Journyman74

I know this question is out of left field, but I'll put it out there anyways.. As an experienced Karate practitioner, who has trained with different teachers, I often wondered what the significance of the hand triangle of the kata symbolizes. I've always found the particular part odd as compared to the rest of the traditional katas. Ive read that it translates to "looking at the sky" - other teachers have told me it also means to push somone back or another example is to harvest energy from the sun. With all the symbolism in todays society, Ive hoped that its not related to any of occult practices that you see egyptian sun worshippers or some other hidden meaning... Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Yes I have actually witnessed Aikdo used to submit a 5150 (large build Female) by a officer using a wrist lock. The 5150 totally collapsed and was at the officers mercy at the point he got a hold of the wrist and applied pressure, he had a pretty good lock with smooth application while having the most confident look lol. But as a Karateka..on that day, I became a believer of the effectiveness of Aikido(not that I ever doubted it before) These days I would just smirk at the generalized criticism of Aikido in the main stream. Aikido WORKS!

the key advantage you have with a dance background is ability to pick up the different steps and memorizing the sequence as you would in dance. Remember you are executing the techniques as if you are really attacking the opponent. Very simlar to Shadow boxing or practing a basketball drill(difference is this is COMBAT and more breakdown of techniques). The relax vs tense thing depends on the Karate style itself as there are a plethora of Karate styles with different emphasis. The link you posted appears to be of Shito Ryu or Wado (anyone correct me here if Im wrong) which are both excellent regardless There are some quality home study programs of different styles (legit styles with legit instructors) if you are interested. With the COVID thing more and more schools are offering online/home study so nothing to be shamed of because any training is better than no training IMO. The music thing... well traditionally dojos train with no music because we are focused on visualizing the technique, opponent, the transition to technique etc.. I tried doing Kata before with music playing but it was just silly to me after a while and wasnt focusing. A good example is try to imagine music being played when a golfer if about to take his shot.

Thank you all for the replies so far... My wife and I were re organizing our home and we were debating what to do with our martial art diplomas, suprisingly it became a pretty important topic for the both of us as we werent really sure how a Dan rank diploma traditionally should be kept. I agree with it depending on your personality which makes it quite a debatable topic lol. I also view Karate in a way to be kept as a somewhat "stealth" type of skill not to be easily let known to people; Im proud at the same that i worked hard to achieve what Ive earned as it takes just as long as earning a college degree. That being said, I will just keep it displayed in a my man cave (no one dares to bother my man cave 😆)

I would highly recommend Joe Yoons hardcover book "Better stretching" (5 star review on Amazon) or "Anatomy and 100 essential stretching exercises" by Guerillermo Seijas Albir (also 5 star review and available through amazon). I personally lean more towards Joes book although both have plenty to offer. Stretching should always be a priority for the aging body regardless Of ones physical activity level..

1.Do you proudly display your Dan diploma in your home? Or does anybody store them away for safe keeping etc.. 2.Would you consider that Dan diploma as high of value and worthy to place next to a college degree or occupational license/certificate?

@sensei8....you should have added a *mic drop* after that reply. You hit it on the nail my friend

Ryukyu Kempo I heard is "what Karate is supposed to be". I too have had the pleasure of training under a Yodan instructor of Oyatas Karate. Im still perplexed on the amount of different Karate styles that exist but Oyatas was a eye opener! Its definitly real life based..BRUTAL if I may add if executed properly!

I want to purchase a grappling dummy and just feel the flow of executing techniques...I have a mat as well. I like the Bob Dorris commercials I see of him using the submision master dummy and thought it would be ideal for me given that Id like to practice lightly whenever I want with no limits. I have previously enrolled in Judo classes but can't keep up with the warm ups and taking the beating it gives on the body as it will affect my work life...from past experience...The same goes with BJJ unfortunatly. Regardless i truly enjoy the the grappling arts as a martial science.

Does anyone own or have used the Submision Master grappling dummy? How satisfied are you with it? Does it hold up?

