Harkon72

This is interesting and my Aikido Sensei has given some input into this discussion. In Sensei Halsall's opinion, if your practice of a so called combat sport involves any pre-determined techniques or moves, drills or predictable sparring, basics or forms then it is not a martial art. A martial art, according to Sensei Halsall is a practice designed for real combat and the chaotic and unpredictable world that confrontation can be. You cannot assume any form or style, you cannot follow any script. He says that many styles are focused on predictable dogmatic conformity. "Many people have black belts in attacking and defending in a certain way, that's not martial arts, you take anything for granted in combat and your dead." I totally respect this view and we practice with the intent of developing awareness of the unpredictability and to focus at the center of the storm.

You are very welcome and please enjoy your return to the path.

I have practiced both these styles, they may have the same root but they have grown into very different traditions. Shorin Ryu is more upright and fluid with faster more varied footwork. Shotokan has longer stances with more dynamic and committed linear movement. They both have strengths and weaknesses; it depends on what you want from them.

After training in 3 different styles of Karate, I can see that the training of the core of the body can vary greatly. I have never heard to core training referred to as Gamaku, the word wasn't used; but this was the core of our conditioning and technique. The practice in each style may be different but the principal is the same. You will find this practice of core training in Yoga and Qi Gong too.

You have discovered one of my pet hates Sensei8! Fake Kiai! It really sends me nuts to listen to karateka and other martial artists utter feeble, nonsense sounding bleats as they attempt to make some noise at kiai points in kata and kihon and even in their kumite. The variation in these utterings is varied and wonderful. I've heard whole classes say "AYE" like they are children calling out the initial in the word apple. They have heard the teacher do it so they copy. I have heard a whole karate club shout "Tai Ho!" at kiai points, really, I have! They don't know how ridiculous they sound until someone tells them. The JKA advocate the almost silent kiai, or the grunt as I call it, you can argue that the diaphragm moves, so this is fine. I think that a kiai is a personal thing, it's a signature of effort and a pinnacle of focus and intent. In this way it should be natural to your application and it can be different or consistent each time. I know that mine can vary, even in the same kata. I am known in our association for screaming kiai, blood curdling in fact. My wife watched a grading of mine once; my kiai towards the end of Pinan Yondan made her burst into tears. I don't do it deliberately, that's just how they happen. One of our senior sensei commented in his class about my kiai when one of his juniors was shocked to hear it; "Gareth isn't very big, he wears glasses, but if a bully hears that scream as he attacks; he's going to run." So maybe a kiai in the street may be effective. One word of advice; please kiai, do it from the heart and please don't utter the actual word "KIAI!" when you do it! Kindest Regards.

Thinking about it is the toughest part. That first step into a Dojo is a brave one. My Sensei says that he always respects anyone who turns up to his classes, he realizes that for most people it is not an easy thing to do. But go, you'll get that urge to join in, and then it takes time. You will try, you will fail many times, then, step by step you will gain confidence in your knew ability. One day you will look at yourself and realize how far you have come. Do it not for others, but for yourself. All it might take is that first step onto the floor.

This is what I find funny, and you will when you notice it. The fabricated hissing noises that boxers make when they punch. Not all boxers do it, especially these days. It may be their technique for generating focus and power, it may be a habit, it may be a fashion among their gym mates, I don't really know. If you notice someone doing it, you will find that there is a pronounced in-breath just before the technique, so wait for it, block and counter. As I said, it's not as common as it used to be but still a fashion some boxers follow.

This is an Aikido self defense video, we didn't make it but I think it's well done. It's a mile away from the peaceful practice in the harmony of the Dojo.

Welcome to the forum, I'm pleased to meet another karateka with a similar background to myself. I'm your age and I started training at 14. I like Germany and Austria, it's a beautiful part of the world.

Thanks for sharing, I enjoy watching Chuck Norris looking like she's in slow motion.

This is an interesting question. I'll give you a clue to our situation here in North Wales. Martial art schools exist, but in relation to more densely populated areas of the UK, they are quite rare. Usually the choice is Karate or Kickboxing, western boxing or Judo. There are other styles below the surface but you need to look for them. Ring fighting, apart from boxing is a relevantly new thing here, some kickboxers are good enough to enter the national circuit of fights, we have a few MMA schools who enter the cage, there is also a Muay Thai gym not far from us. But I wouldn't measure any of these schools of martial arts by their ring experience. My first teacher was a veteran of the far east, fighting for his life took presidence over getting some gloves on and entering a ring. After returning from collage, I was taught by a JKA karateka who had experienced Ippon Kumite on the world stage. I've had kung fu lessons from a professional bodyguard who trained in China, and I would hardly say that my Aikido Sensei would be comfortable stepping between the ropes as he does not consider his art to be a sport. The short answer is no, I think ring experience may reflect some fighting prowess, but in relation to real fighting and practice of Budo not at all important.

This is a worry, If a martial artist is not honest about his history in the art, then he may have confidence issues or he may think that he needs some status to teach that he doesn't have; so he's been dishonest. Talk to him, you'll know what kind of person he is. If he's a good teacher, as was said, his grade doesn't matter. I've known certified so called masters and they cant teach for toffee.

