Harkon72

I thought it was so funny when a local Dojo had Master Ken as a guest last year; the students cued up to take their pictures with him. The members of this McDojo never saw the irony!

My Sensei is my Spiritual Brother, I am loyal to him and the rest of my Dojo family.

I'm sure you are aware that I'm a traditional old toad and seeing 10 year old yellow belts with nunchaku makes me cringe. But each to their own.

Well, two weeks with no real training left me chomping at the bit to train tonight. But Sensei Williams had a special regime for me; I was made very aware what it means to be a brown belt at Dragon Martial Arts. I had the workout of my life tonight. Half way through the Kihon I had to take an emergency break; then there was no let up. My Kata bunkai was tested to breaking point. After the class I was floating back home; a good meal and some mistletoe tea with honey and I'm off to bed. If this is the shape of things to come; bring it on Sensei; the future is bright the future is D.M.A.

I would traditionally be wary of mixed styles, their linage can be a little dodgy to say the least. But if you enjoy it and can afford it; then you can't really go wrong. Another of my pet concerns is the introduction of weapons too soon. In our class; only advanced grades get to see the Kobudo weapons; they are not to be played with.

Happy Birthday Folks! Have a good time!!

Very well deserved, well done.

A good quality gi for kumite that has a modern design is those made by adidas. Designed for comfort and performance.

My stance is clear on this, if it's not practical; if it has no basis in a martial sense then it's not a martial art. Most martial arts based exercises and sports have some practical applications. Even no touch kick sparring can teach us something. But on the other hand if you define Martial Arts as practical application of technique for effective defense, then I'm sorry many so called Martial Arts would fall by the wayside.

I'm a traditional Karateka and I don't understand this question. Why would you train in MA if it is separate from any use in self defense? If the style is no good for self defense application, then in my view it is not a Martial Art at all.

ACDC, does it for me every time.

We are a traditional Karate Dojo, and the door is open to everyone. If he wants this kata taught to him, so be it. What he does with it is up to him. He will pay our usual mat fee, and if I know this Kata, I will take time to teach him as long as my Sensei is happy.

I will return to the Dojo this week, my Sensei has a fiendish knack of getting us into shape.

Hello and Welcome!

Hello and Welcome!

Happy New Year and a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda for everyone!

I'm a traditional Karateka, I use Nunchaku and Sai as I was taught by a Shorin Ryu Sensei. I practice the Pinan Kata with the Sai; I find concentrating with the weapons helps to relax the Kata and these can show improvement when the forms are done with empty hands.

Is there a good mix of grades? Has anyone stayed with him for any length of time? Is the technique taught consistently? Do the students look relaxed and confident? Is there an assistant to help with proper form and safety? Can the instructor perform the techniques himself? There are many variables. Trust your gut instinct, go for what you feel is right.

You can tell a good instructor by the volume of his voice in class; if he needs to shout to be heard and he cannot keep order in his Dojo without going berserk; it could be a sign of a poor leader and a lack of respect both by him and his students.

The power in relaxation and my training partners and sensei who are now my family.

My Kyu grades are stuck to my study wall with blue-tack.

Here is my experience of my first Karate Class; Please share here as requested in a previous thread. My first class with my present sensei was after a break of 6 years. I wore a white belt, I was out of shape and very scared. Sensei Williams had a fearsome reputation. I had 20 years of Karate before I went there, but in a different style. He asked me about my previous training; he just raised his shoulders and said, "I can see there is Karate there, how much we can use will stand out for itself. But this is now, not then." I was taught to relax, completely, to let the technique flow and how to iron out my Karatedo to resemble that of Shukokai; my Sensei showed great respect to my previous teachers. I am a more complete Karateka today than ever, thanks to the perception and understanding of Sensei Eric Williams and Dragon Martial Arts.

My first class with my present sensei was after a break of 6 years. I wore a white belt, I was out of shape and very scared. Sensei Williams had a fearsome reputation. I had 20 years of Karate before I went there, but in a different style. He asked me about my previous training; he just raised his shoulders and said, "I can see there is Karate there, how much we can use will stand out for itself. But this is now, not then." I was taught to relax, completely, to let the technique flow and how to iron out my Karatedo to resemble that of Shukokai; my Sensei showed great respect to my previous teachers. I am a more complete Karateka today than ever, thanks to the perception and understanding of Sensei Eric Williams and Dragon Martial Arts.

May we all have a Merry Yuletide and a Blessed New Year!

The Sai are on the wall Sensei, but as Eric San says; they're not for looking at