renketsu

Yep, we do it too (another Shotokan club). I guess the reason we do it is kata Jion (although in Jion it is Chudan then double chudan) as kata is pretty much where all of the kihon (basic) moves come from. Andy.

My club website -> https://www.renketsu.org.uk Our group website -> https://www.runcornkarate.com Andy.

Hi, Just been reading an interesting debate about whether you should 'push' with your back leg or 'pull' with your front leg when stepping from zenkutsu dachi to zenkutsu dachi (like we all do in kihon/basics practise). The debate also categorically states that doing both at the same time is impossible, which seems wrong to me! I am sure the book by Elmar Schmeisser states you go from an outside tension stance (zenkutsu) to an inside tension stance (similar to hangetsu) then back to an outside stance (zenkutsu) as you transition through the above stepping technique. This implies that you are pulling and pushing at once to bring your stance into an inside tension stance! (I know I could be well wrong though! ) In my simplified terms (for those who dont already know) - outside tension stance means pushing out with the knees and pulling in with the ankles. Inside tension stance is pulling in with the knees and pushing out through the ankles. How do you move from one stance to the next (push/pull/both) and why? Andy.

I was assessed by my 5th dan (association chief referee) and 6th dan (association chairperson and senior shotokan instructor) senseis for my nidan and will be assesed by both of them for my impending sandan. As per most clubs (I guess) - all BBs who can be there (and there is usually a good reason needed for not going!) are used for 'testing' the BB candidates and are also themselves scrutinised on their own techniques. Andy.

Cheers - will try some of them - anything that will help has to be good My calf muscles are flexible enough for me to do the thing where you have both legs flat on the floor (feet together) and then you lean forwards and pull your feet up with your hands so they aint the problem I was always under the impression that you shouldnt stretch tendons and ligaments but dont see any alternatives for this!

I dont know if it is published in the US, but I read (and have done for about 6 years) Traditional Karate Magazine - this treats all traditional styles as equals and covers the usual stuff: advancing your techniques, kata (including pull out run-throughs), bunkai/oyo, kumite tips and tricks, interviews, event reviews and thought provoking stuff If you can find a copy - try it - worth a read. But, the best Shotokan karate mag has to be SKM (Shotokan Karate Magazine) just for the sheer depth of information - although this sometimes requires reading about 8 times to take in (very very technical articles some written in full medical terms)!

Yep... I predominantly fight with front leg kicks and like ashi yoko geri kekomi (front leg side thrust kick) to stop an attacker dead when they step in to attack Andy.

It went better than I expected last night - when I told my 6th Dan instructor he was ok with it (I nearly fell over with shock)! He is of the same opinion as me that karate should be made to suit your own body and things work differently for each person (phew).

I have been following Kurz method for stretching and can feel/see the results Warm up followed by dynamic stretches (front side and rear) before training and in the morning whenever possible (but atleast once per day). Asymmetric (sp?) stretches at the end of workouts to increase my flexibility (3/4 times per week). I have introduced these stretches to my own classes with no problems but my seniors still train using the traditional static stretches as part of the warm up... I know the reasons why Kurz methods work but am not sure I will get a good response from my seniors (5th and 6th dan) when I train with them tonight and ask to not join in their stretching! Anyone got any experience in going against the traditional ideas of stretching and trying to educate their instructors ?

I appear to have the worst ankle flexibility of anyone I have ever seen After 10 years I still cannot do squats with my feet flat without contorting and find long stances (yep... thats Shotokan for you) arkward on the achillies- I cant keep my height level (by bending at the ankle like everyone else seems to be able to) when stepping from a long front stance to another long front stance. Does anyone have any specific stretches for the achillies that are not going to cause me injuries etc? I am reasonably flexible in the rest of my body and can kick head height in all directions and am currently following the Kurz (Strectching scientifically) method and can see results getting towards the side splits. Thanks, Andy.

Hehe - i dont think I will ever truly feel comfortable in talking about my training skirt - as fetching as it looks They are tricky to get used to, was practising with Sai on sunday and stabbed one of the prongs through the gap in the side of my hakama and ruined the technique I have even fallen over when doing takedowns cos I stood on the other leg of the hakama and then tried to move! If you think wearing them is tricky - you should try folding them damn thing after training!

