Dianna

I am bummed out that I will miss my second class this Monday night because of something for kids at their school.

Good idea Thank you.

Any suggestions on weird positions?

Was getting ready to start and felt the need to find a place to talk with other, learn from others, get advice and just enjoy the addiction with everyone else

Path of Exile (PC) Can't talk my husband into buying me Diablo 3 yet, so I will throw in Diablo 2 here and there just because it is awesome.

Very excited to have started weapons class last night. Starting with Bo. Don't know if that is the weapon all Dojo's start with or not. The class just started as it was taking off the schedule due to lack of interest. Advanced weapons class is packed. This will go till Dec, then will be decided if there is enough interest. There were only two of us there last night for it but hopefully over time, the interest will grow.

When I do kicks, my balance is horrible, especially when kicking with my left leg. Will that improve with just practice or is there additional things I can do to work on that?

I have been using some of the stretching techniques in this video.

I have classes three times as week, and now just added a weapons class and train daily at home. If I could make it work with the kids, I would be there for the Feeding Crane class that just started.

Thank you for the link. I have been able to read bits and pieces here on history and was happy when a book you can buy at the Dojo was put in pdf on the Dojo site for the students for free...awesome. So of course that has everything from history to terminology and just about everything else. Really helpful.

I wear my white Gi. Most do. One person I have seen has a black Gi. Until I think next month, you can wear Gi pants and Dojo t-shirt, guessing that is just through the summer time. The only time I have seen someone not in a Gi when it is their first class.

Very good idea. I will start that today. I need to get my three blocks I am working on in order, first high,outside then middle and my mind always wants to do middle first. I get very frustrated because with what ever hand I am not going to block with and I go to chamber the other my hand wants to turn the wrong way. My mind and body need to work together. I know I am probably over thinking it and that causes the problem.

That is awesome!!

Great idea about the mirror. We have a large one but not in a room big enough for me to move. Funny how the blocks and punches just run through my head non-stop,which is a good thing...totally taking over lol

I was warned today it was addicting, every part of it, and it is and no problem with that, very happy about that. Something to be passionate about is always good. Yes, practice does make perfect for sure.

I am so lucky to have an awesome dojo, Sensei and many great Sempai. I had no clue going in how great of a Sensei I had till I did some research and it is not just what he has accomplished but his personality, his instruction and so amaze me, from the Little Dragons class(my 5 year olds are in) to all the adult classes. Great school.

I talked some with Sensei this morning about practice at home. He said practice at home even if I do a move is wrong is better than no practice can he can correct what is wrong, but if I haven't learned anything he can't correct it. He said if I walk out of each class with at least 3 moves to keep in my head and work on that is good for now. When it came to punching, kicking, he showed me the training bags and how to use them. My husband has one that he got for free at some point down the road and never used. Right now just simple kicks. Craigslist is a good idea for pads. My BIL who started class with me, we live in the house, would be great to use the pads with. Also a good idea about borrowing stuff. Really seeing how the Dojo is a family. It is wonderful

Ok, only going into my third class this morning. Wish I could take a few classes a day, never felt so good in my life after I walk out of class. How do I practice at home without spending tons of money on pads(my husband would have a cow)? I have been practicing basic blocks and stances, but then worried I practice wrong, since there is no instruction. Worried I will practice myself into doing it wrong. Did a lot of kicks with feet, knees and elbows last night. I want to be able to practice that. A bit overwhelmed, remembering it all and getting it down.

My first class is on Sept 3. I am picking up terms as I watch my kids at class 3 days a week but i want to learn more of the terms, more of the history and so forth. Does anyone have any good sites they can recommend, good videos?

Sensei Ahrens has a good reputation--I hope you enjoy your training with him! If you have any questions about the style, our kata, our techniques, etc., feel free to send me a PM and I will help out however I can. Thank you. I am trying to figure out what I can do now to start preparing. Getting the counting down, but I want to figure out more,I don't like walking into something totally blind.

Hopefully I don't share too much LOL

Thank you everyone. It is a bit overwhelming but learning little things I can before I start, like counting, which the boys are learning too. Funny, I always wanted to learn Japanese but never had a reason and now I do.

Yes, that is the Sensei. He is awesome.He is so great with the kids and I have watch a few adult classes. Everyone there is really knowledgeable and helpful. I can't wait to start. He has been going to training camp so haven't been able to tell him I am starting. My BIL who has Down Syndrome is going to start too and I am so happy about that, it will be great for him. We will be in the same classes. My brother, who also has Down Syndrome is a black belt and I know it has done great things for him.

Decided to join the forum. Have been reading over it. My boys(5 year old twins) start karate the other week and it has really inspired me and I am going to be signing up and will be able to start the day they head to school on the 3rd. I decided for me I need to do this for a few reasons. I am someone who needs structure, goals, to be challenged, and always learning. I want to get in better shape. I deal with a lot of stress and I know this too will help with that. I am very excited. When I take the boys to class today I will be signing myself up. I am still learning about what all happens at the Dojo. It is a Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate & Kobudo Dojo. To me that is basically a foreign language but I am sure most of you know what it means. The Sensei is awesome. He is great with the kids as are the other Sensei's. Our main one is pretty wicked awesome. He is a nationally renowned martial arts practitioner and educator, having taught at the most prestigious Shorinkan training camps in the world.(taken from site) It makes me more excited to train under someone like him. For the small area we live in, I feel really lucky to have such a great Sensie. Anyways, I am here to read, learn, and ask stupid questions LOL