Goju1

Well said, I agree! In a sense, once a martial artist, always a martial artist if you know what I mean. And what is the opinion of the group on putting a 'dojo' in your home or garage? Having a special area set aside with mats, maybe a makiwara, a small shrine (or whatever works for you) and some other accoutrements from your particular style might make you feel more inclined to train regularly.

Do you still practice it? Does your sensei insist?

But if you look at it today there are quite a few MT fighters that do very well becuase they have cross trained in BJJ/Wrestling/ etc. Although there are a few that have done fairly well with a karate(Kyokushin) background. So if you're saying MT is better in competition, which would do better in a street fight? Assuming two persons of equal size, strength and ability (at their chosen style)? And what do you think the major differences are between 'American' kickboxing and Muay Thai? Thanks for your opinion.

[quote="TJS and even then MT usually holds an advantage. Why is this, do you think? The kickboxers I've known don't know joint locks, grappling, etc... It seems in these tournaments that once the karate fighter got inside and either applied a joint lock/break, or took them down in a submission hold, the advantage would go to the karate guy? Or am I missing something? Just trying to educate myself...

I don't think anything in this world is simple anymore - it would depend on the individuals involved. Maybe your average karate kid vs. the average muay thai kid I could agree. But a well trained karate-ka with some cross training would have a superior arsenal to draw from in my opinion.

I understand what you're saying, but even if you are exceptionally mature with 8 years of training, you surely won't be at the level of an adult BB, or shouldn't, as Kempocos states so well. Kudos to you, though for studying so long and hard, and wanting to teach ! However, consider the physical limitations of your age. Your bones are not yet done growing, tendons aren't attached, etc,etc... I am a personal trainer and work with a lot of young athletes and have seen first hand the difference between a 14 yr old body and an 18 yr old. A good hard shot to the chest/shoulder/knee could cause you permanent and serious damage, where it would mainly just cause pain to an adult The rigors of serious adult MA training are (or should be) beyond the cababilites of a 14 yr old. IMHO

And thats why I went for additional training - even though there are some serious fighters in our Dojo, there are always those who don't like to fight, don't focus on it, whatever. Thats their right, I just felt that a black belt should have some kickass ability But theres room for all, Martial arts have many functions and uses for all types.

Yeah, i practice shito ryu and i have learned this kata. Which part of the open handed blocking sequence are you talking about? The part in the middle or at the end? At the end of the first three sequences, where you put your thumb and 4th finger together for an upward block, then downward, then thumb and middle finger together to block outwards, then towards the middle.

I would hope that any legitimate martial art would be able to be adapted by anyone. I mean, thats kinda the point isn't (wasn't) it? Smaller farmers or priests against armed warriors? So I feel any art should suffice to enable a female to protect herself sufficiently. Having said that, though, the more traditional arts, which may take years to master, would be a poor choice for someone wanting a quick fix. Krav Magda sounds good.

Are you saying you didn't learn to jab, cross and hook at your karate class? Nooo! I just hadn't called them that, having never done boxing before, so when the other guy called 'jab' I would sometimes be thinking the Japanese terms and get confused

I agree. There are advantages to both ways and good to do both. I know I learn the most when I'm teaching. Screws my katas all up! If ya know what I mean?

Yeah, we do this one a lot - we call it 'kakiei' (sp?) It is a great drill for that sensitivity, as you call it. Lots of variations, like 2 vs 1, and the counters you mention. Good stuff!

How much emphasis does your school/style place on the use of 'muchimi' the 'sticky hands' techniques? And how do you practice them other than through the katas?

