Wayofaswede

So true, Sensei! To find that exact timing of the technique, always establishing and maintaining a connection with/control of the partner, that is of utter importance.

Nuggets of knowledge after todays training: 1) First move in Emppi Roppo kata is forward with raised left hand 2) The front hand should often be steady and ready to push forward, almost like a punch in bunkai/kumite 3) Back foot should often be left with heel down, when punching, to retain power through the motion (starting with the hips) 4) The side of the hand and arm leads the motion in Emppi Roppo 5) Remember to exhale when getting punched to receive the impact better Finally a session where the stubborn cold felt all gone and I could train really hard again. Osu!

Thank you very much for the encouragement. I am sure that repetition and training will make me less afraid and passive while doing kumite. Yesterday we did some warm-up exercises with connection to kumite, although we were only supposed to do the footwork and touch the opponents shoulder/knee and also holding the gi and belt to do some standing wrestling (without throwing) I do enjoy these kind of "competitive" exercises and they are really good training - you get SO tired in such a short amount of time!

Thanks sensei, wise remarks. Finally returned to the dojo today after a period of ill children and being ill myself (February is hopeless when you have toddlers). Have been keeping my "Not a day without a kata" though, most days adding in some blocks and punches as well. Realized today that I should step back not forward during first block of the Go ho no uke kata. Makes much more sense as the first and second block then "flows" in the same direction. Good to be back on the floor, training together with my sons.

I have downloaded "Karate WKF" (free in appstore) to iPad and find it to be a good general reference app - especially the links to YT katas. Covers katas from 8th kyu to 5th dan for four different styles (if I remember correctly) 👍

Nuggets of knowledge from today's training: - A block involves both hands, not just the blocking hand. They can "reach" across open and then "pull" together clenched as the block is performed - A bunkai from one of the katas - Jin no kata san has the same moves as jin no kata ichi, the difference lies in the length of the stances and the punch Osu!

Congrats, best of luck with continuing the path

Thanks for introducing the "Three K:s" concept. I will keep that in mind - and I'm sure kumite will eventually feel more natural. I also really shouldn't be thinking about what comes after 7th kyu and beyond. Here and now is what matters and to do my utmost at the current level I'm at. Have updated my daily motto to: "Not a day without a kata". At the moment I'm returning to the very first "5 block kata". Basics are the building blocks for all that is to come after. Also got the DVD with all katas for 8th-1st kyu performed by sensei. Great reference and inspiration. My next goal is to thoroughly learn everything that I should know for the 7th kyu test and take that test once I feel sure enough about the required kihon/kata/kumite. If I don't feel ready at the end of this semester, I'll keep training the semester after that. And after that. And after that. Here and now, the journey is the goal, Karate is for life.

Thanks for your reply, Kusotare. Happy to hear that there is nothing unusual in how I experienced the kumite. Yes, it felt very strange to suddenly start punching and kicking against a woman I didn't know, even though it was in a dojo and for training purposes. Sensei paired us together and instructed us to "take it really easy, primarily just focusing on experiencing the footwork", but my partner went much faster and harder than that. My biggest fear in the dojo - something that surely has to do with my 39+ age and the fact that I've broken my toe twice (first time during karate training) - is to be injured and forced to stop training (and even working) again. This does hold me back somewhat in such a free, uncontrolled training situation as kumite. Hopefully I can make up for it through dedicated kata/technique practice. I believe kumite is now a required part of the tests for 7th kyu and higher - something that has made me somewhat discouraged when I think about aiming for higher grades eventually, after the slightly fearsome kumite experience.

Did my first free-form kumite during yesterday's training. A rather unpleasant experience due to a number of factors: - I did kumite with a higher graded (7th kyu vs my 8th kyu), apparently used to sparring - She attacked both often and hard (accidentally hit my face once) - Since I broke my toe for the second time less than a year ago, I felt very reluctant about attacking with my "better", right foot in free-form - when I managed to block her kick, it really hurt a lot - I eventually felt afraid of getting hit and didn't want to attack for fear of accidentally being hit again - I got really tired after half the time It was an interesting, intense experience - but I feel that right now I am much more interested in the kata/correct technique aspect of karate than in actually sparring. Maybe that will change along the way, but this was my first - rather scary - experience of free-form kumite (albeit supposed to be "soft contact")...

