Harkon72

Straight Answer, $600

I used to be a member of the Sealed Knot; 17th Century ECW re-enactment. Did some rapier work, sword and dagger and staff work. I got to shoot a musket too, great fun.

It is common to adapt the Heian or the Pinan Kata to Tonfa and Sai. Oh, Exciting times Ahead!

I thought you Tae Kwon Do stylists might enjoy this one better; It's a great finish.

I agree, I've seen much better fights; as Danielle says, the TKD fighter didn't follow through his technique with any real power. And as you say, the Muay Thai fighter was wide open most of the bout. What I could see was the difference in mind set between them; one was more of a stylist at the start, the other just took it and used basic brute force. The knock out punch was on the button though.

This is encouraging, you don't really need expensive equipment to practice good Karate. I practice in my kitchen, I have an old wing chun wall bag for conditioning. It is only recently that I have bought a Thai Shield and some focus mitts. Also you must consider the times when you train alone and have no partner to hold said pads for you. Kata was designed to perfect Karatedo and you don't need a lot of space. Good luck with your training.

When I spar I make sure I'm not an easy target. Awareness of space and how you move within it and how you use the relative area of contact is very important. As Mr Myagi says, rightly; "Best Block, not be There." Blocking is an opening to your own combination and sometimes the block can be the decisive technique.

As Patrick says, you are a great example for us all to follow, thank you for your hard work Alex.

Here's an interesting Match; Tea Kwon Do vs Muay Thai. I won't spoil it, can you predict the winner? http://youtu.be/irfXUqHXpm8 At first I didn't, but as the bout goes on; one man just waits to pick his spot.

This Kata is close to the Kai Za Minori series of Kata. It is also one of the best videos on Nunchaku practice on Youtube. http://youtu.be/APTur6EEqaY Enjoy.

I agree with you! We wear dipped foam sparring gear in our Dojo, head guards and all. The junior grades are fed more contact gradually. I'm a 4th kyu going for my pre-3rd Kyu this month. I expect that at my grading, to score and make good kumite, my technique must stop my opponents in their tracks. The idea is not to incapacitate but to break their Ki and show proper form; this includes a degree of force as safe as the sparring gear will allow.

I used to own a pair of Sai. I was never taught any kata for them. This week I met a Kobudo sensei who is willing to teach me 3 sai kobudo kata. I'm over the moon! Does anyone else practice this iconic weapon?

Welcome to the forum and welcome to Karatedo again. Keep us posted on your progress please; I returned to Karate 2 years ago, it's hard at my age but very rewarding. Good Luck with your Kata, Osu!

I have taught Kata and I have observed several different ways that young people learn. Some absorb the movements and timing by numbers, 1, 2, 3 etc., others need to copy someone else next to them; I suppose they are visual mimics. Indeed retention of information and physical and mental data is the real issue; some students will forget the Kata instantly until the key to their processing and remembering mind can be found. Finding this key to learning was I think the focus of the video; the fact that everyone is different. The gentleman mentions 71 learning styles; I think that there are a lot more and not so easily definable.

Welcome to the forum and welcome back to Karatedo. I study Shukokai Karate, I practice Kobudo, Qi Gong and Yoga. I also go to the gym for cardio and strength training twice a week.

That sounds good; we have several Goju Ryu karateka here on the forum, I'm sure they can give you good input and maybe some tips. Good Luck with your grading test, I hope you do well. Osu!

Mmmm, I am usually cautious about styles that have mixed origins. I have never heard of Goju Kai Karate; Goju Ryu is one of the major Karate styles in the world. What's the name of this 9th Dan in Goju Kai? Has anyone heard of him? I find it strange that you can go from blue belt to black belt???? Should there be any belts in between? $150 doesn't sound too expensive for a Dan grading, are there anyone else on the grading panel? In our association there is at least 3 examiners. What association do you belong to? Have you a legitimate licence? Where does your grading fee go? I'm sorry, there are many variables here. Then again the grading might be just that, a test to validate your hard work, it's not a bad price to pay if you value the approval of a master. Good Luck, I hope you do well.

In our Dojo, Juniors don't do Jui Kumite until they go for their Dan grade. Before then Ippon Kumite and Sanbon Kumite is what they do. They are competitive, they practice Kata in competition, but there is no free sparring until they realize some martial art maturity and have a responsible mind towards it.

You can get one in the UK for £250, about $400. Don't pay more than $600 Sensei. Also look at how expensive the equipment to accompany the camera costs; such as tri-pods, disks and other spares. Good luck Bob, you might find some good deals, but if it sounds too good to be true; it usually is, you can get what you pay for.

Thank you for sharing, that was very powerful and an insight into reality that teachers of any art should be aware of. Osu!

Happy Christmas to you too Bob, the Blessings of Yuletide to you all !!

When I appear in our Dragon Martial Arts Dojo, I wear the grade Given within the Dragon Martial Arts system. When I appear in an open Seminar, I can in theory wear my Shorin Ryu belt, but I don't as Dragon Martial Arts have issued my current licence. This is only one way of looking at it.

I thought this was quite funny! Enjoy!

I followed my wife to a Yoga class one day. The class is easy going, most of the members are retired ladies. The teacher is a very athletic middle aged lady. I am one of three men that go regularly. Every time I leave, I feel stretched, fit and full of energy. The exercises are as challenging as you want to make them, I have made good progress but I have a long way to go to consider myself to be even a seasoned beginner. It has been quite a discovery for me, my Karate Sensei has seen a great difference; I am relaxed and more responsive in class. Has anyone else any experience of Yoga? I know that it has the same root as many Martial arts, I find it beneficial; I wonder if it's my age?

I don't want to criticize or make any definite judgments, I have never been to the Dojo or watched any class. I don't know the fees to be paid or anything. That said; and this is only my opinion, I would be wary of any made up style like this; I would ask the questions"What style is this?" "What association are you accountable to?" and "Who is your Teacher." As a good friend says "The Proof is on the Floor."