Nabil Kazama

Jin Kazama, does Kyokushin Karate + Me being a Jin fanboy who does Shotokan = Me and him.

Too old? lol You're NEVER too old to train

Yes it is good for self defense. Trust me, I know what it's like to take a hit done properly from my Sensei. All I'll say is, I'm glad I don't train in a McDojo. Our Shotokan is JKA.

The Last of Us

I'm a Muslim, we don't discuss religion in our Dojo. The only time we do is me and my Sensei personally, sometimes we do but not much. As a matter of fact I'm the only Muslim in my Dojo. There is a Christian in our Dojo as well, me and him get along really well so IMO religion should not get in the way of training. If anything having students of different religions/ethnicity is a good thing as the martial arts brings people closer together. As for bowing in seiza it is very similar to how we pray in Islam but Muslims have no problems with it, but that's just us I can't speak for other faiths.

I don't personally have a favourite kata, but my Sensei does say my Heian Yondan and Godan are spot on. Come to think of it, I think I'm one of my dojo's best students when it comes to kata. Not quite there yet with sparring, but I'm getting there.

Don't mean to bump this topic up, but I would like to ask what motivates people to train everyday? I mean on a more personal level, I do want to train in my spare time and would appreciate some opinions. Basically what I'm asking is what everyone's driving force that makes them do this?

To me a black belt means nothing. What I value most in my training is the proper techniques, hip rotation, knowledge on how and why you perform a certain move. most importantly a better understanding of the style I learn. Not trying to be funny, but a black belt is just a part of clothing, it can't protect you if you're confronted by an opponent in the outside world. If your technique is not perfected then what's the point?

Interesting, my Sensei teaches me a little Goju ryu here and there.

I don't care. If a crazed lunatic is going to attack me I would use any technique to stop him/her.

I would if I lived there lol. Tell me something, in Goju how involved is hip rotation when performing techniques?

Kuro-Obi. 'nuff said. I have it on DVD. Brilliant film, most of the Karate portrayed in this film I actually recognized. There 'actors' are real life Karate practitioners: Giryu is played by Akihito Yagi who is a practioner of Goju Ryu. Taikan is played by Tatsuya Naka who is a 6th Dan JKA Shotokan instructor. Choei played by Yuki Suzuki who is a 1st Dan JKA Shotokan practitioner.

Interesting.....I've always wanted to visit Scotland. I take it you will be teaching Goju-Ryu?

I can tell you there are some Kata in Shotokan that have 'throws' in. I'm thinking Heian Sandan, the end where you finish the kata. I was told that would be a throw if you were to use it.

Cheers dudes. I know some people have nerves, my advice is don't worry! Bow to the Sensei in front, announce your kata and do your best, it doesn't matter if you make a mistake, just carry on don't waste time going back and correcting yourself. Enjoy yourself. The thing is to blank absolutely EVERYTHING out it is YOUR kata and YOUR time.

A lot. Mainly Heian Yondan in recent times.

Had my 2nd Karate tournament today. We did Single Kata, Group Kata and Sparring. I was awarded a trophy as I got 3rd place in singular Kata, I was practicing Heian Yondan A LOT recently. We all met up at a student's house and followed my Sensei as he drove, I took 3 other guys with me. All in all a brilliant day we had today. I never expected to do so well. My advice to anyone doing any tournament kata is to practice the hell out of it, what you can do which I do personally is train privately with my Sensei see if your Sensei does too.

Shotokan and a small bit of Goju Ryu

To train, to become strong, to be able to pass on my Shotokan teachings to my children (If I have any in future), a sense of achievement, I love my training and also for exercise.

Slough, do you like in the UK?

You're lucky and fortunate, carry on I say.

Get it, I recommend it. If possible also get Peace Walker for PSP as well. Brilliant game, plus if you have a PS3 or 360 you can get the HD collection which has MGS3, 2 and PW.

Spot on. In my dojo, we train Tuesday 5:00pm-7:00pm, Weekends 10:00am-12:00pm Me and a few other students take extra classes though.

Solid post and good luck in March; look forward in hearing your results!! Oh thanks! I was in a rush when posting but yeah. I guess what I mean to say is, try to go at the leader's speed. Although really the student leading the team kata should talk to his fellow students and discuss things like who's quicker, who's slower etc and if necessary, try to go at a speed that accommodates that particular student. Example let's say me, you and another student are going to do team Kata, and we are going to perform Heian Godan, now both me and you are efficient in this Kata, but the 3rd student cannot go at our speed. We would slow ourselves down to allow him to keep up. My team and I are fairly quick, but if I'm in front I go not too fast but not too slow either.

Agreed. For me, it's the experience that counts. Just take it easy and train, spar to improve and better yourself. Victory will come.