Nidan Melbourne

Currently a mix of Peyton Parish, AC/DC, Lena

Being a Goju person myself, i have seen some schools (Goju based) include Naihanchi into their syllabus. They are definitely designed to teach different things. As far as Naihanchi blatently has several foot sweeps, whereas goju katas dont really utilise such a technique in their katas. But when you compare it to Sanchin, which heavily focuses on the breathing and the tension. but Naihanchi is more relaxed and has more fluid rotation. Shuri and Tomari Styles might not practice Sanchin because their teachers either weren't taught the kata. or the "Founders" didn't find that it fit within' the scope of what they were teaching at the time. Applying Naihanchi to your training in Goju, it is quite easy. Break it down, understand the movements and techniques that it teaches. I found when learning it and performing it, that it sits quite nicely within' the world of goju. It just has some movements that we don't have in other kata - namely the lateral movements. And Yes I do teach the kata to all my students, as so they can understand the importance of their centre of gravity and how to move.

you're doing a great thing for yourself Ken. I myself had an issue with Alcohol; and quit drinking many years ago. Although I do rarely drink nowadays, but I have strict rules surrounding me touching the stuff and how much.

well atm i've got Barbara Rhubarbara stuck in my head ( ) Otherwise i've been listening to A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton

I visited a Dojo once as I was travelling for work, and this particular dojo has a rule. If your late You can train, but you have to wear a "Barbie" Gi the next class. But if you actually liked "Barbie" then the sensei gave you something you didn't like. And he seriously had 20-30 Gi (all in our standard sizes) of different "costumes".

I do like the idea of recording classes; so you can review the classes and also for students in attendance can check it out. Also from experience, when I do record classes it comes in handy if I need to review it when any issues arise (student behaviour, injuries etc). Although I have 2 Rules when it comes to filming any class: 1) Get consent from ALL students (and guardians of those under 18 yrs) 2) Those training can withdraw their consent at any time. They can still train, but i'll ensure they aren't seen. Also I do not upload any footage from any class to our facebook or website unless I have further written consent from the people involved.

At the end of the day, you don't have to run classes for kids if you aren't looking to make a profit. Even if you were to make a profit, you can still run classes for 16+ or even 18+ years. With the explanation that for the safety of participants, they need to be able to consent to what they're going to learn and classes may be physically demanding. I know a few instructors run classes for 18+ only for profit, their reasoning is that they are going to do "real world" stuff. and run classes at different times throughout the day and locations. So being over 18 is a requirement.

When I did BJJ, I think it took my instructors several classes before considering having us start rolling with other students. Doing Rolls; we did start learning them in our 2nd lesson, but the instructors took their time to teach us how to do them safely. But standing was only if we were 100% comfortable doing so from lower "crouching" positions. Gradings/Promotions in BJJ does vary from club to club or organisation to organisation.

Recently I was speaking to a client (I'm an Exercise Scientist by trade); where they were asking me about how and why we do certain exercises in certain movement patterns. Then how it might relate to our Martial Arts Training. As we spoke; I explained that when we exercise it should be done with "Natural" movements. Which is the same for Karate in many ways. As they never had any formal training in Karate and had limited exposure to working out in a Gym. We did a workout comprising of both; where I would ensure that they learnt how to safely to perform the movements. What truly surprised them; was the similarity of how you often stand for stability when performing a split stance cable row vs performing either Moto Dachi (Fighting Stance) or Zenkutsu Dachi (Deep lunging stance). even writing this post; it reminds me of a qoute - The Advanced postures becomes ones Natural postures.

Which can be way sky high or don't cover what one thought. I spoke to one of my friends who recently competed for Australia at a recent Youth Tournament. Yes there is insurance for the event; but they were encouraged to get their own insurance prior to leaving to ensure coverage. Especially for the kumite competitors; although there is some cheap options here in Australia that is not going to cost you an arm and a leg like it might in the US.

Depends greatly on what I am working on. Something slow when I'm in on a Tai Chi flow vs something like Linkin Park when I am in the Kumite mood.

