Wado Heretic

http://www.chokesports.com/karate/full-contact They have a good selection, and are not excessively priced. Getting a conventional sleeve and having it tailored is another option and the approach I favour. However, I usually use a Gi I have used for ages and is on it's way out when I compete. As your plan is for regular training, I would suggest buying one cut for purpose. They generally last longer and weather the training a bit better.

I generally consider a McDojo to be a place which has poor business ethics and practice, rather than necessarily poor martial practice. Looking at the article posted; I believe the writer comes from a MMA/Free Fighting point of view and looks primarily for efficacy that can be proven “on the mat”. Sadly, Kata and a number of traditional practices do not readily fall into that paradigm. Really, it is in the eye of the beholder and the imperative of the practitioner what constitutes a “real” fighting art. If you are a Karateka, prepare to be labelled a woo peddler. The Bunkai and Karate-Jutsu phenomenon is a direct reaction to this labelling. Kensei posted a list of qualities of a McDojo I agree with; but I do feel it covers poor commercial practice as I feel the term McDojo encompasses rather than poor martial practice which I suspect the OP is more interested in. My personal list is as follows: 1: Begin with their level of “Aliveness”. What kind of contact do they engage in, and is it relative to age or universal across age groups. That second part is important because no one expects 7 years olds to be trying to punch each other out on a regular basis. For children you should probably be expecting light-medium contact in a lot of safety gear, with compliant partner drills, and perhaps breaking with purpose made equipment. For adults, who are in their prime and beyond the beginner level, you should be expecting medium to hard contact on a relatively regular basis; with any drills being goal based, and related to kata and actual fighting. Breaking should also be a rare occurrence and designed to challenge the person attempting the effort. Done excessively with purpose made materials designed for safe breaking, it becomes meaningless. A lack of contact, even in safety gear, inside of anything but a Tai Chi for health session is your first tick on the poor practice list. 2: Instructor involvement and fitness. Again, let us take age into consideration; is the instructor looking around 65 and not quite their trim fighting shape anymore? Let us not go expecting them to be fighting everyone when sparring comes around. However, if they under their 40s and have a belly that might just get them lucky with a walrus let us think carefully. A good instructor, in my experience, will make the effort to do everything he or she asks of you and will actively participate in partner work. The following are some questions I suggest you ask about an instructor when looking at a class: Do they make the effort to work on an exercise at least once with every student to give direct feed back? Do they make a point of participating in sparring on a regular basis? Do they do the kata at least once alongside the class? Are they happy to play the Uke when there are odd numbers? If you can answer yes to most of these questions and it is not just a token effort, than I congratulate you. You have found a good instructor. However, if as stated, your instructor is not in their twilight years and does not make even a token effort you are dealing with either a case of A) Ego or B) Indolence. Either is a big tick box on the poor practice register. 3. Knowledge base. When asked; can the instructor offer a logical reasoning for something that can be related back to a combative meaning? If not they may be lacking in knowledge base. Furthermore, how willing are they to be asked and answer questions. Now, some teachers may have a rule of leaving your questions until the end, or may not have an immediate answer. This does not mark them as questionable; it is a refusal or inability to answer questions that marks them as such. Furthermore; look at the senior students. How readily can they assist you when you have a question or issue? Their ability to respond is a mark of their education, and that education comes from the instructor. Note; every student is an individual. Do not judge all students or the instructor on the basis of your encounter with one student. So our third tick box is this; do they refuse to answer questions, cannot provide answers, or provide nonsensical answers? If yes, than that is our third tick. 4. Technique Quality. Again, age comes into this. We should not be expecting an older man to have the speed and power of a 27 year old. However, age is no excuse for bad technique; do they flick the wrists instead of thrusting the arm out straight? Are their kicks barely chambered and are not brought back? Is their movement closer to stomping than gliding? Not all the hall marks of bad technique, but look for clumsiness; it is a large indicator even to the untrained eye. Furthermore, observe the students. Are the black belts and brown belts closer in movement to the instructor, or the white belt that joined just a few weeks ago? That is a huge indicator of the quality of instruction. Again, use a broad view and look for general quality. Do not allow yourself to have tunnel vision on one poor student, which it is very easy to do. Furthermore; it there are a lot of black and brown belt students with poor technique, this is indicative of both poor teaching and poor business practice. This, I consider the final check on the test of a poor school. There are many more things to check really, and best advice is to believe in your gut reaction. If something feels off it is best not to ignore. Also, I realise I sound really arrogant with such statements and frankly I am because I have learned absolutely nothing from my time practicing martial arts except how to punch people. That is the final check, do not listen to people who out of hand dismiss ethics as integral to martial practice. I used to think it was not that important as one pays for lessons and really, is it a karate teachers business to tell you have to live? It is not, but if they have no thoughts on how the martial arts should be used, this is often indicative of them not being all that involved in thinking about their chosen art. A lack of thinking indicates a lack of committal and a fall into routine and failure to own their karate. These traits are the traits of a bad teacher.

