Karate_John

Welcome to KF! webcrest Wow, I barely remember my first day. I was around 7, scared and nervous that I would not be able to do the moves. But that fear was unfounded and I had a great time.

I teach because I love the martial arts and want to share my experiences. I also feel I benefit from getting different view points and ways to think from students. helps with the ah ha moments as well

As most already know, today is Muhammad Ali's funeral. Muhammad Ali was a boxing legend, and it's sad to see him go. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome but passed away due to Septic shock on June 3, 2016. I think he lived up to this quote of his: "Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you’re going to be right." - Muhammad Ali

Karate forums is a great community and resource, I'm happy to be part of it. Thanks everyone

My current ranks in 2016 are: 1st Degree - Goju Ryu Novice - USJA Judo

In all likelihood it will be WKF/JKF point fighting and Kata. But I would love them to add knockdown. It might happen as IKO Kyokushinkaikan partnered with JKF for the Olympic push.

Can't really tell you of any stores to visit, But I can say Tokaido & Shureido are the two premium brands out of japan. As a Goju-Ryu practitioner I would love to get a Shureido.

Imo, treat them like anyone else, They know martial arts are a contact sport and they are there to train. The few I know hate when a male takes it easy, and hate having to wear a protector in the first place. insurance...

I have been practicing Guided mindfulness meditation. I was introduced during a health seminar at work. The first time a psychologist ran it. But there are apps on the Iphone/Android that are free / semi free. They are nice as they talk you through the techniques. and then you can practice on your own later. I use Headspace.

Have been giving Sesan the most attention lately, My Renshi is drilling the nuances of the Kata into me.

Ah, Yea, It seems most heavy weight GIs don't come with belts as they are marketed toward those who have experience and therefore does not need a belt. My Ronin brand white (Travel belt) seems to be of good quality... Better then the proforce that came with my judo gi.

Hey there, What I would do, As someone who took a gap is training is just pick a Dojo with an instructor you like. Join, and then do what sensei says to improve, and practice. That's the secret. Don't worry about being overweight, and don't compare yourself to others. Karate is about self improvement. You will be fine

That is a different variation, our variant goes forwards and backwards but doesn't turn left or right like Gekisai Ich or Ni My variation has the same pattern as Gekisai Ich and Ni, But uses different techniques and stances going forward and back. -Taikyoku Katas- Jodan ichi Jodan ni (minor difference, Zenkutsu-dachi instead of Sanchin-dachi) Chudan ichi Chudan ni Gedan ichi Gedan ni Kake Uke ichi Kake Uke ni (minor difference, Kake Uke forward and back) Mawashi Uke ichi Mawashi Uke ni (also forward and back) Kongo dai ichi - (Org Only Combination Kata of Jodan/Chudan/Gedan ich) Kongo dai ni - (Org Only Combination Kata opposite side) Gekisai ich Gekisai ni Gekisai san Fundamental & Advanced Sanchin ichi - Yamaguchi Sanchin ni - Miyagi Sanchin san - I belive Higaonna Tensho ichi Tensho ni - (variation, saw it ounce) Saifa Seiyunchin Sanseru Seisan Kuro Washi Shisochin Kankaku Hira Benso Tenchi Seipai Kururunfa Hakutsuru Suparinpei

1) How did you first become interested in martial arts? Good old childhood days of watching Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles. 2) What discipline did you decide to practice? Goju-ryu Karate, But my first was Tiger Schulmann's as a kid. 3) Why did you choose that specific discipline over the other disciplines? Short story is I was getting personal training from a friend of my physical therapist. He happened to be 7th Dan in Goju ryu at the time. After taking one day about martial arts and my interests he invited me to his club. 4) What is your skill level within your martial arts discipline? I'm a Shodan (1st degree Black Belt) 5) What other things do you like to do? (When you're not in the gym/dojo, what else do you like to do with your time? This can be physical or nonphysical pass times) I'm a big computer gamer. 6) What are the first 3 martial arts related brands that come to your mind. (FIRST, not BEST). shureido, Pro force, Ronin. 7) How do you decide what martial arts gear/equipment to get? (How do you select one type or brand over another?) Quality and the price of the equipment, Look at user reviews. Roughly how often to you buy new martial arts equipment? Maybe every 2 years, Don't really need much equipment. 9) Where do you get your equipment from? Is there a reason for this? I get it from my Dojo or Amazon if it's special order. just price.

