Spartacus Maximus

The question I would ask would be HOW children should be introduced to kumite instead of asking if they should be. Certainly no instructor worthy of teaching would teach kumite to children with the same methods used with adolescents and adults. I have seen children learning kumite. It requires a completely different approach and the instructor must be familiar with the physical development stages(gross motor skills, balance, coordination of movements etc) of children in order to decide what aspects of kumite can be effectively taught. It is entirely possible to introduce and practise kumite skills safely. Things like: timing for offense/defense, effective range of techniques and many other useful things. Contact is possible but should be controlled and closely supervised. All of these are feasible to some degree with school aged children (5years+). Kumite for children under 10 should focus on preparing and the most basic notions with only very light controlled contact.

Japanese influence on Korean martial arts are more than obvious. Those who question it still often do it because of some political or cultural agenda. For centuries Korea, China and Japan have had cultural and commercial ties which brought many exchanges and parallel developments in many fields. The martial arts is just one of these. At the centre of the three was small but very prosperous island kingdom of Ryu kyu, present day Okinawa. Ryukyu was trading far and wide and sent its ships all over East and Southeast Asia. They may have even reached India. Exchanges with China brought Chinese martial arts and the Okinawan interpretation of these added to native techniques developed what became known as Karate. By the time karate was introduced to Japan, it had again been reinterpreted by the Japanese. This happened a few short years after Korea was annexed to Japan. Before the Japanese took over in the 1900's Korean culture and martial arts had certainly been heavily influenced by China, the superpower of the era, which had a very strong presence. It is best to understand as a cycle with influence moving from China to Korea and Okinawa and then from Okinawa to Japan and back to Korea again. Similarities in Korean, Japanese and Okinawan terminology are striking. Even more so if one is able to read the original writing. Chinese influence is also apparent in terminology but more obvious when comparing individual techniques.

Auto- grading is always a bad idea if the purpose of instruction is to teach any applicable skills. Students do not graduate from school just by going to class and sitting through their courses. They have to study to absorb the material and have to pass exams to determine how well they apply the notions taught. Martial arts should not be different and those who do not practise or only attend the minimum lessons should not ever expect to advance in skill or rank. Giving out ranks just for presence and participation renders them useless and affects everyone negatively. It just feeds the displaced and selfish sense of overblown entitlement that is so common in consumer mentalities. It is also a great insult to the determination of those who have spent years paying for their skills with pain, sweat, tears and blood. Taught the right way, martial arts is perhaps one of the best activities to teach the value of hard earned skills. Now that is a lesson for life. On the other hand the average person may not know or care that he has not gained an ounce of skill and still could not break himself free from a wet paper bag. Maybe some others are just happy breaking a sweat and flailing about without ever asking about what the moves mean. The still want that next pretty coloured belt and they will throw a fit if they are passed up on it. Usually a high number of belts and auto- grading is a clue that the pursuit and refinement of skill is not a priority. It is also a common strategy for increasing profit in schools aimed at children and youth including McDojos but not exclusively.

I am certain it is different from carpal tunnel syndrome because that has more to do with nerves and is much more painful than what I am getting. It happens most often when I try to relax my hands after having held them open as in a shuto or after keeping my fists closed tight when striking the makiwara or intense kata or drills. Sometimes my hands and fingers do not return to normal for several minutes and I feel soreness or numbness for hours later. I make it a point to exercise my hands and fingers in all the range of motion. It feels like every muscle in my hands squeeze and stay stuck that way. When it happens it is as if my hands are out if my control and unresponsive to my attempts at moving them to reclose or extend the fingers. I have had severe cramps in my thighs and calfs before but this is weird.

I feel very strongly about this issue and I agree with the moral and ethic principles according to which a martial arts teacher is responsible for passing on more than just martial techniques. Dealing with those who use what they are taught for unlawful purpose is part of those responsibilities. Some might consider this way of thinking old fashioned or foreign, but it is still possible to act on it. I may have particular thoughts about how one should teach martial arts, but I truly believe in the rule of law and it's enforment by the proper authorities. With this in mind I believe it is the responsibility of an instructor to confront any student who misuses or abuses what is taught. Anything and everything within the law to ensure the student changes or ceases the actions in question should be done. This includes warnings to authorities if applicable and letting peers know about the misuse and abuse. After all who wants the reputation of instructing thugs or frauds?

