KyokanRik

I agree, and wouldn't bat too much of a lash if it weren't for the fact that he reached 2 of these ranks under one instructor, 2 completely different arts.. just reeks with suspicion.. or has the ever present presence of the world of McDojo turned me into a hyper-paranoid overanalyzing nut ball

If you were considering a school, and read the following things about the instructor, would it not scream somewhat McDojo-esque implications? I will refrain from revealing the "Masters" name, but I will note that he is potentially in his early forties, has earned 3 high dan ranks in 3 different martial arts styles, 2 of them (shotokan karate, tae kwon do) from one instructor.. "Master SoAndSo is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do, a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. He has been training in martial arts since 1990. He earned his bachelor of science in physical education graduating magna cum laude. He currently teaches middle school health and physical education with SoAndSo County Schools.Master SoAndSo martial arts training began under Ms. Amy SoAndSo of Red SoAndSo Academy. He earned his first and second degree black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Shotokan Karate under her instruction."

Thank you! I agree! Another reason i'm for this type of competition, is for the mental aspects. someone once told me on here "fighting/sparring in the ring is just the same as it is in the dojo or the street" and which I disagree with 100% I've done light contact sparring competition in TKD, and i've fought MMA and muay thai, and there is no way that the mindset is the same... knowing someone is going to try to crush your face or snap your arm, makes for a different mentality knowing some one is only going to try to light tap your face and chest. It's one reason of two reason I like the idea of full contact Shotokan, the first is the X factor of fear and emotion, knowing that isn't going to be some game, that you're going into a fight. That takes a different mentality, which is semi simulates the mindset (Keep in mind I said semi simulate, not 100% replicate) what would happen being confront in a street fight/self defense situation, allowing someone to be prepared better mental, knowing what to expect SOMEWHAT. and this leads into the 2nd reason, which is it would raise the confidence in knowing you own ability, and confidence in the art they practice. knowing it would work in a more realistic situation. That yourself and the style has been tried by fire and it is works when nessesary. But that's also my personal preference. I love muay thai, boxing, kyokushin, mma not because they're full contact, but because they're tested in a more realistic manner in competition, where you have to apply it with nerves on the line, with a truely resisting, aggressive opponent,the trial by fire. But that doesn't mean a full contact fight is for everyone, and that's ok, and you don't nessesarly need to fight to have self confidence or technique that works. The whole idea behind this, is giving people who want to test themselves in their particular style and rules, in a competition that's a more realistic situation then light point sparring. Very excellent points and very well said! You've encompassed exactly what my sentiments are on full contact martial arts, and the reasons why i hold such favorable sentiments towards them. Very good point about, while it may not 100% simulate a fight, you still undergo the same range of emotions as a real fight. Great post!

This is a big reason why I love Kyokushin so much. I read countless, what to me are "horror stories", of martial arts clubs and dojos barring their students from sparring until certain belt grades are reached or some other stipulation. When I started in Kyokushin, i recieved my 'pads' the very next class, and sparred. And I've been sparring ever since, twice with sensei, and I've only just recently reached 10th Kyu (orange). Sparring is an awesome learning and development tool, and I cannot imagine learning to properly defend myself without ever being able to test it until I reached a certain level, levels which could take upwards to a year or more to reach(depending on the standards/rules of that club).

I am in no way the authority on Karate, being just a beginner myself. But I do believe that basic common sense and logic tells us all that while kata may or may not make Karate "true" Karate, it is definitely not essential or neccessary for the development of the fruits we all strive to reap from the Art. Especially in the fighting/self defense aspect, as is proven by other Martial Arts without kata and even the now popular sport of MMA. I highly doubt that a Karate master of whatever Dan would have a better chance of survival in a real life combative situation than say an MMA practicioner in the same situation; which then begs the question, is it just a waste of time? I believe the answer is that it depends upon what the individual is seeking from the experience of training in Karate.

In our Kyokushin dojo, we wear white or off-white Kyokushin preferred Gi's(usually heavier than the common Karate Gi, but lighter than traditional Judo Gi). I am afraid that if I walked into a Karate dojo as a perspective student and saw bright colored Gi's or Gi's with mismatched top and bottoms, it would automatically scream McDojo to me. What makes me even more concerned with such an encounter is my possibly missing out on some genuinely awesome training due to my 'misconception'. Not every Karate club that detours from traditional Gi's are automatically a McDojo, but that is definitely the first impression I'd get.

I recently began my Karate training, and had the same apprehensions as you had I am long past 'ideal' age for starting martial arts, but let me be the first to tell you, it's a decision that i haven't regretted for one second. I've been training Kyokushin Karate for about 6 months and it is the best decision I've made. I understand the concern about flexibility; being in my mid 30's I too am not the most flexible of people.. but here I am, 6 months in, landing(clipping) jodan mawashi geris(very sloppily) on a 6'2" 17 year old during sparring. Go for it! You're not too *old.

An interesting topic. Based on the style of Karate I practice I may be a bit biased in my opinion but I think adding full contact to Shotokan, with regards to certain conditions being met, would only serve to add yet another awesome dynamic to the style.