xnovak1023

And it's decided. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to try Shorin-Ryu. And after a very enthusiastic green light from my instructor on cross-training, I feel even more motivated!

Thanks, Wastelander for more good info. I just have one more question. Does Sensei Stolsmark focus more on kumite or kata? As I've kind of stated above, I'm not so much into violence. Even my classes in Shotokan where we've done some sparring in I've been very turned off to. I know to progress you need to be efficient in kumite, but is it the primary goal of Shorin-Ryu?

To be COMPLETELY honest. In the past when I have gotten into sticky situations I've used Aikido to avoid attacks. My current studies of martial arts are more of my yearning for knowledge and my goal of learning all the martial arts I can. I'm actually a bit of a pacifist. ^_^;;;

So after my first month of Shotokan, my previous joint injuries from the army are hurting more and more. I love the training I'm receiving and could not ask for a better instructor. I wish to continue my training in Shotokan but with my old injuries resurfacing I feel I couldn't give 100%. My Sensei is aware of my injuries and tells me to work around them and take it somewhat easy. But part of me still pushes beyond that point to perform the technique correctly and not modify it because of my joints. There is a renowned Kobayashi-Ryu dojo that is just as far away as my current dojo. Would Shorin-Ryu be better for me?

I'd recommend Shotokan's Secret-Expanded Edition: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins by Bruce Clayton. It's a little bias and can appear to be arrogant in places but to me it gives training a purpose that I can understand.

Speaking from experience on the issue of returning to a previous instructor after a hiatus, I began Aikido as a child and quit with my first instructor years later. I gained rank with a study group while I was away from home and keep all I have learned with my on a daily basis. Within the past few months I have learned my first instructor was teaching at a local university but he has yet to respond to any of my inquiries on returning to him. In my mind, this post has done a lot for my understanding through sensei8's beliefs on a returning student. I did not originally quit Aikido. I only stopped attending classes formally at 4th kyu. The reasons I quit were not for injury or anything really in particular. I was a teenager, and like most teenagers something shiny came along that attracted my attention more. So to close thank you so much for this post. I don't often speak on these forums, mostly just read everything to gain insight and learn from others conversations. But this thread has shown me much.

I am very biased on this subject. At the beginning of my training in Aikido, I was still a child but being larger than a normal child and a lack of a children's class, my instructor put me in with the adults. It was there I learned size does not matter. Nor does gender, as the many female Aikidoka threw and trained with uke much larger than themselves. I am still in my first month in Shotokan, but from what I have seen in my short time and the time I have been introduced to this art through other martial artist acquaintances in the past, and my endless reading through the dozen or so books I have purchased, the same theory applies as I have stated above. In the many martial arts I have encountered and studied, there is a plethora of techniques to ward off larger opponents. But in my opinion, the same can be applied to any technique based on your understanding of body mechanics and kinetics, which to some comes naturally with some good, old fashioned training. So in ending, (to my rather lengthy post) in whatever art you may study, as long as you train hard and examine different views on techniques, size and gender does not matter.

Right now I'm driving an hour as well to train in Shotokan. But the furthest I've had to go is an hour and a half 3 times a week. Always worth it.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've actually solidified my training routine into; 1 hour of Kihon in the morning. And continuing all day whenever I'm walking around or find myself waiting while cooking or cleaning. And also 1 hour of Kata at night.

Ah, I guess the saying for assumptions holds true. ;P I still stand by my principles on the matter of resistance in training. Regardless if it is Aikido or not.

One reservation - injury ! I'm currently limited in my training after having the wrist tendons of my left hand sprained doing just that. All in all a good quality demo, far better than many I've seen. You were injured during training? As uke, I'm assuming? Not to judge, nor hopefully offend, but even if the uke is resisting to give a more realistic training exercise, the aikidoka should be able to control and feel his partner enough not to cause injury and complete each technique with little trouble. That is why, in my opinion, uke should not resist until later on in study, when the one performing the technique knows the material as second nature and can read an attacker as to not cause injury. Thus, the meaning and intention of Aikido becomes clear as to not harm oneself nor whomever takes it upon themselves to attack you; The way of harmonizing energy.

Nailed it! ( o.o)b One thing that drives me away when searching for a new school in a new art is the instructor trying to sell me on the time needed to achieve their "black belt." And then how since I have prior MA experience, they'd be willing to double, even triple grade me. (As long as you'd pay all testing fees, of course.) The black belt mill is seemingly to be the son of the McDojo, and the McDojo is the exiled son of Traditionalists, or in some cases someone who has every Bruce Lee movie on VHS and became a "Master" from such study.