Congrats to those who earnt their awards this year!

Recently on Facebook, the cost for the Elite Tournaments (Premiere League, A-Series etc) for entrants was released. most of the entry fees were approx 150Euro ($245aud or $161usd +/-) just for the tournaments themselves. Yes I understand there are other costs factored in (Travel Expenses and Accommodation) to why people have caused a fuss. But what erks me is how much of a privilege it is to 1 be on the National Team in ANY Sport, but also not understanding that it costs money to run such events. And Yes that a lot of countries may struggle to even compete because of the cost. When I was a teenager i travelled to South Africa and the UK to play rugby as a schoolboy. The school didn't cover the costs of us going; it got us subsidised accommodation but certainly wasn't free. And I know how special it was just to go do that. For me tournaments I enter vary from $75-100 AUD. With my most expensive tournament being $110 (+$15 for every additional event i enter). Now for those who DO compete; how expensive is it for you to enter? but also if you do travel interstate for tournaments how expensive does it get? For me the furthest from home I have competed has been in New South Wales; which is north of me in Victoria. But I made my time there worthwhile for not just competition but also to see family and also sight see.

From experience a lot of people who use these machines misuse them or weren't properly taught how to use them. When I was at University getting my Bachelors Degree, we only covered the use of these machines over the course of a few lessons. Not in terms of use by the general public, as no gym that I currently visit use them. But for use by Health Professionals (Not "Fitness" Professional) to help clients in activating muscles in sequence after prolonged periods of inactivity or injury.

We have a monthly direct debit option which covers training fees, insurance, rental fees (location hire) etc. We make it clear to all prospective members where their fees are going in its entirety at time of signing up. and notification of any changes to where fees are going.

To the bolded; i'm a Nidan myself and have been an Instructor for close to 20 years. Personally I don't believe that it is disrespectful to buy your own belt. Generally people I know will just go with what their given, but for me I give all my Black Belt/Dan Grade Candidates a choice when it comes to receiving a new belt. They can choose the Brand, Style (ie Satin, Cotton etc) and also Color of the writing of their Name. For me, when I was promoted to Shodan-Ho my club awarded everyone an Adidas Black Belt regardless if they opted for names to be put on the belt. All grades after that, we don't provide new belts unless they are given a special belt - ie 1/2 Black 1/2 Red or the "Candy Cane" Belt. Or if they are receiving a Menko Kaiden or a Hakama.

Anything where you get your HR up or forces you to utilise your lungs where you get a bit of a puff out is always fantastic. No matter the duration. Even though the recommendation is 30 mins a day for "Apparently" Healthy people. Time for people is often an excuse where they go "I don't have 30 mins to work out" But 5 Minutes x 6 times a day is easier, and I tell clients that too. If your stuck on something at work; go for a walk, do a few push ups (be mindful of others obviously) and do what is appropriate for your surroundings.

Hey All, What is everyones favourite warm ups to do with both Kids and Adults Classes?

No it doesn't include any at all, as it is illegal to own guns where I live with very few exceptions to that rule.

My Fitbits band recently broke, but I do like to track Steps and Distance. The main issue with most of these trackers is that you can't specify your stride length.

Hi All, As I have a weight issue, where I have a belly and does have a overhang. Does anyone know of any brands that 1. Caters for Larger Practitioners and 2. is long in the body? As looking at various places that are sold here in Australia is a Hit and Miss. But open to ordering from elsewhere.

As others have stated; speak to Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Exercise Scientists/Physiologists. As they are trained to work with people in rehabilitation and prevention of reinjury. SUrgeons are specialists with Surgery not Rehab or Prevention.

For those interested, i'd be happy to share with.

Hi all, I am doing a bit of a project at home, where I am creating a document of all the styles of Karate and their Kata, along with their English Counterpart (ie Seisan = 13 Hands) And part of it is listing the styles “parent” Styles. For instance - GKR’s Parent Styles are Goju-Kai and Shotokan.

At my dojo we call it 13 Hands.