Nidan Melbourne

How much experience do you have with Bokken and Katana? Typically I recommend when Solo Training, is to be strict on the basics that you already know. Also Film your self regularly and compare yourself over a period to see how different you are performing kata and your kihon.

I wouldn't worry about having a case for mine, as the one I purchased a while back lives in 1 of 3 places; 1. Staff Office @ my Hombu Dojo 2. Car (when I have a car that I own) 3. Home The only items I keep in a bag, are if I have multiple of an item or they may be "Prohibited" Items I keep them in something for easy transport. If I have to disclose them for inspection (i.e. if police request) I can pull them out without issue.

I don't know anything about Sai, but they are definitely a beautiful pair that you own.

I am a "Grabber" too for sparring, as not many people expect that especially from other karate practitioners. When you said "I generally avoid sparring" any particular reason for that? I'm curious.

Despite not being a Shotokan Practitioner, I have heard that they go into Zenkutusu Dachi for Kihon Drills is to help developing the strength for the deep long stances they have and to work on distance when attacking whilst keeping a stable base. But to me as a primarily Goju Practitioner, it is odd to do it as the clubs I've visited start in Heiko Dachi or Moto Dachi (albeit sometimes in other stances). Currently my favourite thing to do is sitting based defences, both pre-emptive and reactive to attackers.

I did always wonder why I saw various types of gloves when I saw your dojo under Poage Sensei. Now that makes sense as to why.

I know i commented on this a while back, but upon reflection I realise I forgot to add some content as I remember some things that my sensei (now Shihan) mentioned a few times whilst I was training. When the masters were about, they taught students based on what they thought would fit them suitably. Even if they were taught predominately the same kata, some minor variations may have been taught to suit the physical and/or psychological aspects of each individual student. So for Seisan, as relevant to this post; I learnt what I know as the "Dojo" Version which is what I am supposed to demonstrate at Gradings or any events where I am demonstrating a kata. But on the same hand, I have a "Tournament" Version which has some small differences to it along with a "Liam" Version which I made some minor adaptations to suit me and my physical needs when required. The "Liam" Version of katas, typically revolve an adjustment around stance height or changing it to a similar stance. So Seisan, if my joints are in no condition to go low then I sit higher in my stance. If I have to go in "Crane" Stance and I can't physically do it, I modify it to Neko Ashi Dachi ("Cat Foot Stance"). So when I teach, I mainly do the following: - Dojo Version (Required) - Tournament Version ("Shitei" Kata) - Student Variation - This is only done when I am working 1 on 1 and adapting it to their needs. But they need to understand and demonstrate the "Base" (our Dojo Version) and how the variation they learn still works or impacts how the application may work. However, 90% of the time, when I work with advanced students I get them to do the kata the way we ask then for them do it based of how they FEEL like it works naturally and effectively for them.

Hollowpox by Rebecca Townsend

Recently I was checking out a few Karate Clubs, and I realized that clubs go different routes for gloves for all their class when it comes to sparring. So I was wondering why did you choose them or why did they get chosen as a club wide used thing? - WKF Gloves MMA

True, but some of their "spirited shouts" sometimes sound a little off to my Australian Ear.

Welcome to the forum!!!

I love the usage of conditioning in Karate. considering the purpose behind why we may learn the art, it is always a good idea to strengthen our muscles and bones. I formally wasn't taught how to do it until well after being a shodan. Then again it was more me going out at learning from other instructors, watching videos on Youtube (Noah Legal Sensei for example) and a whole bunch of other sources.

Its funny i've taken 2 periods of time off my karate life; once around completing Year 12 and my Diploma (2010-2012) and the 2nd period is this year as i am dealing with some serious things. Oh and during 2020 cause of COVID where I still trained but didn't really teach me anything. During that first period; I learnt that I truly loved Martial Arts and how much of an impact it had on my life. Now during this stage of my life and the 2nd period of my training that i've taken off. I've learnt a whole lot more than I could imagine which has honestly improved what i do on the mats. Even the way that i view techniques and how they are applied has changed. In someway they kind of reflect how the old masters may have performed said techniques. In other words definitely feeling the "Ju" in Goju when i'm doing my kihon

Well not "easter eggs" per se. but when i go on a site that i've used for such a long time (like here), and love seeing the changes and functions added. Like the pleasant surprise coming back on here before going to bed and a little notification popping up letting me know of ur response.

not technically music, but just listening to a Tedx Talk about Dads

To me a Kiai has different purposes; from 'Drawing Attention your way' to 'I'm going to rip your face off' At the same time it doesn't necessarily have to be a "shout" but more talking louder. So if I was to draw attention a situation or make something clearly known i'd be saying "Stop" with an increased volume but also being firm. Which draws attention your way. Then that initial strike where you hit them like your life depended on it; you'd do a kiai basically saying "i'm going to rip your face off if you keep going".

Looking great Patrick! Thanks for the mention I'm looking forward to finding all the easter eggs you may have left here haha

What about one of those wedding rings women sometimes wear that have a big diamond on it? Seems like that could be a problem. If it is the wedding band, then I can see that being left on, but I've known instructors and students who take it off when training. Also, what about a tongue ring? Though that seems to have phased out. They were more common about 25 years ago. I'd definitely want those nose rings out, or any ring with a loop that could get yanked off. Big problem. I say to everyone especially when it comes to rings, that we have a few reasons as to why we don't allow them on during training: 1. Safety Reasons - you can easily hurt someone 2. You could damage the ring - it was actually shown recently at a Taylor Swift Concert that rings could be easily damaged, so you would need to get it reshaped. OR you could lose one of the gems that is in-laid. 3. Lost Gems - we aren't responsible for that occuring.