As a very proud father I could watch my two sons eagerly put on their first gi:s yesterday. Had a great training session in the dojo, primarily focusing on yellow belt level katas and kihon. Really need to pracice more basics - and remember that I have 8th kyu in Karate, not 3rd (as I had in Aikido when training that art). Talked to sensei after about how valuable it was to return to basics and which katas I need to know when testing for 7th kyu. He in return offered me a DVD he has recorded with all the katas from yellow to black belt. Will definitely make a great reference when doing solo or home training.

Thank you. Very happy to be part of the community

Got the book yesterday! So my karate-specific library now consists of: "The essential karate book" (Graeme) Have (and have read) Budo classics like "Go rin no sho", "Zen in the martial arts" (Hyams), "Way of peace" (Ueshiba) and more Aikido-specific books like "The essence of Aikido" (Ueshiba's son) and "Aikido - the peaceful martial art" (Stenudd). But that was a couple of years ago, good to get back into reading about the arts again.

There are two katas I currently know well enough to practice on my own out of the dojo as well: Ji no kata ichi and Ji no kata ni Happy that we yesterday went through some katas I have actually performed during gradation. Also particularly enjoyed some techniques that went from inside (block) to outside (arm around neck) as practical applications of parts of a kata - believe it was Pinan Sandan. Also did a really nice backward kick exercise, switching from side to side And of course the quick "punch-punch-punch-low kick" one that sensei encouraged us to perform faster and faster... It was wonderful that both my sons and I were well again and could go training together yesterday. "The essential karate book" may be delivered today. Really looking forward to seeing pictures+names of all different techniques. Thinking about filming myself now and then as a way to see how my techniques can and will improve and change over time the more I practice.

Thank you very much

Thank you very much, I will keep that in mind. Meanwhile I try to adapt my techniques and practice to my physical limitations. Turning 40 soon, so I guess I'd better get used to the body holding some techniques back. Especially now that I haven't been training for quite some time.

My Mawashi Geri, especially on the left side is not as high and relaxed as I would like it to be, the leg feels really stiff and almost hurts. I have had some problems with the hip on that side, possibly from being a coverband drummer enjoying double bass drumming for 20 years.

Congrats on getting the gi, truly feels different to train in one.

Thank you very much for your wise reply. Unfortunately I missed yesterday's training due to illness. But - feeling much better today - the past is history and I instead look forward to my next trip to the Dojo. I am not able to train as often as I would like to, so I believe my solo training is very important to really anchor and incorporate what I learn in the Dojo in my karate practice. I sometimes wonder how much of the Aikido "circular" motions I should let go of in favor of the more linear movement of the karate ryu I learn. My instinct has for such a long time been to: 1. step aside 2. apply technique that it's hard to not step aside and instead just block. Maybe I will find a balance between moving/blocking without moving eventually. I always find it interesting when footwork and stances are corrected since they belong to another art/style. Makes me more aware of what I am actually doing and where the "transition points" between different arts/schools occur. Fascinating variations in the beautiful palette of Budo. No "wrong", no "right" - and always with the potential to teach and enrich.

Sounds great, best of luck with your solo training sessions 😊

Having just found my way back to Karate after a 2 year break due to having a 3rd child, I thought I'd keep a blog thread here where I can write down thoughts and insights, and get input on training habits, interpretations of key concepts etc Starting with the "Here and now": 8th kyu Shukokai Shito-ryu. Trying to apply the same motto to Karate as to my drawing practice: "Not a day without a line". Translated to my Karate practice it becomes: Not a day without a technique. Often this just means a couple of blocks or similar - just to find continuity and keep in touch with my artistic ambition. So happy that I this semester return to the dojo - along with my two sons, finally eager to start training. Ordered my first karate reference book the other day, "The essential book of karate" (Graeme). Can't wait to get it in the mail. Will use it to read about techniques, take notes etc. Also have made some YT playlists about Budo (reminding me to not let go of the experience I have in Aikido. 3rd Kyu Aikikai is the highest grade I've reached in a Budo art so far), Karate and Kihon/Katas I am supposed to - or soon will be supposed to - know. Happy to once more continue along the way of Budo, already seeing positive effects in how I handle conflicts at work etc Looking forward to sharing my journey with you and to hear your thoughts about how I take each new step along the way

Thank you

Thank you very much for the warm welcome @wastelander That is nice to hear

Hi, just joined this inspiring forum and looking forward to being part of the community. My martial arts background is the following: Judo (as child) Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (9th Kyu) Aikido (3rd Kyu) and these days I have just picked up Karate again and train together with my two sons. At the moment I have 8th Kyu in Shukokai Shito-Ryu Wish you all a great weekend /M