From what I gather there are three main titles given to senior blackbelts: Renshi (4/5 dan) Kyoshi (6/7/8 dan) Hanshi/Shihan (9/10 dan) These are usually given according to the rules of the association / governing body for long service/dedication - the above grades are an example of what I have seen on websites! There are very few UK Shotokan karateka I know of who use those titles, the main one being Shihan Kanazawa (10th dan).

Sasori_Te and solo - I agree with you 100% If you train in a different art or style (even a different club), you should offer to wear whatever colour belt the instructor requests of you. Be careful to remember you are new to this style and have no experience of their techniques and ideas... no matter what grade / belt you are in one style/art - it means absolutely nothing in another style/art. Always remember you are a blackbelt - I dont think I've ever heard of anyone having this taken off them but dont expect everyone to appreciate you demanding to wear it at their classes. I trained at a Wado Ryu club (a style which is derived from Shotokan and therefore not overly different) and asked the instructor what belt he prefered me to wear out of respect for him and his club after I told him my grade - I didn't care what colour he choose - it's his class not mine and I know I am still a nidan in Shotokan regardless of what colour belt I wear for training. Just my tuppence worth Andy.

Shameless link to my own club website coming up I have put all the ones I can think of that we do in our club with pictures (making my arm and hands almost famous!)... http://www.renketsu.org.uk/technical_bodyweapons.php If anyone can think of more let me know

I was allowed to train and grade in a karate Gi for WTF TKD for the 9 months I trained with them. It will depend on the instructor... if they teach for a living I expect they will want you to buy a new Dobok from them and keep their profits up Ask... he/she can only say no!

Go on then, I'll start with the ones I can immediately think of (I'm tired so it wont be a complete list ): Karate do/jitsu Ju do/jitsu Nin do/jitsu Kobu do/jitsu Aiki do/jitsu Ken do/jitsu Iai do/jitsu Tae Kwon Do Kung Fu Chinese Kempo Tai Chi (if it counts!) Kyoshu Jitsu (if its classes as a separate art) Someone else can keep the list going

Wolverine for me - claws would be fun if you were being mugged. Regenerative powers which also mean I wouldnt really age and not to mention having an adamantium skelton making me virtually indestructable Flying would be nice but you cant have everything.

Shotokan 2nd Dan Been doing it for 10 1/2 years. Wow... exactly same as G95Champ Also 7th kup (retd) in WTF TKD and 7th Kyu in Kobujitsu. Have experienced lessons at various times in: Ninjitsu at uni (for 9 months) Hun Gar kung fu Wing Chun Kung Fu Aikido Judo Wado Ryu karate Modern karate

I take it you mean whipping someone with those branches? I dont think I'd stand for seeing that as an adult never mind kids

Has to be Gankaku (Chinto) as it suits me being a 'kicker' I tend to agree with Shorin Ryuu about the Heians - useful teaching tools for preparing people for the advanced katas but I much prefer practising Kanku Dai instead as it does almost all Heian katas in one go Gotta love Tekki Nidan too cos it is so dynamic (like the other Tekkis but better IMO) and feels good to perform. Andy.

Sorry to repeat a point (made by GrrrArg) - but what are switches? Obviously a word we dont use in the UK! Cheers Andy.

On a similar note (sorry but this wont help your name-picking!): A TKD instructor I trained with had 2 cats called "Chigi" and "Chagi", and as any TKD person knows "chigi chagi" (spelling might be wrong ) is axe kick in korean

andy wilkinson = Sullen Choirboy That dont sound too great

UK karate training tends to be pay-per-lesson in the main as there are very few purpose run karate schools and most instructors I have come into contact with teach others as a side income/hobby and not as their sole income. I have given discounts to students who arrive late (the clocks going forward and back are always a good laugh!) and only aim to make enough money to cover the cost of the hall hire (£2 per student for 90min lesson) and any money left over goes to buying equipment (and my licence which is £40 a year for insurance!) etc. I would personally prefer paying per lesson rather than per month, unless the dojo was open for drop in sessions whenever I am free (assuming no class on) as well as a minimum of 3 classes per week. Andy.

Sounds ok as long as it doesnt become a way of the govt making more money out of people. Having a karate teaching qualification would be quite cool , pity there is no govt/official recognised standard for dan grades... imagine having a work signature with your rank in... stop people giving you abuse by email