stl_karateka

welcome!

Yeah --- I forgot the 'chucks. I'm going to try to get my hands on that book to see if it lines up with what I've learned. Basically I was taught that all of the Okinawan weapons were some sort of farm tool bo staff - used to carry buckets across shoulders chucks - beating the rice tonfa - also for rice beating sai - I learned the long blade is for poking holes in the ground to plant seeds and the shorter prong was dragged along the ground to build irrigation trenches (problem is you'd have to grab the long blade to drag the short blade thru the ground --- doesn't make sense) --- I later learned the sai was built as a weapon and not a farm tool Aku / Oar -- used to manuever the boats kama - used to chop the fields (like a sickle)

I think the majority of fighters start right foot forward. Develop a strong left side so that you can fight either side comfortably This will either force your opponent to switch to their weaker sides, or you'll fight on opposite legs....good oppurtunitie to roundhouse to the head cause they can't see it coming (careful -- neither can you) --- also good for front ridge-hand to the back of the head. Another piece of advice would be to fight defensively --- of course you cant be completely defensive....the object is to get points after all. But here is one of my fav defense techniques: Against a kicker --- soon as their leg comes up, you spin out of the way and catch them with a spin hook kick Hope this helps!

The main OKINAWAN weapons : bo staff tonfa sai - disputed use as a farm tool kama - which aren't included aku (sp?) - the oar -- which isn't included

Reverse punch for me

Isshin Ryu: Seisan Seiunchin Nahanchi Wansu Chinto Sanchin Kusanku Sunsu Matsubayshi Shorin Ryu Fukigata I and II Pinan Series I-V Nahanchi Series I-III Ananku Wankan Rohai Wanshu Passai Chinto Gojushiho Kunsanku

no way! thats a great age to start --- I started at 19

Welcome

Yeah, if you are just trying it out go with what you have .... I'd be more offended if someone came in with a dirty, unclean, sloppy uniform than worried about the patch. I spent my entire month trial period in ShorinRyu wearing my Mizugami I-Ryu patch. When I sat down and talked to my instructor before signing up he told me I'd have to get a ShorinRyu patch in the near future (I knew this anyway) -- I respect the fact that he made this clear before I signed on the dotted line so their was no surprise obligations after the fact.

What division are you talking about -- traditional or open? I agree with all of those things and I'll add a few: STANCES --- I know you already said it, but its soooo important. Posture --- back straight, head up Focus - do you look like you are going thru the moves or are you living the kata. Do you look like you are fighting....I should be able to see the application of moves (traditional div) Presentation - this should be the least of your worries, but does have some merit and is worth mentioning. Respectfully bow and introduce yourself to the judges. Personally I don't think they are impressed with all the yelling of the name....you can project power in your voice and show intensity without busting an eardrum! Open / Music divisions judges look for: -Creativity -Choerography -Complexity of moves -If weapons - then releases get brownie points (I'm not making this up...I listen to the commentators from the US Open) -Originality

The experience in the TKD school is appalling! I'm glad those are few and far between. I've always been welcomed in other dojos -- I don't run my own school or anything. Out of respect I always ask my instructor....he's never tried to restrict me, even the one time I went to someone I knew he wasn't a fan of. However, I work with this person (different orgs but we see each other every so often) and she has been asking me to come out. People often walk in during our classes....usually one of the senior bb's will go talk to them, sometimes they are interested in training and he'll talk to them about what we are doing....others are just walking by and want to watch...that's cool too. There have been a couple experiences where people come in to watch and are a distraction...like one lady who was trying to ask the instructor questions while he was teaching self-defense. The head instructor had to come out of the office and ask her to be quiet --- she took offense and got an attitude. But other than those rare experiences, we welcome others and others welcome us

If you are in a school that wants to teach you culture as well as TKD....then no, TKD is not considered karate....and you don't practice in a dojo, but a dojang etc By everyone else do you mean other MA practitioners or just everyone in general? Eitherway --- most will label any form of fighting where you punch and kick karate.

I know who you're talking about --- he fought Damon Gilbert from Team CJB in the grands at the BlueGrass

That's a very excellent article! Good points about the humility a black belt should posses...and understanding that 1st degree black belt is just the begining. Usually when people find out I study karate, the next question is what belt are you, or are you a black belt....in which case I tell them yes....from there....it is one of two reactions: a. awe stricken, and anything else I say about levels of black belts or how its the lowest level of black belt is in one ear and out the other b. the cynical response -- do you / can you break x amount of boards, can you do this and that in a street fight I've only been a black belt since August...and I'm sure I stood a little taller and held my head a little higher But that's wearing off --- I think the problem is with some BBs it never wears off They think they've reached the goal, but if the goal is to just get a black belt, then you misunderstand the martial arts in my opinion.

Welcome

I also started as trombone 3....by the time I graduated I was first chair trombone, drum major, and in the elite jazz combo

hola!

welcome

hola

Welcome (back)

That's just sick! I had to peek and see what had ShorinRyu Sensei so riled up.....now I see.....QUADRUPLE the jail sentence I say!!!

Congrats!!!!

Really? Is that normal in your school? How many others? Usually when we test the instructor knows we are ready...I've only seen 2 failures so far. One in each school I've been in.

Welcome! Lots of good info here...I hope you find what you are looking for!

I got both!