Today's kihon for my drills was Age-Uke. I feel I've progressed slightly, with my incorporation for hip movement, hike-te, and the turn over of my wrist. Although, I keep getting caught up in where my blocking arm should be to begin the technique, I am having so much fun learning. Tomorrow's kihon will be shuto-uke. Any advice I can keep in mind?

Indeed. For the circumstances of the demonstration, the willingness of the uke was necessary. If it were a more public demo, more restraint should have been used. I do not know for a fact if the demo was public or more of a seminar, though. Just my point of view on matters. Mori Shihan demonstrates an invaluable technique to deflect and react to multiple strikes being delivered in a rapid manner. Seemingly, more skeptics are prone to believe Aikido being ineffective due to a lack of strikes during a single technique. This disproves such theories, in my beliefs. Granted it is all choreographed, but as is all martial arts training. Thus the meaning of training be used to perfect one's technique to be available if the moment becomes necessary.

I came across this video a few weeks ago. I love the very simplistic movements that vary from the more narrow, linear, and less aggressive movements I am used to. Very interesting to watch again.

I do indeed stretch! Haha ^_^

I have a heavy bag, but I just was working on blocking and moving throughout each stance, even putting in gyaku-zuki with the movements. I need to work on my kata, but my basement (where I train) isn't large enough, and even running through bit by bit and changing step to avoid walls and such makes it feel incomplete.

I just finished my second workout of drilling kihon and kata for the day. I was hoping to hear suggestions for any work others do that a beginner in Shotokan, like myself, can use.

So, just got home from my first class. It was only 3 people, including Sensei and myself. Started by teaching me kihon and different stances. (Which honestly, I had learned previously from karateka who are friends of mine. But, I didn't want to appear to be egotistical and furthermore I wanted to compare the ways I had been taught with his teachings to see if they were different... They were. Haha) After the introduction to kihon, we began stepping methods from zenkutsu-dachi. (I had difficulties due to a permanent nerve damage in my right ankle.) And to end my first class, Sensei went over Heian Yondan with the other student and let me join along. My new Teacher fits all of the requirements I lay out for studying the martial arts. While he is very knowledgeable and not afraid to smile during class, he is also quite humble and in my opinion fits my belief in a true martial artist. It was a very rewarding beginning for me and am actually going to go practice while it is still fresh in my mind. ^_^b

Tonight will be my first formal Shotokan class. Very excited!

Happy to help! ^_^

First off, let me apologize if this is a dead topic. I just noticed the underlying question was not answered. My training in Aikido was the first formal training in the martial arts. (Discounting the training in Southern Mantis from my father as a young child.) I studied at a dojo for several years. Each class began the same regardless if there were beginners or not. We would perform our opening ceremonies and then proceed to stretches. At the end of stretching we would work on rolls as part of our warm-up. During which, my Sensei would instruct on the proper ways of rolling. After warm ups were complete we'd get back in line and watch a demonstration of the technique we were about to practice. At the bark of "Hajime," everyone would rise and partner up. Myself being a senpai would have the privilege of being uki for beginners, where I would help as much as my knowledge was possible, while my Sensei would pick up slack if I fell short. This would go on for all techniques till the end of class, where if time permitted the new comer afterwards to stay and get more one on one time learning the basics. The testing for 7th kyu is no different than the testing for 1st Kyu, in my opinion. You are given a set of ki-tests to perform and techniques, and then IF promoted, you get to learn more techniques and expand on ones already known. The terminology is as simple as paying attention to what is said during class. No need to cram study books of "Learn Japanese For Dummies." The beauty of Aikido comes from not only learning the harmony around you but harmonizing oneself, whether you are 12 years old or 50 years old, it is never too late to learn more. My first day in class as a child, my Sensei saw me and noticed my shoulders were rose up from being nervous. He looked at me with a smile and told me, "Alex-san, don't worry. We'll round those shoulders out real quick." With that joke I instantly felt more comfortable. It wasn't till later I learned he meant he was going to grind them down with rolling. But the skill for falling comes with training, the skill for technique comes with training, learning to move with your opponent comes with training. It only takes time, all that is left is one's dedication necessary.

Thank you! I actually am a member of AAA and have been looking into the uchideshi program at Tenshinkan. But before I commit to full time in Aikido, I wish to gain more experience in other martial arts while I pull my finances together to fund studying Aikido as an uchideshi. The JKA Shotokan program is one of my favored options as of right now, I am from Lake Geneva, WI, though so wouldn't be able to make the drive frequently. Right now, I study Kyuki-Do at a local dojang and practice 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week, not to include class times which is an additional 2 hours 4 days a week. I just wish to study traditional japanese arts, so my heart isn't into my current program 100%.

I did post it earlier. But, Wastelander informed me of forum's rules, so I edited it. ^_^;; My bad.

I'm not allowed to PM yet due to being a new user.