aefibird

If you're training in Vovinam with an instructor (as opposed to teaching yourself), then the best place to start would be with him or her. Your instructor would probably be able to give you plenty of info about the style and also if there are any good books/video tapes about the art.

Good luck for your comp luckykboxer! Kick butt. (and no putting your fingers into any orifices!)

I've seen fairly decent swords go for about £500-£2000 in the UK. They were not even the sort that are rare and collectable, they're just good quality swords for use in martial arts practice, both sharpened and semi-sharpened. A good company that does swords and other martial arts weapons is Barrington's swords, based in London. I don't know if they sell to outside of the UK, though.

Well, if you're only using it as an ornamental piece then the loose blade shouldn't really be an issue. I don't think there's any way to fix it. I have a v. cheap katana that has a loose blade on it, but seen as it only hangs on the wall above my PC (along with my Shodan certificate) then the fact that the blade wobbles isn't a problem for me. I never use it - it just looks pretty on the wall!

Gah, that was gonna be my next question!! Well, if you've used one of those machines before (in the gym of wherever) then good. If you've never used one then go to a gym and try it out - no point in spending hard earned £££ on something you're gonna use once and then hate. White Warlock's advice of putting the machine somewhere prominent is good. Instead of putting it in a spare bedroom or loft or cellar/basement, having it in a place where you can easily get to it is a good idea - you'll look at it and it should (hopefully) prompt you to use it.

Yes, it is out on DVD (at least, it is in the UK, so I should imagine it is in the USA too). My copy (Region 2 DVD) has some good interviews on it in the "Extras" section with the cast & crew.

Well, as you're still fairly much a beginner I'd stick with Shorin Ryu for now. It is an excelent style and, even if you switch to another MA, the training that you've done in it will stand you in good stead for your next MA. Karate is an excellent and realistic form of street self-defence (despite what some people say about it ). Even if you switch to another style you will still have to spend several months or even a couple of years learning the basics before moving onto more complicated stuff. You might as well stick with what you know and get a good foundation in Shorin Ryu before deciding on moving to another style. Another option would be to continue your Shorin Ryu training and cross-train in another martial art at the same time. If you're determined to start another MA, then this might be the best route for you. Then you'll not be 'throwing away' your SR training and you'll be learning another MA as well.

I think that home gym equipment can be a good thing, as long as you get decent stuff and not go for the cheapest just because it costs less. Plus, having the stuff there in front of you to use means that you'd be able to train whenever you want; fit it in around the kids and house work etc etc. A disadvantage of having equipment at home is that you may not be motiated to use it regularly, whereas with a gym membership you've more chance of motivation, especially if you train with someone else. Anyway, I think it's a good idea - hope it works out well for you if you buy a piece of home gym equipment!

Firstly, welcome to Karate Forums! Well, if you feel that you can handle the full contact then go for it! Full contact training is not everyone's cup of tea, but if you enjoy it then I'd suggest that you keep going with it. As far as training goes, at my karate club we recommend that all new starters train at least twice a week, moving up to a minimum of 3 times per week after obtaining their first grade. Training of about 5-6 hours a week minimum would be a good amount. However, your own club instructor would be able to advise you better, as she/he would know the requirements for black belt in your club and roughly how long it takes to get there. Good luck in your training!

Sorry to hear about your injury 40 cent. I hope it clears up soon!

Ah right. You'd have known who I meant if you trained with him - he's a club instructor. Yes, there are loads of karate clubs in the Torbay area, as I found out last month when I entered the South West Championships!

Hi Angela, welcome to KF! You don't happen to train in Shotokan with Dave Owen in Paignton do you??

Sometimes I occasionally miss one of my ex's, but I think that's more to do with the fact that I tend to remember the good times with him more than the bad. The fact that he was (and probably still is) a right seems to have escaped my memory when I start to miss him. Still, if he turned up on my doorstep tomorrow begging forgiveness and wanting to start again I would have no hesitation in slamming the door in his face. As Warlock said... life goes on. It can be good to look back on situations in your life & remember them with fondness, but it doesn't mean I want to go there again.

Patrick, you've certainly managed to make KF an inviting and welcoming place for all. I can say with confidence that most people on here will back me up - KF is one of the best sites on the entire web. Congrats on a good job!

Good idea granmasterchen, I think I'll try that with my lowe grades tonight.

Excellent! That was very funny.

Good. I especially like number 4!

lol, I get it. Good one Beka.

I find I'm always hungrier after working out/training. :-/

Krunchyfrogg, is it when you kneel/sit in seiza or during any kneeling position? I'm gonn aback up what the other have put, though, and recommend that you go check it out with a doctor.

Good article, thanks for sharing.

Good article KSN Doug! Very thought provoking too. I'm sure many people complain that they haven't got the time for training or working out or going to class or whatever, but it all depends on what your priorities are and what stuff could be juggled about to make room for something else.

I like using Uraken (back-fist). If I've guessed correctly, the "hurricane" that's referred to in this poll is a type of kick. However, he could be meaning a natural disaster - an extreme way to win a tournament, by getting the weather on your side!!

Glad to hear you've already had some positive changes to your life Coco. Keep going with them! Going out to the mall with your mum is a good start - why not ask one or a couple of people from school if they want to go with you sometime too? It'll be better for you than sitting in front of the computer all day. Also, if you're scared to go out in your neighbourhood, then start to change that. You have to live in that area, and probably won't be able to move away until after you finish high school. Try going out on your own for a few minutes a day - just a quick walk round the block will do you good, as it gives you excercise and also much-needed fresh air. Sitting indors on the computer for 13 hours a day will be playing havoc with your body. It ain't a good thing for you to do! On the food front... learn to cook. It will give you something to do instead of computer games, plus it will mean that you can start to eat healthier foods. Go food shopping with your mum or dad or whoever goes for groceries. Ask them to sart switching to low-fat versions of products, if possible, and not to always buy you pop and crisps (chips). Start off by learning to cook simple things, such as pasta with tomato sauce, or beans on toast, or eggs or whatever. No-one will expect you to be able to produce gourmet dishes if you've never cooked before. But cooking your own food is miles better than living on Coke and chips. Good luck to you with your lifestyle changes!

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