Nidan Melbourne

At my dojo we don't do it purely because my sensei is still a 3rd Dan. His instructor is a godan (hasn't bothered to grade in a long time because he is content where he is). and still wears his black belt which is in taters. But he believes you should just wear a black belt no matter what your dan grade is

I don't have any children just yet (i'm 23!) but i have taught privately my cousins children because they are getting bullied and my cousin wanted them to learn how to defend themselves. So that is fairly close though; 1 is very interested and the other is kind of interested but not fully in to it.

I fight predominately in orthodox but i fight a lot of people that are lefties so they fight southpaw. So I have gotten used to those types of fighters along with the orthodox. I trained in both orthodox and southpaw to accommodate for more of a well rounded approach.

In relation to stretching are you doing them dynamically or static? Stretching should be a daily thing and not only twice a week. For rest/recovery days you currently are doing it just as much as you are active. On average you should have 2 recovery days per week. so the other days are to be active days, but the other two should still be light activity.

For example, the gedan barai (low block) in Tekki Shodan/Naihanchi is clearly explained to be an arm bar by Gichin Funakoshi. Whilst it is important to develop skill with that technique in static and then live training, you must also develop the principles relating to that technique too. Especially when training in live-based sparring as you might not be able to perform the technique exactly, however you can still use the principles learned from them. I cannot see how practicing just the solo kata gives you the skill (of timing and distance) to move your body effectively in a real confrontation. And even if it did, then why do kata have arm movements? If the kata shows an age uke or a gyaku zuki or a manji uke, why does it matter? why are there hand motions in the kata at al if all the kata are about is moving the body? Yes it may have been described by Funakoshi Sensei to be an arm bar. BUT are you going to restrict yourself to just using it as an armbar? NO you're not going to, because you may not see it that way. Every technique in every single kata there is has more than 1 usage. Look at the humble Age Uke (upper block), yes you can use it as the block as the name suggests but you can use as a strike (ie to the jaw) or as a setup for an arm bar. Also when you said "And even if it did, then why do kata have arm movements?" it is the same as me going to you "Then why does kihon have leg movements?" When you move your BODY it is not restricted to your legs, trunk & head BUT YOUR ENTIRE BODY THAT INCLUDES ARMS + LEGS Kata is a template for learning skills that you can use instead of just practicing individual techniques. But it (Kata) is not meant to be giving you the skills for a realistic situation. Because timing and distancing are two skills that will vary person to person and have to be developed. Every kata has techniques (obviously, DUH!!!) that assist in teaching and training techniques and movements that you can use. But every movement has the correlated leg movement be it a step or a turn which can be used. And also have hard and soft variations of it + ensure that you can learn to judge how hard to hit. Even some movements you are able to use as evasion to prevent being hit from an attacker hence why many kata have you go on various angles. So kata gives you the tools and possibilities of usage of the same technique in so many different ways. But so many techniques in kata you won't necessarily use in relation to a situation like kumite or a self defense situation. But training in kata will assist in training you to move in a way to assist in setting up a better line of attack or skill. At my dojo, we not only practice Bunkai which is set by my sensei but also we practice kyogi kumite which we create ourselves which is based from kata. So we use this as a way that we can explain the kata from our perspective and use them to exhibit how you can use techniques in a self defense situation. Why do we do kyogi kumite? because every person is unique so they see movements in kata very differently and have a different use for it. But also their physiology is different as in injuries that inhibit movement or general restrictions etc.

Thanks for the welcome! Unfortunately I can't remember his surname. I've trained at a few other schools around Australia but it never stuck - it was never quite as interesting. I'm open to training elsewhere, but if he's still in business I'll sign up with him. Is your old school still in operation? If they are still operating you can probably contact them to find out what happened to Robert and what his surname is? I hope you have luck finding him.

No I haven't seen a Dojo for Rent before. Very interesting concept though. We rent a space but we have to bring our own mats but have to pack them up at the end of classes.

First off welcome to the forum! Have you tried looking up the person on google? Would you still be open to training with other schools or are you set on training with Robert?

hmmm i feel like it is seisan is one the core kata from Goju-Ryu. Otherwise it is Sanchin is a core kata.

That is unfortunate that you haven't been able to find a school that is understanding that you want to train but also that you travel for work as well. At my dojo we have a number of adult students that are in the same boat as you. But what we have as a membership option is lesson based and isn't time based. It is a 40 lesson membership so it is enough to cover all the lessons required to grade + a couple of lessons of the next rank on the proviso you pass your tests when they are scheduled and also when gradings are set. That membership was designed for those who are always very busy and can't always make it to the dojo every week. So less stress for the person.