I'm with JR 137, Ronin's heavyweight quality is very nice for the price. I switched from a Meijin tropical 10oz to a Ronin heavyweight 12oz myself and am happy.

That is great to hear! Goju Ryu practitioners are a tough bunch. Do you happen to know if it's Okinawan or Japanese Goju Ryu (goju-kai)? Or the or the governing organization?

Yea, I'm going to be biased and say Goju ryu. But JR 137 has the right of it. Visit both schools and get a feel of the student body and the instructors. Weigh the Pros and Cons. And then pick the art you feel is the best fit for you. And after you check em both out, report back

Students get books from our Hombu Dojo. There is a book for every grade other then Brown. (That makes 3) That includes History, Kumite Theory, Kata Theory, Techniques, Drills, etc. Black belts and Brown belts close to Shodan have a techniques manual, and teaching manual. Between them they cover the curriculum required for all ranks, drills, recommended workouts, etc.

I'm left handed and fight primarily LH forward. But I'll switch sides based on how my opponent is fighting. This seems to always throw someone new to sparing me off balance.

I got a tumblr martial arts blog I maintain, I don't post about myself per-say. But more on my views and martial arts stuff I like.

So I was invited down to a local Judo club, and boy what a experience. I was talking with the head instructor beforehand, and he invited me down to join a class. It was him and one other Judo Shodan, He told the class before hand that I held a Shodan in Goju ryu Karate, So the student running it could skip some basics, and not have to explain some stuff. So, we started class with some stretches and calisthenics. Then we jumped right into break falls and rolls. a lot more then I'm used too. Class was then broken up and I watched the senior students with the instructor pointing out whats going on, and then giving me a try at it. Then the instructor and I talked some theory, and had some 1 on 1 time with him showing me some other throws and locks. then I got to roll with a senior student, and that went well... All in all a very fun time, Think I might stick with it for awhile.

Take this advice with a grain of salt, as i'm not part of your association and am solely basing this off of what I see. In the video, it looks like your doing 4 low blocks at the end, I can't see that as being correct. At a glance I think it's suppose to be doable high block, doable forearm going out, doable low block, doable forearm going in. it can just as easily be doable high block, forearm going out, forearm going in, forearm going out, forearm going in, low block, low block. But the first is more likely as everything keeps to the same pattern. But good job practicing, you have a lot of work ahead, and you're building a good foundation. There are a few things I don't like, but it's not my place to criticize. I'll leave it to your sensei to correct

Yep, Definitely seems to be a school-specific Kata. I can't find a reference too the name sadly.

I could handle "Dai Sempai", but thats not whats being used. It's "Dai Sempi." As an anime/japanese fan myself, it grates at my sanity to hear Sempi, and nearly kills me to have to say it myself. I wont go in correcting people. Though, the instructor and the students all seem pretty laid back. They even asked what japanese for "No" was. I couldnt remember at the time though. es, its Ron Van Cliefs. In fact our instructor was given the title Kyoshi by him personally and our dojo has had a visit from him. Unfortunately that was before I was there. Yea, I understand. If they mispronounce it that bad, it would make my ears bleed as well. I watch too much anime But from what I know about Ron Van Clief you're getting solid Karate training. I heard some stories from his Nisei Goju days, I'll tell you he was a heck of a fighter.

Ron Van Clief's, Chinese Goju? Senpai is pronounced sem-pie. Sempi/Sempai is a bad translation from the early 1950's, it's part of the culture now so was never changed in many schools. Don't be surprised if you hear Dai Sempai (as in most senior student)... I hate it but it's used. As for Oss/Uhsss, Lupin1 explained that well. A lot of schools in the USA use Oss for everything, I almost never hear Hai.