goedikey

Thanks a lot guys for yur replies. Glad to hear that it can be possible to train with such injuries. I understand very well the structure of the disc. I think my disk is not only bulging but herniated (pulp has extruded) and pushing on m nerves). I have been to the chiro but will only go back after most symptoms go away. Currently seing the phyitherapist buti think they cant do much more for now. Thanks again !

Hi, Sorry if this is not the right section of the forum to post this but since this injury is bad, I want to have as many answers as possible . I have been diagnosed with a large disc herniation in my neck. The pain is almost gone now (after 3 weeks). It was the worst possible pain ever. However, I have numbness in my thumb and some light spasms ocasionnaly in my left arm and weakness. Pinched nerve it is at c6. I have my MRI results and waiting to see doctor in about a week. Can anyone tell me if this condition will improve ? There is very little info on the subject but generally, the consensus is that most hernations will improve after a few months. If not its surgery. it seems that the fragments will disolve and the disc will resorb itself. I just dont know how bad is my case compard to "most hernations". I am taking MSM, Glucosamine and Chondritin 3x daily. Please share your experiences or the ones of others because I am losing hope in returning to MA practice .. Thanks

Hello, I will be switching from Karate to WhiteCrane kung fu in my area. I am very interested in the short range applications but am concerned that the style wont prepare me mentally to confront a real situation with a non collaborating partner. Most kung fu schools I have seen do not spar but I think this school may be an exception. I havent seen the sparring practices happen yet. So I am wondering if Kung Fu philosophy in general involves some kind of realistism that allows one to behave in a stressful situation, like kumite in karate. Thanks !

curently thinking of joining the local white crane class that is being thaught by Lorne Bernard. I am interested in learning the roots of karate especially the empty hand applications. I already contacted him with questions but would also like to hear from fellow practicionners of the style: -sparring : Is there any contact sparring at such classes ? I mean with real kicks and punches ? (I understand the style is medium/short range but one has to get there...) -strenght and endurance : Will this style teach me how to confront lets say, a full blown karateka that uses mawashi's, mae geris,back kicks and a flurry of punches to the face ? and learn how to take a hit like in Karate kumite ? Theses things are the main areas that still need improvement in my Karate and would like to also pursue this goal with white crane. Thanks !

thanks for your replies. I think I will be okay yet, the feeling is really weird but steadily going away. One thing is for sure,is that I will not hold my breath while receiving blows.

Hello, We were practicing mutual bag work when my friend kicked me in the belly. I was aware the kick was coming. I mistakingly held my breath while receiving the blow. I felt like a lot of pressure went to my hed but nothing more. Like a headrush. Since then, I have been feeling somewhat lightheaded and weak at times. Its like having low blood pressure or something. Had a headache the same day but now its gone. i suspect that there may have been too much pressure in my ear canal, and its taking some time to heal... Whats up with that ?

Hey thanks for dropping in ! Heres is the lineage. Another mate said he didnt know about the last names but also said it could be valid : http://home.online.no/~desinil/Genokart.htm and here is a quote from on of the parent schools : Our main dojo (Honbu dojo) is Nippon Shorinryu Karatedo Kenshinkai in Fukuoka, Japan. Honbu dojo is under the command of Sensei S. Nakano (7th. Dan black belt) Thanks !

Hey thanks for the help guys ! As for high kicks, the sensei doesnt stress them whatsoever. its mostly the students who ilke to show off. i believe his web page was done by one of his students. Sensei is still using a typewriter in his office )) and probably doesnt use the Internet. As for the gui's, he makes them himself. As for the style, it is sobayashi. Are there any questions I could ask that could make me know for sure if this is a good Shorin school ? I know that most of what was taught to me as of yet is from the bunkai of some Shotokan katas. Thanks !

He does have high Dan rank in Shorin Ryu (maybe 5th or 6th, I need to check). Yes but once I got to a free kumite using a more natural stance, I just couldnt get the techniques right. There is a big gap between one step and free sparring. Thats where te Shorin might come into play..natural fighting stances, jumping punches etc...none of which is learned in Shotokan (yet). Take a look at my Shorin school : http://mkcshorin.tripod.com/maine.htm I am not saying its bad but its VERY different ! In a good way maybe, I hope to see...but i am confident I will not waste my time. I simply want to make sure I am in a good place.

