Nidan Melbourne

i say both. you need to practice to become better but also have the confidence to use it when required. If you lack confidence you will get hurt. But if you are confident but don't practice then you will get hurt. so it is a balancing act that every needs to have

Congrats! that must have been a real surprise

@Sensei8 - it is interesting my sensei is one of the instructors at a gasshaku that is run by Isshinryu Australia. And he was running kumite for several sessions and none of the others have heard of "Awase" Kumite, When the camp finished the other schools took that one back to their schools and made it part of the curriculum

When the light finally turns on inside a student head that says..."Wow...I figured it out...yes" and you can see that in their face, and they can't wait to share it with you...a moment that can't ever be replaced! Btw, excellent thread, thank you for it!! I love those moments. I had it the other day with Suparenpei (the Goju version) with the spin kick (crescent Kick with a spin). And I high fived my instructor cause that one step has really annoyed me. Yes!! The magic thing about the aha moment is that, students don't own the rights to those moments. No. Us instructors STILL have our aha moments from time to time. Some instructors seem to be more guarded to let students see that, but, for me, I don't care who see's my aha moments. Funny thing, not all of my aha moments are MA related. For example, I put little stick-on signs on each and every door in my dojo...AND...at the Hombu the following... "PUSH" And... "PULL" On both sides of the door, including double doors. Before I did that, I'd incorrectly open any given door...that can be embarrassing! When I'd get lucky with a given door, you could see it on my face...aha!! But when I put the "push/pull" signs on...well...I went from aha, to, AHA, and I'm sure students could see that written all over my face...and not just at first, but I'm still like that. I know...Bob the dork!! My sensei literally went "oh snap hell yeah!

Do Bassai Dai to the best of your ability. Throughout the grading give 100% and put it all out there on the mat. Even though your sensei is looking for how well you do the techniques, if you give it 100% then he/she won't care if you stuff up

I go to the gym every couple of days outside of karate and get the chance to do it. A few people happened to join me a few times and they do various styles

It is ok that you are scared of it. Everyone is scared of it when we are learning. What types of kumite do you practice at your school? During kumite try out different techniques. Kumite takes practice so don't feel bad. Don't think of kumite as winning and losing. Learn from every bout that you do. When fighting lower ranked students that is always a good time to practice techniques. At my dojo we do these types of kumite: 1) Awase Kumite - Soft and slow sparring - Contact isn't heavy - Practice as many techniques as you know - Helps students get used to sparring and practice techniques with an opponent 2) Point Sparring - Tournament style - controlled techniques - stronger techniques than awase - certain techniques forbidden - Thigh kicks - Groin Kicks - takedowns/throws allowed as long as controlled 3) 'Light' Sparring - Same as Point - All techniques allowed - contact at 85% - Groundwork allowed 4) Jyu Kumite (heavy kumite) - contact @ 95% - Groundwork permitted - all techniques allowed - Similar to Kyokushin karate

Why do you love bassai dai?

I will practice kihon or kata in the morning. I am rather sneeky, when i go to the gym I will practice there a bit in the class room (where there are fitness classes) and do it there.

When the light finally turns on inside a student head that says..."Wow...I figured it out...yes" and you can see that in their face, and they can't wait to share it with you...a moment that can't ever be replaced! Btw, excellent thread, thank you for it!! I love those moments. I had it the other day with Suparenpei (the Goju version) with the spin kick (crescent Kick with a spin). And I high fived my instructor cause that one step has really annoyed me.

The Interesting thing is that I recently spoke to someone who claims that he taught "karate" but when I asked what specific 'Style' of Karate he taught he responded with "I teach a variety of martial arts from my experiences of karate, taekwondo, jujitsu, judo, kajukenbo, boxing and a few others" Now I understand why he used the term karate for his school because a small portion of his curriculum comes from karate. But also it would have to be because of the way that Mixed Martial Arts is treated and viewed in many societies. So he refuses to call his school a MMA school. Majority of the public that don't do a form of martial art don't know the difference between them. I have spoken to a lot of people who are signing up for classes and friends, and they assumed it was all the same stuff anyway. Many people that I currently work with ask me what martial art they should do, and i ask them what martial arts they know and what they know about each. These are the most common answers i have received: - Karate - Taekwondo - Its the same as karate right? - Kung Fu - Do I have to shave my head? - BJJ - Isn't that like Judo? - Judo - Wrestling Until I told them that each of those martial arts were their own but there happened to be some overlap and from different countries they were surprised. And that in many of those martial arts that there are styles within' them.

For me a Martial Art is where you learn in a way to defend yourself for survival in a state of 'war' Note: I use the term 'war' loosely. I am using the word in the context of combat and survival Any forms of combat simulation be it pre-arranged or actual combat simulations where anything can happen. During times of peace or when we aren't in a state of 'war' we can use the form of martial arts in sport. Those who don't get pressured during kumite or other unpredictable moments during class or in tournaments people will crumple whilst defending themselves on the street. There are some Martial Arts that are an old form that is more irrelevant these days due to the nature of the combat forms. Such as the old forms of Swordsmanship in the days of gunpowder. Although there are some schools that are purely combat based, that have been developed from Armies around the world. Now that is a different form of combat as the development of it has been for the battlefield where you need to know the difference between ruthless aggression and compassion. For instance Krav Maga from Israel was for the army there and the state of war the country is in that you would use it on the street. In comparison to say Melbourne Australia you won't need such ruthless aggression. But other Martial Arts would come in handy. Self Defense Methods are still a form of Martial Art to me (IMHO) because you are learning how to defend yourself. But still have that state of war to ensure your survival.

