Spartacus Maximus

There are few exceptions but if the person with less-than-honourable actions is family or close friends, then for the sake of that something must be said. It is only a matter of approaching the issue tactfully and preferably in private with the person concerned.

The best motivation is knowing what one is doing. What is the target, how and when should it be attacked and the intent of the technique used. As for motivating thoughts, the only one to have is: there is no second try! The first or second technique must end the attack. This means the attacker is either dead, unconscious or injured enough to allow one to escape.

I only follow a few guidelines and have no specific food restrictions. First I drink water whether or not I am thirsty. Sometimes 6 or more litres in a day, half of this in the morning. I rarely eat breakfast and when I do it is a very small meal. For other meals I eat whatever I like but always include as much vegetables as possible and more importantly, I make sure I am not completely full. Besides that I make sure I train 7 days a week, at least an hour.

The majority of people will likely only listen to what they want to hear. For this reason the best thing to do is probably to remain silent or only make very general comments. Before saying anything one should consider what one has to gain or lose by doing so. If the answer to that is nothing of value, then there is no reason to speak. Regardless of how and what other schools teach their students, it has no bearing on what I do. I may offer my opinion if it is genuinely solicitated, and will listen to that of my sensei. But no mater what I think it is not my place or my business to try to convince anyone of anything.

Usually, but not always, the first kata taught excluding kihon is the "core" kata. Although I have some knowledge of Goju ryu from observing it and exchanging with exponents, I do not practise it. Some schools may have Seisan or Sanchin first but both of these are fundamental in Okinawan Goju ryu I have visited.

From what I heard, this is not a rare thing. If you are unable for whatever reason to have your own exclusive space, it might be to your advantage to make a deal with another school. The first dojo I trained in owned the space but the instructor accepted a renting deal with a jujitsu school who used our dojo on different days. Another instructor I know rented a space from another school and eventually remained the only tenant after the other one moved out a few years later. I would try it because it's easier than buying and cheaper than transforming a place and fixing it up for the purpose. Getting along with whoever is there might take some negotiations, but it's worth it.

To answer the original question I will say the Naihanchi series. These kata appear short and simple, but they contain all of the fundamental principles of the Shorin ryu system. Naihanchi is to Shorin ryu what Sanchin is to Goju ryu. All exponents and instructors of Shorin ryu swear by it and spend more time on them than any other kata. In my dojo the series are the only kata done every day besides kihon kata.

I find the motivations of armchair instructors difficult to understand. I can hardly imagine myself going to offer advice to someone without being asked. Helping a fellow in the dojo is where I draw the line and when outside of that environment, a martial arts practitioner is just another person.

A good explanation of the concept is that it is the point where one no longer requires conscious thought to perform an action which has been trained and internalized enough that it becomes automatic. Mushin literally translates to "no-mind". It is subconscious action and can only be achieved with years of concentrated effort and dedicated practise. It is when techniques flow from within and naturally.

For training to be serious and to get the maximum benefits it should be done as a daily habits. Everyone has a few things that are done without fail everyday. Things that are always done and often done without a second thought. When training is made into one of those routine habits, it is no longer just an activity. No matter how one feels before, a good training session will improve everything. It is impossible to stay stressed or in a bad mood or weak after training hard. In fact it is on the days that require more effort to get into training that I feel the best sense of accomplishment afterwards.

There is nothing to worry about when switching styles or schools early. Going from one system to a completely different one is most difficult when one has been doing the first for several years. Over time habits develop and the longer they have set in the more difficult it is to change them.

Training for sport or competition is not my goal, but the importance of having some strength to put into the techniques is undeniable. For many, myself included, and time is something I must work with. Do you included it in your training or do you find time to do a separate workout? I'm still trying to see how I can do it. I already do 45-60min of just karate daily.

By "notable" I meant people whose names are well known in martial arts circles or in history. Chuck Norris is an example, but I am not sure how old he was when he started. Being famous is not necessary though, but coming up with an example of someone who started later is not easy. I often wonder if there are certain limits to the level I can expect to reach, having restarted my training in my late 20's. At least as far as the physical techniques go.