Well, here's my story: while training for a black belt test a couple of years ago, I felt that my sparring needed to be taken up a notch. Not that I was bad, I could more than hold my own, but I wanted to expand my knowledge. So I met a guy who was a semi-professional kick boxer who wanted a sparring partner and we started training together. We used heavy gloves, so I was unable to use open handed techniques, which I prefer (ed). The first time we sparred, this guy almost killed me! Even though I was 6" taller and 30 lbs heavier and in better shape. I was not used to the power of the blows, or the speed and angles of the kicks. So we trained and trained, I stopped trying to fight karate style for a while and just focused on learning new stuff. Jab, cross, hook over and over. The next time I went to the dojo and sparred (2 months) I went up against the one guy that always gave me fits (lots younger, just as strong and had studied some wicked Chinese stuff) and boy was there a noticeable difference! Anyway it ended with him bent over double from an inside roundhouse I had learned...hehe. I'll stop rambling, but I guess I'm trying to say, yes they are quite different and overall I don't know which is "superior". If I had used all of my karate knowledge and open handed/pressure point/grappling stuff with the kick-boxer would I have done better? Sure, but the bottom line for me was taking the strengths of both and putting them together. Even know when I spar, I sure remember to keep my hands up and elbows in because I paid such a price against that guy! I notice almost uniformly that karate stylists relax their hands and arms way too much and are easy targets for anyone looking for that. Enough for now, hope that helps!

Wow . Your style only has 5 katas to BB. Just curious, how many movements in these katas? I am not being condecending, just wanted to know. Lots - pretty old traditional katas like Saifa, Seienchin, Shisoshin. We focus strongly on the Katas and every little nuance and meaning of movement. Its not uncommon for a long-time practioner to be critiqued on their first kata after years and years of practice at it. We're never done learning, sigh Thanks for asking.

Of the 5 katas up to BB, 2 start to the left, two to the right and one straight ahead. Pretty even. eh? They all start with a defensive move, and all finish with a step backward (except one)

Reminds me - once a year for a month we all must wear white belts to remind us of our beginnings.

Higoanna Sensei is conducting a seminar at our Dojo in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to train with him again. I actually just got back from training and we did Tensho and Sanshin a bunch to warm up for katas. Whew, those are exhausting! Thanks for replying!

I still think Karate should be practiced barefooted if at all possible. You will learn to cope with the slipperiness in time.

Ditto, ditto, and ditto! The conditioning kicks and arm strikes alone would seiously injure most kids (under 18) not to mention the other 'nasty stuff' that is involved in - dare i say - "real karate" ? And it would be totally innappropriate for a 14 year old i.e. to learn techniques that could inflict death upon another person. IMHO

Does anyone do the 'soft' breathing kata, "Tensho"? Or is that a Goju Ryu kata only? I know it was taken from southern chinese styles to emphasise the 'Ju' or soft part of Goju and balance out the practice of Sanchin. If so, do you notice the applications of movement from many of your katas in this one? I feel the open-handed blocking sequence from this kata is great karate and very effective in self defense - opinions?

Does anyone do the 'soft' breathing kata, "Tensho"? Or is that a Goju Ryu kata only? I know it was taken from southern chinese styles to emphasise the 'Ju' or soft part of Goju and balance out the practice of Sanchin. If so, do you notice the applications of movement from many of your katas in this one? I feel the blocking sequence from this kata is great karate and very effective in self defense - opinions?

Does the Sensei sneak up behind and attempt a kick to the groin during Sanchin to see if your stance is correct? Just got this thought while on the other post about stances. This is a sure way to make sure you are in correct Sanchin - Dachi Also, does he/she slap your back, test muscle tension in other places?

I agree with the last three posts, adding only that there are some instances when a stance such as shiko-dachi or neko ashi-dachi can be used effectively during sparring/fighting. The long stances, like zen kutsu dachi are primarily for strengthening/stretching the legs and building discipline. That is what so much of karate is about (to me) - the basics, repetition, etc... Correct stances are crucial for good karate!!!! IMO

With the higher belts being able to attend separate classes you are able to work on particular katas and bunkai that are specific to that level, whereas if you have a mixed all belts class, the higher belts are limited as to what they can do, except basics and 2 - 3 kata, sparring, etc.... Although I do think it is important for beginners to train with black belts once in a while so they can see the difference in techniques, power, breathing, ritual, and so on. Having both available is the best way , I think, if possible.