Not sure how I feel about this. I would be interested in who they used as his model to fully round him out to be viable for use in the game. I doubt they would have derived enough material from archive footage and the like. I would have to say I need to see how he is implemented before I consider this a terrible or a brilliant idea. If they can pull it off with Bruce Lee, imagine the other individuals who never fought in the UFC they could potentially include. This has a lot of promise but is a gamble to say the least.

If one stops practicing and cannot maintain what was needed to earn a black belt in an art, can they honestly call themselves of that art any more? I would say not in a lesson, no, it would not represent their skill level correctly to the teacher and students. Does that mean you are no longer a black belt? No, you can not have that achievement taken away from you, or pretend the time and effort spent to earn it was never spent. Really, it depends, on how and why you hold that status important. Is there any thing wrong with people stopping studying an art after they attain black belt? How is it any more or less wrong than someone stopping at blue or purple belt? I think the black belt distinction can become arbitrary when this comes into account. Plus, people move and circumstances change. Sometimes it is impossible to remain within a discipline for life because the circumstances of life do not allow you to do so. I do not think whether it is cross training or it is changing discipline that matters but how one views the rank they attained. If they see it as valuable and continue the effort to be worthy of the rank they achieved then moving on in their martial journey is not insincere. Now, if they fail to make the effort to remain representative of the rank they earned, yet still try to use it as a mark of honour. Then they are engaging in misrepresentation. That I would think, is the bottom line. The sincerity of the claim to that black belt.

Thank you for your swift reply. 1. My own research concurs with such supposition. I have been unable to find a direct ancestor of Naihanchi within Chinese systems. However, I must say, if one were to base a Chinese influence on appearance the KishimotoDi variation appears to have a greater southern influence, in comparison to the more popular variation of Naihanchi which does appear to have a northern influence. Perhaps this is down to the influence of Japanese thinking on the more homogenous traditions deriving from Itosu. 2. This I have experience with and you are right, it is a difficult transition. I must say that the branch of Shorin-Ryu I study does in fact use similar hip dynamics while the pelvis is relaxed or tightened depending on the technique used. That is what I was referring to. In most renditions of Naihanchi I have seen the pelvis is pushed forward or pinched, I take it the KishimotoDi variation keeps it relaxed so as to allow the dumping and twisting movements to flow more easily? 3. That seems congruent with most heterodox schools use of the one-knuckle technique. I have seen some weird and wonderful explanations for the technique so was curious as to what it might be in KishimotoDi way of thinking.

Thank you for posting this, I must say it is a distinct kata and worth watching. Some questions if you can answer them; 1. The dropping and raising appears similar to some Xing Yi Quan principles and similar movements appear in kata derived from Bái Hè Quán. Do you know of any historical connections between the origins of this naihanchi and those systems? 2. Is there significant use or any emphasis on pelvic alignment or transitions to generate power? 3. Is the significance of the one knuckle strikes considered relative to a percussive or grip based outcome? Thanks again, and thank you for posting the kata.

