krunchyfrogg

This sounds weird, but I went to the same dojo for about 2 years, and quit when I was 8 years old (20 years ago!). The stepping part of those Taikyoko's came back in about a week or two's time.

I know it sounds strange, but yes, we start with Empi kata. I don't know the differences (if any) from the classic shotokan empi kata (this is the only dojo I've ever trained at), but others have said "in my old dojo, this wasa black belt kata." Yandan and Godan start by opening up into a back stance, instead of a front stance like the other Taikyoko katas. On the offensive, you shift into a front stance and punch for hte head. The difference between Yandan and Godan is that in Godan, you do a front kick before the punch. They're very similar katas.

My dojo starts you off with Empi Kata. Then it's Taikyoko Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yandan and finally Godan. We get our fair share of Taikyoko's!

Funny story... my sensei almost got arrested when he and his wife went to the hospital with their kids. She had bruises all over her arms, and they wouldn't believe that she was in karate.

Well, we're not supposed to ever have face contact in my school while sparring (you're supposed to pull your strike before it lands), but that's not saying that it never happens.

I'm trying you laugh, so I won't cry. No you're not!

This day is getting a whole lot closer, a whole lot faster than I thought! I'm bumping this one to the top, in hopes of even more of a vareity of schools to choose from in Parsippany, NJ. Again, I'd prefer a dojo that teaches some shotokan, shorin-ryu, or goju-ryu. http://www.users.cloud9.net/~krunchyfrogg/Bump_smilie.gif

I'm considering asking for no sparring for about a month (August) this summer. My school doesn't use any protection (pads/armor), and I don't want to risk bruising, since I'm getting married in September. Although the chance of taking a blow to the head is minimal (I've only seen people get grazed in almost a year of training), my fiancée would kill me if we got married and I had a black eye (or anything like that).

http://www.users.cloud9.net/~krunchyfrogg/USAFlag.gif God Bless America

I live underneath my dojo (literally). Can't beat that commute, and life at home sucks if I don't make it in!

I initially started taking karate (well, for the first time since I was a little kid) for fitness purposes. I started in September '03, and am getting married in Sept. '04. I wanted to look and feel better for that day. Self defense is also important to me. Anyway, a mere 7 months after I began my training, I am getting compliments on the way I look from many people, I feel better than I ever have, and I exude a certain amount of confidence I never knew was there. I've been offered promotions at work that would never had been offered me before, I've stood up for myself where I would have just bit the bullet and bottled those emotions, and I feel like a better person overall. I've gotten more out of these 7 months of training that I'd ever thought possible, and so much more than I was looking for. I don't think I'll ever give up the martial arts, unless it's because of injury.

I remember asking this question back in September, when I first joined these forums and started my training. -- I never got the answer I was looking for. Maybe my school is different, but we tie our belts (obi?) differently. My instructors are strict about it, though. It's a very traditional dojo, and I guess tying your belt is part of that tradition.

I just wanted to clairfy what I said on page 2: Although my fiancée isn't a warrior now, I would completely support her if she were to pick up any form of martial arts. OTOH, there is such a thing as spending too much time together, and I use my training as a stress reliever in addition to the typical things (staying in shape, learning to fight, ect.), and as much as I love this woman, she can sure stress me out!

I just wanted to get into thie thread before that dorky kid who posts pics of himself with his shirt off. Seriously though, it's great to find someone with similar interests, as a matter of fact, it's essential in a relationship that will work and last. My fiancée isn't a warrior, but we both share many other interests, and it's what holds us together.

RMPL There's a 3 page thread only two threads lower than yours (when this was posted) all about buying a gi. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=11302

You could have avoided using a freakin' elbow strike! Those things are meant to really hurt somebody! It's in the past now, and you can't go back and change it. If I were you, I'd just get a good lawyer, and stop discussing your legal troubles on a message board.

A little trick I started doing, and it seems to work so far (the first few times anyway) is to decieve your opponent with your eyes. Telegraph your first few moves by looking exactly where you're going to punch/kick. He'll come to expect this, and when he's blocking you before you even start your move, it's time to look low, and punch in the mouth.

If I'm sick, and I really want to train, I let the Sensei know I'm not 100% before class, and I bow out if things get too intense. I just won't push as hard as I usually would if I'm not feeling well.

GReat thread! I signed on today, because I needed to find an online store to purchase a gi from. I'm so happy the answers were already here for me!

Can you point me in the direction of any shotokan, shorin ryu, or goju videos? TIA!

It's based on an old Monty Python skit featuring a "crunchy frog" chocolate (there's a real dead baby frog inside). My first step into the internet world involved me getting a hotmail account, and "crunchyfrog" was taken, so I messeg around with the spelling. The e-mail account has been retired, but my "handle" lives on!

Go see a Sports Orthapedic surgeon, as ZR440 said. As a matter of fact, see one of them before going for physical therapy. You don't want to risk hurting yourself any further (in therapy) if they're trying to fix something without knowing precisely what is wrong. The Surgeon will have you make an appointment for an MRI immediately. After getting the result from that (ie, knowing what is EXACTLY wrong with your knee), you'll have to take it from there. And, please get a second opinion. You don't want to go into surgery (or avoid it) if it really isn't necessary. Good luck!

Who here is stating that they're "more holy" than anybody else? This is a discussion concerning fitting martial arts with our faith, nothing else.

I live underneath my dojo. It's torture if I don't go to class!

Of course not, but body size can be a huge factor in the sport of judo. As in boxing (and I'd imagine a karate tournament... never been to one), there are weight categories in Sumo Wrestling (at least from what I heard on this radio advert.).