The Southern Tang Sou Do class looks good until the website says "we encourage the practice of all Martial Arts styles." Really? If you overlook this mistake, they seem ok. The Jeet Kun Do school looks good; 30 days for free! No pressure then! No, really they look like a good bunch of guys, but they shouldn't boast that they can teach 11 martial arts in the same school even if they can,it sounds a little too good to be true. Of these two, I would love to try out the Jeet Kun Do; just to see if they really are as good as they say they are. Also please take into account the long term cost.

Now then! This is a martial art I have never heard of. But this is what advice I can give you. You can't learn a martial art on line, by DVD or any thing else apart from being taught in person. Call me old fashioned but people have tried it and failed, you cannot learn from a book either. You cannot just follow a martial art at a distance or from pictures or video; you must experience it. Any martial art can be good if you have a good teacher. My advice is to look for one.

This is a difficult question, I can only relate to my own experience. Who can give an instructor a licence to teach? Who has the right? Why would he need one? Who is qualified? My first Karate teacher was a family friend. He had spent 25 years in the British Merchant Navy in the far east. He had trained with Okinawan Karate Masters and fought and lived with martial artists from different backgrounds. He called his style Shorinji Karate. Was he qualified to teach me? Did he need a licence from anyone else? A licence from a governing body shows that the teacher has passed an exam for his grade maybe or that he owns a safety certificate. But what does that prove at all? I know of many martial artists who have even bought the right to teach, at least on paper, but this doesn't necessarily mean they are good teachers. If you want a certified teacher with pieces of paper and endorsements, go for it, but talk to your son's sempai first.

The first and fourth karate schools seem ok, it's Shotokan, and they seem to have put together good websites. No nonsense. The second one seems to be a Christian organisation; I have nothing against that, but they don't tell you what style of karate they practice. Also in the picture, the highest grade has a black and red belt. This is usually reserved for 8th and 9th Dan grades and in the break down they say he's a 4th Dan. The gentleman can wear what ever belt he wants but it would be interesting to ask him which teacher appointed him his grade and where does the linage of this style come from. The third website states that the karate is Wado Ryu, in its self a good style. But I have seen this template of website before; our local McDojo uses it; it's exactly the same. I wont tell you who produces and directs these businesses, just scratch the surface. It is apparent that they run money machines in the US, Canada and the UK on an industrial scale. They are not martial artists, they are entrepreneurs. Personally, I would go for one of the Shotokan clubs.

Here's my penny worth; Tang Soo Do - Korean Karate based on Shotokan. I'm not a fan of Korean arts, maybe because they are quite rare here in Wales. Hapkido - Korean style similar to Jui Jitsu, again I don't know much about it as I do not know of any clubs local to me. Kindai Karate (I believe this dojo also offers Chito-Ryu and Tai Also) - Never heard of it. Chito-Ryu is unknown to me and Tai is something also I have never heard of. Shotokan Karate - No doubt the most popular style of Karate in the world. Our local clubs have a good reputation, tough but honest. Shotokai Karate (also instructor said Kempo (or Kenpo cant remember the spelling) - Shotokai is a traditional Karate style, not so well known but well respected. Kempo is a generic term for stand up striking arts from the far east. Kenpo is a style of Karate developed in America from mixed sources by Ed Parker and others. American TAI Karate - As I said, never heard of it, maybe an American invention. Chun Kuk Do - Sounds Korean, could be anything. Good Luck, at the end of the day, anything could be good if it's taught well.

I admired him very much. A good honest observational comedian and a fantastic character actor. A loss indeed.

I bought them from Playwell Bikers, they have a shop on ebay. Delivery was quick, no nonsense.

Shotokai is a good traditional style of Karate; but that said, like all martial arts it depends on the teacher and the way it is taught. Go and see, they should give you at least one session for free to see what it's like. Good Luck. At the end of the day it depends what you want, your budget and how far you want to go. For some it is a hobby, for others it is a way of life. Don't become a school's income generator or let anyone fool you into committing into a contract. Usually, if it feels genuine, it usually is.

In Japanese; Back kick - Ushiro Geri Spinning or Turning Back kick - Bouseki Ushiro Geri or Jiten Ushiro Geri

We could discuss the shin/instep v ball of the foot round kick variation debate but its been done elsewhere. I was trained to do both, depending on target and what footwear I had on. I like the Thai style kick but wearing boots, there's nothing like the toe of the boot inside the thigh as a set up or a finisher if you catch him right. I've never fought in a cage, only point semi-contact and traditional Ippon Kumite. I must admit, I like the side kick better than the round kick but that said, close in I prefer to target the legs in a defense situation.

I like that Knock Out Noah, It's a round kick isn't it? You caught him with your knee, same result! Nice technique.

Yes Andy, I've seen this happen quite a few times; "I'm a black belt! Now I've finished!" The Shodan in my view is a mark of finishing the beginner course.

There is a fascination in martial arts concerning high kicks; they look good don't they! Wow! Just like the movies! In my opinion that's where they belong. Wow! A head kick! 3 points! Do you realize how vulnerable you are in that position? Your groin is in mid air, you have one foot at head height and your balance is easily broken. In real close quarter combat or in self defense, you only kick the head when it is brought down low or your opponent is on the ground. Just imagine throwing head kicks in a crowded multi opponent situation, it would be suicide. Even the masters of Karate only rarely throw high kicks, the higher you kick, the more power you lose. I would rather drop an aggressor with a hard thigh kick than attempt to reach his head while he is standing with all his body as a weapon. If you can achieve the flexibility of a gymnast; go for it, but don't imagine that it's the be all and end all if the martial arts.