Harkon72

The Answer will take time, if your style is a good one, you will still be teaching it in 30 years. If it proves ineffective, it will not be popular with real martial artists and it will soon be forgotten. If you want to train in your own style, then you can please yourself, after all we all have a style that is our own.

Physical Bullies and Psychological Bullies have one thing in Common; they are cowards. I avoid contact with these people, but if they begin to be a problem, I take them away from their peers and explain that I don't mean to harm them but I won't be harmed either. I don't give it so I won't take it. I won't be laid a hand on, I don't mind names; but if it effects my Loved ones, then I take it to the next level.

You have the right to defend yourself from bullies. Our Sempai is a Lady who was heavily bullied. She is a Black Belt in Kickboxing now, and a Shodan Grading awaits her in Karate in December. I will be fighting her in my grading next month; she is a powerhouse, but a lovely, kind person. Don't despair FangPwnsAll7, go for it, seek, learn, take a chance and be the best you can be for YOU. Don't measure yourself by other people's weakness, if you get hit, cry, stand and stand again. There is no shame in going down; only in not getting up. Peace, have Faith. Yours in Karatedo, someone who has fallen many times.

What makes a Martial artist? Heart, pure and simple.

Does this so called instructor have a Governing Body? I'm sure they wouldn't like to hear that he is bringing the Art into disrepute! I would ask for support from within the Tang Soo Do community. Just a thought.

I have come across racism in martial arts; it's a very complex and controversial issue. I have been in classes where the instructor takes more notice and teaches some people more because of their race. It's ugly and I don't like it. I was once in a restaurant with a Japanese Sensei, as he approached me, I bowed to him. He respectfully bowed back. My slightly drunk friend was horrified; "Why are you bowing to him? He's a human being! He's a Nip! Do you think he really sees you as an equal?!" There are many issues of respect here, martial arts are built on Honor and Respect; if there are none in your Dojo; please look else where. My Sensei looks me straight in the eye, I would trust him with my life. I hope you find a respectful teacher, you deserve it.

Hello and Welcome, I'm a Karateka from North Wales, pleased to meet you!

I have no real interest in it, but I have a friend who is an Astrological Therapist, please don't scoff, there is more to it than you might realize.

A powerful grip can be devastating, if you can slip a punch and gain a grip on the windpipe; then it's game over for even the strongest opponent.

One thing it will do is line up your fist when you strike it. If you strike with any power, your fist and wrist and arm, even your body down to your feet must have the correct alignment to transmit force. I cannot imagine how some martial arts clubs can produce any technique at all if they don't test them against an opponent holding a shield or contact pad of some kind or a heavy bag or makiwara. The main advantage of a bag is to see if your technique works at all!

Yoga does not just condition the body; the key is the relaxation it can offer. This is the key to all Karate, if you are relaxed, the techniques are faster and you act with more efficiency and focus.

The Shuto is a technique that I practice for Hours, I condition it against a wall mounted bag. It is my favorite strike, one of these to the cardiac sleeve on the side of the neck and it's good night what ever your body size. I target the elbow, the bicep, the collar bone and many other targets too. Do not fear a Man that can do 1,000 techniques, fear the one that has done one technique a 1,000 times.

Hail and welcome! Enjoy your Karatedo, it has many challenges and benefits; A Blackbelt is a Whitebelt that didn't give up!

I use a Wing Chun wall bag to condition my hands, it's full of rice and dried black eyed peas. I condition the forefist and sun fist and also my knife hand. It doesn't just effect the hand, it conditions the whole structure of the punch or strike, from the floor to the point of contact.

I train in Raja Yoga once a week, it helps my focus, poise and flexibility.

Hello and welcome! Comment, post and Enjoy!

The draw back with Black Gi's and they get worse as they get heavier is that they lose their color. 100% cotton Gi's seem to hold their color better depending what temperature you wash them at. Our Sensei spent £60 on a black Gi that was gray in 6 months. Be careful, read reviews. I need to buy one in December, I've got my eyes on a cheap MAR black medium weight gi, if it goes gray, I'll just buy another.

That's good to hear, a club that has a new start and hopefully a bright future.

Hello and welcome! Please share, comment and enjoy!

Mal is right, spot on. Train hard, your only true opponent is yourself. Your development as a martial artist is in your hands alone.

Ed Parker's Kenpo has Japanese and Korean roots and is one of the first All American Karate Styles. I has good principals and is perfectly valid. As always it all depends on the teacher. But to be honest, if I had a choice between Kenpo and Shotokan; I would choose Shotokan every time.

Shito Ryu is our parent style. All I can say is expect to show everything and anything you have learned up to that point and more. Our Sensei would push you as far as you can go, and then the test would begin. Go through the pain barrier, tell the voice inside that is urging you to give up to be quiet. Look to the far mountain, for the view up there is Glorious!

Almost all martial arts have physical, mental and spiritual aspects; it depends on your focus. It is good that you have great faith in your martial art system, but I believe that almost all traditions of combat art have something to offer. It all depends on the way it is taught; the attitude, the ethos and the depth of experience of the teacher. I know some Tai Chi schools that have some of the best martial artists I have ever known, others literally go through the motions. I would never claim that my style of Karate is the best, it just works for me, physically, mentally and spiritually. I know so called Sensei in my own style that teach utter rubbish. It has a lot to do with the "Do" and not losing your integrity for financial gain.

Well Done! Nice finish, a tad Lucky, but they all count!

Osu! Well Done Sensei!!