Harkon72

Ego is the enemy of Self Development, so easy to indulge, so difficult to overcome once we have a taste of its petty pleasures.

I pass on the baton, Congrats pers!

Nice Pics! Love Wado Kai!

Can I ask what footwear is best for Karate?

In the Dojo; shin and instep pads? Dipped foam Kick-Boots? Kung Fu Slippers? Soft Leather Training Shoes?

In the street; Trainers? Stilettoes? Or Steel Toe-capped Boots?

I kick well in my Highteck Magnums, they are flexible, tough and light.

I know this thread belongs in equipment, but I want to see what is best for Karate. I perform most of it bare foot, very rarely would I kick outside the Dojo.

I'd suggest Wing Chun, no grades, 3 Forms, Fast, Hands, Qi Gung and both internal and external force. Also spiritual and scientific at the Same Time! Ideal!

Being true to yourself is what counts, you are your only true opponent.

Thanks for the links and advice guys, I have the sword on the wall now.

I love blades, from Kukri to Ninjato, from my dropped point Tanto to my Wiccan Atheme. Kiri no Jutsu, Usuru Yama Budo! Osu!

I use a dining chair, with my back on the floor I grip the front legs with my legs over the front of the chair. Fold up with your shoulders towards your knees, then alternate each shoulders forward. Works for me!

My Sensei is going for his Godan next year, good luck to him. He's told us never to call him Master though.

A mon grade is what is given as an intermediate between the kyu grades for the juniors, in other words, the "Stripe" grades.

I train in Karate twice a week, then in Wing Chun twice a month.

Ninjutsu has started and stopped a few times here in North Wales, it doesn't seem to survive. There was a camp in Snowdonia, but their origins were less than credible. No competition, no real syllabus left them high and dry. There is a group near Wrexham, but this is 80 miles from us.

I live in Wales, not England. Welsh Princes used swords before England existed. Thanks for the links, but re-enacting is all I've seen locally. I would like to do some Shakespearean fencing, I know staged fighting is nothing compared to competitive great sword fencing, so I'll do some research.

Good for him! My father boxed in the Army too, and his father before him. My Grandfather was formidable with his back to the wall well into his seventies.

Just remember the trust that the Universe provides us with what we really need, always, is all we need to know. However we label our philosophy, man has found a remarkably similar way of thinking for thousands of years. We receive just what our thoughts send out. Hone your body, Stimulate your mind and Calm your spirit. So Pushups, Chess and Zen seems to be the recipe for success.

Almost all grips in Judo are done by the gi, invest, please. You can get one on ebay.com now for $30. It's not just to get a grip, it's to soak up your sweat too.

Cool! We have Wado Ryu here in Wales too, solid style. Hello and Welcome!

We cross our arms for Gedan Barai, Uchi Uke and Age Uke, it gives the compression-expansion in the technique and power from the core muscles. I think it works in most styles of Karate.

I train myself when I can't meet with my Sensei, I work each evening now for a few months. I train with a Rowing Machine, a makiwara and pushup bars. I run 5 miles three times a week. I train in the Pinan Kata twice a week for an hour. I think I'm doing ok.

Judo is a good work out, I always try to remember it's a sport.

Osu, I've just had my 40'th birthday, I had an 8 year break from MA until last year. I'm enjoying the Kata more and more, learning the basics all over again.

A pleasure to greet you! We have a lot in common! Osu!

My wife is the most amazing martial artist I have met. Nobody that knows her would ever guess that she is a karateka; she is a quiet, gentle person, softly spoken 5' 2". But once she puts on her gi she kiais with the best of them, and her peers in the class need to be brave to hold a kick shield for her at times. I love her and think she is AMAZING!

No, but my Sister calls her car Bubbles!

Chinese martial arts are alive and well in Wales, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Wu Shu Quan, and even Lau Gar which is a British freestyle art. We have a Shaolin Stylist in our county, he has a small but loyal following.