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.

So glad its not just me, unfortuantely as I'm in the minority being an Adult, I get a lot of the techniques demonstrated on me.

How about sticking with your current style in Shotokan, but supplimenting whats missing with say a Kickboxing or Muai Thai class once a week?

I think a lot of the 'am i too old' threads stem from the fact there are a lot of kids in the beginners classes. I find in our Dojo, the higher up the Kyu levels you get, the older the students. Some weeks, when I first started, I would be the only Adult in the class. I felt old then! Im only 30!!

Those are the same with us also.

I loved a Bunkai application i saw from Iain Abernethy on the Pinan/Heian Nidan first movement, where you step out on the left into Neko ashi Dachi, cat stance with what apperas to be a hammer fist with the (left) front hand. He said the initial movement could be, an attacker grabs you from behind wrapping both arms around you and meeting in the front. You lift both your arms up above your head from your sides, taking the attackers arms up with yours. You secure the attackers left hand/fingers with your left hand, bringing them down to your left sharply in a hammer fist motion breaking them in the process. At the same time, your right hand comes down elbowing the attacker (still behind you) in the solar plexus/stomach. I know there are a multitude of possible applications for each movement in Kata, but I found this one to be a pretty good application.

Grading this weekend, then one final grading in December to still in with chance of getting into intermediate class! Been to loads of Kumite classes after I last graded, sparring is coming along nicely, still unable to stand toe to toe with the best in the dojo, but can hold my own with advanced younger students. Now with a new Kyu grading coming up I've been concentrating on the Kihon & Kata. Fitness has possibly dropped and weight increased unfortunately, now over 13st. With a new baby just arrived, I've been eating quick easy meals and excersising less. Balance has however greatly improved, throwing roundhouse kicks well and acurately. Still love Karate, gutted I didnt start when I was younger. So basically, all resolutions still within grasp

I was in the same boat several months ago, tried everything, just like you. The best thing I found was Vanish oxi action powder, soaking overnight didnt work so I mixed it up into a paste and worked that roughly through the fabric. I've been reccomended to wear a white tshirt under the Gi ongoing, but it gets too warm for that. Also, Instead of using body spray try just washing using plain soap and water.

I'm only getting in 2 hours in the Dojo per week. You guys are hardcore! I'm either attending the basics classes or a fight class on friday evenings.

I've been watching these since the very first episode, some excellent clips. My favorite episode has to be the one with the blindfold training. The guy ends up outside on a busty road, haha. I often use the term ''taste the dojo'' when one of my classmates hits the mat, face down.

I'm going to give this non-stretching a go for a few weeks, see how I get on. Everyone still in agreement on stretching after a class though yeah?