cheesefrysamurai

Relax. Mistakes are a tool. They are rough edges that have to be smoothed out with time on the mat. Mistakes aren't what we strive for, but they provide a guide in a sense for what we have to work on. Its how we grow. besides the most important fact: making mistakes means you are out there on the floor putting your time in. Good luck and HAVE FUN.

solid post!

Welcome to the forum. Let me give you a piece of advice. Your not getting younger, and there's no better time to re start then now. the way I see it is this, we are getting old, stuff is going to hurt anyway, may as well do it!! good luck and get in the dojo!

We all have our limitations. I fully understand that. But how are they normally handled? For instance an older or overweight student joins the ranks. They aren't as flexible or as fast. Realistically there will be techniques that they will just not be able to do, spinning back kicks, high kick, explosive ground movements etc. I'm NOT looking for answers like "they should choose an art that best suits their limitations" OR "What are their goals" Im realistically talking about that student walking into Taekwondo or Aikido school. - for arguments sake, Lots of heart, attends religiously, pretty proficient at most material. What do you do? Can you promote someone to teacher rank who can't effectively perform every technique? thanks

I also train Goju and I believe there is more to it. My teacher alludes to it. But I think its more about harnessing and harmonizing and focusing power all at once. Comes with years of practice. Some of you may think its all bull but i think its real. Imagine hitting the baseball on the sweet spot with every movement - it would seem mystical, right?? BUT i must say I think all that chi touch knock out stuff is. . . far fetched. Ive seen the videos on you tube where the "chi master" gets his butt handed to him. Not only that, people that "associate" and or teach seminars on that stuff seem to lose all credibility. No offense to anyone....

At my Goju Ryu school, sparring is fluid, doesnt stop unless someone is hurt or sort of backed into a corner blocking or the time is up. We practice combos on heavy bag, and focus pads but no preset combos for sparring. Our sparring is light / medium contact fighting, controlled strikes to the head. Sparring is a true mark of progress for me. I was terrible at first, and now, I have a better idea of what I need to do to come out on top. I look forward to sparring now because I get to be creative and see where my openings are and what works on my opponents. ALSO, probably the most important thing that came from my experience sparring so far is that I am getting conditioned to getting hit, that may sound stupid, but mentally I can keep head now in a fight, I can keep focused on the fight.

I too am not one who wears his training like a badge. Im not sure why. I take pride in my training, I love the system, but I am a mostly private person. If it comes up in conversation, I dont hide it but I dont tell stories like "Last night in karate class. . . . " I don't do it for anyone else's benefit. If my backyard was a little more private I would do it.

Thanks for the great answers I am moderately proficient at all the kata I have been given. The way my Sensei teaches kata is by giving piece by piece, then putting it together, after lots of repetition, and he sees you have it down, he starts picking it apart, stressing where to put the power and where to put the softness inherent in my system, stances, hand positions and other subtitles. He explains some of the movements in practical purpose so to understand the desired effect. But I am at the point where I can do much of the correction myself. My question isnt about learning a kata in the beginning sense, but realizing my thumbs weren't tucked, or I didn't pause in the right place or I lost balance. Thanks again

I do much of my kata practice at home, slow for form, sometimes with a bit more pop. Any thoughts on this? Can I hear others methods on practicing kata? Practicing it in pieces, etc ALSO, i have heard different schools of thought as to continuing after a mistake. I stop and start again or stop and start the last break point. Is it proper to continue, finish the kata out and apply correction to the next. Of course my questions only apply to private practice thanks

I dont have a problem with this. It has NO RELATION to rank though it would have a complementary relationship with rank. I would respect someone for taking their intellectual studies to that level and it would certainly prove their genuine interest in MA and knowledge of the course work but it would in no way make them qualified to teach MA or even more qualified than someone without a degree. Would it act as an additional shingle to hang in a dojo next to your teaching certification. Absolutely. Would it dazzle some parents of prospective students, Most probably, does it make you a better Martial artist, absolutely not, nothing replaces mat time.

I wouldn't think anything is wrong with it. They have pretty different philosophies on fighting and though the katas share technique they are different and shotokan has more kata. There is much overlap as I understand it which will both help and hurt you. If you can swing it, why not. Besides it may be a great idea to really feel out each school and system, see if one drags you away from the other. You will very effectively be able to compare and contrast.

IMHO yes of course I think as members we have the right to be concerned. After all our eggs are in their basket so to speak. Whether or not it's proper to voice your opinion or if it will make any difference if you do is completely different.

im not sure of your question.

I was wondering what the toughest part of your respective art is to you. for example, remembering kata, performing kata, kicking high, kicking well, sparring, stances, vocabulary, anything

1+

Of those videos Safroot sent, I would say Midori hands down. He is a master at entering.

Safroot, just chill out - progress is really slow, its like that for anyone. Be patient, do what your sensei says, practice on your own as much as you can, and let the pieces fall into place. IMHO patience is essential to longevity. Your doing all you can which is more then MOST If it was easy, everyone would do it. you've chosen a challenged path. Now walk it. Trust your Sensei, if hes happy with your progress, keep working!

Can you post some pics?

He is all too willing to accomodate

This is the way I know it to be

You have been given some great advice here. I'd like to congratulate you on taking this step leading back to a dojo. That's the biggest most important step. Your determination will be rewarded. Put on the white belt. You will get your chops back and climb thru the ranks quick enough if that matters to you. Your prior training will shine thru. Good luck OSS

He is willing to pay- he's not the issue- I am. And it's not that much an issue. I wouldn't charge a good friend for help with their site unless it was extensive or they were standing to make a large sum.

This says something about your senseis character. He has nothing to prove, his ego is not a control. Very commendable.

I know you guys are going to think i am weird. Basically my Sensei needed some work done that falls well within my expertise. Graphics, printing, banners, website mods, that sort of thing but i hate taking money from him. I just don't like it. I cannot see him as a customer. If its a big job like tees I would charge him the cost. Regardless I wouldn't charge him for my time. Any one else as crazy as me?

Solid post and great advice I will try to incorporate this in my next sparring sessions. Thank you so much me to!!!! so much great advice in this thread!!!!!