cathal

I did a GIS and came up with these results: http://images.google.ca/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=dragon+%2B+dove&btnG=Search You can come up with some more interesting things using just the two terms as well.

It's a great feeling isn't it? The closest, yet farthest you'll be from Black.

My dojo is affiliated with the JKA. The other two Tekkis are part of the syllabus for Nidan and Sandan. Some dojos don't bother teaching you Tekki Nidan & Sandan until Shodan level though. When you get to 3rd Kyu you have to learn the rest of th 15, so hold off Bassai Sho for a little while. For now you should concentrate on Kanku Dai (especially), Empi, Jion, Gankaku and Jitte. The rest will come with Shodan.

I missed the pants story But seriously I agree you did a good job dealing with him. Next time he gives you advice merely say thank you. If it is definitely incorrect then let him know. After all, he isn't going to learn properly if he passes out incorrect information anyway. If you disagree then go ahead into a friendly debate, and even consult a sempai or the sensei. BAM! Fixed. Next please. LOL

I'll roll it up, leave it for an hour, and roll it up in the opposite direction first. Next, over the entire length of the belt I'll wrap my fingers around it and squeeze in a fist. The middle of the belt goes in against my palm. I'll go through the same in the opposite direction as well. Next, I do as already been suggested in that I'll do some twisting, then store it folded.

congratulations.

That is a huge list isn't it? LOL No White Lotus though

Sure is...rather strange for such a huge organization.

When you make it to 365 consecutive days I will make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in your name.

That is a fantastis method. I will use that when I run a dojo.

I received an email from the tournament committee and they only accept Shodan-level karateka, who are ITKF members. So it's not an open tourney. C'est la vie.

Looks like these two websites have answered all of my questions: http://www.karatecanada.com/tkc/accommodations/delta_overview.asp and http://www.itkf.org

This is all good advice. All I'd have to add would be to practice very slowly at first. Let the speed happen later, just focus on getting the movements down. If you're a fan of nascar & racing, you see how fast those pit crews work to change a tire, fuel the car, etc? Well they don't get that fast practicing real quick. They move very...very...painfully slowly. The speed comes along naturally.

If you have ever attended a self defense class, how do you think it compares to your martial arts training?

My dojo is fairly small so we all train together. I find it's a much better learning experience.

Yeah looks like I missed spelling there.

This is good practice! I was doing a knee, then kick drill in our children's kicking class a couple of weeks ago. It is good to build speed for the chamber, and getting the feel for kneeing a target. Not just that but if you work with a bag when doing the knee techniques, you're also training your hips too.

I honestly believe it is a big help. It's documented as helping professional athletes as well.

We do it annually in the summer. We've had a lot of success in the past, this year was pretty good as well. Regrettably though we're on the Atlantic coast of Canada...you probably are too far away.

We tend to use knee technique to get you ready to learn kicks, as a beginner.

You can also get a free copy of the tournament guidelines & rules by request. So long as you go through the organization they typically will provide that free of charge.

That's good advice. BTW what do you think of MT so far?

OK I have the same questions but can you tell me where you go the rebreakable boards?

Check out this thread, by cleung: http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=24026 As for myself, I tend to suggest to folks that you "try it on" like a pair of shoes at a shoe store. If you're talking to the instructor and it feels like a sales pitch then you don't want to be there.

No doubt he's more familiar with the other members so he's friendlier. Some folks just take a little longer to get to know you as well. In that area just be patient. If you consistently train with him enough then the sensei will make an effort to get to know you a little better. Moreover he may be partnering with others because he knows they need his direct attention...right now you may not need that. On the topic of being asked to do something you can't, it's perfectly acceptable to pause and wait for the others to complete the task. Since you have already discussed it with the sensei then you don't have to worry about him scolding you for not participating...it can also function as a nice reminder too.