Nidan Melbourne

My fiancé suffers from ptsd and i also teach many children who suffer from it also. When my fiancé has an episode it is usually due to stress and being put into positions that remind her of her abuse. But she has been working on it for some time now to recognise it (onset) and how to control it. With the kids they feel most comfortable moving off the mats and going into the toilets that are in the room. These kids i have taught for several years so they feel most comfortable with me there. As they find it easy to let all those emotions out, and have someone who will listen to them. For all of them meds is the last thing they should need

Happy New Year my loving KF Members!

congrats mate you deserved it

18th December 2014 2 hours - Balintawak Arnis - 12 Basic Strikes - 12 Basic Block and Counter - 4 Groupings 4 hours Karate - Kata - ALL Taikyoku Kata - Gekesai Ich + Ni - Saifa - Seeiunchin - Sanseru - Seisan - Seipai - Shisochin - Kururunfa - Suparempei - Jion - Anan Each Kata i did 4 times each - Slow and strong - Fast but still with control and proper timing (Full Timing) - Back to front (start at the end of the kata and work progressively towards to the actual start of the kata (can't do with some of the katas ie saifa) - Start with the opposite foot in front - The Taikyoku Kata you step forward with the right foot and pivot left. But this one you will step forward with the left foot and pivot to the right. - Kihon - All Basics with no exceptions

Congratulations and great work!

I understand that you don't feel like you had earnt it because you didn't spar either of them. But did the grading feel alright to you as a whole and did you spar people that pushed you? It is unusual that they wouldn't want to fight you. but does show that they believe that if they fight you they will be showing others that they aren't very good. And what makes a genuine karateka for you? For instance we give GKR flack for not being very good but many of their students do still train hard to be the best they can. It is hard and frustrating when you can see that the curriculum has been watered down and aimed at the juniors. I am continually frustrated by that when instructors do that. Having a Licence book is different between schools. At my dojo we don't use them, but sensei keeps a record of all gradings and events that you attend on behalf of the dojo and when it comes to registering with our state and national federations every year we provide them with a list of the updates. Maybe even if you have good control and haven't hurt anyone, there may be a chance that you might hit too hard but they don't want to tell you. Also being unaffiliated can occur when a club doesn't associate with an association of the same style. Because they may want the freedom and not feel restricted. But does often show how sketchy their training is.

I don't have any tattoos but I have considered getting a yin/yang tattoo on my forearm as a reminder that there is always light at the end of the tunnel and that there will always been evil in the good and vice versa.

Welcome to the forum and hope we can help with things. I look forward to seeing things that you put up. Like Cheesfrysamurai i train in a more traditional art that is rigid in structure. But is still fluid with its forms. My kata may be set in stone with what techniques i have to do. But the speed, strength and power is up to me. even the kihon (basics) of my style i may have adjusted slightly to fit me as a person. I appreciate how you started your own style. Do you plan on continually training in your previously 'main' style of martial art whilst doing your own?

We don't really have academic requirements but we do require our students grading to Shodan-Ho and higher to do a written exam with some questions. It disappoints me when our juniors don't know some information that they should really know. Like the terminology and other general knowledge questions that all karateka should be able to answer. & Lupin1 why isn't it a requirement for students to have the isshinryu badge on their gi's for you guys? I am already looking at opening my own dojo in a few years time or even a branch dojo of my current school and I would have extra requirements for all students at my dojo to have that knowledge.

As the header says what annoys you personally the most when it comes to the type of people in your dojo that they don't do what their meant to. Or even schools that you have seen but don't train at? And on the other hand what do you love most about your school or other schools that you have seen?

Speak to Zach about it. Because he may or may not be interested in it. If he does take up jujitsu he will evolve his karate to the next level as he will see things differently and will be better equipped to think outside of the box

It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. But speak to your instructor for advice on sizing. Otherwise if he is wanting to get a specific belt from a specific company and you have no idea then contact the company and ask about what size to get.

I believe anyone can achieve the rank of black belt. Many believe many are under the belief that if they pay an amount they will get a black belt with minimal training. But I am under the belief that people that want to get their black belt should put the time and effort into it. We pay $85 per month which covers training fees, grading (including belts and certificates), insurance and training hall fees (to pay rent). The only other things we pay extra for are uniforms and sparring equipment for when we need them. And the only time a student will pay for a new belt is if they happen to lose their belt.

