shortyafter

I'm back stateside and for reasons I've detailed earlier in this thread I will not be returning to my former (and first) Kyokushin dojo. Nothing against the style and I learned a lot there, but I just don't gel with the dynamic in that particular dojo. I found a Shotokan dojo 10 minutes up the road so that will be my new bet. I'll be going in with my green belt and a white belt, and I'll put on whichever one they tell me to. Makes no difference to me at all. I'm a bit nervous but hey I think this is a great opportunity for my karate. I'll only be with them for 3 weeks but it'll be nice to get another perspective on my karate, and also to see what they do. Will probably update tomorrow.

I saw a video of Sensei Rick Hotton where he touched briefly on this. He said something along the lines of that he likes bunkai and finds it in general useful, but also not totally the point of kata. His evidence is these weird bunkai/applications that are like, “really?” and you just know the creator had to get very, very (too) creative to make them work. He stresses more the principles that the kata teaches, something like what OneKickWonder was saying. And he even mentioned - while kata does not have music it does have rhythm. And feeling super connected with oneself and nature in his opinion is much more important than doing a technically perfect kata. “Find your own kata”, he said. Although I’m sure there’s room for both, and I think that’s kind of what he said. But I do agree that it’s not all about finding application, I think that would be missing something essential. I’m on the road now (not the driver!) so I haven’t been able to double check these videos, but I’m pretty sure I was mostly true to Sensei Hotton’s words. But here are the videos which I find quite interesting for anyone interested in this topic (5~ minutes total): - Kata and Bunkai - Competion Kata vs. One’s Own Kata

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of kata? Outside of karate, hyung or forms are about the flow from one position to the next. All those lovely stances we practice that serve no purpose if you can't move effectively between them, become relevant in forms as we get to see and feel how they fit into movement. Surely punctuating every move with a pushup must disturb that flow does it not? I buy that, and doing the one move/one press-up thing probably isn’t the “ideal” way to practice a kata. But mixing that in occasionally IMO could be a good way to work on building “strong spirit”, especially if it’s done multiple times in a row. Plus the benefit of doing the calisthenics. I could see it.

I'm by no means an expert but isn't the idea of traditional karate one strike, one kill/KO? So leaving yourself open wouldn't necessarily be a problem, because theoretically the opponent would be down before he can counter. If you look at it that way the centrifugal force idea could make more sense. Whether or not the idea is actually valid, I don't know, but it would make more sense in karate than in boxing IMO.

I like that idea, too. I think there's more to a kata than meets the eye, a lot of which you touched on. Also, I think a lot of it is mental, a form of meditation as you said. The best kata I have ever performed have been in a state of total relaxation, let-go, and no-mind. The same has been true of my fights. I think it was Funakoshi who said, "kata is not to be confused with combat, but it can teach you many things that will help you in combat".

OneKick, great comments and I really appreciate that. My instructor is a great guy and part of the reason I like him, beyond being good at karate, is because he's genuinely a nice guy at heart. Like you said we're learning to fight but, we're also learning not to fight, and I'm not busting my butt at the dojo 3 nights a week to be treated like crud with the vague hope that one day I may get to use my karate. So it's a fine line I think? Totally agree that it's a mental thing. Some dude yelling at me, if that gets to me, is not his problem, it's my problem. Especially if that's in a real life self-defense situation. Or even just situation where someones being a turd verbally. That's kind of what I was getting at before, like, if I let it get to me, that's my problem. But yeah I think you're absolutely right - nobody's gonna pat me on the back all the time and hold my hand through this. Especially not when there's a conflict involved. Someone said (was it Funakoshi?) that the aim of karate is the perfection of character, and getting over this stuff is just as important to me as learning the kicks and punches, probably more important (I never hope to actually use my karate, but the karate spirit applies to everything). Regardless of what anyone is saying or not saying to me, I just want to be cool doing my thing and not get derailed so easily. I know I'm on a good path. Me personally, I feel I need the pats on the back because life is hard and I've really come along way from the guy I used to be. I'm a better person. I think I have a tendency to be hard on myself and sometimes the best thing I can do for me is just be like, yeah dude, you're doing well, keep it up. Here's the big killer though - I can't expect that from anyone else (and as you said, definitely not from an opponent). So it's gotta come from inside me. So I know this is all work on my end, but like I said. I'm not perfect and I needed to vent. And even in a fight we wanna know that there's someone in our corner. Thanks for being that guy OneKick, already feeling better about this.

