catlike

Honestly, I do count myself lucky. Able bodied, enough money to spend on a hobby like this, mentally able to connect with it (and you guys, the internet is a pretty awesome thing!) I really appreciate being able to see how the techniques are applied. But when you show the application, naturally, the finer points of the movement become something quite different. Let me explain an example from last night. We did Kihon Kata for the benefit of the white belt. Now, steps 9 and 17 are 270 degree turns with a Gedan Barai. Last night we ran through the kata once, then explored this turn, as a throw. So your assailant would get grabbed with both hands and taken down. The hand movements in the kata are not 'grabbing', your body weight and centre is designed only for yourself at that moment, so obviously it's quite different when you chuck someone about a bit! We did it, it was fun and I ended up on the deck a few times yes! But then we just whistled through the kata once more and I couldn't help feeling the white belt chap was even more unsure about hand position in that movement. I do talk to my Sensei, he's really approachable and open and I know it's difficult getting a lesson across to so many different students, who are all at different stages. I'm not moaning, I think I'm just curious to see if this 'kata way' / 'real world way' thing exists everywhere.

Not really a moan, but an observation I think I'd like a little 'me too' or 'no, that's odd' reassurance. I'm a red belt (pretty much the lowest) in our club, lots of kids and a few adults (say 6 regulars), mostly higher belts. We do a lot of real-world self defence stuff. Sensei starts by putting together 2 or 3 moves, we do in a line for a couple minutes. Then Senpai joins him, generally makes an 'ouch' noise, then we break up into pairs and try it. This means I don't really know the correct technique as it's observed during kata. We don't spend a great deal of time learning kata but I've been told not to follow youtube vids on the 'net, in case we do the moves differently. I embrace kata, I love the power and focus you need to put into it to do it right, but I think I'm being shuffled down a path of bunkai. Perhaps Sensei notices I'm interested in kata and hence need no encouragement, but my real-world application is terrible so the focus on bunkai etc. I feel like I'm the one asking most questions and making the biggest efforts when I know what I should be doing.

Similar situation for me, my son went to my school last week for the first lesson. Lots of newbies that night too, so was ideal. But he was shattered, the class is just too late. His bedtime is 7pm and the class was 6-7, which is too much of a stretch right now. 6 months and I'll try him again, see how he goes. My expectations are discipline, fun and motor skills at this age.

Welcome!

Welcome!

I think forums like this still have a very good place for single serve subjects. You can read a thread, look up keywords etc, and see all relevant info without the waffle you get on FB. I'd pay more attention to someone who posted here than 'social meeja'.

Woohoo! Well done! You only buy one belt, your white. The rest are earned. You're on your way now, and soon enough there will be white belts stood to your left and they'll be looking at you for stances, hand positions and so on.

Hi PhilC - welcome! I'm new here, haven't posted much but I'm going through the billions of posts here taking down some really useful info!

I very much do like! Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

Mawashi geri has me foxed. At a grading recently we all had to do Mae geri and Mawashi geri in four steps: 1. Lift leg up 2. Kick 3. Retract 4. Down Then 3, then all as one. Front kick was fine, I get that, and can balance etc. But for a roundhouse, how the hell can you lift a leg up and to the side, then somehow spin round, then kick, then retract, then spin back round all on one leg? Then I have the issue I'm not sure if you make contact with the top of your foot or the ball of your foot. Front kick is obvious, but I'm sure I saw an instructor using the ball of his foot on a roundhouse kick. And then... Flexibility. I can just about kick at stomach level from my right leg. My left leg could maybe get to knee level but I'm all over the shop then. I know it's practise practise practise - but are there any drills I can do that isn't kicking that will help in any way? Standing in front of my bedroom mirror I reckon I got through 50 kicks last night and still felt I was no further forward.

Thanks chaps! Feeling pretty pleased I got my Orange belt on Sunday and a 'well done' from the group Sensei.

I'm pretty sure it's roots are in Shotokan, with elements of Goju. I'm only guessing really, from the katas. They are: Kihon kata Heian Shodan Heian Nidan Gekisai dai ichi Gekisai dai ni Chokosen Gekisai Tekki Shodan Saifa Bassai Dai Tensho Seiunchin Sanchin Shisochin Empi I did Wado Ryu when I was a nipper, got my yellow belt but could not keep a temper when I received a whack in competition. So I didn't progress and then didn't really want to go any more. My sensei is keen on application, seems that way more than theory or classwork. So I'm making more of an effort to learn basics from multiple sources, so I don't slow others down. I'm the lowest grade in the class at the moment, after 5 or 6 joined earlier this year I'm the only one who's stuck to it! The school has classes all over the south west, gradings are done at regional centres and bigger gradings are done in Plymouth, where the school originated from. Only having had on grading so far I can't really comment much more than that!

Hi there. Thought I'd say hello as I've started to 'lurk with intent'. I'm training Karate at a school based in SW UK. Anyone else part of us / them?