Every once in a while after intense practise I get strange recurring cramps in my hands. They are not very painful and never last more than a few minutes after I finish. My hands go numb and my fingers remain stuck either extended or half folded or any odd angles. Once the cramps pass, my hand is back to normal and I have no lasting discernible effects such as changes in dexterity or tactile sensitity. The worst thing about these cramps is that they happen when I'm supposed to change my hand form in technique transitions because my fingers are cramped up. Has anyone else ever had these?

So far I have tried using the lightest weight available about 0.5kg. I decided I would use them in a similar fashion as one would use tetsugeta(iron weighted Japanese style sandals). Mostly practising each kick and holding each step for a few seconds. I will also practise just raising my knees up and holding the start posiont for kicking.

I have always used Shock Doctor brand. I think they are the best thing available short of getting a custom made mouth guard. It does what it is supposed to do and is made to prevent concussions and other severe injuries. That is all you really need so it is not really necessary to have something super-fancy or expensive. Also, this is obvious but focus sparring on getting more skilled at blocking/dodging strikes to your head. That and a decent mouthguard will go a long way. Pretend the protection and pads are not there and fight/spar as if you were not wearing them. Otherwise you may unconsciously adapt to them and come to develop dangerous bad habits.

Leg stretch static for full side split, dynamic stretch front and side Slow motion kicks, fast chain kick(mawashi, spin back) nonstop for 3 minutes Standing horse stance blocks and punches Kihon kata 1-5 x 3 each, slow mo and normal speed. Pinan 1 and 2 x 5 and all bunkai for each. Hit pine board 50times right, 55times left hand.

It is not a hobby for me also. If it was a hobby it would not feel strange not to do it. Karate has been part of my life and routine since I was a snot nosed kid. I had some friends and girlfriends over the years who tried it but their interest was only passing. People who see it as a hobby end up quitting and moving on to the next thing. I would not try to convince anyone to train, especially my girlfriend or wife. I would only support and help them get started if they expressed a serious interest in it.

My biggest struggle is on going because I cannot yet claim to have overcome it yet. I lost much of the flexibility I once had and trying to regain it is painful. I also have trouble with controlling my breathing for keeping up intense training. I remember nearly passing out from exhaustion last year. I still struggle but I can keep up so I improved a little since then My main struggle right now is trying to increase the endurance and strength in my core and legs for balance and getting more power into my techniques.

I can only speak from a boyfriend or husband point of view and here is my opinion: Getting a spouse or girlfriend to join martial arts practise is only possible if the woman shares your interest in the first place. Getting her to keep it up and become as involved and dedicated as you might be is an entirely different can of worms. My theory on this is that women are generally intimidated by activities that appear to involve physical contact and a possible risk of injury. This is especially true of martial arts. Women will generally shy away and even cringe at the mere mention of these because that is the culturally acceptable construct ingrained into their minds since birth. Little girls are always told implicitly and explicitly that they must be nice, and cute and delicate. Being rough, strong and tough is more expected and encouraged of boys. The more physically rough an activity is, the less female interest it will generate. Of course there will be exceptions but they will be few and fewer still will become remarkable. Unfortunately those women and girls are considered odd by their peers because they enjoy so-called masculine or Macho activities.

I work all week and only get to the dojo twice a week. However, I make it a point to train/practise at LEAST an hour, at LEAST 3 days in the week after work. I use whatever free time I can get. It is very difficult to develop any skill or improve if you only practise when your instructor is present or at the dojo. The time spent at the dojo means very little unless you also train on your own time. I prefer to have a regular practise time but sometimes I have to change it. Each family member has something they want to do alone (hobby, pass time etc) and we all agreed to respect each other's personal schedule. Planning it I key so that it does not interfere with anything important. In my case I agree to finish my session before anyone's bedtime. The others allow me to train uninterrupted unless for emergencies. In exchange I let them have their turn and cooperate to make sure they can do whatever they need their time for. It's worth taking the time to discuss and plan with everyone in the house. Everyone in my personal circle knows that very few things will make me put aside practising karate. I have been into it for so long that it has become who I am and nothing or nobody has or will change that. People who will not or cannot accept that are no longer around me. Luckily those I care most about support me even if they find my obsession with martial arts strange. That's the best one could hope for as a shameless martial arts freak.