I definitely think it is exploited. I overheard a lady the other day tell her kid (the kid asked) that the TKD class that was running was karate. I corrected her going "Actually if you look at the back of their uniform, it says Taekwondo" She asked me aren't they the same thing and I went "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO they are very different" TKD is more kicks and power, karate is kicks and punches.

Short Stance is often called 'Hourglass Stance'. It is Sanchin Dachi. Wastelander: Middle & Lower Block is at the same time yes.

Practice everyday and be extremely picky about what you do in every technique. Since you are planning on training on your own you will need to raise your heart rate by doing high intensity activities. Kata you can do at all speeds BUT whilst maintaining proper form and doing the techniques properly. Kumite you will stuggle with doing on your own.

Depending on where you go it will always be difficult. In Australia we have a National Federation for Karate, which is recommended that all schools join. But it is not a requirement for schools to do as some can just do their own styles federation. For Instance Shotokan one Branch is the JKA so some shotokan schools can just be a part of that. Otherwise with the AKF (Australian Karate Federation) the availability of tournaments (and being selected for the national squad) and others can help. Also it means that your school can be seen and fairly compared to others. And the AKF do not go out to tell you what you have to teach according to your style. They will help when needed and support the school for advice. But with individual associations that are small and specific it can often be restrictive in what you teach. But some like what was mentioned before can just let you teach you what you like. So maybe have a look around at associations. But not all associations will offer insurance etc. But many will suggest insurance companies that offer a reasonable price. And even membership some will require only a minimal price according to the number of students that you have

I've trained for 13 years and the only issues i have are with my knees and my shoulders. I receive treatment for them semi-regularly but also work out myself to strengthen them.

As an instructor what are your most satisfying moments as an instructor? Be it when a student finally understand something that has been annoying them. When a student reaches the rank of black belt, or whatever you find that makes you proud or feel touched. Now for me I have been teaching for 8 years now, and the most touching moments are when students finally figure out how to perform a technique (or stance) and are able to apply them

I'm curious to find out what terms you use for different techniques in your style of karate. Especially in relation to the interpretation of the japanese terms. For instance Yoko Geri which would translate to Yoko = Side & Geri = Kick. Now you can take it to either the literal translation and you perform and side kick. But one other interpretation is that the "yoko" portion of the term is where you aim for the kick. So therefore a Roundhouse Kick to the ribs. What terms do you use for these techniques/stances Short Stance Deep Lunging Stance (Forward Stance) Lower Stance (Shiko Dachi) + Its variations Cat Stance Half-Lunging stance Upper Block Middle Block Lower Block Upper & Lower Block Middle & Lower Block Outward Deflecting Block Inward Deflecting Block Knife Hand Block Front Kick Groin Kick Roundhouse Kick (Ribs) Roundhouse Kick (Head) Reverse Roundhouse Kick Back Kick Side Kick Knee-Joint Kick

Gedan Harai Uke is your standard lower block. In Japanese there are some letters that they don't have or use. But this is what I've been told by japanese tour guides and friends of mine that speak fluent japanese (or are japanese). Gedan Uke or Gedan Barai are a lower block. Although some schools will have a different use for each term.

Do you know what style of karate your friends do? It will be tough at first but it gets easier the more you train. I am overweight and 22 so i know how you feel. Your fitness will improve greatly when you train

I'm asking because (naturally) I see differences in your performance and the way I've learned it myself or have seen it in other dojos, so I'd be interested in learning more about the bunkai that you use in your dojo. I have found that even within one and the same style and org there can be minor differences in the way a kata is done, and vast differences in the way the kata is interpreted and bunkai is practiced. Do you by chance have a video contaning your bunkai? Or of any other kata that you do? OSU! The Bunkai for Suparenpei I have absolutely no clue about. Considering it is considered the last kata in the style. I don't have a video of any bunkai that my school does. don't forget to take into account i am relatively new to performing this kata. so Timing was off

Any chance can you make a video so we can check it out to give advice

I think when your selecting a school (& Style) it comes down to what you want to achieve from it. Be it Fitness, Self Defense or Competition (or all of them). For me, originally when I was signed up it was for Fitness & Self-Defense (But I didn't have the mentality of self-defense applications). That was when I was 9. Now I still have Fitness & Self-Defense of things I want out of Karate, but now also I have competition in my eyes of my training. But I know when to focus on Self-Defense and Competition. But for me competition helps with my self-defense, as kumite helps with the pressure of a street attack (if you have an opponent who 'bulldozes') When it came to selecting a school for me, my parents chose a school that I could learn to defend myself. Yet still they chose a style (which they knew nothing of) that Physically I could do without injuring myself (as much). And they did not think of competition experience as important, just how well the instructors could teach me to defend myself. Since I took time off during year 12 and restarted, I chose the school of my old instructor of whom started his own school. I went with him because of the rapport that i have with him, but also because i know that he can teach effectively and also if i ever decided to compete he could train me up.

I don't think politics are really at play here. Even though he (Diaz) admitted it was error, but still the referees deemed it be better than the other kata. They changed the rules to make mistakes like this more acceptable.