Nidan Melbourne

No I don't use that app for training, with clients I use my Canon 70D of which is linked up to my computer to show them what they need to work on.

Well JR 137 and I had our first challenge on the weekend and JR absolutely destroyed me in the process by 15,000 odd steps. Didn't help that I was teaching most of the weekend and had to have my fitbit off then it dying on me for an hour or so.

Personally i do not recommend learning a new martial art from videos or books. Often we will look at those resources for history or to revise skills or forms.

Oh and one of our forum Members (RJCKarate) just pointed out to me he also attended this seminar. Neither of us realised it at the time which makes it a little bit funnier also that we corrected each others technique at one point in the seminar

At my club and old club for that matter we had no formalised training program that we run. What we do is when they reach Brown Belt (2nd Kyu) they are able to assist teaching. But they also have to be at least 12 years old. They can run the warm up, and take a small group under express supervision of a black belt. If we have adults that are 14+ and are 2nd Kyu they are able to take groups on their own but is dependent on their skill level, but not allowed to bow classes in or out. At Black Belt they are allowed to bow the class in and out if they are the most senior instructor there, as is the case for me during out juniors classes on Saturday Mornings where I am the most senior there.

Using Martial Arts is great for the kids and adults as well to stay motivated and having fun whilst getting treated for whatever their physical or psychological problem they have is. In terms of Physical Therapy it is vital to keep the person interested and motivated. If they aren't then their road to recovery becomes harder. This is why they run such programs in Hospitals, especially with the kids as that keeps them interested but making the Physical Therapy less daunting. I have been working closely with colleagues of mine who are undertaking their Master of Exercise Physiology at the moment, and they are using my skills as a Karateka and instructor to help their clients.

Hi All, I curious to know how many of you use Fitbit or other Fitness Tracker Mediums (i.e. jawbone, fitbit etc) to keep track of your physical health? As such I am interested in making a KF Fitbit Challenge on a weekly basis between members. If you are interested please send me a pm with your email that you have used to sign up so we can challenge each other for further motivation. Sorry Moderators + Patrick if not allowed.

My diet is pretty well balanced between protein carbs and fat. I'm not big on tracking that stuff, but I was tracking calories and what I ate to see if things needed to be changed. No one's diet is perfect, and neither is mine by any means. But it's realistic. I just eat a little less. If I hit a wall, I'll track that stuff closer. I've bet using my Fitbit and the app that goes with it. Mainly for heart rate and number of calories. Great work on the weight loss currently, and keep up the great work! Since your losing the weight, don't forget that you need to work on strength to stabilise your body. For your diet, i personally wouldn't personally count the calories but be aware of how much is in them. But changing your portion sizes is vital including what you eat. As I don't count calories, but i go for the food that is nutritional low GI. I normally keep a food diary to keep track of what I eat. Personally my diet consists of primarily fruits and vegetables, then some protein coming from meat. My carbs are lower than what I normally consumed, but mainly comes from bread and noodles now that I have once or twice every 2-3 weeks. I know majority of Americans these days are overweight or obese but is usually due to portion size and how much sugar is in everything. But congrats on cutting out the soft drinks out of your life. I have been trying to lose weight as well and doing well on this attempt. That is why I love using my Fitbit to help me see what I'm doing. Since I have the Fitbit Flex it doesn't keep track of my Heart Rate, but i do keep track of what I eat (they finally added the Australian Foods), and how far I walk everyday. Also keeping track of how much sleep I get. I'm keeping track of all the stuff you are too. My wife bought it for me for my birthday last year because I said "I wonder how many steps I'm taking every day." I also wanted to track my sleep because it's awful. She bought it without me asking for it nor thinking about it. Being a school teacher who never sits down and constantly paces around the room, I average 20,000 steps a day (on work days). Think that's a bit high though, to be honest with you. I wake up 2-3 times per night on average. I've been contemplating seeing a sleep specialist because of it (not because what the Fitbit is telling me). The Fitbit is a great tool. The app is a bit bare bones, and the "active minutes" is a bit inflated IMO, but nothing's perfect. I guess compared to a sedentary office worker it isn't inflated though. If you like the non-HR Fitbit, the Charge HR would most likely be a good investment. I just don't like how you can't get the time or anything else to constantly display. But I guess I'm used to it. Their app has friend challenges. No idea how to do it/set it up. If you're interested and know how, PM me. It could keep us both motivated. That was a good idea for you wife to do. It does really help with motivation in the long run. As it helps keep me motivated and is brutally honest so i can be held accountable for what I do or don't do. Considering the 'Active Minutes' is based of M.E.T you have to ensure that you keep the information accurate to have the minutes to be accounted for. I'm looking at upgrading to the Fitbit Blaze when it is released here in Australia, as that will help me keep track of everything especially for work and placement. If you have friends on Facebook or via the email that you set it up with you then can invite them that way as friends then you can send challenges through the app itself in the challenge section.