TL;DR - Taking a more relaxed approach to my karate at least for the summer holiday, doing self-defense classes. Need to vent about the way my instructor has been treating me. Looks like it's been about a month folks but I'm still kicking (no pun intended!). As I mentioned before the dojo is taking a summer vacation but my instructor has decided to do some self-defense classes twice a week. That's been a better rhythm for me and I've also taken some of the pressure off of myself at home... like, it's OK if I don't do a kata every day. I guess I'm taking the advice many of you guys have given me, to just slow down and be patient. The whole reason I'm doing karate is to live a better life, so when training becomes an undue burden and the effort outweighs the rewards, then something is going wrong. I also had some bad news about an exam I was studying for, then realized, I don't even need to technically take that exam right now. It was more of a personal challenge, just like black belt was for me. But right now I think the best personal challenge I can give myself is the challenge to let myself relax. The rest will come, I'm certain of it. Just wanted to vent a little bit, too. I hope you all don't take this as whining because that's not the point of it. One former karate teacher told us that it can be good to show emotion so that's kind of what I'm aiming for with this. Anyway, I just feel like my current instructor only gives me encouragement when I'm doing well. It's like, as soon as I make mistakes it's like this attitude of "Are you serious right now? Are you stupid?" Those aren't his words but that's how his tone and attitude feel to me. Small mistakes OK but it's particularly when I'm getting in a rut that he gets tough on me (like when nothing makes sense and I can't seem to tell my left from right. It happens.) Like I get that those moments are not what we're after but sorry folks, I'm human and they happen. But I still keep showing up and I still try my best at training despite having off nights. And it's like, yeah you see me having a rut right now and called me out on it, but did you ever just take a minute and give me some positive words of encouragement? I mean, he does, but it only seems to be when I'm performing well or having a good night. How about the nights when I didn't feel like showing up because I had a freaking awful day, but came anyway and powered through even if it wasn't my best training? Where was the encouragement then? IDK, I just feel like he focuses more on my mistakes than all the things I know that I'm doing right. Again, I get it, the mistakes are where I need to work. But it's like, there's time where I know why I made a certain mistake, like, because I was focusing on doing a certain part of the motion and then he comes in and says I'm doing something else wrong. It's like, I can't be everywhere at once. Sometimes it feels like he's getting angry about crap I literally can't control. I can't do everything perfect, I just can't, and getting angry at me about it isn't going to wise me up to the point that I don't make these kinds of little mistakes anymore. If only it were that simple. If I were slacking off in the dojo and not giving my all then OK, let me have it, but that's not me. I'm genuinely trying my best, and it sucks to feel like that doesn't get recognized. I know he's human too and, I'm a teacher myself, and I know that teachers aren't perfect. So like, I know that the way he handles it is his deal and the way I react to him is my deal. Like, I know that I could just be like - "oh, there he goes again getting angry" and just kind of shrug it off and keep doing my thing, calmly making whatever corrections I need to make. I suppose it's sort of my ego getting in the way, like, I'm taking it as a personal attack when really it has nothing to do with me. Much more to do with him than it does with me. But hey I'm human and like I said acting like I'm a robot who doesn't care just ain't the reality. Thanks folks and feel free to chime in.

In karate there are two types of front kicks - they are called mae geri keage and mae geri kekome. Keage is the snapping motion that you were describing in your original post, like a sort of slap with your foot. It stings. Kekomi is the thrust that engages all of your hips forward, it's more of a push. Same principle applies to yoko geri (side kick) and possibly other kicks/strikes? But in my dojo we have always applied it to front and side kicks. Sounds like this is the distinction you're making here, no? And, I don't know where I heard this but I think some video about Japanese karate? Some Japanese Sensei was out sparring in a field and he realized that the mae geri (front kick) was much more effective than a roundhouse (mawashi geri) in that environment. Why? It's hard to get the traction to twist the supporting foot in that type of environment... you're more likely to lose your balance. A front kick is more stable and more balanced. For that reason in traditional karate the roundhouse kick was never really trained, it was always front kick.

