Harkon72

Aikido has no blocks either, I found this really strange. If an attacker is quick on his feet, moving away from a strike is not always possible.

My advice is to keep moving your leg, never let it be still while you are awake. I know it hurts, but if you stop moving it it will heal the muscle fibers too short; you must try and stretch it so the healing is done over the greatest area as possible. It takes longer, it is not comfortable but in the long run you will gain a stronger muscle group. Good Luck.

Congratulations, each step along the way will grow into your Martial Arts Journey, I hope you enjoy it.

In our class, if one person has to do pushups, everyone has to. We don't get angry, we get stronger.

Belt systems can be seen as the invention of modern Martial Arts, in older systems they were not needed. As Mr. Mayagi says "Belt mean no need rope pull up pants!"

Congratulations! I look forward to your posts.

Simple answer is - They Can't. You may pay for a piece of paper but it doesn't make the martial artist.

I passed my 5th Kyu in Shukokai Karate last week.

Yoko Geri Keage is a favorite stopper of mine, a quick snap of the sokato in the ribs does the trick.

A martial artist who is fearless is a fool, fear is our survival instinct. If you have no fear you cannot make choices and take appropriate risks. He who fears others is brave, he who fears himself is mighty.

Very interesting, the last concept is the one I would go for, if you can produce them at a cost that is comfortable to the average Martial artist, you could be on to a winner! Good Luck.

Yes, another 6 months for 4th Kyu, another 6 for 3rd Kyu, then another 6 for both 2nd and 1st Kyu. Then a year to pre-Dan, anther 6 months then to Shodan. Lets do the Maths, 3 and a half years from now I should have my Shukokai Karate Koruobi!! I know my Sensei will make me work for it too!!

Respect between our students, sempai and sensei is constant. If you do not show respect, you will be reminded - this goes for all grades. You are not punished, you are just made aware that in showing respect your fellow student feels that you appreciate their person in the club, that you have camaraderie with them and an inter club bond. It is a sign of friendship and quiet appreciation of the effort they have made to obtain their grade. From this we share good control in technique, a quiet audience for kata with neat and appropriate manner. The atmosphere of the junior and adult class is different, the children really enjoy the energetic exercise and learning, in the Adult class true Budo and Calmness is what we are looking to achieve.

I performed Pinan Sandan twice last night in my grading. The first time I was nervous and stressed. After some instruction from my Sensei, the second Pinan Sandan was more relaxed, faster and had more power and focus. My Kata are different each time I do them. The rhythm and focus changes each time. I suppose it's like a Jazz Pianist playing a piece of music, everyone knows the tune but the feel of it can be different. It can come from the Bunkai, but for me it's the state of mind.

If you are not paying for them then they can't be bad. I feel I get almost private lessons because our adult class is so small, sometimes there is only three of us. We only pay £4.50 a session.

Welcome, Osu!

For speed and power there is one key - to be as relaxed as possible; learn the technique well, then have total relaxation in the execution of it. Do a kick like you're listening to rock music before going out for the evening, just let it happen. You will be surprised at the result.

White Yellow Orange Green Blue Purple with white stripe Purple Brown with white stripe Brown Brown with black stripe Black with white stripe Black

I'm sure you did more than enough to pass. Good Luck, if you enjoyed it then it was a success already.

I passed! I scored average Marks along the score card apart from the Punching Kihon, the Combinations and the Self Defense where I scored better than I expected. My Sensei was Impressed with my standard over all and credited me a Strong Pass for 5th Kyu.

Good Luck! I hope it goes well; trust in your training and let it happen!! Osu!!

I'm grading for my 5th kyu in Shukokai Karate tonight. My no 5 combination still needs some work, the Ashi Barrai Yoko Geri kick combo just needs to be relaxed. My strength is my Kata and Self Defense, the pad work will push me to the limit. I'll have to show Sensei just how much I want it.

Does anyone wear a mouth guard to do their sparring? I'm about to start free sparring in my style and have just invested in a Nike thermo setting mouth guard for £7. Do you use them? Is mine too cheap, or even unnecessary?

Tang Soo Do is Korean Shotokan, it's perfectly valid. It was Chuck Norris' original style and also a great influence on Cynthia Rothrock.

I study Shukokai and Shito Ryu based Karate.