I have been looking for a new way to improve strength and endurance of my legs for kicks. After watching my instructor use ankle weights I am considering doing the same thing. I would like to inquire about the use of these weights and get some insight from whoever uses them. What type of exercise do you use them for?: slow motion techniques or near full speed/power? I saw the weights available from 0.5kg to 3.5kg. What weight do you recommend starting with? Please share your opinion and experiences

Unless you are well connected with the gym staff, I'm not sure if there is anything you could do to change the traction on the floor. The fact that other people use it also limits what could possibly be done. If the slipperiness is not from excess wax or other cleaning and maintenance products, it could be humidity. You could try to briskly wipe the floor with a dry mop broom. I'm sure the gym would let you borrow one if you asked. If that does nothing, then wearing shoes is the only solution. If you want something close to the sensation of being barefoot with shoes, try looking into a type of soft shoe. For example, kung fu or tai chi shoes. These are commonly sold by most martial arts equipment stores and are not so costly. I got a pair for myself that I bought on the internet for no more than a regular pair of cheap running shoes. I wear them whenever being barefoot is not possible. Good luck

It is my opinion and understanding that someone with a shodan must demonstrate the following skills: 1. A firm grasp of all basic techniques and fundamental principles 2. Knowledge of technique applications and function. 3. Demonstrate correct focus to produce power in basic techniques at least somewhat consistently 4. Mental concentration and a good moral character. The first three can possibly be developed by adolescents and maybe children as young as ten. The fourth condition however, is much much more difficult and in my experience impossible for anyone under 16-18years old. An entire university library's worth of research can be found to show that a person still is not mentally fully mature until the age of 20. 10-12year olds are still very much children. A student that age cannot be expected to be able to concentrate on his own training without any support. It is also too much to expect him to have the maturity to judge and reflect on his own actions. Even teenagers are still impulsive and mentally immature. A child maybe a phenomenal athlete and very adept at remembering physical movements but I do not believe their skills are beyond a very superficial physical level. That is why I adhere to the idea that shodan should not be used to evaluate the level of anyone under 16-18. I also think individual personality plays a significant part in a students grasp of martial skills and concepts.

Abuse of martial arts bothers me very much now but I wonder how I would deal with it if I were an instructor. What if it was someone to whom I taught that was using what I taught him to pick fights or worse to beat others and other serious criminal violence? In the past, the instructor would personally confront and stop a student gone rogue. Then again this type of justice was probably only in extreme cases due to instructors evaluating and selecting students before deciding to teach. Nowadays anyone can pay for instruction. Instructors may not feel so responsible for what students are doing outside the dojo and I doubt many of them would go as far as going after a student themselves if they found out they "created a monster". I have been to quite a few dojos and trained both in the West and in the homeland of karate. A few had a token mention of the subject and only one had a very explicit warning and discussion about it. I watched two pieces of media that made me start this rant. The first one is the incident of a sensei instructing his senior student to viciously beat a man inflicting crippling and possibly fatal injuries. This so-called instructor was trained in Okinawa. The second is a documentary on a mobster called Tommy Karate who used what he learned for mafia hits or to kill people who got in his way. Again this man had good skills and was trained by Japanese and American teachers who apparently were very proud of their student. I'm guessing this before they knew he was a mafia killer for hire. If they ever did know I wonder what they thought. End Rant.

Whenever I have heard of or witnessed somebody misuse or abuse martial arts I could not help feeling offended. It makes me even angrier when the person abusing martial art knowledge and skill practises the same martial art or style that I do. Anyone using martial arts to deceive or take advantage of others is wrong. Worse than frauds are those who use martial arts as a weapon for unjustifiable gratuitous violence. Thugs, bullies and other unscrupulous despicable brutes. It is quite unfortunate that the martial arts seem to attract these types. Especially if the instructor does not care to or neglects to examine what kind of people he is teaching. The worst I have ever personally witnessed was someone from my group who went out of his way to look for trouble outside. At the time I could not do anything because I was too young and inexperienced. His case eventually caught the attention of the sensei resulting in his expulsion and exclusion from many dojos because most martial arts teachers in town were friends or at least acquaintances. Word got around quick and none of them wanted anything to do with someone who would give them a reputation for training thugs. The second incident was an adult student who struck a 10-12 year old student twice. The adult was also not a beginner. This time, I was assisting while the main instructor was away. I told him to leave and not return without the instructors permission and an apology to the child. Violence is always wrong if it is unjust or used against the weak and defenseless. It is much more evil and contemptible when it is done by skilled, trained persons who know how to cause maximum damage and are aware of this. Martial skills without the guidance of morals and philosophy is but the most abject and bestial thuggery.

