RedDragon

Funny.. I was at a tournament... one of my first few (I was a white belt), and there was a guy there (Yellow belt).... really nice guy, very good technique, after the kata compitition was done, and the medals were being handed out by the head judge, the guy was pulled aside, and in front of us was very sternly talked to about switching styles. I guess he used to train in Kung fu, or something like that, and was a higher rank, then decided to change styles. The judges thought it was unfair, but the way that I see it, he changed styles, started at white belt, and was working his way through... is that so bad?

I don't agree with skipping belts. The way I see it, the time that you spend trying to master the techniques taught during each belt helps you to grow as a Karateka. By skipping a belt, not only do you have to wait twice as long for your next grading, you also have twice as much to learn for your next promotional. I know someone who skipped from Yellow belt to Green belt, then was skipped from Green to brown (White, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, black). That means that this person missed out on at least 2 years of experience on his way to his black belt. Just doesn't seem right to me. The funny thing is, by the time that I obtain my black belt, I will have more experience then this gentleman, and he will be in for the shock of his life (no disrespect meant towards a senior rank). KarateWoman: Where in Ontario do ou train?

I have to agree... the more you train, the faster you become. Also, if you have any friends in the MA's, spar against them, try to spar with as many different people as you can, because sparring with the same people over and over will not progress your skills as much, you become to familiar with the techniques that they will use.

In our Dojo (Goju Ryu), we have the belt flat in the back, not crossing. I guess it is all dependant of the style in which you train. I don't know where my Sensei found it, but in our white belt manuals, it has a step by step explanation with pictures of how to properly tie your Obi. Here is a useful link... http://www.all-karate.com/how_tie_karate_belt.php Hope it helps.

For Shiko, we have been taught double shoulder width For Sanchin dachi, we have been taught shoulder width.

As part of my requirments last week to get my green belt, I needed to do a Mawashi with the ball of my foot... let me tell you, I was a little worried. I was worried that I wasn't going to curl my toes back enough, but in the end, it was a wonderful break, if I may say so