Safroot

Yes Krav Maga is in my future plan but now I am concentrating on Kyokushin

No worries, you are most welcomed

good to hear that

you can find some good opinions in this thread : http://www.karateforums.com/what-is-the-origin-of-ma-vt46235.html

Good on you mazzybear keep training and get your left to jodan level too

Not sure what the problem is but I guess a balance problem, try again with putting all your weight on your heels and try using your toes to balance. Try more and keep us updated.

I do it with a bit of V shaped feet to relive stress on my knees keep going and you will do it. Bit harsh but excellent results. I have noticed a big difference even with 12.5 minutes only not 30

I can do 12.5 minutes now & still trying to do more

That's not a bad regimine there. You are a better person than I! hopefuly I can maintain it

as i told you, it's in my plan

Unfortunately we don't have in our dojo & i think it will be difficult for me to start it somewhere else because of time & money issues but sure it's in my plan

I am doing stretching, push-ups, crunches, squats, lunges and the 30 minutes squat challenge (reached 12.5 minutes now) nearly everyday except the training day. Basic punches, kicks and blocks once or twice weekly I am willing to add running twice weekly soon

Only in dojo and home Never tell anyone unless someone asks me

Today's sparring session was all about using angles which we have been discussing on this thread last week, Lucky me but it's really very hard to apply it especially when you are new as you find yourself lost with all things that you need to concentrate on during sparring it needs high level of mental coordination I guess & this will take time for sure but pretty confident that one day I can do it

Cardio is one of my major problems during sparring too

That's exactly what I am trying to do now in my sparring sessions

Good luck ... train hard and focus .. you will do it

Again it depends on the association/club/instructor. For example (sorry I'm delving into my experience again), I now do Tang Soo Do (it's very similar to Shotokan karate) yet the instructor that I train under teaches basic grappling, locks, throws, etc... That may not be common in other Tang Soo Do associations (a bit like what/how Iain Abernethy teaches karate). So you have associations that will only teach the "core" of the type of martial art that it is (eg karate as it's a kicking/striking art, they will only teach that) and you'll have associations that will teach a wide variety of skills - the "main" and "secondary" skill sets of that martial art style. completely agree

This is the only video I can find http://karatego8.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/blog-post.html I guess this might be the same video that wagnerk shared !!! Sorry for sharing it again.

I agree with you. There is NO strongest style but you can tailor any style for your good

Even if you are leaning, your punches probably still aren't that strong. Stop leaning, and learn to use your hips to generate power. This will help make your punches stronger. Make sure you get good penetration on the strikes, too. I'm guessing here you mean switching from right leg back to left leg back. I can see his point, but I don't think a lot of Thai fighters switch their stance that frequently. Try to check the kicks by lifting your leg to block them. When the kick comes, circle away from it, perhaps. If you do want to switch stances, then you really have to force yourself to do so. If you are right handed, start your sparring sessions in the opposite stance, and force yourself to attack from that stance. It will get more comfortable the more you do it. Learn to cut in angles. If a back leg round kick is coming towards you, blocking while backing up doesn't do you a bit of good. Instead, block, and step at a 45 degree angle towards him, circling in toward him. Here's the scenario: he is right leg back, you are right leg back. He throws the back leg round kick. Instead of backing away and blocking, get the block up and step at a 45 degree angle forward and to your right with your right leg. This defends the kick, and puts you closer to him, instead of farther away where his range kills you. It should put you in a good position to follow up with punches and kicks. I hope that makes sense. If you guys are in open stance, alter the steps accordingly; you may have to take the step with your front leg to an angle. Experiment. Conditioning. Spend some time doing some wind sprints or some cardio. More sparring will help, too. It comes with time. I've never had great endurance, either. Just keep working hard, and it will all come together for you in time. Thank you so much for your time and very beneficial advice for sure I will try it in my next session .. It will take time though but I am not in a hurry I want to develop near perfect techniques whatever the rate of progress is

That video is amazing ... i have to for you sharing it but which karate style is it ??? That's Higaonna Sensei, and he's one of the foremost authorities of Goju-ryu! Thanks for clarification Sensei8

I will try

I will try to do my best to improve my understanding and using angels while sparring ... it will be a tough one though

Yes it's always good to ask ... I haven't stopped asking since I joined this forum