To be quite honest, I am most likely not going to join or commit to a traditional BJJ gym in my life due to a variety of reasons. Does anyone here self train using videos, partners, mannequins etc? How satisfied are you? Im not ever planning to be a fighter or what not...just stritcly as a hobby

Thank you

Agreed, it should be viewed as a sign of mutual respect. Depending on the individuals belief, some may think bowing to a picture of instructor can be viewed as some type of idolatry. I was curious because ive researched this and seen different responses from certain religious viewpoints

Bowing in martial arts - (mutual respect vs idolatry) 1.Any thoughts in the purpose of bowing? 2.can anyone reference common arts that are more associated with bowing to idols vs bowing in mutual respect?

Very interesting... I know this is an old thread but I’d like to chime in... Regarding how technique is performed, this Karateka from another forum said it best… “SKA was one of the first styles of Karate brought to the US and turned into an official organization. It’s not expensive to practice as it is a non profit organization.The Founder, Tsutomu Ohshima was one of Funakoshi’s students and received a 5th degree blackbelt under Funakoshi, the highest degree given at the time, so that is the highest degree a person can get in SKA. It is a traditional form of Shotokan, emphasizing real life technique of self defense, (eye gouging, low kicks to the groin and knees, foot stomping, aiming for the throat, ect. Techniques are kept simple. Distance and timing are a main point of focus. It’s not very sporty and can gravitate to more mental and physical conditioning depending on the dojo. Different aspects are emphasized depending on dojo and instructor. But basically the premise of the technique is less is more, and speed produces power, and speed is achieved through relaxation. Maximum power is ultimately produced by speed, alignment, and proper distribution of body weight. Stances are wide. Punches usually end at the pinnacle of a movement, basically when your front foot hits the floor. This is one difference when I look at katas and basics from JKA- that there tends to be a kind of wind-up resulting in a delayed punch. For instance, if you are stepping with a reverse punch, in JKA the foot lands and then the punch and rotation of the hips follows. In SKA the rotation of the hips tends to happen as you take the step, so a maximum combination of speed, hip rotation, and alignment with body weight happens at the point of impact, and at the point of impact the fist is tightened, lightly tensed “extended”- the only point where “muscle” is used. There is always an emphasis of no power in the shoulders.” Now in response to the previous commenters regarding how SKA front punch (Oi Zuki) is taught and executed.. Funakoshi in his own book says “the hips spring forward to a full frontal position in a half-facing posture” (Funakoshi, Gichin. Karate-Do Kyohan. New York: Kodansha USA,1973.Print) It can also be observed that in all publications of his books, photos of Funakoshi himself when he was in his younger days is in a Half-facing posture as well as you can clearly see both shoulders in an angled position with punching arm extended. Main point being it is not “squared” as per his instruction, that is likely a concept taught by the JKA and its off-shoots. I have to say, even having trained JKA myself initially, we were not taught to have squared upper body posture in front punch so Im not sure where that is coming from. SKA teaches and emphasizes the importance of “CONNECTION”- which is why you don’t usually see them hopping up and down during kumite (its not against the rules, just not encouraged). Sabaki and “shifting” is taught but nothing that would make you vunerable to counters or attacks as as result of being in the mercy of gravity. Hands are also kept up with chin lower as opposed to the traditional sport method…Here is a good example… This clip is of a tourney a few years back of a JKA stylist from Japan(left) vs a SKA fighter(right). The man from Japan (left) is also affiliated with Oshimas organization through university but due to sport Karate being implemented in Japanese university Karate syllabus, it looks almost identical to WKF style Kumite that his style resembles.. Good fight between both, very talented men to say the least. Special training is basically "gasshuku" (Japanese translation) and is practiced in martial arts. Various martial arts groups practice this For me personally, in my years of Shotokan, SKA is the finest Shoto group ive had the pleasure to pratice with. Oshima was definitly on another level from what Ive observed compared to Funakoshis other students. Always thankful for his instruction and kindness