Harkon72

A good strike doesn't have to have power, it just depends on the target. If you form the body weapon properly and you execute the strike from the ground up ergonomically and with focus, it will work. The danger is that if it is untested and you end up threatened in a real situation; finding out that your technique is ineffective could be very costly.

We all have a dynamic energy, even when we walk. If the person moving is already in motion and the kick they deliver is part of that motion energy wise, then the force or power transferred in the impact is stronger. If you take the example of a jumping kick, even a jumping spin kick; the force with the correct technique can be devastating. On the other hand what you must keep in mind is the question of how efficient your combat techniques are. You can never sustain multiple jumping spin kicks in succession, however powerful you are. Not only will your opponent expect them; but you may not need to spend such a massive amount of energy to achieve your aims. I practice Karatedo and Aikido; in karate - Why spin through the air to kick him when I can floor him with a hard kick to his inner thigh? In Aikido - Why should I interfere with his motion when it leads him to lose his balance and then he is no longer a threat to me? Martial arts is full of mind blowing techniques, and you can dedicate your life to learning them for their own sake while simpler techniques are more effective in a real threatening situation. It depends what you want and what your ambitions are.

I hope not to confuse you, but here's my simple answer; It depends on the intended target. For example, if you thrust a side kick at a mobile target like the head, due to its natural movement, the head will move laterally with the thrust; but if you take the head as a target through the more sweeping movement of the round house kick; the second kick will do more damage as the range of movement is more effective. The opposite is true for a more static target such as the ribcage. A circular arc can do it damage; but a powerful thrust of a side kick will drive the energy through the whole, laterally. If you meet a target such as a human torso moving towards you at speed with a straight thrust, be it a punch or kick; more energy is delivered.

I can see that it is a modern mixed style of martial art. In English, Tai Jitsu means "Body Art", "Art" meaning ways of moving the body for defense. In classical Ninpo, which is Japanese, Tai Jitsu teaches several kata and forms. It is recognizable as Tai Jutsu. It is rarely taught as a separate art from Ninpo or Ninjitsu. Some Japanese schools call themselves Tai Jitsu dojos, and if you use the term "Kempo Tai Jitsu" as a name for a style, then, yes it would be the "body art of Kempo" by definition. Then again, using is in tandem with the term "Karate" doesn't quite fit as they are derived from different traditions. I hope this makes sense. If you find that you enjoy this style, effective or not, it will have some value. But I doubt if you can take it to other karate schools, as they would not appreciate it as a style in the same way.

This is a good Kata, the key is that the height of the stances are consistent and that the focus and kime throughout is direct and again consistent. I'm not sure if the karateka is aware of the bunkai, but the morote uke/ uraken are good and strong. To be truthful, all in all it is pretty good.

Hey! Nothing wrong with that gi top at all! I've worn worse than that. Well, if you don't want it...

My spinning side kick; In left lead stance, never step your left foot to the right to set up the kick; this is a plain telegraph and in real Kumite your opponent will sweep your legs. Second, never pause in the turned position, it is not a one two motion, it has no steps, it is one movement. Spot the target over your shoulder as y chamber your leg. As you come around, fire in the side kick and rechamber, then place your foot down in the direction of your opponent. If you do not chamber, kick and then rechamber your leg; it is not a spinning side kick. The amount of hip you use makes no difference to this. If there is no chambering of the leg and the contact is made with the heel; then the kick is a reverse round house kick.

Just look at the guy's body position; he has his weight forward and doesn't turn away from the kick. This is a key principal; if the focus and the point of balance is forward into your target, then the technique will follow there too. As Wastelander says, there are no short cuts to attaining this form, it takes hard work and many hours of practice.

Oh yes it's a classic; "You don't have a website so you're not a real club." My answer; "If you were a real club, you wouldn't need one."

