SaiFightsMS

Welcome to the forum.

Cool Job.

After a quick search here are links to threads on belt tying. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=7484&start=20 http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=7484&highlight=tie+belt

The belt loops on your gi pants go in front.

Good luck. Back stance will feel really comfortable one day compared with shiko dachi.

You didn't mention specifically what your style is. I believe there are modifications that you can make to allow continued training. I think the two biggest are in the areas of learning how far to push stances and kicking drills. Kicking into air will probably not be your best choice of practicing kicks. Light impact would be my choice for working on technique. And as with anyone with challanges you are allready finding that there are some days that are better than others. You have a challange to learn how to identify what you are capable of doing on the differing days of your own ablility without damageing yourself. I think it can be done. Be prepared to advance in rank slower than your classmates. And maybe hit a technique on occasion that is just not practical for you to try to perfect. With what you are saying your knee will deteriorate wether you pursue a physical activity or not. Why not have the satisfaction of trying?

Curiously enough I have been working on Tekki sandan too. Only I run into a problem with it because the shotokan Tekki sandan and the shorin ryu naihanchi sandan are very different in places.

Speak for yourself.

I was a brown belt for a very long time. That is the point where many find out if they really want to be a black belt. I found it hard to believe that some would go so far and then just disappear. That is the point you find out just how much work really lies ahead of you. Every bit as much effort as you have put in so far and more. In many schools it is also a point at which you really begin to be given more responsiblility to help those coming up behind you.

Welcome to the forum.

My first sparring partner was a sister of one of my friends. The others I met in the gym I work out in.

As an afterthought anytime you do hangetusu dachi, sanchin or seisan dachi think of it more as closing your legs together from the waist area down than of just moving your toes inwards. Your knees will thank you.

I think that is the general idea.

Toe kicks are done. Usually only by those who have done a lot of conditioning first. And it is an advanced technique. It is one of those things that really is a "PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME".

That is one thing that can be endlessly debated by higher belts. Some may disagree but they are basically the same thing. Technically a lunge punch has the whole body behind it because of the step forward. But a good thrust punch also has the weight of the body behind its execution.

Err they get stiff if worn too long without a wash too.

Try a pro force 8. The cotton poly blend it will not shrink the way all cotton ones do. Failing that you will need to go with the more expensive brand from the Dragon Times. (I can't come up with the name right now.)

What about people you have actually met or dealt with on a day to day basis? Didn't any of them teach you anything on a guru type basis?

I have had different sparring partners from other styles. It is kind of interesting to spar with someone of a different style. It is really important to start slow and keep safety in mind. Sparring is not my stong suit but I did learn a lot from some of my partners.

I had a weird little military intelligence job that is obsolete now.

It all depends on what happens two hours later wether or not you eat the first one.

It is generally recommended that when you start striking a heavy bag or a makiwara to start slow and build up. Same as for the power of the strikes. Warm up with softer punches and gradually increase the intensity to full power.

Too far off topic.

This has gotten way off topic.

Good luck to you.