Congratulations to your sensei! you have the right to be proud! That was an excellent Chinto

Although i believe it depends on the brand of the belt itself. All the belts I have owned or currently own; the companies advise that you cannot wash your belt. But have seen some brands that are okay with you washing the belts.

It is funny because as an Instructor I hate (tbh) it when people try and help when they actually don't know what they are talking about. Even a lot a students that are inexperienced I have noticed try and do it to the instructors. Although I admit that I do it, BUT only because I have many years experience teaching. But i listen to what they say and don't interrupt what they are saying. But chime in when information they are giving is actually incorrect or could be described in a way that more people understand. ALSO I do check with the instructor if it is ok if I do it, although I don't do this to sensei or a fill in head instructor (My sensei has been away on holidays in the US for the last few weeks)

No i don't have a weapons licence as I don't train in weapons with the exception of Balintawak Arnis (Sticks). But I do plan on applying for one.

Welcome to the forum njc81! Here in Victoria we have strict laws regarding all weapons. And requires permission from the police commissioner to own or import. http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=110

I found it moderately hard but that is because it was the time i started taking karate seriously. But I have taught a lot of students over the years and a lot of them have quit because it is getting harder for them to pass tests. Especially when they start failing more and more because they aren't using their hips correctly and not doing kihon correctly. So they get disheartened when they realise they can't cruise through the grades like they used to. As green belts in my dojo is 5th kyu so the middle belt. We expect them to perform all techniques + kata that are up to their rank to a high standard.

That's how my old school did it. In my opinion that is excellent for the kids, it gives them a sense of achievement rather often and keeps them striving to move forward plus it doesn't drain any wallets! Now, my school ran $200 for dan gradings, but that did include registration with the national governing body, we tested in a hotel conference room, so it covered the cost of that, and also it covered expenses for the board members including the founder of our system.. All in all, it is terribly steep but when you think of where the money goes it makes sense.. I want to say the gup gradings were $35, I could be wrong it's been a while since I did one of those. When I look back at my school I think that sometimes it was a bit of a mcdojo but for the most part I think it was on the up and up. We graded every 3 months and if you were ready and your time in rank was satisfied you could test at each one, that's how I moved up so quickly. I also attended classes 6 days a week, so I was definitely prepared when it came to the grading cycle. I think that rapid advancement of some sort is needed with younger practitioners, hence why I am a big fan of the colored stripes between gradings, it really makes you feel like you're doing something. Now the way that I would do it personally would be to have around 10-12 ranks for juniors and also add the colored stripes, probably grade every 3-6 months and allow them to move up but at the black belt level I would have an age requirement and an extremely high standard. For the adults I would only have 3-4 belts total, I feel that they do not need the same motivation that the juniors would and therefore could be in the same rank longer, this would insure that their costs were kept down and also that when they did move up there would be substantial improvement, I would probably only grade them once a year.. At least that's how I see it but alas I do not have my own style, or even my own school. Why are your dan gradings so expensive? I'm curious to know the breakdown of the price for it? If there are more or less of people that are eligible to grade does that cost change?

What was the overall reasoning for students returning their belts after being promoted? I am guessing it is to save on costs of belts (for the operations front)?

excellent work Bushido_man96! Patrick did you take a photo of the sword for us to see?

Sorry moderators + Patrick if it is in the wrong forum. I am looking for some specialised training for tournaments in particular Kata from other styles of karate. As I am wanting to gain the experience and knowledge so I can try out for the state team next year. Does anyone in Melbourne Australia know anywhere I can train for that specialist training? Moderators pull it down if deemed inappropriate

Tbh sounds like a belt factory

Check out some of the pics that my partner took for me on the day https://www.facebook.com/liamohalloran/media_set?set=a.10153176810013142.1073741835.541368141&type=3

accidents happen and you have apologised profusely for it. It shows that you weren't out to hurt her. I have knocked out a few people before and i felt guilty about it for ages. They all have said that it was their fault because they didn't have their hands up

If you are going to do full contact biggest rule is HAVE PARAMEDICS there as they will ensure safety. and many locations will mandate you have them there or even just first aiders on hand at all times. even 1 or 2 per tatami

Congrats RAM18! that is a huge step.