One of our local schools published an interesting advert on social media. They are offering a course for people to follow an "accelerated" martial art journey to achieve the rank of a qualified instructor of said martial art. They say that you need little martial arts experience or even ever had membership of their association. I can see that they want to produce a line of instructors as soon as possible. I hear organisations such as GKR do a similar thing. What are they playing at?

Yes, cross training in various styles is a good thing, it keeps you sharp and you can experience different aspects and mind sets of the martial arts. One worry. The style you mentioned "Tai Jitsu Karate?" I'm sorry, but there is no such style. Tai Jitsu is the Combat style of Ninjitsu, it is similar to Ju Jitsu or Aiki Jitsu but has nothing to do with Karate. Of course Karate is our favorite Okinawan defense art. Someone has put these terms together to describe what may be a great system, but it sounds like their own. You say it is only kumite based, therefore, by definition, it is not karate. Then again, if everyone enjoys it, you can call it what you like.

I love Sumo. I used to watch it on a Sunday morning. My hero was Yokozuna Chiyonofuji or "The Wolf" he was usually the smallest guy in the Basho. The master's explosive but relaxed power was increadable. People can laugh at their size and strange attire, but very few would like to step between them after the salt has been thrown.

Kusotare is right; it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!

Ah, the mythical Krav Maga! You'll be able to take on anyone after 4 hours of training! Krav Maga was designed to be taught to Israeli security personnel so that it would be combat effective in at least time as possible. Call me an old fashioned traditional toad, but it's not for me. We have a seasoned Kravist in our Aikido class; he may have the moves and technique, but simple principals and taking his balance defeats him every time. He's only a beginner like me, but you can see the frustration as he tries to apply technique where there is no need to do so.

I'll tell the other side of my experience as a martial artist from day to day. I realize that most people don't have years of martial arts training. Most haven't even had a magical exposure to a Krav Maga course. But I work in the mental health community as a director of an advocacy service. Our advocates are from many backgrounds, male and female, younger and older. We as a service are due to provide these employees with training as regard to self defense and escape techniques that they could use in the varied sometimes pressured environment that we ask them to work. What system of defense strategy would you recommend? There are several variables to consider here. First of all, the law. The way a jury would see an altercation with a potentially vulnerable if not unaware adult is complicated. You cannot just knock them out or apply a choke. They are after all in your care. My first instinct was to recommend Aikido or Ju Jitsu; but how long a course can you offer? Can you give enough training to make a valid contribution to someone's confidence? The danger is making them over confident in a skill they do not have. I'll tell you what the UK government suggest. It's called "Breakaway Training." Now, this is a 4 hour course, and I was lucky enough to be able to sit in on a session. Everyone there was dressed as you would be for work, jacket, shirt and tie. The session was like a team builder, flip chart and all. Now, I don't aspire to be an expert, but these guys think that mentally ill people are utter idiots when it comes to a physical confrontation. Not only were the defenses unrealistic, they were positively dangerous as these poor students went away thinking that they would work. I can say that some of the best and most powerful fighters I have known have been in an interview addressing their mental health. If for a second you think that raising your hands in what the guy called "The Curtain Technique" and pivoting to avoid an attack as if you had all the time in the world would make a difference; then I am sorry, you are very much deluded. This attempt at a politically correct system of defense was comical. So, what do you suggest I do with my advocates? Do I get them some Hakama? Or maybe some MMA mitts?

Oh, how often have you heard it? "Our Martial Art is the most Realistic." I've said it before; you never know how you will react in a real situation. My current Sensei knocked the nail on the head; "You have a black belt in attacking and defending in a certain way. I for example have studied karate too; so I know what you are going to do. Your timing, your angles and everything. Because our tradition of Aikido is formless, I can apply its principals any way the situation takes me. There are no rules and you have no idea of what I'm about to do." This is why our Aikido is non competitive, you can't fight under any rules like this, there is nothing to apply them to. Tomiki Aikido is competitive, and very effective. There is an elder member of the Dojo who practiced it for many years, and I admit, he's a gentleman and very kind but the most scary guy in the club.