I favour medium weight for the best of both worlds. Relatively durable without being a hindrance to flexibility, and also it is not too cold when it is cool, or too warm when it is hot. Taking into account that it sounds as though there is more grappling training than average in your classes, and that is has a basis in BJJ, I do suggest investing in a BJJ Gi top or Judo Gi top at least. Karate Gi, even of the heavier weave, are not designed implicitly for the stresses the techniques of BJJ or other Gi based grappling arts place on the Gi. However, saying that I have found a good medium or heavy weight Gi will generally last 2-3 years with regular light to medium grappling training. Yes, that is grappling integrated into a Karate class. I used a regular Karate Gi when I took up some BJJ cross training and it did not survive three weeks of training twice a week. I now do wrestling to save money Really, it depends on the intensity you find in your classes which should determine what you get. Personally, I would advise using your money to buy two good quality medium weight Gi and a Judo Gi, rather than splash out on one excellent heavy Weight Gi. My preferred makers are Taisho or Shureido, though the Taisho are generally more durable with the Shureido being more comfortable. Shureido can be expensive but Taisho is usually very reasonable. I hope this helps.

True enough, but I consider my self an eternal optimist. If GKR can produce a student, even if it is that student's own effort that is the decisive factor, that is willing to compete in the wider forum of the general karate community than hopefully it will influence other students within GKR to change their attitudes to the general karate community.

I have heard good things about the quality of Go Kan Ryu in Australia, though one can never forgive the name. I have also heard that they do organise trips to train under, or alongside (not sure), a Goju-Ryu group in Japan. I have heard disparaging remarks about the National All Styles, but GKR has always represented and done well in Australia in the NAS. As a sport karate group they appear to represent themselves well there. In contrast; in the UK I have only stumbled across their bad and unethical business practices, and they fail to do well in the NAS here despite excellent representation. To be frank; as a sport karate I do not think they will have "made it" until they have representation appear in a WKF or IKF tournament. To hear they have some attempting their luck in the AKF is promising but concerning. GKR is given such flack for being a McDojo, but what does that say about karate if we see the arrival of GKR in the World Games. Might be a lesson for us all; throw dirt at people and you'll always get some on yourself. I hope the quality of GKR in Australia reflects a general rise in quality for the organisation world wide.

I am doubtful it can water anything down; any combat sport format reduces a martial art to what can be used within the sports rule set. Even free fighting does not allow a good old eye gouge. I believe it is the WKF that is pushing for Olympic status. As per the K is on the way project of theirs, and also they are authority and governing body as recognised by the Olympic Committee. On balance we have both advantages and disadvantages present in the notion of Competitive Kumite becoming an Olympic Sport; I believe there was an idea to push for kata to be in the Paralympics but that this fell to the way side. Advantages: The Olympics are often the dream of many athletes, beyond even professional careers. They are also seen as the peak of achievement in athletics. For other combat sports, such as boxing, wrestling, Tae Kwon Do and Judo; the Olympics has been the beginning of great careers in both those disciplines, and cross over sports, for those who reach the Olympic dream. It is no sure thing, yet it is far from unlikely, that entry into the Olympics will bring Karate to a higher level and will provide opportunities for the best and brightest rising up through Karate. I believe that is a worth while possibility for us to chase. Furthermore; it will increase interest in our discipline. I do not say this for monetary reasons, but for the fact we have all had karate enrich our lives in some manner, and also many of us are responsible for the preservation of a rich, living tradition. A larger pool of people trying karate will leave a larger pool of talented individuals to preserve and advance karate. Plus, can any of us say we would regret seeing more people enjoy our past time? Disadvantages: It will tempt many to modify their teachings and priorities towards something suitable for the sport kumite scene. It will detract from the wider spectrum of established methods and may lead many away from methods not directly relating to potential Olympic success. Well, an ugly wake up call for us all; of those people likely to embrace Olympic karate? Same people who now have “Karate and MMA” signs for their clubs. Trend followers with commercial concerns will always follow trends that will bring in the money. Furthermore; we followers of the non-sport methodology are a rare breed and those whom enjoy our methods equally rare. Olympic Karate is not going to appeal to the people which the established methods appeal to. Also, people who are looking for effective fighting methods are being lured into MMA and other systems which have success in MMA promotions, because that is what the common martial arts fan uses as a litmus test for what they should try. Plus, peer pressure. What potential tough man wants to admit to his friends that his Gi is not for BJJ but karate, which to most is just a collection of screams and ethnic dance routines. Conclusion: Benefits outweigh the detracting elements. Simply put; competitive kumite opens more doors than it closes. The established methods of decades are already under siege and we can adapt and provide a way for the traditions to survive, or we can close our eyes and cover our ears, and pretend if we just keep trying eventually the golden days will come back. I say we embrace Olympic potential while keeping our feet strictly in our traditions. Just because Karate has Olympic representation does not mean we have to abandon how we do things. All it does is give people who enjoy Karate another goal to aspire to; and I do not think we should deny any one a goal to aspire to. Also, trend followers will follow trends. We have not stopped the Soke councils, we have not stopped the bastardised hybrid styles started by green belts promoting themselves to Judan, and we will not stop bad practice by simply carrying on as we do. What we need is a platform to show high quality karate, even if it is but a narrow aspect of our arts, and the Olympics is that potential platform. Further note: My personal opinion is that I would rather modify the extant combat sports. I would rather replace the Tae Kwon Do with an open bogu competition similar to Nippon Kenpo, which will draw competitors from all martial arts with a semi-contact sport format. I would also replace the Judo and varieties of wrestling with a Gi grappling and a No Gi grappling format. This would allow folk wrestlers and other grappling sports that use the Gi, or Gi like clothes to compete. I would also like to see MMA introduced under rules similar to amateur shooto and I think the introduction of kickboxing based on K1 rules would be another possibility. Doing as above would create larger talent pools for the involved combat sports without removing or detracting from the Prominence of Tae Kwon Do and Judo. Edit: Made the format a bit clearer.