As I said in my last update my dojo is taking a 3 month break. I'm actually going back to visit my folks in the USA for the month of August, and I found a Shotokan dojo that I'd like to give a shot while I'm there. I had an old Kyokushin dojo but as I posted about a few months ago I had second thoughts about whether that place was really good for me. So anyway, I'll be trying something new in August. But until then, my instructor here in Europe has decided to do a self-defense course open to the general public (not just karate students) these next couple of months. Tonight was the first night. Small crowd but it was good. It was really basic stuff, but you know what I realized? I actually have an idea of what I'm doing. Compared to the people who knew practically nothing, I looked like a total champion. Again, it was basic stuff, but I knew how to do it, it felt natural, and I executed it well. I guess sometimes I look at my karate and think that unless I'm doing perfect side kicks to the head, something is going wrong. I mean, I don't explicitly think that, because typing it out it just sounds ridiculous. But on some subconscious level I do demand a crazy amount of perfection out of myself. As I have said before, a big part of my karate training is learning to change my perspective and to focus on what's important. And it's also what so many of you have said to me before - it takes time. So I can't do a perfect side kick to the head. But I'm much more comfortable in my body and with the fundamentals of punches/kicks/self-defense than your average Joe on the street. Maybe that seems like no big deal, maybe that just doesn't seem totally, like, glamorous. But if I look at it in just the right way, that's a huge deal. For some reason I thought I had been training for 4 years, but I just realized that it's really only been 3 years this June. 3 years. That's so little time. If I've come this far in 3 years, imagine in 6. 12. 15. 20. 30. I can really see where this path is taking me, and I'm excited about it. To be honest, I may never be able to execute a perfect side kick to the head. For one, because that word perfect is really a dirty word. And secondly, because, maybe that's just not the way my body's built. But I know that, with time and effort, I will be able to execute a pretty darn good side kick to the body. That much I'm confident in. But as you all have said in some other threads recently... my progress isn't measured by one particular technique. So no need to get caught up in that. Instead, I'm going to continue to focus on what I saw today... a guy who, with a lot of hard work and patience, has come a long way in just 3 short years. That, my friends, is really something special. With that in mind and heart, onward we go. Thank you all for your help and support.

Cool JR! I was recently reading something from Funakoshi, I believe it was related to the 20 precepts but not totally sure. One thing that really jumped out to me was his advice saying that "we are to be masters of the situation at all times". That's kind of what your post/tactic made me think of. Holding your ground like that, you're the one dictating the fight and never your opponent. He or she's going to be fighting on your terms, and not vice versa. That's huge. Certainly there are other ways to "be the master of the situation" than just holding your ground, but this seems like a good use of that principle and one that has worked for you. Good post, thanks.

Indeed. Thank you hammer.

Hi Swede, that's cool! I feel I'm at a similar place in my journey... karate has really become a sort of way of life for me. We will also be starting our summer vacation soon but I plan on continuing on myself. I make a point to exercise every day, even if it's just going for a walk, and behind that I like to do something karate-oriented, even if it's just a stretch. And oftentimes it's more substantial like kata and blocks, punches, etc. And for me it's very meditative, too. Something about getting the mind, body and spirit all working properly. I don't feel totally right without it. Thanks for the update and good luck on your journey. Enjoy the summer. Osu!

Would you (or JazzKicker or someone else) care to explain exactly why the word is seen as disrespectful? I have heard the same thing but never really understood why. I read that the origins of the word are dubious, but what I was taught in my Kyokushin dojo was that Osu means "I will endure in the face of difficulties" or something along those lines. Sounds pretty respectable to me. In fact, in that dojo we were taught to compete to have the loudest Osu, which would be a sign of our strong spirit. I could sort of see how that could be seen as disrespectful, because, beating your opponent to a pulp with punches to the body also helps develop "strong spirit" but could also be seen as rude and uncouth when compared to traditional karate. So it is just because of that, or is there something else behind the word/its origin that I'm missing here?

Lol. Good post. This reminds me. When I first started Kyokushin karate I also signed up for a 10 week salsa course (as much as I love music, let's just say there's a reason why I stuck with karate and not dance, lol...). Whenever I would get a correction from the teacher I really had to work hard to stuff my "Osu". Pretty sure it escaped me a few times. And most recently I had been having problems with my throat/voice and I had to go see the ear, nose and throat specialist. He stuck a nasty snake like thing up my nose and down my throat to get a view with the camera. He said "you won't like this but it's bearable". And he was pretty much right. I went into karate mode and I have to admit it was really uncomfortable and sort of painful. Luckily it was over before I knew it. Once the snake thing was out he says "Not so bad, right?". And my reply is "Osu". Lol. Osu to all of you.

In my Kyokushin school it was absolutely mandatory. Sensei and senpais would jump all over you if you didn't say it. For every little thing, even a simple "yes" would have to be something like, "Osu, yes Sensei!". Or "What's your name?" "Osu, shorty!" And you can imagine all the other applications from there. Whereas at my current school Shotokan school it's something we use but not as a rule or in excess. I personally think it's a polite way to respond to a correction or command from my instructor. We're quite informal here so a simple "OK" or "yes" or "I understand" might do it but I do like to throw it in every now and then just to show respect for my instructor and for the art. But IMO there's no need to use it every other word, it's actually a bit strange as you pointed out. But then again you have the case that sensei8 said where some people actually find the word disrespectful. Honestly I like the application of it (although I'm not Japanese), as long as it's used in moderation. So anyway, "when in Rome" is good advice and also speaking to your instructor. I'm not sure how much my experience applies to Shotokan/Kyokushin as a whole but I reckon Shotokan in general is a bit more lax when it comes to enforcing the use of the word.