It might be worth breaking those kicks down into their constituent parts and train them then build up and apply the same principle. Because when you think about it, each segment your foot is at a different position. So when students start getting comfortable with that segment, work on that transition. Then transition to next segment of kick then do the same. My sensei does it a lot to train feet, hips and knees for roundhouse kicks.

It is mostly for health reasons and not so much for training. The muscle helps burn fat and store glucose, both are heath benefits. The guy who runs the gym explained to me that with cardio it stops burning the fat as soon as you get off the treadmill, but when you build strength, the muscle will burn the fat 24/7. Not 100% accurate. When your doing cardio, your heart isn't the only thing working hard; your whole body is working hard. So your body has to expend energy to repair your muscles, bones (say if your using a Treadmill for instance) from all the impact that your putting them under. Then also further energy has to be expended to perform vital functions to move things around and for it to be expelled in some way out of your body. Also if your already in the area burning fat, you've already expended the carbs in your body that are available for usage. So until you put more carbs into your body, it will keep using the fat as a source of energy. With Strength Training; the usage of fats is part of it, as your body consumes carbs also. Since Strength Training places an increased amount of strain on your anatomy it does take more energy to recover. That's why you tend to feel sore for a couple of days post-strength training. But yes, increased muscle mass and strength training as a whole can burn a lot to recover and to maintain. Thats why when I work with clients, and if they are wanting to put on muscle mass (which is a good thing). I remind them that anything they put on should be functional and also maintainable for them. Because I say to all clients regardless of age; is that having a healthy amount of functional muscle and healthy (increased) bone mass is crucial as we get older. So we need to be able to support that for a lot longer than what we are thinking about. What a lot of people forget is that even if you are older, you don't have to lift a dumbbell or kettlebell. But lifting everyday items around the house is far better than anything else.

For us; rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces etc are to be removed. Earrings - if their small studs/hoops then they're ok. but if they are large then they have to be removed. Although we do advise students that if they do get pulled/yanked/whatever it is on them when it comes to sparring/self-defence stuff. We do ask for watches to be removed as well. Although we do acknowledge with our students that we know that when it comes to self-defence you'll be wearing this stuff. But for the sake of practice and not damaging your items, we remove them.

I have my Dan Grade Certificates in a folder. I have only a couple of my Kyu Grade Certificates, as I never really thought about keeping them. But now I regret not keeping them (especially my 8th Kyu Certificate; as it was the first one I received). My Kyu Grade Belts are tied up and at a Holiday House down in Portsea. I just have to find space in one of the rooms to hang them up. My variety of Black Belts tbh are kinda floating around the house; along with the one I wear the most in my bag.

hahaha how else do you think your going to know what is going on? but seriously though, not only are you having to retrain your muscles that have different attachment points with something inorganic. Also you are having to do a whole lot of proprioceptive training to get used to them anyway. but also then some for your training. I use this acronym with my clients; DBAD when it comes to training post-op or even in general training when you haven't had surgery. It stands for Don't Be A Dummy. Which just means train smart and listen to your body

Interestingly, while I generally have a lack of motivation to do weight lifting, I am easily motivated to do work with hojo undo equipment such as the Chi Ishi and the like. I think that it's because I connect to the hojo undo work more directly to karate. I understand that doing squats with a weight rack can be easily traced to improvement in kicking power, but doing it with hojo undo equipment makes me feel like I'm improving my karate more, somehow. Hojo Undo counts definitely; especially with the Okiniwan Tools/Items they use for training. Especially when it comes to grip training, and from what I know about some of the items grip is greatly improved. not something that normal exercise items can really train in the same way. Which is something a lot of people actually overlook when training.

I understand that, as your training your muscles and whole body in a way that it isn't typically accustomed to. Depending on the PT you get and where, they are a hit and miss. Because they are [usually] forced to get people in and signed up to a gym membership. That's why you might find that they don't do a thorough assessment or history before starting up. But for me (I'm an Exercise Scientist which is above a PT, so Bachelors Degree), I have also programmed in for me, a lot of things that I don't necessarily have to use the gym for. So Karate, swimming, walking or anything else I can do on my own, with my daughter or attend a class. I do find lifting tedious every now and again, but my trainer has done my programming in a way that it is specific for my goals. And also the movements he has me doing, is related to my Martial Arts Training. But also I find music to help with my training as a whole, and that I actually realised today when I was at the gym that I have different tastes when it comes to different movements. So for example any PUSH movement I do country, but any PULLING movement is Rock. But when it comes to Explosiveness (i.e Deadlift) I have to have AC/DC. I'd be careful about Online Coaches, even though they are "good in their field", you don't actually know if they are who they claim to be. Even if they are 'real', they can't program appropriately for you let alone provide you with advice on your current state of health. Part of the minimums that I work with, along with PT's who should at a minimum be getting: - Pre-Exercise Questionnaire - Base Healh Standards (Heart Rate - Resting, Blood Pressure*) - Appropriate Minimums (Exercise Testing) *Unless there are absolute contraindications requiring you make an appointment with your doctor Film yourself when doing whatever it is your wanting to see an improvement on, so you can have a visual guestimation of the differences between reps when evaluating performance.