Harkon72

The Shillelagh, the Irish National bashing stick. Used in Battle by Celtic Warriors to this day! We Welsh used them and called them a "Pastwn", well we couldn't afford metal to make swords. I know they don't have the finesse of a rapier or a katana, but a good bash on the head with a lump of blackthorn sent many a Saxon pirate home to think again. Here is a short interview that celebrates this natural invention.

Good Wooden Dummy work! I'm not one for short sticks, I have trained with a staff though when I was with the Sealed Knot renascence re-enactment group. I have a shillelagh on the wall, I've posted a video here about them. I wish I had a wooden dummy, I've just got nowhere to put it!!

I passed!! My Kihon was good, my Kata was good too. My Elbow strikes were better than average, my kicks were just ok. My Ippon Kumite got better and better. My Free sparring was good, I put in some crisp combinations - was left with a black eye which I shall wear with pride. A good pass for 4th Kyu and I really enjoyed it!!

You can train with different clubs, what you do outside one Dojo or another is your business. It's best to train with complimentary styles, Karate and Ju Jitsu for example as I have found that training in two similar styles at the same time can be confusing. Good Luck, I wish you success.

I had a break of 6 years before moving area and starting again in another style. I started from white belt again. Different style; different syllabus. My Sensei never asked me to empty my Karate cup; we learn from eachother. 18 months later and I'm going for my 4th Kyu tonight. I was a 2nd Dan in my previous style, and a 3rd Kyu in another. I still hold these grades; but in a new style, white belt is where I started, great respect has been shown to me in my new association, I have a licence only with them. I will be asked to Sempai the class in January. It doesn't make your Karate less valid if you wear whatever belt you are given at the time. Good Luck, Osu!

I concur, my Sensei mentained that Shorin ryu and Shorinji Karatedo were two styles with the same root; Shuri Te.

This is true, also there are great variations within each martial art. It depends on the linage of your teacher and the way they were taught. Also their personal preferences to the way the Kata for example is applied. Please interpret the art the way you choose, I'm sure your Karate looks different to mine even though it has the same root.

Mid thigh is right for most belts, but it can vary depending on the one you are given. For me Cotton is better, it holds it knot more securely.

It's an interesting comparison. I suppose the rhythms and focus will vary within each style as well. Thank you for sharing.

Our association held a weapons course last month. One thing we had to do was hold an impact shield for someone as they hit it full force with wooden nunchaku. The holder of the shield had to be quite brave to stand there with a Dan grade giving his best shot with the weapon.

I worked for a charity that supported mentally handicapped men working on a farm. I was working with one client one to one. He was very fit, 15 stone of solid muscle, 32 years old but with the mental age of 4. He was incredibly strong; he could carry a bail of hay in each hand and lift them above his head. A young social worker once commented "Are you not afraid of him hurting you Gareth?" I answered; "I would be more afraid of you raising your voice to me, he doesn't like it." "Gareth is a Good Boy" was one of his favorite lines. I was never afraid of this man, powerful as he was. He is still my friend and I visit the farm to see him every now and again. Over all, working there was a very positive experience.

Are you a member of a Shotokan Governing Body? Maybe this is a good place to start; http://www.esku.co.uk/ It's members might offer a place on a team or as an individual in open Karate Championships. Whatever path you take, I wish you luck.

This is it! Where do you draw the line? Is it right to have one rule for one and another for another? At the end of the day, do what makes you happy. If you came to our Dojo, I'm sure the color of your belt would be the least of our issues. My Sensei is as open as any to learn from anyone, and I take his example.

I don't see a problem with wearing a white belt in a new Dojo. If it is my style, then I am ready to grade with the new Sensei so they can decide what grade they think I have attained. If I'm not happy I would go elsewhere. Until then I would wear a white belt. Of course, within my organisation/association, my grade is valid. The idea of a guest belt is interesting, and maybe a worthwhile tool. Pride in your grade is one thing, a lack of humility is another.

I was terrified when I sparred with my present Sensei for the first time. I need not of worried, the look in his eye said it all. It's all about trust, but that little warrior spirit does us all some good.

After observing that many high grades need joint replacements and traditional karateka have heart trouble after taking hits to this vital area for many years, I can see why. On the other hand, an Okinawan diet would let you live longer.

No, please don't damn Shorin Ryu. This teaching gave me the richest foundation for my martial arts career, Shorin Ryu is the grandfather of Kaiokoshin Kai, and the father of Shotokan.

Yes, the transfer of power; from the ground, through the legs, into the hips and spine. The whole physical process is rooted in the stance.

I have an example; when executing a back kick, you can fire the kick from yoi stance or front stance facing away from your target. In yoi stance the kick is not as effective as the front stance where the power is increased through the shape of the body and the physics of the kick. Energy is dissipated forward with more power. Dynamic strength and speed are generated and focused by choice of stance; the correct form gives a dramatic advantage and has a source that is not apparent to the untrained eye, the stance delivers the root for the power; the foundation for the whole execution of the technique.

As you say, wrestling was one of the original Olympic Sports. To leaver it out would be a travesty. Almost all the world's cultures have a wrestling system, it's one of the world's first and ancient martial arts.

The British and Irish Lions Rugby Union Team tour Australia this summer, they will play the Australian National side three times on the tour. With the majority of the team being Welsh, I have a keen interest in the results. I've made a small wager that the National tests will give a 2 - 1 win for the Lions. These Australian teams are some of the best in the world, so we are in for some thrilling encounters.

I have my first 4th Kyu grading next week. We have two 4th Kyu gradings, one belt with a stripe, one without. You must learn both Pinan Yondan and Godan for example and show distinct improvement between the two gradings. The Kihon combinations are made more complex and the sparring is done for two bouts with a higher grade, not one. So I'm going for my Purple striped belt next friday after a tough week this week and a mental preparation for this week ahead. Training was good tonight; Ushiro Geri, 8 combinations, and I can see my Kata in my sleep! I have now to relax and let it happen.

Great Reply! I too think that Karate is not Karate without the three K's. And Kata for me is the Soul of my Karatedo.

Hello and Welcome. I look forward to reading your posts, Goju Ryu and Shotokan are both great styles, your contributions will be highly valued.

I've joined a Yoga class to improve my posture and flexibility; so far it has been a success!