tekki

You absolutely should start training! You sound like one of the people who would most benefit from time well spent in the dojo/dojang of your choice. Most martial arts have an injury rate that is substantially lower than many other popular sports. Also, I am sure with the types of injuries you have had, if you had been training in martial arts, you might not have been injured as badly or even injured at all. Not only do you learn techniques that help you defend yourself against an attacker, but you will likely learn how to fall and roll safely. Also, by increasing your flexibility, range of motion and the suppleness of your muscles, your body will become that much more resilient. And yes, even when it's frustrating, it's so so much fun!

There is a school near me that specifically teaches particular sounds to make for kiai at set points in their kata. In some parts, it's a short "tu." Then there's a "tiah" sound. Then there's the full out "asahhhh!!!" they make at the end. I wonder what the point of this is.

There's a group of good JKA clubs in the area. One is on Nun's Island. another is at Concordia University. Check out the Montreal JKA website here. http://www.montreal-jka.com/english/accueil-en.html

Shotokan in the house here! (albeit with some Goju Ryu influence too )

I used to be more secretive about my karate, but the weird reactions don't get to me so much anymore. Other people making fools out of themselves can't take away the enjoyment and benefits I derive from my participation I karate. It's a big part of who I am, so to lie about it would just be dishonest anyhow. I hope that more martial arts enthusiasts will be open about their passion. I want to see martial arts viewed as a legitimate way to workout, participate in sports, better oneself and to just have fun. If we hide from the outside world, we are less visible and all that much more prone to ridicule and mocking from a society that doesn't understand what we're all about.

I have one. I got an LG a few months ago on sale at Circuit City. I have to drive a lot for work, often to places I've never been. It's pretty much a necessity for me.

Japan and Okinawa. I've never been to Asia at all and I'd love to see the places where my favorite martial arts originated. I wouldn't mind going to Korea too. Other than that, most of the other places I want to go are places I've already been.

Wii N64 PS1 Genesis/Sega CD Game Boy Color NES

Two big karate goals this summer for me. 1. Medal in at least one event at Nationals in July. 2. Get my Sandan. (I just found out I'm grading in August)

My first instructor was Sensei King. While I have been blessed with many great instructors throughout my karate journey to date, he was the best one to start with. Sensei King was a public school teacher by day, and he had an extraordinary gift for teaching beginners. He knew exactly how to communicate the principles of basic karate techniques in just the way so that you could "get it." He taught twice a week at my university, not for money or fame, but just because he wanted to give back to his alma mater and to karate. Also, he viewed his students as "his" kids. I credit him to this day for my continuing passion for the art. I can't express in just a few words how much of a debt I owe to this man and I don't know where I'd be today without his guidance during those years.

I train in a mix of Shotokan and Goju ryu. Shotokan has been the constant in my martial arts life, I have also dabbled with kobudo, aikido, judo and TKD (roughly in that order in terms of how much) If I were to regularly train in a second martial art, I would go for either judo or jujutsu

-Jammed a couple of fingers -Pulled a hamstring Other than that, it hasn't been worse than a few bumps, bruises and lots of sore muscles. When and if the big one hits, I think it will be in my rec soccer league, not in karate.

I have a lot of shirts and jackets that depict karate on them. I have a euro-oval sticker with a guy doing a side thrust kick on my car. None of them give away my rank or are any attempt to brag about how good I am or think I am. However, in some sense, I LOVE to brag about my art itself. I see karate is a wonderful thing to do in your free time and I want to send a message that karate is a legitimate sport activity for civilized people in our society. If basketball or soccer players can have their respective clothing and bumper stickers, why can't karateka have the same and show the world that we have nothing to be ashamed of?

You're 51 kg, that's 113 Lb. At 5'4", that's not overweight at all. Of course, I don't know your BMI or your overall level of cardio fitness, strength or anything. The best thing for you to do, assuming that you are in good health (i.e. no medical issues that would be aggravated by exercise) is to go ahead and take the plunge and sign up for your first karate class today! Pay attention to your body and pay attention to what your new instructor has to say, and enjoy all that our beautiful art has to offer while getting into better shape than ever before!

I began karate more for its own sake, but one of the first things I noticed after doing karate for a year or two was that I was overall a much, much better athlete. I went back to playing soccer after not playing for 2 or 3 years, and my skills were worlds better. Another time, a friend of mine pleaded with me to join him in a pickup basketball game. I hesitated strongly before giving in, saying I was the worst player ever. But I relented. When I got warmed up, I discovered that I was actually halfway decent. I've tried all kinds of sports and physical activities. You just can't beat martial arts when it comes to actually being able to improve your overall athletic ability.