I totally understand that Noah. We do Kyogi Kumite as an opportunity for students to understand the kata better and to make applications for all techniques in the kata that suits their physiological needs. As you said this is similar to what we do, but instead of us asking they perform their interpretations with their partner. Often if we feel like they need to demonstrate specific steps we will ask and they will demonstrate on the spot. For our 1st Kyu Students they have to either perform 10 Saifa Kyogi (Juniors Only) or 25 Seeiunchin Kyogi (1st Kyu Seniors). For all our Black Belt Grades it is 25 seeiunchin irregardless of seniors or juniors, our seniors still perform the 25 seeiunchin with the requirement that they are new for when they go for their Shodan. As we have 1st kyu then promoted to Shodan-Ho then promoted again to Shodan etc.

31/1 Lat Pull Down 3x5x150 45s rest 3,5,3 Anterior Deltoid Press 3x10x125 30s rest 4.4.4 Cable Row 2x10x150 45s rest 5,10,5 Leg Press 3x10x400 3min rest 3,4,8 Calf Raises 3x10x180 1min rest 3,4,3 Deadlifts 3x10x250 90s rest 5,10,15 Good Mornings 2x10x100 1m rest 4,4,4 Horizontal Adductor Flexion 4x10x150 30s rest 4,8,8 Lateral KB Flexion 3x5x30(kg) 1min rest 5,10,15 The numbers at the end are indicative of speed of movement. so 4,4,4 = 4s flexion, 4s hold, 4s extension or through the range of motion. Kata: Bassai Dai x3 - Slow - Fast - Legs Only whilst carrying BJJ Grappling Dummy Suparempei x3 - Fast - Normal Speed with Resistance Bands - Normal Speed

My diet is pretty well balanced between protein carbs and fat. I'm not big on tracking that stuff, but I was tracking calories and what I ate to see if things needed to be changed. No one's diet is perfect, and neither is mine by any means. But it's realistic. I just eat a little less. If I hit a wall, I'll track that stuff closer. I've bet using my Fitbit and the app that goes with it. Mainly for heart rate and number of calories. Great work on the weight loss currently, and keep up the great work! Since your losing the weight, don't forget that you need to work on strength to stabilise your body. For your diet, i personally wouldn't personally count the calories but be aware of how much is in them. But changing your portion sizes is vital including what you eat. As I don't count calories, but i go for the food that is nutritional low GI. I normally keep a food diary to keep track of what I eat. Personally my diet consists of primarily fruits and vegetables, then some protein coming from meat. My carbs are lower than what I normally consumed, but mainly comes from bread and noodles now that I have once or twice every 2-3 weeks. I know majority of Americans these days are overweight or obese but is usually due to portion size and how much sugar is in everything. But congrats on cutting out the soft drinks out of your life. I have been trying to lose weight as well and doing well on this attempt. That is why I love using my Fitbit to help me see what I'm doing. Since I have the Fitbit Flex it doesn't keep track of my Heart Rate, but i do keep track of what I eat (they finally added the Australian Foods), and how far I walk everyday. Also keeping track of how much sleep I get.

Good to know you had a great experience. btw Goju-Ryu you chamber at rib height. Hope you enjoy what your learning!!!

To add onto what JR 137 has stated, what you are experiencing is normal. With the exception of the clouded vision as this can be an indicator of numerous problems. Interval Training is amazing especially for Tournament competitors due to the nature of what you have to do. For the timing of the intervals themselves it varies from person to person especially when starting off. But the intervals will change drastically when those times are plateauing. BUT IMHO this does not work for every person who is trying to lose weight, due to certain conditions that inhibit their ability to undertake such training. I'd say majority of us who are active on this board are able to do it safely without risk of injury. I would say you should speak to your doctor to get a work up prior to doing intense exercise dependent on your age, if your over 45 your normally are recommended to see a doctor to be given a work up and approval to start such exercise. Don't forget Interval Training is not just Cardio based, but also can be used with strength training as well. Nearly every MA you can also do interval training with multiple partners where you have to work hard. I know of Sensei Bruce Hyland of Ishinryu Australia utilises this at his clubs and has been quite successful in using it for all his students.

