Harkon72

My Sensei teaches Bunkai as appropriate to the student. Even some Dan grades are not ready for the techniques hidden in the most simple looking Kata. There are three consecutive terminations in Pinan Sandan; my Sensei discusses them with me one to one as he breaks down the Bunkai for me. Even his 2nd Dan Sempai is unaware of them, and as a 16 year old this is as it should be.

The varied Bunkai is what makes Kata so exciting. You can study martial arts for 20 years and still realize something new in Kata every time you practice. My Sensei loves watching me do the Pinan Kata, because I have 20 years plus experience in two other Karate styles we find a new application almost every week. This is the main reason why we train.

I was out of MA 5 years ago, I was unfit mentally, spiritually and Physically. In five years I'll have a shodan in a second style. In 10 years I'll be an instructor in my local Dojo, in 20 years I hope to be a Director of my Sensei's association.

A great aid in Team Kata training is a room length Mirror. It works!

Shorin Ryu is my Parent style. I then did Shotokan, a natural progression. Then Shukokai Karate which has a different style linage. Shorin Ryu is the Grandaddy of Kaiokoshin Kai and the Father of Shotokan. I study the Shukokai style now in contrast but it is an interesting journey in Karate. Shorin Ryu is a grand old style when taught well, its Kobudo is sound, Okinawan and authentic. Carry on, with a good Sensei you can't go wrong. Osu!

Discipline, my only true opponent is myself.

I suppose the theory behind Jeet Kun Do illustrates this; the defender intercepts the attack, neutralizes the threat and deals with the attacker as he sees fit. In the speed of combat, there is little time for thought; but the instinctive reaction is to take a positive action in response to the attack.

Welcome, Osu!

Welcome, Osu!

It depends on the Bunkai, for example; the first "Block" in Pinan Nidan in Shukokai is a Hammer Fist in Cat Stance. The reaction hand in executing this technique can be an initial block or grab or even a strike. The hammer fist its self can obviously be a block or a strike, or by its definition both. It all depends on the application. In this case it could be a grab to an aggressor's fingers or any other creative Bunkai that works. Here in lies the style and the fabric of your Karate.

Relax, have faith in your opponent's control, make him block and eventually you will score!

It's a fact - There is no attack in karate, only counter attack - To meet an attack, first you must block.

I practiced the Uraken in the Dojo tonight, done with a reaction hand it was one of my most powerful techniques.

I'm going through the belts of a new style, I do things similar to my Sensei but different. It's great fun, he never tells me I'm wrong, just different, we learn from each other. What a journey? Exciting and creative, each class is a revelation.

All you can do is try, maybe your first class won't be what you expect, but try different schools. With a good instructor, almost any style has it's benefits. Please be patient until you find one you are happy with. Good Luck

This is the best Wado Ryu book I find ; Wado-Ryu Karate Fighting Techniques Uncovered Frank Johnson (Author)

My first style took me 8 years. I aim to do it in 4 years in my present style.

Hi, welcome. Is the name of your style also spelt "Shito Ryu"? If so we have a root style in common.

Sparring is made up of techniques from your combinations and kata. With experience in all three, you will start to spar naturally. You will judge speed, focus on spacing and timing and able to commit to counter attacks with ease. Don't worry about getting hit, keep punching, your opponent will have to block, and eventually you will get through. Osu!!

We don't do totally free sparring in our Dojo until you are 5th Kyu. The self defense is pretty rough, and the stepping kumite starts straight away. BTW hows the Weather? We're snowed in here!!!!

Is it free Sparring? It may be that 7th Kyu is too early for this kind of Kumite.

A punch can move only 1", so most stances are good for punching. Blocks feel good moving forward or back.

You can punch in all stances, the only thing that doesn't feel right is punching while moving backwards.

One of My previous Sensei came across the Shorinji Kempo tradition while in the Far East, interesting, welcome to the forum friend, Osu!

Most stances have traditional transitional stances for kicks; such as Kosa Dachi for example, Kokutsu Dachi and Kiba Dachi have many options when starting or finishing kicking techniques.