cathal

Our dojo kun and niju kun ( http://www.iskf.com/nijukun.html ) are taught in our system.

Most breaking training is centered on focus, concentration, and technique. The physical condition is going to be a secondary aspect from your training.

He's got a very relaxed technique. LOL I like how the caption reads "Trying to do Unsu".

That's very helpful, thank you. I was trying to figure out something very similar to this technique.

Hey that's a fantastic activity.

Well that is how you know your instructor is a good one. An instructor that constantly praises or constantly gripes isn't a good sign.

Come on back to this thread in a few weeks and let us know how it's going.

Something else I have noticed is that one day they will come to class and there will be a change in their attitude, their technique, their presence. That's when you know.

We usually charge about 2-300 for Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan. Not sure what the fees are for anything higher but you should ask for a rundown for what the fee covers. If the organization refuses to give you the breakdown...well. I would have less faith to be honest.

Ahhh yes good website. Thanks, you're my big helper for today.

I have heard a few good things about this site, but have never used it myself. http://www.bostaff.com/photos/index.html When you decide let us know how it goes.

Most people use it for scare tactics than as a reliable weapon. But I think that was popularized by TV and film.

Is it true that only about 15 minutes of playtime actually happens in an average Football game?

yeah - stuff like that just happens.

Welcome

It's how I found this place as well. Welcome

Glad to have you.

I never have - I prefer a partner.

All I can say is that when I feel down I look to the other students. The experience is quite humbling and I've gone through the feeling before. As my own father said to me a long time ago, when we walk down the path of life we're bound to stumble a few times.

Yes there's some good thoughts on here. I'm going to play around with this one as well.

I've found very little information on this person. From what I've been able to determine he's acted in film & TV in Australia, and has donated so far $10,000 to a disabled persons charity. I can't find reviews of the materials he's producted I'm afraid.

Odd, I had the same feeling too. I agree that things like this might attract females to self-defense but the attacks and defense were pretty unrealistic. But if it gets some people interested in MA, then I guess it can't be all that bad. OK that's all fine and good but what about the people who don't decide to join up & learn, and instead remember what they saw? If they ever get into a similar situation they may get seriously hurt.

Absolutely not. You only get out of it what you put in. If those kids have been doing it since they were four years old, it doesn't make a lick of difference. I've seen them perform in kata, kumite, tournaments, whatever. Nothing changes it all boils down to the individual, how much effort they put into it, and how hard they're working.

You're lucky, our black belts have to do each warm up & cool down for every class.

Hey, we call it neon-geri. I practice this kata a great deal as my sensei says that it will be "my" kata. I had the same issues as yourself for these techniques. I overcame my frustration with it by practicing the first kick by itself as it seems to be the key to the entire sequence. For my dojo the first kick is rather like a jab. Fast, powerful, and subtle. (So subtle that at first many karateka miss it and merely raise their knee, then do the second kick only.) The key to getting the technique down is the knees. Get your knees up as high as you possibly can as you jump up. The first kick is aimed "chudan-ish" so don't snap out for a Jodan level kick. The second kick comes fast & strong as well, and is aimed Jodan level. Again, get that knee up and drive the hips forward to gather the momentum. As you transition into the second kick your left hand circles around your right hand, as if to break the opponent's hold on your right wrist. That right hand comes down into a powerful "stopping" backfist, and only then do you kiai (in my dojo anyway). What I mean by the stopping backfist is that upon landing you take all of that kinetic energy, and focus your mind on that backfist...the rest of your body merely stops and this helps transfer all of that tremeandous power. In a way you get the same feeling when you start off Bassai Dai, that first move is fast & strong and then you simply stop...moving all that momentum and kinetic energy into the opponent. Kind of like running into a wall. So then you pause for a 2 count, then finish the kata.