aefibird

Hey, I've been to Satsuma!! The last time I was in London I went there. I agree, good food. Not too jaw-droppingly expensive either (not compared to other places).

Try breaking your kata down into easy-to-remember parts, such as groups of 3 or 4 movements. Practice one group, then practice the second group. then try joining them together. Also, write it down! Even if you don't know the names of each move, then write what you think it is, eg "turn to the left and block with a downwards block in front stance". The best advice is practice, practice, practice. Oh, and when you're tired of practicing then practice some more. It really is the best way to remember kata. A few minutes a day will really help your karate training. Finally, don't get too worked up about not remembering kata. it took me ages to really learn my first kata properly. Then one day it suddenly 'clicked' and I could do it no probs. If you've only been training since April then you're pretty much an absolute beginner still. Your instructor won't be looking for perfection from you - just that you're trying your hardest and wanting to improve. Ah, glad it's not just me that has done that... My instructor is used to me having "brain f arts" (as he calls them) in the middle of kata.

...although personal medical insurance companies tend to try... BUPA healthcare - the bane of my life.

Hi Sasori_Te! Welcome back!!

What's your favourite drink? Mine is orange juice or ice-cold still water for a non-alcoholic drink, with Asahi lager or John Smiths bitter for alcoholic.

What's your favourite food? Mine is Thai chicken noodles for savoury, with any sort of chocolate for sweet.

Sports Forums Karate Resource Federation of Shotokan Karate Forum

Yes, they are!

Hi Jake, welcome to Karate Forums!

I stayed with martial arts because I love training. I couldn't imagine life without it now...it gets in your blood... It's fun, a great way of keeping fit and also good for social reasons. The other members of my dojo are like my family (cheesy, but true!).

Ah, but you have less 'holes' in your knowlegde than I do... so you filled in quite a few of them for me...

Woo hoo for Donnie Yen! He's one of my fave martial artists.

Try putting ice on it. Or alternate ice and heat, whichever method you prefer.

Good luck with your surgery EvilTed! I hope it goes OK and that you're back training soon. (oh, and good luck for your brown belt test too! )

Have a chat with your doctor - he/she will know your medical history and be able to advise you about being healthy enough to compete.

Great article WW, very well written and a good point made.

Dunno, it's certainly not in South Yorkshire - we've just had another torrential downpour.

yeah, at least Britain has the chance of coming back with a couple of sailing medals, even if we're not gonna get any in anything else... Actually, one of our Judo players is pretty decent and we've got the best Eventing/Horse Trials team we've had for years. So... *fingers crossed*

Happy birthday Wap! Hope you've had a great birthday. Enjoy those snow crabs...

We usually learn roundhouse empi and rising empi fairly early on. Sidewards and downwards elbow strikes are usually learned after the first or second belt test. Starting to use combos with elbow techniques is generally done from the second coloured belt level (in my dojo that's red belt). Blocking with the elbows is done at a higher level, usually from green or purple onwards.

Hey Sasori_Te! Welcome back!

Even though you're one of the oldest in your school I still wouldn't suggest that you train in your gi. Buy a tracksuit/sweats and train in those. That way you'll definately avoid unwanted attention. Even though the other students are younger than you, you might have to put up with them gawping at you; more so if you wear your gi. lol, me too!! If only learning a martial art was so easy...

Great history lesson, DM! Very informative, thanks.

Congratulations on your weight loss kbgirl! Many people have been there and know how hard it can be even to shed 5 pounds, let alone go from 218 to 158lbs.