Oh and another thing, I have on video the ancient katas (Pinan, empi, hagetsu, bassai sho sochin unsu kankusho kankudai...) performed by the old sensei themselfes. Its black and white films taken from ancient Japan. you probably already seen some. Well the Katas are not performed at a slow pace. but a very fast pace. If you want to see , tell me will set up my web page. Have a nice day !

Hey thanks for your reply ! I kinda knew what I was getting into and didnt expect the Katas to be the same either. All I can tell is that my Shotokan classes gave me some inner strenght that I dont feel I can use in Shorin Ryu. I guess its different. Doing the Katas in Shotokan has allowed me to do develop intense energy without getting burned out by using alternate muscle groups, hips, centrifugal motion, gravity etc... Not one single technique is left out and each performed at maximum strenght. Thats the way I was shown until now and seems like a very good approach for close range self defense. I dont feel i can use this energy in the contaxt of my Shorin classes though... Yet, the Sorin classes will teach me to attack and evade at a fairly early stage, which is really great ! I do not reret the decision because i know I can go back if I want.

So I just got back from my 2nd Shorin Ryu class. I used to be in Shotokan and was green belt but put on my white belt for this class. The decision to switch came from the fact that I lacked some basics relating free unprotected sparring that my Shotokan teacher couldnt provide directl. This new Shorin class had protected free sparring with friendly looking people. Here I could learn my distances and get acquainted with kicks wihout fear and maybe go back to my Shoto class in a few months. So the class is done by Sensei himself and is introducing interesting concepts that seem pretty deadly that were practiced 2 by 2. He is a japanese man probably in his 60's and seems to know quite a bit. But there is so many things missing like the Kiais, kime, zanchin, and most of all the katas. There was some Kata being done but at slow pace. In my shotokan class, the Katas were rigidly practiced. It litteraly brought up awareness, cardio workout, Ki development etc. and lighning speed. Now, the Shorin guys are saying that I shouldnt wear myself too much. To me this is unacceptable. What is that ? My feelings are that sensei is either getting tired or doesnt want to scare the hell of of his students. The black belts arent impressive at all. Yet, I feel that this Japanese man has so much knowledge and so much experience that he must have something valuable to give.. Just by looking at him go about, you know hes a real deal... So what goes ? Is this the way ancient Okinawans would like me to learn ? Thanks

Thanks all for your replies ! Just to set the record straight: no one gets badly hurt in our classes ! The Sensei asks us to give decisiveness in our shots. There are a lot of people in the class (30-50) plus spectators and that makes fro a lot of pressure...everyone becomes silent and watches as each fight goes on. And no, its not under the JKA. It s a traditionnal school and its being ran by a very competent and experienced sensei. Probably the bestt I like the Shorin Ryu because it has somewhat of an intermediate step between real life sparring and kihon and is based on the roots of Karate. Anywhoo, I still think that my Shotokan is truly great for someone who is able to stand confidently, unprotected in front of an 6 foot tall mofo and start a fight but I am not that confident yet. Ill give Shorin Ryu a try for a month, just to see...unless someone has other suggestions.

Hello, I have been doing shotokan for a little more than a year and am currently green belt. I understand the style and philosophy very well. I have put quite a bit of energy in my practice. Now i came across this shorin ryu school and went to take up a class to try out. Its very interesting and much more relaxed than Shotokan. I am having problems in my regular shotokan classes because the fighting is unprotected and under very high pressure. it is required to control the moves but the escalatino is really intense... I also feel there is a gap between my Shotokan teachings and the real fighting situations too. This is acceptable for more advanced grades who are able to take the heat but for a beginner like me, not too great. I feel that Shorin Ryu is the roots of modern Karate and has a lot to offer. The sparring is padded so maybe a good way for me to get intiated to learning my distances and such before getting bashed at my shotokan class;-)) I have discussed this issue with my Shotokan sensei and there nothing much that he is willing to do that could change the curriculum. Although i do agree that the sheer pressure and stress during the fights would probably resemble a real fight. So is it worth it switching for a little while ? A few months in order to get more at ease with fighting ? I really really like my Shotokan classes but the free Kumite is really nervewecking unless I have more solid grounds for fightgin. Thanks

Just after, I did ask my friend what he thought and he said it was just lightly snapped ! He could have gone much, much further. The intersting thing for me was the energy being developped and the pinpoint accuracy !