By "notable" I meant people whose names are well known in martial arts circles or in history. Chuck Norris is an example, but I am not sure how old he was when he started.

All my dojo mates are adults and nearly all of them have some kind of background in martial arts, sports or athletics. As for me I started at 13 and remained active until 29, except for a two year pause for studies. From there I started over my training in the same karate style under a different teacher who is having me relearn everything.

It is commonly assumed that there is a certain age ideal for starting to learn martial arts. Questions relating age are always some of the most frequently asked. A quick survey of highly skilled martial arts people both living and passed shows that they all began training as children, youths or adolescents. This makes me wonder if there are any at all of note who started as adults older than 18-20years old. Excluding any natural talent, it it possible for someone to develop a high skill level starting to train beyond that age?

I also agree that it is something that should be included in training outside of the dojo. If what is done as part of the dojo training session is not enough, should it be done separately at a different time? Personally my solo training consists nearly entirely of karate techniques(basics, kata, etc).

Fitness and strength is one of the many beneficial results of training in martial arts. In the average training session most of the time is focussed on learning and perfecting techniques. There is very little time for specific exercise for building muscle and strength. Typically a session may include up to 30min of stretching, push-ups and sit-ups and leg raises at the beginning. What part should strength training and muscular development have in a martial arts training session? Is it necessary to have a separate trainng routine or is the workout at the beginning sufficient?

I heard that one too, until I read about Okinawan history. The truth is karate was developed by Okinawan samurai(nobility, royals etc) who later were forced to become farmers and fishermen to make a living after losing their status when the Japanese annexed them. They just continued to train in secret. For example, Funakoshi was of high birth. In fact nearly all known okinawan master is of noble, even royal decent. These men were often sent to China to be educated by the best teachers in every subject as well as martial arts.

Whatever the subject, there is nothing more tedious than dealing with unsolicited advice from amateurs or underqualified people. Even when they are giving their advice with genuine good intentions. That is one reason I prefer to do all my training and practise away from any casual observers. Besides that I am inclined to listen to anyone's advice and even humour the person. I always listen but it is my instructor who I follow because he is the one teaching me and not some random bloke. I take the armchair instructors advice as a way to learn. I often take their ideas to my instructor so that we can pick it apart and it often helps me understand what I am learning. If however the annoyance is too great, I excuse myself and go off to practise in quieter surroundings

Very interesting. I heard a somewhat less far fetched explanation according to which washing a belt was bad. Before belts were made with the quality and durability standards common nowadays, washing a belt would slowly deteriorate it. Black belts and especially ones with embroidery were prone to this so people avoided washing them for that reason. Any other m&ms?( myths and misconceptions?) perhaps weirder ones? What it the strangest you have ever heard?

I wonder where that one came from. I don't wash mine each time but I do wash it. It's vital in my area especially because of the weather and high humidity.

Myths and misconceptions about martial arts have been around for as long as Martians arts themselves. Many of these have been around for so long that it is difficult to know where and with whom they originated. I thought it would be an interesting discussion to share the ones commonly and less commonly heard. For me the strangest one is the supposed fact that people who are trained in martial arts to certain level (blackbelt etc..) must inform their local legal authorities or police. What is strange to me is that this myth is still believed in this day and age, although it has been shown false several times. If you know of a stranger myth or misconception about a martial art, please share it and how you think it got started

Once or twice is nothing to worried about because afterwards it is possible to prevent. If it happens every time to the same person, then something is wrong. Water intake is very important and also salt. Both of these are at everyone's disposal in my dojo and we are all urged to take as much as needed. The sensei often stops those who are not getting enough and tells them to drink or have a pinch of salt. On a regular training session of 2hours I usually drink 2-4litres of water. This might seem extreme but it is necessary for the level of activity.

As a rule I would never take anything weapon-like when traveling, especially abroad, as I have spent most of my adult life living away from my original home. When the risks of air travel increased to higher levels I started to look at inconspicuous objects that could be used as defensive weapons that are allowed on board and found there. Pens, pencils, earphones in flight eating utensils(metal on some airlines!). If it's allowed on a plane there is a good chance it is not restricted or illegal to carry almost anywhere. Still the best id a is not to have anything on ones person.