I still remember my very first sensei who introduced me to karate when I was just a bratty kid. I learned from him until I left for school but he taught me the value of peseverance in practise. My second teacher taught me for 5 years and was a shining example of a tireless, humble and kind teacher always ready to share his skills to anyone reay to learn. My present teacher terrifies me with his skills in karate. He has an amazing depth of knowledge and experience. If I can be just a little bit like all three of them, then maybe I could be considered a worthy student and a decent teacher.

It is well known that martial arts have rules of conduct, morals and ethics usually taught through some kind of philosophy. Whatever the origin of the arts there are some rules that are universal. Especially these two: Character development and improvement(self control, patience, respect etc) Unprovoked attacks or trivial fighting are wrong. Martial skills are a last resort response for self defense. Unfortunaly sometimes there are people who never learned or understood these lessons. What is the worst abuse or misuse of martial arts you have ever seen or heard of personally? Were you able to do anything about it? If so, did you handle the situation?

Stretching every day is the only way to maintain an increase flexibility as well as for preventing injuries. This is more important when you are older than 20 years old. If you stretch past your comfort point and do nothing the next day, you will feel even stiffer than before when you try it again a day later. The body naturally returns to its original state. Becoming more flexible requires conscious sustained efforts and daily stretching maintains the gains. Without daily stretching, felexibilty is not maintained. Someone at my dojo asked a very similar question. This man was I his mid thirties and not very flexible. He only did stretching in the dojo and was often in pain often. After he started stretching daily he finally got rid of the pain and stiffness. Just take it easy and slowly day by day doing a little more.

My lessons are semi private so there is rarely more than 5 or 6 of us being taught. Then again, I am only able to attend on weekends so I don't know how many usually show up on weekdays. The total number of regular students is no more than 20. Most are working and/or studying adults so only a small number out of those are present at all dojo days. In other dojos I trained at there was usually one or two seniors assisting the sensei with each leading a group of up to 5 students. I think between 5 and 8 students to 1 instructor is ideal. It depends on the instructors experience though. Even for someone accustomed to teaching and managing large groups, it can be very difficult to watch every one.

If a school has a contract it is because the school belongs to a chain belonging to the same owner or a franchise. These schools use contracts because they are primarily businesses. Other schools that are part of an association don't have contracts but different paying plans. The most common is a single fee for 1 year or monthly monthly tuition. Dividing payments by sessions of 3 months or 6 months is also quite common. Personally I like the idea of giving students a choice to decide what is suitable for them. I believe this retains more students than having them sign a commitment they are unsure of keeping. I don't believe having a contract keeps more students than having no contracts.

Becoming vegetarian or vegan or any radical change of diet is a matter of personal choice. Usually the choice is for a very personal reason. The most difficult thing is compensating and balancing everything so as to not cause shortages of essential nutrients to maintain health. Depending on what foods are available it can be harder to do in one place than another. The more restrictions a diet has, the harder it is to compensate and it is a good idea to do some research to find the best solution. Get advice from a doctor or a nutritionist or read books by such experts. I went trough vegetarian phase in my university days. I was not a strict vegetarian because I only took meat out of my diet. The next thing I experimented with was the so called paleo or caveman diet. This means I ate nothing that was processed or transformed in any way. No bread, raw fruits and vegetables only, some meat and fish. As close as possible to what people would have eaten before agriculture was developed. Now I am back on a general diet but I just eat smaller portions. Usually no more than 1.5 times the size of my two hands held together.

I would never tell someone not to go on the kind of journey we are discussing here. It is an honourable endeavour and an interesting experience for future reference. There is always something to be learned or discovered by going back to the source. In my childhood and youth I dreamed about one day traveling to the Far East to learn and train at the source of karate. Even now I am still not at the end of my journey but I do not regret having taken the first step.