Harkon72

Many Boxing gyms in our area closed down after a cull due to the safety craze in the 80's. My father was a trainer in the University boxing gym in Bangor, it suffered after the powers that be at the collage deemed it "Unethical and non-productive to an Intellectual establishment". What they didn't realize was that my father promoted fitness and nutrition to students; discipline and the best values of the noble sport. It was a world away from the beasting of his army days, he and a former lightweight champion produced a few of the best local boxers that became graduates too. I think safety is paramount in boxing, muay thai, knockdown karate and any other full contact sports, I just hope that people from outside the sports don't ban them in their ignorance.

While there is a vast amount in common, various styles and schools of martial arts are at different time places in their development and philosophy. Some styles of Kung Fu are ancient, others have development trees and families that are modern and not so traditional. Some styles have been devised for different uses, in different environments by different types of people. Some are for the battlefield, others for law enforcement and still others promote health and maybe spiritual growth. Karate was initially a peasant art, designed for protection without the cost of metal weapons and for using the empty hand. It developed into a way of developing fitness and strength of character, then a sport for some but still with the spirit of the warrior for others. Each martial artist practices for a different reason, each style unique within each school. I see my Budo or Martial Way as a journey, enjoying a good life.

Welcome to the Forum, Osu! This is consistent with many Shotokan clubs in our area, it is a good style with good people. I hope that you share your posts with us so more can learn what Martial Arts is all about.

For me Kata application is the soul of Martial arts. Each one of us interprets the Kata Bunkai in the way we are taught by our Sensei at first, then this root starts to grow and develop colors from other styles and ways of thinking we have experience of. I have studied about half a dozen styles in my life, some only for a brief time. My interpretation of Kata is a window to my Karatedo, it is how I feel my Karate is going. My Sensei surprises me all the time with new ideas, but he admits that most of his teaching comes from practicing the ideas of his students and comparing them with his personal style that has its root in his teacher's tradition. I hope my Budo grows into a strong, multi branched tree.

I do some fishing in the Summer, I play tabletop Fantasy Wargames (40K), and I play chess online. I like birdwatching and I read Mystical Books.

ps1, I agree, some Okinawan students trained for 20 years before having any gradings, when they eventually did some were graded as high as Godan straight away. This was the Rank the Master thought they deserved.

Thank you for the Article, very interesting. The movement being a continuous focused wave of motion is common with many styles; I think too that Korean Karate and Okinawan Karatedo have a great deal in common. A lot does differ, but that is to be expected. My Karate is different from my peers the same as a different petal on the same flower.

Solid Post! Kata Bunkai is in the eye of the practitioner, it is as deep or shallow as you want it to be. Even the simplest Kata can offer depth to termination in the hands of an experienced Karateka. That's why we love them so much, that's why it is Do.

I can say I'm a soccer fan, I followed the top team in the UK for quite a few years. I think the same teams seem to top the league every year now so I'm getting bored with it. I prefer the F.A. Cup competition, with the right draw even the lowest team in the leagues can reach the final. This year the big guns have met each other in the quarter and semi finals, leaving lower Premiership Wigan with a chance to lift the cup. They will meet either Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea in the final, taking for granted that they beat Milwall, who being of a lesser division will be looking for a scalp themselves. It's a great competition for cheering on the underdog, and an outside wager is always on the cards. C'mon Wigan!

I'm not really a fan of American Football, but I once owned a 1999 Kurt Warner no 13 Rams Jersey. I gave it to my Nephew, it looks better on him. I played Madden on the PC for a few seasons, I prefer Rugby Manager now though. I do watch the Superbowl every year, I really enjoy it but I don't really support anyone. I'd like to but the coverage here in the UK is quite poor.

I have a gi that's a medium to heavy, 12oz. I feel good in it, it is of an Okinawan Cut, so short sleeves and legs. The only problem with it is that the cord on the pants is a little easy to come undone. I have to watch that half way through a Kata.

I have fought with two scoring systems on the mat; I did semi-contact points fighting in my youth. 1 point for a hand technique, 2 points for a kick to the body, 3 points for a kick to the head and 5 points for a jumping kick. I also did Ippon Jui Kumite scoring in Karate; Full Ippon technique winner, or two Wazari or four Yuko or a combination. I think it's the same as Olympic Judo. How do you score your martial arts fighting?

I have limited experience of grappling tournaments. Can you explain how the scoring works? I saw the well dressed referee lift his hand twice to signal a score, but there was no pause in the fight. I'm a little confused.

Hi there! Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy it.

Neither, I use a PC for gaming. Mostly Historical Strategy and Sport Management.

Good Luck, all the best!

Osu! Welcome to the forum.

My Black belt hasn't been worn for years, I earned it two styles ago. But it has my Name and "Shorin Ryu Karatedo" in Kanji.

Osu! Welcome to the forum!

The Lions will probably have a few welsh players, Adam Jones impressed me in the Scrum, Justin Tipperick was a find for the English Game. That said, the no. 10 shirt is well contested by the English, Toby Flood is a good fulcrum to any side. I would like to see Jamie Roberts and Tuilagi share the Centre spots too. Awesome!

Theoretical not Practical. An idea unpracticed or tested; how do you know a cake is sweet until you have tasted it? - and by then it's too late.

Potential is like Electrical Potential, all you need is two poles and some connectivity. If you have a serial circuit; you take each step at a time, if you have parallel system; you can back up your training with levels of understanding.

Our Sensei calls us all "Brothers and Sisters" but has an equal relationship with all his students. He's my friend but on a professional and respectful level.

Solid post! Having to stand toe to toe with a senior grade after a break can be tough.

Justice is right, it's done by psychological suggestion, it's a powerful thing mind.