That is always the hard part training them in the same techniques but with and without the prosthetic. The people i have worked with have managed to learn without the prosthetic then in their own time had figured out how to do it with the prosthetic. This was all before their next class

Usually i find that each student will have that aha moment when i either explain it differently or get them doing the technique differently (either broken down or otherwise). But many of our students finally get it when they have a different instructor who explains or demonstrates it differently

Welcome FYI Yoga is great. Also just so you have a bit of background info on a physio and an exercise physiologist/scientist (physiologist = master, scientist = undergraduate). A physio will do some rehab and can assist with flexibility. But an Exercise Scientist or an Exercise Physiologist are exercise prescription based whilst working with injury or not + work with rehab where they can prescribe more in terms of what you want to improve on whilst a physiotherapist doesnt

My advice from an Excercise Scientist P.O.V you should do both. As this would mean that your body is getting used to those movements again. Flexibility training should be part of your everyday life and strength training is important. Take note that a lot of schools who teach roundhouse kicks will have the target at head height or above. But majority of people do not have such flexibility to do such techniques and will risk injury to do them. Consult a Personal Trainer (low recommendation), a physiotherapist (moderate) or an Exercise Scientist or Physiologist (highly recommended) if you want to help develop some flexibility. But the risk is injury when your older and trying to develop flexibility. So going slowly and finding your limit is important, do not push it too far. I am not very flexibile and i'm 23 so instead of doing the higher kicks i do middle level kicks instead. flexibility is an annoying area because you can't just train in it every few days, you have to do it everyday. This is due to your body returning to its original state

Solid post!! I've not ever had the honor to teach a student that's an amputee. Had I, I would've went along the lines of what Nidan Melbourne posted. Thanks i have worked with a few amputees in a class previously and each had a different issue. They were very nice people and they learnt a lot.

In every style we have Bunkai and begin teaching it at different points in time. And Kyogi Kumite is done in limited schools, but is simply your own interpretation on the kata. Bunkai is the club or association requirement which is set in stone. Kyogi is what you come up with and is different from person to person. Now what i am asking is what bunkai do you teach and at what rank do you start teaching it? And the same goes for Kyogi Kumite if your school does this. For instance for my sandan promotion i have to be able to do the following bunkai and kyogi: - Gekesai Bunkai - Saifa Bunkai - Seeiunchin Bunkai - Sanseru Bunkai - 25 Seisan Kyogi

The hard thing is there is no one definitive way to do it as each amputee is different. Probably work with them to develop modifications appropriate to them

Personally i haven't seen any self defence programs for those with mobility issues. but would be interested in seeing it though

That is an excellent idea, the use of a cane is an excellent idea and perfectly legal since it is a mobility aid.

To me it is respectful to shake hands after each round and congratulating the other person. If you won you just be humble and say good job. If you lost you say congratulations and both move on. One person i went head to head with over the last couple of years, he always offered advice afterwards

I read somewhere that Mas Oyama used red as one of kyu grades in Kyokushin, but then eliminated it out of respect for high ranking yudansha who wore it in other systems. I remember seeing one "traditional Japanese karate" school at a tournament that used red as a kyu grade. We were sitting in the bleachers when a group of about ten 8-12 year olds walked into the gym wearing them. My Sensei at the time quietly said to us "look at all the little grandmasters." I asked one of my classmates' little brother how he felt knowing there were 10th dans in his division. We had a good laugh about it. At my old club and current club we have Red Belts as a Kyu Grade, I am not sure why and how this transpired. My old Chief Instructor from my old club trained underneath Tino Ceberano who was a Goju-Kai Practitioner, sent to Australia by request of Gogen Yamaguchi-Sensei. So i feel like this is where it may have come from and popped up in my clubs over the years

I agree with what you said. Because every school is different for requirements and how long it takes to earn your Black Belt (Many grade from 1st Kyu straight to Shodan whilst many do 1st Kyu to Shodan-Ho). At my old school they said you could earn your Shodan-Ho in three years, but that meant in reality training 5-6 days per week and not missing any classes and not failing any in-class tests etc. For me it took around 7 years to earn my Black Belt, this was due to training 2-3 days per/week often 5 day per week. But also due to having school camps, injuries/surgeries and school sport to contend with. But for all dan grades it meant you had to spend that grade you're attempting for + 6 months. So for a Shodan-Ho to be eligible to grade for Shodan meant you had to spend 18+ months at that rank, also be training actively for that time frame. For Nidan it is 2 1/2 years so on and so forth. For me this year is my 15th Year of training (wow!) and am content where i am at with my training, but will always push forward to become not only a better martial artist but a better person. I know many instructors who stopped grading after attaining either Yondan or Godan because they're happy with that and don't feel like they would gain anything out of grading again. But that doesn't stop them from promoting students to Nidan or Sandan, because these instructors have the experience and knowledge of say a Nanadan or Hachidan. IMHO I feel like when people say you can't grade someone to this rank purely because of you not being 2 grades higher is a touch silly! with an explanation of course: Say a person is a Nidan who has been at that rank for 30 years, continually working on the entire curriculum taught to them and they know the applications and able to perform better than say a Godan in the same club. Why would you stop them from grading a student to Shodan or Nidan themselves. I know when I reach my Godan, i'll be content and may or may not want to grade again. But I will never stop a student from attempting their sandan or yondan grading. I know there would be critics out there for it, but I would be ok with it because i would be knowledgeable in what to look for, and if i wanted the assistance i would ask my sensei to come to the grading and assist for an external opinion. End of rant of my lonely opinion.