope that's right )

Welcome!

This. When it comes to me, the above is more of a do as I say, not as I do thing, because my wife is beyond precious to me. This is my one hypocritical point. I avoid fighting every way I can, except if you bring my wife in it. The second you cross that line, you get one verbal warning to shut up and walk away. The slightest retort to me, or my wife, will land you in a world of hurt.

I need it. I don't know how else to explain it. When I stop, I don't feel right. I'm an addict I guess

I know exactly how you feel, but it's normal to forget things after not practicing it for an extended period of time. You'll notice it comes back fairly quickly. As I've explained many times, on this forum (I feel like I'm sounding like a broken record at this point ) I got my 1st Dan through the USSD style of Shaolin Kempo. I am now training with someone who has a style that has evolved much further than the Shaolin Kempo taught by USSD. I still wear my black belt. I am still recognized as a 1st Dan, I just have to relearn all my DM's (called Combinations in this dojo) and all the new Kempos. I also need to relearn all the forms in their style. Yes, sometimes I feel like a very crappy black belt. Do I feel like a fraud? No, I don't, because I have earned my rank. I just know it'll take me longer to reach Nidan and that is something I'm perfectly ok with.

Just because you hold a black belt doesn't mean you shouldn't have a beginner's mind in the dojo. Truth of the matter, you are Nidan in Shorinji Karate. Nothing, and no one, can take that away from you. You are 6th Kyu in Shukokai. I'm Shodan in Shaolin Kempo and believe me, I still feel like a white belt at times, and that, I think, is exactly what propels martial artists to be better. The journey doesn't stop at black belt, it finally starts.

Yeah, we were talking about that "black belt THEN first dan" thing in another thread. I think it's weird. In Shaolin Kempo, Black Belt = 1st Dan.

I completely agree with this

Good choice! Let us know how you like it

Congrats!

I've been doing research on this because I'm a geek like that but... Dim Mak is foolish nonsense. I stand firm in this opinion now since everything I've found pertaining to Dim Mak proves its ineffectiveness. There are also big differences between using pressure points properly and Dim Mak. Pressure Points can work. Dim Mak generally won't.

You were once? No no no... you ARE a Nidan in Shorinji Karate

Great job indeed! I really enjoyed the videos!

I'm with everyone here - wait until black to cross train. Also, from what I've heard, ATA is pretty... "louche." I actually can't think of the English word for that at the moment. Anyway, I've heard they are the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese of McDojo's.

No fun I am lucky to say that I have never lived in an area susceptible to hurricanes. Heck, not even earth quakes... or tornadoes... ok... we have blizzards and -50degree Celsius moments, but that's easy enough to live through

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

I can tell you for sure it's not broken. A broken nose will generally result in some nasty bruising, especially around the eyes. My buddy broke his nose and it changed colour very quickly. Bit o' ice and a lager and you'll be dandy

That's fantastic!

This is true. At the same time, I like lineage. Toughy for sure.

Completely agree

I used to pay over $200/month at USSD + grading fees. With my new Master I pay $130 per trimester which comes out to about $3/lesson (2x 1 1/2hr + 1 3hr class per week) No testing fees, just pay for the belt when you pass (or in my case, the embroidery for the dan stripe)

I'm sure it did .... Works fine for me.... For this fall, most common mistake is not keeping your chin close to your chest...They ALL hit their heads on the mat. lol Hahaha, so true

I haven't worn that specific one, but I'm not a huge fan of Tokaido. Also this one is slightly heavier than the Arawaza OPAL.

Welcome!

Couldn't afford that one, but settled for the Arawaza Topaz Gi (see this previous thread). And yes, it is WKF approved Check ebay. I got my Emerald for $100 shipping included.