Kime

Our (shotokan) Club does not dictate the brand, model or style of our gi. As long as it is clean and tidy, and we get the Club logo sewed on to the gi, then we're good. I joined the Club a year a go and bought a very cheap cotton/synthetic fabric gi which i used for one season. Now using a Kaiten Dynamic which to me was a fantastic upgrade. The Price of it was about 4 times higher (around 65£) than my first gi, but the quality is way better and the cuts and the ventilation in the gi is way better. However this one suits my needs, i do concider buying a Seishin gi though. From what i've heard its top notch if you love karate.

I graduated 7'th kuy this weekend and this topic is something that i have been thinking of. Because this is exactly what is happening in our dojo, or seems to have atleast. From my observations it seems that most of those that takes the classes "to have something to do" or "for the fun of it" will start to drop out. In our dojo, this and especially from 6 --> 5'th kyu is where people vanish. Some of my classmates kids aswell as adults (our classes are rank based) are starting to doubt. Because it is now demanding a lot more agility, focus and studying. Seems like they are realizing that the future ranks is an achivement instead of just something you get for showing up. You must starting to show the understanding and execution of proper stances, kime and hip usage. Of course i'm sorry to see people drop out, but honestly - it's better when we're all there because we want to learn, study and improve - mentally and physically instead of just "having fun twice a week".

I know where you are coming from Judodad. I've been studying shotokan karate for nearly a year now. Watching the legendary sensei's performing and explaining the techniques and kata's is a great inspiration and help. Atleast it has been to me. I truely second that you might miss or inherit something that has changed since it was recorded or is just not "appropriate for your respective level". In my case i primarely watch Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa and Sensei Masao Kagawa. I do what you guys say, get inspired and study online, and ask the questions and get the corrections in the dojo. But it makes it possible to be a step ahead in many cases . OSU!

Welcome to KF! Glad you've decided to make us a part of your journey. Thanks It just seemed like a really good place to learn and share knowledge. .

Hey Guys, this will be my first post here. I'm fairly new as i've only trained shotokan karate for nearly a year now (just graduated 7'th kyu). I am one of these "small Guys". 169 cm tall weighting roughly 60 kg. During the classes in our dojo i always get to spar with much heavier and taller Guys at my own age (i'm 28) or older. I tend to be much quicker in both tzuki's and geri's. In my Humble opinion i think it is of course your physics, but the execution plays such a huge part. I use my heavybag several times a week. I often train my tzuki's to improve the speed, accuracy and execution. I don't know if you Guys have experienced the same. But i've tried some times now, where i Struck with the proper execution and full focus (kime). All these Things brought so much power that i was shocked.. my heavybag flew off from 3 of the chains, dingling in just 1. I've never been concidered strong or "buffed", far from. But with the proper technique and execution, it's simply amazing what you can do.