angelica d

Having never been in a real 'street fight' or whatever you want to call it, I can't comment, but when me and my fiance spar after class, I often use high kicks. Why? Because I know my opponent. I know that he is amazing at high kicks but doesn't expect anyone else to ever use them. I like to catch him off guard! I guess in a real fight you do whatever comes into your head at the time - hopefully I'll never have to find out!

If I were you I would not try to learn anything by yourself before starting gymnastics - after all, why are you going there!?! When I started all of my hobbies, I just turned up at the class with no previous knowledge. Remember, gymnastics is a very precise activity - I mean, I can do what call the splits but according to my gymnast friend I'm not doing them 'properly'!!! You don't want to learn something and then have the gymnastics instructor pick it to pieces! I understand that you might be the only guy but if you stick at gymnastics I'm sure the girls will respect you for it. When I turned up at my dojo for the first time, two years ago, I was a 17year old girl, recovering from anorexia, no self confidence whatsoever, and all the other students were strong, fit young men. But two years on, I'm helping to run the club whereas most of them have dropped out! Let me know how you get on - gymnastics has always interested me and as soon as I find the time I'm gonna start lessons too!

Hey, congratulations! Just repeating what the others have said, really. Remember, karate gets harder, deeper and more exciting with every lesson you attend, so persevere and practise hard and you'll have a rewarding and fun time! Also, don't skimp on etiquette, it's more important and noticeable than most beginners realise. Lastly, my sensei always says 'the most important and basic block is not to be there in the first place'. So like gcav said - duck!

Hey WW, that's awesome! Seems like a good way of dealing with it to me!

I really enjoy teaching, so I'm probably biased, but here are my thoughts on the subject: Teaching has given me more confidence, both in talking to a class and in demonstrating techniques. Now I'm not as nervous when doing something on my own in a class ie performing a kata. By teaching beginners you realise how much you already have learnt yourself. You see people struggling with basic moves, and remember when you were like that. This can boost your self confidence, but it also reminds you that everyone starts somewhere. You become more understanding and better at communicating instructions. By teaching, you also realise how much you still have to learn, particularly when kids ask awkward questions (generally beginning with 'What if...'). Having students who are really determined and motivated encourages me to practice harder myself. Explaining techniques to other people consolidates my own knowledge. Often students can give a different perspective on things, for example bunkai. Once, our senior instructor was demonstrating the first turn followed by tetsui in kibadachi in heian sandan, and an 11year old yellow belt pointed out that as well as using the knee and the fist as weapons in this move, the beginning of the tetsui could be an elbow strike. We hadn't thought of this but it made sense! Also I agree with everyone else's views on passing on your knowledge to the next generation of beginners, and on living up to a blackbelt's title of 'sensei'. Some really interesting posts so far, I've enjoyed reading them all!

OK then WW, replace honesty for sincerity/being genuine/anything that means being yourself! Thats what I meant, just a bad choice of words. I realise honesty may not be the best policy in some situations, but once you're in a long term relationship it helps if you know how the other person feels. I'd hate it if my fiance said things just to 'keep me happy' and I'm sure he'd be the same if I did it to him. But thats just us, everyones different! As for funny guys - yeah, make us laugh! But it doesn't always mean funny guys are attractive. I think Peter Kay and Ross Noble are hilarious, but fancy them? Euww!

Firstly , its a really good idea to separate cardio and strength training workouts, you won't reach optimum performance if you cram them together. Secondly, no way!!! is mid twenties too late! Also, the Tae Boe videos are awesome, I'd recommend them to anyone!A lot of workout vids are rubbish and don't even get you out of breath, but these vids are exhausting! Good luck in your new lifestyle!

Thanks for all the input guys, I think that next time this happens I'll just have to tell her that I don't think sensei appreciates this. He does tell everyone to be quiet, as a class, but she starts talking again after a couple of minutes! But its not just me, its everyone she talks to. But because we're the only girls we often get partnered together. I don't really want to let things get to the stage where I have to complain to him, as he's my future father-in-law and we're quite close, I think it could become a messy conflict. But you're all right, its compromising my own training, ruining class concentration, and making me frustrated with her, when really she's a good friend. Cheers for helping me decide what to do guys! Anyone else had an experience like this?

Am I right in thinking that Tarantino directed this film? I think I read it on a poster at the cinema, but it was late, I'd had a bit to drink....

Be yourself! Most, if not all girls, can spot guys who are putting on an act a mile off. Honesty and a sense of humour are high on my list! By the way: Its not very respectful, IMHO, to talk about 'getting' girls. It sounds as if you're collecting things! (which I hope is not your intention!). Most of the ladies I know (myself included) prefer the phrase 'attracting girls'.

I've just read Ti's thread about disrespectful students, and it made me think of a similar problem that I've encountered. However, in this case, the person involved is a good friend of mine - makes things a little more complicated. It's not that they're intentionally rude, they just talk NON STOP throughout the class, and this gets really annoying for me when we're doing partner work. I end up interrupting them with a loud 'JODAN!' followed by as slow punch (has to be slow because usually they're still not concentrating!) Also, this person has a habit of complaining to the sensei that certain techniques 'don't work' for them - its so embarrassing! Outside of the dojo we get on really well, and I try not to show my frustration in case they take it personally (this person is incredibly sensitive). I don't want to fall out, I just want to be able to get on with my karate! So I was wondering, do any of you have any advice? It seems to my that I can either suffer in silence, tell this person to be quiet, or ask my sensei if he can partner me with someone else (don't really want to do this in case the person finds out I've gone behind their back). Any other options anyone can think of? Cheers guys!

Lol! I can't help it, nothing else is quite the same. We'd run out of it this morning, so my stepdad tried to fool me with a homemade substitute - grr!

I know I'm boring, but I eat exactly the same cereal every day for my breakfast, and have done this for years and years! It still tastes awesome! And I always have some fresh orange juice and maybe a vitamin supplement if I'm not feeling on top form.

7th kyu shotokan

When I'm running, nothing motivates me more than Robbie William's 'Let Me Entertain You'. Awesome! 'Paint it Black' is another good running tune.