Harkon72

I wish you a happy and blessed holiday period too Patrick. We have a great Yule party every year on the 22nd of December. The Children of the family get their gifts early! So do the Big ones!

Yes, the elusive factor of Realism; this is the Holy Grail of the Martial Arts world. Cross training, Seminars with total strangers, testing in the Cage, Exchanges of vision and mind set. All have their place in finding the right path, but then if a person is on a different path than you; it doesn't mean they are lost.

Thanks for the clarification Andy, you told it just right.

A peaceful Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

It is allowed. Karate is not just one martial art; it has many facets and mind sets; ways of thinking if you like. Each tradition can be radically different, and each style can have real variation within it, depending on the teacher. In as little as 50 years, for example, my style Shukokai has evolved and developed many different focus and emphasis; some advocate the speed of technique, science and a pure analytical system of physical development. Others, still within my style of Karate advocate a peaceful, calm relaxed approach. Some are spiritual and consider Karate to be a vehicle for the development of the soul. Others are pure fighting machines, their emphasis is on nutrition and building the advanced physical specimen. The best Sensei will allow you to find your own path within this diverse world of what looks all similar on the outside. To the untrained eye, it looks all the same; but when you consider the Mind, Body and Spirit of each Karateka; their Universes can be worlds apart. Open your mind, put your toe into the great pond, feel your way, your teacher will appear when you are ready - This is the Zen of Karatedo.

My wife has sat in my previous two gradings, I find it helps to have support but she finds it very uncomfortable to watch me suffer at times. As I said, the Dan grade test will only have the association Yudansha present.

These are very useful video clips, simple and direct. I like the inner thigh throw, it is useful when the opponent is on the lead foot. The pivot takes them down as the rear leg is taken away. It's a useful technique as it can be applied to a larger, stronger attacker.

I know I said Nikon, but this Sony model I think is a better deal; Just click on the blue name and it takes you to a sales screen. http://reviews.bestbuy.com/3545/8013087/sony-hdr-pj380-16gb-hd-flash-memory-camcorder-black-reviews/reviews.htm This is just an example. Gareth.

Anyone can watch our Kyu gradings. Dan gradings are only for the eyes of other Dragon Martial Arts Dan grades.

I'm not going to get into a political debate about the past Sombo Fighter Vladimir Putin. For some he is a Hero, David Cameron is a Hero for some too. I suppose it all depends on your point of view. These Honorary awards really puzzle me, on one hand I can see their value; but on another they're no more than a gesture of gratitude. But showing appreciation is never a bad thing.

Yes, Warriors have the Option.

I think that all good kumite is to do with timing and anticipation. You need a little luck, but keep advancing into your opponent and if the first one doesn't score; keep going - make him block for his life!

This is Very true. I have used lethal force in Self Defense. As you imply, you can give a man a weapon, you can train him for years in the art of using it; but it may be in the heat of a life threatening situation his constitution will not allow him to use it. I admire Pacifists but I owe my life to my training.

We train for sparring through our Kihon (basic technique), each combination that students learn is a combination of kicks and punches designed to be used in sparring. This is how our style of Karate can be recognized. Our Masters have studied Japanese Kumite fighters for example and used their technique to compile our set combinations; there's no real mystery to them, they are relatively simple, they are just practiced to a high level of proficiency.

Yes, I can see that the school you follow can make a big difference to your style of fighting. We are taught to attack by combinations, single techniques rarely make enough impression on the judges to contribute to your win. Interesting, thank you.

My favorites are; O Soto Gari, Seo Nage and Uchi Mata. (Major Outer Reap, Shoulder Throw and Inner Thigh Throw)

Well, appropriate force and all that. The know how is human nature; I don't pride myself in it, but at the end of the day that's what we train for; each Kata has potentially lethal technique, whether you realize it or not. If I had to defend my life or the lives of those I love, I would kill with not a second's thought. I would have to live with the consequences after. As they say it's better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6.

"The art of fighting without fighting" If you have respect for your Art, then violence is the last option.

True, art is as art does I suppose. I am experimenting with the kick at the moment; some say you should drive it, some say you should let the weight of your foot go in a more relaxed fashion. I suppose the less tension you have in your body, the less tired you will get; but then again, if this kick is a finisher - the fight is soon over. Thank you for the advice, I'm really looking forward to the next session at the Dojo now!

In my opinion 16oz Gi's are just too heavy, too hot in Summer, too hard in Winter. I never Iron my gi's either, hang them up in the bathroom; the wrinkles soon fall out.

Shukokai has a different mind set to Kaiokoshinkai; I cannot compare outside my imagination as Goju Ryu and Kaikoshin Schools are not found in North Wales. I have had a few years of Shotokan Karate, I enjoyed it very much. I perceive Kaiokoshin as a style of great Power, but I find the relaxed focus of my present style with it's fluidity and science very satisfying. We wear protection for sparring, and it can end up quite direct; but at the end of the day, the intent is to score not to incapacitate. Good Luck with your Knockdowns, I wish you an injury free time!

20+ years! Well, one cannot argue with that! Great Value for Money. As Wastelander said; it all depends on your vision, and if you want a good Gi; ask a Kaiokoshin to supply you with one! I hope you have a good variety of views here and have not been too confused.

I admire Kiokoshin Knockdown Kumite; I'm not sure my poor body would survive it recently though.

Yes, as I can see they are Kihon combinations, done for muscle memory and conditioning. If I am wrong, I'm sure one of your fellow Kaiokoshin can correct me.

Hi Guys, these sound like association combinations. We have ten in our style with 4 variations of each. They can vary greatly from style to style, school to school; but yet I am no Kaiokoshin, so I have no experience of these directly.