Happy Holidays to you Patrick and the loving KF Family

That is unusual where the sempai and sensei refused to spar you. I know many schools that have a desk and the instructors will sit behind it and tell you what to do from there. Every single grading my sensei has run and i have ever been to 90% of the instructors that are there jump in and spars everyone. The only reason it is 90% and not 100% because they need 1 or 2 people to write any notes down on people who are fighting.

I did a small tournament on Sunday the other day where it was just my club and 4 other clubs. we for some reason had it as a compulsory kata list that had the following for each round for the Black Belt Division: 1) Seeiunchin 2) Seisan 3) Seipai 4) Kururunfa 5) Suparempei 6) Tokui (Free choice) We had the opportunity for a Tokui Kata in the final round because many of us black belts were advanced enough to know more than just the Goju Kata. I made it to the final round at performed Anan whilst my opponent from one of the other dojo's performed Unsu. I came 1st which was awesome. Each of the 5 clubs had to have 5 people from each rank to compete in the divisions. So 9 ranks * 5 Students = 45 students and had to have 45 juniors and only 18 adults to compete. This was meant to be for fun and preparation for tournaments, but also at the same time we were able to test people for kata (if they were eligible). We also ran kumite that afternoon but i didn't enter, and any student from the dojos could enter into the appropriate rank. We ran each division the same way as the WKF runs the international competitions; aka and ao. But we provided the belts to those who didn't have them. The Juniors kata was Tokui after round 3.

We often change the footwork to further our understanding of the kata. But it doesn't change the dojo version that we do. It is a lot of fun and very interesting way to do it. Say seeiunchin where there is a lot of shikodachi we will change that to say zenkutsu dachi.

I have our juniors ask me all the time how much i practice outside of the dojo. I tell them that it varies week by week. But when I am at work (2 jobs) when i am stuck behind the desk I can't as much but when i am with clients in the gym i practice stances. outside of work i practice usually practice by myself everyday. but when my fiance (newly engaged by the way) stays over we do partner-work.

So you are restricted to your ranks form and below?

3/12/2014 Double Class (2 Hours total) 1st Class - light warm up - kumite drills - including takedowns, thigh kicks and throws - kata - Gekesai Ichi - seeiunchin - sanseru - both kata twice through + go through specifics in certain steps. 2nd Class Warm Up - with Partner - 10 sit ups - 5 sit ups at 1 partners choice of speed - last 5 at other partners choice of speed - 10 push ups - same as sit ups Shiko Dachi - follow sensei's commands as to what directions to go - Left - slide to left - Right - slide to right - Hidari - 90 Degree turn to left - Migi - 90 Degree turn to right - Pivot - On spot pivot to one side like your doing an angled punch - Up - Tuck Jump and land back in shikodachi Kata continued - Seeiunchin - Sanseru - Seisan (Done twice) - Shisochin

Congrats Canadian77!

I agree it does sound really muddled up and it annoys me greatly. Also I read on one of their websites that they are planning on adding more things.

depending on the grade we will usually require them to know the syllabus. For white belts we require them to be able to know how and show that they know how to perform the basics. Kata by the count and even better if they can do it on their own. Pre-arranged sparring whilst stationary. For stances they have to be able to show they can move forwards and backwards. We want them to show the techniques that are strong and to see at least some hip movement. For all our kyu grades we use a 'tag' system where you have to get 5 'tags' before being eligible to grade. Each 'Tag' represents a different part of the syllabus that they have passed for each belt. Tag 1 - Basic Tag 2 - Combinations Tag 3 - Kata Tag 4 - Pre-Arranged Sparring Tag 5 - Kumite Although for White Belts they have Tag 1 - Kicks Tag 2 - Basics Tag 3 - Combinations Tag 4 - Kata Tag 5 - Pre-Arranged Sparring The main exception to the rule is for our kyu grades are for the 1st Kyu's where they can grade for their Shodan-Ho with 4 tags where they don't have their kumite tag. But the only time that they can grade with 4 is if there is not enough time to get that last tag.

What is the best type of belt you have come across over the years? As in they last a long time as they keep their shape without wearing down, they don't fade etc. My Black Belt is made by adidas and have had it for the last 6 years. It has faded only a little tiny bit, it has remained in otherwise perfect condition even with the amount of blood, sweat and tears that have seeped into its fibers. I have not washed it at all (as you shouldn't). Do you have a belt like that or even a brand that you give to students that are of a good quality, but still is of good value?

That is very unusual response for a gi. Maybe there may be something in the gi that is responding to your sweat that is making it red?