Ti

Thanks everyone. When I first joined, I had just obtained my 8th kyu.

I think when you get to the higher quality Gi's the shrinkage is less. I wouldn't expect much more shrinking from the shureido, any more heat treatments and machine cycles (especially top loading washers) will start compromising the material. I'd recommend getting it hemmed.

I agree, when I first started I had superstar eyes at how cool a heavyweight looked. Eventually I got one and I still thought it was cool, then I switched to lighter weights and wondered why the heck I liked heavy weight so much. Heavyweight is so cumbersome and obstructing. How ever because it does keep me hotter, I do continue to train in it on certain days for conditioning reasons. It's the idea that you train with restrictions/resistance on, and when it's showtime take them off and you will see a marked performance difference. I used to iron my gi's, but eventually I got tired of ironing them only to wear it then wash it to repeat ironing again. Needless to say, I don't iron mine anymore, I hang them dry and let nature run its course.

I train in shotokan You got me beat. I was offered to test for it 3yrs ago, but because I didn't really feel I was ready to move up, so I waited 3 years. I'm a bit of a goofball at heart. I guess in some sense I started as a white belt again, since it would take a person roughly 3yrs if tested on time.

Thanks everyone! I feel like my karate got alot better after the shodan j/k lol For the most part I feel the same

Since my early kyu days, I've noticed the correlation between training and the toll it takes on the human body. In some of the dojos I've been to there is the usual running gag about how an old karate sensei can barely walk, yet can do an amazing reverse punch at the drop of a dime. As practitioners of the art, we usually laugh at this and focus on the reverse punch, but take lightly that the person can barely move themselves the rest of the time. Training is hard on the body and the admirable mentality is to continue to push to new limits. Of course in challenging ourselves we reach new heights as we overcome things. I think there is importance to look into this and see what can be uncovered and I will most certainly participate in the survey.

It's been a very scenic and educational journey to achieve shodan. 10yrs. Lots of on and off, with life and other things taking priority. I've learned a great deal along the way from a variety of instructors, all of which have been excellent. Others get their in a fraction of the time, but I've enjoyed my journey. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing.

I can recommend an excellent dojo in Fremont, which is about 30mins south of Oakland. http://www.yelp.com/biz/shoshin-karate-do-dojo-fremont The instructor here is excellent

Do they 11 first then worry about the rest.

Worked for Mas Oyama What worked for Mas Oyama? Mas Oyama held verifiable rank in Judo, Shotokan, and Goju ryu so I fail to see the similarity between the two men. Maybe I'm missing something in your comment but if not I think you need to rethink what you posted. None of us here really know the original poster, each individual has their own level of talent. A legend like Mas Oyama is certainly not a dime a dozen, legends are hard to come by. But they inspire others to aspire to their achievements. It is the ethic, do what you can, but try for more. Self training is a very important road of self discovery, even if you get everything all wrong on your own. Eventually you will come to the correct answers either on your own or by other resources such as members on here, local dojo etc... Those with existing backgrounds in the arts have a bit of an advantage, each art, style etc, is different, different mechanics. These things take time to discover. I encourage those who have the discipline to self train and I applaud them. Most people rely on a teacher to give them all the answers. At the end of the day the person who spent the extra time self training will realize much more than the person who took the free answers. The ability to learn and improve will come in time to all if they are disciplined and dedicated, whether training on their own or with instruction. Certainly it will be tougher for him if he has no background, but repetition of Kihon can do wonders. After 1,000 reverse punches he might get in one good one and from there he can build off it to make it more consistent. I would not discourage anyone wanting to learn, if they lack the resources to an instructor, then they have to work with what they have. That is admirable. Be it books or videos, his heart is in the right place and that counts alot.

They can do anything they want. It would be a tougher requirement, but the higher the standards, the better the place you go to is.

relax

Books and videos themselves do not directly. I use books and videos, they give me the ideas, but only in doing over and over again do I make discoveries. only in DOING will you realize things.

Worked for Mas Oyama

I use youtube vids and books since I have no dojo