JonWal

I started my son in a local Karate Kids club 2 years ago when he was 3 years old. It was basically fitness and co-ordination work. He graded twice using their own Childrens Karate syllabus. It was good as he was able to measure his progression. He's 5 years old now and graded once with the Adult Syllabus. He could possibly grade again in July. He's ready, but I dont want to rush/push him through the grades. Im not going to be 'that' parent. I think 5 years is suitable for the main grade stuff. As has already been mentionned, they absorb information like a sponge, the application and power wont be behind the technique, but that can come later.

Hi There, Welcome to the forums. There seem to be two main ways to tie your belt, halfing it in front, then folding it round crossing at the back. Personally, I start off with about a 12in length on the right hand side and wrap it around twice before tieing at the front. Hope you enjoy Wado Ryu, I'm almost two years into it and loving it.

Are you from Haverfordwest?

£4 a lesson Training twice a week

Hopefully, you will not be required to spar on your first few gradings. This is something you can find out by speaking with your instructor. I'm sure if your instructor has seen you sparring previously and you have demonstrated in the Dojo that you are proficient in the techniques then allowances can be made.

I am trying to repeat it as much as i can I used to practice everywhere, literally. I really struggled with our first Kata, I even practiced in the works toilet cubicle...

Just to confirm what everyone else says really. It will get easier, its very rare someone will pick up everything immediately. I do write notes after every single class. If I forget something, i can go back to a lesson 18 months ago and re-work on it. Just keep repeating things as often as possible. There is as much mental work as physical in our Karate, doing the mental stuff when exhausted is where the muscle memory kicks in.

Wado Ryu.

I'm required to Spar for my next grading. 6th Kyu. Its really more of a demonstration of control of your techniques against a live oponent than a sparring session I think though. Dont worry about it too much though, the other person will probably be as nervous as you are.

First goal, get into the intermediate class - Technical Pass -I got into the second class, but its being re-structured, so Im back to the first class for the next year at least. Did a lot of sparring, I'm not great, but i found out I can take a beating/beasting and still stand afterwards. Still hovering around that weight... I love my take-aways... Still enojying Karate, think its taking over my life though...

Dont think I slept much the night before my first grading. Mostly due to not knowing what was going to happen. I'll hopefully be going for my 7th Kyu in december.

I know a few guys through my dojo that do Kyokushin. Tough guys too. Thats why I'm happy I chose Wado, there seems to be a lot of ju-jitsu style takedowns and joint locks involved.

We wear Plain White Gi, with club logo embroidered on the left. The choice of manufacturer is up to the student. Personally I really like the Blitz White Diamond. Its stiff at first but after the first few washes it softens up nicely, and you get a great snap sound when doing techniques.

Unfortunately, I've only been sparring for a year now. Im more of a frightenned Deer in the headlamps type of fighter, not knowing what I can get away with. I'll try anything, but will no doubt end up being punched square in the face, or worst ending up flat on my back. ..I'll go with the squirrel..haha

That would be great, but it's the age old problem of finding the time for it. It's been a struggle to find a club I can train at once a week on a regular basis, let alone find 2 different styles. Fair enough, it just seems a massive shame to give up on the one style you've spent so long in, just because its missing a small (..ok fairly large) aspect of sparring. Even if you had to temporarily drop a class a week in Shotokan, maybe it would help you to find what your looking for.