That's exactly right. Just look at our style of Aikido, it's very paradoxical, there are no techniques, no stances, no forms or kata. Then how does it work? Where is the style? Short answer - it has none. It is a collection of principals. The way these principals are taught, their context and the way the experience of them is sought gives you the tradition. So, in a way it is not a style of practice at all, it is different with each opponent, just apply the simple principal you have been taught and you will overcome. We call it Aikido, but it has no form or tradition of style, it is free for your expression of art, and it happens to be martial.

Hello! It's good to meet you.

Now, this is a good question. Where do you draw the line. Some say that a martial art without the three K's is not karate. Others that the various styles are defined by traits of practice and traditional norms and form that belong to said styles. It is the eternal debate of authenticity that haunts the modern martial art world. Do we need to move with the times? Or is tradition something that we should cling onto? My most recent style of Karate was Shukokai, it was derived from Shito Ryu back in the 1960's. And if you watch different clubs teach it, you can see striking differences in the way it is taught. The Kimura school of shukokai karateka's form looks nothing like those of the Hayashi branch of the style. But they still call it Shukokai. I know that a style name is more than a label, but if your karate is effective, the name of the style is as good as any other.

Yes Sensei8, I realize exactly what you say. People think that each kiai should be consistent, or even sound the same. This not the way I was taught; for me it is a coming together of focus, intent and commitment. My kiai can vary in sound, even in the same kata; it's not the sound that matters, but the internal process.

Oh yes mal, that's one of my pet little funny things about martial arts, fake kiai. People say and utter the funniest things; from saying the word "Kiai" to making grunting and coughing noises. The best one I have heard is at a local Shotokan club; they shout "Tai Ho!!!" at each kiai point, it's hilarious; otherwise they are a fantastic club; someone should tell them. Then again, each to their own.

Yes, I can see that the attitude to the inclusion of weapon training is different. My original Sensei taught me a style he called Shorinji Karate, or Shorin Ryu Karate. His Sensei was Rikishi Oya of Okinawa. I picked up a pair of nunchaku and then Sai with Sensei Symmonds only when I reached the age of 18. This was his way, I reached shodan at the age of 22 after 8 years training. I practice with both weapons today, along with dagger and tomahawk; which are taught to me by Sensei Lock on Anglesey. Kobudo is rare in Wales, there are many karate schools, but they are in decline in favor of Kick Boxing and MMA. Then again, you can find real Budo if you look for it.

The point is, at your rank you are not expected to look to be creative with your karate. You should use what you have been taught by your present teacher. That is what your kihon and kata are for. It matters not what else you know, keep it for when you can express it within this style, you will learn how to adapt and apply later. Some teachers can be really offended and feel that you are not respectful of their teaching if you include your variations on technique. One reason is safety, another is integrity. I have fallen foul of this temptation myself. In June this year I joined an Aikido club. After 25+ years in karate, this was a new start and a challenge. In free Randori, I found myself reverting to old techniques that my present Sensei not only had not taught us, but they were contrary to the principals of Aikido. They may be valid, but my fellow students did not appreciate them and it was made clear that to perform them was not only rude but dangerous. It has been a swift learning curve, having an edge is good; but keep the respect for the art and those around you.

Hey, I'll second that sentiment. No need to feel any embarrassment towards that video. Can I ask you Noa, what grade are you in this video? I ask because here in the UK, most schools frown on weapon training until you are at least Dan grade. It happens, but maybe only on courses and special events. Of course some styles don't advocate any weapon training at all. There are others, such as tai chi schools that hand out steel dao swords after only a few months training, but these are the exception. Maybe it is to do with cautious insurance cover, and yet private training with weapons is common. Just a thought.

Some very interesting pointers, but just one observation; I think the list is the wrong way up. The way I perceive any technique is from the floor up. In any energy transferal, be it based in Qi Gong most obviously or not, it makes sense to me that the analysis should start from the floor.