JackD

You learn a lot when your in front of a class, and more when there are higher grades present. I guess as learning karate is a real two way street between instructor and student it benefits both anyway.

This made me remember a video I once watched that seemed to make a lot of sense. "Think of a stance as a transition not a position"

Nidan we do a kata Seishan, the beginning has similarities to the classic Goju-Ryu tension kata Sanchin. It's one of our advanced katas but I suspect most would have seen it done. Personally I think it would be a good thing for a wado practitioner to explore seeing as the tension/breathing thing is quite a fundamental to Goju-Ryu.

I started at a shotokan club last year and they spend as much time kicking as punching. We do spinning back kicks and hook kicks but I've never seen them teach anything more acrobatic! Our instructor said just the other week that mawashigeri was a relatively new addition to shotokan! On the other hand I trained with a guy one who said he once trained at a shotokan club where they didn't teach any kicks until after a year of training. I'd say it depends on the club syllabus and the instructor, so if you want something that concentrates on elaborate kicking it might be worth looking around at clubs or perhaps different styles as shotokan is know for it's strong linear movements.

I've just built mine and I'm feeling very smug about it. It is a vastly different experience between striking that and the wall mounted version I've just replaced.

Wastelander the video is really helpful, I can appreciate what you're saying. I think it's time for me to re-evaluate and get myself a proper makiwara Thanks

I didn't have room for a proper one so I got a wall mounted version like this (http://www.karategirl.co.uk/images/karate-training-equipment/makiwara-strike-board.jpg) I doubt it's as good as a proper one, but I attached the top of it to the wall with a bracket and put some foam padding behind it so it has a couple of cm's give. I've never done much with it other than hit it with reverse punches, I use it a couple of times a week and concentrate on breathing. It's quite soothing in a way

I didn't know there was a karate day! Thanks for sharing the video Iskrax, wouldn't it have been great to be there?

In our wado association, and the shotokan club I train with there is three grades of brown belt so you're in that zone for a lot longer than you are with previous belts. It might just be me but I've got a lot more philosophical about my karate, and you start seeing some of the tiny little things that make a big difference! Iskrax If you haven't seen this post by Lupin1 this is a great read for brown belts, I've really taken this to heart http://www.karateforums.com/5-ill-advised-things-every-brown-belt-should-do-vt47668.html

Perhaps it's your Sensei and not you that needs to question their etiquette! They are an instructor not a master, if he's "telling you off" or making you feel awkward perhaps you ought to talk to him about it, otherwise find a club where you feel comfortable!

Ha ha perhaps you will! The one thing I'm keeping in the back of my mind is that what I'm doing will be of benefit to my karate. But if you can fit it in, then go for it my friend, you'll not be disappointed!

That's much appreciated LLLEARNER, it's working out very well, and, as an added bonus I actually have some visible muscle!! Probably a bit daft at my age but I'm really excited and fired up at this point on my karate path

Nidan Melbourne, just wanted to say thanks, I took your advice and it's been really, really helpful. Cheers

>>For Karate, what do you think is the healthiest and most beneficial form of exercise Kata

No I don't, and hadn't really thought about that, but perhaps it's a sensible way forward. I'll have a look around locally see if there is anyone. Thanks