The only system on the list I can comment on is Wado-Ryu. I put together some bullet points and I hope they are useful to you; Advantages: Good balance between the Kihon, Kata and Kumite elements. Introduced to Jiyu Kumite (free sparring) relatively early. Ohyo, Kihon and Kata Kumite (Not to be confused with Bunkai) are relatively uniform between clubs, and give early and easy access to Wado-Ryu fighting concepts and principles. That should not be translated as easy to pick up and perform well though. Has a number of unique Kihon Waza which emphasise the core stratagems of Wado-Ryu, and which are not found in other ryuha. Has a breadth of kata, while not being too vast in scope. Have a number of kumite exercises derived from Jujutsu which are not found in other Karate systems, providing insights into combative notions and solutions not confronted by other ryuha. At it uses natural postures, and techniques based on Tai Sabaki and Kazushi it is suited to older practitioners or those of smaller stature. Principles of power generation are taught for percussive, trapping and grappling ranges making it suitable for training at all ranges. Disadvantages: Kata are primarily of Shuri and Tomari decent, lacking an influence of Naha Te limiting, to an extent, what can be explored via the Kata. Kata have been modified and follow a distinct way of thinking, making a comparison to analogues from other systems practice of the same kata difficult to make. Great divides on Bunkai, some teachers have embraced the concept, where as others prefer to utilise the kumite exercises established by Ohtsuka Meijin alone. Relating to the Bunkai divide, some favour the jujutsu heritage of the system over the karate heritage and vice versa, hence leading to differences in the kind of practice methods you will find between clubs. Hojo Undo is a low priority for most, though flexibility and cardio are trained to be developed as in any martial art plus Makiwara, hand weights, and Tetsu-Gata are not alien to many Wadoka. However, it is far from that experienced in Full-Contact or Okinawan systems. Originating as a hybrid style with a distinct flavour and modus operandi, cross training can become a confusing rather than illuminating experience for one exploring Wado-Ryu or moving from Wado-Ryu to other ryuha. Lacks Kobujutsu or weapon practice native to Wado-Ryu, despite the presence of Baki-Dori against the Knife and Long sword. Other comments: I personally no longer believe in the mantra that training hard in any style is a worth while venture. There is some absolute junk out there, and despite my own experience in seeing some great martial artists arise from terrible teachers and terrible students arising from great teachers I would not sell yourself short. Do not do yourself a disservice by settling, make sure you find a teacher that gives you feed back you can work with. That will matter more than the system alone in the end, a good teacher.