Hi friends. Just want to say thanks to all the others that have chimed in. And I totally mean it when I say that y'all's encouragement really does help me move forward... hearing from all of you this month definitely gave me a boost in my training. Thank you folks.

It's a hot Friday night, and my dojo will be taking a 3 month vacation starting in July (but my teacher will be continuing with "self-defense classes", which he says will basically be applied karate!), so basically people are starting to go ahead and take time off. But not me! So I had a class tonight with just my instructor. We were working techniques from kiba-dachi. He gave me a lot of tips - it's stuff that he's corrected me on before, but something about him showing me exactly how and why to do things that way, a lot of things just clicked. I felt quick and powerful. Furthermore, I've been in a good headspace lately. My legs are killing me after that class - it was a lot of sustained kiba-dachi, and it's the hardest I've trained in awhile. But I didn't let the discomfort bother me too much - I stayed focused on my technique and what I was learning and I was really happy with the result tonight. One of those nights where you say - "aha! This is working! I'm getting somewhere!" Oh, and I have to say this too. Training 1 on 1 with my instructor was really cool tonight. Not the first time but it's not super frequent for us, either. I could really appreciate all that he's learned, and how far he's come. Some nights when he's just drilling the basics with us it's easy to forget all the hard work, sweat, and even failure behind all that knowledge and skill. But tonight I could really feel it. It made me appreciate him even more, as well as my own efforts. Anyway, good training and hoping I can have a relaxing weekend now. Thanks folks.

IMHO, if you want a rank (as a personal challenge or something like that), find a respectable dojo/instructor and earn it. And if you want to become good at karate / actually focus on what's important, then forgot about rank all together. But if you're just doing this so you can look good in the eyes of others, well, IDK...

Just wanted to give a big +1 to this post. Spot on.

Thank you sensei8! I sure do appreciate all of your perspective and support. One of the biggest lessons I've gotten from you is the lesson of patience. Not only have I started to apply to my MA journey, but also to my broader life as a whole. Can't get much better than that. Thanks for being in my corner.

Yes, I will continue to train hard and train well, all within my style! Thank you for this.

Oh hey, I wasn't expecting this! Thanks a lot guys for incorporating me into this community. There's been some times when I've had some serious doubts about my karate and it's direction, and in those times you all have been there to set me straight. This forum and its members have been an invaluable part of my growth and journey for the last year plus. I hope that you all have been able to get something of value out of my musings, I know I sure have benefited from being here. Thank you to all of you.

Look at the guys besides you. This was ingrained in me as a white belt at my first dojo. It sounds stupidly simple but you'd be amazed at how many new students or even advanced students learning something new will just sit there cluelessly instead of following what everybody else is doing. Surely you're not one of those clueless guys but I think the same mantra applies to you - just follow what everybody else is doing. The subtler things like how exactly to move your feet, hips, etc. IMO just do your best based off what you've been trained and wait to be corrected if necessary. That's how I would play it.

Did some kata at home today. 3 Taikyoku kata, Heian 1-4, and Tekki Shodan, 2 times through each one. I focused on not raising my heel off the floor when moving, which is what I posted about in another thread recently. I think I've pretty much got the hang of it but we'll see what my instructor says. It definitely feels better. As I progressed through the kata, they started to feel more "decisive". I think I am on the right track. Thanks folks.

Hi guys, OP here. I appreciate all the feedback and it looks like it spawned some more in-depth discussion on the topic! Surely there must be a lot of nuances to this kind of thing that can only be perfected over time. Tonight in training I got a pretty good view of what my instructor was talking about. A teen blue belt was running through some kata alone with the instructor and I got the chance to watch. This is the student who my instructor originally corrected the night I posted this (he also corrected me later). The mistake was very clear: this student is quite literally on his toes as he moves through the kata. Foot planted, rises up to his toes as he moves (heel is at least about 2 inches off the ground), plants foot back down to finish motion. It looks really sloppy and incorrect, and I see exactly what my instructor is talking about. Fortunately I don't think I'm quite a bad of an offender as this student. For whatever reason my biggest problem is forward motion, going sideways or backwards I seem to do OK. But I've been working on it the past couple of days and think I'm starting to get the knack of it. Still have to think about it consciously and it stills feels a bit awkward, but it's not going to be some impossible task to implement. At least not this basic premise. Thanks to all of you folks for your feedback.