Eighties

Yes, I have got a.lot of great advice and have put it to good use. I signed up and my first class was last night. It was a good workout session and boy have I lost a lot of ground over the years while gaining a lot of weight LOL. I'm so sore I can barely move. This is going to be new and very different but I'm really excited and glad I decided to give this one more shot. Thanks again for all the encouragement!! It's very much appreciated. Chris

Sensei8 and JR137 - Thank you for those excellent responses. You have definitely given me some perspective. I've been giving this quite a bit of thought. A few additional things that perhaps made my decision harder is that until approximately a year ago, their curriculum was a bit more formal. -They did kata (but I think I was told they didn't teach bunkai at the beginner levels, only intermediate and above). -They also had weapons katas which is something that wasn't taught below Shodan in both of the styles I studied prior. I always admired the weapons katas and was excited to add those to my training. -When they did kumite, it was more tournament like in that the class sat around the two sparring observing as they waited their turn. I found this beneficial to see how techniques were applied (well executed or poorly) and countered so I could adjust my own techniques. Because this school doesn't stress tournaments, they switched to just setting a timer and everyone rotates fighting each other. I'm not saying this is wrong, it's Sensei's curriculum to set in the way he feels is best for the dojo. It's just when I first considered joining all of the above was taking place (and I was told I could wear a black gi, lol) but they have since gone in a very different direction and the above aspects I was quite looking forward to (as well as the black gi) are off the table. That being said, you both make some excellent points. In a reputable dojo there is no right or wrong, just different means to an end. I'm probably trying to desperately hold on to the place I "grew up in" with out even realizing it. The floor doesn't care which floor you train on, just as long as you're training. Lastly the main thing still remains, if I'm going to train again, this is really the only time available in the week for me to do it. When I take my son, better that I get on the floor than just sit with the other parents. I mean heck, I'm already there. Worst case scenario is I can regain some mobility and flexibility while dropping some weight. I think I'm going to give it a shot. Thanks again!!!

Hey all! My name is Chris. I studied karate twice in the past but unfortunately life circumstances kept me from staying with my training. Now my son is taking an MMA style and a recent career change will allow me to possibly take it with him. In short if I'm going to train again, my only chance is to take the classes with my son as that is the only time I have available to dedicate. I very much like this Sensei but do have some serious concerns with the dojo's curriculum and a couple of other things. Let’s just say it is VERY different than when I was a kid. Aspects of martial arts that I found to be very important are glossed over and aspects that I find to be irrelevant are strictly held to with little or no justification. When I studied in my youth, karate was not about learning to fight. Personally, it was the last thing on my priority list. It was a physical activity that I enjoyed so was therefore not a chore. It gave me BOTH physical and mental balance, flexibility and focus. I enjoyed and preferred kata over kumite. I could spar and did well in tournaments, but only really attended them when required. I much preferred training sessions with visiting masters than competing in tournaments. Classes were usually two hours long, consisted of opening ceremonies, 30 or so minutes of calisthenics and stretching followed by another 30 minutes of upper and lower body basics and then moved on to focused training in kata, kumite, breaking, etc. then closing ceremonies. The dojo my son attends (which my wife enrolled him in without bothering to get my input) has done away with kata entirely, focuses extensively on kumite and self-defense, doesn't explore the mental and meditative aspects of the art, etc. They don't even wear full gis, some karateka don't even wear partial gis but, and this is the part I can't understand, if you want to wear a full gi, they restrict specific colors. (I always wanted to train in a black gi but my Dad wouldn't spend the extra money on one for me.) These classes are only about 45 minutes long and like I said, no kata (or the accompanying bunkai), no breaking to teach focus on applied techniques, no meditation and very little warm up and stretching. Please don't think I'm against my son training there or that they aren't a good dojo. I'm simply trying to illustrate the differences from what I was accustomed to. Like I said I very much like the Sensei and overall atmosphere. In fact they don't even stress tournaments or competition which I very much appreciate. I feel it has had a positive impact on my son. I’m only really on the fence for myself. I guess my question is, should I hold off and see if the time and opportunity to train in one of the styles that I used to becomes available OR should I just sign up and train even if I don't know that I'll get what I want out of it? Plus getting skunked again on training in that black gi that I’ve wanted for about 33 years now, LOL!!! Seriously though, I welcome input and advice from Sensei and karateka of all styles, ranks, backgrounds, etc. Is it better to train now or should I hold out for a dojo that is more like what I was accustomed to?