Honos

We practice mostly Kata in an hour and a half class schedule. Prearranged stuff for 15 minutes or so and the rest drills. Bunkai for us usually isn't done until after ni-dan. This is the way I was taught but I see both practices as necessary. Bunkai as I was told becomes more self evident to the individual after getting kata movements fluid. But it is hard to do a kata right if you cannot see the application clearly. I really would say it's an individuals type of learning. But I have just started teaching students as my own this year so I have a great deal yet to learn about teaching. heh training 25 years and still so much to learn from the yellow belts.

I have been trying to make our dojo more family welcoming being a dad with a large family myself I have found it much easier when my wife and kids can enjoy the dojo while not necessarily training all the while in just Shorin Ryu. Thursdays we started offering a Yoga Class and allow a Kendo club to teach while the rest of the nights are all traditional Shorin Ryu Karate. I have gotten mixed reactions from my students and contemporaries but have not noticed a decline or increase in new students. I am looking for honest reactions from people of traditional karate. Do you feel this is a mistake that waters down the karate by taking a focus off or do you feel this is appropriate. I have been told that a cross training in BJJ would help the dojo as well but do not want to water down our karate. Thanks for any input people.